Sorry for the delay and welcome to the press briefing.
Today is Tuesday, 21st of January and we are at the United Nations here in Geneva.
I have a few announcements for you, which I'm going to read.
And then as you saw from the announcement of the press briefing, we have quite a few colleagues connected to or here in the room to answer your questions, say suppose everybody's in in Davos.
So but people are are connecting on Zoom or thanks for those who made it to the room.
So let me start by speaking about indeed Davos, the the announcement about the travel of the secretary general.
He left New York yesterday to attend the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
Tomorrow, Wednesday, he will be delivering a special address focusing on collaboration for the intelligent age, which is the theme of this year's forum.
The remarks of the secretary general are expected to highlight how, despite progress on many fronts, including technological leaps, many of our world's problems are getting worse.
He will call on leaders gathered in Davos to shift their collective efforts into OverDrive and to improve collaboration to address 2 existential threats, the climate crisis and on government artificial intelligence.
While at the West, the Secretary General is also scheduled to have a series of meetings with leaders from government and the private sector.
And then he will go to the annual retreat with the special and personal representatives, representatives and envoys as usual, as every year.
And then he will go back to New York.
I also have an announcement.
Oh, speaking about Davos, Charlotte Sector asked me to tell you that her boss is in Davos and available for questions or interviews.
You can contact her if you if you need to.
Speaking about human rights, going to human rights, I can inform you that the Committee on the Rights of the Child will conclude this afternoon the review of the report of Peru.
The countries that they are going to review this week are The Gambia and Ecuador.
This morning, the Conference on Disarmament is holding the first public penalty of the 2025 session.
This is under the presidency of Italy, which will last until the 14th of February and then Japan will take the lead on the Conference on Disarmament, followed by Kazakhstan, Kenya, Malaysia and Mexico.
As you know, the presidency of the Conference on Disarmament are rotated are rotating on the alphabetical order.
This is the first meeting of the 2025 session, which will be divided into 3 successive parts.
So this one which started yesterday, in fact will last until the 20th of March.
Then we will have the second part from the 12th of May to the 22nd of June and then the third one from 20th of July to 12th September.
So these are the few announcements I had.
We've also sent you a few remarks and information about various statements.
So I don't know if you have any question for me or for the colleagues who are connected or here in the room.
And yes, yes, thank you indeed.
I have several questions for for you or, and for Yens as well.
So it's all about reactions.
Since you're in the room, maybe you want to come to the podium, Yens.
So 2 questions on the decisions made by the new US administrations to leave the Paris Agreement and WHO, how that will affect the the organisation WHO and maybe a question to to Yens on Gaza on the division of aid.
So, OK, let me start with you.
First of all, Tariq is supposed to participate in the briefing, so we are waiting for him.
He text me that he was coming in person.
So he's on the bus arriving probably very, very soon.
So for the comment on WHOI will defer it to him on the Paris Agreement.
Claire is also online in case she would like to intervene.
But what I can tell you is the following.
The Paris Agreement was adopted by all the world's nation in 20, 2015 because they recognise the immense harm that climate change is already causing and the enormous opportunity that climate action presents.
It offers a meaningful yet flexible framework for action by all countries.
The last 10 years have been the hottest in recorded history.
We've been following this here with WMO day by day.
I would say we have to look no farther than Los Angeles to see this human, ecological and economic disaster play out.
The collective efforts under the Paris Agreement have made a difference, but we need to go much farther and faster together.
The transformation envisaged in the Paris Agreement is already on the way.
The Paris Agreement has unleashed an energy revolution, offering unparalleled opportunities for countries and businesses to invest in renewable that power in newer power that would bring 21st century jobs and prosperity.
Leaders must seize this opportunity.
In this critical decade for climate action, the Secretary General remains confident that cities, States and businesses within the United States, along with other countries, we'll continue to demonstrate vision and leadership by working for the low carbon, resilient economic growth that will create quality jobs and markets for the 21st century prosperity.
It is crucial that the United States remains a leader on environmental issues.
And on this particular subject, I'd like to give the floor also to Claire, who has, I see she has put her camera on Claire.
Sorry I can't be with you in the room.
So today sees the launch at the World Metrological Organisation of the International Year for Preservation of Glaciers.
You are all invited to attend it online or in person.
We'll be sending out a press release shortly.
