The Lao People’s Democratic Republic has received its first shipment of more than 130,000 doses from the global COVAX Facility — the first batch of a total of 480,000 doses to arrive in the country this year to vaccinate approximately 20 per cent of the population.
The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary‑General António Guterres:
Expressing concern over Turkey’s recently announced plan to open the coastline of Varosha, a city on the eastern edge of Cyprus, the Security Council called today for a reversal of that decision and for the parties to avoid any unilateral action that could raise tensions on the island.
The United Nations and humanitarian partners today released a tri-national action plan seeking $10.4 million to support Government responses over the next year to urgent needs in the border area between Colombia, Peru and Brazil, which currently has the world’s highest COVID-19 mortality rates per 100,000 people.
The High Commissioner for Human Rights expressed deep concern over death threats against Congolese rights defender and Nobel Prize Laureate Denis Mukwege, calling for a swift investigation and action to bring the perpetrators to justice. The threats followed his condemnation of the killing of civilians in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The United Nations is following with concern the latest developments in Guyana, particularly allegations that the tabulation of votes from Region 4 was not done according to proper legal procedures, and takes note of statements of concern issued by international observers and ambassadors accredited to Georgetown.
The number of reported cases worldwide of the coronavirus stands at 95,265, with 3,281 deaths, the head of the World Health Organization (WHO) said today, noting encouraging signs from the Republic of Korea, where the number of newly-reported cases appears to be declining.
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is appealing for calm and an easing of tensions on Turkey’s borders with the European Union, following a recent increase in movements of people. Groups arriving at Turkey’s borders have included Syrians, Afghans, Iranians, Sudanese and other nationalities.
Heavy rain and flooding caused by a recent tropical disturbance have affected more than 100,000 people in Madagascar and resulted in at least 31 deaths. The Government is leading the response with support from the United Nations and humanitarian partners.
The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General António Guterres:
United Nations Secretary‑General António Guterres departed New York very early on Wednesday, 30 October, and arrived in Istanbul that afternoon.
In Somalia, Beletweyne district and other areas have been severely affected by unusually heavy rains and flooding. Humanitarian needs are dire. The World Food Programme is working with the Federal Government and with sister United Nations agencies to coordinate the response and reach the hardest-hit people.
The United High Commissioner for Human Rights today condemned this week’s protests in Venezuela and called for effective investigations into the violence that has led to several deaths and injuries. She urged all sides to conduct immediate talks to defuse the increasingly incendiary atmosphere.
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has reported that refugees fleeing militia violence in the south-east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and arriving in Zambia have crossed the 12,000 mark, with 80 per cent of them women and children, driven out by extreme brutality of rampaging militias.
The World Food Programme in Turkey says more than 850,000 refugees are now receiving cash assistance thanks to the European Union-funded Emergency Social Safety Net, which provides the most vulnerable refugee families with a debit card covering basic needs. It also provides about $35 dollars per family every month.
The Secretary-General welcomed the return of calm in Côte d’Ivoire following the unacceptable acts of violence committed by soldiers of the Forces Armées de Côte d’Ivoire over the past few days. He commends the Government of Côte d’Ivoire for its efforts to address the unrest and restore security.
The Security Council met for its debate on Afghanistan this morning, during which it renewed the mandate for the United Nations Mission there (UNAMA). The Secretary-General’s Special Representative highlighted the challenging security environment in the country, which in 2016 resulted in UNAMA recording the highest number of civilian casualties in a single year.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres departed New York for Istanbul on Thursday, 9 February.
Humanitarian colleagues in Iraq report that more than 133,000 people have been displaced due to ongoing operations in Mosul, which began in October. Some 87 per cent have sought shelter in camps for internally displaced people. To date, available camp space is still keeping pace with the rate of displacement.
The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General António Guterres:
