The Secretary-General’s Special Representative, Nickolay Mladenov, said that the United Nations “level-three emergency” declaration for Iraq – the Organization’s highest global humanitarian priority - will facilitate mobilization of additional resources to the humanitarian needs of communities affected by forced displacement.
In progress at UNHQ
Noon Briefings
Responding to atrocious reports of Yazidi, Christian, Turkomen and Shabak women, girls and boys being abducted, detained and raped by the “Islamic State”, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Iraq and the Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict condemned such barbaric acts and called for regional and international efforts to help release of those detained.
Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Iraq, Nickolay Mladenov welcomed President Masoum’s decision to accept Parliament’s nomination of Haider al-Abbadi as Prime Minister-designate. He also urged political leaders to work within the Constitution’s framework, and for the Iraqi Security Forces to refrain from actions that might interfere with the democratic transfer of political authority.
The Secretary-General voiced deep disappointment that Israeli-Palestinian parties had been unable to agree to an extension of the humanitarian ceasefire. He urged them to “find a way back” to that ceasefire. Renewed hostilities resulted in the killing of a Palestinian boy and the wounding of several Israelis.
The United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for the Occupied Palestinian Territory said that the scale of needs is unprecedented in the Gaza Strip. He said that teams are on the ground assessing needs and providing relief and emphasized the need for a sustained halt to the violence.
Briefing the Security Council today on South Sudan, the Assistant Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations said that the country was on the brink of a humanitarian catastrophe and a protracted internal conflict. He stressed that the parties needed to reach an agreement without delay on how to end it and embark on the path of reconciliation.
The Secretary-General welcomed the new ceasefire in Gaza that began today, and urged the Palestinian and Israeli parties to commence talks in Cairo as soon as possible on a durable ceasefire and the underlying issues.
The Secretary-General condemned the killing of Palestinian civilians in shelling outside a school in Rafah, run by the UN Relief and Works Agency that was providing shelter to thousands of civilians. This attack must be investigated and those responsible held accountable.
The Secretary-General condemns in the strongest terms the reported violation by Hamas of the mutually agreed humanitarian ceasefire, expressing his shock and profound disappointment. He is also deeply concerned about the resumption of Israeli attacks on Gaza and the killing of over 70 Palestinians this morning.
The number of individuals infected with the Ebola virus in western Africa continues to grow, with 1,323 confirmed cases, including 729 deaths. The World Health Organization and the International Civil Aviation Organization are working to facilitate repatriation flights and air ambulance services in affected areas.