Development

A devastating combination of a severe drought – the worst in 40 years – sandstorms and pest infestations have led to crop losses of up to 60 per cent in Madagascar, where the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the Grand Sud.  People have resorted to eating locusts, raw red cactus fruits or wild leaves.

On 16 August, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres appointed Stefan Priesner of Austria as the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Iran, with the host Government’s approval.

Today marks three years since the death of former Secretary-General Kofi Annan.  As the current Secretary-General said, Kofi was one-of-a-kind, a man who embodied United Nations values.  Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed said that, on this day three years ago, the world lost one of its moral voices.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has appointed Yesim Oruc of Turkey as the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Guyana, with the host Government’s approval.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has appointed Barbara Manzi of Italy as the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Burkina Faso, with the host Government’s approval.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has appointed Gianluca Rampolla del Tindaro of Italy as the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Venezuela, with the host Government’s approval.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has appointed Karima El Korri of Morocco as the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam and Singapore, with the host Government’s approval.

The United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) reports that it has facilitated discussions between the Hema and Bira communities in Irumu territory in Ituri.  As a result, the rival groups signed a protocol of non-aggression and cessation of violence.

A new report by the United Nations Mission in Iraq (UNAMI) and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights stresses the need to prevent torture in places of detention in Iraq, including the Kurdistan region.  “No circumstances, however exceptional, justify torture,” said Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, Special Representative in the country.

On 5 July, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres appointed Savina Ammassari of Brazil as the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Gabon, with the host Government’s approval.