HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NOON BRIEFING BY STÉPHANE DUJARRIC,
SPOKESPERSON FOR SECRETARY-GENERAL ANTÓNIO GUTERRES
WEDNESDAY, 29 JANUARY 2024
SENIOR PERSONNEL APPOINTMENT
Yesterday, the Secretary-General appointed Lt. Gen. Ulisses De Mesquita Gomes of Brazil as the new Force Commander for the UN Peacekeeping Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO).
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO / PEACEKEEPING
The peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo – MONUSCO- say that the situation in Goma remains tense today, but it is also calmer. But there is, however, continued sporadic shooting but an overall reduction in exchanges of fire within the city.
Continued clashes have been reported in surrounding areas, including in Sake, Northwest of Goma.
The Mission’s priority right now remains the protection of its personnel, its assets and the many civilians sheltering within UN premises. UN peacekeepers are planning on sending patrols today in Goma to assess the situation, to conduct resupplies and assess routes.
In the capital, Kinshasa, the situation is also calm today despite calls for protests that we have seen. The main roads are reported to be empty, and supermarkets are closed due to high risk of looting. That is what the peacekeeping mission is reporting.
You will also remember that a few days ago, we paid tribute to three UN peacekeepers who were killed in the last few days. We are now able to share their names : They were Private Rodolpho Cipriano Alverez Suarez from Uruguay, who was 39; Private Mokote Joseph Mobe, aged 33, and Private Andries Tshidiso Mabele, aged 30. The latter two were from South Africa. We send our deepest condolences to their families, their friends, governments and to all members of the peacekeeping mission.
The total number of UN peacekeepers injured since the most recent assault by the M23 now stands at 22. We reiterate that attacks against UN peacekeepers are not only unacceptable but may also constitute a war crime.
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO / SECURITY COUNCIL
Yesterday afternoon, the Deputy Special Representative for Protection and Operations for the Peacekeeping Mission in Goma in the Democratic Republic of the Congo – MONUSCO, Vivian van de Perre, briefed Council members.
She reiterated that the violence in the eastern part of the country has resulted in massive displacement and worsened an already dire humanitarian and protection situation. The degree of suffering that the population in Goma and neighbouring areas is enduring is truly unimaginable, she said.
In the past few days, Ms. Van de Perre told Council members that the peacekeeping mission has received a large number of people seeking refuge.
She called on all parties to prioritize the protection of civilians, open humanitarian corridors, and work towards a sustainable and peaceful resolution to this conflict.
Resuming the Luanda Process is of the utmost urgency to ensure a path toward de-escalation and to avert the looming threat of a third Congo war, she added. Military action cannot resolve this conflict, she told council members
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO / HUMANITARIAN
The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs say that violence and looting of humanitarian warehouses has continued today in Goma, impacting both the ability of aid workers to respond, as well as putting them at risk.
Since the escalation of fighting, UN humanitarian partners have recorded more than 2,000 injuries caused by weapons and explosive shrapnel. Humanitarian workers are treating injuries where possible.
Several bodies of people killed remain in the streets, while water and electricity supplies remain cut off since January 26th.
We call for the swift resumption of these services, as well as for the protection of humanitarian warehouses and the facilitation of medical evacuations for people who have been injured.
The airport in Goma unfortunately remains closed, which means that flows of humanitarian cargo and rotations of humanitarian personnel have been suspended.
Most of the roads that connect Goma to the rest of the country are also closed. However, the border with Rwanda is open and additional humanitarian teams were able to enter today.
The UN once again calls on all parties to respect international humanitarian law and to end the violence targeting civilians.
OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORY
The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) says that UN agencies today brought six fuel tankers into northern Gaza to support bakeries, as well as water, sanitation and hygiene services, and other essential activities.
OCHA says that displaced families continue to return to their homes in areas in northern Gaza. As of earlier today, our partners estimate that more than 423,000 people have crossed from south to north since the opening of the Salah ad Din and the Al Rashid roads on Monday.
Aid workers stationed along those roads continue to provide support to those on the move. That includes food, water and hygiene kits. UNICEF is distributing identification bracelets for children to help families stay safe and connected on their journey.
Those on the move also include unaccompanied children, pregnant women, older people, the chronically ill, people with disabilities and those in need of continuous medical care. The World Health Organization says it has supplied fuel, tents and equipment, enabling the Palestine Red Crescent Society to establish two trauma stabilization points on Al Rashid Road.
Our nutrition partners report that high energy biscuits were distributed to 19,000 men, women and children south of Wadi Gaza-- and to 10,000 people on the northern side.
Our partners working in shelters are providing tarpaulin sheets to displaced people in the north and east of Gaza City. They are also expected to distribute tents to families returning to their destroyed homes in both southern and northern parts of the Gaza Strip.
Also, our partners who are working to support water, sanitation and hygiene services continue to scale up water trucking in the governorates of Rafah, North Gaza and Gaza itself. In Rafah, some 300 cubic metres of potable water is being distributed each day – that is about enough for 50,000 people.
Meanwhile in the West Bank, OCHA also reports a drastic deterioration in the humanitarian and protection situation. Israeli forces continue their operations in the Jenin and Tulkarm governorates in the northern West Bank. We have repeatedly expressed our concerns over the use of lethal, war-like tactics in these law-enforcement operations.
As these operations continue, OCHA continues to receive reports of civilian infrastructure being destroyed and essential services being disrupted.
In Tulkarm, access to water and electricity has been disrupted. Initial estimates suggest that nearly 1,000 people have been displaced.
SYRIA
Geir Pedersen, the Special Envoy for Syria, remains in Syria, where he is continuing his engagement with the Caretaker Authorities, including a meeting earlier this week with the Foreign Minister, Asaad al-Shaibani.
He appreciates the in-depth discussions on the transition from the caretaker phase to a Syrian-led political process that is inclusive, credible, and recognized by both the Syrian people and the international community.
Over the past week, Mr. Pedersen has been meeting extensively with a broad spectrum of Syrians, including groups such as the Syrian National Council, civil society representatives, Syrian experts, and individuals from all regions and communities.
In parallel, the Envoy remains actively engaged with high-level officials from the region and key international stakeholders.
He continues to hear from Syrians across all backgrounds who share a common desire for a new and successful Syria, and welcomes their strong interest in working with the UN to shape a Syrian-led and Syrian-owned political process.
Mr. Pedersen is expected to brief the Security Council from Damascus tomorrow in closed consultations.
The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) say that they completed yesterday an assessment mission to two communities in northern rural Hama, which is in the centre of Syria as you well know.
This is the first in a series of weekly assessment missions planned to evaluate the humanitarian situation in communities impacted by recent hostilities in the governorates of Homs and Hama.
We also continue to conduct regular cross-border missions from Türkiye.
On Monday, OCHA tells us they completed a mission to Jandairis, in northern Aleppo, to monitor a project funded by the Syria Cross-Border Humanitarian Fund that supports camps with fire safety systems.
Meanwhile, OCHA is telling us that ongoing hostilities and violence continue to impact civilians across the country, particularly in the north-east, as you will have seen.
Yesterday, according to our partners, shelling and other incidents affected northern Al-Hasakeh, Ar-Raqqa and eastern Aleppo governorates – including, yet again, areas near the Tishreen Dam, which as you know we have been desperate to try to repair.
PEACE OPERATIONS
Jean-Pierre Lacroix, the Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, wrapped up his visit to two peacekeeping missions in the Middle East – the UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) and the UN Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO).
He ended his mission in Jerusalem, where today he met with UNTSO personnel and thanked them for their service for peace.
While there, he also discussed with Israeli government and military officials the work of the peacekeeping missions in the region. In addition to UNDOF and UNTSO, they also obviously discussed the situation in Lebanon, with UNIFIL [UN Interim Force in Lebanon]. In his various engagements he stressed the importance for the parties to ensure the safety and security of peacekeepers.
Prior to that, Mr. Lacroix was in Syria, where yesterday, he met with the Syrian caretaker authorities to discuss the mandate implementation and challenges for both UNDOF and UNTSO.
On Monday, he visited the UNDOF mission and expressed his support to those [peacekeepers] serving in UNDOF and to the military observers in UNTSO serving in what we call the Observer Group Golan during this challenging and volatile context to say the least.
Mr. Lacroix is on his way back to New York.
On Friday, Mr. Lacroix will brief reporters about his trip to the region, and about other peacekeeping developments.
UKRAINE
In Ukraine, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs says that attacks between 24 January and today have resulted in civilian casualties, with more than 100 homes, as well as a school, gas pipeline, and port facilities damaged. This is what local authorities are telling us.
Our humanitarian colleagues also note that in many frontline communities, access to power, heating, and water has been severely curtailed. Due to attacks on energy infrastructure, people have been without basic services for months while facing winter conditions. Humanitarian organizations continue to provide support as security permits, including construction material for repairs, for food, cash and psychological support. Our humanitarian colleagues also note that aid workers continue to work in what are clearly very risky environments.
OCHA tells us that in 2024, 53 humanitarian workers were killed or injured, which is slightly up from 50 in 2023.
MYANMAR
The UN Development Programme today released a report highlighting the severe challenges that are dramatically reshaping Myanmar. These challenges, which have occurred over the past four years, include political instability, entrenched conflict, economic disruptions, human rights violations, environmental degradation and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Some alarming numbers: nearly 50 per cent of the population in Myanmar lives below the poverty line; less than 48 per cent of the population had access to electricity last year – that’s the lowest access rate in all of Asia; and 16 per cent of the rice-growing area has been lost since 2021, which has a negative impact on food insecurity.
The report highlights the need for active international engagement and negotiation with all parties involved to help Myanmar navigate through its current challenges.
LUNAR NEW YEAR
Today is Lunar New Year and this is the Year of the Snake.
In his message, the Secretary-General says the snake symbolizes wisdom, resilience, and renewal. In these trying times, he added, let us be guided by these qualities to renew our commitment for peace, equality, and justice.
**Luke Irving, Chief of the Mine Action Service in the occupied Palestinian territories, was the guest at the Noon Briefing today.
