HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NOON BRIEFING BY STÉPHANE DUJARRIC,
SPOKESPERSON FOR SECRETARY-GENERAL ANTÓNIO GUTERRES
WEDNESDAY, 8 OCTOBER 2025
MADAGASCAR
The Secretary-General has been closely following the situation in Madagascar and is deeply saddened by the tragic loss of life and destruction of property since the beginning of the youth-led protests on 25 September. He extends his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and calls on the authorities to comply with international human rights law. He underscores that protests must take place in a peaceful manner, respecting life, property and the rule of law, and calls for dialogue towards forging a constructive path forward.
MYANMAR
The Secretary-General is alarmed by reports of an aerial attack in Chaung-U, Sagaing Region, on 6 October said to have claimed the lives of dozens of people, including children, and injured many more.
He extends his condolences to the families of the victims and calls for immediate, safe, sustained and unhindered humanitarian access to help those in need, including for first responders providing medical care to the wounded.
This tragic incident, if confirmed, would add to a disturbing pattern of indiscriminate attacks affecting civilians across the country. It also exacerbates the suffering in Sagaing – one of the most severely impacted regions by the earthquake earlier this year.
The indiscriminate use of airborne munitions is unacceptable. All parties to the conflict must comply with their obligations under international humanitarian law and international human rights law. Those responsible must be held accountable in accordance with international law.
The Secretary-General reiterates his consistent calls regarding Myanmar: end the violence, protect civilians, ensure humanitarian access, and pursue an inclusive path toward a peaceful resolution.
OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORY
The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) says that Israeli military operations have continued – including in the Rimal and Zaitoun neighbourhoods in Gaza City – making the already dire humanitarian situation even more perilous.
In the last two years, nearly 42,000 Palestinians have suffered major, potentially life-changing injuries in Gaza. One in four of those injured are children, and more than 5,000 amputations have been recorded. That is according to our colleagues at the World Health Organization.
Meanwhile, UN partners on the ground report that many people are unable to leave the north due to insecurity. People are sleeping out in the open and struggling to survive, amid severe food and shelter shortages.
Today, the UN Satellite Centre published a preliminary analysis showing that the extent of damage in Gaza City alone encompasses 83 per cent of the structures. About 81,000 housing units have been damaged.
Turning to the West Bank, our humanitarian colleagues tell us that they remain deeply concerned by the impact of ongoing Israeli operations in the West Bank, including those in refugee camps in the northern areas. These operations have now entered their tenth month. Tens of thousands of people remain displaced from their homes in the Tulkarm, Nur Shams and Jenin camps.
Meanwhile, ahead of the olive harvest season, which represents a key economic, social and cultural event for Palestinians, OCHA says that some farmers in Nablus, Salfit and Qalqiliya were unable to harvest their crops in the past few days due to physical attacks by Israeli settlers because their trees were vandalized.
In the first nine months of this year, OCHA documented more than 1,200 attacks by Israeli settlers across the West Bank which resulted in Palestinian casualties, damage of properties or both. This includes damage to more than 17,000 trees and saplings.
YEMEN
In answer to questions regarding the latest developments concerning UN personnel who remain detained forcibly by the Houthis, the Spokesperson said that yesterday, he mentioned that an additional UN staff member was confirmed detained.
The Spokesperson said that the UN team in Yemen today said that the additional person who was detained yesterday was released today. The number of detained UN staff now stands at 53, and some of them have been detained by the Houthis since 2021.
The UN continues to urge the de facto authorities to immediately and unconditionally release all UN and humanitarian workers who are supporting the most vulnerable people in Yemen.
As an example of the essential work the UN team has been doing, the Spokesperson said that the recent confirmation of 29 cases of Polio in Yemen has made the mission to protect every child more urgent than ever.
To stop the spread of polio, this month, the UN Children’s Office (UNICEF) and the World Health Organization (WHO), supported by the Ministry of Public Health and Population in Yemen, launched the second round of the national polio vaccination campaign across 12 governorates. Over three days, nearly 15,000 health workers went door to door to vaccinate more than 1.3 million children under the age of five. The first round of vaccination took place in July this year.
