HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NOON BRIEFING BY STEPHANE DUJARRIC

SPOKESPERSON FOR SECRETARY-GENERAL ANTÓNIO GUTERRES

MONDAY, 5 APRIL 2021

MALI 
In Mali, four peacekeepers from Chad were killed on Friday, during an attack against their camp in Aguelhok. This is in northern Mali’s Kidal region. 
Thirty-four peacekeepers were also injured in the attack – that’s up from 19 originally reported as injured on Friday. 
The Secretary-General condemns the attack in the strongest terms. He also commends the courage and bravery of the peacekeepers who robustly repelled the attack by armed combatants on one of their camps. 
The Secretary-General conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the Government and people of Chad and extends his profound sympathies to the families of the victims. He wishes a swift recovery to all the peacekeepers injured. 
The Secretary-General recalls that attacks that target peacekeepers may constitute war crimes under international law and that sanctions can be applied against those responsible. He calls on the Malian authorities to spare no effort in identifying and promptly holding to account the perpetrators of this heinous attack.  

Tomorrow, the Security Council will discuss the situation in Mali. Jean-Pierre Lacroix, the head of peacekeeping, is scheduled to brief Council members. 

MYANMAR  
In Myanmar, the UN remains alarmed by the ongoing violence in the country. 
The UN says that another 18 people were killed over the weekend.   
As of today, the UN Human Rights Office has received credible reports of at least 568 women, children and men, who have been killed since the military seized control of the Government in February. The Office warns that this number may be significantly higher. 

SOUTH SUDAN 
In South Sudan, the UN Mission there said they helped reunite 58 women and children, who had been abducted last year during intercommunal fighting in Jonglei State. 
The UN Mission has been working with our partners since December to broker peace between the Lou Nuer, Murle and Dinka Bor communities. 
UN helicopters have helped women and children be reunited with their communities and families. 
David Shearer, the head of the Mission, said the agreement reached to release abducted women and children is an essential step to build trust and avoid the cycle of revenge. 
The UN Mission believes that as many as 686 women and children were abducted during the clashes that took place between January and August of last year. Tragically, these abductions often involve sexual violence. 
We are supporting efforts for the return of the remaining women and children. 

TIMOR-LESTE  
In Timor-Leste, the UN is supporting the Government as the country has experienced its worst flash flooding and landslides in recent years. 
There have been reports of damages to homes, roads and bridges. Families have been left homeless and people have been reported missing. Preliminary figures show that at least 10,000 people have been affected across eight municipalities, with the capital Dili being the hardest hit. 
The Resident Coordinator, Roy Trivedy, said the UN in Timor-Leste is deeply saddened by the loss of life and infrastructure caused by the natural disaster. 
The UN has delivered supplies including sanitary kits, dignity kits, plastic mats and blankets to those who need it. 
 
INDONESIA  
In Indonesia, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs says that at least 75 people have died, and 70 are still missing. Thirty-five have been injured following the impact of that same storm.
Many roads are cut off due to landslides, and electricity is interrupted in many areas. Emergency response, including food, blankets, and COVID-19 testing kits, are being provided by local, provincial and national governments, as well as humanitarian partners.  
The Indonesian Red Cross has mobilized personnel to assist with evacuations, provide first aid services and assist in evacuation.  
OCHA continues to monitor the situation. So far, there have been no official request for international assistance.  

COVAX 
To date, COVAX has shipped more than 36 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to 86 countries. 
Algeria received more than 36,000 doses over the weekend from COVAX. These doses will help accelerate the vaccination campaign already underway in the country.  
The UN Resident Coordinator, Eric Overvest, said the new doses will help ensure that no one is left behind. Our teams on the ground have helped to train healthcare workers, sensitize people on vaccines, and supported the cold chain. 

In Laos, the country has vaccinated more than 4,000 people, including frontline healthcare workers, with doses received from COVAX. The UN team, led by the Resident Coordinator Sara Sekkenes Tollefsen, is supporting the country’s vaccination campaign, which kicked off on Friday.  
So far, the country has received more than 130,000 doses, with another 350,000 expected to arrive next month. The goal is to vaccinate 20 per cent of the population – that’s around 1.6 million people – this year. The UN team helped procure syringes and other materials, and we are also supporting efforts to ensure that people can continue access to healthcare services. 

INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT 
In a statement issued over the weekend, the Secretary-General welcomed the revocation by the United States of an Executive Order concerning the International Criminal Court. 
The ICC plays an important role in advancing accountability for international crimes. 
The Secretary-General affirms the continued cooperation of the UN under the Relationship Agreement between the UN and the International Criminal Court. 

International Day of Conscience 
Today is the International Day of Conscience.
The International Day of Conscience was declared by the General Assembly in 2019, and is inspired by article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which states that "all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights, are endowed with reason and conscience, and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood." It aims to mobilize the efforts of the international community to promote peace, tolerance, inclusion, understanding and solidarity. 
 
FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION 
Indonesia has paid its regular budget dues in full. There are now 84 Member States fully paid up.