HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NOON BRIEFING BY STEPHANE DUJARRIC,

SPOKESMAN FOR SECRETARY-GENERAL BAN KI-MOON

FRIDAY, 30 OCTOBER 2015

 

IRAQ: SECRETARY-GENERAL CONDEMNS DEADLY ATTACK ON CAMP HURRIYA

  • In a statement, the Secretary-General condemns the attack yesterday on Camp Hurriya, near the Baghdad International Airport, which left at least 26 residents dead and many more wounded. The attack reportedly also caused casualties among the Iraqi Security Forces in the vicinity of the Camp.
  • The Secretary-General calls on the Government of Iraq to promptly investigate the incident and bring the perpetrators to justice. There can be no impunity for such attacks. The Secretary-General also reminds the Government of Iraq of its responsibility to provide for the safety and security of the Camp's residents.
  • The Secretary-General also reiterates the commitment of the United Nations to continue its efforts to facilitate a humanitarian solution for the residents of Camp Hurriya. He calls on the Government of Iraq and international stakeholders to work closely with his Special Advisor on the Relocation of Camp Hurriya Residents Outside of Iraq to accelerate the relocation process as the only safe and durable solution for the residents.
  • For its part, the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) strongly condemned the attack and urged the Government of Iraq to do its utmost to abide by its commitments in providing adequate security for the residents of the camp and to launch an independent investigation into the killings that would bring the perpetrators to justice.
  • The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) also strongly condemned yesterday's rocket attacks.  The High Commissioner for Refugees, António Guterres, said he was greatly concerned at the harm that has been inflicted on those living at the camp. He said that every effort must continue to be made to care for the injured and to identify and bring to account those responsible.
  • The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) says that heavy rains starting on 28 October have caused flooding in and around Baghdad as surface drainage is minimal. Sewer systems are overflowing and have caused open sewage to mix with floodwaters. The floods have had a serious impact on some 65,000 displaced people staying in more than 20 camps and sites in Baghdad and Anbar governorates.  
  • Key concerns include shelter, household items, food and clean water. The flooding is also causing public health risks as the flood-affected locations are in the same areas that are affected by the cholera outbreak. 
  • The floods are contributing to increased power outages as many power stations are flooded. Roads have been damaged and drainage systems are completely blocked.
  • OCHA is working with other UN agencies in coordination with the Government to respond to humanitarian needs, and to prioritize the distribution of plastic sheets, blankets, tents and hygiene kits and emergency food rations, and the pumping of flooded areas. 

SECRETARY-GENERAL CONGRATULATES TANZANIAN LEADER FOR PEACEFUL, ORDERLY RECENT POLLS

  • While in Spain today, the Secretary-General spoke by phone with President Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania today. In that call and also in a statement issued yesterday evening, he congratulated the people, Government and political parties of Tanzania for the peaceful and orderly manner in which the country held its elections on 25 October 2015.
  • The Secretary-General remains concerned about the situation in Zanzibar and underscores that any disputes related to the electoral process should be addressed through the existing legal framework in a peaceful and transparent manner.  The Secretary-General calls on all stakeholders to remain calm, reject the use of violence, and avoid making statements that could further increase tensions.
  • The Secretary-General will leave Spain today for Geneva, where tomorrow he will meet with Peter Maurer, the President of the International Committee of the Red Cross.
  • The Secretary-General is expected to return to New York on Sunday.

SOUTH SUDAN: PEACEKEEPING CHIEF URGES OPPOSITION LEADER TO RELEASE U.N. CONTRACTORS, WEAPONS

  • The Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, Hervé Ladsous, spoke with Riek Machar yesterday to express his deep concern at the detention of 12 national contractors and urged their immediate and unconditional release as well as the release of weapons still retained in Kaka, Upper Nile State.
  • The Secretary-General’s Special Representative to South Sudan, Ellen Margrethe Løj, also called today on the SPLM/A in Opposition leader and commanders to release the 12 contractors and all property of the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) without delay.
  • Ms. Løj said that taking UNMISS personnel as hostages is equivalent to an attack on the UN and underlined that such attacks against UN peacekeepers and other personnel may constitute a war crime.
  • She also strongly refuted that the barge had been transporting weapons cargo of any kind. All of the fuel cargo was intended for resupplying the UNMISS base in Renk, and not for the use of the Opposition.

