Source: United Nations (video statements)
Drone attacks on UN logistics base in Kadugli, Sudan, on Saturday killed six peacekeepers – all members of the Bangladeshi contingent serving in the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA).
Abyei, Sudan, Australia & other topics – Daily Press Briefing | United Nations
Source: United Nations (video statements)
Noon Briefing by Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.
Highlights:
– Abyei
– Sudan
– Sudan/Humanitarian
– Oman
– Secretary-General Travels
– Australia
– Occupied Palestinian Territory
– Syria
– Ukraine
– Belarus
– Central African Republic
– Security Council
– Global Refugee Forum
– Guest Tomorrow
– Financial Contribution
————————————–
ABYEI
Following the attack on the UN peacekeeping logistics base in Kadugli, South Kordofan, on 13 December, which resulted in the killing of six Bangladeshi peacekeepers and injury of nine others while on duty with the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA), this morning, a solemn ceremony was held at the Mission headquarters in Abyei to honour the six peacekeepers who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. Their remains are being escorted back to Bangladesh.
The injured peacekeepers, who were evacuated from Kadugli to Abyei on 13 December, are being treated at UNISFA’s hospital. The Mission’s top priority is to ensure that everything possible is done to provide the necessary medical care for the injured.
The Acting Head of Mission and Force Commander, Major General Robert Yaw Affram, visited Kadugli today to assess the situation and to engage with the peacekeepers on the ground and other relevant parties.
The Mission has taken all necessary steps to protect its personnel and facilities by reinforcing protection measures at the Kadugli logistics base to ensure their safety and is closely coordinating with relevant stakeholders to assess the situation.
SUDAN
On Saturday, the Secretary-General strongly condemned the horrific drone attacks that targeted the United Nations peacekeeping logistics base in Kadugli, Sudan. The attacks resulted in six fatalities and eight injuries – all members of the Bangladeshi peacekeeping contingent serving in the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA).
Yesterday, the Secretary-General spoke by phone with the Chief Advisor of Bangladesh, Mr. Muhammed Yunus, to express his condolences to the Government and people of Bangladesh and to convey his solidarity following this horrific attack.
In the statement, the Secretary-General underscored that attacks targeting United Nations peacekeepers may constitute war crimes under international law, and he reminds all parties to the conflict of their obligation to protect UN personnel and civilians. Such attacks against peacekeepers are unjustifiable. There will need to be accountability.
SUDAN/HUMANITARIAN
Further on Sudan, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs warns that the situation across the Kordofan region is rapidly worsening, with civilians facing mounting risks as hostilities intensify.
We are alarmed by reports that yesterday, a drone attack struck a hospital in the town of Dilling, in South Kordofan State, killing at least six people and injuring 12 others – that’s according to initial information from the UN Human Rights Office. Other reports indicate that medical personnel were among the injured.
OCHA reminds all parties that attacks on hospitals and health workers constitute grave violations of international humanitarian law. Medical facilities and civilians must be protected at all times, and those responsible must be held to account.
Meanwhile, in the east of Kadugli, the state capital of South Kordofan, artillery shelling was reported yesterday, posing further risks to civilians.
The escalating violence is driving new displacement. Our colleagues with the International Organization for Migration estimate that more than 1,700 people were displaced between Thursday and Saturday from several towns in South Kordofan.
The security situation also remains volatile in North Kordofan State, including in the state capital, El Obeid, where further attacks have been reported.
Despite the insecurity, we and our partners continue our efforts to provide life-saving assistance as funding and access allow. With the World Health Organization and national authorities conducting a cholera vaccination campaign in South Kordofan, Abu Jubeihah locality, it is essential that sustained access is facilitated and security is guaranteed.
Full Highlights:
https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date=2025-12-15
#UN Peacekeepers Killed in Drone Attack in Kordofan, #sudan
Source: United Nations (video statements)
Drone attacks on UN logistics base in Kadugli, Sudan, on Saturday killed six peacekeepers – all members of the Bangladeshi contingent serving in the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA)
A trapeze without a net: the life of the UN Spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric | Awake at Night teaser
Source: United Nations (video statements)
Every day at noon, Stéphane Dujarric steps on stage to field questions about the United Nations from international journalists. As spokesman for the Secretary-General, he must be ready to talk on all aspects of the organization’s work at a time of unprecedented financial and political strain.
“There is no way we can move forward in this world without multilateralism, without an organization like this one. It’s like a plant, right? It needs to be watered. We can’t let it wither away.”
An alumnus of the United Nations International School, Stéphane Dujarric was immersed in the world of international diplomacy from an early age. In this episode, he shares why his own family owes everything to the actions of two courageous diplomats, and reflects on how being a procrastinator can be a superpower when faced with the challenge of the 24-hour news cycle.
The Elders delegation on Security Council reform & other topics – Media Stakeout | United Nations
Source: United Nations (video statements)
Media stakeout by a delegation from The Elders, the group of global leaders founded by Nelson Mandela, comprised of former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, former Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos, former Mexican President Ernesto Zedillo, following the Security Council open debate on leadership for peace.
Ban Ki-moon calls for Security Council reform #unsc #securitycouncil
Source: United Nations (video statements)
Former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon addressed the Security Council today, suggesting that the next Secretary-General be appointed for a single seven-year term rather than two five-year terms, arguing that the current system is overly dependent on permanent members for extensions.
