Myanmar

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

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

The United Nations Human Rights Office confirmed that 33 civilians in Yemen were killed and 25 injured in the 23 August air strike by coalition forces that hit a hotel in Sana’a Governorate, one of several coalition air strikes that day, which resulted in deaths.  Witnesses said there had been no warnings of an attack.

The United Nations High Commissioner on Refugees released a report today showing a decline in the number of refugees and migrants arriving in Europe, but warned that many migrants still risk death, serious abuses or both by continuing to resort to smugglers and trafficking networks.

The World Food Programme in Turkey says more than 850,000 refugees are now receiving cash assistance thanks to the European Union-funded Emergency Social Safety Net, which provides the most vulnerable refugee families with a debit card covering basic needs.  It also provides about $35 dollars per family every month.

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) warned today that funding shortfalls are threatening education for millions of children caught up in conflicts or disasters.  Of the $932 million needed this year for its education programmes in emergency countries, it has so far received recorded voluntary contributions of less than $115 million.

The Secretary-General deeply regrets the adoption of the so-called “Regularisation bill” on 6 February.  This bill will have far-reaching legal consequences for Israel.  The Secretary-General insists on the need to avoid actions that would derail the two-State solution.

The Secretary-General is deeply concerned about the ongoing tensions and intensification of the fighting in eastern Ukraine.  He appeals to all parties to fully observe the ceasefire and allow for immediate humanitarian access.

The Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Iraq briefed the Security Council today noting the progress that had been made by Iraqi forces in Mosul.  He said that in the foreseeable future, the liberation operations in Iraq are coming to an end and the days of Da’esh are numbered.

The Secretary-General, in Addis Ababa for the African Union Summit, expressed profound solidarity, respect and deep sense of gratitude because African countries provide the majority of United Nations peacekeepers, are among the world’s most generous hosts of refugees and include some of the its fastest growing economies.