United Nations humanitarian chief Stephen O’Brien is scheduled to visit Syria and Lebanon from today until 17 August and is expected to meet with displaced and refugee families and to discuss with key officials ways of strengthening aid operations during the protracted conflict, which has displaced millions.
In progress at UNHQ
Noon Briefings
The Secretary-General, in a videoconference with the senior leadership of peacekeeping operations, addressed the ongoing sexual exploitation, abuse and misconduct by peacekeepers, stressing the United Nations zero-tolerance policy. He also discussed the matter further with the Security Council later in the day.
The Secretary-General, at the Security Council stakeout earlier today, said he had accepted the resignation of Babacar Gaye, his Special Representative and Head of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic, otherwise known as MINUSCA.
The Secretary-General is personally dismayed and disappointed at troubling allegations of abuse by peacekeepers in the Central African Republic, which were raised today by Amnesty International. No misconduct of this nature can be tolerated and every allegation will be vigorously investigated.
The Secretary-General, in a video call to Gaza, said children must not be deprived of education, especially when extremists are in full recruitment mode. The cost of education is low; the price of inaction is too high, he said, pledging to help mobilize funds for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East.
The Secretary-General condemns the 6 August suicide attack on a mosque in Abha, Saudi Arabia. The bombing reportedly killed 13 people and injured nine others. The Secretary-General reiterates that there is no justification whatsoever for terrorist attacks or attacks on places of worship.
The United Nations Support Mission for Libya (UNSMIL) has announced that the UN-facilitated dialogue will resume on 10 August. The Secretary-General’s Special Representative has urged the main parties to redouble their efforts to find a peaceful resolution to the political and military conflict in Libya.
The Head of the United Nations Mission in the Central African Republic told the Security Council that while the security situation remained fragile, improvements had been made and progress was seen in the political process with the Bangui Forum. On the humanitarian front, 2.7 million people still required assistance.
The Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Yemen met with the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States and senior officials of the General People’s Congress party in ongoing efforts to push for a political solution to the crisis as the death toll rises to 1,912 and food distribution continues in hard-hit areas.
The Secretary-General noted with great concern the continuing deterioration of the security environment in Burundi following elections marked by violence and the violation of human rights. He strongly condemned the killing of General Adolphe Nshimirimana on 2 August and welcomed President Pierre Nkurunziza’s message to the competent authorities to swiftly bring the perpetrators to justice.