HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NOON BRIEFING BY FARHAN HAQ,
DEPUTY SPOKESMAN FOR SECRETARY-GENERAL ANTÓNIO GUTERRES
MONDAY, 25 MARCH 2024
UNDER-SECRETARY-GENERAL FOR HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS
The Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Martin Griffiths, has informed the Secretary-General of his intention to step down for health reasons.
The Secretary-General extends his deep gratitude and appreciation to Mr. Griffiths for his tremendous leadership and service to the United Nations and the humanitarian community in advocating for people affected by crises and mobilizing resources to address their needs.
Mr. Griffiths, who heads the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), came to the role in July 2021, at a time of mounting humanitarian needs and shrinking resources. He advocated tirelessly for life-saving aid to reach those most in need and for the resources needed to do so.
A skilled diplomat and mediator, he has played a key role in leading the humanitarian response of the United Nations and partners and negotiating solutions to some of the most intractable crises.
Mr. Griffiths will remain in his post until the end of June to allow for a smooth transition.
SECURITY COUNCIL
The Security Council today passed a Resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire for the month of Ramadan respected by all parties leading to a lasting sustainable ceasefire, and also demanding the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages. The resolution passed by a vote of 14 in favour with one abstention, the United States.
In response, the Secretary-General said in a Tweet, “The Security Council just approved a long-awaited resolution on Gaza, demanding an immediate ceasefire, and the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages. This resolution must be implemented. Failure would be unforgivable.”
Prior to the vote, the Security Council held a moment of silence in honour of the victims of the Friday terrorist attack in Russia.
SECURITY COUNCIL/AFTERNOON
And this afternoon, at 3:00 p.m., the Security Council will reconvene for a briefing on threats to international peace and security, as called for by the Russian Federation.
Miroslav Jenča, the Assistant Secretary-General for Central Asia, Europe, and Americas at the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, will brief Council members.
SECRETARY-GENERAL/TRAVELS
The Secretary-General said today that the UN Relief and Works Agency, UNRWA, is a lifeline of hope and dignity - in Gaza, the West Bank, Syria, Lebanon - and in Jordan, the country that he is currently visiting as part of his annual Ramadan solidarity trip.
In his remarks to the press today from the Jordanian capital, Amman, the Secretary-General said that Ramadan is meant to be a period of celebration – but not this year. He said that “hearts are heavy in the region – and indeed around the world – from the unprecedented and ongoing devastation in Gaza, as well as rising violence in the occupied West Bank.”
The fighting must end now, he said, and the hostages must be released now, and we must not lose sight of the big picture. A lasting end to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict can only come through a two-State solution.
While in Jordan, the Secretary-General met with His Majesty King Abdallah, and with other officials including Foreign Minister, Ayman al-Safady. He commended Jordan for its support for de-escalation, including in East Jerusalem, and its relentless efforts to get humanitarian assistance into Gaza, including through the personal efforts of King Abdullah.
Highlighting the enormous work that UNRWA is doing for the Palestine refugees, the Secretary-General visited UNRWA facilities in Wihdat Camp for Palestine refugees in Amman. Earlier today, he was briefed on UNRWA’s health services and toured one of the schools where he met with students and teachers.
His solidarity visit ends tonight when he breaks his fast – has iftar – together with Palestinian refugees from multiple camps and local UNRWA staff.
The Secretary-General was also in Egypt over the weekend. On Saturday, he visited the Rafah Border crossing on the Egyptian side, to spotlight the hardship and pain of Palestinians in Gaza and the obstacles to easing their plight. He reiterated his calls for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, stressing that the only efficient and effective way to move heavy goods is by road. And in Rafah, he met with UN humanitarians working in Gaza.
Also, in North Sinai, the Secretary-General visited Al Arish General hospital, where injured Palestinians are being treated.
Back in Cairo, he had his Ramadan iftar with a number of refugees from Sudan and expressed his solidarity with them and all those forcibly displaced.
Yesterday, the Secretary-General held a meeting with President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and acknowledged the Egyptian people’s commitment to the values of compassion, peace and solidarity. He also met with Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, and the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Ahmed Al-Tayeb.
OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORY
In response to questions about the situation of UNRWA in northern Gaza, the Spokesperson said the Secretary-General regrets the decision by Israel to deny the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) from delivering life-saving aid to the north of Gaza, where seven out of every 10 people are already on the brink of famine. He calls for this decision to be revoked immediately.
The Secretary-General underscores that UNRWA is and will remain the beating heart of aid delivery in Gaza providing people in need with food, shelter and protection. He reiterates that Israel is obligated to allow and facilitate the rapid and unimpeded passage of humanitarian aid into and across Gaza.
And further on that, the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Martin Griffiths, said the decision to block UNRWA’s food convoys to the north must be revoked, warning that it will only push thousands of people closer to famine. In a social media post, Mr. Griffiths said he had urged Israel to lift all impediments on aid to Gaza, and this marks a further impediment.
The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reports that last week, only nine out of 17 humanitarian aid missions to northern Gaza were facilitated by the Israeli authorities.
