HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NOON BRIEFING BY FARHAN HAQ,
DEPUTY SPOKESMAN FOR SECRETARY-GENERAL ANTÓNIO GUTERRES
WEDNESDAY, 22 NOVEMBER 2023
GAZA
The Secretary-General has welcomed the agreement reached by Israel and Hamas, with the mediation of Qatar and supported by Egypt and the United States.
This is an important step in the right direction, but much more needs to be done.
The United Nations will mobilize all its capacities to support the implementation of the agreement and maximize its positive impact on the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reports that yesterday, 63,800 litres of fuel entered Gaza from Egypt. Fuel is being distributed by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) - to support food distribution, and the operation of generators at hospitals, water and sanitation facilities, shelters, and other critical services.
A total of 79 trucks carrying humanitarian supplies entered from Egypt by yesterday evening. Overall, between 21 October and 21 November, at least 1,399 truckloads of humanitarian supplies, excluding fuel, have entered Gaza through the Egyptian border, compared to a monthly average of nearly 10,000 truckloads of commercial and humanitarian commodities, excluding fuel, entering Gaza before 7 October.
Also yesterday, Al Awda Hospital in North Gaza was attacked, and three doctors and one patient’s companion were killed, and many patients injured. Since the start of the war, the World Health Organization (WHO) has documented 178 health attacks in Gaza Strip that resulted in 22 fatalities and 48 injuries among health care workers on duty.
Only two small hospitals to the north of Wadi Gaza, one in Gaza city and another in Beit Lahiya, are estimated to be partially operational and admit patients, with the remaining 22 being out of service. Of the 11 medical facilities in the south, seven are currently functional.
A WHO staff member was killed alongside her 6-month-old baby, her husband and two brothers yesterday. As of 19 November, 108 UNRWA staff have been killed in Gaza since 7 October.
Nearly 770,000 internally displaced persons, out of 1.7 million, are sheltering in 99 UNRWA facilities south of Wadi Gaza in extremely overcrowded conditions. In the past two weeks, the agency has recorded a 35 per cent increase in skin diseases and a 40 per cent increase in cases of diarrhea.
OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORY
For her part, the Humanitarian Coordinator for the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Lynn Hastings, says the UN and our humanitarian partners stand ready to seize this opportunity to increase humanitarian operations wherever people in need are. She stressed that the parties need to allow for humanitarian operations to be conducted across the Gaza Strip where people are in need, especially in the north.
Ms. Hastings emphasized that civilians in Gaza cannot depend on humanitarian aid alone. The entry of commercial goods needs to resume, especially through the Kerem Shalom crossing, which has the capacity for it.
SECURITY COUNCIL
Catherine Russell, the Executive Director of the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), briefed the Security Council today and said that UNICEF also welcomes the limited ceasefire agreement.
She said that since 7 October, 35 Israeli children have reportedly been killed, while more than 30 have been held hostage in Gaza. Meanwhile, she said, more than 5,300 Palestinian children have been reportedly killed in just 46 days - or over 115 a day, every day, for weeks and weeks. Based on these figures, children account for forty per cent of the deaths in Gaza, Ms. Russell said – so in other words, the Gaza Strip is the most dangerous place in the world to be a child.
Sima Bahous, the head of UN Women, told the Council that not only is the number of civilians killed since 7 October twice that of the last 15 years combined, now 67 per cent of the more than 14,000 people killed in Gaza are estimated to be women and children.
Ms. Bahous said that UN Women has met with and heard from Israeli women who shared that they and civil society organizations are working to document gender-based atrocities. They also shared their hope for peace, with women - both Israeli and Palestinian- at the table.
Natalia Kanem, the Executive Director of the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), also briefed the Security Council, adding that in Gaza there are currently 5,500 pregnant women expected to give birth in the coming month. Every day approximately 180 women deliver under appalling conditions, the future for their newborns uncertain. She said that the situation is most dire for women facing obstetric complications – some 15 per cent of pregnant women.
UNDER-SECRETARY-GENERAL FOR POLITICAL AND PEACEBUILDING AFFAIRS/TRAVEL
The Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, Rosemary DiCarlo, completed today a visit to Israel, the Occupied Palestinian Territory and Jordan. The war in Gaza and the 7 October attacks that triggered it were at the centre of her discussions.
On 19-20 November, in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, the Under-Secretary-General met with President Isaac Herzog and other senior Israeli officials, as well as with families of Israeli hostages taken on 7 October. On 21 November in Ramallah, she held talks with Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh and other Palestinian leaders. She also met with the Palestinian Red Crescent leadership.
During the visit, Under-Secretary-General DiCarlo spent time with UN staff, including from the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), who have been working to bring needed relief to civilians in Gaza. She paid tribute to the many UN colleagues who have paid the ultimate price during the violence.
Under-Secretary-General DiCarlo concluded her visit today with meetings in Amman, Jordan.
Throughout her visit, Under-Secretary-General DiCarlo expressed her deep concern over the continued loss of life in Gaza following the abhorrent attacks of 7 October. She reiterated the Secretary-General’s three priorities regarding a humanitarian ceasefire and improved humanitarian access in the Strip; the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages; and preventing the escalation or expansion of the conflict.
CHILE
Today, in Santiago, Chile, the Secretary-General participated in the G20 virtual Summit, which is being hosted by the Indian Government.
He told G20 leaders that our world, and particularly developing countries, is facing a perfect storm with growing inequalities, climate chaos, conflicts and hunger. He said that G20 members can help lead the way in the areas of financial, structural and climate justice.
