ECONOMIC SITUATION REPORT
Mr. Elliot Harris, the UN Chief Economist, briefed journalists earlier about the latest World Economic Situation and Prospects report. The report warns that the devastating socio-economic impact of the pandemic will be felt for years to come unless smart investments ensure a robust and sustainable recovery of the global economy.
WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM
The Secretary-General just wrapped up a virtual address to the Davos World Economic Forum. In his remarks, he said that humanity has just endured a year of tragedy and crisis that we never want to repeat. But, the Secretary-General added that the tests to our societies are continuing.
He underscored the world’s fragility, pointing to the current COVID-19 emergency, the global economic crisis, the increasing inequalities resulting from the pandemic, among others.
Mr. Guterres said we have reached a moment of truth: In 2021, we must address these fragilities and put the world on track. It is time to change course and take the sustainable path. The Secretary-General once again called for a reinvigorated, inclusive and networked multilateralism.
CLIMATE ADAPTATION SUMMIT
This morning, the Secretary-General also spoke at the Climate Adaptation Summit hosted by The Kingdom of The Netherlands. He said that as unprecedented climate extremes continue to impact people on all continents, we need a breakthrough on adaptation and resilience.
Adaptation cannot be the neglected half of the climate equation, he added, and said that all adaptation efforts must include developing countries, who are particularly vulnerable to climate risks.
The Secretary-General said that donor countries and multilateral, regional and national development banks need to significantly increase the volume and predictability of their finance for adaptation and resilience, and that all budget and investment decisions must be climate resilient. He reiterated that the UN is ready to assist developing countries in these efforts.
Later this evening at 7 p.m. the Secretary-General will address the annual Park East Synagogue Holocaust Commemoration ceremony. The ceremomny can be watched on UN WebTV.
YEMEN
The fifth meeting of the Supervisory Committee on the Implementation of the Prisoners and Detainees Exchange Agreement for Yemen got underway yesterday in Amman, Jordan.
The Committee resumed discussions between the parties to the conflict to discuss the release of more detainees, following the release of 1,065 people last October.
The Special Envoy for Yemen, Martin Griffiths, urged the parties to prioritize in their discussions, the immediate and unconditional release of all sick, wounded, elderly and children detainees, as well as all arbitrarily detained civilians, including women.
The Committee is also chaired, co-chaired by the Office of the Special Envoy for Yemen and the International Committee of the Red Cross.
SAUDI ARABIA
I’ve been asked about events over the weekend in Saudi Arabia and I can tell you that we are aware of reports that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s forces intercepted an aerial attack headed towards its capital, Riyadh. We strongly condemn all attacks targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure.
We remind all parties of the need to uphold international humanitarian law, including taking steps to protect civilians. All potential violations of international humanitarian law should be thoroughly investigated and those responsible for violations must be held accountable.
CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC
In the Central African Republic, the UN Peacekeeping Mission on the ground says they have reinforced patrols in Bria to counter any possible hostile reaction by armed groups against the civilian population and UN personnel. This follows the arrest of Mahamat Said Abdel Kani on January 20th in Bria, and his surrender to the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Sunday, by virtue of an arrest warrant issue by the Court in 2019. The UN mission provided support to the Central African authorities, which led to his arrest.
Mr. Said, a national of the Central African Republic is suspected of war crimes and crimes against humanity, allegedly committed in Bangui in 2013, in his capacity as a Seleka commander at the time. Two other anti-balaka leaders Alfred Yekatom and Patrice-Edouard Ngaïssona are currently detained with the ICC for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Meanwhile, the Mission has increased patrols at the entrance of Bossangoa in Ouham prefecture, after peacekeepers on Friday dismantled checkpoints illegally occupied by the combatants of the CPC group.
MOZAMBIQUE
In Mozambique, Tropical Cyclone Eloise made landfall on Saturday. It brought heavy rainfall and flooding to areas affected by Tropical Storm Chalane three weeks ago and which were also devastated by Cyclone Idai less than two years ago.
Preliminary reports indicate that more than 176,000 people have been affected, with more than 8,300 people being displaced. At least six people have died and 12 were injured.
The most recent cyclone destroyed, damaged or flooded nearly 9,000 houses. It also damaged schools and health centres. Crops have been flooded, and this could affect the annual harvest period which starts in April.
We, along with our partners are supporting the Government-led relief efforts. We are also working quickly to assess the situation and respond to the most immediate needs of the people who have been affected by providing food, health, sanitation and protection services at evacuation centres.
The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs says more resources are urgently needed, given they are also responding to the conflict in Cabo Delgado and the recent impact of Tropical Storm Chalane.
SUDAN
On Sudan, following inter-communal violence in West and South Darfur earlier this month, the number of newly displaced people has jumped to more than 123,000, that’s according to the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
To date, we and our partners have provided food to more than 22,000 displaced people. We have also provided health services to more than 17,000.
Some 10,000 displaced people have received emergency shelter and other items, while nearly 3,000 people have received water brought in by trucks.
An inter-agency needs assessment mission is scheduled for tomorrow to two villages outside Geneina.
We, along with our humanitarian partners are also preparing to help displaced people in Toweil village in South Darfur, once they have access.
Our humanitarian colleagues led an assessment team to Dereige camp in Nyala, where more than 1,000 people have arrived from Gereida in recent days.
SECURITY COUNCIL
The Security Council heard from the Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, Rosemary DiCarlo, and the UN Emergency Relief Coordinator, Mark Lowcock, and the Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, who briefed Security Council members on the impact of the pandemic on peace and security.
Ms. DiCarlo said the pandemic has worsened inequality and corruption, bred misinformation, stigmatization, and hate speech, and created new flashpoints for tension and increased risks of instability.
Ms. DiCarlo noted that as the wealthier countries get vaccinated, the developing world - including countries already impacted by conflict and instability - risk being left behind. She called this a catastrophic moral failure as well as a severe blow to peace and security. She called on Council members to be part of the global efforts to recover better.
Mr. Lacroix said that despite challenges, peacekeeping operations have continued to deliver on their mandated tasks while ensuring the safety and health of personnel, may they be military, police or civilian. He underscored that since the beginning of the pandemic, peacekeeping operations have consistently supported host country authorities to contain the spread of COVID-19. He said it will now be essential to turn collective attention to managing the long-term impact of the pandemic, and to draw on lessons for peacekeeping, so that good practices can be fostered and emulated as implementation of the Action for Peacekeeping initiative continues.
For his part, Mr. Lowcock said the UN estimates 235 million people will need humanitarian assistance and protection this year. That is 40 per cent more than last year, and almost entirely down to the virus.
He asked the Council for immediate funding for the UN-coordinated humanitarian system which needs $35 billion to reach 160 million people this year. Mr. Lowcock called for the international financial institutions to strengthen the support they provide to the most vulnerable members. He also called for urgent action to ensure vaccines reach the most vulnerable people in the world.
LESOTHO
An update from the ground in Lesotho on what the UN team, led by acting Resident Coordinator Anurita Bains, is doing to address the pandemic.
The team says that, since last month, COVID-19 cases and deaths have increased [by] 100 per cent in Lesotho, with a severe second wave currently stressing healthcare systems and livelihoods.
Movements and economic restrictions are making the delivery of our essential programs challenging.
We’ve assisted all of the country’s 193 health facilities to maintain essential services, including maternal health for nearly 200,000 women, as well as HIV support and vaccinations for more than 22,000 children.
We have trained more than 13,000 community health workers to respond to the pandemic. More than 360,000 people have benefitted from improved access to water and sanitation, with the UN having built nearly 170 permanent handwashing stations.
More than 160,000 people, including returning migrants, have received cash transfers to cushion the impact of the crisis.
We also supported three new apps to monitor community cases of the virus, and also to report domestic violence, and an e-market platform for smallholder farmers.
REFUGEES
The UN Refugee Agency tells us that last year, less than 23,000 refugees were resettled through the agency.
Those are the lowest numbers the agency has witnessed in almost two decades. They say the drop can be attributed to low quotas put forward by states, as well as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which delayed departures and programmes.
On the upside, UNHCR is encouraged that 20 countries still resumed their programmes, processing and receiving refugees throughout the year, despite the pandemic.
The largest numbers of resettled refugees in 2020 originated from Syria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Myanmar.
EDUCATION DAY
Yesterday was the third International Day of Education. In a video message, the Secretary-General said that when education is interrupted, it impacts everyone – especially students, teachers and families.
He paid tribute to their resilience in the face of the pandemic,
All of us pay the price, Mr. Guterres said, adding that education – as a fundamental right and a global public good – must be protected to avert a generational catastrophe.
He called for the full replenishment of the Global Partnership for Education fund, as well as for strengthening global education and cooperation.
HONOUR ROLL
We thank Finland for allowing us to finish this briefing on good news. They paid their contributions to the regular budget in full which takes up the Honour Roll to 17.
