Democratic Republic of the Congo

At the launch of the United Nations System Workplace Mental Health and Well-being Strategy, the Secretary-General highlighted the importance of ensuring the well-being of staff, many of whom work in increasingly dangerous environments, and the need to fight the stigma of talking about mental health issues in the workplace.

Co-Chairs of the Security Council’s recent mission to the Democratic Republic of the Congo today outlined the activities undertaken and information gathered during the visit, especially in areas related to the country’s upcoming elections, its still-turbulent security situation and the process aimed at reforming and improving the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO).

Affirming that preparations for December presidential and legislative elections in the Democratic Republic of the Congo are well advanced, speakers in the Security Council this morning urged all stakeholders to reach consensus on outstanding issues to ensure that the poll results will be universally respected.

Today marks the International Day of the Girl Child.  Under the 2018 theme “With Her: A Skilled Girl Force”, it celebrates today’s generation of girls preparing to enter a world of work being transformed by innovation and automation.  In his message, the Secretary-General noted that his Youth2030 strategy aims to work with girls.

The Secretary-General extended his condolences on Sunday to the Government of Haiti and the families of the victims of the earthquake that struck north of Port-de-Paix.  The United Nations and its partners are helping the Government assess the needs of the population impacted by the quake.

Relentless conflict and insecurity during South Sudan’s annual lean season have pushed 6.1 million people —  nearly 60 per cent of the population – into extreme hunger, the Food and Agriculture Organization, United Nations Children’s Fund and the World Food Programme say in a new report.

In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reports that 40,000 people have been displaced after violent clashes between the army and Mai Mai Yakutumba militia on 15 September in South Kivu and Maniema Provinces.

On 31 August 2018, the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1533 (2004) concerning the Democratic Republic of the Congo met with the members of the Group of Experts on the Democratic Republic of the Congo, whose mandate was extended on 29 June 2018 to 1 August 2019 pursuant to resolution 2424 (2018).

In Gaza, Humanitarian Coordinator Jamie McGoldrick informed donors that the United Nations emergency fuel programme has run out of money.  New funds are needed immediately to prevent a potentially catastrophic breakdown in service delivery at health centres, sewage treatment plants, water and sanitation facilities.

The Special Envoy for Syria warned of what he called a possible “perfect storm” in Idlib due to the potential military escalation in the area.  He stressed that 2.9 million lives are at stake in Idlib, which is the largest of the so‑called de‑escalation areas.