Democratic Republic of the Congo

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) warned today that funding shortfalls are threatening education for millions of children caught up in conflicts or disasters.  Of the $932 million needed this year for its education programmes in emergency countries, it has so far received recorded voluntary contributions of less than $115 million.

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) warned today that the announcement of an end to famine conditions in South Sudan this week should not distract from the fact that severe food insecurity continues to put the lives of millions of children at risk in Yemen, Somalia, South Sudan and north-east Nigeria.

The Security Council today extended its arms embargo, asset freeze and travel ban on the Democratic Republic of the Congo until 1 July 2018, expanding those sanctions to cover individuals and entities engaging in or providing support for acts that included planning, directing, sponsoring or participating in attacks against the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) peacekeepers or United Nations personnel, including members of the Group of Experts.

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.