The Secretary-General strongly condemns the terrorist bombing near the Iranian embassy in Beirut which killed at least 23 civilians, including reportedly one Iranian diplomat, and injured over a hundred others. He urges all Lebanese parties to act with restraint and to support the security forces, as they seek to prevent further terrorism.
In progress at UNHQ
Noon Briefings
Earlier today, the Secretary-General visited Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp and said it is not simply a register of atrocities, but also a repository of courage and hope. Nothing can truly prepare a person for a visit to the epicentre of evil, he said. “We need to reaffirm that we will never forget.”
The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights said that it is seriously concerned about violent clashes in the Cambodian capital, Phnom Penh, earlier this week. It said police were seen beating individuals and shooting live ammunition and rubber bullets at close range. The Office is urging authorities to launch a prompt and thorough investigation.
The latest information we have received from the Government of the Philippines is that the number of people affected by Typhoon Haiyan stands at nearly 12 million, of whom 920,000 are displaced. The Government also reports that 4,460 people have died in the disaster.
Emergency Relief Coordinator Valerie Amos visited Tacloban in the Philippines today and saw the devastation left in the wake of Typhoon Haiyan; tens of thousands of people are in the open and in destroyed buildings, and medical facilities, food, clean water and sanitation are still widely unavailable.
The Emergency Relief Coordinator, Valerie Amos, arrived in the Philippines today to see first-hand the massive destruction left in the wake of Typhoon Haiyan. She said millions of families have had their lives torn apart and voiced concern that thousands of people who need help have not yet been able to receive assistance.
Speaking by telephone, the Secretary-General offered the Foreign Minister of the Philippines condolences for those impacted by Typhoon Haiyan, reaffirming the United Nations support and solidarity. Valeria Amos, Emergency Relief Coordinator, who is being dispatched to the Philippines, will join the Foreign Minister and the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator to launch the Typhoon Haiyan Action Plan tomorrow.
The UN refugee agency says it has recorded more than 62,000 arrivals by sea this year in Yemen, from 1 January until 31 October. The agency remains concerned about the very high numbers of people risking their lives by making this perilous journey from the Horn of Africa.
The UN Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo has confirmed that the Congolese army now has complete control over all areas previously controlled by the M23 rebel movement. It is now of utmost importance for the Government to establish its authority over the whole region and start its development.
The Secretary-General left Bamako for Niamey, Niger, today, along with the heads of the African Union Commission, the World Bank, the African Development Bank and the European Union Commissioner for Development. He told lawmakers the United Nations was there to help Niger achieve the Millennium Development Goals.