National Statement by Sweden at the Briefing by the Emergency Relief Coordinator

I would like to start by thanking the Emergency Relief Coordinator for undertaking this important mission and for shining a spotlight on these worsening humanitarian crises. The present situation in countries like Yemen and South Sudan, where famine has now been declared, is utterly appalling and completely unacceptable. This Council has seen the crisis in the Lake Chad Basin first hand. Immediate action is needed.

We, therefore, fully support the call of the Secretary General for increased financial resources and improved humanitarian access.

Emergency funding must be scaled up so that the UN system and its partners can deliver life-saving assistance to those in need. Sweden has significantly increased its humanitarian assistance for these countries. We call on others to do the same.

The humanitarian response must also be allowed to reach those in need. That means humanitarian access in all contexts. We call on all parties to respect humanitarian principles and to meet their obligations under international humanitarian law and human rights law.

Only political solutions can end humanitarian suffering and bring sustainable peace and development. As we heard from the Deputy Secretary General yesterday, lasting recovery requires investment in comprehensive approaches that address conflict, chronic underdevelopment and the effects of climate change. We need to close the gap between humanitarian assistance and development interventions and we need a new way of working to do so. We can all do better. We must do better.

Mr President,

Now turning to the country specific situations, I think all situations discussed today are worth mentioning, but in the interest of time, I will focus on Yemen and South Sudan. First on Yemen.

The situation in Yemen is both shocking and utterly intolerable. We cannot look the other way when we're told that 19 million people lack humanitarian protection; when we hear that seven million people do not know where to find their next meal; that one child dies every ten minutes, and perversely, that many of those who do escape the military conflict or starvation then risk dying for lack of simple medical interventions.

There is an urgent need to re-supply shrinking reserves of medicine, food and fuel. All parties have an obligation to allow unimpeded humanitarian access. Parties must refrain from bureaucratic constraints to the delivery of aid, across front lines, facilitate commercial imports through all ports - especially the life-line that is Hodeida - and resume commercial flights.

As we've heard, immediate action is needed to prevent widespread famine; however, the United Nations lacks the funding needed to scale up its response. The Humanitarian Response Plan, as was referred to by the USG, is currently only 6% funded. To respond, Switzerland and Sweden, together with the Secretary General and OCHA, have, as we have heard today, taken the initiative to convene a High-Level pledging event for the humanitarian crisis in Yemen on 25th of April in Geneva. We invite all partners to attend and we urge generous pledges and to quickly disburse increased support for the crisis

Humanitarian aid will never solve the crisis in Yemen. There is an urgent need to renew the cessation of hostilities and to intensify efforts towards reaching a negotiated political agreement to provide a durable solution to the unfolding crisis.

On South Sudan: In South Sudan the deteriorating security situation is contributing directly to the humanitarian crisis. Only an end to the conflict can lead to a real improvement in the lives of the South Sudanese people. An immediate cessation of hostilities and a revitalised, and truly inclusive political process, supported by IGAD, the African Union and the UN, is urgently needed.

Let me also stress that it is totally unacceptable that aid workers in South Sudan are being attacked and killed. Humanitarians continue to face multiple obstacles, including denials of access and bureaucratic impediments. We urge all parties, including the government, to meet their obligations to provide full and unimpeded humanitarian access throughout South Sudan.

Mr President,

In conclusion, let me reiterate that the international community needs to take immediate action if widespread famine and death are to be avoided. The human catastrophe of failing to do so, do not bear even imagining.

Thank you