Glaciers follow the laws of physics.
They are melting, they are retreating.
This is going to have major, it's already having, you know, a big effect, short term hazards.
We're seeing more, you know, disasters related water related disasters due to this and it's going to have a major impact on long term water security.
So I think our point would be that, you know, climate change follows the rules of physics, the laws of physics.
These are non negotiable climate change.
You know, we'd look at climate change from the perspective of decades, even centuries, you know, rather than a four or five year, you know, term term in office.
And it is the what our secretary general has said.
It is the, you know, the defining challenge of our time if we want to our Secretary general, Celestia Salvo, she's currently on route to, to, to, to Davos.
And as you will recall, last week the World Economic Forum published its annual global Risks report.
And yet again, environmental risks were very, very prominent in that report, both in the short term, which WEF defines as a two year.
And in the longer term 10 year term.
Extreme weather was the top risk for for all sectors actually including including the business community.
And we are seeing, as you know, tragically, we are seeing now in, in, in Los Angeles, you know, we're seeing the, the enormous effect that whether you know, climate, water related hazards have on every single aspect of our economies and our societies.
Just to give you an idea.
And I can, I can, I can send you, I can send you these notes.
So according to WMO statistics, extreme weather, water and climate related events caused nearly 12,000 reported disasters between 1970 and 2021 with 4 trillion in economic losses.
They're probably an underestimate, an underestimate because under reporting of extreme heat, the United States of America accounts for the lion's share of global economic losses from whether I'm at the more related hazards.
And I'm quoting here from US figures.
According to the US figures, US has sustained more than 400 weather and climate disaster since 1980 where overall damages or costs exceeded $1 billion.
So it's not all the disasters, it's just those which cost more than $1 billion.
The total cost of these 400 and three events exceeds $2.9 trillion.
And again, this is according to USUS figures.
Last year in 2024, there were 27 confirmed extreme weather and climate events in the US costing more than 1 billion.
Not all of these weather related disasters, you know, have a connection with climate change.
We're not saying that we never will.
We never have done, but climate change is an aggravating factor.
It is making our weather much more, much more extreme.
So you know the, the, the need for the Paris agreement is, you know is, is is is pretty obvious.
We reported 2 two weeks ago that 2024 was the hottest year on record.
We temporarily hit the 1.5°C level is one point an estimated 1.15° above the pre industrial areas.
So, you know, the, the, the, the, the need for climate action, the need for the Paris Agreement is, you know, is more a diversion than ever.
I think that's probably more than enough.
Absolutely, Claire, thank you very much for these details.
So Tarek has joined me on the problem.
But before we go to WHO, is there any other question related to the Paris Agreement of what we have just said?
I don't see hands in the room, but I see hands on the platform.
So I don't know, Catherine and the Mesa, is this on the Paris Agreement?
It is not on the Paris Agreement.
Question for Yens, for human rights and UNHER.
OK, so we'll take this in a moment.
Besa is that on the Paris Agreement?
No, it's for WHONUNSCR good.
Yes, while I may have questions on WHOI do have one on the Paris Agreement.
Well, I, I've heard comments that as serious as the US withdrawal may be from the Paris Agreement that the individual states have been doing, U.S.
states have been doing a great deal of work in terms of climate change and sort of working with the Green revolution, with the production of EV cars and all kinds of regulations in that.
Perhaps this could compensate for the withdrawal of the United States as such of the federal government from the Paris Agreement.
Is this a possibility or is it sort of a halfway house?
As as I read in the in the statement from the secretary general, we do remain confident that they will continue doing their part on the exact issue of compensation.
I don't know, Claire, if you can say a few words not I'm not really an an expert on that, but I think just to underline that, you know, there is huge momentum at, you know, state level, business level, corporate level, you know, climate change is one of the, you know, the big topics at, at, at at at Davos.
Obviously, you know, national governments have a key role to play, but you know, the response to, to, to climate change, you know, it's, it's, it's, it's much wider than that.
Later this week, it's the International Day of Renewable Energy.
I can't remember the exact title, but for that WMO will be publishing a new report on renewable energy.
And you know, the, the figures on, on renewables as you know, it's, it's the one beacon of hope in, you know, an otherwise quite gloomy picture.
You know that there is massive, massive investment in renewables and you know, I think you know, and that will that, that, that, that, that will carry on.