Despite the challenges, we continue to deliver life-saving assistance wherever and whenever possible in Gaza.
On Saturday, the World Health Organization led a mission with Non-Governmental Organizations partners to Kamal Adwan and Al Awda hospitals in northern Gaza to deliver 15,000 litres of fuel, as well as food and critical supplies. The team also provided technical support to establish a stabilization centre for children suffering from acute malnutrition who also have medical complications. And on Friday, WHO installed tents and nearly two dozen beds at Al-Aqsa hospital, in Deir al Balah, to expand capacity at the facility.
In Gaza City, the Israeli military operation in and around Al-Shifa Hospital has continued for the eighth consecutive day. WHO’s Director-General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, described conditions at the hospital as “utterly inhumane.”
In a social media post on Friday, he said a doctor at Al Shifa reported that some 50 health workers and more than 140 patients had been kept in one building since the second day of the raid, with extremely limited food and water, and only one non-functional toilet. Dr. Tedros called for an immediate end to the siege and appealed for safe access to ensure that patients get the care they need.
WHO said their team was not given clearance to reach the hospital on Sunday evening to assess and facilitate patient transfer. However, they provided water and first aid to several health workers who left the hospital.
UKRAINE
Turning to Ukraine, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs tells us that new strikes across the country over the weekend left hundreds of thousands of people in Kharkiv, Odesa, and Kryvyi Rih without electricity and heat.
In Kyiv this morning, which was also hit by strikes, authorities reported that several civilians were injured. Schools and homes were damaged in three districts, according to the city authorities and partners.
Also, this morning, more civilians were injured and civilian infrastructure impacted in the Mykolaiv Region, in the south of Ukraine, according to local authorities. Humanitarian organizations rapidly mobilized to provide people with psychosocial and legal support and emergency repair materials.
Following a blackout in Kharkiv, our humanitarian partners, together with local organizations, provided hot meals to 10,000 people, including in hospitals, shelters and other places.
RUSSIA
And you have seen that we issued a statement in which the Secretary-General condemned in the strongest possible terms Friday’s terrorist attack at a concert hall outside Moscow.
The Secretary-General conveyed his deep condolences to the bereaved families and the people and the Government of the Russian Federation. He wished those injured a speedy recovery.
HAITI
Turning to Haiti, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs says that violence and insecurity in Port-au-Prince continues to disrupt aid operations.
The World Health Organization warns that less than half of health facilities in the capital are functioning at their normal capacity, as the crisis has crippled operations and hindered access to the few remaining facilities.
As an example of the volatile environment and its impact on the health sector, the Bernard Mevs hospital in Port-au-Prince, which had recently reopened, was forced to suspend its operations again due to insecurity.
Despite the challenges, the World Health Organization is supporting the Ministry of Health and local partners with supplies and logistics, including water, sanitation and hygiene and disease surveillance in centres for displaced people.
For its part, the World Food Programme said that yesterday they were able to provide 17,500 hot meals to displaced people.
UNICEF and its partners continue to provide psychosocial support to people impacted by the recent events.
The humanitarian community continues to strongly appeal to all parties to urgently allow unhindered, safe access to people in need.
ECUADOR
In response to questions about the recent developments in Ecuador, which the Secretary-General has been following, the Spokesperson said the Secretary-General firmly condemns the killing of the Mayor of San Vicente, Brigitte García, and her colleague Jairo Loor. He sends his heartfelt condolences to the families and the people of San Vicente.
The Secretary-General has also taken note of the steps taken by the authorities to halt the wave of violence and recalls that these efforts must comply with international law, in line with Ecuador’s long-lasting commitment to the rule of law.
REMEMBRANCE OF THE VICTIMS OF SLAVERY AND THE TRANSATLANTIC SLAVE TRADE
Today is the International Day of the Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade.
And this morning, the Secretary-General’s Chef de Cabinet, Courtenay Rattray, spoke on behalf of the Secretary-General at the event to mark the Day held in the General Assembly.
He said that for four hundred years, enslaved Africans fought for their freedom, while colonial powers and others committed horrific crimes against them. Descendants of enslaved Africans and people of African descent are still fighting for equal rights and freedoms around the world.
He added that today and every day, we reject the legacy of this horrific crime against humanity and call for reparatory justice frameworks to help overcome generations of exclusion and discrimination.
Above all, we resolve to work for a world free from racism, discrimination, bigotry and hate. These remarks are online.
INTERNATIONAL DAY OF SOLIDARITY WITH DETAINED AND MISSING STAFF MEMBERS
Today is also the International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff Members.
In his message for the day, the Secretary-General says that today is a solemn reminder of the grave risks facing our staff members as they carry out their vital work under the UN flag. He notes that these brave women and men represent humanity’s highest calling: helping people in their hour of desperate need.
The Secretary-General points out that they also face enormous and unacceptable risks — including violence, detention and abduction.
Since 2022, 381 UN personnel have been detained — including 7 in January and February of this year. In total, 27 UN personnel are still in detention.
The Secretary-General calls on all to honour the courage and dedication of humanitarians everywhere by pledging to protect and support them as they help build a more peaceful, humane world for us all.
