Noon briefing of 2 March 2016

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NOON BRIEFING BY FARHAN HAQ, DEPUTY SPOKESPERSON FOR SECRETARY-GENERAL BAN KI-MOON

WEDNESDAY, 02 MARCH 2016

SECRETARY-GENERAL WELCOMES TODAY’S RESOLUTION ON DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF KOREA

• In a statement issued today, the Secretary-General welcomed the adoption of today’s resolution 2270 (2016) in response to the recent nuclear test and launch using ballistic missile technology by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK).
• Today’s unanimous action by the Security Council has sent a clear message that the DPRK must return to full compliance with its international obligations. The Secretary-General urges the DPRK to abide by the resolution and calls upon all Member States to ensure its implementation.
• This firm response by the Security Council should put an end to the cycle of provocation and lead to the resumption of dialogue in accordance with the unified view of the international community. The Secretary-General reaffirms his commitment to working with all sides to reduce tensions and achieve the verifiable denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula.
• The Secretary-General reiterates the critical role of international assistance in safeguarding the lives of millions in the country. At the same time, the Secretary-General renews his call on the DPRK to do more for the lives of its people. Genuine improvement in human rights is a necessary basis for long-term security and stability.

SECRETARY-GENERAL ARRIVES IN BURKINA FASO

• The Secretary-General arrived within the past hour in Ouagadougou, the capital of Burkina Faso, after wrapping up his visit to Spain.
• The Secretary-General will meet with the UN country team in Burkina Faso this afternoon. He will have a working dinner with the country’s President, Roch Marc Christian Kaboré.

LIBYA: SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE UNDERSCORES NEED FOR POLITICAL PROGRESS

• The Special Representative for Libya, Martin Kobler, briefed the Security Council this morning, on the Secretary-General’s latest report on the work of the UN Support Mission (UNSMIL).
• Mr. Kobler said that the process towards a democratic transition continues to meet a number of milestones but remains precarious. He underscored Libya’s need to move ahead with the political process or risk division and collapse, adding that the country cannot continue to be held hostage by minorities in the House of Representatives and the General National Congress.
• He said that he had urged the House to register the will of the democratic majority and formalize its endorsement of the Government of National Accord by next week.
• Mr. Kobler stressed that Daesh, which remains an urgent and growing threat in Libya, is taking advantage of the political and security vacuum. The fight against violent extremism can only sustainable if it is led by a national unity government, he added.
• Turning to the humanitarian situation, Mr. Kobler highlighted the deteriorating conditions in where 2.4 million people need aid, including 1.3 million people who do not have enough to eat. Moreover, 40 per cent of health facilities in the country are not functioning.

SYRIA: U.N. CONTINUES TO CALL FOR RAPID, UNCONDITIONAL, UNIMPEDED AND SUSTAINED HUMANITARIAN ACCESS

• The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that medical supplies that were initially not allowed to be included in convoys for Moadamiyeh in Syria by security services on 29 February have been delivered today. However, some surgical items were still rejected from entering the area.
• Inter-agency humanitarian convoys to the Kafr Batna sub-district in East Ghouta are planned for tomorrow. The convoys are expected to be carrying food, nutrition and health supplies for an estimated 20,000 beneficiaries. Further convoys to reach additional areas in East Ghouta are planned for the coming days.
• The second round of inter-agency humanitarian convoys to the Four Towns - Madaya, Zabadani, Foah and Kafraya - is tentatively scheduled for Saturday. The Four Towns were last accessed on 17 February, when three joint convoys reached approximately 60,000 beneficiaries.
• So far this year, the World Health Organization (WHO) has submitted 15 requests to the Government of Syria to send medicines and medical supplies to enable the treatment of 2.5 million people in 53 hard-to-reach and besieged locations. The Syrian authorities recently approved requests to send medicines and medical supplies to Douma, Madaya and Moadamiyeh in Rural Damascus while the other requests remain pending.
• The UN continues to call on all parties to ensure rapid, unconditional, unimpeded and sustained access of humanitarian aid to all people in need across Syria.

