Humanitarian issues

In Ukraine, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reports that intense attacks in the south and east of the country this week have killed and injured dozens of civilians and damaged homes, a hospital and schools.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres today announced the appointment of Tom Fletcher of the United Kingdom as Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.  He succeeds Martin Griffiths of the United Kingdom, to whom the Secretary-General is deeply grateful for his outstanding work, dedicated service and long-standing commitment to the Organization.

Following is UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ message for the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction: “The role of education in protecting and empowering youth for a disaster-free future”, observed on 13 October:

Marking one year since Hamas attacked Israel and killed over 1,250 Israelis and foreign nationals, the Secretary-General urged the global community to condemn “in the loudest voice” Hamas’s acts, demanded the immediate release of all hostages and called for the Red Cross to be allowed to visit the hostages. 

New estimates indicate that nearly 67 million people in Eastern Africa are now in need of humanitarian assistance, accounting for more than 20 per cent of the total number of people in need globally. Humanitarians continue to provide assistance to millions of people.

In Gaza, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reports that Israeli bombardments are continuing from the air, land and sea, which has resulted in civilian casualties, displacement and destruction of civilian infrastructure.

In Haiti, half of the country’s population, 5.4 million people face acute hunger, according to new analysis by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification. Two million are in the grips of emergency levels of hunger and at least 6,000 displaced people face catastrophic levels of food insecurity.

The Secretary-General’s annual report on intimidation and reprisals for cooperation with the UN, was issued today, documenting how human rights defenders, activists, journalists, victims and witnesses, among others, continue to experience reprisals for actual or perceived cooperation with the United Nations.

Following are UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ remarks at the high-level ministerial meeting in support of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), in New York today:

The Special Coordinator for Lebanon is in Israel where she is meeting with Israeli authorities to discuss the latest situation and the Head of the UN Peacekeeping Mission is in contact with both Lebanese and Israeli parties, stressing the urgent need for de-escalation. Efforts are ongoing to reduce tensions and halt shelling.