Update on OPT

Juliette Touma, for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), speaking from Amman, expressed sympathy with the WHO for the events which had occurred to their staff in Gaza yesterday. She also informed of a statement that had been issued by UNRWA’s Commissioner-General which outlined that caretakers in Gaza, including UNRWA colleagues, doctors, nurses and humanitarian staff were also in need of care. Many were now fainting due to hunger or exhaustion while reporting for their duties. Seeking food had become as deadly as the bombardments. More than 1,000 starving people had been killed since the end of May. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) was a sadistic death trap. This could not be the new norm; humanitarian assistance was not the job of mercenaries. The UN and its humanitarian partners had the expertise, experience and available resources to provide safe, dignified and at scale assistance.

Ms. Touma said that earlier this week, the visa for the head of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OHCA) for the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT) had been denied. While this was the latest of such decisions, it was not the first. UNRWA had noticed a pattern of visa denials preventing them from carrying out their work. In March 2024, the UNRWA Commissioner-General was denied entry to Gaza and had not been able to reenter. His visa to Israel had also not been renewed for over a year. UNRWA had not received any visas from Israeli authorities for international staff in the past six months, meaning there were no UNRWA international staff across the OPT. Local Palestinian staff continued to hold the fort. It was hoped visas would soon be granted to enable support for these staff.

There had been stories about a lack of diapers for babies. What was available cost at least three dollars per diaper which was unaffordable for most people. Mothers were resorting to desperate measures to provide diapers for their children, including using plastic bags as an alternative. Some 6,000 UNRWA trucks were in Jordan and Egypt, containing hygiene supplies including diapers, waiting for the green light to go in. They were loaded with food, medicines and hygiene supplies. UNRWA called for a deal which would bring a ceasefire, release the hostages and bring in humanitarian supplies under the United Nations.

Tarik Jašarević, for the World Health Organization (WHO), said WHO condemned the attacks on the building housing WHO staff in Deir al Balah in the Gaza strip, the mistreatment of those sheltering there, and the destructions of its main warehouse. The WHO residence was attacked three times yesterday. Staff and their children were exposed to dangers after airstrikes caused a fire and significant damage. Israeli military entered the premises, forcing women and children to evacuate on foot, while male staff and family members were handcuffed, stripped and interrogated, and screened at gunpoint. Two WHO staff and two family members were detained. Three were released while one staff member remained in detention. After the attack, 32 people were collected and evacuated to the WHO office in a high-risk mission.

Most of staff housing was now inaccessible. The attack caused damage to the main warehouse, which was later looted by desperate crowds. The majority of medical supplies in Gaza was depleted and severely constrained in adequately supporting hospitals, emergency medical teams and health partners. The geographical coordinates of all WHO premises were shared with the relevant parties. These facilities must always be protected, regardless of evacuation or displacement orders. WHO called for the immediate release of the WHO staff member detained yesterday and the protection of all staff and premises. They also called for the active protection of civilians, health care and for the rapid and unfettered flow of aid, into and across Gaza, as well as for the unconditional release of hostages.

Alessandra Vellucci, for the United Nations Information Service (UNIS), referred to yesterday’s statement by the Secretary-General who was appalled by the ongoing situation in Gaza. United Nations premises were inviolable and had to be protected, he said. He reiterated his urgent call for the protection of civilians, including humanitarian personnel, the need for a ceasefire and the release of all hostages. The time for a ceasefire was now.

Responding to questions from the media regarding 1000 starving people killed since the end of May, Juliette Touma, for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), said this figure was an estimate by UNRWA based on figures provided by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) last week and including casualties from the weekend and a few days ago. This estimate reflected those killed since the end of May while seeking food and did not include people killed in air strikes or bombings.

Responding to questions on staff member detained, Tarik Jašarević, for the World Health Organization (WHO), said WHO were unsure of the reasons behind the staff members’ detention, but demanded his release. WHO would stay in Gaza and do everything they could and were allowed to do. Fuel was a major issue in Gaza for everyone.

