\n<\/p>\n
The humanitarian consequences continue to be profound and are exacerbated by the number of deaths, injuries and damage to civilian infrastructure, and the severe impacts on the global economy are increasing.<\/p>\n
While UN efforts to support affected civilians and de-escalate the conflict continue, the Secretary-General stressed the need to take urgent action to mitigate the consequences. <\/p>\n
The prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz to maritime trade is “preventing the movement of oil, gas and fertilizer at a critical moment in the global planting season,” he said. Said<\/a>.<\/p>\n Tanker traffic has declined by more than 90 percent, according to<\/a> United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (UNFAO)fao<\/a>), which threatens agricultural production and global food security.<\/p>\n \u201cThis crisis is causing the most significant global humanitarian supply chain disruption since COVID-19<\/a> And the beginning of the war in Ukraine,” <\/strong>United Nations Assistance Coordination Office OCHA<\/a>couple<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cHumanitarian supply lines across the Middle East are being severely disrupted, threatening the timely delivery of life-saving food, medical items and emergency relief to millions of people.\u201d<\/p>\n With the conflict showing no signs of stopping, the Secretary-General announced two important initiatives this week: Appointment<\/a> of an envoy to lead United Nations peacekeeping efforts and establish a dedicated workforce<\/a> On the Strait of Hormuz.<\/p>\n The task force will work to ensure safe, orderly and reliable transit for humanitarian purposes through the critical sea corridor.<\/p>\n It will be chaired by Jorge Moreira da Silva, Executive Director of the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNO Project Services).UNOPS<\/a>), which provides infrastructure, procurement and project management services around the world. <\/p>\n UN trade body representatives UNCTAD<\/a>The International Maritime Organization<\/a> (IMO), and the International Chamber of Commerce will also attend.<\/p>\n \u201cOur focus is to facilitate the trade of commercial fertilizers and the movement of related raw materials. We stand by to support this life-saving operation,\u201d Mr. Moreira da Silva Said<\/a> In a statement posted on<\/p>\n \u201cThere is an urgent need to prevent a large-scale humanitarian crisis in the Middle East and beyond, including in fertilizer import-dependent Africa and Asia.\u201d<\/p>\n The task force draws inspiration from other initiatives, including the United Nations Verification and Inspection Mechanism in Yemen<\/a>East Black Sea Grain Initiative<\/a> on exports from Ukraine, and United Nations Special Mechanism for Gaza<\/a> Aid delivery is outlined Security Council resolution 2720 (2023).<\/a><\/p>\nFacilitating transit, averting crisis<\/h2>\n
Inspired by previous initiatives<\/h2>\n