HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NOON BRIEFING BY FARHAN HAQ,
DEPUTY SPOKESMAN FOR SECRETARY-GENERAL ANTÓNIO GUTERRES
WEDNESDAY, 16 JUNE 2021
SECRETARY-GENERAL/PRESS STAKEOUT
The Secretary-General will speak to the press following the Plenary Meeting of the General Assembly on the appointment of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, which will take place on Friday.
The Secretary-General is expected to speak to reporters at the area immediately outside the General Assembly Hall (also known as the East Foyer), and that should happen at around 10:40 on Friday morning. That press stakeout will take the place of the Friday noon briefing.
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO
The Head of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), Bintou Keita, condemned the proliferation of messages inciting hatred, violence and hostility between communities in several provinces of the country.
She called on community and political leaders to refrain from using discriminatory and provocative language on the basis of ethnic affiliations, which could lead to further divisions and, ultimately, to violence.
This resurgence in hate speech comes at a time when the Democratic Republic of the Congo is experiencing an important mobilization of its defense and security forces to restore peace and security in the east. This, Ms. Keita said, requires a national cohesion effort.
The Mission reaffirmed its determination to support Congolese authorities, and also encouraged the parliament to adopt a bill against tribalism, racism and xenophobia, which is currently under consideration in the National Assembly.
MYANMAR
From Myanmar, the UN team there said today that they remain deeply concerned about increasing numbers of people being displaced by clashes in Kayah State, in the country’s east.
In southeastern Myanmar, the UN team says that more than 160,000 people have been internally displaced since the military takeover of the Government on February 1st. This includes more than 100,000 people who have fled their homes in Kayah State following fighting between the Myanmar military and the Karenni People’s Defence Force.
Nearly 20,000 people are living in displacement sites in Chin State in western Myanmar following the start of clashes last month. Thousands more people have been displaced across Kachin and Shan States as well.
SRI LANKA
From Sri Lanka, the Resident Coordinator, Hanaa Singer, today facilitated the rapid deployment of three environmental experts and others to assist with hazardous and noxious substances, marine litter, and environmental impact assessment work related to the wreck of the MV X-Press Pearl cargo ship off the Sri Lankan coast last month. That was done together with the UN Environment Programme’s Regional Director and with the support of the European Union.
That wreck has resulted in what is reportedly one of the country’s potentially worst environmental disasters.
Continued UN assistance also includes the provision of specialized protective equipment, technical assistance for incidence management, contingency planning and simulations, and coordination support.
UKRAINE
Turning to eastern Ukraine, where seven years of active fighting have had profound effects on more than five million people in Donetska and Luhanska. The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) says that civilian casualties increased in the first months of 2021, mainly due to mines and explosive remnants of war. Between 1 February and 30 April, 12 civilians were killed and 25 injured. Hostilities in April almost reached levels witnessed before the July 2020 ceasefire.
Civilian infrastructure, including educational, water and sanitation facilities, and powerlines close to the “contact line” also continued to be targeted.
According to OCHA, over the last weeks, the delivery of humanitarian aid and access to non-Government-controlled areas has improved but remains limited and highly politicized. On 10 June, four UN agencies were granted permission to operate, in order to implement humanitarian projects in the non-Government-controlled part of Luhanska Oblast.
Some 3.4 million people require humanitarian assistance and protection in eastern Ukraine. Aid agencies need $168 million to provide education, food security and livelihood support, as well as health and other urgent assistance to 1.9 million of the most vulnerable people. The aid appeal is just 16 per cent funded.
HAITI
In Haiti, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) says that the number of civilians displaced by clashes between gangs in Port-au-Prince has now reached about 10,000. More than 50 people have died and many others have been injured since clashes started at the beginning of the month.
Cases of gender-based violence have been reported among the displaced and those sheltering with host families. This includes rape and “sex for shelter”.
COVID-19 outbreaks among those displaced is another big concern.
Together with local authorities, national and international partners, the UN is responding to the most urgent needs by providing food, drinking water, shelter, hygiene and sanitation, and psychosocial support.
Unfortunately, assistance is reaching only about a third of those who need it because of access constraints due to insecurity, and limited resources.
The UN calls for an end to the violence to allow displaced civilians to return home and to allow humanitarian access to reach those affected.
COVID-19/AFRICA
Uganda is experiencing a resurgence of COVID-19, with nearly 1,000 people admitted to hospitals yesterday alone. The UN team, led by Resident Coordinator Rosa Malango, is helping to urgently procure 3,000 oxygen cylinders, with the World Health Organization (WHO) helping to deliver oxygen-related supplies and working to repair and maintain oxygen plants across the country.
The UN team is also working with the private sector to urgently import essential supplies. This evening, an additional shipment of 175,000 COVAX vaccines is expected to arrive. As of yesterday, more than 830,000 shots have been administered across Uganda.
In Zambia, the UN team, led by the Resident Coordinator, Dr. Coumba Mar Gadio, is also supporting authorities to address the multiple impacts of the pandemic, especially the current wave which increased the daily positivity rate to 22 per cent.
Two months ago, Zambia received nearly 230,000 doses of vaccines from COVAX and a new batch is expected soon.
We have helped train health staff to handle misinformation and have shared messages, including for people living with HIV. Our team has distributed 3 million pieces of personal protective equipment and 620 oxygen concentrators and cylinders.
UN OFFICE OF COUNTER TERRORISM
Today, the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism have opened a Programme Office on Parliamentary Engagement in Preventing and Countering Terrorism.
This new programme office aims to foster collaboration between parliamentarians and parliamentary assemblies around the world.
The office is located in Doha and is being opened in collaboration with the Shura Council of the State of Qatar.
INTERNATIONAL DAY OF FAMILY REMITTANCES
Today is the International Day of Family Remittances. In his message for the Day, the Secretary-General notes that as the COVID-19 pandemic emerged last year, so too did concerns about the potential negative impact of the crisis on remittances and on families that rely on them. Fortunately, he says, remittances have proved to be much more resilient and dependable than expected.
The Secretary-General points out that the most recent data from the World Bank found that remittances to low- and middle-income countries reached $540 billion in 2020. This is just 1.6 per cent below the 2019 total.
The Secretary-General stresses that looking forward, we must continue efforts to support and protect migrants who play an important role in keeping essential services and the economy at large running in many parts of the world. He also emphasizes that ensuring that all migrants, regardless of legal immigration status, are included in COVID-19 vaccine distribution plans is critical for the health and safety of all.
FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION
Andorra has now paid its regular budget dues. This takes us to 108.
