Source: United Nations (video statements)
Noon briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.
Highlights:
– Colombia
– Deputy Secretary-General
– UNMISS
– Central African Republic
– Occupied Palestinian Territory
– International Day of Remembrance of and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism
– International Days
COLOMBIA
A response appeal led by the Resident Coordinator Maria-Jose Torres Macho and UN partner was launched following the deadly earthquake that struck Colombia earlier this month.
The authorities say 319 people have been killed, with more than 280,000 people impacted overall. The earthquake destroyed over 31,000 homes and damaged thousands of educational facilities, community centres and health facilities.
The appeal, which complements the Government-led response and was coordinated by the Humanitarian Country Team in Colombia, seeks $148 million to support 671,000 of the most vulnerable with health, shelter, food, nutrition, education, protection, and water, sanitation and hygiene support.
UN partners have already reached over 34,000 people with assistance in 18 municipalities.
Even before the earthquake, hundreds of thousands of families were in need of humanitarian support due to the impact of armed conflict and limited access to basic services, livelihoods and infrastructure. Today’s plan adds to the UN’s existing $472 million humanitarian appeal for Colombia this year, which puts the total at nearly $620 million.
So far, donors have mobilized $35 million for the earthquake response, and Tom Fletcher, the UN Emergency Relief Coordinator, has allocated $5 million from the Central Emergency Response Fund for that effort. But additional support is urgently needed, as the combined appeal is less than half funded.
DEPUTY SECRETARY-GENERAL/TRAVELS
UN Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed, is in China in Xi’an today, where she participated in the third regional convening on Artificial Intelligence and Human Development, building on the previous regional gatherings in Cairo and Mexico City. Together with experts and thought leaders, she discussed the implications of artificial intelligence on societies, economies, and communities, and how to shape the global conversation on artificial intelligence and human development.
Tomorrow, she will travel to Beijing, where she is expected to meet with Cai Wei, the Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China, as well as members of the UN country team. She will then go on to Mongolia on Sunday, to participate in the 17th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).
Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date=2026-08-21