Unesco will provide a first batch of 125 helmets and bulletproof vests with the “hurry» so that the «maximum possible number of journalists operating in Ukraine have this vital equipment“, announced Thursday the UN organization as part of emergency measures to protect journalists covering this conflict.
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Since the start of the war in Ukraine, five journalists – three Ukrainians, a Franco-Irish, an American – have been killed. “Every day, journalists and all media professionals risk their lives in Ukraine to inform the local population and the whole world of the reality of this war.“said Audrey Azoulay, Director General of Unesco, in a press release. From “Thousands of journalists work in the field in Ukraine, often without the necessary protective equipment or training. This is particularly the case of Ukrainian journalists once dedicated to local subjects and who find themselves propelled as war correspondents without always being prepared for the risks they run.», Notes the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Unesco announces that it willprovide a first batch of 125 personal protective equipment (PPE) kits, consisting of “presse” branded bullet-proof vests and helmets“.
“Previous war zone journalism experiences have proven that having quality PPE can save lives. This is why Unesco will work with its partners to ensure that the maximum possible number of journalists operating in Ukraine have this vital equipment.“, explains Audrey Azoulay. They will be distributed to journalists through Reporters Without Borders (RSF), via their press freedom center in Lviv, and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), atfrom next week“. Another measure taken by Unesco: training to operate in a war zone. “Unesco translates into Ukrainian and makes available in several other languages its training manuals for journalists in +hostile environments+, developed jointly with RSF“, indicates the press release. The organization will also organizepractical online training», dedicated to hostile environments and psychological trauma, in partnership with the IFJ and RSF. Unesco is also going to co-finance the hotline set up by the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine, financing which will enableprofessionals can be reached 24 hours a day by journalists in the field“.
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Unesco is currently working with the IFJto relocate the two federations of Ukrainian journalists to offices in Poland, near the border with Ukraine“so that these”federations can continue to provide practical support to all journalists in Ukraine and those who have fled to neighboring countries“, also adds the press release.