SYRIA
In a few days, we will mark the 10th year since the start of the conflict in Syria.
This afternoon, the Secretary-General will talk to you at the Security Council stakeout about the horrific price that the people of Syria have paid for this decade of conflict.
On Monday, you will hear from the Secretary-General's Special Envoy Geir Pedersen on the same issue, but that will be done from Geneva.
SECRETARY-GENERAL/JAPAN
In a video message, the Secretary-General marked the 10th anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami in which 18,400 people died or are still missing.
He extended his condolences to those who continue to grieve the loss of loved one. He thinks of those who remain displaced due to safety concerns surrounding the destroyed Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.
In that respect, the Secretary-General said he welcomes the findings of the UN Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation.
That Committee found that no adverse health effects among Fukushima residents have been documented that could be directly attributed to radiation exposure from the accident.
The Secretary-General said in his message that Japan is leading the world when it comes to disaster prevention. Japan, he said, has invested heavily in building back safer over the past decade and has helped to share the lessons learned for the future.
‘ONLY TOGETHER’ CAMPAIGN
I want to flag that, tomorrow, we will be launching a new global campaign, titled Only Together, to support its call for fair and equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines around the world.
The campaign stresses the need for coordinated global action to ensure that vaccines are accessible in all countries, starting with healthcare workers and the most vulnerable.
As a reminder, the COVAX initiative still needs more than $2 billion to fully meet its goals to vaccinate those most in need by the end of the year.
Only Together is part of the broader Verified initiative which was launched in May last year to tackle misinformation around the pandemic, as well as to promote fact-based advice and stories from the best of humanity.
The Secretary-General is expected to release a video message on the campaign tomorrow.
ETHIOPIA AIRLINES FLIGHT 302
Two years ago today, Ethiopian Airlines flight 302 crashed shortly after takeoff from Addis Ababa.
Today, we remember all of the victims of this horrendous accident, but we have a special thought for the families and friends of our colleagues who were on board that flight which was heading for Nairobi.
Twenty-one staff, many in the prime of their careers and hailing from various UN agencies – the World Food Programme (WFP), World Bank, International Telecommunications Union (ITU), the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), the UN Development Programme (UNDP), the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the International Maritime Organization (IMO), and the UN Assistance office in Somalia, as well as the UN offices in Nairobi – lost their lives that day. While they all worked on different issues, they were united in their dedication to the ideals of the Organization and the people we serve.
They are very much missed.
MYANMAR
On Myanmar, I’ve been asked about the work of the Secretary-General’s Special Envoy, Christine Schraner Burgener.
I can tell you that she remains in close contact with key actors in Myanmar, including the military, on a possible visit to the country.
She has been engaging regularly with civilian political representatives, leaders of the popular movement, and civil society actors inside Myanmar. The Special Envoy also continues to engage regional stakeholders, including senior officials in China, as well as leaders of ASEAN countries,and other regional organizations.
Also on Myanmar, our UN team on the ground remains deeply concerned over the ongoing loss of life since the military took over the Myanmar Government on 1 February.
The UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR) tells us that, as of 8 March, at least 67 people – including women and children – have been confirmed to have been killed. Hundreds more people have been injured.
The UN team again calls on the military to halt the use of force against peaceful protestors. The use of lethal force against non-violent demonstrators is never justifiable under international human rights norms.
Our colleagues there say they are also profoundly concerned over further efforts to undermine freedom of expression in Myanmar, following increased pressure on independent media outlets.
LIBYA
The UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) congratulated the Libyan people on the approval by the House of Representatives of a new interim unified Government. The Mission applauds the House of Representatives leadership and its members for coming together in unity on this historic day and for upholding the interests of their country and their people.
The Mission says Libya now has a genuine opportunity to move forward towards unity, stability, prosperity, reconciliation and the full restoration of its sovereignty.
AFGHANISTAN
On Afghanistan, the UN Mission there, otherwise known as UNAMA, says the UN envoy for the country, Deborah Lyons, had meetings in Doha with Special Representatives from Germany, Norway and the United States.
The aim was to discuss how to invigorate the Afghanistan Peace Negotiations and the enhanced role for the UN to help bring an end to Afghan people’s suffering through inclusive peace.
Ms. Lyons also met today with Qatari Special Envoy, Mutlaq Al-Qahtani, to discuss the peace negotiations and the key role of Qatar, as well as how the UN can best assist in ending the conflict.
YEMEN
The Executive Director of the World Food (WFP) , David Beasley, issued an urgent plea for peace in Yemen. He called for funding to help the most vulnerable hungry families as he wrapped up a two-day visit to the country.
Mr. Beasley said that over half of the people in Yemen are facing acute food shortages, with millions knocking on the door of famine. He said that famine-like conditions are emerging across Yemen. He added: “We have a vaccine for this. It is called food. All we need to save lives is funding.”
In Sana’a, Beasley visited a hospital and witnessed first-hand the devastating toll that malnutrition is having on Yemen’s children. Half of all children under five in Yemen – that’s 2.3 million children – are projected to face acute malnutrition this year.
Mr. Beasley will brief reporters virtually on Friday morning.
