United Nations published this video item, entitled “Secretary-General/Ukraine Statement, West Africa & other topics – Daily Press Briefing (3 May 2022)” – below is their description.
Noon briefing by Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesperson for the Secretary-General. Virtual guest: Humanitarian Coordinator in Ukraine, Osnat Lubrani.
Highlights:
• Secretary-General/Ukraine Statement
• Secretary-General/West Africa
• South Sudan
• Haiti
• Forests
• Oceans
• World Press Freedom Day
• Myanmar
• Hybrid Briefing Today
• Noon Briefing Guests Tomorrow
• Financial Contribution
SECRETARY-GENERAL/UKRAINE STATEMENT
In a statement, the Secretary-General said:
“I am pleased that more than 100 civilians have successfully been evacuated from the Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol, in an operation successfully coordinated by the United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross.
I hope the continued coordination with Kyiv and Moscow will lead to more humanitarian pauses that will allow civilians safe passage away from the fighting and aid to reach people where the needs are greatest.”
SECRETARY-GENERAL/WEST AFRICA
On the Secretary-General’s travels in West Africa, he is now in Nigeria, where he is currently carrying out a field visit in the country’s northeast.
This morning, in Niger, he travelled to Ouallam, a town located in the so-called tri-border area that is hosting men, women and children displaced by insecurity, as well as refugees from neighbouring countries.
Speaking to the press, the Secretary-General stressed that the international community must support Niger, which is a democratic country that has a clear vision of its future. But Niger’s army, he noted, is not sufficiently equipped against terrorist groups.
The Secretary-General emphasized that Niger’s army needs investment and that the country needs to be the wall that terrorists are unable to cross, given the recent coups in the region.
Yesterday, in a stakeout with President Mohamed Bazoum, Mr. Guterres called for an urgent and coordinated international mobilization to address, not only the security situation, but also the root causes of the Sahel crisis – poverty, exclusion, impunity, food insecurity, climate change – that are aggravating intercommunal tensions and fueling violent extremism.
Later in the day, former President Mahamadou Issoufou agreed to chair a joint strategic assessment of security and development challenges in the Sahel region. This assessment, undertaken on behalf of the UN, the African Union, the Economic Community of West African States and the G5 Sahel, will present proposals on how to strengthen the overall international response to the crisis in the Sahel.
SOUTH SUDAN
From South Sudan, our humanitarian colleagues tell us that the recent surge in fighting between armed groups in Leer County, in Unity State, has led to dozens of people being killed or injured, multiple women and girls being raped and abducted; and has left homes burned and looted.
The clashes occurred as aid workers were preparing for the upcoming rainy season and potential flooding.
Some 40,000 people have been forcibly displaced from their homes, and they need food, shelter, medicines and water, among other assistance.
Aid agencies are providing healthcare and nutrition treatment through mobile clinics, as well as protection services, including from gender-based violence. They are also providing legal advice and counselling to the displaced people.
Some 6.8 million people in South Sudan need assistance and protection this year, but the $1.7 billion Humanitarian Response Plan is just 8 per cent funded.
HAITI
Turning to Haiti, our humanitarian colleagues tell us that clashes have resumed today between gangs in the capital, Port-au-Prince, forcing hundreds of people to flee their homes. Clashes took place in the neighbourhoods of the commune of Croix-des-Bouquets, Cité Soleil, Bas Delmas and Martissant.
According to our humanitarian colleagues, violence in the commune of Croix-des-Bouquets has displaced more than 1,200 people. At least 26 civilians have been killed and 22 injured, although these figures are probably higher. Dozens of houses have been burned. Schools, medical centres and markets had to close, and a hospital in Marin was looted.
Displaced people need access to clean water, food, sanitation kits, children’s kits, kitchen kits, mattresses, blankets and clothing. The UN is ready to provide hot meals and additional assistance in coordination with national authorities.
With the support of the UN and humanitarian partners, the Mayor’s Office of Tabarre and the Civil Protection Agency have started to distribute hot meals and food, as well as essential items, while working on a plan to relocate families housed in spontaneous sites.
Full highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date%5Bvalue%5D%5Bdate%5D=03%20May%202022
United Nations YouTube Channel
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