Lebanon

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.

The Governments of Brazil and Nigeria launched mass immunization campaigns to protect people against yellow fever.  With support from the World Health Organization (WHO) and partners, an estimated 23.8 million people in Brazil, and 25 million people in Nigeria, are expected to be vaccinated.

The new Permanent Representative of Lebanon to the United Nations, Amal Mudallali, presented her credentials to UN Secretary‑General António Guterres today.

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

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees is again calling urgently upon the Government of Australia to find humane solutions for the refugees and asylum-seekers abandoned on Manus Island, noting that about 800 people have remained in a precarious situation there since the “off-shore processing” facility was closed on 31 October.

The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President Koro Bessho (Japan):

The United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) reported that a patrol hit a suspected improvised explosive device in Kidal city, wounding one peacekeeper on 18 December.  The incident follows four separate attacks against peacekeeping personnel and premises in Kidal on 15 December.

Following are UN Deputy Secretary‑General Amina Mohammed’s remarks at the Ministerial Meeting of the International Support Group for Lebanon, in Paris today: