Daily Press Briefing – Humanitarian Coordinator Released $1 Million from the oPt Humanitarian Fund to Support the Inter-Agency COVID-19 Response Plan for Palestine (Excerpts)

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE U.N. SYSTEM
THURSDAY, 19 MARCH 2020

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COVID-19/GAZA
Yesterday, the Humanitarian Coordinator for the occupied Palestinian territory, Jamie McGoldrick, released $1 million from the oPt Humanitarian Fund to support the Inter-Agency COVID-19 Response Plan for Palestine. The funds will support the provision of Personal Protective Equipment and expand the capacity of intensive care units, especially in Gaza, among other areas.

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**Senior Personnel Appointment

And finally, a senior personnel announcement.  Today, the Secretary-General, following consultations with the Advisory Commission of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), is appointing Philippe Lazzarini of Switzerland as the Agency’s new Commissioner-General.

The Secretary-General wishes to extend his appreciation and gratitude to Christian Saunders, who will continue to serve as Acting Commissioner-General until Mr. Lazzarini assumes his post.

Mr. Lazzarini brings to the position more than 30 years of experience in humanitarian assistance and international coordination in conflict and post-conflict areas with the UN, the International Committee for the Red Cross (ICRC) and the private sector.  And, most recently he served in Lebanon as Deputy Special Coordinator, as well as Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator.

All right.  I’ve been getting in your questions via text, and I’ll try to answer them.

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