Category: MIL-OSI

Source: United Nations (video statements)

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

Highlights:
– Myanmar
– Occupied Palestinian Territory
– Ukraine
– Cuba
– Venezuela
– Trip Announcement
– Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict
– Middle East
– Abyei
– Mauritania
– International Days
– World Press Freedom Day
– Financial Contribution

MYANMAR

The Secretary-General has taken note of the transfer of State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi to a designated residence. The Secretary-General appeals for the swift and unconditional release of all those arbitrarily detained as a fundamental step towards conditions conducive to a credible political process.

The Secretary-General reiterates that a viable political solution must be founded on an immediate cessation of violence and a genuine commitment to inclusive dialogue. He stresses the importance of continued dialogue between all relevant Myanmar stakeholders and his Special Envoy on how the United Nations and its partners, in particular ASEAN, can help support efforts towards a peaceful solution in the interests of the people of Myanmar as called for by the Security Council and the General Assembly.

OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORY

Turning to the Occupied Palestinian Territory, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs warns that we continue to receive reports of gunfire and strikes hitting residential areas across Gaza, causing civilian casualties. Yesterday, in Jabalya Camp, a UN school sheltering displaced families was hit by gunfire, and two people were injured. 

OCHA reiterates that, under international humanitarian law, civilians and civilian infrastructure must be protected.

Meanwhile, humanitarians working on sanitation tell us that four in every five sewage pumping stations are not functioning. As a result, every day, about 40,000 cubic metres of untreated sewage are flowing into the sea and areas where families are staying. Restrictions on the entry of essential items like generators and spare parts must be lifted so that water can be properly pumped and prevent the further collapse of these systems.  

On food security, the Food and Agriculture Organization said yesterday that it has now provided cash assistance to every herding household with at least one sheep or goat that survived the hostilities. That’s more than 2,000 herding households reached, one quarter of them headed by women.  

This has supported the production of milk and protein locally, which are a powerful way to combat malnutrition, especially among children.

In the West Bank, last week, the Israeli authorities delivered final eviction notices, by mid-May, to seven more families in the Batn al Hawa area of East Jerusalem. That’s to make way for settlers to take over the building, placing more than 40 people, half of them children, at risk of imminent displacement.

So far in 2026, 17 families – including 30 children – have been forcibly evicted from their homes in that neighbourhood. 

OCHA calls once again for the protection of civilians. Evictions, demolitions and violence have grave physical, social, economic and emotional impacts, and they deepen humanitarian needs. 

UKRAINE

From Ukraine, OCHA tells us that between Monday and the early hours of today, we and our humanitarian partners reached front-line communities in eastern and southern Ukraine through six aid convoys, delivering urgently needed assistance in the regions of Dnipro, Donetsk, Kharkiv and Kherson.

The convoys reached 4,000 people with food, hygiene items, dignity kits, generators, clothing and first-aid kits.

Meanwhile, over the past day, attacks and hostilities across Ukraine reportedly killed at least two civilians and injured 58 others, with the regions of Dnipro, Sumy, Kherson, Kharkiv and Odesa among the hardest hit. Homes, a school, railway infrastructure and shops were damaged.

Our humanitarian partners responded quickly in Odesa and Dnipro, providing shelter, psychosocial support, legal aid, hot meals, hygiene kits and materials for emergency repairs. In Dnipro, drone strikes also damaged or destroyed humanitarian vehicles, though thankfully no injuries were reported.

Yesterday and today, local authorities, with support from our humanitarian partners, evacuated nearly 370 people, including 25 children, from frontline areas of Donetsk.

Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date=2026-05-01

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbNxk3zGYGQ

Source: United Nations (video statements)

Back from a mission to the moon, astronauts from Artemis II arrived at United Nations Headquarters with a message for humanity about our shared purpose on Earth.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TgOR8pndMf4

Source: United Nations (video statements)

Video message by António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, on the International Day of Vesak.

"On the Day of Vesak, Buddhists around the world commemorate the birth, enlightenment, and passing of the Buddha.

This year, Vesak comes at a moment when the human family is embroiled in geopolitical tensions, division and conflict.

In 2023 I had the honour of visiting the Buddha’s birthplace in Lumbini, Nepal. It reinforced my conviction that the antidote to this turmoil can be found in his timeless teachings of non-violence, compassion and service to others.

Guided by the Buddha’s example, let us summon our shared humanity and build the more peaceful and sustainable world all people need and deserve.

Happy Vesak Day to all".

More info: https://www.un.org/en/observances/vesak-day

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

Source: United Nations (video statements)

Press Conference by Julius Van Der Walt, UN Mine Action Service (UNMAS) in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT) on the situation in the West Bank and Gaza as it concerns unexploded ordnance and access.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvvCHUqq33o