UN: World Failing Civilians Caught in Conflicts

Facts

• On Tuesday, UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, warned the Security Council that "the world is failing to live up to its commitments to protect civilians" as the UN recorded a 53% increase in civilian deaths last year compared to 2021, with nearly 17K civilian casualties recorded across 12 conflicts.¹
• In his address to the Security Council, Guterres urged the Council members — citing civilian casualties in Ukraine and Sudan, schools destroyed in Ethiopia, and damage to water infrastructure in Syria — to fulfill their commitments documented in international humanitarian legal systems.¹
• The UN chief insisted the Council states should help warring sides "engage in political dialogue and train forces on protecting civilians," adding weapon-exporting countries should "refuse to do business with any party that fails to comply with international humanitarian law."²
• Meanwhile, Mirjana Spoljaric, president of the International Committee of the Red Cross, called on the world to protect civilians and critical infrastructure in urban areas, provide food to all civilians in conflict zones, and allow humanitarian personnel to reach populations affected by these crises.³
• In addition, Swiss Pres. Alain Berset stated that the number of people facing acute food insecurity jumped to 258M last year, i.e. "30 times the population of New York City." He added that over two-thirds in that category live in conflict zones, including in Congo, Sudan, the Sahel, Somalia, Myanmar, and Afghanistan.⁴
• In Ukraine, where fighting with Russia has been ongoing for over a year, the UN recorded nearly 8K civilian deaths and over 12.5K injuries in 2022.¹

Sources: ¹France 24, ²Associated Press, ³Washington Post, and ⁴Independent.

Narratives

• Pro-establishment narrative, as provided by UN News. The international community must step up its efforts to prevent conflict, protect civilians, and preserve peace by finding political solutions to war. Civilians have suffered the deadly effects of armed conflict for too long — this report is a call for action to break the deadly cycle of armed conflict and hunger.
• Establishment-critical narrative, as provided by The Guardian. While the UN Security Council promised to protect civilians in armed conflicts over two decades ago, most of its permanent members have played a part in aggravating civilian suffering — with some indiscriminately bombing hospitals, schools, and homes. Unfortunately, almost all permanent members continue to export arms to warring countries, aiding in war crimes and fueling the world's worst humanitarian crises.

Predictions