MYANMAR
Just want to give you an update from Myanmar. You saw a statement yesterday. Today is the anniversary of the military takeover and I just want to focus a bit on the fact that our humanitarian colleagues are trying to meet people’s needs wherever they are as fighting continues across multiple fronts including heavy fighting in Rakhine State.
The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarians Affairs tells us that humanitarian workers were able to assist more than three million people last year. But that is not enough – they need both greater access and drastic improvements in funding to assist the most vulnerable people in Myanmar. More than 18 million people need humanitarian aid this year – up from 1 million just before the military takeover.
Our OCHA colleagues tell us that sustained underfunding of both the humanitarian and development operations in Myanmar has led to significant unmet needs that are now cascading into 2024.
Humanitarian organizations are requesting a record $994 million dollars to support the response in Myanmar – that’s for 2024. The situation demands immediate attention and increased international support to address both the humanitarian and development challenges facing the civilian population.
OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORY
Quick update for you on the situation in Gaza, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) informs us that fighting is continuing in southern Gaza, including in Khan Younis.
The UN Relief and Works Agency, UNRWA, reports that some 184,000 people had registered for humanitarian assistance yesterday in the western outskirts of Khan Younis, after they were displaced from western Khan Younis city in recent days, amid evacuation orders and continued hostilities. Along with those displaced, UNRWA itself had to move part of its operations from western Khan Younis city and is now reestablishing operations in the outskirts of that area.
Due to constant hostilities, the scale of explosive contamination in Gaza requires urgent action. The UN Mine Action Service continues to provide explosive ordnance disposal support to ensure the safe passage of convoys. Last week, the UN Mine Action Service supported three convoys to the north, including two food convoys and one fuel delivery to Shifa Hospital. In addition, two explosive threat assessments were conducted in Khan Younis, including one at the Khan Younis Training Centre which as you’ll recall was hit last week.
LEBANON
Moving to the situation on the borders along the Blue Line, between Lebanon and Israel, our peacekeepers are informing us that they continue to carry out their tasks, including patrols and other activities, amid daily exchanges of fire along that Blue Line. The UN Peacekeeping Force Force in southern Lebanon, UNIFIL, also remains actively engaged with authorities on both sides to de-escalate tensions. Yesterday, the Head of Mission and Force Commander, Lt. General Aroldo Lázaro, held a meeting with Lebanese Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Miqati and Lebanese Army Commander Gen. Joseph Aoun in Beirut. The head of the peacepkeeping mission General Lázaro, underscored the significance of de-escalating tension in southern Lebanon and the region and the imperative of fully implementing Security Council Resolution 1701, as well as working towards a political and diplomatic solution that is crucial for restoring stability.
UKRAINE
Turning to Ukraine. Our humanitarian friends tell us that new attacks in the east have injured civilians and damaged civilian infrastructure. Yesterday, in Kharkiv City, a hospital was damaged in an attack, with several people injured and many evacuated. That’s what the national rescue service of Ukraine is telling us. A health facility also sustained damages in Toretsk Town, in the Donetsk region, as reported by the regional administration.
In front-line areas, our humanitarian colleagues note that the continued hostilities in the Donetsk and Kherson regions of Ukraine are continuing to kill and injure civilians. Homes, education facilities, public transport, water, electricity and heating facilities have also been damaged. That what local authorities are telling us.
Our humanitarian colleagues add that a humanitarian hub run by a local NGO in Kherson City was hit today.
Despite the challenges of operating in front-line areas, aid organizations continue to provide assistance. In recent days, we, along with our humanitarian partners, have provided emergency repair materials, as well as psychological and legal support in the Donetsk and Kharkiv Regions.
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, peacekeepers are continuing to do their utmost to protect civilians in North Kivu amid ongoing clashes between the M23 rebel group and the Congolese armed forces.
As we mentioned a few days ago, the UN Mission established a temporary presence in Mweso, following clashes in that area. Peacekeepers have also created a humanitarian corridor, which has allowed more than 1,000 displaced men, women and children to move to safer ground.
The UN Mission is also continuing to protect and provide medical assistance to displaced communities taking refuge near its base in Kitchanga, which is about 15 kilometres from Mweso.
Additionally, the peacekeeping mission reports they helped evacuate to Goma eight Congolese soldiers wounded in the fighting with the M23.
And, as you can imagine, we’re continuing to monitor the situation closely.
INTERFAITH HARMONY WEEK
You know what week starts today? Interfaith Harmony. It is an opportunity to recognize the imperative need for dialogue among different faiths and religions to enhance mutual understanding, harmony and cooperation among people and we need that more than ever.
FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION
We say thanks to our friends in Copenhagen, New Delhi and Vilnius.
Denmark, India and Lithuania’s full payments to the Regular Budget take the Honour Roll to 36.
