UNGA passes Ukraine aid resolution

The 193-member UN General Assembly adopted the draft resolution ‘Humanitarian consequences of the aggression against Ukraine’, with 140 nations voting in favour, five against and 38 abstentions during its 11th Emergency Special Session. India abstained on the resolution.

What was the resolution about?

• The 11th Emergency Special Session opened on February 28 and closed on March 2 after adopting a resolution by which the Assembly demanded that the Russian Federation immediately cease its unlawful use of force against its neighbour. That resolution was adopted by a vote of 141 in favour to five against with 35 abstentions.

• On March 23, the General Assembly resumed its Emergency Special Session to discuss two competing draft resolutions on the humanitarian situation in Ukraine — one that implicates the Russian Federation’s military offensive in the unfolding humanitarian crisis and the other that makes no mention of Moscow’s aggression against its neighbour. 

• According to UN data, of Ukraine’s population of 44 million, more than 3.7 million people have fled the country and 6.5 million have been internally displaced since February 24. This means one in 4 people have been uprooted. 

• Some 13 million people are estimated to be stranded in affected areas or unable to leave due to heightened security risks, destruction of bridges and roads, as well as lack of resources and information on where to find safety and accommodation

• Essential services such as water, electricity, heating and emergency health and social services are under severe strain. This is projected to expand humanitarian needs among millions of Ukrainians and other community members.

• The UN General Assembly overwhelmingly demanded civilian protection and humanitarian access in Ukraine, while also criticizing Russia for creating a “dire” humanitarian situation resulting from its invasion exactly one month ago.

• A rival resolution was also proposed in the UNGA by South Africa ‘Humanitarian situation emanating out of the conflict in Ukraine’. It made no mention of Russia and called for an immediate cessation of hostilities by “all parties” in the conflict.

• Following objections by Ukraine, the Assembly voted to decide whether action should be taken in the UNGA on the South African-led draft resolution. With 67 member states voting against, 50 in favour and 36 abstentions, the resolution, supported by China, was not put for vote and no action was taken on that draft. India abstained on this vote as well.

What was India’s stand?

India abstained in the UN General Assembly on the resolution by Ukraine and its allies on the humanitarian crisis in the war-torn country, saying the focus should be on cessation of hostilities and on urgent humanitarian assistance and the draft did not fully reflect New Delhi’s expected focus on these challenges.

“We firmly believe efforts at the United Nations should contribute to de-escalation of the conflict, facilitate immediate cessation of hostilities to promote dialogue and diplomacy and bring together parties to find an immediate end to the suffering of the people,” India’s Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador T.S. Tirumurti said in the Explanation of Vote.

Tirumurti emphasised that there is an urgent need to address the humanitarian needs of the affected population. India supports the initiatives of the UN and its agencies and expressed hope that the international community will continue to respond positively to the humanitarian needs of the people of Ukraine, including through extending generous support to the Secretary General’s flash appeal and the regional refugee response plan on Ukraine.

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