Noon briefing of 30 October 2024

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NOON BRIEFING BY STEPHANE DUJARRIC
SPOKESPERSON FOR SECRETARY-GENERAL ANTÓNIO GUTERRES
WEDNESDAY, 30 OCTOBER 2024

SECRETARY-GENERAL/COLOMBIA
This morning, in Cali, Colombia, the Secretary-General spoke at an event on plastic pollution organized by the UN Environment Programme. He noted that next month, Member States will meet in Busan, Republic of Korea, to negotiate a multilateral solution to end plastic pollution - a solution that is vital for people, planet and prosperity alike. The Secretary-General warned that plastic pollution is everywhere – all around us and even inside us – from our seas to our blood, to our brains. We are choking on plastic, he said.
The Secretary-General added that in Busan, Member States will have the chance to deliver on these promises and agree on a global treaty to end plastic pollution – once and for all.
Also this morning, the Secretary-General spoke to journalists at a press conference before heading out of Cali.
He also welcomed during the remarks the renewed efforts of President Petro and his government to accelerate the implementation of the Final Peace Agreement – including through the ‘Shock Plan’ that focuses on concrete aspects to improve the quality of life in the prioritized territories.
The Secretary-General called on everyone to not be sidetracked from the path of dialogue.

LEBANON
On the humanitarian front in Lebanon, a joint OCHA-UNICEF mission today delivered essential supplies to approximately 800 households in the village of Sarafand, in southern Lebanon. The supplies include water bottles, hygiene and dignity kits, water testers, children’s clothes and first aid kits.
Also, today, a convoy by UNRWA delivered 5,000 liters of fuel for generators to ensure the operation of water wells and sanitation facilities in the Burj Shemali Palestinian Refugee Camp along the South Litani River.
The situation continues to deteriorate amid escalating hostilities and displacement orders. Today, the Israeli army issued displacement orders for all residents of Baalbek city in the east of the country, to evacuate the entire city immediately.
This prompted mass displacement and panic among residents. Strikes subsequently began after several hours. Displacement orders were also issued in several localities in Nabatieh, in the south.
The Humanitarian Coordinator in Lebanon, Imran Riza, deplored the extensive harm inflicted on civilians and the destruction of critical infrastructure. He called for the violence to end immediately and reminded parties to the conflict that they must take all feasible precautions to avoid and minimize harm to civilians and civilian objects.
Yesterday, in just one day, 82 people were killed and at least 180 injured, according to national authorities.
Meanwhile, the Food and Agriculture Organization says that rural communities are facing difficulties as the conflict has also impacted agriculture.

OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORY
Moving to Gaza, further to that situation, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is urging the Israeli authorities to urgently grant access for critical humanitarian activities in Jabalya, Beit Lahia and Beit Hanoun in North Gaza. OCHA emphasizes the need for secure conditions to deliver aid and conduct rescue operations safely, given the ongoing military operations there.
The UN and the humanitarian partners are set to urgently implement critical activities in those areas as soon as Israeli authorities reopen North Gaza.
The Secretary-General is deeply shocked by reports of an Israeli air strike in Beit Lahia, in North Gaza that took place early yesterday reportedly left at least 90 Palestinians killed or missing, including at least 25 children. This tragic loss of life, he said particularly among vulnerable people, yet again underscores the devastating human impact of the ongoing conflict, which is intensifying in the north of Gaza.
The Secretary-General unequivocally condemns the widespread killing and injury of civilians in Gaza and the ongoing displacement of the population. All parties to the conflict must comply with their obligations under international law, including the obligation to respect and protect civilians. This includes humanitarian workers and first responders, who play a vital role in mitigating suffering and providing life-saving assistance.
The obstruction of their work only deepens the suffering of the population. Aid must flow freely and safely.  
The toll of the violence in Gaza is unconscionable. There must be an immediate ceasefire. And he reiterates once again his call for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages. The time to stop the bloodshed is now.
Also throughout October, we’ve noted that North Gaza governorate has been largely inaccessible, with very few exceptions, amid reports of high casualties, direct hits on overwhelmed medical facilities, and widespread family displacement and separation.
OCHA also emphasizes the need for direct supply routes from Erez West to these areas, rather than routing all aid through Gaza City, which is the current imposed practice.
Meanwhile, in the south, OCHA today visited two locations in Absan, east of Khan Younis, to assess the situation of displaced families. One was the Saudi Centre for Cultural and Heritage in Abasan Al Kabira, which provides mental health support for children, internet access for students, and operates a community kitchen for more than 500 families. The second location was in the Al Mharaba site, which hosts 2,000 people. At this site there are no health services, limited power and insufficient water facilities.

