Noon briefing of 11 February 2021

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NOON BRIEFING BY STÉPHANE DUJARRIC​,
SPOKESMAN FOR SECRETARY-GENERAL ANTÓNIO GUTERRES
THURSDAY, 11 FEBRUARY 2020YEMEN

The Special Envoy for Yemen, Martin Griffiths, has concluded a two-day visit to Saudi Arabia. In Riyadh, he met with Saudi Deputy Minister of Defense, Prince Khalid bin Salman; the Yemeni Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ahmed Bin Mubarak; and the US Envoy to Yemen, Tim Lenderking, as well as other officials.
In his meetings, he discussed the latest developments, including the hostilities against Ma'rib and the prospects of resuming an inclusive political process.
Mr. Griffiths further discussed the acute fuel shortages in Ansar Allah-controlled areas and the need for immediate actions to avoid worsening of the humanitarian and economic situation.
Mr. Griffiths warned that we are seeing an uptick in military hostilities and constant threats to the lives of Yemeni women, men and children. This must stop, he said.

SECURITY COUNCIL/UKRAINE
Today, the Security Council held an open meeting by video conference on Ukraine. Briefing Council members, the Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, Rosemary DiCarlo, said that since the Trilateral Contact Group agreed to an indefinite ceasefire that came into force on July 2020, the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine has reported a significant decrease in civilian casualties and exchange of fire.
However, she said that the humanitarian situation has not improved and noted that the COVID-19 pandemic has compounded the difficult socio-economic conditions of civilians in conflict-affected areas. This includes the further tightening of already severe restrictions on freedom of movement across the contact line.
Ms. DiCarlo also noted that more than 3.4 million people are still in need of sustained humanitarian assistance. More than half of those in need are women, and 40 per cent are the elderly.

HAITI
In Haiti, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) warned that the number of people in need has increased drastically over the past year. As a result, 40 per cent of Haiti’s population of 11.4 million – over 4.4 million people- will require humanitarian assistance this year.
This considerable increase is a consequence of a series of socio-political crises that have significantly impacted existing fragilities and impacted the resilience of the Haitian people. Haitians have also been hit by the spread of COVID-19 and the impact of natural disasters, such as last summer’s tropical storm Laura.
Insecurity has also increased in the country. This includes kidnappings, clashes between armed gangs leading to civilian deaths, the burning of houses and the displacement of people. Public demonstrations and strikes have also continued to paralyze basic services. Most schools in Haiti have been closed since the first week of February. However, our colleagues tell us that there are indications that schooling may resume next week if the security situation allows.
In 2020, 1.4 million people in Haiti were reached with humanitarian assistance through the Humanitarian Response Plan, receiving US$155.7 million out of the $472 million requested.

MYANMAR
On Myanmar, UN Women today said that it is strongly concerned over the use of force by security forces against peaceful demonstrators, including women.
UN Women also urged all to listen to the voices of Myanmar women.
Over the past decade, the agency says that the women civil society organizations of Myanmar have played an essential role in the transition process towards a prosperous and democratic society. They have also been central in advocating for peace and inclusive governance.
Today, UN Women stands in solidarity with the women and women’s civil society organizations of Myanmar as they seek to exercise their fundamental right to demonstrate peacefully and express their hopes and desires for the future of their country.

SOMALIA
On Somalia, in a note to correspondents issued yesterday afternoon, we welcomed the announcement of another summit between the Federal Government of Somalia and federal member states leaders, and their commitment to continue dialogue. The summit is scheduled for 15 February.
We call on all Somali leaders to come together in a spirit of goodwill and collaboration in the interest of the Somali people.
We also reiterate that dialogue and compromise to forge an inclusive political agreement and the implementation of the September Electoral Model are essential. A consensus-based agreement is the only way forward.

SOUTH SUDAN
On South Sudan, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Pramila Patten, today called on the Government to expedite the operationalization of the African Union Hybrid Court and other transitional justice institutions.
Ms. Patten noted that these institutions will send a strong signal that violations – including acts of sexual violence – will not be tolerated and those responsible will be held to account.
She noted the important role that survivors of sexual violence and their families have to play in that regard.

