Mali

In the Occupied Palestinian Territory, an elementary school was demolished days before the start of the new school year. It served pupils from the few Palestinian families remaining in the herding community of Ein Samiya, following the displacement of most amid settler violence and diminishing grazing land.

According to the World Food Programme, some 7.3 million food-insecure people could see their situation worsen due to the unfolding crisis in Niger. Humanitarian exemptions to sanctions and border closures are required to avert a rapid deterioration of the food security and malnutrition situation.

In Ukraine, the United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator there condemned a new wave of attacks over the weekend, which once again damaged houses, hospitals and schools and killed and injured dozens of people, including children.

In Nigeria, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is amplifying its efforts to counter a growing outbreak of diphtheria that has affected children in 27 states. As of last month, 3,850 suspected cases were reported with 1,387 confirmed as diphtheria.

In Sudan, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs warns that hunger and displacement due to the ongoing war are spiraling out of control. More than 6 million people in the country — about 13 per cent of the population — are now one step away from famine.

The Support Mission in Libya, noting the approval of a road map and the announcement of nominations for a new Government by the House of Representatives, stressed that the political process is at a critical stage. Abdoulaye Bathily, Head of the Mission is intensifying his engagement with various stakeholders.

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

The Security Council decided today to terminate the mandate of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) as of 30 June 2023, ceasing its operations, transferring its tasks and withdrawing its personnel by 31 December 2023.

In Greece, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the International Organization for Migration are calling for urgent and decisive action to prevent further deaths at sea following the latest tragedy in the Mediterranean, the worst in several years.

Amid a worrying security situation, especially endless violence against civilians unleashed by Da’esh in the north-east of Mali, the renewal of MINUSMA’s mandate ‑ which expires on 30 June — is essential for the region’s stability, the Organization’s senior official in that country told the Security Council today, as he highlighted the significance of the coming referendum for advancing the political transition.