Statement by the delegation of Ukraine at a UNSC Briefing on the Humanitarian Situation in the Lake Chad Basin

Mr. President

I also wish to thank all today’s briefers for their important inputs.

Indeed, as we have all heard from them, the humanitarian situation in the Lake Chad Basin is truly one of the most neglected in the world. So far, the international community has not much success in resolving the multifaceted problems of the region- but not because of a lack of trying, but because of a lack of understanding how to deal with all of them at once.

Extreme poverty, severe food insecurity and malnutrition, weak governance, climate change, particularly desertification, destructive activities of Boko Haram — all these factors contribute to this disastrous situation.

In this regard, I have a few points to make.

First, how the Security Council can adequately respond to this crisis, apart from expressing its deep concerns and calling for more international awareness? This kind of reaction can not impress anyone anymore.

Having said that, we have to find a proper role for this Council to play. First of all, it has to be fully aware that a constantly deteriorating humanitarian crisis can evolve into a full blown threat to peace and security in the region. An already apparent security dimension lies in the fact that due to dwindling economic resources and resulting strains on state budgets, regional governments struggle in their efforts to eradicate Boko Haram, which pose an undeniable and serious security threat.

In this regard, we commend the efforts of the Multi National Joint Task Force and other actors, which are fighting this terrorist group. But countries of the region need additional support of the international community in responding to this challenge.

In our opinion, the Council would do right by engaging in a serious discussion on how to strengthen the use of existing sanctions mechanisms against Boko Haram’s members and its affiliates. Thus, relevant inputs and initiatives from the region would contribute greatly to the Council’s work on this subject.

Equally, for any progress to be made in alleviating immense sufferings of people in the Lake Chad Basin, improving socio-economic conditions has to be the first and foremost priority.

We hope that the planned Security Council’s visit to the region will become a real practical step in building our further strategy on all dimensions of the crisis.

Thank you.