In progress at UNHQ

Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General

The following is a near-verbatim transcript of today’s noon briefing by Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesman for the Secretary-General.

Good afternoon.

**Humanitarian Financing

To start with, I have an announcement to make on the establishment of a High-Level Panel on Humanitarian Financing.

The Secretary-General is establishing a High-Level Panel on Humanitarian Financing, which is intended to help deal with the growing gap between the increasing numbers of people in need of assistance and sufficient resources to provide relief.

Over the last decade, the demand for humanitarian aid has risen dramatically.  The number of people in need has more than doubled since 2004 to over 100 million today, and current humanitarian funding requirements for 2015 stand at $19.1 billion, up from $3.4 billion in 2004.   

The High-Level Panel is to look into the issue, and the Secretary-General has appointed Ms. Kristalina Georgieva of Bulgaria and Sultan Nazrin Shah of Malaysia as co-chairs of the Panel.  This initiative will bring together distinguished individuals with a wide range of experience and expertise including Ms. Hadeel Ibrahim of the United Kingdom, Mr. Badr Jafar of the United Arab Emirates, Mr. Trevor Manuel of South Africa, Ms. Linah Mohohlo of Botswana, Mr. Walt Macnee of Canada, Ms. Margot Wallström of Sweden and Mr. Dhananjayan Sriskandarajah of Sri Lanka.

The Panel will examine humanitarian financing challenges and will identify ways in which the gap between rising needs and the resources available to meet them can be closed.  It will also work on generating solutions around the issues of more timely and predictable funding, as well as ways in which resources can be used more effectively.   

The Panel is expected to submit its recommendations to the Secretary-General this November and these recommendations will help frame the discussion at the World Humanitarian Summit in May 2016.

And we will have the full bios of the members of the panel available in our office.

 

**South-East Asia

The Deputy Secretary-General and the Secretary-General of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Mr. Le Luong Minh, discussed today the situation of migrants and refugees stranded on vessels in the Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea.

The Deputy Secretary-General encouraged rescue operations and efforts to reach a durable long term solution.

**Burundi

On Burundi, the consultative political dialogue between Burundian stakeholders, including representatives of the Government, opposition parties and religious organizations, resumed today under the facilitation of Special Envoy Said Djinnit.

It is critical that all parties participate in the dialogue so that it can help defuse tensions and lead to a consensus on the steps necessary to create a conducive environment for peaceful, credible and inclusive elections in Burundi.

It is also essential that the Government, with the cooperation of all other parties, urgently creates the conditions for the electoral process to move forward smoothly and peacefully and that all actors recommit to non-violence.

To this end, Said Djinnit continues to work closely with the region, including with the high-level delegations currently in Bujumbura.

Meanwhile, following a cholera outbreak among Burundian refugees gathered on the shores of Lake Tanganyika, the UN Children’s Fund has rushed relief supplies to the north-western border with Tanzania.  The outbreak has so far claimed 27 lives.

Burundi’s current unrest has forced more than 110,000 people to flee to neighbouring countries.

**South Sudan

From South Sudan, the UN Mission reports that heavy fighting between the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) and Opposition forces resumed this morning around Melut in Upper Nile State.  It remains unclear who is in control of the town.

Some 1,600 internally displaced persons (IDPs) are seeking protection at the UNMISS base in Melut. As reported earlier, the UNMISS compound and the protection of civilians site have been caught in the cross-fire and seven internally displaced persons have been killed.

Our humanitarian colleagues say some 20,000 displaced people who were previously sheltering in two sites outside the UN base have scattered.  600 people who moved into the UN base at Melut for protection are receiving life-saving assistance, but supplies are running low.

The Humanitarian Coordinator in South Sudan, Toby Lanzer, called on all combatants to respect the sanctity of the UN base and civilians seeking shelter inside, particularly women and children.

In the UN base in Malakal, humanitarian assistance is being provided to more than 17,000 displaced people.  However, movements outside the UN base are restricted for aid workers due to insecurity, and so it is difficult to gauge the level of need of people outside the base.

And as you know, in Southern Unity State, all aid activities have been suspended since early May due to insecurity. As a result, more than 300,000 people in need are without lifesaving assistance, including critical food and medical services.

**Darfur

The Joint AU-UN Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) continues to engage with relevant Government authorities and local community stakeholders to facilitate a cessation of hostilities and reconciliation between the Ma’alia and Rezeigat communities in East Darfur.

