United Nations published this video item, entitled “Afghanistan, Int’l Day of African Descent & other topics – Daily Press Briefing (31 Aug 2021)” – below is their description.
Noon briefing by Stephane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.
Highlights:
– Afghanistan
– Afghanistan/Children
– International Day of African Descent
– Guest Tomorrow
AFGHANISTAN
Humanitarians in Afghanistan say that, today, while the armies have left, the UN is committed to staying in the country. Operations to supply medical and humanitarian goods, as well as to support in other materials are continuing, but more resources are needed.
The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs says that humanitarian aid to 8 million people was delivered since the start of the year.
The current funding appeal for OCHA of $1.3 billion is only 39 per cent funded up to now. New appeals may be coming up.
AFGHANISTAN/CHILDREN
In a joint statement, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, Virginia Gamba and the Special Representative on Violence against Children, Najat Maalla M’jid, today called on the Taliban and other parties in Afghanistan to respect the dignity and human rights of all Afghans, including boys and girls. They noted that at least 45% of the Afghan population is below the age of 15, and that the international community must not abandon the children of that country.
The two UN Officials strongly condemn the horrific and deadly attack against Kabul airport in which children have reportedly been killed and maimed. They are particularly concerned about the rights of girls, including sexual and gender-based violence as well as their right to education.
Ms. Gamba and Ms. Maalla M’jid said that the children of Afghanistan have suffered enough. They stressed that protecting the rights of all Afghans, including the rights of children is the only sustainable solution to peace.
INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR PEOPLE OF AFRICAN DESCENT
Today is the first International Day of People of African Descent.
In his message, the Secretary-General said that this day is a celebration of the enormous contributions of people of African descent to every field of human endeavour.
He added it is also a long overdue recognition of the profound injustices and systematic discrimination that people of African descent have endured for centuries, and continue to confront today.
Twenty years after the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, the Secretary-General said we are experiencing unprecedented momentum towards ending the global scourge of racism. We must not squander this opportunity.
This international day is an urgent call for action for everyone, everywhere, to commit to rooting out the evil of racism.
GUEST TOMORROW
Tomorrow, the UN’s Deputy Special Representative for Afghanistan and Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Afghanistan, Ramiz Alakbarov will be the guest at the noon briefing. He will brief reporters from Kabul, on the current situation in the country.
And at 2:00 p.m., there will be a briefing in this room by Amb. Geraldine Byrne Nason, the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Ireland, who will lead the Security Council during the month of September.
Full Highlights:
United Nations YouTube Channel
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