Democratic Republic of the Congo

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) warns that at least 750,000 children could be cut off from safe drinking water after a surge in fighting in eastern Ukraine.  Almost 3 million people in the country rely on water infrastructure which is now in the line of fire.

On 22 May 2017, the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1533 (2004) concerning the Democratic Republic of the Congo met with the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Operations and the Rule of Law and United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) in pursuance of resolution 2293 (2016).

Speaking to reporters in Saint Petersburg, Russia, today, the Secretary-General said that climate change is undeniable, and added that climate action is unstoppable.  He urged all the Governments around the world to stay the course and to remain committed to the implementation of the Paris Agreement.

The Secretary-General spoke today at the Security Council’s open debate on the protection of civilians in armed conflict.  He noted that despite efforts, civilians continued to bear the brunt of conflict around the world, and outlined three clear ways to improve their protection.

Medical experts are racing the clock to contain the Ebola outbreak in the remote Likati Health Zone area of the Democratic Republic of the Congo bordering the Central African Republic, the World Health Organization said today.  The Zone is 1,400 kilometres from Kinshasa and 350 kilometres from Kisangani, the nearest major town.

The Secretary-General welcomed the return of calm in Côte d’Ivoire following the unacceptable acts of violence committed by soldiers of the Forces Armées de Côte d’Ivoire over the past few days.  He commends the Government of Côte d’Ivoire for its efforts to address the unrest and restore security.

Intense violence in the city of Bangassou in south-eastern Central African Republic since Friday sparked by an assault by unidentified gunmen in Tokoyo district, home mainly to the Muslim population, has forced more than 3,000 people to flee their homes.  Two flights carrying emergency relief supplies are scheduled for Tuesday.

The search for the peacekeeper missing since Tuesday’s attack on a peacekeeping convoy continues, the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic reports.  Besides the four peacekeepers killed, there are now 10 wounded, including nine Moroccans and one Cambodian.

The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President Elbio Rosselli (Uruguay):

A group of 36 Yazidi women, men and children have been rescued from slavery after being held for nearly three years by Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Da’esh).  The women and girls are under care at dedicated United Nations Population Fund service points supported by the Government of the Netherlands.