HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NOON BRIEFING BY STÉPHANE DUJARRIC,
SPOKESMAN FOR SECRETARY-GENERAL ANTÓNIO GUTERRES
WEDNESDAY, 14 FEBRUARY 2024
SECRETARY-GENERAL TRIP
Later today, the Secretary-General will travel to Germany to attend the Munich Security Conference.
On Friday, he will deliver remarks during the conference’s opening session and take part in a panel discussion with several heads of state and government.
In his remarks, he is expected to highlight that while our world is facing existential challenges, the global community is more fragmented and divided than at any time during the past 75 years. The Secretary-General will reiterate his call on world leaders to work towards a more sustainable, inclusive and safer world.
On Friday evening, he will head to Addis Ababa, in Ethiopia, where he will attend the 37th Ordinary Session of the African Union Summit.
Speaking to the African leaders gathered for the opening session on Saturday morning, the Secretary-General will reaffirm the strengthening of the partnership between the African Union and the United Nations as one of the priorities of his mandate.
On Saturday, in addition to holding bilateral meetings with leaders attending the African Union Summit, the Secretary-General is scheduled to hold a press conference.
OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORY
The situation in Southern Gaza remains very challenging, notably around Nasser hospital in Khan Younes, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). The United Nations continues to do its utmost to support the more than one million civilians who are currently in Southern Rafah, and those all over Gaza.
Yesterday afternoon, Martin Griffiths, the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, has warned that more than half of Gaza’s population – well over one million people – are crammed in Rafah, staring death in the face, with little to eat, hardly any access to medical care, nowhere to sleep and nowhere safe to go.
PREVENTION OF GENOCIDE
The Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide, Alice Wairimu Nderitu, today echoed the concerns expressed by other senior UN officials about the reported plans for a full military incursion in Rafah, which would almost certainly have disastrous consequences for the civilians in the area.
She said that it is imperative that the protection of civilians be prioritized, and that international humanitarian law be respected at all times.
The risk of commission of atrocity crimes - should a full military incursion into Rafah take place - is serious, real and high, said the Special Adviser.
The Special Adviser also emphasized the imperative of releasing all hostages unconditionally, of ensuring that humanitarian aid can reach those who need it most, and of accelerating all possible venues for dialogue so that further violence can be prevented, and a sustainable ceasefire be put in place.
LEBANON
Over the past few days, UNIFIL has reported a concerning shift in the exchanges of fire between the Israel Armed Forces and armed groups in Lebanon, including targeting of areas far from the Blue Line.
The breaches in the cessation of hostilities since 8 October have already claimed many lives and caused significant damage to civilian homes and public infrastructure. The recent escalation is dangerous and should stop.
UNIFIL continues to be fully engaged with the parties to decrease tensions and continues to implement its mandate. Peacekeepers remain operational on the ground despite increasing risks and challenges.
We reiterate our call on all parties to cease fire and to work towards a diplomatic solution.
UKRAINE
In a statement, the Humanitarian Coordinator in Ukraine, Denise Brown, today condemned the deadly overnight attack on the town of Selydove in the Donetsk Region, in the east of the country. A hospital, homes and other civilian infrastructure were damaged.
Ms. Brown said she is appalled by the news of reported deaths and injuries, which include a pregnant woman and a mother with her child.
The hospital administration had to evacuate patients in the middle of the night. This is the second time they had to do so in just a few months, as the same hospital was hit in November last year.
Ms. Brown stressed that attacks on healthcare facilities are a violation of international humanitarian law.
She emphasized that it is unacceptable that civilians seeking medical attention, already grappling with the physical and emotional toll of illness or injury, face violence and destruction.
Humanitarian organizations are mobilised and providing support to people in Selydove, including the transportation of patients to nearby hospitals and delivering emergency repair materials.
In 2024 alone, the World Health Organization verified 28 attacks impacting health personnel and patients, hospitals, medical transport and supplies across Ukraine.
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO
The United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) reports that the situation in North Kivu, particularly in the town of Sake, remains tense as clashes persist between the M23 and the Congolese armed forces.
Yesterday, fighting occurred on the outskirts of Sake, about 20 kms northwest of Goma.
The peacekeeping mission is continuing to support the Congolese armed forces and is doing its utmost to protect civilians, including by maintaining a presence along the Goma-Sake axis.
Peacekeepers also reinforced their presence in Sake with additional deployment of battalions to support the Congolese armed forces. MONUSCO peacekeepers are also protecting a humanitarian corridor in the Mweso area to facilitate the movement of civilians to safer ground.
YEMEN
Briefing Security Council members by videoconference this morning, the Special Envoy to Yemen, Hans Grundberg, addressed the challenges that face his mediation efforts, including the rising regional tensions.
He underscored that he is engaging the Yemeni parties and relevant regional actors to support de-escalation in the Red Sea to protect the mediation space in Yemen. He added that he received assurances that all parties prefer the path to peace.
For her part, Edem Wosornu, the Director of Operations and Advocacy at the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), warned that 18 million people will need humanitarian assistance and protection services in Yemen this year.
The humanitarian appeal for Yemen this year requires $2.7 billion to reach 11.2 million people across the country.
Ms. Wosornu urged the Council to offer its full support to the humanitarian community.
BRIEFING TOMORROW
At 1 p.m. tomorrow (Thursday), there will be a press briefing by the Permanent Mission of the Russian Federation to the United Nations on the presentation of the World Youth Festival 2024, which will be held from 1 to 7 March in Sochi, Russian Federation.
FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION
Sweden has paid its dues in full. 57 countries have paid in full so far.
