泭HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NOON BRIEFING BY STEPHANE DUJARRIC
SPOKESPERSON FOR SECRETARY-GENERAL ANTNIO GUTERRES
FRIDAY, 22 NOVEMBER 2024
COP 29泭
The Secretary-General, as you know, is still at COP29 in Baku. Today, he met with various parties to listen to their views and find ways they can come together to adopt an ambitious agreement. Among the parties he met there were representatives from the European Union, of Brazil, India, South Africa, the United Kingdom, the United States and of course, the Presidency of the COP.泭He is continuing his contacts as we speak.
The COP officially ends today, but as you know, it has a tendency to run on a little bit. 泭
Aid workers泭
Today, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said that 2024 has now become the deadliest year on record for aid workers, with 281 humanitarian workers killed this year. That surpasses the previous record of 280 aid workers who lost their lives just last year.泭
The Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Tom Fletcher, said humanitarian workers are being killed at an unprecedented rate, with their courage and humanity being met with bullets and with bombs.泭
He urges States and parties to conflict to protect humanitarian workers, to uphold international law, to prosecute those responsible and call time on this era of impunity. Im泭
The war in Gaza is driving up the numbers of aid worker deaths, with more than 320 humanitarian personnel killed in the Gaza Strip since 7 October 2023.泭泭泭
Many were killed in the line of duty while providing humanitarian assistance, and as you know, most of the fatalities have been UNRWA workers.泭
There are also high levels of violence, of kidnappings, injuries, harassment and arbitrary detention of aid workers reported in Afghanistan, in Sudan and Ukraine, among other countries.
UNIFIL
In Lebanon, earlier today, two rockets struck the Sector West 邋控輦華Headquarters of the peacekeeping force in Lebanon, that is located in Shama, which is obviously in the South. Unfortunately, four UNIFIL peacekeepers were injured. They are currently receiving treatment at the Missions medical facility. Thankfully, none of the injuries are life-threatening.泭
The two rockets were likely launched by Hezbollah or by affiliated groups. They impacted a bunker and a logistics area in Shama, causing significant damage to nearby infrastructure. One of the affected structures caught fire, but the blaze was swiftly put out by 邋控輦華colleagues.泭
This is the third attack on this UNIFIL base in Shama in a week. Furthermore, todays attack comes amid heavy shelling and ground skirmishes in the Shama and Naqoura areas in recent days.泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭
UNIFIL strongly urges the parties to this conflict to avoid fighting next to UNIFIL positions. The inviolability of 邋控輦華premises and personnel must be respected at all times.泭
We remind all parties that any attack against peacekeepers constitutes a serious violation of international law and of course 邋控輦華Security Council Resolution 1701.泭
Meanwhile, we remain concerned about ongoing hostilities between Hezbollah and the Israel Defense Forces. Our peacekeepers report continued clashes, exchanges of fire as well as airstrikes.泭
We, at all levels, continue to support efforts towards a ceasefire and a diplomatic solution.泭
Lebanon/Humanitarian泭
On the humanitarian front and staying in Lebanon. Our OCHA colleagues tell us that intense airstrikes continue to have a devastating impact on civilians and civilian on infrastructure across Lebanon. 泭
They remain extremely concerned for the safety and well-being of civilians amid the escalating violence. 泭
As temperatures plummet in the region, we fear that humanitarian conditions for those forced to flee their homes will only worsen. Among the most pressing needs are adequate shelter and winter assistance.泭泭
Our UNHCR colleagues tell us that despite attacks and damage caused by Israeli airstrikes on a number of border crossings and roads, people continue to flee the intensified bombardments in Lebanon to Syria, mainly on foot. Most new arrivals, 80 per cent of them, are women and children.泭
We and our partners are providing the necessary winter assistance, including warm blankets and clothing to displaced people. Since September of this year, we and our partners have delivered more than half a million mattresses, blankets, pillows and sleeping bags, among other items.泭
And on the food response, since 23 September this year, our partners have delivered more than 8 million meals and other food items to displaced people, both in shelters and those who are seeking refuge in host communities.泭
Meanwhile, we are supporting a network of 44 health facilities across the country while providing life-saving equipment, including trauma kits.泭
What is needed, however, is an urgent ceasefire to stop the spiraling violence.泭
Occupied Palestinian Territory泭
In Gaza, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs tells us that 40 families in Nuseirat, in central Gaza, lost their shelter and belongings after a school there that was being used as a shelter was struck just two days ago. That attack killed seven people, including two children, and injured more than 20 others. Our colleagues from OCHA and the 邋控輦華Mine Action service visited the area in the wake of the attack to assess peoples needs and to help mobilize humanitarian assistance.泭
Meanwhile, people in parts of North Gaza governorate are fighting for survival after weeks under Israeli siege, with more shelling and destruction reported in Beit Lahiya yesterday. There have been no rescue services in besieged areas in more than 40 days.泭
As hostilities continue, aid operations across Gaza are still facing major access restrictions, particularly in Rafah and North Gaza governorates.
