Cyprus

The 2024 Humanitarian Response Plan for Mali was launched Thursday in Bamako. The United Nations and its humanitarian partners will need over $700 million to assist more than 4.1 million people across the country this year to complement response activities implemented by national authorities.

In December, the World Food Programme reached more than 975,000 vulnerable people with food aid across Gaza and the West Bank. For its part, the United Nations Children’s Fund has been delivering vital supplies to Gaza, including vaccines, medical supplies, hygiene kits, and ready-to-use infant formula.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres announced today the appointment of María Angela Holguín Cuéllar of Colombia as his Personal Envoy on Cyprus. The Secretary-General has asked Ms. Holguín to assume a good offices role on his behalf to search for common ground on the way forward and to advise him on the Cyprus issue.

In Syria, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs today expressed concern about the impact on civilians of escalating hostilities in the north-west of the country — as well as the potential for the violence to jeopardize cross-border missions by United Nations staff.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres announced today the appointment of Major General Erdenebat Batsuuri of Mongolia as Force Commander of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP).

The new Permanent Representative of Cyprus to the United Nations, Maria Michail, presented her credentials to UN Secretary-General António Guterres today.

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reported today that international food commodity prices declined moderately in October. However, persistent conflicts are aggravating food insecurity, and moderating food prices are being countered by weak currencies in many low-income countries.

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) on 28 August signed an agreement with health authorities to provide midwifery and nursing skill-based education to Afghan women and girls who are currently in Iran.

In Pakistan, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) today warned that, one year after the historic floods that devastated the country, millions of children continue to need humanitarian assistance and access to essential services.

The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President Linda Thomas-Greenfield (United States):