HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NOON BRIEFING BY STÉPHANE DUJARRIC,
SPOKESMAN FOR SECRETARY-GENERAL ANTÓNIO GUTERRES
MONDAY, 23 JULY 2018
 
AFGHANISTAN: U.N. MISSION SPEAKS OUT AGAINST ‘SENSELESS’ SUICIDE ATTACK

• The UN Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has condemned yesterday’s suicide attack which killed and injured scores of civilians outside Kabul’s airport.
• The attack took place among a crowd which had gathered to greet First Vice President Abdul Rashid Dostum shortly after his convoy had left the area.
• The Secretary-General’s Special Representative, Tadamichi Yamamoto, called it a senseless attack that served no purpose other than to spread terror and try to promote division.
• He added that, at a time when Afghans are exploring ways toward much-needed peace, we must not allow such attacks to deter our collective resolve to make progress on ending the conflict.

SECRETARY-GENERAL VOICES GRAVE CONCERN OVER STEPPED UP VIOLENCE IN GAZA, SOUTHERN ISRAEL

• In a statement issued over the weekend, the Secretary-General said that he was gravely concerned over the dangerous escalation of violence in Gaza and southern Israel and deeply regretted the loss of life. It is imperative that all sides urgently step back from the brink of another devastating conflict.
• The Secretary-General called on Hamas and other Palestinian militants to cease the launching of rockets and incendiary kites and provocations along the fence. And Israel must exercise restraint to avoid further inflaming the situation.
• The Secretary-General encouraged all to engage with the UN, and particularly Special Coordinator Nickolay Mladenov, and work to find a way out of this dangerous situation. Any further escalation will endanger the lives of Palestinians and Israelis alike, deepen the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza and undermine current efforts to improve livelihoods and support the return of the Palestinian Authority to Gaza.
• Yesterday, the Humanitarian Coordinator for the occupied Palestinian territory, Jamie McGoldrick, warned that essential services are on the verge of shutting down in Gaza due to a lack of United Nations-provided emergency fuel. Mr. McGoldrick called on Israel to end restrictions preventing the import of fuel.

U.N. RELIEF WING SOUNDS ALARM ON CIVILIAN DEATHS, INJURIES IN SOUTHWEST SYRIA

• The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) continues to remain deeply concerned for the safety and protection of people in southwest Syria. Weeks of escalating hostilities have reportedly led to scores of civilian deaths and injuries, mass displacement and interrupted services.
• While overall numbers continue to fluctuate daily, an estimated 200,000 people reportedly remain displaced. The needs of both displaced people and returnees are severe and the United Nations continues to lack sustained access to affected populations, particularly those in Quneitra governorate.
• Some internally displaced people in Quneitra reportedly remain without shelter. About half of the population of the governorate was already displaced from surrounding areas, even before the recent offensive, many for a year or more.

U.N. REFUGEE AGENCY FACILITATING EMERGENCY HUMANITARIAN RESETTLEMENT FROM JORDAN

• The United Nations received 422 Syrian citizens from southern Syria who are at risk and seeking asylum and solutions in above mentioned countries, upon request of several Member States and authorized by the Government of Jordan.
• While in Jordan, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), in close collaboration with the involved governments, is supporting the Syrian citizens’ temporary stay in anticipation of their onward relocation to third countries. UNHCR appreciates the generosity of the Jordanian Government and people for temporarily hosting them.

U.N. STAFF INJURED IN ATTACK ON U.N. REFUGEE AGENCY IN SOUTH SUDAN’S BUNJ

• The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) today strongly condemned the attack on its compound in South Sudan's north-western town of Bunj, in which two UN staff were injured.
• Earlier today, UNHCR was informed of a demonstration demanding employment opportunities for the local community. The demonstrators forcefully entered UNHCR’s compound and looted its offices and residence. Ten other humanitarian agencies’ compounds as well as the office of the Commission for Refugee Affairs were attacked and looted.
• UNHCR appeals to the authorities to ensure the safety and security of humanitarian workers. The agency continues to engage with local authorities and representatives of the host community to stabilize the situation. UN peacekeepers were immediately deployed to support humanitarian organizations and re-establish order.

ON ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF RETAKING OF MOSUL, 2 MILLION PEOPLE STILL UPROOTED IN IRAQ – U.N. RELIEF WING

• Marking the anniversary of the retaking of Mosul from Da’esh on Saturday, the Humanitarian Coordinator for Iraq, Marta Ruedas, noted that almost 870,000 people have now returned to Mosul. The Government of Iraq, the United Nations and its national and international NGO partners are working together to ensure the safe, voluntary and dignified return of displaced Mosul residents, rehabilitation of damaged infrastructure, and restoration of livelihoods.
• She said that, while it is heartening to see life returning to Mosul, close to 2 million people in Iraq remain displaced and those who have chosen to return to the city and other liberated areas face a multitude of challenges. Partners urgently require an additional $260.5 million to address the critical needs of Iraqis who have suffered years of conflict and displacement.