HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NOON BRIEFING BY STÉPHANE DUJARRIC,
SPOKESMAN FOR SECRETARY-GENERAL ANTÓNIO GUTERRES
MONDAY, 22 JUNE 2020
SECURITY COUNCIL / CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC
This morning at the Security Council, the head of the UN Peace Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, said the political situation in the Central African Republic remains fragile and dominated by preparations for the presidential and legislative elections, which is scheduled for this December.
Speaking about the volatile security situation, Mr. Lacroix said armed groups in the country – including signatories of the peace agreement - have acknowledged the Secretary General’s appeal for a global ceasefire, while at the same time are still using violence for expansionist aims. He strongly condemned yesterday’s ambush of a joint UN \ National defense forces patrol, allegedly by members of the 3R armed group.
The Under-Secretary-General said he is deeply concerned by continued violations of the peace Agreement. The peacekeeping mission is working closely with the Guarantors and other partners, and engaging with the parties, to encourage and facilitate dialogue.
They are also maintaining a robust posture to protect civilians and mitigate threats by armed groups and militias. In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, the humanitarian situation is worsening and impacting the work of the UN Mission.
The Mission has taken measures to support the government’s response, prevent the spread of the virus as well as to protect civilians and UN personnel.
Mr. Lacroix ended his remarks by underscoring the need for continued support to the Central African Republic. Despite great strides in the implementation of the Political Agreement, he said, it remains fragile and the forthcoming elections will be a major test for all of us.
This afternoon, the Council will have a closed briefing on Burundi, as well as a vote on a resolution regarding Somalia.
SOMALIA
On Somalia, the Secretary-General welcomes today’s virtual meeting in the country between President Mohamed Abdullahi ‘Farmajo’ and the Federal Member States’ leaders as an important step towards the resumption of dialogue and collaboration.
He calls on all stakeholders to continue to engage in dialogue to advance national priorities, which require political consensus and broad support.
The Secretary-General further urges the federal and state leaders to come together to jointly address the challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
MALI
Over the weekend, we issued a statement in which the Secretary-General said he’s following with concern the recent political developments in Mali. He expressed his full support for the ongoing efforts of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and in particular for its declaration of 19 June calling for an inclusive dialogue.
The Secretary-General also called on all political leaders to send clear messages to their supporters to exercise the utmost restraint and to refrain from any action likely to fuel tensions.
SYRIA
In Syria, our humanitarian colleagues there tell us that 15 new COVID-19 cases have now been confirmed by the Government, bringing the number of cases identified by authorities to 219, including 83 recoveries and seven deaths. The UN remains concerned by the economic impact of the pandemic on millions of women, children and men across Syria, whose health care system has been decimated by almost a decade of war.
Prior to the crisis, some 80 per cent of people in Syria lived below the poverty line, with high levels of food insecurity. Some 9.3 million people in Syria are now estimated to be food insecure, an increase of 1.4 million in the past six months alone. This number could rise in the coming months due to the loss of job opportunities due to the virus, particularly for those relying on daily wage labour or seasonal work.
For its part, the World Health Organization (WHO) is leading UN efforts to support preparation and mitigation measures across all of Syria.
Also, on Syria, the UN remains concerned over the safety and protection of more than 4 million civilians in the northwest Syria, more than half of whom are internally displaced, following reports of shelling and airstrikes over the weekend.
Between the 19th and 21st of June, artillery shelling impacted eleven communities in Hama, northern Aleppo, and Idleb Governorates, while airstrikes reportedly affected three communities in southern Idleb and northern Hama Governorates.
Of the nearly 1 million people in northwest Syria who fled their homes between December and early March, some 840,000 of them are reportedly still displaced in the northern parts of Idleb Governorate and in northern Aleppo Governorate. The overwhelming majority of them are women and children.
We continue to urge all parties, and those with influence over the parties, to ensure the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure, in line with their obligations under international humanitarian law.
AFGHANISTAN/ ATTACKS ON HEALTHCARE FACILITIES
In Afghanistan the UN is gravely concerned by recent deliberate attacks on healthcare personnel and facilities, especially in the context of the pandemic.
A new special report released on Sunday by the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) shows the harm to healthcare workers, damage to healthcare facilities and other ways in which the parties to the conflict have interfered with essential healthcare, both as a result of targeted attacks and as a result from ongoing fighting.
From 11 March to 23 May, the report documented 15 incidents affecting healthcare provision in the country, where 12 were deliberate attacks and the remaining events involved incidental harm. The most abhorrent of these attacks is the attack on a maternity ward in a Kabul hospital, and that attack remains unattributed to this day.
The full report is available on UNAMA’S website.
COVID-19/NIGERIA
In Nigeria, our humanitarian colleagues there tell us that the UN has provided vital medical kits and equipment to further support government efforts in addressing the pandemic.
This includes over 100,000 test kits, 545 oxygen concentrators, thermometers, personal protective equipment, laboratory supplies and emergency health kits.
