HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NOON BRIEFING BY STEPHANE DUJARRIC
SPOKESPERSON FOR SECRETARY-GENERAL ANTÓNIO GUTERRES
WEDNESDAY, 20 NOVEMBER 2024
Secretary-General/COP 29
The Secretary-General is on his way back to COP29 in Baku. Tomorrow, he is expected to speak to journalists at 2:30 p.m. local time. It can be followed live on the UNFCCC livestream.
He will also be meeting with various negotiating groups and ministers in a push for countries to reach a climate deal in the next few days.
Lebanon/Israel
The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) remain concerned about ongoing hostilities between Hezbollah and the Israel Defense Forces.
UNIFIL peacekeepers report continued clashes, exchanges of fire and airstrikes. The impact on civilians remains of grave concern and the UN condemns all loss of civilian lives.
Parties to the conflict must adhere to international law and protect civilians and civilian infrastructure. We continue to support efforts towards a ceasefire and a diplomatic solution.
Yesterday, the Security Council held closed consultations on the implementation of Security Council resolution 1701 and the escalation of hostilities across the Blue Line.
They received briefings by the Under-Secretary-General for AV Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, and the Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert.
The report of the Secretary-General on implementation of Resolution 1701 is scheduled to be issued on 27 November.
Lebanon/Humanitarian
The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs says that nearly two months into the wide-scale escalation of the conflict, the human toll continues to mount, with 3,000 lives lost and more than 770,000 people displaced in this short period alone.
During the same period, UNICEF reports that more than 200 children have been killed, representing on average three children dying each day.
The health sector is also heavily impacted, with 190 health workers killed in less than two months. Some 50 primary health-care centres and eight hospitals have also been forced to close, leaving countless people without access to essential services when they need them the most.
The United Nations reminds once again that under international humanitarian law, medical personnel and facilities must be respected and protected.
Despite the increasingly challenging environment, the UN and its partners continue to deliver critical assistance to those in need.
Since 23 September, 65 humanitarian convoys have transported critical aid to people in conflict-affected regions of Lebanon.
In addition to food, tents, solar lamps, mattresses and medical supplies, humanitarian partners have provided more than 1.6 million litres of bottled water and over 42 million litres of water through trucking. We have also delivered around 600,000 litres of fuel to support water pumping operations at key establishments.
Furthermore, UNICEF reports significant efforts to support the reopening of public schools, providing individual learning materials to more than 135,000 children.
Occupied Palestinian Territory
Turning to the situation in Gaza, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs warns that the bakeries serving as lifelines for hundreds of thousands of hungry or starving Palestinians in the Strip are on the verge of shutting down – if they haven’t already – due to lack of flour and fuel.
This comes at a time when parts of northern Gaza are at imminent risk of famine. And in central and southern parts of the Strip, partners are reporting a stark increase in the number of households experiencing severe hunger.
The World Food Programme say that as of today, only seven out of the 19 bakeries supported by humanitarian partners in Gaza are still operating – that’s two in Deir al Balah, one in Khan Younis, and four in Gaza City.
Meanwhile, seven UN-supported bakeries in Rafah and North Gaza governorate remain closed due to ongoing hostilities. The three bakeries in Deir al Balah and Khan Younis that are still running are being supported by our partners. They are still working at full capacity at the moment to meet the extremely high demand but have only enough flour to stay operational through the end of the week.Several other bakeries in these areas were forced to cease operations earlier this week due to lack of flour.
The four bakeries we mentioned in Gaza City have been forced to reduce their capacity by 50 per cent since yesterday afternoon due to dwindling fuel supplies. These shortages stem from delays in fuel deliveries due to the ongoing safety and security challenges related to accessing supplies entering Gaza via the Kerem Shalom crossing.
OCHA warns once again that armed looting – fueled by the breakdown in public order and safety in Gaza – has become increasingly organized. This is also endangering aid workers, making it almost impossible for humanitarian organizations to do their jobs.
OCHA says that, as of Monday, the Israeli authorities have facilitated just over 40 per cent of nearly 320 planned humanitarian movements across the Strip this month. The rest were either denied, impeded, or canceled due to security and logistical challenges.
Security Council
The Security Council failed to adopt a resolution concerning a ceasefire in Gaza this morning.
Immediately following the vote, there was a private meeting on Myanmar. Special Envoy Julie Bishop and the Special Envoy of the ASEAN Chair on Myanmar, Alounkeo Kittikhoun, briefed Council members.
Haiti
Yesterday afternoon, you will have seen that we issued a statement in which the Secretary-General said he is alarmed by the escalating violence in Haiti, where armed gangs are reported to be gaining ground in the capital.
He also said that he strongly supports efforts by the Haitian National Police, with the backing of the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission to address the mounting violence.
The Secretary-General reiterated his pressing call to ensure that the MSS mission receives the financial and logistical support it needs to successfully implement its mandate. He also emphasizes the importance of urgent progress in the political transition.
And this afternoon, the Security Council is scheduled to meet on Haiti.Miroslav Jenca, the Assistant Secretary-General for Europe, Central Asia and the Americas at the Department of Political and AVbuilding Affairs, is expected to brief on our behalf.
International Days
Today is World Children’s Day. In a message, the Secretary-General says that on this Day - and every day – let’s protect and support children as they meaningfully contribute to making our world a better, brighter, more peaceful place for all people.
Also, today we mark the 35th Anniversary of Africa Industrialization Day. In his message, the Secretary-General underscores that on this Day we celebrate the inspiring progress and economic growth the continent has achieved over the past decades.
Democratic Republic of the Congo
A short film produced by the UN titled “The Epic Trial of Congo's Most Notorious Warlord” has been recognized by the Anthem Awards, which is a social impact award.
The film has won in two categories - for its impact on human & civil rights, as well as diversity, equity and inclusion.
The 13-minute film dives into the harrowing story of Ntabo Ntaberi Sheka, a notorious warlord who brought terror to Eastern Congo, and the efforts by UN partners - including the peacekeeping mission MONUSCO - and the Congolese authorities, to bring justice to his victims.
It was produced by the Department of Global Communications and the Department of AV Operations, with funding from the Norwegian Government.
Financial Contribution
Iran paid its dues in full for the budget, taking us to 146 fully paid-up Member States.
Guest
Noon briefing guest is Ulrika Richardson, the Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Haiti.