The Secretary-General said that India’s G20 Presidency reminded us that we are one earth and one family with one future. So, let’s act like it, he told leaders. His remarks were sent to you.
And this evening, he will be making his way to Antarctica with President Gabriel Boric.
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO
In Kinshasa yesterday, the Head of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) - Bintou Keita, and the Congolese Vice Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Francophonie, Christophe Lutundula, co-signed a note on the accelerated, gradual, orderly and responsible withdrawal of MONUSCO from the DRC, containing a plan and a timeline for the complete disengagement of the Mission in the country.
You will recall that in September, the President of the DRC, Félix Tshisekedi, reiterated his country's desire to accelerate the withdrawal of MONUSCO from the DRC, starting next month.
Following the Security Council Presidential Statement of 16 October, this disengagement plan was developed by joint technical teams bringing together Government and MONUSCO counterparts. The plan will be jointly implemented in three phases, with the support of the DRC's international and national partners.
In a statement issued by the Mission this morning, Bintou Keita thanked our Congolese partners and reiterated our determination to work with the Congolese authorities towards an accelerated withdrawal of MONUSCO that consolidates the gains made during the Mission's presence in the DRC.
After the Mission's departure, the UN system will continue to support the development efforts of the Congolese Government and people, with the aim of sustaining peacebuilding and security gains in the country.
CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC
The United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) today said that a new agreement has been signed between communities in Obo. This marks an important step towards reconciliation and peace in the Haut-Mbomou prefecture in the southeast.
The commitment involved representatives from three key groups: the Muslim and indigenous communities, as well as the Azande self-defense group.
One of the key provisions is the affirmation of the free movement of people and goods, which will help to reduce tensions, build trust and a sense of shared responsibility for the well-being and security of the population. MINUSCA says this agreement will make a vital contribution to the overall peacebuilding strategy, helping to reduce violence and lay the foundations for long-term stability.
DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF KOREA
In a statement issued last night, the Secretary-General strongly condemned the launch of yet another military satellite using ballistic missile technology by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.
He added that any launch by the DPRK using ballistic missile technology is contrary to the relevant Security Council resolutions.
The Secretary-General reiterated his call on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to fully comply with its international obligations under all relevant Security Council resolutions and to return to dialogue without preconditions to achieve the goal of sustainable peace and the complete and verifiable denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.
SECURITY COUNCIL/UKRAINE
Yesterday afternoon, the Security Council held a meeting on maintenance of peace and security of Ukraine. Briefing Council members, Miroslav Jenča, the Assistant Secretary-General for Europe, Central Asia and Americas at the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, noted that amidst fresh waves of attacks against energy infrastructure and in anticipation of frigid weather conditions, humanitarian needs in Ukraine are on the rise.
Also briefing Council members, the World Food Programme Country Director in Ukraine, Matthew Hollingworth said that if attacks on food infrastructure and the blockage of sea export routes continue, it will dramatically impact the agricultural production outlook over years to come, and in the worst-case scenario, may lead to wheat production being unable to meet domestic and export demand.
MYANMAR
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) today said that intense fighting between ethnic armed organizations and the Myanmar Armed Forces continues and has expanded into more areas, including densely populated urban centres. This escalation is the largest and most geographically widespread since the 2021 military takeover. Northern and southern Shan, Sagaing, Kayah, Rakhine, and southern Chin are particularly affected.
The UN humanitarian partners on the ground note that as of yesterday, more than 286,000 people have been displaced since the escalation of fighting on October 26th, with this number continuing to climb.
The security situation in Rakhine remains alarming, particularly in Pauktaw Township where some 20,000 people have fled to safer locations since the middle of this month. According to UN humanitarian partners, entry points to downtown Pauktaw have been closed, and the town is not accessible. Hundreds of people are reportedly trapped and have not been able to move to safer areas. Some 26,000 Rohingya also remain unreachable in 5 sites for internally displaced people in Pauktaw and have not had access to humanitarian assistance since November 10th.
Many transport routes in parts of the country affected by conflict remain blocked, with airports closed and telecommunication services disrupted.
Despite these challenges, our partners continue to provide lifesaving assistance to civilians wherever they can and are assessing growing needs. The most urgent needs include cash, food, shelter, hygiene kits, basic health services and protection support.
The Humanitarian Response Plan for Myanmar is currently only 28 per cent funded with just a few weeks left in the year. With more than two million people now displaced nationwide, we need an urgent injection of funding and safe access to respond effectively to escalating needs at scale.
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
In the Dominican Republic, the UN team noted that unprecedented rainfall has killed more than 24 people and displaced almost 18,000 in the past five days. More than 3,500 homes have been impacted and at least 45 communities remain completely isolated.
The UN team, led by Resident Coordinator Mauricio Ramírez Villegas, is supporting the Government in conducting a rapid needs assessment, while also distributing non-food items such as hygiene kits, tarpaulins, solar lamps, and mosquito nets. The UN team is distributing a limited number of items prepositioned in the country, but much more is needed, including food.
Infrastructure, housing, and agriculture are expected to be some of the most affected sectors. The UN team is concerned about significant damage to people’s lives and livelihoods, including small businesses, as well as recently confirmed outbreaks of dengue fever and cholera in affected areas.
NEXT DAYS
As you know, tomorrow is Thanksgiving Day, and UN Headquarters will be closed for the holiday.
There won’t be a briefing tomorrow, or on Friday – unless any big change of circumstances warrants it. We’ll be at work on Friday and will post the latest highlights of the UN system online.
As Stéphane told you, on Monday, we expect the Secretary-General may do a press stakeout upon his return from his travels. That would be at approximately 12:30 p.m., but we’ll keep you posted.