The procurement of the supplies was made possible by the One UN COVID-19 Basket Fund, jointly launched with the Nigerian government in early April.
The number of virus cases has doubled in less than a month in Nigeria, reaching over 20,000 as of today from slightly over 10,000 at the end of last month. Fatalities also nearly doubled during the same period.
COVID-19/MALAWI
In Malawi, where the virus has deeply impacted livelihoods and the economy, there are 730 cases and 11 confirmed deaths. The UN team, led by the Resident Coordinator Maria José Torres, is helping the Government respond by delivering life-saving goods in several parts of the country.
The UN and our partners have donated 15,000 face masks and 4,000 gowns to authorities. We have also provided care and shelter items for Malawians returning to their country, including from India and South Africa.
The UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has led efforts to install 45 emergency latrines in border posts and more than 1.4 million people have received messages on hygiene.
The UN and our partners have also tested more than 1,400 returnees, with nearly 170 of them testing positive and receiving care, as well as food and personal protection equipment. We are also supporting the Government with guidelines to reopen schools and we are distributing cash or food to 600,000 students currently out of school.
UNICEF is providing material for students studying at home in hard-to-reach areas. The UN team is targeting 8 million people with COVID-19 prevention information over the radio and mobile phones.
We are also partnering to address gender-based violence through hundreds of community victim support units.
The World Food Programme (WFP) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO) are leading our efforts to assess food security needs to identify hotspots to rollout the Government’s food and cash assistance programme.
COVID-19/UN MISSIONS
In Darfur, the African Union–UN Hybrid Operation (UNAMID) conducted a mass awareness campaign using megaphones mounted on open vehicles and vans adorned with posters and banners with slogans on measures to mitigate and fight the virus. The campaign was conducted in towns, in markets, as well as in 10 camps for displaced people across Darfur.
The Mission estimates that more than one million residents from five Darfur states have been reached through this campaign.
In Mali, the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization (MINUSMA) continues to support the country’s Health Ministry to fight the pandemic.
Last week, the Mission handed over 48 tonnes of medical supplies and equipment to the Ministry, which is part of a total of 300 tons of expected equipment to be donated to support the national response plan for the virus.
In the regions of Mopti, Gao, Ménaka, Taoudéni, Timbuktu, and Kidal, the Mission also provided $2 million worth of personal protective equipment and hygiene materials. This is in addition to medical equipment and materials provided earlier this month in Timbuktu and Taoudéni.
COVID-19/TOURISM
The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) today released new data measuring the impact of COVID-19 on the tourism sector.
After several months of unprecedented disruption, UNWTO says that the sector is beginning to restart in some areas, most notably in Northern Hemisphere destinations. At the same time, restrictions on travel remain in place in a majority of global destinations, and tourism remains one of the worst affected of all sectors.
While April was expected to be one of the busiest times of the year due to the Easter holidays, the introduction of travel restrictions has led to a fall of 97% in international tourist arrivals.
Between January and April 2020, international tourist arrivals declined by 44%, with a loss of about US$195 billion from international tourism.
According to the UNWTO, among the potential impacts of the pandemic on tourism in 2020, is the risk to 100 to 120 million direct tourism jobs.
SENIOR PERSONNEL APPOINTMENT
The Secretary-General has appointed Najat Rochdi of Morocco as his Deputy Special Coordinator for Lebanon.
Ms. Rochdi will also serve as Resident Coordinator as well as Humanitarian Coordinator in Lebanon.
Ms. Rochdi succeeds Philippe Lazzarini of Switzerland, who went on to head the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). The Secretary-General is of course very grateful to Mr Lazzarini accomplishments and wishes him continued success in his new appointment as Commissioner-General.
Ms. Rochdi brings over 20 years of experience in development and humanitarian assistance and international coordination in conflict and post-conflict areas, including through her latest assignment as Senior Adviser to the Special Envoy for Syria on humanitarian issues.
SECRETARY-GENERAL/U.N.R.W.A.
Tomorrow, the Secretary-General will take part in a virtual ministerial conference on the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), called “A Strong UNRWA in a Challenging World – Mobilizing Collective Action.”
That meeting is being co-chaired by the Foreign Minister of Jordan and the Minister for International Development Cooperation of Sweden.
The event seeks to help UNRWA bridge its financial gap for 2020 and to ensure that it receives sufficient, predictable and sustainable resources to continue delivering on its mandate in the coming years.
The Secretary-General will make brief opening remarks at the press conference immediately after the virtual conference ends.
SECRETARY-GENERAL/UN ACTION PLAN FOR COVID-19
On Thursday, the Secretary-General will be here with us for a press conference to launch the UN Action Plan for COVID-19, which will layout the UN action for a comprehensive response and recovery from the virus.
The press conference also comes on the pre-eve of the 75th anniversary of the signing of the Charter of the United Nations, which you know took place in San Francisco.
