India calls for inclusive system for early vaccination of peacekeepers
India, which is among the largest troop-contributing coUNtries to UN peacekeeping missions, called for an inclusive system that provides early vaccination of peacekeepers, humanitarian workers, and UN frontline workers. India's Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador K Nagaraj Naidu said, "The Security Council also needs to recognize the sacrifices of our peacekeepers especially in tough mission settings where tours of duty were extended."
Contingency plans have been updated to ensure safety of personnel
Naidu noted that despite the numerous challenges to peacekeeping missions due to the pandemic, they have adapted and updated their contingency plans to ensure the safety of their personnel and protect their capacity to continue critical operations, thereby continuing to deliver on their mandates.
'The Council's initiatives on combating COVID-19 should transcend conflict lines'
"We also need to put in place an inclusive system that will provide for early vaccination of our peacekeepers, humanitarian workers, and other UN frontline workers and guarantee safe and secure access for humanitarian operations," Naidu said. "As the world continues to deal with the pandemic, the Council's initiatives on combating COVID-19 should transcend conflict lines and contribute to global social cohesion," he added.
'Council should support initiatives that guarantee sustained recovery of economies'
"The Council, as a priority, must work toward supporting initiatives that guarantee a safe and sustained recovery of economies in conflict situations, ensure speedy and equitable distribution of vaccines and therapeutics among the most-disadvantaged populations in conflict-ridden countries," Naidu said.
Council should have a human-centric approach to tackle COVID-19: Naidu
Naidu further stressed that the Council needs to have a human-centric approach to tackle the pandemic. "Lack of funding for emergency relief and the complications created by the pandemic have pushed some of the world's neediest populations closer to famine conditions," he said. He said the donor community and civil society organizations should sustain necessary support and partnership during the crisis.
During COVID-19, India upgraded medical facilities of UN peacekeeping missions
Naidu told the Council meeting that at the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, India responded to the Secretary-General's call and upgraded the medical facilities of UN peacekeeping missions in Goma in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Juba in South Sudan.
