Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 19 October (BelTA) – The peace-loving principles of the United Nations Organization have not changed in the 70 years since the organization’s inception. The statement was made by UN Resident Coordinator/UNDP Resident Representative in Belarus Sanaka Samarasinha during the solemn ceremony held on 19 October to unveil a commemorative plaque in the Loshitsa Manor Museum. The plaque describes the operation of the United Nation Relief and Rehabilitation Administration mission in Belarus, BelTA has learned.

Sanaka Samarasinha said he admires the beauty of Minsk and the entire country. Yet he stressed that Minsk was not always like this. World War Two left Minsk in ruins, with people fighting for their very survival. “I hope it will never happen again in the future,” said Sanaka Samarasinha.

Belarusians rebuilt their lives step by step. Representatives of other countries assisted with the endeavor as part of the UN humanitarian mission. “Today we celebrate the day of the UN’s first presence in Belarus,” said Sanaka Samarasinha.

The United Nation Relief and Rehabilitation Administration worked in 1946-1947. “It was a UN agency, however, one can say that it was thanks to the USA, the generosity of the American nation that granted $60 million as aid to restore Belarus that a lot was accomplished back then. The aid was specific: food, clothes, and seeds for agriculture. Back then 15 people from different countries worked here to provide humanitarian aid,” said Sanaka Samarasinha.

Seventy years since the UN foundation the principles of humanity, peacefulness, and mutual aid still prevail. Thanks to mutual understanding and the money allocated by the member states aid is provided in many countries across the globe for the sake of preventing their crisis. “The world is facing another crisis. Yes, we manage to stave off World War Three,” noted the UNDP representative. “However, there are about 60 million refugees in the world at present. They are forced to leave their homes due to the crisis. We have to put a stop to it,” said Sanaka Samarasinha. He went on saying that at present the United Nations Organization provides food to over 90 million people from different countries. “About 3 million lives are saved every year thanks to our efforts. If all the other parties made such an effort, many more lives could be saved,” he said.

Sanaka Samarasinha said he was confident that the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals are destined to ensure a better future for kids from different nations.

Sanaka Samarasinha also said that a UN express train would be launched to highlight the Sustainable Development Goals and the 70^th anniversary of the UN foundation. The event will be organized with assistance of the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Minsk city administration, and the oblast administrations.