From Aidoghie Paulinus, Kyiv
The United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Ukraine, Matthias Schmale, has said that during his two-year sojourn as Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, the United Nations raised and spent at least, $1.5 billion in the North East.
Schmale spoke exclusively with Daily Sun on the sidelines of the ‘Summit on Food Security – Grain from Ukraine’ organised by the Government of Ukraine in Kyiv, Ukraine.
The United Nations envoy, it would be recalled, spent the whole of 2022 and 2023 in Nigeria.
Schmale, who resumed duty in Ukraine in August, also said the United Nations team in Nigeria was able to reach millions of people with essential humanitarian aid and support across various dimensions, including shelter, food, non-food items and protection.
He, however, said since it is evident that the insurgency affects all Lake Chad countries, working together is a must to overcome it.
Schmale also dwelt on the crisis between Russia and Ukraine, saying it is difficult to see an end to the war soon.
You have been in Ukraine since August. What is the current state of the war between Russia and Ukraine?
In recent weeks and months, the armed forces of the Russian Federation have intensified their attacks both along the frontline, as well as in the form of aerial attacks with increased use of drones. During my frequent visits to the frontline, civilians are describing being increasingly targetted by drones. The attacks have inflicted much damage on civilian infrastructure, including the energy production capacities of Ukraine, raising very serious concerns about how civilians will cope during the winter.
Looking at the impact of the war on food security in the world, what step is the United Nations taking to ensure that the world does not suffer too long from this war?
UN member states, in close collaboration with UN agencies such as the World Food Programme, have supported the Grain from Ukraine Initiative launched by the President some two years ago. More than 286,000 tons of agricultural products have been delivered to 12 recipients, including Nigeria.
The United Nations has been at the centre stage of ensuring that the war is resolved through diplomatic channels. Is the end to the war in sight?
Linked to the above mentioned escalating attacks by the armed forces of the Russian Federation, it is at this point difficult to see an end to the war. With more than 12 thousand civilians killed and at last 30,000 injured, we have to all hope that this nightmare will come to an end as soon as possible.
As at November 23, 2024, 21 million people have been affected by the war, with 15.8 million reached with humanitarian assistance within Ukraine, refugees numbering 5.9 million and 3.7 million internally displaced. Considering these figures, don’t you think it’s time the United Nations hastened its efforts of bringing the war to an end?
The United Nations is in the first instance made up of the member states, and I agree that member states must intensify efforts to end the war in full respect of the UN Charter, International Humanitarian Law and the territorial integrity of Ukraine.
How has the United Nations ensured that the 87.1 percent of the $4.3 billion needed funds acquired so far reach the targeted population?
In Ukraine, the UN works with trusted partners, including 600 national and international NGOs, and we have well established and tested monitoring and accountability mechanisms that assure that aid reaches those who need it most. In our frequent visits to the field and to our operational work, UN leaders and managers and I have assured ourselves that our work benefits the most vulnerable among the civilian population.
You were appointed the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Ukraine a few months ago, after your tour of duty in Nigeria. How would you describe your experience in Nigeria?
I have the fondest memories of my time in Nigeria. Despite the many challenges the country faces such as more than 130 million citizens facing multidimensional poverty and the longstanding Boko Haram insurgency in the North East, I was deeply impressed by the enormous entrepreneurial energy and commitment of Nigeria’s citizens to overcome these significant obstacles and to improve their lives. I learnt a lot in my two years in Naija – including from the leaders I met in government and across all walks of life – and will forever be deeply grateful.
As Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, what was your experience in the North East, and what efforts did the United Nations make to ensure that the situation there was alleviated?
During my regular field missions to the North East, it was evident that the civilian population continued to pay a very high price as a result of the violence inflicted by Boko Haram. At the same time, I have huge respect for the state authorities, the UN and the many NGOs involved in addressing and overcoming the humanitarian challenges to the best of collective abilities.
How much did the United Nations spend in the North East within the period of your sojourn in the country and what was the United Nations’ target?
If my memory serves me correctly, we raised and spent at least, $1.5 billion during my two years as Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria. Millions of people were reached with essential humanitarian aid and support across various dimensions, including shelter, food, non food items and protection.
What can the governments of the Lake Chad countries do to end the war against insurgency?
It is evident that the insurgency affects all Lake Chad countries and that working together is a must to overcome it. The UN continues to work at both country and regional levels with all Lake Chad countries to enable a more dignified life for all people living in the Lake Chad countries.
What is your advice to the affected countries, particularly Nigeria, in the area of reintegration of displaced persons?
With my new responsibilities to support Ukraine, it would not be right to give advice to other countries. My hugely experienced and passionate successor, Mohammed Fall, is leading the UN Country team in impactfully supporting Nigeria on reintegrating displaced people. Nigeria’s experiences in finding durable solutions for IDPs provide valuable lessons for other countries – such as the importance of respecting the government’s lead. The lessons we have identified around the globe are useful for me as the UN is doing its best to support Ukraine in finding more durable solutions for the more than 3.6 million IDPs here.