The Mission had called for restraint over rising tensions between the two tribes and the subsequent outbreak of violence in Abu Karinka.

In addition to supporting mediation efforts, UNAMID assisted in putting in place measures to mitigate the impact of the clashes on the civilian population.  This was implemented in coordination with the United Nations country team, through the delivery of humanitarian assistance to those affected by the fighting, provision of medical supplies and evacuation of the wounded.

**Libya

The World Food Programme (WFP) says that it is currently providing assistance for 51,000 of the most vulnerable Libyans who have been displaced in the west of the country.

Through its partner, the Shaikh Tahir Azzawi Charity Organization (STACO), WFP is supporting affected families in towns including Wadi ash-Shati, Misrata, Sebha and Traghen.

The organization plans to help nearly a quarter of a million internally displaced people in Libya with life-saving food assistance over the next six months.  So far, 10 trucks have crossed the Tunisian border carrying food to the Charity Organization’s warehouse in western Libya for distribution.

It is currently working with another Libyan charity to distribute food to those who have fled eastern Libya, especially Benghazi.

Despite the needs, WFP’s emergency operation in Libya is only 33 per cent funded so far.  It needs to raise an additional $14 million to ensure that its operation inside Libya continues uninterrupted.  More information is available on WFP’s website.

**Mali

Our humanitarian colleagues are concerned that attacks by armed groups and individuals around Timbuktu in northern Mali are forcing people to flee their homes.

Humanitarian partners estimate that more than 20,000 people have fled since 15 May to Gourma Rharous, Timbuktu and Goundam.  Humanitarian workers are monitoring these new displacements but insecurity is preventing access to some of the areas affected.

**Syria

The Director-General of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Irina Bokova, yesterday said that she was deeply concerned by the situation at the site of Palmyra, in Syria.  She said that the fighting is putting at risk one of the most significant sites in the Middle East and its civilian population.

Ms. Bokova called on the international community to do everything in its power to protect the affected civilian population and safeguard the unique cultural heritage of Palmyra.  She said that it is imperative that all parties respect international obligations to protect cultural heritage during conflict by avoiding direct targeting, as well as use for military purposes.

**Health

You may have seen that yesterday, Member States of the World Health Organization approved the Organization's proposed programme budget for 2016-2017.  They also agreed on a new global malaria strategy for 2016-2030 that aims to reduce the global disease burden by 40 per cent by 2020, by at least 90 per cent by 2030, and to eliminate malaria in at least 35 new countries by 2030.

Between 2000 and 2013, the global malaria mortality rate dropped by 47 per cent, but millions of people are still unable to get access to prevention and treatment, and most cases and deaths continue to go unregistered and unreported.  In 2013, the disease killed an estimated 584,000 people.  More details are available on the World Health Organization’s website.

**Education

On education, the Incheon Declaration was adopted today at the conclusion of the World Education Forum in the Republic of Korea.

The Declaration will underpin the education targets in the Sustainable Development Goals to be ratified in September at the United Nations.  It encourages countries to provide inclusive, equitable, quality education and life-long learning opportunities for all.   

**Honour Roll

Lastly, the honour roll:  India has paid its regular budget dues in full, bringing the total number of fully paid-up Member States to 89.  Dhanyavad, New Delhi.

**Questions and Answers

And that is it for me.  Yes, Masood?

Question:  Farhan, on this Yemen conference that is being called by the United Nations in Geneva.  It seems as though Saudi Arabia has taken the role of — as to decide who will be attending the… this meeting or not.  I mean, they are saying that this or that countries can't come because of this and that.  What is the position of the United Nations as to what countries can come and what countries cannot come, insofar as Iran — especially in particular and the case of Iran?  

Deputy Spokesman:  First of all, regarding invitations, the list of invitations is still being drawn up.  So it's not been concluded.  These are consultations.  And I want to make it clear that that's what they are.  It's not an international conference.  This consultative process is intended to bring the Yemenis together with UN facilitation.  We appreciate the support of the regional international actors, but we expect the actual dialogue to take place between Yemenis with the UN, at least initially.  And that's where our focus is.

Question:  A follow-up: If Saudi Arabia and other Emirates countries can join in, why can't Iran, which is also a factor, come in?

Deputy Spokesman:  Well, like I said, the final list of invitees has not yet been decided.  It's being considered as we speak.  Yes?