This is severely limiting the critical delivery of food, medical supplies and fuel supplies including those needed to power water wells and deepening an already dire humanitarian situation.泭
OCHA reports that as of today, only about a third of 129 planned humanitarian missions in Gaza over the past week were facilitated by Israeli authorities. The rest were either denied, impeded or canceled due to security or logistical reasons.羔
As winter nears, Palestinians across the Gaza Strip are in dire need of adequate shelter to protect them from the rain and cold. Our partners are distributing tents and tarpaulins as quickly as possible, but it is just a fraction of what is actually needed in the area.
Hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians living in makeshift sites and damaged buildings urgently require shelter assistance, with the ongoing siege in North Gaza driving needs even higher.泭
According to the latest data from our partners working on the shelter response, more than 36,000 tarpaulins and some 58,000 sealing-off kits have been procured and are waiting to be brought into Gaza. These supplies are enough to benefit more than 76,000 families or roughly 400,000 people.泭
Meanwhile, yesterday in Gaza governorate, our partners provided hot meals to nearly to 57,000 displaced people in dozens of shelters. Water trucking reached nearly 18,000 people in 20 shelters, and cleaning services were provided to more than 29,000 displaced Palestinians in 47 shelters. 泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭
Our partners also reached dozens of women in displacement sites in Gaza city with counseling sessions.泭
And our partners providing water, sanitation and hygiene support in Gaza wrapped up a two-day mission to Gaza City, where they explored ways of expanding desalination work there.泭
WFP Global Outloook泭
The World Food Programme today launched 泭an urgent appeal for 2025, calling for US$16.9 billion to address global food needs and the alarming gap between needs and resources.泭泭
WFPs flagship Global Outlook 2025 shows that 343 million human beings across 74 countries are acutely food insecure. That is a 10 per cent increase from last year and just shy of the record hit during the pandemic.泭泭
According to the report, an estimated 1.9 million people are on the brink of famine. The number of people facing catastrophic hunger, specifically in Gaza and in Sudan, as well as parts of South Sudan, Haiti, and Mali, has reached unprecedented levels.泭
For the next year, WFP says it will continue adapting its responses to each country's specific needs and deliver high-quality programmes.泭泭泭泭泭泭
Sudan泭
In Sudan, the World Food Programme (WFP) announced today that a food aid convoy arrived in North Darfurs Zamzam camp for the first time since famine was confirmed in August.泭
The combination of fighting around North Darfurs capital El Fasher, and impassable roads brought on by the rainy season from June to September cut off incoming transport of food assistance for months.泭泭
As an example, it took this convoy two weeks to reach Zamzam camp from the Adre crossing. Basically, it took them two weeks to drive 400 km, which is about 250 miles.
WFP says that further convoys remain en route to other hard-to-reach areas. This includes 14 locations that WFP characterizes as hotspots in Sudan due to the severity of food insecurity and the risk of famine.泭泭
In total, the trucks will carry 17,500 tonnes of food assistance, enough to feed 1.5 million people for one month.