AFGHANISTAN
The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), in a tweet this morning, said that the UN family in the country mourns the loss of five Afghan Directorate of Protection Service (DPS) personnel in an incident in the Surobi District of Kabul. UNAMA said that no UN staff members were hurt in the attack which hit a DPS vehicle that was escorting a UN convoy.
The UN Mission is transmitting condolences to Afghan authorities.

UN RELIEF AND WORKS AGENCY FOR PALESTINE REFUGEES
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) has asked for $1.5 billion to fund its essential services, emergency appeals and priority projects this year.
This figure includes $806 million for core services, such as education, health, relief and social services, protection and infrastructure, as well as camp improvement. Emergency humanitarian assistance would require another $231 million.
To respond to the hardship caused by the Syria conflict to Palestine refugees in Syria, Jordan and Lebanon, the Agency is seeking $318 million.
The emergency appeals include adjustments that UNRWA made to its services to prevent the spread of COVID-19 among Palestine refugees and to address its impact.

COVID-19/RWANDA
In Rwanda, the UN team, led by Resident Coordinator Fodé Ndiaye, is supporting national efforts to tackle the pandemic – including with robots.
The UN Development Programme (UNDP) is working with authorities to deploy eight high-tech robots in the fight against COVID-19. Each of these robots can screen up to 150 people a minute to track fevers and other potential signs of COVID-19. The robots can also deliver food and medicine to patients.
Others use ultraviolet light to clean up and disinfect treatment centres and other places, which can swiftly limit the spread of the virus.
In the human realm, the UN team has deployed 50 human staff to support the national COVID-19 coordination centre in areas including laboratory oversight, case management, risk communication, counseling, and prevention.
From March to January of this year, the UN team has contributed more than $22 million to the response.

ECUADOR
In Ecuador, the UN team issued a statement last night congratulating the people of Ecuador on exercising their civic right to vote and for the high voter turnout in Sunday’s election.
The UN team called on Ecuadorean society, particularly the main political actors involved, to await the announcement of final results by the electoral authorities. The UN team in Ecuador has also called on all candidates and their supporters and citizens to accept the will of the people expressed at the polls, and to use institutional channels to launch any potential challenge. We trust that the electoral authorities will address any existing appeal promptly and with transparency.

GUATEMALA
The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) today welcomed the establishment of a new asylum unit in Guatemala which expand the capacity to receive, process and adjudicate asylum claims in the country.
UNHCR said this is a crucial step in the right direction, that will better protect refugees and ensure a safer, humane and more efficient path to safety.
The new Refugee Status Recognition Department of Guatemala’s Migration Institute will be staffed with psychologists, social workers and lawyers, attending to the needs of asylum seekers and will process their claims. UNHCR contributed to the establishment of this facility, providing technology and equipment.

SECRETARY-GENERAL/LUNAR NEW YEAR
In a video message, the Secretary-General has extended his best wishes to everyone celebrating the Lunar New Year.
This year is the Year of the Ox, which he said is the same sign as the year of his birth.
The ox symbolizes energy, strength, and courage, and the Secretary-General said these qualities are what the world needs now.
In 2021, we must stand together to fight the virus, take climate action and build a strong recovery from the pandemic, he stressed.

WOMEN AND GIRLS IN SCIENCE
Today is the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. In his message, the Secretary-General says that advancing gender equality in science and technology is essential for building a better future. He says that during the pandemic gender inequalities have increased dramatically, as women bear the brunt of school closures and working from home.
The Secretary-General stresses that women and girls belong in science and that it’s time to recognize that greater diversity fosters greater innovation.
“Without more women in STEM [short for science, technology, engineering and mathematics], the world will continue to be designed by and for men, and the potential of girls and women will remain untapped,” he adds.
To mark the Day, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the L'Oréal Foundation are honouring five women researchers in the fields of astrophysics, mathematics, chemistry and informatics as part of the 23rd International Prize for Women in Science. The list is available on UNESCO’s website.

HONOUR ROLL
The Honour Roll officially closes at the end of business today. But we are able to flag that our friends in Vilnius have paid their regular budget dues, which brings us up to 39. Thank you, Lithuania. And tomorrow we will give you that cash update we have promised.