Question:  Thanks a lot.  Some other things, but I wanted to ask, I'd asked Gordon Brown about the alleged sexual abuse in Central African Republic, and he said there's a report.  So I wanted to ask you something.  Become aware that the OIOS's [Office of Internal Oversight Services] director Michael Stefanovic has informed the Secretary‑General that he's recusing himself from the investigation.  A number of Member States have questions on this that they raised to Ms. [Carman] Lapointe, and I think that her response was, "Ask the Secretary‑General."  So I'd like to know, can you confirm that the director of OIOS, Mr. Stefanovic, has recused himself?  And can you say why he recused himself?  Some say he — well, I'd just rather get your reasoning for it.  And some say it makes the reporting — how does it impact the report that apparently was what Mr. Brown was referring to as the UN's response to these events?

Deputy Spokesman:  I believe Mr. Brown was also referring to the fact that this is being investigated, the actual allegations — the substance of the allegations is being investigated by the French authorities.  That's where the investigation into the alleged crimes is taking place.  What this investigation is about is about the handling of documents, as you're aware.  And I wouldn't be able to comment on the [Office] of Internal Oversight Services' review of this and its own investigation until that process has concluded.  So at this stage, that process is continuing, and we'll have to wait for that process to be ended.  Yes, Lou?

Question:  Thanks, Farhan.  The Syrian National Coalition rebel organization claims that an area where they overran a Syrian Government military camp, and they found large quantities of UN‑marked food aid and Red Crescent food aid that has logos.  I mean, this is what they're saying.  They sent out a press release about this.  Can you — we know that OCHA (Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs) has said that there's been medicine, surgical supplies that have been plucked out of aid convoys, but what is the scale of aid that is supposed to be going to civilians that is being taken by the military or by rebel fighters on the other side, if you have any details about that?

Deputy Spokesman:  Well, regarding the scale, it's tough to determine how much has been diverted.  What I can say on this is we've been in touch with our colleagues at the UN Children's Fund, UNICEF, and UNICEF's extremely concerned at reports that some of its humanitarian supplies in Syria have not reached their intended destination.  UNICEF's trying to verify these reports, including the authenticity of the photograph concerning the diversion of aid and where that photograph was taken.  At a time when so many children in Syria are in desperate need of humanitarian assistance, it is absolutely vital that aid reaches children and families in need and not get diverted.  And so UNICEF will continue trying to use all means possible to track down and verify the delivery of humanitarian supplies.  And, of course, on a larger scale, we're trying to do this with all of the aid that's going to the parties.  Inevitably, in a time of conflict, some aid gets diverted, and that happens in many conflicts, but we'll continue to try to track down and see what is happening.  But we're extremely concerned at any reports of diversion of aid.  Yes, Majeed?

Question:  Thank you, Farhan.  On Tuesday, I think you mentioned the lack of fund for the Iraqi refugee programme in Iraq.  And you mentioned that in July, the food pipeline for the refugee camps is going to be cut off.  I wanted to — can you elaborate more on that?  What does that mean?  Does that mean there will be no more foods going to those camps?  Is the UN the main provider of the refugee camps that you mentioned in Iraq?  Is there going to be a food crisis in July there?

Deputy Spokesman:  There would be a crisis if we cannot get the funding that we need by that point.  We do expect that next month, in June, we will — we will try to organize another appeal for funding and get some more money going in, precisely so that there will be an ability to fund the sort of humanitarian activities that are needed.  But we are giving a warning right now, precisely because there's so many people in need and without the money in hand it will be very difficult to feed the kind of load of — caseload of people that we need to tend to.

Question:  Yeah.  Just follow-up on that:  Is there a precise number how much money the UN programme needs there to operate?

Deputy Spokesman:  I think I'd given you some of the numbers a couple days ago, so I can show you that note when we're back at my desk.  Yes, Oleg?

Question:  Thank you.  Back on Yemen, the — actually, the meeting yesterday by the President of the Security Council was called a conference, but anyway, is there a decision that the conference will be attended — the conference — the consultations will be attended by the countries of the region, at least?  Or it's going to be only Yemeni-Yemeni consultations?  Is this decision taking already or not?

Deputy Spokesman:  Like I said, our expectation, at least initially, is that the actual dialogue will take place between the Yemenis and the UN.  We'll see what kind of role there is for regional and international actors.  Of course, we appreciate their support.  But that's still — that — the question of how their participation will be realized and what format that will take is still being considered.

Question:  As a quick follow-up: did you receive the confirmation from the both parties of the Yemeni conflict?

