Kenya

Peacekeepers are now patrolling the Central African Republic city of Alindao to protect civilians displaced by violence, including some 400 people who have sought shelter at the United Nations base after deadly clashes last week between the country’s armed forces and an armed group associated with the ex-Seleka coalition.

The Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations concluded a visit to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, following last week’s deadly violence, where he met with the Prime Minister, authorities and other stakeholders while urging the national security forces to do more to protect civilians.

The Food and Agriculture Organization launched a $7.1 million project supported by the Global Environment Facility to make forest data more accessible, transparent and available.  The project aims to help developing countries to meet the Paris Climate Agreement's enhanced transparency requirements, and will benefit 26 targeted countries.

A record 45 million people across southern Africa will be severely food insecure in the next six months, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization, International Fund for Agricultural Development and the World Food Programme, who are calling for funding to prevent a major hunger crisis.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres left Japan for the Democratic Republic of the Congo early on Friday, 30 August.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres departed New York for Kenya on Monday, 8 July.

Today is the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, and the 2019 theme is “Let’s Grow the Future Together”.  In his message, the Secretary-General stressed that protecting and restoring land can reduce forced migration, improve food security, spur economic growth and help address the global climate emergency.

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General António Guterres:

UNICEF is launching a global campaign to emphasize the power and safety of vaccines, primarily aimed at parents, the agency announced today.  Launching next Wednesday, the campaign will coincide with the start of World Immunization Week.  The campaign will be conducted on social media with the hashtag #VaccinesWork.

The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President José Singer Weisinger (Dominican Republic):