You know, we, we will not, cannot stop the, the revolution to renewables.
Indeed, the day you are referring to Clarice, the tax title is International Day of Clean Energy and is indeed commemorated by international community on the 26th of January.
We will send you the statement of the Secretary General for this day as soon as we have it.
I think there are no other questions from the Paris Agreement.
So I'll go back to and yes, to ask her question to to Tariq who was joining me on the podium.
So the question to WHO was after the US decision to, to leave The Who, what is your reaction and how are you going to reorganise the organisation, the findings how much that will affect your operations?
I, I imagine you have already look at at it even before today.
So maybe you could give us some more inputs on, on what you plan to do.
Thank you, Anderson, sorry, sorry for being late.
In fact, I have a statement for you.
AW two statement that I will read for you.
The World Health Organisation regrets the announcement that the United States of America it tends to withdraw from the organisation.
WHO plays a crucial role in protecting the health and security of the world's people, including Americans, by addressing the root causes of disease, building stronger health systems, and detecting, preventing and responding to health emergencies, including disease outbreaks and often in dangerous places where others cannot go.
the United States was a founding member of WHO in 1948 and has participated in shaping and governing WH OS work ever since, alongside 193 other member states, including through its active participation in the World Health Assembly and Executive Board for.
For over 7 decades, WHO and the United States of America have saved countless lives and protected Americans and all people from health threats.
Together we ended smallpox, and together we have brought polio to the brink of eradication.
American institutions have contributed to and benefited from membership in WHO.
With the participation of the United States and other Member States, WHO has over the past seven years implemented the largest set of reforms in its history to transform our accountability, cost effectiveness and impact in countries.
We hope the United States will reconsider and we look forward to engaging in constructive dialogue to maintain the partnership between the United States of America and WHO for the benefit of the of the health and well-being of millions of people around the globe.
This statement you will have in your inbox shortly.
Thank you very much, Tariq.
And of course, and yes, I haven't forgotten your question for Jensen Gaza, but I see hands for Tariq on this matter.
I'll start with the room, Nick.
Tariq, what do you think of the implications of this withdrawal for practical cooperation between WHO and key US institutions like CDC?
Will that continue or is that also now a victim of this decision?
And I mean, have you had discussions with CDC ahead of this decision because as you know, it was it was foreseen.
In fact, we are as we speak analysing the the language and and exact details of the executive orders to assess what will be implications and impact.
So, so we will, we will probably need some time to, to, to make that assessment.
Terry, can you give us an update on the US contributions where they stand at the moment?
And I understand they are by far the biggest contributor.
What are the plans to, to offset the, the, the contribution to the budget that will be missing in a year from now?
US is the largest single donor in 2023 the contribution was 18,000,000.
All the details on the on the budget, more details is available on our budget portal.
As I said, we will, we are, we are going to analyse what is the, what is the impact of, of this announcement.
But you know that we have been already engaged in what we call investment round, trying to diversify the funding and try to have more of sustainable funding for WHO?
So we can cover really the, the, the, the, our general plan of work that is given to us by member States.
So, so member states told us what to do through our plan of work and our strategy.
So we hope that that will be properly funded.
Talking about numbers, you don't have all the specific numbers, but can you just at least tell us what's the immediate consequences on the on the budgets?
I understand that if I'm correct, the US is barely like nearly 1 billion U.S.
dollars on the total budget.
That is a bit more than $6 billion.
So that's one sixth, let's say of the the The Who budget.
So how is it affected as of today?
Is is this budget until 2025 not affected?
Is the next one going to be affected?
When will you see basically those consequences again, Jeremy?
I cannot respond, respond to what will happen.
So we really have to see.
And so as I said, the, the, the, the, the US was representing 18% of the budget.
And sorry if I if I said something differently just now.
So it wasn't 18,000,000, it was 18% of the budget in 2023.
And, and, and as I said, the US is the largest single donor.
So we have to see really how, how this will will play out and we need to see what will be the consequences.
We are not going to take them all.
I mean, I think you tell me because I, I, I know that, I mean, you've said many things and we need more time.
OK, so, and yes, back to you.
Yes, still a follow up on the question.
You talked about engaging to a constructive dialogue on your side is the Bleacher already has already taken some, some steps to, to, to look for that dialogue with the new US administration.
And could you remind us because it's not the first time that this this is happening.
