Noon briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.
Highlights:
– Humanitarian Appeal
– Mali
– Bolivia
– Sustainable Development
– Poverty
– Iraq
– Yemen
– Cabo Verde
– South Sudan
– Sudan
– SD Congo
– Latin America
– Food Security
– Financial Contribution
HUMANITARIAN APPEAL
Later today, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs will release an updated appeal to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. The embargo is until one minute after midnight Central European Time/ 6 p.m. New York time. The pandemic risks triggering the first increase in global poverty since 1990.
The COVID-19 Global Humanitarian Response Plan is the international community’s primary fundraising vehicle to respond to the humanitarian impacts of the virus in low- and middle-income countries. It brings together appeals from the World Health Organization and other UN humanitarian agencies. The plan provides help and protection that prioritizes the most vulnerable. This includes older people, people with disabilities, displaced people, and women and girls, given that pandemics heighten existing levels of discrimination, inequality and gender-based violence. Since the end of March, when the plan was first launched, $1.7 billion has been raised, but much more is urgently needed.
MALI
The UN Mission in Mali reports today that a delegation from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) arrived in Bamako yesterday. The delegation is headed by former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, who has been appointed by ECOWAS to lead mediation efforts in Mali.
They met with President Keita upon arrival and are engaging with all stakeholders to help find a solution to the crisis.
The UN Mission is working closely with the delegation and continues its intensive good offices efforts.
BOLIVIA
The Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy for Bolivia, Jean Arnault, and the UN System in Bolivia issued a statement expressing deep sadness over the death of Monsignor Eugenio Scarpellini, the Bishop of El Alto, who led the dialogue efforts for the consolidation of peace in the country.
“May his legacy be a source of inspiration for peace and reconciliation in Bolivia,” said Mr. Arnault and the Country Team. Our sincere condolences to the Bishop’s family and to the Bolivian Episcopal Conference.
Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date%5Bvalue%5D%5Bdate%5D=16%20July%202020
