IFRC welcomes landmark UN security council resolution as critical step towards scaling up humanitarian action in crisis-hit countries |30 December 2022

The International Federation of Red Cross (IFRC) and Red Crescent Societies has welcomed the United Nations(UN) Security Council’s landmark resolution protecting humanitarian action in countries where UN sanctions apply.

The resolution adopted earlier this year, will facilitate the timely delivery of life-saving and timely support to people living in the most fragile and vulnerable environments.

The Red Cross Society of Seychelles (RCSS) a member of the IFRC, also provided technical support to the drafting of the resolution along with other national societies.

 “This landmark resolution is critical in that it helps to reduce the needs of millions of people impacted by the multiple ongoing crises around the world. It will facilitate the work of the IFRC and its network of 192-member national red cross and red crescent societies to deliver timely humanitarian assistance to communities who need it the most,” said Jagan Chapagain, secretary general of the IFRC.

The legally binding decision is unprecedented for national red cross and red crescent societies and will help them to continue providing aid to the communities they serve and save lives. However, it is only a first step.

“States must now give effect to this exemption in their domestic systems so that humanitarian actors can scale up support to communities where needs are and in particular in situations where U.N. sanctions apply,” remarked Mr Chapagain.

Contributed