Humanitarian issues

The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reports that more than 200,000 people — that is about 9 per cent of Gaza’s current population — have now been displaced over the last week in the wake of evacuation orders issued by the Israel Defense Forces.

Decrying legislative and physical attacks against the United Nations agency providing the backbone for the humanitarian response in Gaza, two senior UN officials urged the Security Council today to act in the face of flagrant violation of international humanitarian law in the Strip, as Council members discussed ways to address the catastrophe unfolding there.

In Ethiopia, since 23 July, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs have been on the ground in areas impacted by the landslide. The Organization, along with its partners, are already dispatching assistance, including food, nutrition, health and other critical supplies.

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

Amid the stalemate in Syria’s political situation, speakers urged the Security Council today to maintain their focus on that country, emphasizing that the consequences of neglecting the 14-year conflict could be severe for both the country and the region.

In Afghanistan, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs today said that it, along with its partners, are coordinating with the de facto authorities there on the response to the heavy rainfall and flash flooding that have impacted the east and north-east of the country earlier this week.

Following are UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ remarks, delivered by Chef de Cabinet Courtenay Rattray, to the Security Council open debate on the Middle East, in New York today:

In Haiti, a United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN-Women) report shows that 300,000 displaced women and girls face alarming living conditions.

In Ukraine, attacks today and over the weekend continue to impact civilians in front-line areas. Authorities reported that, on 13 July, an attack on a railway in the Kharkiv region of eastern Ukraine caused nearly 30 civilian casualties, including children.

Following are UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ remarks to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) Pledging Conference, in New York today: