The United Nations have finally elaborated the official position on the global pandemic caused by the novel virus. The Security Council on Wednesday adopted a resolution on COVID-19, demanding a general and immediate cessation of hostilities in all situations on SC’s agenda.
The recently-adopted resolution requests the UN secretary-general to help ensure that all relevant parts of the UN system intensify their response to the COVID-19 epidemic.
Resolution 2532 won the unanimous support of the 15 members of the Security Council. The document calls on all parties to armed conflicts to engage immediately in a durable humanitarian pause for at least 90 consecutive days. That move will enable the safe, unhindered and sustained delivery of humanitarian assistance, provisions of related services by impartial humanitarian actors, and medical evacuations.
The UN resolution calls on not only ceasefires
The UN resolution affirms that this general and immediate cessation of hostilities and this humanitarian pause do not apply to military operations against the terroristic organizations like ISIS.
It requests the secretary-general to instruct peacekeeping operations to provide support, within their mandates and capacities, to host country authorities in their efforts to contain the pandemic.
It requests the UN member states to take all appropriate steps to protect the safety, security and health of all UN personnel in UN peace operations while maintaining the continuity of operations.
The resolution adopted on Wednesday acknowledges the critical role that women are playing in COVID-19 response efforts, as well as the disproportionate negative impact of the pandemic. In many countries, the coronavirus’ impact on women and girls, children, refugees, internally displaced persons, older persons and persons with disabilities is too heavy.
In its resolution, the UNSC calls for concrete action to minimize this impact and ensure the full, equal and meaningful participation of women and youth in the development and implementation of an adequate and sustainable response to the pandemic.
