The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said today that United Nations agencies, with the support of the peacekeeping mission in South Sudan, have launched a major humanitarian emergency operation in Pibor, Jonglei State. Around 50,000 people are estimated to be in need and a rapid response plan is being finalized.
In progress at UNHQ
Noon Briefings
The Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Iraq has strongly condemned the recent bombings in different parts of the country, which have reportedly resulted in many deaths and injuries. He urges all Iraqis to remain steadfast in the face of those who are using violence in its worst forms to prevent the country from succeeding as a democratic nation.
The Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Valerie Amos, is in Khartoum today. She met with the Sudanese Minister for Social Welfare, Amira Al-Fadil, and they discussed the situation in Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile states. Ms. Amos said the Government and her Office had agreed to share information and data on the humanitarian situation and a mechanism would be established to ensure continuous dialogue.
The Secretary-General was informed today by Josette Sheeran of her decision to accept a position with the World Economic Forum as Vice-Chairman upon completion of her term, in April, as Executive Director of the World Food Programme. He wished Ms. Sheeran great success in her new assignment and looks forward to her continued engagement with the United Nations family.
The World Food Programme (WFP) has confirmed today the deaths of two staff members and a colleague working for a cooperating partner organization. The attack took place this morning in Mataban town in Hiraan Province in central Somalia. Two WFP members of a monitoring mission were shot, as was a third person who worked for Doyale, one of WFP’s NGO partners.
Michelle Bachelet, the head of UN Women, has expressed great concern about reports of direct attacks on women for exercising their political and civil rights to public assembly and expression in Egypt. She called on the Egyptian authorities to protect them from violence from any side.
The Security Council today extended the mandates of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force and the integrated peacebuilding offices in Guinea-Bissau and the Central African Republic, as well as by the Chair of the Council Committee on non-proliferation.
Oscar Fernandez-Taranco, the Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs, said in a briefing to the Security Council this morning that the realization of a two-State solution for Israelis and Palestinians has not advanced, with violent incidents erupting at a worrying rate.
The Secretary-General has learned that the leader of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), Kim Jong Il, passed away. The Secretary-General extends his sympathy to the people of the DPRK at this time of their national mourning and reaffirms his commitment to peace and security on the Korean peninsula.
Speaking at a high‑level conference on the UN Central Emergency Response Fund this morning, the Secretary‑General said that the Fund has far exceeded expectations since it was launched by the General Assembly five years ago. He said that the Fund has disbursed more than $2 billion in assistance, making it one of the largest sources of humanitarian funding in the world.