HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NOON BRIEFING BY STÉPHANE DUJARRIC
SPOKESMAN FOR SECRETARY-GENERAL ANTÓNIO GUTERRES
WEDNESDAY, 26 AUGUST 2020
DIGITAL FINANCING
This morning, the Secretary-General of the United Nations spoke at the launch of the report prepared by his Task Force on the Digital Financing of the Sustainable Development Goals.
He said that in the midst of the turmoil caused by the pandemic, digital technology is a critical lifeline, enabling billions of people to maintain connections with loved ones, buy daily necessities, preserve their livelihoods and receive government assistance. Digital technology, he said, can also help kickstart the changes that we need to create stronger, more resilient and inclusive communities on a healthy planet.
He also highlighted the report’s conclusion that digitalization will make a difference by giving people greater control over how global finance, and their own money is used. He said that he fully endorsed the Task Force’s vision of citizen-centric finance, and its conclusion that the digitalization of finance must be inclusive and empowering so it becomes a force for good.
Currently, 3.6 billion people worldwide – including a disproportionate number of women – lack the resources and capabilities to take advantage of the digital world.
The full report is on UNDP’s website.
SECRETARY-GENERAL/ 19TH DARBARI SETH MEMORIAL LECTURE
This Friday, the Secretary-General will deliver the 19th Darbari Seth Memorial lecture. In his remarks, entitled “The rise of renewables: shining a light on a sustainable future” he will renew his call on G20 countries, including India, to invest in a clean, sustainable transition as they recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.
As governments mobilize trillions of dollars to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, their decisions will have climate consequences for decades, he is expected to say.
The lecture is organized by TERI, the Energy and Resources Institute, an Indian-based global think tank focusing on a broad range of sustainable development and climate-related issues.
UN INTERIM FORCE IN LEBANON
Yesterday evening, starting around 11:00 p.m., the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) observed a number of flares fired from several IDF positions along the Blue Line across from Aytarun, Ayta Ash-Sha’b, Meiss Ej Jebel, Houla, Kfar Kila and Kfar Shouba, all in south Lebanon.
UNIFIL radars also detected mortars and artillery shells, as well as intense UAV activities near these areas.
The Mission immediately activated its liaison and coordination channels and reinforced troops along the Blue Line.
In follow up contacts, the Israel Defense Forces claimed there had been small arms fire from Lebanon directed against an IDF patrol in the general area of Manara.
The UNIFIL Head of Mission and Force Commander, Major Stefano Del Col, remains in contact with the parties, urging restraint and requesting that all sides avoid any provocative action that could further escalate tensions and jeopardize the cessation of hostilities.
The Mission has launched an investigation and calls on both parties to fully cooperate with UNIFIL to help determine the facts.
The situation along the Blue Line has since returned to calm and UNIFIL is maintaining continuous presence in the area in coordination with the parties.
LEBANON
In Lebanon, our humanitarian colleagues tell us that, in the aftermath of the Beirut port explosions, access to healthcare and food; the rehabilitation of homes; cash assistance; and livelihood support continue to be the top needs.
The UN Development Programme (UNDP) says that 200,000 homes were affected by the explosions, with some 40,000 buildings damaged – of which 3,000 were severely damaged. The loss of homes often leads to overcrowded households and communities, thus increasing other risks, such as COVID-19 transmission and sexual- and gender-based violence. More than 4,000 households have received shelter assistance.
We, along with our partners, are continuing to provide assistance to those most in need. Between August 19th and 21st, more than 60,000 hot meals and food kits and 8,500 gallons of water were provided. Some 16,500 hygiene and dignity kits were distributed to women and girls, while 4,000 pregnant and breast-feeding women were reached with nutrition assistance.
Lebanon has also seen an increase in COVID-19 transmissions since the explosions, further straining its health systems. Yesterday, 532 new COVID-19 cases were reported, bringing the total to 13,687 cases including 138 deaths.
In addition, some 178 schools were damaged. The UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), continues to work with partners engaged in the rehabilitation of schools.
Also, regarding UNESCO, its Director-General, Audrey Azoulay, traveled to Lebanon today.
She is expected to be with people impacted by the explosions and visit schools and historical buildings in Beirut that were heavily damaged by the blasts.
GAZA
In the occupied Palestinian territory, our humanitarian colleagues tell us that four cases were detected among members of the same family in Al-Maghazi refugee camp in the Gaza Strip two days ago.
These are the first cases reported outside of quarantine facilities in Gaza. An additional 11 cases were detected yesterday and today.
To support local authorities, we along with our partners, are providing essential services for more than 2,200 people in 16 quarantine facilities throughout Gaza. We are also preparing to transform a several quarantine centers into isolation facilities for treatment should there be a substantial rise in the number of cases.
