Noon briefing of 24 January 2025

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NOON BRIEFING BY FARHAN HAQ,
DEPUTY SPOKESMAN FOR SECRETARY-GENERAL ANTÓNIO GUTERRES
FRIDAY, 24 JANUARY 2025

YEMEN
In a statement issued this morning, the office of the Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Yemen said that the de facto authorities in Sana’a detained additional UN personnel working in areas under their control. In response to that, the UN suspended all official movements into and within areas under the de facto authorities’ control. The measure will remain in place until further notice.
UN officials in Yemen are actively engaging with senior representatives of the de facto authorities, demanding the immediate and unconditional release of all UN personnel and partners.

OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORY
The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reports that distributions of food assistance are ongoing in Gaza – and UN partners report that as of yesterday, more than 200,000 food parcels have been dispatched to more than 130 distribution points since the ceasefire took hold six days ago.
In North Gaza governorate, humanitarian organizations are providing food parcels and wheat flour to families in parts of Jabalya that had been besieged for more than three months. For its part, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has reached 5,000 people in Jabalya with water trucking and they have distributed hygiene and cleaning kits. UN partners report that hundreds of residents who had been displaced to Gaza city are now returning to North Gaza governorate.
In Deir al Balah and Khan Younis – in central and southern Gaza – the UN and its partners carried out a rapid assessment in 13 makeshift displacement sites yesterday. The team noted that, to date, few people sheltering at these sites have left, though many reported plans to move north to Gaza governorate.
People in these sites reported that over the past week they have received some assistance, including food, shelter, drinking water, cash, water and sanitation services, and other essential items. They reported that they are still in need of more water for drinking and domestic use, mats, blankets, clothing, hygiene kits and food and cash support.
Starting next week, humanitarians expect to see significant population movements between southern and northern Gaza. The UN and its partners are working to meet the needs of displaced families wherever they relocate.
And turning to the West Bank, OCHA warns that the situation there continues to deteriorate. The ongoing operation by Israeli forces in Jenin and Jenin Refugee Camp – now in its fourth day – has expanded to nearby villages.
OCHA warns once again that lethal, war-like tactics are being applied, raising concerns over use of force that exceeds law enforcement standards.
In Jenin refugee camp, it is estimated that 3,000 families have left over the past two months, including several hundred in the past week alone.
Alongside the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), OCHA is mobilizing partners to monitor needs and prepare the humanitarian response. With the facilitation of the Palestine Red Crescent Society, the parties have been coordinating the evacuation of trapped civilians and wounded persons. In line with international humanitarian law, the injured must be evacuated and receive medical care, and civilians must be allowed to move to safer areas.
Israel as the occupying power has a legal obligation to protect Palestinians and maintain public order and safety in the West Bank in accordance with international humanitarian and human rights law.
Meanwhile, OCHA has documented a surge in Israeli settler attacks against Palestinians and their property over the past week. At least 17 Palestinians were injured, and multiple structures – including homes – were damaged.

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO
The United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) today said that it has intensified its support to the Congolese Armed Forces to counter the advances of the M23 armed group in North Kivu and its capital, Goma. The Mission reports that heavy clashes are ongoing for the control of Sake.
MONUSCO is conducting day and night joint patrols with the Congolese armed forces and they also supported the deployment of Congolese forces to reduce the threat to civilian populations. Unfortunately, during these clashes, 9 UN peacekeepers were injured. They are currently receiving medical treatment.
Since Wednesday - January 22, MONUSCO’s Quick Reaction Forces have also directly supported the Congolese armed forces.
Meanwhile, the Mission continues to provide essential medical and logistical support to the Southern African Development Community Military Mission in the DRC.
For its part, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reports that the clashes between the Congolese army and the M23 have led to significant new displacement of civilians in and around Goma.
Between 12 January and yesterday, more than 35,000 people fleeing violence in Masisi have sought refuge in displacement sites in Goma. Shelling in areas where displaced people are sheltering on the outskirts of Goma, including Mugunga, Bulengo, and Lushagala, has caused people to flee toward the city.
This latest escalation follows intense fighting in Minova, in South Kivu, three days ago, which displaced thousands of people. Humanitarian access to the area remains restricted due to the ongoing insecurity.
OCHA says the situation in Goma is dire, with the territory of Goma and neighbouring Nyiragongo territory also hosting more than 700,000 displaced people. OCHA warns that the recent surge in violence will only aggravate an already critical humanitarian situation, further increasing the suffering of thousands of men, women, and children who are experiencing displacement and inhumane conditions.
OCHA is also concerned about the increasing numbers of wounded people arriving in already-overwhelmed health facilities.

