HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NOON BRIEFING BY FARHAN HAQ
DEPUTY SPOKESPERSON FOR SECRETARY-GENERAL ANTÓNIO GUTERRES
FRIDAY, 14 OCTOBER 2022
SECRETARY-GENERAL
The Secretary-General arrived in Washington earlier this morning to attend the annual shareholders meeting of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.
Shortly after his arrival, he met with the US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, John Kerry. They agreed that joint efforts must be enhanced to mitigate emissions in G20 countries, provide finance to accelerate the transition to renewable energies and protect people from devasting climate impacts, as we are only three weeks from the start of COP27.
Just now, the Secretary-General is at the opening meeting of the International Monetary and Financial Committee of the International Monetary Fund, where he will speak shortly.
Later in the afternoon, he will deliver remarks at the plenary meeting of the Development Committee of the World Bank.
During his interventions, the Secretary-General will highlight urgent action to help developing countries in distress and advance the Sustainable Development Goals. He will also stress the need for more active support to developing countries as they make the transition to renewable energy.
ISRAEL-LEBANON
We issued a statement last night which said that the Secretary-General welcomes the announcements that the Governments of Lebanon and Israel have formally agreed to settle their maritime boundary dispute, as mediated by the United States. He strongly believes this encouraging development can promote increased stability in the region and enhanced prosperity for the Lebanese and Israeli peoples.
The United Nations remains committed to assisting the parties, as requested.
The Secretary-General reiterates the commitment of the United Nations to support the effective implementation of Security Council resolution 1701 (2006) and other relevant resolutions, which remain essential to the stability of the region.
UKRAINE HUMANITARIAN
In Ukraine, our colleagues on the ground tell us that air strikes and missile attacks are continuing across the country, following the massive escalation of hostilities earlier in the week.
In particular, the city of Zaporizhzhia, in the south-east, continues to be impacted on a daily basis, with reports of more civilian casualties and more damage to civilian infrastructure.
We, along with our humanitarian partners, have been able to access more people in need in the areas of the eastern Kharkivska oblast and the southern Khersonska oblast, which have newly been retaken by Ukraine.
Humanitarians have reached 13.4 million people with some form of assistance since the conflict began on 24 February.
UKRAINE
And in line with that I also have the following to say, that the Secretary-General reiterates his appeal to the Russian Federation that the International Committee of the Red Cross be granted full access to all Prisoners of War, in accordance with international humanitarian law, including the Third Geneva Convention.
HAITI
In Haiti, the latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification analysis – better known as the IPC – was published today, and it shows that the multiple crises the country is facing has pushed more men, women and children into hunger.
In the country, a record 4.7 million people are currently facing acute hunger - that is IPC 3 and above.
This number includes 1.8 million people in the Emergency phase of food insecurity (IPC 4) and, for the first time ever in Haiti, 19,000 people are facing catastrophic levels of hunger – or level 5.
These people are in Cité Soleil which, as you know, is a part of the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area that has been greatly impacted by violence.
The IPC analysis also shows that more people living in rural areas are facing emergency levels, or IPC 4. Harvest losses due to below average rainfall and last year’s earthquake that devastated parts of the country’s south are among the shocks that worsened conditions for people there.
Our colleagues say that inflation, including rising food and fuel prices have made the basic food basket out of reach for many Haitians.
Despite the volatile security situation in Port-au-Prince, WFP provided more than 100,000 people with emergency assistance in the metropolitan area this year.
The agency also continues to work to strengthen national social protection and food systems. For its part, FAO has been providing emergency livelihoods support to small-scale vulnerable farming households.
As we’ve said several times, access to people in need is crucial. And again today, WFP and FAO said that while they continue their work in Haiti, increased insecurity, violence and lack of fuel are hampering humanitarian operations which are critical for the most vulnerable Haitians.
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO
The UN Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo tells us that efforts by UN peacekeepers and the Congolese armed forces to protect civilians along national route 72 in Ituri’s Djugu territory are showing positive results.
To reinforce security, peacekeepers and the Congolese armed forces are regularly patrolling the section of this 90-km road from Bunia to Fataki. The Mission reports that peacekeepers based nearby are continuing to deter attacks by armed groups against displaced people by conducting day and night patrols to the Lodda camp as well as the town of Fataki. This area, once frequently targeted by the CODECO militia, is now seeing steady movement of goods, vehicles and civilians.
Reassured by the presence of national security forces and the UN, some displaced persons are also returning to their communities.
SOUTH SUDAN
In South Sudan, our peacekeeping mission is expressing grave concern about an outbreak of violence between the Dinka Ngok and Dinka Twic Mayardit youth in the border area between Abyei and Warrap. The hostilities, which began in February, have resulted in the loss of many lives, destruction of homes, and displacement of thousands of civilians. There was a lull in the violence in June, but clashes have now resumed.
UNMISS peacekeepers have been patrolling the area and are engaging with local authorities, women and youth leaders. The Mission has also welcomed the Government’s decision to investigate the clashes and to deploy troops to the area to restore peace.
The Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Nicholas Haysom, is urging community leaders to work together to end the violence and prevent retaliatory attacks.
MALI
Our colleagues at the Peacekeeping Mission in Mali have condemned an attack against a passenger bus that took place earlier today close to Bandiagara. Many civilians died and others were injured as a result of this attack.
We join the Mission to present our condolences to the families of the deceased and to wish a speedy recovery to those injured.
NEPAL
In Nepal, our humanitarian colleagues tell us that heavy and unseasonal rains have driven up needs in the country’s east.
The UN Central Emergency Response Fund has allocated $3.2 million to three UN agencies to support communities before the impacts of flooding peak, as part of an innovative approach to early warning, early humanitarian action and disaster risk management in the face of climate change.
The funds will be used to communicate early warning messages; distribute cash, food and other items; and services such as legal and psychosocial counseling.
ZIMBABWE
In Zimbabwe, our team there is supporting authorities since a measles outbreak started seven months ago in the eastern province of Manicaland. Over 7,000 cases have been reported so far from 46 other districts.
In addition to the ongoing vaccination drive backed by the UN Children’s Fund and the World Health Organization, the UN team is mobilizing additional resources through the UN Central Emergency Response Fund.
The first phase of the national response kicked off last month and is targeting over 2.2 million children living in the most affected districts. UNICEF and WHO are providing technical and logistical assistance on vaccination activities, strengthening of disease surveillance and ensuring adequate high-quality treatment. And the team is now targeting an additional 4.3 million children as part of the second phase of the campaign.
FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION
And I have the welcome news that our friends in Palikir have paid their dues for 2022. Thank you, Micronesia. A total of 133 Member States have now paid in full.
HYBRID BRIEFING TODAY
Later today at 1:15 p.m. after our guests, there will be a briefing here by Dr. Alice Jill Edwards, UN Special Rapporteur on Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. She will be joined by Claude Heller, Chairperson of the Committee against Torture and Suzanne Jabbour, Chairperson of the Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture.
HYBRID BRIEFING ON MONDAY
And then on Monday at 11:00 a.m., there will be a press briefing here by Irene Khan, the Special Rapporteur for freedom of expression and opinion.
