Lebanon

Heavy rains marking the start of the monsoon season in Bangladesh have impacted nearly 2,500 families in the Rohingya refugee settlements in the Cox’s Bazar district, according to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, which is continuing aid distribution and prepositioning more supplies.

The Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo declared a new outbreak of Ebola in Bikoro in Equateur Province yesterday after lab results confirmed two cases of the deadly virus.  The World Health Organization is working closely with the Government to rapidly scale up its operations and mobilize health partners.

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

A new report by the United Nations Environment Programme found that solar energy dominated global investment like never before in 2017.  Investment in solar power grew by 18 per cent to $160.8 billion, surpassing new investments in coal and gas.

The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President Karel Jan Gustaaf van Oosterom (Netherlands):

The situation in the Central African Republic was deteriorating, with violence spreading fast and record numbers of people displaced, the Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs told Member States after a recent visit, emphasizing that existing urgent and critical needs were deepening.

Following are UN Secretary‑General António Guterres’ remarks at the ministerial meeting of the International Support Group for Lebanon, in Rome today:

The Secretary-General told the Security Council today that, despite passing resolution 2401 (2018), there had been no cessation of hostilities in Syria.  Violence continued in eastern Ghouta and beyond, and humanitarian aid continued to face blockages, with the humanitarian and human rights situation becoming more desperate by the day.

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and humanitarian colleagues express concern about persistent forced displacement of indigenous people and farming communities in rural Colombia. Since 19 January, violence in Caceres has displaced at least 822 people; in Bajo Cauco murders have increased.

The Food and Agriculture Organization launched a $1.06 billion appeal to help vulnerable communities in 26 countries fight hunger, seeking to reach 30 million people who rely on agriculture and have been affected by climate-related shocks, notably in Bangladesh, Somalia and Yemen.