Democratic People’s Republic of Korea

In Afghanistan, due to lack of funds, the World Food Programme (WFP) today said that it has been forced to drastically reduce critical lifesaving assistance in March to millions of vulnerable Afghanis. In March, at least 4 million people will receive just half of what they need to get by.

Following the two cyclones that hit Vanuatu in March, the United Nations resident coordinator has met with Government ministers, the Disaster Management Office and Organization staff to understand challenges, needs and ways the United Nations can further support recovery.

​​​​​​​The latest launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea is dangerously heightening tensions in the region, a United Nations senior official stressed as he briefed the Security Council today, urging it to show unity in bringing Pyongyang back into dialogue to end its escalating weapons programme.

In Malawi, the United Nations and its partners are appealing for $45.3 million to help the Government there provide health, water, sanitation, nutrition, education and protection services to 4 million people devastated by the country’s deadliest cholera outbreak in recent history.

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General António Guterres:

In Argentina, the United Nations joined many in the country and across the region to mourn the passing of Hebe de Bonafini, a human rights activist who co-founded the Mothers of Plaza de Mayo movement to search for missing people, including children, during the military dictatorship between 1976 and 1983.

​​​​​​​The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea must take immediate steps to resume dialogue, cease its provocative actions and fully comply with its international obligations, a United Nations senior official stressed, as she briefed the Security Council today and urged the 15-nation organ to address, as a united body, another launch by Pyongyang of an intercontinental ballistic missile.

​​​​​​​The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General António Guterres:

The launch of an unprecedented number of missiles, including an intercontinental ballistic missile, on 2 and 3 November by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, is reckless and a clear violation of Security Council resolutions, a United Nations senior political and peacebuilding official told the Security Council today, as members expressed alarm at the unabated flurry of missile activity from Pyongyang, as well as the Council’s continued inaction in face of such provocations.

Alice Nderitu, the Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide, expressed her concern today at reports of a resurgence of ethnic clashes in the Blue Nile region of Sudan fuelled by hate speech. She called on all those in positions of authority to institute conflict prevention mechanisms and hold all perpetrators accountable.