총체적 인도적 위기 방지 위한 해결책 제시돼야
우크라이나 위기가 심화되는 가운데 국제구호개발 NGO 월드비전(회장:조명환)이 아동들에게 가해지는 심각한 위기에 대해 경고하고 아동 보호를 촉구하는 성명을 발표했다.
앤드류 몰리 월드비전 국제 총재는 “수많은 아동이 이 분쟁으로 가장 큰 타격을 입게 된 것과 안전을 찾아 학교와 집을 떠날 수밖에 없게 된 것은 매우 가슴 아픈 일”이라며 “월드비전은 총체적 인도적 위기를 방지하기 위한 해결책이 제시되길 희망하며 모든 주체들에게 평화 증진을 요청한다”고 전했다.
엘리너 몬비엇 월드비전 중동·동유럽 대륙사무소 총 책임자는 “우크라이나 위기가 심화됨에 따라 가장 취약한 아동들에게 가해지는 위기에 우려를 표한다”며 “월드비전은 높은 수준의 인도적 지원 필요가 발생할 것을 대비해 비상계획을 마련하고 있다”고 말했다.
또 “이번 분쟁이 아동에게 끼치게 될 영향은 매우 우려스럽다”며 “우리는 위기가 고조될수록 가장 취약한 이들에 대한 보호에 중점을 둬야 한다”고 관심을 촉구했다.
[월드비전 성명서 원문]
WORLD VISION WARNS OF SIGNIFICANT RISK TO CHILDREN IN UKRAINE CRISIS
•World Vision is warning of significant threats to child wellbeing as the Ukraine crisis intensifies
•The aid agency is preparing humanitarian contingency plans to support the crisis
•World Vision calls for a focus on protecting the most vulnerable - children
For immediate release
The international child focussed aid organisation, World Vision, is warning of the significant risks that the intensification of the crisis in Ukraine poses to children. If the situation deteriorates further, and humanitarian needs increase significantly, World Vision will seek to support populations on the move and is currently preparing plans to work with partners on the ground.
Andrew Morley, World Vision International President and CEO, said:
“It is heart-breaking that countless children will bear the brunt of this conflict, forced from their homes and schools as they flee in search of safety.”
“We stand ready to support those affected, as the violence takes its toll on children’s physical and mental health, facing the loss of loved ones and destruction of their homes.”
“We call on all sides to promote peace, as we hope and pray for a solution to prevent a full-scale humanitarian crisis.”
Eleanor Monbiot OBE, World Vision’s Regional Leader for Middle East and Eastern Europe, says:
“As the Ukraine crisis deepens, World Vision is concerned about the risk posed to the most vulnerable – children. To this end, we are preparing contingency plans in case a higher level of humanitarian response becomes necessary.”
“We are finalising emergency plans that will be activated should the situation deteriorate further. We assisted 3.2 million people across our Middle East and Eastern Europe region last year with emergency response programmes and we can call on this capacity to respond to the Ukraine crisis if required.”
“We are supporting our office in Romania to be ready to respond, should children and their families be forcibly displaced from Ukraine and need emergency assistance.”
“The consequences for children affected by this conflict escalation are gravely concerning.
I want to reiterate once again, in the strongest possible terms, that focus needs to be directed towards protecting those most vulnerable to the escalation of this crisis.”
