United Nations published this video item, entitled “Middle East, Occupied Palestinian Territory, Rohingya & other topics – Daily Briefing (18 May 2021)” – below is their description.
Noon briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.
Highlights:
– Development
– Middle East
– Occupied Palestinian Territory
– Security Council
– Libya
– Central African Republic
– Rohingya
– Chile
– Covax
– Verified
– Financial Contribution
– Press Briefing and Press Encounter
MIDDLE EAST
Rosemary DiCarlo, the Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, told a UN forum on the question of Palestine this morning that the recent fighting has now claimed more than two hundred civilian lives, including children. The suffering, damage and destruction are immense, she said.
Under-Secretary-General DiCarlo said the UN has been actively involved in mediation efforts with all sides with a view to ending the violence immediately. She echoed the Secretary-General’s call on the parties to allow for the intensification of mediation efforts, which are also critical for delivering much needed humanitarian aid to the affected people in Gaza. She commended the Member States who have intensified their diplomatic efforts to bring the parties back from the brink.
OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORY
On the humanitarian situation, the opening of the Kerem Shalom crossing today has allowed dozens of fuel trucks from UNRWA to enter Gaza. Regrettably, other essential humanitarian cargo was unable to cross.
It is critical that the Erez crossing is also opened for the entry and exit of critical humanitarian staff.
Humanitarian access into and out of Gaza for staff and goods must be sustained and appropriate measures taken to ensure safe movement within Gaza.
Overnight, the U.N. received extremely worrying reports of additional civilian infrastructure being hit in Gaza, including the central COVID-19 testing lab and other health and humanitarian facilities.
In addition, the U.N. continues to receive reports of significant displacement of Palestinians within the Gaza strip. More than 58,000 men, women and children have been displaced, 47,000 of whom are seeking protection in some 58 UNRWA schools across Gaza.
And, as far as the security situation allows, the UN, along with its partners, provide food and non-food items to displaced families, and immediate cash assistance to more than 56,000 people.
ROHINGYA
The World Food Programme said that five years after the 2017 influx into Bangladesh of Rohingya refugees, food security in Cox’s Bazar remains a top priority.
A Joint Response Plan calls for $943 million to help Rohingya refugees, as well as their host communities, and more than a quarter of those funds will go to fight hunger and malnutrition.
Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date%5Bvalue%5D%5Bdate%5D=18%20May%202021
United Nations YouTube Channel
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