Deputy Spokesman:  Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed is travelling in the region.  He's been meeting with the various parties and other countries in the region, and he believes he has the assurances that we need to proceed.  At this stage, we'll — we can't confirm the attendance of this or that party.  That's for them to do, but he does believe we have the assurances in hand that we'll get good participation.  But, of course, what we hope and trust is that all the parties will show up and will participate in good faith.  Nizar?

Question:  Yeah.  On Yemen again, does the United Nations believe the blockade imposed by Saudi-led coalition is legitimate according to 2016 resolution?  Is any blockade legitimate, in this case?

Deputy Spokesman:  We have stated our concerns about the humanitarian situation, about the lack of food, the lack of fuel, the need for ports and airports to be open so that you can get the sort of vital aid that this country, this very large country of more than 25 million people needs, in order for people to be able to survive.  And we continue to stick to those points.

Question:  But here — a follow-up on that:  Here is the blockade legitimate or not?  Still I did not get a clear answer on that.

Deputy Spokesman:  It's not my place to interpret the language of Security Council resolutions.  That's for the Security Council itself to do.  What I can tell you is that the Secretary-General and all of us here have made clear our basic concerns at the way these measures are hurting the people of Yemen and broadly the people of Yemen — it's not even just here or there.  This is a problem for the nation as a whole.  The shortage of fuel could have a very severe impact on the nation as a whole, and it's already having a damaging impact.  And we've asked for all of that to stop.

Question:  Yesterday there was targeting of all the bridges surrounding Sana'a, which, of course, hampers any aid delivery to the capital and the neighbouring — also, dengue fever is being reported to be spreading all over, especially in refugee areas.  Is WHO (World Health Organization) doing anything about that?  And how do you categorize targeting bridges and highways?

Deputy Spokesman:  As in all conflicts, we are against the targeting of any facilities that can be used for humanitarian purposes.  Yes, Masood?

Question:  How about…

Deputy Spokesman:  Please, please.  There's other people asking.

Question:  On the refugees accepted by Indonesia temporarily, is the — and Indonesia and other countries in the region, they are only accepting it because — temporarily and that international community has to make arrangements for financial assistance and also alternate arrangements for them to be settled.  What efforts is United Nations making to do that?

Deputy Spokesman:  Well, regarding that, I mean, regarding the commitments that have been made, what I can say is that the Secretary-General welcomes the commitment that the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand announced yesterday as a first step to resolve the issues of thousands of refugees and migrants stranded in boats in the Bay of Bengal and off the coast of South-East Asia.  He's continuing to follow the developments closely with the hope that immediate action would be taken to rescue them and to save lives. 

In terms of follow-up, as you know, I just mentioned the Deputy Secretary-General's phone call today with the Secretary-General of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and we're working with a number of regional groups.  We're aware that on 29 May, there will be a meeting in Thailand to deal with the — some of the issues regarding the problems of the migrants and of trafficking, and we hope to have some senior officials of the UN system attending that meeting.

Question:  The question is, as a follow-up, any alternate venues being chosen for them to finally be located?  Has that — is that under going?

Deputy Spokesman:  There are some discussions of that, and I believe those discussions may advance further at the Thailand meeting next week, and we'll have to see what the results of that will be.  Evelyn?

Question:  Thank you, Farhan.  On the humanitarian funding panel, is that not what OCHA's supposed to do?  I mean, it doesn't get enough money but — are they going to create another — another structure?

Deputy Spokesman:  Well, in this case, this is a panel that's going to provide recommendations to the Secretary-General about, essentially, ways to meet the gap between rising needs and the resources available to meet them.  OCHA has been doing as much coordination as it can, but the scale of the problem has changed, and changed very dramatically.  You've seen and you're here to get updates on all the crises that erupt, and it's surely not only my imagination about this, but there's a lot of them, and this is a lot of people in need, and we have to figure out how can we step up this process beyond the regular procedures that our colleagues in the Office for the Coordination for Humanitarian Affairs are doing.

Yes, Oleg?

Question:  Farhan, there has been an incident in Syria once again; since the beginning of the week, twice the Russian embassy was attacked.  This time there are casualties, a Syrian guard.  What is the message the Secretary-General maybe wants to convene?  Does he condemn this?  Thank you.

Deputy Spokesman:  Yeah, well, certainly, we deplore the attacks on all diplomatic facilities.  As you know, the treaties governing this, such as the Vienna Conventions, specifically place such diplomatic facilities off limits for armed activity, and that needs to be respected.  And, of course, we're saddened by any of the deaths that result from such attacks.  Yeah?