Responding to additional questions, Mr. Jašarević said he did not have information on the response of the Israeli authorities regarding the WHO colleague in detention. Ms. Touma said since the war began in October 2023, more than 50 UNRWA colleagues had been detained by the Israeli authorities, with 12 remaining in Israeli detention centers. Those released had told horror stories about the treatment undergone in detention centres.

Responding to questions from the media, Alessandra Vellucci directed them to a statement from the head of the World Food Programme on the situation of food in Gaza, who said that a quarter of the population was facing malnutrition and almost 100,000 women and children were suffering from acute malnutrition and needed urgent treatment. Ms. Touma said one in ten children screened in UNRWA clinics were malnourished. Before the war in October 2023, malnutrition in children was non-existent. There had been confirmation from other UN agency that dozens of children had died from malnutrition. If aid continued to be blocked from Gaza, there would be more children, as well as vulnerable adults, dying from malnutrition.

Responding to more questions from the media, Ms. Touma said the last update issued in May said 57 children had died of malnutrition since the siege began. Messages had been received from staff in the past 48 hours who were hungry and exhausted and worked full-time with UNRWA. They had money but there was nothing to buy on the street. One colleague walked for hours to buy flour and lentils and paid almost 200 dollars for it. The price of basic commodities had increased by over 4000 percent. Also answering questions, Ms Touma recalled that UNRWA had repeatedly called for international media to be allowed access into Gaza. Mr. Jašarević said since October 2023, 1500 health workers had been killed in Gaza and 330 were detained. There was also an extreme mental health burden affecting those in Gaza.

Responding to further questions regarding the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), Ms. Touma clarified that UNRWA had over 6,000 trucks full of supplies, but the agency had been unable to bring in any humanitarian supplies over the past four months. UNRWA could provide statements as to why they could not work with the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. During the ceasefire, while the UN was facilitating humanitarian aid, people were not being killed as the UN did not work with mercenaries. Mr. Jašarević said that since 25 June, WHO had managed to get 24 trucks into Gaza, containing some essential medicines, but this was not enough. Hospitals needed fuel, but this was not being allowed in.

Responding to additional media questions, Jens Laerke, for the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), said it was incorrect to state that the United Nations had stopped working in Gaza, as alleged by the GHF. Between the 19 May until the 14 July, approximately 1630 trucks were authorities and reached Kerem Shalom crossing, and around 1,600 Palestinian trucks could collect the aid for distribution in Gaza. However, this was a drop in the ocean: around 27 trucks a day compared to 600 trucks previously.

Ms. Touma said UNRWA continued to be on the ground in Gaza, including a team of more than 1,000 health workers. UNRWA still managed shelters for the displaced, collected garbage and sewerage, and supplied as much water as it could to almost half the population in Gaza.

Responding to a question on whether the spokesperson for GHF was lying, Ms. Vellucci said they would not characterize what other people were saying; the facts spoke for themselves, and the journalists had heard the facts stated by colleagues. Ms. Touma said it was about first-hand facts and information. This was why it was important for international media to be on the ground in Gaza.

Responding to additional questions, Mr. Jašarević said WHO were currently facilitating the deployment of 38 emergency medical teams across Gaza. The rates of visa denial for these teams had increased; 58 visas for international staff including critical surgeons had been denied. Mr. Tarik said he did not have more details regarding the attacks on the warehouse, or on the quantities that had been destroyed. The attacks were enacted by the Israeli military who later visited the premises and endangered WHO workers and their families.

Mr. Jašarević said he was not aware when Dr. Tedros last requested a visa to Gaza but would check. Mr. Laerke said Tom Fletcher had last been in Gaza in January. The UN had communicated with the GHF and had been in meetings with them; the door was open but there were many reasons, which had been stated, as to why the UN could not collaborate with them on their humanitarian aid model.