Could you remind us what is the, the actual procedure to leave the organisations, how it work, how long it lasts?
It's not something from today to tomorrow.
So it's taking months one year, yes.
So as, as as I said, we are looking forward to a constructive dialogue with the with the new US administration.
The process is that a letter has to be sent to the Secretary General of the United Nations because UN is the depository of WTO constitution.
From that moment the letter is received its one year process before before the the actual withdrawals.
Emma Hi Tarek, what appetite do you have from other donors to plug the gap?
Have you already consulted them or any willing to step forward?
As I said, we had these investment rounds where we really try to to get the budget that we need again to fulfil the mandate that it's given to us.
But in the meantime we are really continuing our work.
Doctor Tetris was and he's still in Tanzania.
You have received the press release yesterday.
Doctor Mike Ryan is in Pakistan after his visit in Afghanistan, working there to see how we can improve health, how we can end polio.
Our regional director for for Eastern Mediterranean is in Syria today trying to see how we can support health system.
We, we have been briefing you here every day about what we are doing in Gaza, in Yemen, in Sudan and other places.
So we will continue to do that.
So Catherine was the first one, I think.
Yeah, Catherine, yes, my question was more for for Yen's and you and each other.
Tarik said that I'm sorry.
Tarik spoke about US contribution 18% of the budget, 18% of which amount?
I really have to have to check really, you know that we have this biannium budget.
So I have to see what was what was the exact amount for the, for, for the previous biannium.
But again, in 2023, US was contributing with 18%.
Again, all this information is really available in a, in a, in a budget portal.
You, you can just go there, click buy contributors and you get a list of contributors even in general or per specific topics.
And I think we have all received now the statement that's Tariq read.
Actually, my question was already asked by colleagues, but I just want to ask that you already said that you're looking for a different contribution, but also will in contact with the Trump administration.
Do you hopeful that this decision will be withdrawn and they will return to the table and be part of The Who?
Sorry, I, I think it was, it's really now a statement there.
It's like we hope that United States will reconsider and we really hope that there will be constructive dialogue for the benefit of everyone, for Americans, but also for, for people around the world.
You, you have exhausted your answer.
Thank you very much indeed.
Yeah, I still have a question about, you were talking about the WH working on a more sustainable way of funding the organisation.
I think WHO started like other UN agencies, some kind of replenishment conferences or replenishment process.
Could you say a few words about that and to what extent would that really improve that your funding?
Well, Stefan, you know, you, you are here during the World Health Assembly and then you know, how many resolutions are being made, how many decisions are taken.
And, and, and, and if you look at our general plan of work, it's, it's, there are really so many things inside.
And we really need to be able to, to, to, to finance those, those programmes and those asks from from member states.
What we are really looking for is to have enough money, but also the money that we could we could really use in a way that it's most appropriate to execute that work.
So that work has been going as the transformation of WHO to make it more accountable and more cost effective organisation.
So we will continue to to do that.
Tarek tell you soon the Guangmin daily.
OK, First question, before President Trump officially announced the United States withdrawal from The Who yesterday, had The Who received the period notice or indication from the President Trump himself or his staff?
The second question, it is well knowing that the withdrawing from The Who require requires A1 year waiting period during this year, will The Who or engage in further dialogue or negotiations with the US government to restore the partnership?
If so, what will be the focus on these discussions after the United States withdrawal become becomes official?
Can The Who ensure that its collaboration in health research, vaccine development and data sharing will remain uninterrupted?
We so as I said, we are we are just looking into into executive orders and it came overnight as you know, but we are going to to to engage and we are looking forward to dialogue.
There is a lots of areas for corporation and just to give you a little bit of a sense of what who is doing, we are really evidence based organisations.
So we have number of expert groups in various fields and we are looking into into science.
We are really trying to see what's the latest scientific research showing and how that can be translated in a best possible recommendations for for ministries of health for all countries.
And we will continue to do that.
We need research and we need really research that is free of vested interest to give us collectively the best possible options for for for public health policies that will then improve health of everyone.
Terry, just a little clarification on what you mentioned earlier.
Do we have any idea what is the breakdown from the assessed contributions of the US to the budget of The Who and how much of the US contributes to the earmark voluntary contributions?
I think their share is far bigger in that component.
But I stand to be corrected.
John, I don't have really have figures with me, but I'm happy to look look for it and then send it to you.