The World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed that 10 additional ventilators are now available in Gaza, raising the total number to 50.
To date, more than 26,000 people have tested positive for the virus in the occupied Palestinian territory, with 150 deaths.
The humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip is already dire. As you saw yesterday, the Special Coordinator, Nicholay Mladenov, told the Security Council members that the UN has asked Israel to reinstate the delivery of Qatari-funded fuel for the Gaza Strip in order to help prevent a major health crisis, following these reported cases.
SECURITY COUNCIL/IRAQ
This morning the Security Council held an open video teleconference on Iraq. The Secretary-General’s Special Representative, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, warned Council members that the COVID-19 pandemic has aggravated deep existing economic, social and political challenges in the country.
She added that poverty has increased by over ten per cent in recent months. Food consumption is now insufficient for more than three million Iraqis. She attributed this to reduced purchasing power, and not food scarcity.
The Special Representative stressed that we need a simplified system that enables currently immobilized aid workers and supplies to rapidly reach people in need. She also noted that conditions for humanitarian workers are also hazardous in certain areas.
COVID-19/ALBANIA
In Albania, the UN team there, led by acting Resident Coordinator Pablo Zapata, is boosting the national response to COVID-19 while still addressing the impacts of the devastating earthquake that rocked the country nearly 10 months ago.
The World Health Organization (WHO) continues supporting authorities with testing and treatment protocols, guidelines and life-saving equipment. Three joint UN programmes are now directly benefiting 3,000 families with life-saving goods, including food and sanitation supplies.
For their part, the UN Women, the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) issued guidance to protect the most vulnerable women, men and children during lockdown. This includes providing undisrupted shelter, access to legal aid and justice, management of domestic violence cases as well as ensuring remote learning while schools are shut.
AFGHANISTAN/FLOODS
In Afghanistan, our humanitarian colleagues tell us that floods caused by heavy rain since yesterday in the center and east of the country have killed about 100 people and affected 3,500 more. 500 houses are either partially or completely damaged with reported power and water systems also damaged.
Initial information indicates that the most urgent needs include food, drinking water, medical equipment and medicine, in addition to resources for clean-up and search and rescue.
We, along with our humanitarian partners, are supporting the response led by local authorities.
This year, more than 55,000 people have been affected by natural disasters in Afghanistan, which is already facing the socio-economic impact of the pandemic.
AFRICA/HUNGER
The World Food Programme (WFP) today warned that millions of refugees across Eastern Africa, who rely on the agency to survive, will face serious hunger and malnutrition.
This is due to vital donor funding being reduced due to the socio-economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
WFP has already been forced to reduce food or cash transfers by between 10 to 30 percent for more than 2.7 million refugees in Ethiopia, Uganda, Kenya, South Sudan, and Djibouti.
The agency said that it will be forced to cut deeper in the coming months if more funds are not received in time.
And WFP needs $323 million to assist refugees in the region over the next six months, and this amount is 22 per cent greater than during the same period last year.
SECRETARY-GENERAL/MYANMAR
Last night, we issued a statement on Myanmar to mark the three years since the start of the largest and most recent forced displacement of Rohingya and other communities from Rakhine State.
The Secretary-General renewed his call to bring greater urgency to this crisis by addressing the root causes of the conflict and creating the conditions for the safe, voluntary, dignified and sustainable return of all refugees.
He said that the ultimate responsibility rests with Myanmar authorities, who have committed to implementing the recommendations of the Advisory Commission on Rakhine State. Beyond solutions for the immediate humanitarian suffering, accountability is an imperative for long-term reconciliation.
The United Nations will continue to stand in solidarity with all those affected by the crisis, and is committed to working with all stakeholders, including regional actors, towards a future of sustainable development, human rights and peace in Rakhine State and all of Myanmar.
INTERNATIONAL DAY AGAINST NUCLEAR TESTS
The International Day against Nuclear Tests is marked on the 29th August. In a message, the Secretary-General noted that this year the Day marks 75 years since the first-ever nuclear test, code-named Trinity, was undertaken in the United States.
The Secretary-General said that since then, more than 2,000 nuclear tests have been conducted by at least eight countries. These had profound, harmful and long-lasting impacts on the environment, human health and economic development of some of the world’s most fragile regions.
He pointed out that despite these impacts and the widespread global support for a legally binding prohibition, the Comprehensive-Nuclear-Test Ban has yet to enter into force. Once again, he urged all states that have not signed or ratified the Treaty to do so.
For the Secretary-General, a complete ban on nuclear testing is an essential step in preventing the qualitative and quantitative improvement of nuclear weapons and in achieving nuclear disarmament.