YEMEN: WORLD FOOD PROGRAMME-CHARTERED VESSEL REACHES HODEIDAH

• In response to a question on a World Food Programme (WFP)-chartered vessel, named Mainport Cedar, that was diverted by Coalition Forces to the Saudi Arabian port of Jizan earlier last month when it was on its way to Yemen, the Spokesman said that WFP confirms that the Mainport Cedar has offloaded its cargo at Yemen9;s Hodeidah port today.
• The vessel was carrying interagency cargo that includes canned tuna and medical supplies. It had been also carrying information technology equipment that was left behind in Jizan to complete paperwork to allow it into Aden for the UN humanitarian hub.

SECRETARY-GENERAL APPOINTS NEW COMMISSION ON HEALTH EMPLOYMENT AND ECONOMIC GROWTH

• The Secretary-General today announced the appointment of a Commission on Health Employment and Economic Growth. The Commission is being tasked with proposing actions to stimulate and guide the creation of health and social sector jobs, as it is anticipated that by 2030 there will be a shortage of 18 million health workers in low- and lower-middle income countries.
• The Commission will be co-chaired by President Francois Hollande of France, and President Jacob Zuma of South Africa. Approximately, 25 Commissioners will soon be appointed to provide a balance of policy, technical and geographical expertise.

U.N. AND A.U. APPOINT NEW DEPUTY JOINT SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR DARFUR

• The Secretary-General and the African Union Commission Chairperson Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma today announced the appointment of Jeremiah Nyamane Kingsley Mamabolo of South Africa as Deputy Joint Special Representative for the AU-UN Hybrid Operation in Darfur, known as UNAMID.
• Mr. Mamabolo succeeds Abiodun Oluremi Bashua of Nigeria, to whom the Secretary-General and the Commission Chairperson are grateful for his dedicated service during his tenure with UNAMID, including his contribution as acting Head of the Mission.
• Mr. Mamabolo brings to the position a wealth of experience from his distinguished career in the diplomatic service. We have details about this in a press release in our office.

MYANMAR: U.N. CONCERNED OVER RISING TENSIONS AND CLASHES IN NORTHERN SHAN STATE

• The United Nations has expressed deep concern over rising tensions and armed clashes in Northern Shan State which are having a direct and negative impact on the civilian population.
• In a statement by the Resident Coordinator, Renata Lok-Dessallien, the UN notes that while fighting has subsided in recent days and some people have been able to return home, nearly 3,400 people remain displaced in Kyaukme Township. Over 1,200 displaced people are still in shelters in Mong Wee, Namhkam Township. The UN, along with the Government and others, has provided relief materials and services.

POWERFUL EARTHQUAKE STRIKES INDONESIA’S SUMATRA ISLAND

• The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said that a powerful earthquake struck some 800 km off the west coast of Indonesia’s Sumatra island today, according to the US Geological Survey, early evening local time.
• A tsunami alert was raised for the west coast provinces in Sumatra but so far there are no immediate reports of any significant damage. The tsunami warning has since been lifted. OCHA is monitoring the situation with the local disaster management agency and the National Board for Disaster Management.

WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION ISSUES NEW GUIDANCE ON EBOLA CARE

• The World Health Organization (WHO) has released a new publication called Clinical Care for Survivors of Ebola Virus Disease, in an effort to help guide health services on providing quality care.
• Today, there are over 10,000 survivors of Ebola virus disease. WHO says that Ebola survivors need comprehensive support for the medical and psychosocial challenges they face and also to minimize the risk of continued Ebola virus transmission.

U.N. EDUCATIONAL, SCIENTIFIC AND CULTURAL ORGANIZATION LAUNCHES NEW REPORT ON ACCESS TO EDUCATION

• The UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has released its latest eAtlas of Gender Inequality in Education which shows that girls are still the first to be denied the right to education despite all the efforts and progress made over the past 20 years.
• It added that gender disparities remain highest in the Arab States, sub-Saharan Africa and South and West Asia.
• The Director-General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova, has urged more efforts at all levels - from grassroots to global leaders - to put equity and inclusion at the heart of every policy so that all girls, whatever their circumstances, go to school, stay in school and become empowered citizens.
• With about 100 interactive maps and charts, the eAtlas shows the educational pathways of girls and boys in more than 200 countries and territories.