Central African Republic

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary‑General António Guterres:

The Security Council this morning extended the mandate of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) until 15 November 2018, increasing its troop level to provide greater capabilities in protecting civilians and other mandated tasks.

Today is World Diabetes Day, and the World Health Organization (WHO) is highlighting women’s right to a healthy future.  The agency says there are some 422 million people living with diabetes, 205 million of whom are women.  More than half are in the Western Pacific and South-east Asia regions.

This week is Antibiotic Awareness Week, and it kicks off today under the theme “Learn how to handle antibiotics with care”.  The development of resistance is a big issue, and more information about can be found on the the World Health Organization’s website.

United Nations Secretary‑General António Guterres departed New York on Monday, 23 October, for the Central African Republic.

Urgent, decisive action was needed by leaders in the Central African Republic in partnership with the international community to reverse a new spiral of violence that interrupted progress in the political transition, the top United Nations official there told the Security Council this morning.

A joint study on food security released by the Government of South Sudan and humanitarian partners such as the Food and Agriculture Organization, the United Nations Children’s Fund and the World Food Programme, warns that the current harvest season will not end the hunger crisis in the country.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights called on the parties to the Syrian conflict to allow badly needed food and medical supplies to get into Eastern Ghouta, on the outskirts of Damascus, where at least 350,000 civilians remain besieged.

Following is the text of UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ remarks, translated from French, to the National Assembly of the Central African Republic, in Bangui today:

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said that civilians continue to flee their homes in northern Iraq, with at least 166,000 people currently displaced, the majority from Kirkuk.  Aid workers are helping people in need where they have access, providing food, water, blankets and other supplies.