Briefing by Edem Wosornu, Director, Crisis Response Division, Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), on the maintenance of peace and security of Ukraine.
———————————-
UN humanitarian official Edem Wosornu told Council members that humanitarian organizations, including the United Nations and partners, continue to deliver humanitarian assistance wherever access allows.
She said, “Collective centres are being expanded to host new arrivals, while inter-agency convoys deliver food, water and medical supplies to those who remain in the hardest-to-reach front-line communities.”
Wosornu highlighted that between January and September, humanitarian partners reached more than 4.2 million people – over two thirds of the target for 2025.
The UN humanitarian official underscored, “we seek sustained, predictable humanitarian access where civilians face growing humanitarian needs and have received little to no international assistance.”
She urged the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure – including humanitarian and medical personnel and assets – and for safe, predictable and unimpeded humanitarian access to all those in need.
Wosornu also stressed, “Underfunding has a human cost: 72,000 displaced people lack adequate shelter; Survivors of conflict-related related sexual violence are left without access to specialized care; An estimated 640,000 women and girls were affected by cuts to vital services, including those addressing gender-based violence; Overall, a growing mental health crisis leaves millions without psychosocial support.”
The Hope Championship for Amputee Football in the Gaza Strip is organized by the Palestine Amputee Football Association as part of efforts to support the injured and affirm their continued participation in official sports activities. Most of the players participating in amputee sports teams were injured in wars and military operations over the past years in the Gaza Strip. Player Farah Youssef, said, “My message to those like me: do not give up, keep going. Despite the injury and the amputation, keep going.”
Briefing by Kayoko Gotoh, Officer-in-Charge of Europe, Central Asia and Americas Division, Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations, on the maintenance of peace and security of Ukraine.
—————————–
The UN political affairs official Kayoko Gotoh reiterated the Secretary-General’s repeated call for “a full, immediate and unconditional ceasefire, as a first step towards a just, comprehensive, and sustainable peace in Ukraine.”
Kayoko Gotoh at the Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations spoke to the Council on the situation in Ukraine.
She noted that, at least 26 people, including three children, were reportedly killed in a Russian drone and missile attack on the western city of Ternopil. Dozens more, including children, were reportedly injured. Many remain missing under the rubble. She highlighted that this was one of the war’s deadliest strikes on civilians.
Gotoh also noted that the war is reported to be increasingly affecting civilian populations inside the Russian Federation, too. According to Russian authorities, in 2025 Ukrainian drone strikes have killed 392 people, including 22 children, in the Russian Federation and in the areas of Ukraine occupied by the Russian Federation. She told the Council that the United Nations is not in a position to verify or confirm these reports and figures.
The past months have once again highlighted the fragility of nuclear safety and security during an active war, the UN official told the Council.
She said, “We commend the work of the IAEA and continue to urge the sides to act responsibly.”
“Any nuclear incident would have unimaginable consequences not only for Ukraine and the Russian Federation, but far beyond. Such risk must be avoided at all costs,” Gotoh reiterated.
The UN official also said that the international community is encouraged by the resumption of diplomatic efforts towards a ceasefire and a search for lasting peace earlier this year.
Nearly four years into this war, as the attacks escalate and casualties grow, and calls for an immediate and complete ceasefire increase, such efforts are even more critical, she said.
Gotoh urged “concerted and inclusive diplomatic efforts resulting in tangible progress towards a just and lasting peace. The alternative is to risk letting the war prolong, expand and escalate further to even more dangerous levels.”
Noon Briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.
Highlights:
– secretary-general
– Democratic Republic of the Congo
– Occupied Palestinian Territory
– Lebanon/Israel
– Ukraine-Humanitarian
– Ukraine
– Moldova
– Nigeria
– Mali
– South Sudan
– Jamaica
– World Television Day
————————————
SECRETARY-GENERAL
Today, the Secretary-General arrived in South Africa, to participate at the G20 Summit, which kicks off tomorrow. He had a press conference earlier today, which you may have seen on UNwebtv. He said that his message to G20 leaders over the next two days is simple: Now is the time for leadership and vision.
We are living through tumultuous times, he said, with conflicts, climate chaos, economic uncertainty, mounting debt, inequality and a collapse in global aid are all inflicting massive suffering around the world. Pointing out that the world’s largest economies, the G20 can hold enormous influence to ease that suffering, ensure that economic growth is widely shared, and set our world on a better, more peaceful course for the future.
