Ukraine

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi expressed deep concern today over the increasing violence and serious human rights violations against refugees and migrants at European borders.  He noted that many European States have failed to investigate, despite mounting and credible evidence.

In an emergency meeting late tonight, the United Nations political affairs chief declared that the Russian Federation’s decree to recognize the independence of certain areas of Ukraine’s Donetsk and Luhansk regions constitutes a violation of the latter’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.

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

The last United Nations staff member detained by the Ethiopian authorities has been released.  However, humanitarian challenges in the country remain, with thousands of Eritrean refugees in need of emergency aid after they fled fighting in the Afar region.  UNHCR remains extremely worried about their safety and well-being.

Against the backdrop of evolving events in eastern Ukraine — including reported violations of the ceasefire agreement in the last 24 hours — it has become clear that the situation is perilous, and diplomacy must urgently prevail, the top United Nations political official told the Security Council this morning.

Wildfires are burning more severely and more often, and urban noise pollution is growing into a global public health menace, according to a new report released today by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).  The report identifies and offers solutions to those and other environmental issues.

Today is the one-month anniversary of the volcano and tsunami in Tonga.  Sanaka Samarasinha, United Nations Resident Coordinator, reiterated the Organization’s solidarity with the people of Tonga, where approximately 85 per cent of the population was impacted and more than 2,500 people have been internally displaced.

In Sudan, the first stage of the United Nations-facilitated consultations for a political process on the way forward has concluded.  The talks began on 8 January and brought together a range of groups, including civil society, women’s rights groups, political parties, academics, journalists and others.

Following are UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ remarks on Uraine at the press stakeout, today:

In tsunami-hit Tonga, the United Nations continues to support the recovery, providing satellite phones for Government staff to communicate while the underground communications cable undergoes repairs.  On Tongatapu, the main island, 90 per cent of power has been restored and aid distribution continues.