HIGHLIGHTS OF THE U.N. SYSTEM

TUESDAY, 31 DECEMBER, 2019
 

United States
The Secretary-General has written to the Governor of New York, Andrew Cuomo, to convey his deepest condolences and full solidarity to all those affected by the tragic series of hate crimes targeting the Jewish community in New York.
 He joined the Governor in condemning these antisemitic attacks in the strongest possible terms and extend his sympathies and warm wishes to the injured and their loved ones.
The Secretary-General wrote, “Now more than ever, we must stand united against antisemitism and all other forms of hatred, bigotry and discrimination.”
He added that the richness and strength of New York lies in its enormous diversity, and he pledged his full support to Governor Cuomo as he and other leaders strive to uphold the safety, security and dignity of all those who make the great State of New York a beacon of hope and understanding around the globe.
 
Syria
The UN remains deeply concerned for the safety and protection of over three million civilians in the Idlib area of north-west Syria, over half of whom are internally displaced, as violence has escalated in the past three weeks.
From 1 to 29 December, some 284,000 people fled from their homes, mainly from southern Idlib governorate, moving further north away from the hostilities. Some 76 percent of the newly displaced are women and children.
Displacement during winter is further exacerbating the vulnerability of those affected. Many who fled are in urgent need of humanitarian support, particularly shelter, food, health, non-food and winterization assistance.
The UN and humanitarian partners in areas receiving newly displaced people are responding to their immediate needs as they arrive, including ready-to-eat rations, water and blankets, as well as protection interventions.
The UN urges all parties, and those with influence over them, to ensure the protection of civilians and freedom of movement, and to allow safe, sustained and unhindered access by all humanitarian parties to provide life-saving assistance to all in need.

Libya
The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reports that clashes and airstrikes continue in populated areas in and around Tripoli, causing civilian casualties and displacement.
Since 24 December, at least seven civilians have reportedly been killed and over 25 injured due to airstrikes.
Over 1,500 people are reportedly displaced in and around Tripoli in the last two weeks.
The UN and humanitarian partners are providing support, including food, non-food items and medical supplies. Aapproximately 3,500 people received food and non-food items, while over 2,500 people will receive assistance in the coming days.
Eleven health facilities received medical supplies, including trauma and surgical kits to respond to increased caseloads due to hostilities.
In addition, the UN and humanitarian partners reached over 226,000 people with assistance since the beginning of the conflict in April 2019.
In 2020, the Humanitarian Response Plan for Libya will seek US$ 115 million to assist 342,000 people in need.

World Food Programme
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) in Bangladesh welcomed a new contribution of EUR 2.5 million from the German Foreign Federal Office (GFFO) towards its Rohingya refugee response in Cox’s Bazar.
Around 80 percent of the Rohingya refugees in Cox’s Bazar remain entirely dependent of humanitarian aid. This new contribution enables WFP to continue its life saving food assistance in the camps through in-kind distribution and electronic vouchers (e-vouchers).
Through the e-vouchers, families are provided with a monthly allowance that they can spend at a WFP-supported e-voucher outlet. The scheme not only allows them to buy rice, oil and pulses, but also fresh fruit, vegetables, chicken, fish, and eggs.
The Government of Germany, through the German Foreign Federal Office (GFFO),has been a generous supporter of WFP Bangladesh. With this contribution, GFFO has provided WFP Bangladesh with a total of EUR 6.5 million in 2019 for food assistance through in-kind food distributions and e-vouchers.