United Nations published this video item, entitled “Gaza, Philippines, Sudan & other topics – Daily Press Briefing (4 Dec 2023) | United Nations” – below is their description.
Noon briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.
Highlights:
– COP 28
– Gaza
– Lebanon
– UN Women
– Sudan/Humanitarian
– Sudan
– Philippines
– Iraq
– Honduras
– Nuclear Weapons
– 2023 UN Peacekeeping Ministerial
– DESA
– Genocide
– Anti-Corruption Conference
– Day of Banks
GAZA
The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) warns that the current situation does not allow them to address people’s needs in Gaza.
Limited aid distributions, primarily of flour and water, took place yesterday in the Rafah governorate in Gaza. In the adjacent Khan Younis governorate, aid distribution largely stopped due to the intensity of hostilities.
Gaza’s Middle Area was largely disconnected from the south, following Israeli forces’ prevention of movement, including of humanitarian supplies.
Meanwhile, grave concerns about waterborne diseases due to water consumption from unsafe sources persist, particularly in the north, where the water desalination plant and the pipeline from Israel was shut down.
There has been almost no improvement in the access of residents in the north to water for drinking and domestic purposes for weeks.
And the World Food Programme warns that, eight weeks into the war, there is a big risk of famine for all of Gaza’s people, especially for those with chronic diseases, older persons, children and people living with disabilities.
PHILIPPINES
In the Philippines, which was struck by a 7.4-magnitude earthquake over the weekend in the south of the country. the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs notes that more than 700 aftershocks have been recorded, which could further weaken already damaged structures.
The Government is leading response efforts, at both the provincial and municipal levels. Government agencies, the UN and our partners are conducting rapid assessments in impacted areas.
According to national authorities, more than 340,000 people have been impacted. Initial reports indicate that roads and hospitals have been damaged.
SUDAN/HUMANITARIAN
The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and UN partners continue to scale up the response to the outbreak of cholera in the country, including by supporting the detection and treatment of cases and addressing water, sanitation and hygiene issues.
OCHA warns that the cholera outbreak in the country continues to worsen – with a 70 per cent surge in reported cases over the past three weeks.
To date, nearly 2.2 million oral cholera vaccines have been administered in the worst-affected states.
As of today, nearly 5,200 suspected cases of cholera, including more than 160 deaths, have been reported in nine states in Sudan since September 26th. That’s according to Sudan’s Federal Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization.
About two-thirds of Sudan’s population lacks access to health care, and more than 70 per cent of health facilities in conflict areas are out of service. Since the start of the war in April, WHO has verified 60 attacks on health care in Sudan.
SUDAN
In a statement issued on Friday night, the Secretary-General took note of the Security Council’s decision to terminate the mandate of the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS) as of yesterday (3 December).
The Secretary-General reiterated his deep appreciation to all UNITAMS personnel for their service to the people of the Sudan, and for their resilience, including in the aftermath of the outbreak of conflict earlier this year.
The Secretary-General recently appointed a Personal Envoy for the Sudan, Ramtane Lamamra, who will support ongoing peace efforts, in close coordination and cooperation with the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD).
Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date%5Bvalue%5D%5Bdate%5D=04%20December%202023
United Nations YouTube Channel
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