HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NOON BRIEFING
BY STEPHANE DUJARRIC, SPOKESMAN FOR SECRETARY-GENERAL BAN KI-MOON

WEDNESDAY, 20 AUGUST 2014

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SECRETARY-GENERAL CONDEMNS BREACH OF GAZA CEASEFIRE

  • In a statement issued yesterday evening, the Secretary-General condemns in the strongest terms the breach of the Egyptian brokered humanitarian ceasefire which was to expire at midnight local time. He is gravely disappointed by the return to hostilities.
  • The Secretary-General reminds both sides of their responsibility not to let the situation escalate. The hopes of the people in Gaza for a better future and the hopes of the people in Israel for sustainable security rest on the talks in Cairo.
  • The Secretary-General calls on the delegations to live up to this expectation and urges the parties to reach an immediate understanding on a durable ceasefire which also addresses the underlying issues afflicting Gaza.
  • According to the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the number of displaced is rising in Gaza again, with some 400,000 people now uprooted in Gaza.
  • The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) said today that there are now around 261,000 displaced people in 82 shelters. Some 115,000 are registered as staying with host families, 26,000 are in seven government schools supported by UNRWA, and a further 10,200 are in government schools not supported by UNRWA.
  • According to the Palestinian Water Authority’s preliminary estimates, the cost of direct damage to the water system in the Gaza Strip will be over $30 million.
  • The $367 million Gaza Crisis Appeal has received just over one-third of the funds requested. There are large gaps in critical sectors including health, water, sanitation and hygiene, education and shelter.
  • OCHA says that many United Nations and non-governmental organization partners have received little or no funding for their projects.

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Document symbol: NoonBriefing_200814
Document Type: Briefing, Highlights of the Noon Briefing
Document Sources: Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), Secretary-General, United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA)
Subject: Armed conflict, Assistance, Casualties, Ceasefire, Food, Gaza Strip, Health, Humanitarian relief, Internally displaced persons, Living conditions, Population, Refugees and displaced persons, Shelter, Water
Publication Date: 20/08/2014