UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed has called on combatants across the world to put down their guns and join the fight against Covid-19.
The deputy UN chief, who made the call during a video conference, urged the UN Security Council to intensify efforts in persuading fighters to put down their arms.
‘And I count on your renewed political and financial investments in prevention and solutions, to stave off security and conflict risks, at a time when the world needs peace and calm more than ever before’, she said.
The former Minister of Environment in Nigeria also said, ‘Grievances and inequalities are deepening, eroding trust in authorities and institutions of all kinds, and increasing vulnerabilities’.
Ms Mohammed cited the diverse impacts of the pandemic on economic and social inequalities, and the promotion and protection of human rights, especially for women.
‘Parties to conflict are taking advantage of the pandemic to create or aggravate insecurity and impede medical care and other life-saving assistance and services’, she said.
‘How can we talk about peace and security when millions of women are at greatest risk in their own homes?
‘And we know there is a straight line between violence against women and girls, civic oppression and conflict’.
Linking climate change and security challenges, Mohammed says that the climate emergency is ‘a major driver of inequality, insecurity, and conflict’.
She called for a ‘whole-of-UN approach’ to the contemporary challenges and drivers of conflict, which must include all member states.
Source: News.UN
Photo source: United Nations Photo