Mr. Guterres said that over the next two days, he will call on G20 members to use their leverage to lead the action we need – economic action, climate action and action for peace. His remarks have been shared with you. We sent out the Q&A from the transcript a few moments ago.
Tomorrow, he will address three sessions. One on inclusive and sustainable economic growth, leaving no one behind; another one on building a resilient world and the G20’s potential contribution and the last one will be "A fair and just future for all: Critical minerals; decent work; and artificial intelligence”.
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO
The Spokesman presented an update about the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the horrific things that took place earlier this week.
And as we dig deeper, and as we have sent people there, I can tell you that the information we have received is truly horrific. This is about the deadly deadly violence that took place between the 13th and the 19th of November in several localities of the Lubero Territory, in North Kivu.
According to information gathered on the ground by our human rights colleagues from the peacekeeping mission, the attacks were carried out by the Allied Democratic Forces armed group – the ADF. They took place in the Bapere and Baswagha [chefferies] and resulted in the killing of 89 civilians, including at least 20 women and an as yet undetermined number of children.
In Byambwe, which is about 60 kilometres west of Lubero, at least 17 civilians — among them women who were receiving care in the maternity ward — were killed inside the health care centre that was operated by the Catholic Church. During the attack, four wards housing patients were set on fire.
Other places, including Mabiango, Tunarudi, Sambalysa, Thucha and Butsili were also impacted by serious abuses, including abductions, the looting of medical supplies, the burning of homes and the destruction of property belonging to communities already facing severe humanitarian vulnerabilities.
We of course extend our condolences to the families and communities and we express our solidarity with all those affected. As you know, violence committed against civilians, including the targeting of medical facilities, may constitute war crimes and serious violations of international humanitarian law.
The Mission remains fully committed and will continue to support the Congolese authorities in their efforts to protect civilians, prevent human rights violations and combat impunity. The UN Peacekeeping Mission is working in close coordination with government authorities, the Armed Forces of the DRC, regional partners engaged in joint operations, as well as local organizations.
The Peacekeeping mission urges the Congolese authorities to promptly initiate independent and credible investigations to identify the individual perpetrators and accomplices of these horrific massacres and bring them to justice. We also reiterate our call on armed groups to lay down their weapons unconditionally.
OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORY
Turning to the situation in Gaza, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs says that the ongoing humanitarian scale-up – which is, as you know, made possible by the ceasefire – is still being held back by restrictions affecting visas and import approvals, too few crossing points operating, and limited facilitation of humanitarian movements inside Gaza, among other challenges.
Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date=2025-11-21
Security Council Briefing by Lisa Doughten, Director of Financing and Outreach Division, Office of the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), on the humanitarian situation in Syria
OCHA’s Lisa Doughten spoke on behalf of Tom Fletcher, the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator.
Doughten said, “We continue to prioritize the response in Suweida and neighbouring governorates, working with Syrian authorities and affected communities to provide assistance and basic services.”
She added, “We have reached 357,000 people per month, sending over 1,300 aid trucks and working with a range of partners, including 25 national NGOs.”
The OCHA official also noted that more than 1.2 million refugees have now returned from neighbouring countries since last December. More than 1.9 million people who were displaced internally have also returned.
“But these people still need support to reestablish their lives, including – in the immediate term – humanitarian aid,” Doughten emphasized.
On funding, the OCHA official stressed, “with just over a month left in the year, our Syria appeal is only 26 per cent funded, leading to continued gaps and reductions in critical assistance.”
“Our partners are currently seeking to assist 2 million vulnerable people with winter supplies, including heating fuel and stoves, winter clothing, blankets and other household items. But just 12 per cent of the funding has been mobilized,” she added.
The United Nations has unveiled the “Flower of Srebrenica” memorial, honoring the victims of the 1995 Srebrenica genocide. Gifted by Bosnia and Herzegovina, this powerful symbol serves as a space for remembrance, reflection, and learning for all who visit.
The memorial stands beside another significant site at UN Headquarters — the Kwibuka flame, which commemorates the victims and survivors of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.
As Denis Bećirović, Member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, stated: “The monuments to the genocide committed in the heart of Europe and in the heart of Africa are witness to the truth, but also warn humanity to never again allow genocide to be repeated.”
This video explores the meaning behind these memorials, the history they represent, and why remembering past atrocities is essential to preventing future ones.
On World Children’s Day, powerful testimonies from Gaza reveal the deep trauma young people are facing after more than two years of war. This year, children are marking the day amid destruction, displacement, and ongoing hardship.
According to the United Nations, over 90% of children in Gaza are now showing signs of severe stress and aggressive behavior, driven by the loss of safety and stability. Humanitarian workers warn that the road to recovery will require long-term, sustained support to help children heal from the psychological impact of the conflict.
This video sheds light on their stories—and the urgent need for protection and mental-health support for Gaza’s youth.
Noon Briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.
– G20 Summit meeting
– COP30
– Haiti
– Occupied Palestinian Territory
– Ukraine
– CYPRUS
– SUDAN
– Democratic Republic of the Congo
– UN80
– World Children’s Day
– Financial Contribution
SECRETARY-GENERAL/TRIP ANNOUNCEMENT
The Secretary-General will be heading today to the annual G20 Summit meeting.
At the meeting, hosted by the Republic of South Africa in Johannesburg from 22 to 23 November, the Secretary-General will address three sessions. The first one is titled, “Inclusive and sustainable economic growth leaving no one behind: Building our economies; the role of trade; financing for development and the debt burden”; and the second one is titled, “A resilient world – the G20’s contribution: Disaster risk reduction; climate change; just energy transitions; food systems”. The last session will be on "A fair and just future for all: Critical minerals; decent work; artificial intelligence”.
While in Johannesburg, the Secretary-General will also hold bilateral meetings with a number of leaders attending the G20. Tomorrow, Friday, at 5 pm, local time, he will speak with the media ahead of the G20. The press conference will be live on UN Web TV.
From South Africa, the Secretary-General will head to Luanda, for an official visit to Angola, which celebrated its 50th anniversary just last week. During the visit, the National Assembly will hold a Special Session to hear an address by the Secretary-General.
While in the capital, Luanda, the Secretary-General will also participate in the 7th session of the African Union-European Union Summit. He will hold a bilateral meeting with the President of the Republic of Angola, João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, and will also meet other leaders attending the Summit.
SECRETARY-GENERAL/COP30
This morning, at his press encounter at COP30 in Belém, the Secretary-General said that over the past days, he has met with world leaders, ministers, negotiators, Indigenous Peoples, civil society, and young people from every region, and one thing is clear: We are down to the wire, and the world is watching Belém.
The Secretary-General pointed out that communities on the frontlines are watching too, counting flooded homes, failed harvests, lost livelihoods, and asking: how much more must we suffer?
The Secretary-General strongly appealed to all delegations to show willingness and flexibility to deliver results that protect people and keep 1.5 degrees alive. No delegation will leave Belém with everything it wants, he said, but every delegation has a duty to reach a balanced deal.
His full remarks have been shared with you.
Also this morning, the Secretary-General met with the Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change of India, Shri Bhupender Yadav, as well as with the Minister for Climate Change and Energy of the Commonwealth of Australia, Chris Bowen MP.
Yesterday afternoon, he had meetings with Ministers from the group of Least Developed Countries and with the Group of 77 and China Ministers. The Secretary-General also met, separately, the Minister of Environment and Energy security of Italy, Gilberto Pichetto Fratin, the Minister of France for Ecological Transition, Biodiversity and International Negotiations on climate and nature, Monique Barbut, the Secretary of State for Climate of Poland, Krzystof Bolesta, and the German Federal Minister for the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety, Carsten Schneider.
HAITI
From Haiti, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs warns that as the country continues to see alarming levels of gender-based violence, survivors and those at risk have very limited access to the essential support they need. This is due to insecurity, access challenges and funding shortfalls.
Between January and September, over 7,400 cases of gender-based violence were reported in Haiti – an average of about 27 per day, according to our partners.
Sexual violence made up just over half of the cases, (about 3,700) and with nearly two thirds of these involving gang rape (about 2,500). Two out of every three victims were displaced people.
During the same period, our humanitarian partners were able to reach only 7 per cent of the 833,000 people we aim to reach with specialized support to address gender-based violence this year – or just over 54,000 people in total.
Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight
