Lesotho

Following are UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed’s remarks, as prepared for delivery, at the bicentenary of the founding of the Basotho Nation, in Lesotho, today:

The UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon, Imran Riza, today announced an additional $2 million from the Lebanon Humanitarian Fund to address the deteriorating situation in that country, bringing the total allocation to $12 million so far.

Flooding continues to worsen across Chad, with nearly 1.5 million people now impacted. Chadian authorities, UN agencies and partners are providing urgent aid, and the UN Acting Emergency Relief Coordinator has increased the allocation of the Central Emergency Response Fund to support the response from $5 to $8 million.

The new Permanent Representative of Lesotho to the United Nations, Matete Nena, presented his credentials to UN Secretary-General António Guterres today.

Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Tor Wennesland said he is appalled by the terror attack in central Israel on Thursday, which killed 3 Israelis and injured several others. Such attacks hinder prospects for a peaceful future for Palestinians and Israelis and must be condemned.

On 1 January, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres appointed Amanda Khozi Mukwashi of Zambia as the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Lesotho, with the host Government’s approval.

World Braille Day, on 4 January, aims to raise awareness of the importance of Braille as a means of communication in the full realization of the human rights for blind and partially sighted people.  COVID-19 has revealed how critically important it is to produce essential information in accessible formats.

United Nations personnel in the Central African Republic say they have stepped up security patrols following the arrest of former Séléka commander Mahamat Said Abdel Kani.  Mr. Kani, who is suspected of war crimes and crimes against humanity, was surrendered to the International Criminal Court on 24 January.

In Bangladesh, the United Nations and partners have bolstered the response to COVID-19 in Rohingya refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar following the first confirmed case there, amid serious concerns that the virus could severely impact the densely populated settlements, which shelter some 860,000 refugees.

The International Labour Organization (ILO) warned today that devastating gaps in social protection coverage in developing countries could compromise COVID-19 recovery plans and expose millions to poverty, as 55 per cent of the world’s population is not covered by social insurance or assistance.