United Nations published this video item, entitled “Ethiopia, Syria, Prespa Forum & other topics- Daily Briefing (01 July 2021)” – below is their description.
Noon briefing by Eri Kaneko, Associate Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.
Highlights:
– Secretary-General
– Ethiopia
– Syria
– Myanmar
– Bosnia and Herzegovina
– Prespa Forum
– COVID-19/Honduras
– COVID-19/Poverty
– Financial Contribution
– Hybrid Briefing
ETHIOPIA
The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs says that the situation in Tigray remains volatile and unpredictable. Major towns, including Mekelle, Adigrat, Adwa, Axum and Shire, remain calm, but there are unconfirmed reports of clashes in the Southern and North-Western Zones.
Electricity and telecommunications are still cut off throughout the region. There are no flights or road transportation in or out of the region.
Despite this, humanitarian partners continue to operate, in line with humanitarian principles. For example, yesterday, the UN Migration Agency delivered fuel to operate water pumps, as well as firewood for cooking in a few displacement sites in the Mekelle area, benefiting several thousand people. Partners are continuing to bring water into Shire and displacement sites in Mekelle. An international NGO partner continues to provide medical services in Samre town, in the South-Eastern Zone.
The UN, along with partners, is assessing access along main roads to several areas to resume aid delivery. Our colleagues say it is urgent to get additional staff and supplies into Tigray, to restore electricity and telecommunications, and ensure that cash and fuel are available throughout the region for the continuity of humanitarian operations.
SYRIA
The UN is concerned about reports of another disruption of the water supply in Syria – from Alouk water station to Al-Haskakeh – which shut down on June 23rd. This is the 24th such disruption recorded by our humanitarian colleagues since November 2019. This latest disruption follows months of reduced functionality.
Up to one million people in the region are affected when Alouk ceases to operate, including 460,000 people who rely on Alouk as a direct water source and an additional 500,000 people served by water trucking supplied by the station sources, including people in Al Hol and other camps and settlements. Other critical infrastructure, including at least 30 health facilities in Al-Hasakeh, rely on Alouk for water.
UN agencies and humanitarian partners are trucking in emergency water supplies and installing reverse osmosis pumps in Al-Hasakeh city to address the most pressing needs, but significant gaps remain.
COVID-19 cases continue to rise in Syria, and with limited access to vaccines, access to adequate clean water and sanitation remains a vital first line of defence for communities to further stem transmission of the pandemic, and to also ward off other health risks, such as outbreaks of waterborne and water-related diseases.
With no other current viable solution to Alouk, it is imperative that the station resumes its water supply to the area.
We urge the parties to ensure the safe and rapid access of technical teams to Alouk and its related infrastructure. We call on all parties to find a sustainable solution to ensure the continued operation of the water station.
PRESPA FORUM
Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs, Miroslav Jenca, delivered a message on behalf of the Secretary-General today to the First Prespa Forum Dialogue underway in the Republic of North Macedonia.
The Secretary-General applauded the people and government of North Macedonia for creating this Forum, with the aim of building bridges across the region.
He recalled how, three years ago, Skopje and Athens signed an agreement, showing that intractable issues can be solved when there is political will.
Leadership by example can pave the way for goodwill gestures that build mutual understanding and trust – the most essential elements to resolve differences.
Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight
United Nations YouTube Channel
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