Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: United Nations (video statements)

A UN Mine Action Service (UNMAS) spokesperson said, “There are many crises in the world today that are taking up attention and resources, but neglecting countries on the path to peace will result in them sliding back to war.”

Rob Syfret, Chief of the UN Mine Action Programme in Ethiopia, and Mohammad Sediq Rashid (joining virtually from Khartoum), Chief of the UN Mine Action Programme in Sudan, addressed the press in New York.

Syfret said, “Ethiopia at the moment, risks becoming the forgotten post conflict. There are many crises in the world today that are taking up attention and resources, but neglecting countries on the path to peace will result in them sliding back to war.”

He continued, “The fighting left areas of the country littered with explosive remnants of war that continue to kill and maim civilians four years after the Pretoria agreement ended the conflict. The resources that required to solve the problem are ebbing away and being directed to more high-profile current events as the crisis caravan moves on to follow the headlines.”

He stressed, “Ethiopia is the largest country in the Horn of Africa, and if it falls into conflict again there will be a vast region of instability stretching from the Red Sea to the borders of Egypt, Libya, Chad, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda and Kenya. Some resources need to be focused on trying to prevent this. And what better way than by removing and destroying explosive remnants of war so they cannot be converted into IEDs, so they cannot be repaired and put back into service as weapons of war?”

He added, “Humanitarian mine action has proved that there is the capability to solve this problem if the funds to employ people to do the work are available. In areas contaminated with explosive ordnance, it is foundational to almost every single one of the Sustainable Development Goals to clear it. Yet, time and again, it becomes the forgotten problem, a specialist issue that is easier to ignore than to understand.”

He concluded, “My counterparts in the Ethiopian mine action office are doing a fine job but continue to need our support.”

Mohammad Sediq Rashid, Chief of the UN Mine Action Programme in Sudan, said that the scale and nature of contamination in the country is alarming, “because this war is fought in the cities.”

He added, “As families begin to return, they are doing so into a highly dangerous environment, often without awareness of the risks.”

He also said, “The conflict is ongoing, and in many areas, intensifying. The continued use of heavy weapons, including unmanned aerial systems. This means contamination is increasing day by day.”

He said, “We estimate that around 14 million people are at risk from explosive hazards. This includes civilians, returnees and humanitarian workers.”

He concluded, “Sudan was already dealing with legacy contamination from decades of conflict. The current war is adding a new and complex layer of contamination across densely populated areas. On our response, the mine action program has been severely impacted by the conflict, including the loss of critical equipment. It had one stage last year, the program faced the risk of shutting down due to funding constraints, while the response is now gradually regaining momentum, it remains far below what is required.”

Established in 1997, the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) leads, coordinates, and implements projects and programmes to mitigate the threat posed by explosive ordnance.

In recent years, UNMAS has supported and continues to provide assistance in Abyei, Afghanistan, Burkina Faso, the Central African Republic, Colombia, Cyprus, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Iraq, Lebanon, Libya, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, the State of Palestine, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, the Territory of Western Sahara and Yemen.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZsoO6lOe5c

Source: United Nations (video statements)

Noon Briefing by Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.

Highlights:

– Secretary-General Travels
– Afghanistan-Pakistan
– Afghanistan/Humanitarian
– UNIFIL
– Lebanon
– Occupied Palestinian Territory
– Syria/Security Council
– Yemen
– Somalia
– Colombia
– Child Mortality
– International Maritime Organization
– Financial Contribution
– Guest Tomorrow

AFGHANISTAN-PAKISTAN

The Secretary-General strongly condemns the airstrike in Kabul, Afghanistan, on 16 March, which reportedly resulted in the death and injury of civilians at a hospital.

The Secretary-General recalls that under international humanitarian law, patients, medical personnel and medical facilities, including hospitals, must be respected and protected at all times. He calls for an independent and impartial investigation into the incident.  

The Secretary-General extends his deepest condolences to the families of those killed and wishes a swift recovery to those injured. He reiterates his call for de-escalation and the immediate cessation of hostilities and urges all parties to comply with their obligations under international law, including the protection of civilians.  

The Secretary-General urges the parties to resolve their differences through peaceful means and dialogue, in accordance with the principles of the UN Charter.

AFGHANISTAN/HUMANITARIAN

Also on Afghanistan, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs note that the conflict between Afghanistan and Pakistan has entered its third week, with no sign of abating. Between March 6th and yesterday, airstrikes and cross-border attacks have impacted at least ten of Afghanistan’s provinces, including Kabul.

Across Afghanistan, displacement is on the rise. Our partners tell us that 115,000 people have been forced to flee and more than 300 shelters have been destroyed or damaged. People who’ve been displaced need shelter, water, health services and food.

According to our partners, around 160,000 people are facing deteriorating food security. The World Food Programme has distributed high-energy biscuits to more than 3,300 households, with plans to provide two months of food assistance, largely through cash-based transfers.

Health services are under severe strain. According to the World Health Organization, 25 health facilities have closed or suspended operations, including ten damaged by airstrikes. WHO has deployed 4.5 metric tons of medical supplies and trauma kits, while UNICEF say they have supplies sufficient to treat more than 50,000 emergency cases. Still, shortages persist, with more than 70 containers of health supplies delayed due to border closures.

Our humanitarian colleagues also note that the escalating conflict in Iran and the wider region has increased uncertainty for humanitarian logistics, effectively pausing the Iran transit route that our partners had explored as an alternative supply corridor. Border crossings with Pakistan remain largely closed, disrupting supply chains and leaving humanitarian cargo stranded.

OCHA calls for safe and sustained humanitarian access, protection of civilians and respect for international humanitarian law. Additional humanitarian funding is also urgently required to sustain the response.

Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BY70iGm2YbM

Source: United Nations (video statements)

UN High Commissioner for Refugees Barham Salih speaks about his first months in office and advancing solutions for forcibly displaced people at a time when more than 117 million people have been forced to flee, his own story as a refugee and his message to refugee youth around the world.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sd7I9mCHLi0