Syria

Jens Laerke, for the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), said that as of Sunday more than 93,000 people had been displaced due to the escalation of hostilities in Syria’s As-Sweida Governorate, both within As-Sweida and towards neighbouring Dar’a governorate and rural Damascus. In As-Sweida, most displaced people were being hosted by local communities and in at least 15 reception centres. Some 30 collective shelters had also been opened in Dar’a. Partners on the ground in southern Syria reported that humanitarian assistance was urgently needed in As-Sweida, with hospitals out of service, water infrastructure damaged, and electricity cuts. On Sunday, a first aid convoy of 32 trucks by the Syrian Arab Red Crescent reached As-Sweida City and Salkhad District, where most of the displaced people had sought safety, carrying aid provided by WFP and UNICEF, and other partners. Teams delivered food, water, medical supplies and fuel to affected people. The convoy staff also conducted a rapid needs assessment in Salkhad and As-Sweida cities. Based on the results, the Syrian Arab Red Crescent and OCHA were preparing for a second convoy of supplies. Meanwhile in neighbouring Dar’a, the UN and partners were delivering food, nutrition, health, water and protection to newly displaced people at reception centres.

Tarik Jašarević, for the World Health Organization (WHO), said WHO currently did not have access to the national hospital in As-Sweida but needed access. There were reports the hospital was overburdened from the mass casualty incident, and that there were attacks on health care including staff. Several doctors had been reported to be killed. WHO continued to support hospitals in neighbouring provinces where patients were being referred, including in Dar’a, where emergency medical supplies were being sent.

Update on the global Chikungunya viral disease situation

Dr. Diana Rojas Alvarez, World Health Organization (WHO) Team Lead on Arboviruses, said Chikungunya was a disease which was not widely known, but had been detected and transmitted in 119 countries. Around 5.5 million people lived at risk of this mosquito-borne virus. It could cause widespread outbreaks and put pressure on the health system. Its symptoms were mostly acute; high fever, debilitating joint pain and fatigue. A 40 percent of people affected with Chikungunya could develop disabilities which lasted months or even years. In rare cases, the illness could be deadly. About 20 years ago, there was a major Chikungunya outbreak which swept across the Indian ocean, affecting almost half a million people. Today WHO was seeing the same pattern emerge. Around one third of the population of La Réunion were currently estimated to be infected with Chikungunya. There had been transmissions occurring in Southeast Asia, Bangladesh, and India, as well as cases reported in Europe. Cases had been reported in France and a case last week in Italy. WHO were calling for urgent action to prevent history form repeating itself. It was important to bring cases under control as soon as possible and limit the number effected. WHO were supporting member states in developing their lab diagnostics, training staff, strengthening the healthcare system, and scaling up surveillance to track and control outbreaks.

Responding to questions from the media, Dr. Rojas Alvarez said the quick spread of the virus was repeating itself like 20 years ago, which was concerning. WHO were raising the alarm early, to allow countries to prepare and avoid large outbreaks. There were two Chikungunya vaccines available, but they were mostly used only as travellers’ vaccines. WHO was closely monitoring the situation of Chikungunya to inform recommendations which would be coming out soon. A strategic advisory group was being set up and would meet in the next few weeks.

Responding to further questions, Dr. Alvarez said that 20 years ago, the spreading of the virus was characterized to give the long-term disabilities. This virus affected completely healthy people and impacted the joints, hands and feet, meaning people couldn’t hold a pen or cook; it had a huge impact on their quality of life. WHO was aiming to bring awareness to the virus to help people protect themselves.

Answering further questions, Dr. Alvarez said most of the countries in tropical areas such as Brazil, Venezuela and Mexico, and many others, had mosquitos which carried Chikungunya. There had been 800 imported cases of Chikungunya in continental France, and 12 transmission episodes. In non-endemic areas, doctors were not used to these tropical diseases, and WHO’s European offices had been working to train healthcare workers. There had been no cases detected yet in Switzerland and no cases reported yet in Spain and other European countries. However, the risk was there. A female mosquito could infect for many days and it was important to control the breeding sites as eggs could stay there for months and once hatched, continue the vicious circle of infections.

Responding to further questions, Dr. Alvarez said the virus most reported from Mexico was Dengue but there had recently been reports of a few thousand cases of Chikungunya. Mexico was strengthening their capacities for lab diagnostics and surveillance of mosquito-borne diseases which were typical to the region. No cases had been reported in the United States this year.

Dr. Alvarez said the case in Italy was reported in the Piacenza province; it was currently being followed up. These mosquitoes typically bit during the day, which was why bed nets were not useful to prevent Chikungunya.