The UN remains steadfast in its commitment to support the people of Yemen and their aspirations for a lasting peace and reiterate also its call for the Houthis to free all the UN personnel, as well as those from NGOs and diplomatic missions who have been detained arbitrarily.
SYRIA
In Syria, the UN and its humanitarian partners continue to deliver aid in the southern parts of Syria. This is happening amid a challenging security environment and limited funding.
The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) says that nearly 420,000 people received humanitarian assistance each month in the governorates of Dar’a, Sweida, and Rural Damascus, and that was in July, August and September.
Since the beginning of the hostilities in Sweida Governorate in July and as of October 6th earlier this week, OCHA has led 19 humanitarian missions to Southern Syria, 12 to Sweida Governorate, five to Dar’a Governorate, and two to Rural Damascus Governorate to assess the needs of displaced people and communities affected by the crisis.
OCHA says that the security situation across southern Syria remains volatile, including sporadic armed incidents, and continue to impact the humanitarian access and our efforts to protection of civilians.
In Sweida Governorate, essential services remain under strain due to the conflict, the economic decline and administrative hurdles, with disruptions in the sectors of food, health and agriculture. Public bakeries have temporarily closed, and urgent agricultural support is needed ahead of the October–December planting season, and that is to prevent any further food insecurity. UN partners also report that the hospital in Shahba faces severe shortages, including water, electricity, communications and medical supplies.
Meanwhile, with the start of the academic year, 62 schools that served as displacement sites were closed in Sweida and Dar’a Governorates, displacing more than 7,400 people.
The $3.2 billion Humanitarian Plan for Syria is currently just 18 per cent funded, with $580 million in the bank.
ECUADOR
The Secretary-General condemns yesterday’s acts of violence in Ecuador against President Daniel Noboa's motorcade and remains deeply concerned about the situation amid ongoing protests.
The Secretary-General calls on all actors to refrain from any form of violence and to engage in inclusive dialogue to resolve their differences peacefully. He underscores the importance of safeguarding democratic institutions, upholding the rule of law and respecting human rights, including due process.
DEPUTY SECRETARY-GENERAL
The Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed, will travel to Brussels later today to attend the 2025 Global Gateway Forum, and she will do that on behalf of the Secretary-General. The Forum brings together leaders from government, the private sector, and civil society to exchange ideas and accelerate progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
During her visit, Amina Mohammed will meet with senior Belgian officials to deepen the partnership between Belgium and the United Nations. She will also engage with senior European Union officials on the UN-EU partnership to advance the 2030 Agenda.
Following her visit to Brussels, the Deputy Secretary-General will go to South Africa to participate in the Kgalema Motlanthe Foundation Drakensberg Inclusive Growth Forum. That will take place in KwaZulu-Natal Province.
The Forum will bring together key stakeholders to discuss inclusive growth strategies that foster sustainable development across the region. During her visit, she will also meet with government officials and key stakeholders to discuss advancing the financing for development agenda following the fourth Financing for Development conference and in the context of South Africa’s G20 Presidency.
CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC
The United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) welcomes the announcement that two armed groups have disbanded. Those two groups are the Sayo wing of the Révolution et Justice group, and Ngaïssona wing of the the anti-Balaka group. Both are signatories of the peace agreement.
This significant step, formalized during an official ceremony held yesterday in Bangui marks progress in implementing the Agreement and builds momentum toward lasting peace.
The mission urges all remaining armed groups in the country to join the peace process and calls on those already committed to the peace agreement to sustain and deepen their engagement. Their continued commitment is essential to achieving lasting stability and national recovery in the CAR.
And also, just a quick update on the tragic incident that took place in September. As you will recall an armored vehicle belonging to our Formed Police Unit from the Republic of Congo, plunged into the Ombella River. We can now confirm that the body of the fifth peacekeeper was recovered just yesterday thanks to the tireless efforts of our colleagues and support of local residents.
The UN once again extends its deepest condolences to the families and friends of the fallen peacekeepers, and the Government and people of the Republic of Congo.
GUESTS TOMORROW
Tomorrow, the noon briefing guest will be Roberto Benes, UNICEF’s Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean. Here will brief journalists live from Haiti on the humanitarian situation of children in that country.