Question:  Sure.  I wanted to ask, maybe I had misunderstood, but it seemed like yesterday you were going to ask the Procurement Division for a list of the number of contracts and dollar values for Colliers.  Have you done that?

Deputy Spokesman:  Yeah, I've asked them.

Question:  When am I going to get it?

Deputy Spokesman:  Once they have an answer.

Question:  How long does it take them?  Don't they have a computer system where they're running contracts with companies that can tell you…

Deputy Spokesman:  Matthew, when I ask people questions, I give the time they feel is needed to have an answer.  When I have an answer, you'll have it.

Question:  I've seen the Secretary-General's nephew has given what's described as an exclusive interview with the South Korean newspaper the Mainil Business newspaper, and among other things he says that Sung Ju-Soo, the second son of Sung Wan-jong, the suicidal business leader, quote, “came to New York last March and asked me to seek help from the Secretary-General over the property sale”.  Then he says:  But I have never asked for his help regarding the sale.  But the newspaper then says the interview confirmed that the son Sung Wan-jong tried to lobby Ban Ki-moon for the deal.  This is what I want to know.  This now seems a little closer than just that the nephew said it; like, an individual from the company came to New York asked the nephew, can you raise it?  And in a written piece of paper, the nephew said it's been raised.  Now he said he's never spoken to the Secretary-General.  What is your response?  Is there some way we can get some response in English rather than simply to — to the South Korean newspaper?

Deputy Spokesman:  The response that you are looking for in English was given by the Secretary-General himself in a press conference in Seoul yesterday where he was asked about various situations and you'll have seen — and you even asked me a question about that press conference.  So I'm sure you've seen that transcript…

Question:  He asked to refrain from reporting on it.  [overlapping talking]

Deputy Spokesman:  No, that's not all he said.  He said quite a bit.  Look at his entire response and that is his response and that is the response we have.  Yes?

Question:  Yeah, Farhan, again, about the disease in Yemen, the spread of fever among the population.  Is the WHO doing anything about that?  And another question regarding the Iranian ship which was diverted to Djibouti for inspection, when do you expect the inspection to complete and the ship proceeds to Hodeidah seaport?

Deputy Spokesman:  Yeah, the update we have about that is simply that the handing over of in-kind humanitarian support from any Member State to the UN means that the UN takes charge of the shipment and transports it through established channels for distribution, in accordance with the humanitarian principles of neutrality and impartiality.  And that is what we will now proceed to do.  Yes?

Question:  Follow-up on that.

Deputy Spokesman:  Yeah?

Question:  Who exactly at the UN is going to be handling the inspection, as in which agency, or has that been clarified yet?

Deputy Spokesman:  Ultimately, all of this falls under the guidance of the Emergency Relief Coordinator, which is to say the Office for the Coordination for Humanitarian Affairs.  So they're the ones who are ultimately responsible for this.

Question:  But they won't do the actual inspections.  I mean, they're going to have someone else…

Deputy Spokesman:  No, no.

Question: …to do it.

Deputy Spokesman:  I'm not aware of who precisely is doing the inspection, but at this stage, now that the ship has gone to Djibouti, the coordination is in the hands of the Emergency Relief Coordinator.

Question:  Is it correct that — sorry.  Is it correct that Mr. [John] Ging yesterday asked for — to stop the inspection in order to expedite the delivery of aid, which is very vital for the population of Yemen?

Deputy Spokesman:  I haven't heard any such thing.  At this stage, like I said, they'll — they'll now take charge of the shipment and transport it through the sustained channels for distribution.  That's where we're at.

Question:  How long do you expect that to take?

Deputy Spokesman:  We keep getting daily updates from our colleagues in the Office for the Coordination for Humanitarian Affairs.  This is where — this is the stage we're at.  Once the aid is delivered, I'm sure we'll provide an update for you.  Yes?

Question:  Sure.  In South Sudan, a journalist of Radio Tamazuj, Pow James Raeth, is reported to have been killed by gunfire in Akobo.  And I wanted to know whether UNMISS, which I believe still has a facility in Akobo, is aware of it, if they have any comment on it, and what they think is behind the killing of this journalist. 

Deputy Spokesman:  We'll have to check with UNMISS whatever details there are of that incident. 

Have a good day. 

For information media. Not an official record.