FSO SAFER TANKER
Also on Yemen, on the FSO SAFER vessel, I can tell you that we remain engaged in discussions with the Houthis, Ansar Allah, to resolve all pending issues and requests regarding logistical and security arrangements. We hope that these discussions conclude quickly so we can move forward with booking the mission’s vessels and finalizing a concrete deployment timeline.
The environmental and humanitarian disaster that is waiting to happen in case of an oil spill is entirely avoidable. We are doing everything possible to deploy this mission at the earliest possible opportunity as an important step towards averting this catastrophe.
As a reminder, there are about 1.1 million barrels of oil in that tanker.
IRAQ
Today, the UN and the Government of Iraq released the 2021 Humanitarian Response Plan to assist 1.5 million vulnerable people. The appeal seeks $607.2 million to carry out humanitarian assistance activities there.
The Overview found that 4.1 million Iraqis need humanitarian assistance. This year’s Plan focuses on 1.5 million of the most vulnerable internally displaced people, as well as returnees, who continue to face significant humanitarian and protection needs.
Last year, the humanitarian community was able to assist approximately 1.4 million people in Iraq, thanks to the efforts of donors and partners.
EQUATORIAL GUINEA
An update from Equatorial Guinea, following Sunday’s deadly explosions at a military complex in Bata: Initial figures from the military say that up to 300 houses were destroyed. Displaced families remain without shelter. The blast also significantly damaged the country’s only COVID-19 testing laboratory.
Our colleagues at the World Health Organization (WHO) have mobilized an emergency team and are preparing to deploy two trauma kits. UNICEF and WHO have sent a team to Bata to support the response. A UN Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) team will be deployed over the next few days.
Concerns are rising over the risks posed by unexploded ordnances, including explosives, rockets and other munitions that remain at the site.
Urgent needs have been identified, including the deployment of emergency response experts, financial support and medical interventions, including [mobile] hospitals, medical, water, sanitation and hygiene equipment, as well as medicines. Temporary shelter, food assistance and psychological support for victims are also critical.
HAITI
Another Humanitarian Response Plan launched today was for Haiti, and it was presented to Member States this morning.
Some 4.4 million people this year will require emergency humanitarian assistance. This is over 40 per cent of Haiti’s total population. All of them face food insecurity.
The past year was marked by COVID and Tropical Storm Laura, as well as socio-political events, including an increase in violence. This has led to a significant deterioration; in November last year, 69 per cent of Haitian households had reported a drop in their income.
Among the many impacts of the pandemic, humanitarians say that access to health care, water, hygiene and sanitation services have been reduced.
In the new Response Plan, our humanitarian colleagues are appealing for $235 million to assist 1.5 million people this year.
MALI
Jean-Pierre Lacroix, the Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, has wrapped up a visit to Togo.
On Monday, he spoke at the Mali Transition Support Meeting held in Lomé. The meeting focused on progress made in the implementation of the Transition Roadmap and the mobilization and coordination of international support.
He highlighted that, in the context of the transition, progress has taken place in Mali, but added that many challenges remain. A number of obstacles continue to stand in the way of the new authorities, he said.
He also reiterated the UN’s full commitment to work alongside Mali, also in consultation with other partners. As part of its mandate, the UN Mission will continue its mediation between Malian actors and good offices as well as efforts for the gradual restoration of state authority in central and northern Mali.
He also met with the President Togo as well as senior government officials and thanked them for Togo’s support to peacekeeping and for the service and sacrifices of Togolese peacekeepers.
CENTRAL MEDITERRANEAN/SHIPWRECK
Our colleagues at the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and UNHCR tell us today they are deeply saddened by the latest loss of life in the Central Mediterranean, after two boats capsized off Tunisia’s shores yesterday.
At least 39 people drowned in a shipwreck off Kerkennah island. One hundred and thirty-four survivors, most of them from Côte d'Ivoire, were brought to shore by Tunisia’s coast guard.
A second shipwreck took place off the coast of Jebeniana city in Sfax governorate. The boat had 70 people on board, including four children. They were all taken to shore safely.
The agencies that some 190 people have died while crossing the Central Mediterranean since 1 January. This is an average of almost three deaths per day.
CAMBODIA/COVAX
A COVAX update from Cambodia, this time, which received more than 320,000 COVID-19 vaccines from the COVAX facility last week.
This was the first batch of a total of 1.1 million doses that will be provided by the end of May. Cambodia will receive enough doses from COVAX to vaccinate 20 per cent of its population this year.
This is the most rapid and ambitious vaccination operation in Cambodia. We have been supporting authorities, including in logistics and training. Our colleagues have also been working on a communications and community engagement strategy to increase demand, reduce vaccine hesitancy, and address misinformation.
ENVIRONMENT
A new UNEP report, produced with Oxford University, says that, one year from the onset of the pandemic, recovery spending has fallen short of nations’ commitments to build back more sustainably.
The report found that only 18 per cent of announced recovery spending – that’s $341 billion out of $14.6 trillion – can be considered ‘green.’
FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION
Today, we say thank you to our friends in Tbilisi because Georgia paid its regular budged dues in full, bringing the number of countries which have done so to 68.