SECRETARY-GENERAL/DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO
In a statement issued yesterday, the Secretary-General expressed his alarm at the resumption of hostilities in the country’s East. He condemned in the strongest terms the renewed offensive launched by the M23 since the beginning of the year and its expansion into North and South Kivu. This offensive, he said, has a devastating toll on the civilian population and heightens the risk of a broader regional war.
The Secretary-General calls on the M23 to immediately cease its offensive, withdraw from all occupied areas and abide by the 31 July 2024 ceasefire agreement.
The Secretary-General also said he is deeply troubled by the most recent report of the Group of Experts, concerning the presence of Rwandan troops on Congolese soil and continued support to the M23. He calls on all actors to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and to put an end to all forms of support to armed groups, whether Congolese or foreign.
The Secretary-General reaffirms his unwavering support for the peace efforts led by President João Lourenço of Angola to de-escalate tensions between the DRC and Rwanda and commends him for the progress made so far. He urges the parties to remain engaged in the Luanda process and maintain momentum on the neutralization of the FDLR and withdrawal of Rwandan forces, as well as the swift operationalization of the Reinforced Ad-Hoc Verification Mechanism.

SUDAN
On Sudan, I was asked yesterday about our reaction to the Rapid Support Force's statement that gave a 48-hour ultimatum to forces allied to the Sudanese Armed Forces to vacate El-Fasher and indicated a forthcoming offensive.
I can tell you that the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan, Clementine Nkweta-Salami,is deeply alarmed about reports of an imminent attack by the RSF in El Fasher, in North Darfur State, and continues to be gravely concerned about the safety of civilians caught in crossfire.
She appeals to all sides to the conflict in Sudan to think of the many innocent lives at stake and urges them to de-escalate tensions.
She also urges them to prioritize the protection of civilians, as mandated by their obligations under international humanitarian law. Further violence will only deepen the tragedy for civilians and hinder prospects for peace and stability in Sudan, she warned.

NIGERIA
Turning to Nigeria, the UN and its humanitarian partners today launched the 2025 response plan in Abuja, which calls for $910 million. Like it did last year, the plan will focus on the north-eastern states of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe, where conflict, climate shocks and economic instability are exacting a heavy toll on civilians.
This year’s plan aims to reach 3.6 million people in the north-east with health services; food; water, sanitation and hygiene; nutrition for children; protection; education; and other vital support.

PERSONNEL APPOINTMENT
The United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres announced today the appointment of Hanna Serwaa Tetteh of Ghana as his Special Representative for Libya and Head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL). She succeeds Abdoulaye Bathily of Senegal, who served as Special Envoy and Head of UNSMIL until May 2024. The Secretary-General is grateful for his leadership, as well as to Deputy Special Representative, Stephanie Koury, who led the Mission in the interim period as Officer-in-Charge.
Ms. Tetteh brings to this position decades of experience at the national, regional and international levels, including most recently as the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for the Horn of Africa from 2022 until 2024. Prior to this, she was the Special Representative of the Secretary-General to the African Union and Head of the United Nations Office to the African Union (UNOAU) from 2018 to 2020, having earlier served as Director-General of the United Nations Office at Nairobi.

INTERNATIONAL DAYS
Today is the International Day of Education. In his message, the Secretary-General says that education is a basic human right. On this important Day, he adds, let’s commit to keeping humanity at the centre of education systems, everywhere.
And Sunday, is the International Day of Clean Energy. In a message for the Day, the Secretary-General stresses that the end of the fossil fuel age is certain, but governments must ensure that it comes swiftly and fairly.

HONOUR ROLL
Denmark, Ethiopia and New Zealand paid their full dues to the regular budget. The Honour Roll now has 28 members.

***The guest at the Noon Briefing was Yasmine Sherif, the Executive Director of Education Cannot Wait (ECW). She briefed journalists on Education Cannot Wait’s latest Global Estimates Report.