Democratic Republic of the Congo

Ali Al-Za’atari, the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Syria, urged all parties to grant immediate access to the besieged towns of Zabadani, Foah, Kefraya and Madaya, where 60,000 civilians are trapped by daily violence and deprivation.  They have not received aid since 28 November.

Aid organizations are appealing for $1.6 billion to provide life-saving assistance and protection to 5.8 million people across South Sudan in 2017.  Humanitarian Coordinator for the strife-torn country, Eugene Owusu, said that the situation has deteriorated dramatically and this year there will be unprecedented needs.

The High Commissioner for Human Rights is extremely worried by reports suggesting the targeting of civilians over the past two weeks amid intense fighting between warring parties in Al Mokha in Taizz Governorate in Yemen.  The United Nations Refugee Agency has mobilized assessment teams and begun delivering emergency aid.

On 30 January 2017, the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1533 (2004) concerning the Democratic Republic of the Congo met with the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Burundi, Rwanda, South Sudan, United Republic of Tanzania and Uganda.

The Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Iraq briefed the Security Council today noting the progress that had been made by Iraqi forces in Mosul.  He said that in the foreseeable future, the liberation operations in Iraq are coming to an end and the days of Da’esh are numbered.

A report published today by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) and the United Nations Human Rights Office details grave human rights abuses as well as serious violations of international humanitarian law committed in Juba during and after the fighting that occurred between 8 and 12 July 2016.

The Security Council must continue to call on all political actors in the Democratic Republic of Congo to endorse the country’s new peace agreement, reached on 31 December 2016 under the auspices of the National Episcopal Conference of the Congo, stressed the United Nations peacekeeping chief as he briefed the 15-member body this morning.

The Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations briefed the Security Council today saying that the 31 December 2016 agreement in the Democratic Republic of the Congo had contributed to defusing tensions there.  However, he noted that major efforts would need to be made to ensure all parties follow and implement the agreement.

Humanitarian colleagues in Iraq report that more than 133,000 people have been displaced due to ongoing operations in Mosul, which began in October.  Some 87 per cent have sought shelter in camps for internally displaced people.  To date, available camp space is still keeping pace with the rate of displacement.

Encouraged by the spirit of flexibility and compromise demonstrated by Congolese political leaders, the Security Council welcomed today the signing of a comprehensive and inclusive political agreement in the Democratic Republic of the Congo on 31 December 2016.