I think there would be of interest from what I see by from to everybody else.
Lisa, you had a question on the bridge of yes, I do.
Tarek, could you speak specifically about the potential consequences, impacts of the US withdrawal from The Who on the situation in developing countries, in particular countries in conflicts such as Sudan where you're already under terribly underfunded and having great difficulty in accessing people who are in need of health?
Sorry, I, I can't, I can't tell you exactly the consequences.
We are, we are going to look into it by looking in what executive orders say we will.
So we will definitely analyse that.
But I've been briefing you on, on Sudan few days ago.
And then we all know how difficult situation is there.
And we all know that, that all the agencies and yes, it's there to confirm that we, we don't get the funding we need.
Besides funding, we need access as well to Sudan, but we need to, to, once we have the access to be able to bring what is needed.
But at the same time, as I said, we will continue to work and we will do our best to be in all those places.
So we protect most vulnerable and be there where people need us the most.
Tarek, if you allow me, I think there is a last question from Satok.
I have a question about the investment loan.
So far, WHO has lead the at the half of the the target of the 7.1 billion U.S.
And I'm wondering if WHO members have to agree on consensus whether the the investment around funding to be used to fill the gap of the US funding suspension.
And then this issue will be discussed at the other upcoming executive board meeting.
Well, it's up to member states to to decide what will be discussed at the at the executive executive ward as as it is the case for the other meeting and including on on on investment around.
But again, it's too early to say to to to say what are the consequences?
We need really to to look into it.
What are the implications?
But but we will continue our work in trying really to get that funding that we need.
So has the letter been received by the Secretary General yet?
And has the clock started ticking maybe Alessandra, you know, And does that mean that there's still maybe wiggle room to negotiate if it hasn't been sent?
Emma we we found the information was was found this morning and New York is sleeping the best of my knowledge now, but I'm expecting some kind of declaration today from New York.
Laurent, your hand had been put down and then it's up now again.
Is that for Tariq and then we really really go to together.
It's thanks It's a quick follow up to from 1 of 10 news questions because Tariq, you didn't didn't really understand on the fact to know whether WHO learn about the executive order when it was announced by President Trump or was there any pre notification in formal engagement by the incoming administration with the DG?
Well, what I what I can tell you is that I have I have seen the executive order this morning like like like everyone else and we need to have a look at it.
Derrick, thank you so much for coming in person to the briefing and and then give us this announcement.
There is also in the chat to the briefing some data from Claire on the issue of climate change that you had asked for.
So yeah, it's it's right there.
So thank you very much, Tariq.
Sorry, does Tariq have something more so potentially to contribute on Gaza?
So, oh, maybe, I don't know, say that because yeah, if this is the case, I think that as I told you at the beginning, there are several people who are connected or in the room.
So you can ask question, of course on other, other subjects and and yes, you had a question on Gaza and Katherine also had that the question.
So let's go to Yen's and give the floor to an yes first.
Yes, so the question was to Yen's, but maybe others can also answer us if they want.
It's a question on the logistic of the distributions of of aid in Gaza.
We were wondering what can you tell us about how the, the, the aid gates in, we are singing about the drugs, but who is getting the, the aid into Gaza?
Who coordinated the the operations and in particular who is ensuring the security of these distributions?
And have you seen any looting or do you fear any looting either any armed gangs who are dividing the the aid?
So what can you tell us about that?
Thank you, thank you, Agnes and Tarek you.
I just want to say from from our perspective, we stand fully behind the the statement that we have just heard.
And I think it's worth remembering that the world lives longer, healthier, perhaps a little bit happier because of WHO.
So I noted that Tariq mentioned that WHO is in places where others cannot go.
And that is exactly where we need our meet our colleagues from WHO in Gaza, in Yemen, in Afghanistan, everywhere in Sudan.
It is an indispensable part of the international humanitarian system and they will remain.
So to Gaza and and what is going on there.
Of course, it is a it's a new situation.
I think we will all remember Sunday 19th January.
At long last, aid at scale is entering.
At long last, more hostages were released and can be reunited with their families.
And at long last, women and minors were freed from detention.
It was fragile but vital.
The world will not understand if it doesn't.
Of course, no one should underestimate the complexities ahead.
Just thinking of the rubble inside Gaza that needs to be removed and the clearance of unexploded remnants of war.