Since September, WFP has delivered food assistance to an average of 2 million people each month across Sudan. The Agency expects that this number will grow with this latest surge in its operations across the country.泭
Just to underscore that, sadly, Sudan is home to half of the worlds population facing catastrophic hunger.泭泭
WFP reiterates its call for all border crossings into Sudan to remain open and fully operational, so that life-saving aid can pour in.泭
South Sudan泭
In South Sudan, the 邋控輦華peacekeeping mission there reports that sporadic gunfire took place in Juba, yesterday evening.泭泭
The Mission tells us that the situation now is calm, and people are gradually resuming their normal activities, although a significant military presence remains in place in parts of the city. The Mission will continue to monitor the developments.泭
Guinea泭
The Emergency Relief Coordinator, Tom Fletcher, has allocated $2.5 million from the Central Emergency Response Fund to swiftly respond to floods in Guinea.泭
The new funds will go towards providing health, food, water and education support to more than 60,000 people in remote areas.泭
Since early August of this year, floods in Guinea have damaged critical infrastructure and impacted more than 175,000 people, forcing men, women and children to flee their homes.泭
Haiti泭
In Haiti, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs tell us that escalating violence continues to drive people from their homes in the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area.泭
According to the International Organization for Migration, as of today, more than 40,000 people have been displaced in the capital since 11 November, due to increased violence by armed gangs.泭
Despite the very volatile situation and limited access, the United Nations and our partners continue to try to respond to the growing humanitarian needs.泭
Since 18 November, humanitarian organizations have provided more than 250,000 liters of water to over 10,000 people in six displacement sites in Port-au-Prince. UNICEF has also distributed water and hygiene kits to 10,000 people, while IOM continues to truck water to newly created displacement sites. 泭 泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭
On the health front, mobile clinics are supporting 15,000 people with medical consultations.泭
Since 16 November, the World Food Programme has been providing food to 38,000 displaced people daily.泭
Despite the continuing challenges, we are committed to providing assistance to people in need, together with local authorities and our partners.泭
Pakistan泭
And in response to questions about the attacks that took place in Pakistan yesterday, the Spokesman said the Secretary-General strongly condemns the attack in Pakistans Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province that took place yesterday and, which reportedly led to the deaths of at least 42 people.羔
The Secretary-General stresses that attacks against civilians are unacceptable. He extends his deepest condolences to the families of the victims and to the Government of Pakistan, and he calls on the Government to conduct an investigation and to ensure that those responsible are held to account.泭泭
Ukraine泭
In Ukraine, OCHA says that ongoing hostilities continue to drive up humanitarian needs in regions along the front line. As winter approaches, repeated attacks on energy infrastructure are making Ukrainian lives even more difficult and making Ukrainians even more vulnerable.泭
Our humanitarian colleagues tell us that this morning, civilians were killed or injured in a strike in Sumy City, in the north-east of the country.泭
Meanwhile, authorities in front-line areas of the Donetsk and Kherson regions reported civilian casualties over the course of yesterday.泭泭
And yesterday, nearly 110 front-line towns and villages in the Donetsk Region were reported to be without electricity, without gas and without water. 泭 泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭泭
We, along with our humanitarian partners, continue to provide emergency assistance to people impacted by the attacks, and to distribute winter supplies.泭泭
Today, a humanitarian convoy reached the front-line community of Bilozerka, in southern Ukraine, with hygiene and medical supplies, as well as mattresses, bedding, winter clothes and assistance. Some 10,000 people in more than two dozen villages still live in the area less than half of the population prior to the escalation of the war by the Russian Federation.泭泭
This was the 42nd humanitarian convoy in Ukraine this year.
International Day泭
Sunday is World Conjoined Twins Day.泭泭
Conjoined twins case is a rare condition, where the estimated incidence can be 1 in 50,000 births.泭泭
This Day is a reminder of the need to scale up efforts to build and strengthen quality, people-centred, sustainable and resilient health systems.泭泭
Guests on Monday泭
On Monday (November 25th), as we marks the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, the guests at the noon briefing will be Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda, the Deputy Executive Director of 邋控輦華Women; along with Delphine Schantz, the Director of the New York office of the 邋控輦華Office on Drugs and Crime; and Kalliopi Mingeirou, the Chief of the Ending Violence against Women Section of 邋控輦華Women.泭泭
They will brief reporters on the report Femicides in 2023: Global estimates of intimate partner/family member femicides.泭
Noon briefings next week
Noon briefings will take place next week on Monday (25 November), Tuesday (26 November) and Wednesday (27 November). The 邋控輦華will be closed for Thanksgiving, on Thursday, 28 November. There will be people in the office on Friday, but we dont plan to have a Noon briefing that day.