HAITI
The UN mission in Haiti (UNMIH) reports that between July and September, over 1,200 people were killed and more than 500 injured in gang violence, as well as in the fight against gangs. During the same period, the Mission also documented 170 kidnappings for ransom.
Violence primarily took place in the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area, as well as in the Artibonite department.
The mission is concerned about continuing acts of sexual violence committed by gangs against women and girls, as well as the impact of violence on children. During the reporting period, at least 59 boys and girls were killed, injured or abducted. Children were also victims of sexual violence, human trafficking and gang recruitment.
The data highlights the persistence of allegations of summary executions, involving specialized units of the Haitian national police.
In this context, the Mission notes initiatives from Haitian judicial authorities to fight impunity, but also continues to call on the international community to keep Haiti on its agenda and to speed up the full deployment of the Multinational Security Support Mission.

SUDAN
Turning to the situation in Sudan. The UN and its humanitarian partners are extremely concerned about the plight of civilians who continue to be trapped by hostilities and are unable to escape, as well as for the safety of those on the move.
The situation in particular in Aj Jazira State is alarming. Local authorities are saying that more than 27 women and girls between the ages of 6 and 60 were subjected to rape and sexual violence. They also reported that at least six health facilities have been attacked, with two health workers reported killed.
These attacks on health facilities have severely disrupted the delivery of health services in the area. Less than one quarter of health facilities are functioning in the worst-impacted areas across Sudan.
The International Organization for Migration reports that nearly 120,000 people – or almost 24,000 families – have been displaced from some of the localities in Aj Jazirah just in the past ten days.
The UN and its partners - in particular, local organizations and volunteers - are providing hot meals, food, health services and other supplies to thousands of displaced people in Gedaref and Kassala states.
The UN reiterates to all parties to the conflict in Sudan that civilians must be protected, including by allowing them to leave for safer areas. Attacks directed against civilians and civilian objects are prohibited, and constant care must be taken to spare them. Perpetrators of serious violations must be held accountable.

FLOODS IN SPAIN
Images of the torrential rains that have caused severe floods in and around Valencia, in the south of Spain are devastating.
The Secretary-General extends his condolences to the families of those who have lost their lives and expresses his full solidarity with the Government and the people of Spain.
The UN stands ready to assist in whichever way it can.
Valencia is hosts the UN Global Service Center base, which is an important logistics hub for the entire UN system.

SECURITY COUNCIL
This morning Caroline Ziadeh, head of the UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), briefed Security Council members on the latest developments in Kosovo.
She said that although the situation on the ground remains fragile, in her engagements with officials in Belgrade and Pristina, as well as with partners, she sees hope for a constructive dialogue and peaceful relations.
In the afternoon, the Council will hold a briefing on Ukraine. Assistant Secretary-General, Miroslav Jenča, will brief.

MPOX
As the mpox outbreak is impacting a greater number of people in Africa, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) is appealing for USD 27.8 million. This will help the agency protect and support migrants, internally displaced people, mobile populations, as well as the communities they interact with. 
Since August, the number of confirmed cases across Africa has risen sharply from over 2,800 in 12 countries to more than 9,300 in 34 countries.
As a result, IOM has now transformed its planning into a Multi-country Mpox Preparedness and Response Plan for Africa. The agency will be providing health screenings, risk communication and community engagement within affected communities. They will also support cross-border coordination between governments and local communities, and will also support countries to strengthen response at key borders and points of entry in high-risk areas across Africa.  

NOON BRIEFING GUEST
Noon briefing guest today is Andrea Tenenti, the Spokesperson for the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

BRIEFINGS TODAY
At 1:00 p.m., there will be a briefing by Navanethem Pillay and Chris Sidoti of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel.
At 2:00 p.m., there will be a briefing by Francesca Albanese, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian Territory occupied since 1967.

BRIEFINGS TOMORROW
Tomorrow, at 11a.m., there will be a joint briefing by Arif Husain, WFP’s (World Food Programme), Chief Economist, and Rein Paulsen, Director of FAO’s (Food and Agriculture Organization) Office of Emergencies and Resilience. They will brief on the Global Hunger Crisis report.
Then, at 11.30 a.m., there will be a briefing by Erik Mose, Pablo de Greiff and Vrinda Gover, Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine.
Noon briefing guest tomorrow is Nicholas Koumjian, the Head of the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar. He will be here to brief on the situation in Myanmar.