Central African Republic

Over the past month, more than 347,000 Congolese people have been forced to return to the Democratic Republic of the Congo from Angola.  Most are staying with families or at temporary sites in Kamako, in the Kasai.  The United Nations and aid partners are providing health services, water, sanitation, shelter and food.

While the United Nations presence in the Central African Republic has achieved some of its immediate goals – preventing a return to civil war and stopping a coup d’état – much work is needed to stabilize the country’s security situation, combat armed groups and support millions in need of humanitarian assistance, the Organization’s senior official told the Security Council today.

The United Nations agencies in Mexico have staff in place, with more to be deployed in the coming days, to cooperate closely with local and federal authorities, among others, to attend to migrant needs in Tapachula, Chiapas and nearby towns.

Amid a relatively calm and peaceful security situation in Darfur, the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation there has embarked earnestly on its drawdown and is in the process of relocating its headquarters from El Fasher to Zalingei, Mission Head Jeremiah Mamabolo reported to the Security Council this morning.

The UN refugee agency today drew attention to a collapsing health situation among refugees and asylum-seekers at off-shore facilities in Papua New Guinea and Nauru, calling on the Government of Australia to urgently act to prevent a further tragedy to people forcibly transferred under its off-shore processing policy.

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) reports that it has managed, for the first time since civil war broke out in South Sudan almost five years ago, to send a food-assistance boat convoy up the Sobat River, a tributary of the White Nile in the Upper Nile region, with enough food to sustain 40,000 people for one month.

One week after the earthquake and tsunami that hit Central Sulawesi in Indonesia, the humanitarian country team has launched a $50 million response plan.  The United Nations resident coordinator there said the plan will provide immediate relief items, and the logistical support needed to provide aid to those in need.

On 7 September 2018, the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 2127 (2013) concerning the Central African Republic held a briefing for all Member States on the midterm report of the Panel of Experts (document S/2018/729), during which the Central African Republic and regional States conveyed reactions to the report, as well as their views on national implementation of sanctions measures.

The International Labour Organization (ILO) welcomed Qatar’s decision to end exit visa requirements for most of its migrant workers.  ILO Director-General Guy Ryder said in a tweet that this is a “positive step towards decent work”, adding that the agency is committed to working with the Government of Qatar as it pursues further reforms.  The Secretary-General adds his welcome to the voice of ILO.

The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President Karen Pierce (United Kingdom):