The Sixth World Conference of Speakers of Parliament

Thomas Fitzsimons, for the International Parliamentary Union (IPU), said the Sixth World Conference of Speakers of Parliament, organized by the Inter-Parliamentary Union, in close collaboration with the United Nations, would take place from 29 to 31 July 2025 at the Palais des Nations. The Speakers’ Conference would be preceded by the 15th Summit of Women Speakers of Parliament on 28 July 2025 at the International Labour Organization. This year, speakers would address the theme of “A world in turmoil: Parliamentary cooperation and multilateralism for peace, justice and prosperity for all.” Over 1000 Members of Parliament and experts were expected, including around 110 Speakers of Parliament. The list of participants had been sent to media and included representatives from countries such as Israel, Iran, Palestine, Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo, the Democratic Republic of Korea, the Republic of Korea, the Russian Federation and Ukraine, among others, and those could be of interest to the media for coverage and interviews. A media advisory had been sent regarding access. A press conference with the IPU Secretary General, Martin Chungong, would take place at the Palais des Nations at 10:00 on Tuesday, 29 July.

Responding to a question from the media, Thomas Fitzsimons, for the International Parliamentary Union (IPU), said the Conference was an example of parliamentary diplomacy and dialogue. The speakers would all address the general debate in the assembly hall and the panel discussions would be more interactive. At the end of the Conference, the final declaration was expected to be adopted on the current state of the world and how parliament could be part of the solutions. This was the formal programme but it was expected that in informal discussions and bilateral meetings, conversations between countries currently in conflict would take place.

Responding to additional questions, Mr. Fitzsimons said there were currently not formal meetings scheduled between countries in conflict, but the IPU were trying to encourage informal meetings. Responding to another question, Mr Fitzsimons said the International Labour Organization (ILO) were being encouraged to facilitate access to its building for the to the Women’s Summit to all accredited media. He would send the programme for the Summit and the programme of speakers had already been sent. Alessandra Vellucci, for the United Nations Information Service (UNIS), said the ILO were working on facilitating efficient access and would come back to media with a solution.

Responding to additional questions, Mr. Fitzsimons said it was difficult to comment on specific personalities, but the conference aimed to facilitate dialogue both inter and intra parliamentary dialogue. Responding to another question, he said it was hoped that Michael Douglas would be present as the keynote speaker, but this remained to be confirmed.

Mr. Fitzsimons said that in addition to the press conference next Tuesday, a media stakeout position was being organized in Hall 14. The press were welcome to organise interviews with the parliamentarians there. Ms. Vellucci said Room V would be turned into a press centre and the feed from the Assembly Hall would be streamed.

Responding to questions on Syria not participating in the IPU Conference, Mr. Fitzsimons said all countries currently in transition were approached, to encourage authorities to call on the IPU when it came to rebuilding their democratic institutions. IPU had reached out to the authorities of Syria to assist in rebuilding their parliament.

United States withdrawal from UNESCO

Regarding a question from the media on the recent report of President Donald Trump withdrawing the United States from UNESCO, Alessandra Vellucci said a withdrawal from any UN agency was worrying in terms of support to multilateralism. She later informed that journalists could contact the Director of Communications of UNESCO in Paris.

Announcements

Alessandra Vellucci, for the United Nations Information Service (UNIS), said at 9am New York time today, the Secretary-General would deliver a special address, at the United Nations headquarters, entitled “A moment of opportunity,” outlining the economic imperative and opportunity for the transition to renewable energy. He would also share new data from a specialized technical report prepared by his Climate Action Team.

Ms. Vellucci also said at 10am New York time today, the Secretary-General would deliver remarks at the Security Council, on the maintenance of international peace and security, promoting international peace and security through multilateralism and the peaceful settlement of disputes.

***

ANNOUNCEMENTS

IPU - Thomas Fitzsimons

· The Sixth World Conference of Speakers of Parliament (29-31 July) at the Palais des Nations

TOPICS

UNRWA - Juliette Touma, Director of Communications (From Amman)

· Update on OPT

WHO - Tarik Jašarević with Dr. Diana Rojas Alvarez, WHO Team Lead on Arboviruses

· Update on the global Chikungunya viral disease situation