United Nations published this video item, entitled “Syria/Iraq Returnees, Afghanistan, COVID-19 & other topics – Daily Press Briefing (29 Sep 2021)” – below is their description.
Noon briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.
Highlights:
– Middle East
– Syria/Iraq returnees
– Afghanistan
– Ethiopia
– Nansen Award
– COVID-19/Samoa
– Central African Republic
– International Day of Awareness on Food Loss and Waste Reduction
– Guest today
– Guest tomorrow.
MIDDLE EAST
Tor Wennesland, the Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, briefed the Security Council a short while ago, and said that he was deeply troubled by the continued loss of life and serious injuries in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
He added that he is deeply concerned by the continued settler-related violence in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem. And the Special Coordinator said the launching of indiscriminate rockets and incendiary devices towards Israeli population centres violates international law and must stop.
He told Council members that Gaza requires political solutions that will see a focus on working towards advancing intra-Palestinian unity, lifting the debilitating closures in Gaza, and, ultimately, returning to a peace process that will end the occupation and create a viable two-State solution.
SYRIA/IRAQ RETURNEES
The Secretary-General spoke in a video message this morning at the virtual launch of the Global Framework on UN Support on Syria/Iraq Third Country National Returnees. He drew attention to the plight of tens of thousands of returnees – including people living in crowded camps or denied basic services.
This situation cannot go on, he said. The framework being launched today provides integrated technical and financial support to address the urgent human rights and humanitarian needs of returnees from Iraq and Syria, he added.
He urged donors to support this vital and timely effort by contributing generously to the Framework’s Multi-Partner-Trust-Fund.
AFGHANISTAN
The World Health Organization today warned of a deteriorating health situation in the country. Access to healthcare is decreasing. There are more cases of measles and diarrhoea, and less response to the pandemic. There is also a resurgence of Polio.
According to WHO, only 17 per cent of the over 2,300 health facilities previously supported by the World Bank are fully functional. Two-thirds of these health facilities have run out of essential medicines. WHO is working with donors to sustain these health facilities to prevent a surge in deaths.
Also, today, several humanitarian partners working in Afghanistan reiterated their commitment to continue working together to support Afghanistan’s health system.
Yesterday the World Food Programme and UNICEF said they will scale up their work in the country, with up to 100 new mobile health and nutrition teams.
For its part, the UN Population Fund said that midwives throughout Afghanistan are continuing to operate, bringing critical life-saving care to women and girls in need. UNFPA’s midwifery helpline has been providing uninterrupted remote support to midwives facing complicated deliveries, dangerous pregnancies and other critical concerns.
The Flash Appeal seeks $606 million to help 11 million people in the remaining months of this year. The Appeal is only 22 per cent funded, which according to OCHA’s calculation is $135 million.
The UN is asking donors to fast-track funding to prevent avoidable deaths, prevent displacement and reduce suffering. We are also asking our donors to ensure that funding is flexible enough to adapt to the fast-changing conditions on the ground.
Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date%5Bvalue%5D%5Bdate%5D=29%20September%202021
United Nations YouTube Channel
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