Central African Republic

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 statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General António Guterres:

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

On 20 July 2018, the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 2127 (2013) concerning the Central African Republic held informal consultations to consider the midterm report of the Panel of Experts submitted pursuant to paragraph 32 (c) of resolution 2399 (2018).

The United Nations refugee agency said today that more than 2,000 Somalis have returned home from Yemen since 2017, as part of an assistance programme carried out jointly with the International Organization for Migration and authorities in Yemen and Somalia.  Yemen currently hosts more than 270,000 refugees, the vast majority of them Somalis.

United Nations humanitarian officials say violent protests in Ethiopia’s Somali region have led to at least 29 deaths, and that houses of worship, homes and businesses have been attacked and destroyed.  The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs says that some 22,000 households were already provided with emergency supplies, but more than 150,000 still need assistance.

The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights says today that, three months after the violence started in Nicaragua, an estimated 280 people have died and 1,830 have been injured, in violence overwhelmingly perpetrated by the State and by pro-Government armed elements.  Those killed include at least 19 police officers.

The Security Council, strongly condemning the rise of incitement to ethnic and religious hatred and violence in the Central African Republic — as well as manipulated hostility towards the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) and other international actors — today adopted a presidential statement urging armed groups to cease all forms of violence, lay down their arms and engage constructively in the country’s evolving peace process.