excerpt
Colombia
As you know, the Secretary‑General was in Colombia over the weekend. He is now back in New York and we expect him back in the office shortly.
In a press conference concluding his visit yesterday, he expressed his concern regarding the ELN (National Liberation Army) and the violent events of recent days, and the possibility of escalation of clashes, which would dangerously undermine the political process and the situation of communities in the conflict‑affected areas. In this context, he called for a cessation of all armed actions and for a re-initiation of a serious and constructive dialogue, with a view to meeting as soon as possible the parties’ commitment to reaching a settlement of their differences by political means. He instructed his Special Adviser, Jean Arnault, to take all the necessary actions to facilitate the parties’ return to the negotiating table.
While there, he also held an extensive meeting with President Juan Manuel Santos [Calderón] and key members of his Government, during which he reiterated the solidarity and commitment of the UN alongside Colombia in building peace in the country. He also stressed the need for State institutions and public services to be deployed all over Colombia, for the benefit of all the people in the country. On Sunday, he visited an area for training and reintegration for the FARC (People’s Alternative Revolutionary Force) in Mesetas, in the Department of Meta, as well as local communities and a demining project in the area. While in Colombia, he also met with FARC and Catholic Church leaders, civil society representatives and victims of the conflict, as well as with the President of the Truth Commission, Francisco de Roux.
In all these meetings, he said, nobody thought that armed conflict could be a solution to the problems of Colombia: this was a precious indication for the work the United Nations is doing in supporting the building of a Colombia in peace. All those transcripts were shared with you over the weekend.
Afghanistan
Turning to Afghanistan, our humanitarian colleagues tell us that $430 million is needed this year to help 2.8 million people in need. According to the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the money will be used to assist people displaced by conflict or natural disasters with emergency shelter and food, treat patients injured by conflict, feed malnourished children and assist vulnerable families returning home after years in Iran or Pakistan.
And over the weekend, members of the Security Council visited the country. This was the first Council visit to Afghanistan since 2010. Colleagues at the UN Mission on the ground tell us that Council members got a first‑hand account of progress made by the Afghan National Unity Government, with the assistance of the international community, in addressing a wide range of interconnected challenges. They also learned of ways they could further assist the efforts on the ground. More details are available on UNAMA’s (United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan) website.
Syria
Our humanitarian colleagues today tell us they are concerned over the hostilities mainly targeting east Harasta, Misraba, Modira and Duma in the besieged eastern Ghouta area of Syria. This is resulting in civilian deaths and injuries and impacting many of the nearly 400,000 people trapped inside the area. In addition to death and injury, shelling reportedly resulted in restricted movement between towns, the suspension of school exams and limited access to local markets. At the same time, mortar attacks continued to be reported in eastern neighbourhoods in Damascus, causing injuries among civilians and material damages. The UN reminds all parties of their responsibilities to protect civilians and continues to call for safe, unimpeded and sustained access to all people in need, including the millions of people who live in hard‑to‑reach and besieged areas.
Yemen
From Yemen, we can finally report that today a ship carrying four mobile cranes purchased by the World Food Programme (WFP) and funded by the United States Agency for International Development has arrived in Yemen’s Hodeidah Port. This will allow for faster delivery of relief items for Yemeni families in the grips of the world’s biggest hunger crisis. The cranes, which will be operational immediately, are urgently needed to boost the capacity of Hodeidah Port, which handles about 70 per cent of Yemen’s imports, including critically needed food and humanitarian supplies. With each of the mobile cranes able to handle up to 60 tons, they will significantly boost the discharge of humanitarian cargo and relief items. WFP Executive Director David Beasley said that while the cranes will increase the port’s capacity, more work is needed. “To avert even greater catastrophe, WFP needs better access and smooth, timely clearance of shipments.”
Libya
From Libya, we are told that fighting broke out this morning in Tripoli’s Tajoura area. There have been multiple reports of casualties; however, the number of casualties is not confirmed at this stage. Some families are thought to be trapped by the fighting. Humanitarian workers are monitoring the situation. The UN reminds all parties of their obligation under international humanitarian law to take constant care to spare civilians and civilian structures. This includes taking all feasible precautions against the effects of attacks to avoid and minimize incidental civilian harm.
Central African Republic
From the Central African Republic, our humanitarian colleagues there tell us that some 100,000 people are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance in Paoua town, including some 60,000 displaced people and 40,000 inhabitants to the town. OCHA’s head of office led an assessment mission to the area a few days ago along with authorities from the Central African Republic. Health concerns are increasing amid reports that dead bodies have been dumped in wells or are lying around in villages, heightening the risk of contamination. Most of the displaced are women and children, raising specific protection concerns. Several cases of gender‑based violence have been reported. More information available online.
Security Council
For those of you who like facts and were excited about what happened in 2017, I wanted to flag that our colleagues in the Security Council branch of DPA (Department of Political Affairs) have published the 2017 highlights of Security Council practices. It’s now available on the web, as well as in hard copies. As in previous years, it provides an annual overview of Security Council activities, with statistical information on the evolving practices of the Council relating to meetings, agenda, decisions and voting patterns, as well as subsidiary bodies, including sanctions. The 2017 edition contains additional information relating to representatives of members of the Council, briefers and presidential texts. It actually has some cool graphics and things like that. I would encourage you take a look at it.
Migration
Speaking of facts and numbers, the first International Forum on Migration Statistics began today [in Paris]. The Forum is organized jointly by the UN Migration Agency (IOM), the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA), and the Organization for Economic Co‑operation and Development (OECD), and it will gather close to 700 statisticians, researchers, policymakers and representatives from civil society. Participants will discuss how to improve existing data collection to better understand global migration trends, drivers and impacts, and support policy evaluation. More information on the IOM website.
