The Secretary-General spoke today at the Security Council’s debate on conflicts in Europe, saying that such conflicts are not only a tragedy for those directly involved, but they are also reversing development gains and preventing communities and societies from achieving their potential and contributing to regional and global prosperity.
In progress at UNHQ
Noon Briefings
The United Nations Mission in Colombia said yesterday that nearly 7,000 FARC-EP members have arrived in zones where it will verify the laying down of arms. General Javier Pérez Aquino, head of the United Nations Mission’s observers, said the decision to move into the zones despite limited logistics is very positive.
Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, Special Envoy for Yemen, has put out a statement responding to the killing of six women and a girl, as well as the wounding of dozens of people as a result of an alleged air strike that hit a funeral in the Arhab District of Sana’a Governorate on Wednesday afternoon.
David Shearer, Head of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), sounded the alarm over the lack of information about 20,000 internally displaced people on the west bank of the Nile in the country’s north. The Mission believes they fled Wau Shilluk to Kodok, as fighting between Government and opposition forces has expanded and shows no signs of abating.
The United Nations Support Mission in Libya is following with concern the reported formation of parallel military forces under the name “National Guard” and their deployment in Tripoli and surrounding areas. Special Representative Martin Kobler called for a united army under civilian control with a clear chain of command.
Ali Al-Za’atari, the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Syria, urged all parties to grant immediate access to the besieged towns of Zabadani, Foah, Kefraya and Madaya, where 60,000 civilians are trapped by daily violence and deprivation. They have not received aid since 28 November.
Aid organizations are appealing for $1.6 billion to provide life-saving assistance and protection to 5.8 million people across South Sudan in 2017. Humanitarian Coordinator for the strife-torn country, Eugene Owusu, said that the situation has deteriorated dramatically and this year there will be unprecedented needs.
The High Commissioner for Human Rights is extremely worried by reports suggesting the targeting of civilians over the past two weeks amid intense fighting between warring parties in Al Mokha in Taizz Governorate in Yemen. The United Nations Refugee Agency has mobilized assessment teams and begun delivering emergency aid.
The United Nations Operation in Côte d’Ivoire (UNOCI) reports that sporadic arms fire by disgruntled Ivorian Special Forces soldiers seeking bonus payments resumed in Adiaké today after a night of calm. The western town of Olodio and the northern border town of Tengrela are reported calm after unrest yesterday.
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.