U.N. RELIEF CHIEF TO VISIT UKRAINE

  • The Emergency Relief Coordinator, Stephen O'Brien, will be visiting Ukraine from 2 to 4 November.
  • While in the country, he will meet with senior Government officials, members of the humanitarian and diplomatic communities, as well as families displaced by the conflict.
  • Mr. O’Brien is also expected to visit eastern areas of the country to see firsthand the humanitarian situation of people affected by the crisis.

U.N. AGENCIES HELPING TO ADDRESS WORST RECENT MEASLES EPIDEMIC IN EASTERN D.R. CONGO

  • The Katanga province in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is undergoing one of the worst measles epidemics of recent years, with nearly 500 deaths since the beginning of the year, the vast majority of whom are children under 5.
  • So far this year, the province has recorded over 35,000 cases, more than the combined total from the previous three years.
  • The UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the World Health Organization (WHO) are working to stem the disease via vaccination and support to health centres.

U.N. REFUGEE AGENCY AIRLIFTS EMERGENCY AID TO THOUSANDS OF REFUGEES IN ALGERIA FOLLOWING DEVASTATING FLOODS

  • The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) airlifted emergency aid to 11,000 refugee families at five camps devastated by heavy rains and flooding in southwestern Algeria, near Tindouf. This aid includes tents, blankets and plastic sheeting.
  • Around 60 per cent of public buildings at the camps will need some kind of reconstruction following the deluge, according to a preliminary evaluation.
  • This month also marked the 40th anniversary of the Sahrawis being sheltered in the camps. It is one of the most protracted refugee situations in the world.
  • Prior to the flooding, UN agencies and humanitarian organizations active in the Tindouf Sahrawi refugee operation have been facing severe funding shortfalls.
  • A $20 million funding appeal was submitted this week to respond to the crisis.

CAMBODIA: U.N. HUMAN RIGHTS WING VOICES CONCERN OVER WORSENING SITUATION FOR OPPOSITION ACTIVISTS

  • The Office for the High Commissioner for Human Rights today expressed its concern over the worsening climate for opposition politicians and activists in Cambodia.
  • It noted that 11 opposition activists are serving prison sentences for participating in or leading an “insurrection”, while another opposition Member of Parliament is currently awaiting trial on a range of charges, including incitement to commit crimes and forging public documents.
  • The Office stressed that the right to peaceful assembly and to freedom of expression belongs to all individuals, regardless of their political or other opinion. It also said that it is the Government's responsibility to ensure that individuals are not targeted for their political affiliation or for expressing dissenting views.

U.N. WELCOMES CEASEFIRE ANNOUNCEMENT BY COLOMBIA, REBEL GROUP

  • In response to a question, the Spokesman said that the UN welcomes the intention expressed by both the Government of Colombia and the FARC to establish a bilateral cease-fire by the end of the year.  This would be a decisive step toward ending the conflict.  
  • The UN appreciates the confidence reiterated by President Juan Manuel Santos in a United Nations role in the monitoring and verification of a cease-fire, and we note his intention to seek a mandate from the Security Council. 
  • The UN and UNASUR have been working with the parties, at their invitation, on the design of a monitoring and verification mechanism with the participation of the International Community. It is anticipated that the parties will soon finalise their discussions on this point so that a consensual request can be considered by the Security Council of the United Nations.
  • The Secretary-General hopes that the two sides will seize the upcoming round of talks in Havana as an opportunity to move forward on this point as well as all pending substantive issues.  The Secretary-General reaffirms his commitment to the success of the peace process and will continue to lend all possible support through his Delegate.  

‘TEAM U.N.’ TO TAKE PART IN RACE TO COMMEMORATE 70TH ANNIVERSARY OF ORGANIZATION’S FOUNDING

  • As part of the celebrations of the 70th anniversary of the UN, the Department of Public Information (DPI) has mobilized more than 220 UN staff and diplomats to take part in the annual Dash to the Finish Line race.
  • This event takes place every year on the day before the New York City Marathon.
  • Team UN will include the New York City Commissioner of the Mayor’s Office for International Affairs, as well as diplomats, UN staff, interns and family members.
  • Also running as part of Team UN are the Permanent Representatives of the US, Samantha Power; of Finland, Kai Sauer; and of Tunisia, Khaled Khiari.

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