Statement by Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett at the UN Security Council Meeting on “Protection of civilians in armed conflict” (Palestine)

I wish to thank Deputy Director General Martinez, Deputy Executive Director Skau, and Director Rajasingham for their presentations. Thank you also for your contributions to the White Note that is under consideration.

It is deeply concerning to Guyana that everyone in Gaza is food insecure. Even more so, we are concerned by the number of persons who are on the brink of famine in Gaza. As we know, a famine classification (phase 5) represents the highest level of food insecurity on the IPC scale. It means that at least 20 percent of the entire population face extreme food shortages and more than 30 percent face acute malnutrition. Starvation, death, destitution and extremely acute malnutrition levels are key features.  

Two out of every ten thousand persons die from starvation on a daily basis in a famine situation.  With 576,000 persons on the brink of famine in Gaza, we could expect at least one hundred and fifteen (115) deaths daily from starvation or disease, should their state of food insecurity progress to famine.    

Excellencies, I repeat the meaning of the famine classification and other statistics both to reiterate the sheer magnitude of the food security crisis in Gaza, and to stress that human beings like us are the ones subjected to these degrading and undignified circumstances. Men, women, boys and girls. Pregnant and nursing women. Disabled children. Babies. The elderly. This is a catastrophe - as famine, not my word, is defined on the IPC scale - that is on this Council’s doorstep. One which requires our urgent action.  

The circumstances that have led to the current situation are pegged to one factor – the continued blatant disregard for international law and all obligations stemming therefrom. Violations include bombardment of civilian infrastructure, destruction or restriction of objects indispensable to the survival of the civilian population, refusal to allow adequate humanitarian access, blockade and siege, and disregard for the principles of humanity, proportionality and distinction.

Some of the consequences of these persistent violations are detailed in the White Note and either existed before or were engendered and accelerated by the events of 7 October. Key among these are the high levels of structural poverty in Gaza, the economic challenges resulting from restrictions on movements imposed by the occupier, the near decimation of productive capacity in the agri-food sector, and damage of livelihoods, markets and supply.

In the immediate term, all of this has translated into a high mortality risk due to hunger and malnutrition and disease. As we know, hunger and malnutrition can create physical and cognitive challenges that have serious implications for an entire generation. As such, the capacity of an entire generation in Gaza to acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development could be hindered.

Bombing and shelling and the overall military operations have already affected the health of eighteen percent (18%) of all arable lands in Gaza, and decimated agriculture production and infrastructure. The planned military ground operation in the south including in Rafah, will further worsen an already desperate situation given the substantial portion of arable land that is in the south.

These realities all emphasize one thing – the Security Council must intervene to stop the blatant violations of international law being committed by a Member State of the United Nations. I would not repeat the number of casualties, in what is now an ever-increasing arithmetic of misery. But it must be underscored that these violations are being translated into suffering for hundreds of thousands of people in Gaza and silence is not an acceptable response.

Guyana fully supports the seven recommendations contained in the White Note. We emphasize that there must be respect for international law, including international humanitarian law, and an immediate and lasting ceasefire. Guyana is prepared to be part of efforts to realize these goals.

Starvation as a method of warfare is illegal and Guyana condemns those who are deliberately using this as a tool against the population in Gaza. We call on those with influence on the perpetrators to urge their full compliance with international law and to their Charter obligations.