UN Alliance of Civilizations Global Forum opens in Riyadh
Source: United Nations (video statements)
The 11th Global Forum of the UN Alliance of Civilizations opened in Riyadh this Sunday.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres opened the Conference by recalling the audience: ‘Twenty years ago, we launched an initiative to help show that humanity – in all its diversity – could talk, listen, and build together. Today, that vision is more urgent, than ever. Bringing it to life requires the timeless tools of dialogue and diplomacy.’
UN Secretary-General in Iraq as UN Mission Comes to a Close
Source: United Nations (video statements)
The United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) will conclude operations this month, but UN support for Iraq will continue, Secretary-General António Guterres said at a joint press conference with the Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani in Baghdad on Saturday.
‘Against all odds, the Iraqi people never wavered in their commitment to building a peaceful, inclusive society based on the rule of law and democratic institutions,’ he said.
A trapeze without a net: the life of the UN Spokesperson, with Stéphane Dujarric | Awake at Night
Source: United Nations (video statements)
Every day at noon, Stéphane Dujarric steps on stage to field questions about the United Nations from international journalists. As spokesman for the Secretary-General, he must be ready to talk on all aspects of the organization’s work at a time of unprecedented financial and political strain.
“There is no way we can move forward in this world without multilateralism, without an organization like this one. It’s like a plant, right? It needs to be watered. We can’t let it wither away.”
An alumnus of the United Nations International School, Stéphane Dujarric was immersed in the world of international diplomacy from an early age. In this episode, he shares why his own family owes everything to the actions of two courageous diplomats, and reflects on how being a procrastinator can be a superpower when faced with the challenge of the 24-hour news cycle.
[00:00] Introduction
[01:02] A look behind the curtain
[05:36] Facing the Press Corps
[07:24] When you just don’t know
[08:23] Supporting journalists off-camera
[09:36] The importance of slowing down
[11:03] How his journalism background guides him today
[14:06] Navigating the press and leaving social media behind
[17:15] Highlighting forgotten crises
[19:17] Humanizing the facts
[21:29] What keeps Steph awake at night
[23:44] When funding disappears
[24:53] Ensuring that we are not numb
[27:52] Announcing colleagues’ deaths
[29:56] “If we can’t help one…”
[31:40] Early lessons from an international childhood
[38:00] Ways to relax and looking toward the future
[39:59] A message for young people
[40:37] Closing remarks
Listen to more Awake at Night episodes: https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwoDFQJEq_0b6hu1e8oxsch9W0D7vkNqt
#podcast #unitednations #awakeatnight #UNSpox #Media
About Awake at Night
Hosted by Melissa Fleming, UN Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications, the podcast ‘Awake at Night’ is an in-depth interview series focusing on remarkable United Nations staff members who dedicate their career to helping people in parts of the world where they have the hardest lives – from war zones and displacement camps to areas hit by disasters and the devastation of climate change.
Health Situation in Gaza – Press Conference | United Nations
Source: United Nations (video statements)
“Overall, little improvement on the services,” said the World Health Organization’s representative in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, warning that only half of Gaza’s hospitals are even partly functional. Speaking to reporters via video link from Gaza, Rik Peeperkorn said damage, access restrictions and shortages continue to cripple the health system despite limited signs of recovery.
Briefing the UN press corps in New York, Peeperkorn said he had visited several key facilities in recent days, including Nasser Medical Complex and the Palestinian Red Crescent Society’s Rehabilitation Hospital in Khan Younis, as well as Al-Shifa, Al-Rantisi and Al-Ahli Arab hospitals in Gaza City, and a primary health care site in Beit Lahia in the north. “So overall, little improvement on the services,” he said, noting that “50% of hospitals, 18 out of 36, and 43% for primary health care centers, 84 from the 195, are partly functional.”
He said access constraints remain a major obstacle. The Indonesian Hospital and Al-Awda Hospital in Jabalia are “currently beyond what you call the ceasefire line, so-called yellow line,” he said, while Kamal Adwan Hospital sits “a little bit almost on this yellow line.” Peeperkorn added that WHO missions to reach Kamal Adwan to establish a primary health care facility “have been, unfortunately, until now, denied.”
Despite the challenges, he pointed to limited progress in Gaza City, where Al-Shifa Hospital has resumed some services. “Shifa Hospital is working again as a partially functional tertiary care hospital,” he said. “Ten operation theaters are functional, and outpatient departments are partially functional.” He added that the hospital hopes to expand capacity, saying it “need and want to expand to 700 beds.”
Peeperkorn said visits to multiple facilities highlighted both hardship and resilience. “What is heartening to see in all of the hospitals we went to,” he said, “is the rehabilitation work going on.” He described “an immense resilience” driven by “local ingenuity and repurposing of materials from damaged and destroyed buildings,” even as he stressed that building materials remain scarce and costly. “By now one would expect that building materials, cement, etc. would have entered Gaza,” he said, adding that while conditions are extremely difficult, “it’s happening, and I would say that is good news.”
At the same time, shortages of medicines and equipment persist. Peeperkorn said hospital staff consistently told WHO they had expected improvements following the ceasefire. “They said, we expect now there is a ceasefire that shortages of essential medicines, medical supplies, and also spare parts for imaging medical equipment, they will see a flow of these, and unfortunately, not yet,” he said. He warned that “approximately 50 percent of the 650 essential medicines are close to zero stock or have less than three months’ supply.”
He also highlighted worsening living conditions as winter rains intensify. “The rainy winter clearly has set in, making people even more vulnerable,” Peeperkorn said, describing “thousands and thousands of makeshift tents amidst this rain and wind.” He said shelter conditions remain “deplorable” and stressed that “way more shelter material and tents need to get in.”