Innocent civilians trapped in violence face new, deadly threat from COVID-19, warns UN chief

**"Sustainable political solutions remain the only way to ensure that civilians are kept safe from harm," the secretary-general notes. **

UNITED NATIONS, May 27 (Xinhua) -- Innocent civilians trapped in violence now face a new and deadly threat from COVID-19, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told the Security Council on Wednesday, warning that the pandemic is "amplifying and exploiting the fragilities of our world."

Citing conflict as one of the greatest causes of that fragility, the UN chief told a high-level videoconference on the protection of civilians in armed conflict that the coronavirus is causing "enormous human suffering" and additional stress to vulnerable health systems, economies and communities already weakened by years of armed conflict.

"COVID-19 is not only spreading sickness and death; it is pushing people into poverty and hunger," he said, adding that in some cases, "it is reversing decades of development progress."

Meanwhile, as access to services is curtailed and repressive measures are adopted by some nations, protecting the most vulnerable, particularly in conflict zones, has become even more difficult.

Moreover, COVID-19 threatens refugees and internally displaced people crowded together in camps and communities that lack sanitation and healthcare facilities, said the secretary-general.

Guterres recalled his call in March for a global ceasefire to respond to the pandemic, saying that while well-received, it "has not been translated into concrete action" and that in some cases, the pandemic may even create incentives for warring parties to press their advantage or to strike hard while international attention is focused elsewhere.

"Both scenarios could lead to increases in violence. And civilians always pay the price," said the UN chief.

Speaking of peacekeeping, he called UN blue helmets "one of the most effective means of protecting civilians in conflict zones around the world," noting they are supporting national authorities by protecting healthcare and humanitarian workers and facilitating access to aid and protection.

Guterres stressed the need to do more to prevent, reduce and resolve conflicts as well as ensure compliance with international law and accountability.

"Sustainable political solutions remain the only way to ensure that civilians are kept safe from harm," the secretary-general noted. ■