UN head urges for 4-day Easter humanitarian halt in Ukraine

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has requested a four-day humanitarian pause in Ukraine’s war beginning on Holy Thursday and lasting until Easter Sunday, April 24, to allow for humanitarian corridors, warning that the destruction and human loss thus far “could pale in comparison to the horror that lies ahead.”

“Ukrainians and Russians will celebrate Easter in five days,” Guterres remarked.

“This feast is a time for contemplation on the significance of pain, sacrifice, death, and rebirth. However, this year’s Holy Week is being observed in the shadow of a conflict that constitutes a complete rejection of the Easter message.”

On Tuesday, as Russian and Ukrainian troops engaged in a long-awaited battle in eastern Ukraine, Guterres warned that “the terrible concentration of forces and firepower” makes this battle “more violent and destructive,” and warned that the civilian casualties thus far “could pale” in comparison to the horrors ahead.

“We cannot allow this to happen,” Guterres told New York media. “The fate of hundreds of thousands of people is in jeopardy.”

Several good-faith efforts by numerous parties to broker a cease-fire in Ukraine have been unsuccessful.

Condemning the failure of numerous parties to reach an agreement on a cease-fire in Ukraine, the UN chief stated that the humanitarian pause is necessary to ensure the safe passage of all civilians fleeing conflict zones and the delivery of life-saving aid to the worst-affected areas, including Mariupol, Kherson, Donetsk, and Luhansk.

According to the UN, more than 12 million people in Ukraine require humanitarian aid, with Guterres estimating the figure to climb to almost 16 million, or 40% of the country’s remaining population.

He again pleaded with Russians and Ukrainians to put down their weapons and begin forging a path toward peace and security. Additionally, he invited “all defenders of peace worldwide” to join his Easter appeal.

“Preserve lives,” Guterres urged. Put an end to the slaughter and devastation. Create a space for debate and peace, while being faithful to the spirit and message of Easter.”