Syria now has 40 per cent less drinking water than at the start of the conflict.įighters destroy crops and steal livestock explosives contaminate fertile land markets cannot function and prices rocket. Last year, more than 117 million people faced acute hunger primarily because of war and insecurity.ĭamage to critical infrastructure hampers food production, blocks distribution and deprives people of safe water: Armed conflict is a key factor driving food insecurity around the world. In Afghanistan, the ban by the de facto authorities on women working in the humanitarian aid sector is having life-threatening consequences for women and girls. Their work was hampered by violence, bureaucracy and politics, and obstructed by overly broad sanctions and counter-terrorism measures. Humanitarians also faced regular threats.

Health facilities and schools were devastated, and their workers injured, kidnapped and killed.Īt least 2000 schools were destroyed in three regions of Ethiopia alone. The total number forced from their homes due to conflict, violence, human rights violations and persecution reached 100 million refugees. Those able to flee the fighting did so in record numbers: Last year, 94 per cent of their victims in populated areas were civilians. My report on the protection of civilians in armed conflict in 2022 shows that war is devastating lives around the world.Įxplosive weapons continue to wreak havoc, especially in the cities: Terrible as this picture is, it is far from unique. In that time: Hundreds of civilians have been killed - including members of the United Nations family 250,000 people have fled the country hospitals have been occupied and attacked the price of goods is reported to have quadrupled in parts of the country and aid warehouses have been looted on a massive scale. Less than six weeks have passed since war erupted in Sudan. I thank the Government of Switzerland for convening this important debate. Following are UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ remarks to the Security Council’s open debate on “Protection of civilians in armed conflict”, in New York today:

Prepare for future armed conflict