AFGHANISTAN
As you saw this morning, we issued a statement in which the Secretary-General strongly condemned the Taliban’s decision to ban Afghan women from working with the United Nations in Afghanistan. He notes that this is a violation of the inalienable fundamental human rights of women.
The Secretary-General adds that the ban also violates Afghanistan’s obligations under international human rights law, and infringes on the principle of non-discrimination, which is a core tenet underpinning the United Nations Charter. The Secretary-General emphasizes that female staff members are essential to the UN operations, including in the delivery of life-saving assistance, and that the enforcement of this decision will harm the Afghan people, millions of whom need assistance.
The Secretary-General calls on the Taliban to immediately revoke the decision and reverse all measures that restrict women’s and girls’ rights to work, education and freedom of movement.
And as soon as you’re done with me, we have online our colleague Ramiz Alakbarov, the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General, in charge of humanitarian operations.
MIDDLE EAST
Turning to the Middle East, I can tell you that the Secretary-General is shocked and appalled by the images he saw this morning of the violence and beating by Israeli security forces inside the al-Qibli mosque in Jerusalem. At a time of the calendar which is holy to Jews, Christians and Muslims, this should be a time for peace and not violence. Places of worship should only be used for peaceful religious observances.
And you may have seen that we also have a statement by Tor Wennesland, the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, which was issued earlier this morning. He said he too is appalled by the images of violence inside the al-Qibli mosque and disturbed by the apparent beating of Palestinians by Israeli security forces and the large number of arrests.
Mr. Wennesland also strongly rejects the stockpiling and use of fireworks and rocks by Palestinians inside the mosque.
He called on political, religious and community leaders on all sides to reject incitement, inflammatory rhetoric, and provocative actions and added that the UN remains in close contact with all concerned parties to de-escalate the situation.
And on a related note, we and our humanitarian partners stand ready to help ensure the restoration of medical services as soon as possible at the Haram Al Sharif/Temple Mount compound. The health clinic at the compound was severely damaged which forced its closure after Israeli forces used it to enter the Al Qibli Mosque in East Jerusalem. That’s based on an initial assessment carried out by our humanitarian colleagues, who spoke with multiple sources at the site, including health care providers and worshippers.
TÜRKIYE
Turning to the ongoing relief efforts in Türkiye, as needs for shelter, water, health, sanitation, and hygiene services are still very high, we continue to support the efforts led by the Government to help millions of people.
We along with our partners have reached some 2 million people with water, sanitation and hygiene services. This includes more than 1 million litres of drinking water and 1.7 million litres of water for sanitation. We have also provided nearly 318,000 hygiene kits, more than 28,000 dignity kits, and thousands of latrines and bathing facilities.
We and along with our partners have also reached 135,000 people with health services and supplied 16 mobile clinics. Since the earthquakes, 42 emergency medical teams deployed in the region have carried out more than 71,000 consultations. Nine teams remain currently on the ground.
And as we keep stressing, we urgently need more funding for the humanitarian response aimed at helping more than 5 million people. Our appeal is just 28 per cent funded.
MALI
Turning to Mali, we were getting questions about an article published in Africa Intelligence today, and I can say that the article is wholly inaccurate. We continue to engage constructively with Member States and the host countries, and we are not in the business of giving ultimatums as the story says. The Security Council will hold a briefing and consultations on Mali on 12 April and the Special Representative and head of the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali, MINUSMA, El Ghassim Wane, is expected to brief. And if he’s here in person we will also ask him to speak to you.
Staying in the country, our peacekeeping mission continues supporting efforts to ensure electoral preparedness, social cohesion, and conflict prevention.
On Monday, the Mission supported a five-day training session in Bamako to help strengthen the National Independent Authority for the Management of Elections. In Mopti, the Thematic Group on Social Cohesion - which brings together representatives of the UN, the government and civil society - gave recommendations to improve social cohesion and conflict prevention in Mopti, Bandiagara, and Douentza.
Earlier this week, the Mission also conducted a human rights training for members of the Malian Security Forces in Gao.
SOMALIA
Turning east to Somalia. The Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Somalia, Adam Abdelmoula, is urging donors to keep up their support for people facing one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises.
Mr. Abdelmoula told Member States in Geneva today that needs in the country remain high and urgent. Although famine is no longer projected, areas hit hardest by a historic drought are still at risk.
This year’s $2.6 billion Humanitarian Response Plan which aims to help 7.6 million people in Somalia is just 13 per cent funded. Generous donor support has helped avert a famine for now, but Mr. Abdelmoula said those fragile gains could be lost without consistent funding.
CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC
Turning to the Central African Republic, the head of the peacekeeping mission there, Valentine Rugwabiza, is engaging with the National Assembly to advocate for equal participation of women in the municipal and regional elections that are scheduled for Stepmeber. The Mission is also working to facilitate access to justice and the fight against impunity, including rehabilitating the Permanent Military Tribunal of Bangui and supporting the social reintegration of detainees from the Ngaragba Central prison in the capital. The Mission also organized a peacebuilding forum in Bambari, in Ouaka prefecture, to promote youth engagement in the peace process.
On the security front, as armed groups continue to clash in Bambouti, in the east, the Mission carried out 12 patrols to protect civilians and called on the groups to lay down their weapons.
PERU
Just a note from Peru, our team there, led by Resident Coordinator Igor Garafulic, is supporting authorities in their response to the ongoing heavy rains and floods that have left more than half a million people in urgent need of humanitarian assistance.
Our team has been supporting with food, access to clean water, sanitation and hygiene, social protection, early recovery, disease prevention and access to education.
In addition, the World Food Programme is providing emergency cash transfers and logistical support for essential goods to more than 1,000 families. UNICEF for its part is treating acute malnutrition while other agencies have helped in the management of shelters and access to health services.
WORLD FOOD PROGRAMME EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
A note on the first day for a new leader of a UN agency. We want to welcome Cindy McCain who joined the United Nations World Food Programme as its new Executive Director today.
Ms. McCain takes the helm of an organization which last year delivered food assistance to a record 158 million men, women and children around the world.
The new Executive Director stressed that while no organization can solve world hunger alone, global cooperation is critical to save the lives of millions that at risk.
SPORT FOR DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE
Programming note. Tomorrow, we are looking forward to celebrating the 10th Anniversary of the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace. There will be an event in the Economic and Social Council Chamber.
The event will feature conversations with leading figures in the world of sport – including WHO Goodwill Ambassador, Didier Drogba and Javier Zanetti – both well-known footballers. They will discuss innovative ways in which sport helps to tackle climate change and advance sustainable practices; promote gender equality and human rights; and combat racism and hate speech.
The event is co-organized by the UN Departments of Global Communications of these United Nations and Economic and Social Affairs, with the support of the Permanent Missions of the Principality of Monaco and Qatar. It will start at 10:30.
INTERNATIONAL DAY OF CONSCIENCE
today we mark the International Day of Conscience, to highlight the need for the creation of conditions of stability and well-being, peaceful and friendly relations based on respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms - without distinction as to race, language, religion or sex.