We are working with the guarantors of the deal and Israel to get supplies in and on the ground.
We engage with local authorities and communities one day at a time.
Hundreds of trucks have entered.
They started a few minutes after the deal entered into force on Sunday.
We have to and we will maximise delivery through this opening.
People are homeless, disease injuries are rampant, children are separated, and there's a cloud of deep psychological trauma hanging over Gaza that needs to be dealt with.
Our priorities are clear.
Getting food in, opening bakeries, getting healthcare, restocking hospitals, repairing water networks, repairing shelter, family reunification, a lot of the things that we have done throughout but nowhere near at the scale needed.
And that is what we hope and work towards to be able to do.
Now I do not to your question have any solid numbers about distribution.
We know that the aid has entered a lot of it is in warehouses.
There's also we need to bear in mind there's a lot of population movements.
People are moving, they are able to return home.
I've, I'm sure you have seen the images of people going home.
It's a bit of a stretch of the imagination.
I would say to call them homes because mostly particularly in the north, in the north it's mountains of rubble that they find.
So they need help with that.
In terms of security, as I mentioned, we work with, of course, these are 80s on getting stuff in and the other guarantors of the deal.
And we work with local authorities and the communities themselves inside Gaza.
Up till now, these two first days of entry, there has been no reports of looting or attacks against aid workers that I have seen.
As you mentioned, with the ceasefire, many people in Gaza returning their home, but they are just facing rubble now.
We are experiencing winter conditions where these people will stay in a short term.
And does the United Nations have a a plan for sheltering these people?
Well, as as has been the case case throughout these 15 months of relentless warfare, people have been sheltering in collective sights.
A lot of UNWA schools, UNWA facilities have been, have been used for that.
Shelter material has gone in.
You will have seen the tents that are there and people are building their own shelters with whatever is at hand.
So part of the search here is to get shelter in.
It's it's, it's cold, it's needed.
So, so that is that's very that's very clear.
And the sooner the better.
There's not a there's not a moment to lose.
And thanks for briefing us.
Can you explain what has changed that has allowed so much aid to come in?
What new crossings have opened, how it's been possible just to get so quickly from 50 trucks a day to to 900?
And can you say a little bit more about the dangers of unexploded ordinances as people go back to their homes, please?
What changed was the deal that came into that came into effect and that was struck.
So that that's of course the, the fundamental change there has been as we have called for simultaneous openings of crossings both in the north and in the South.
So that is extremely welcome.
Whereas in the past we have seen when one opened another was closed and it was this, you know, trickle dribble that came in from different parts where we have called for a, for a, for a very long time to have simultaneous opening over land both through the north and to the South.
And that is what we are seeing these past couple of days.
The dangers with unexploded ordnance in this conflict as in many other conflicts is of course that it's there and it is extremely dangerous.
We know that this ordinance, this this remnants of war can last for very, very long time, decades.
So of course, there needs to be a concerted, coordinated effort to to to clean that up for the safety and security of all civilians, including aid workers working in Gaza now.
So I just want to can you confirm are all the openings, the pre October 7 border crossing openings, are they functioning now?
Are we seeing the pipeline open from Jordan and other places?
It was were requested but not possible in the past.
Have you seen also any loosening of the kind of categories of assistance you're allowed to bring in dual use items, pipes for water infrastructure, that kind of stuff which has been a problem in the past?
It's a screening much more relaxed than previously.
And the question for Tarek, I wonder if you could bring us up to date a little bit on what aid is reaching which hospitals in Gaza and specifically what have you found in the north?
Of course, this search has been prepared for a very long time in anticipation of of an opening.
So there's been a massive mobilisation, if you like, of of aid outside.
Regarding openings, There are openings simultaneously open in the north and in the South.
All aid that is coming in is screened.
That regime that was in place before remains in place.
Well, Nikka, you have you have heard from our representative Doctor People Corner, we have a 60 day operational plan to restore and expand health services and this is priority.
It means basically now health workers are going to to health facilities, seeing what can be done in those places and how we can restore some of the services, whether in those facilities or we would be bringing prefab clinics to be used.
But the idea is really to as quickly as possible try to provide health facilities to to people of Gaza, focusing on on on emergency care, maternal and child health and, and other areas.
So half of hospitals are not functional, others are partially functional and and majority of health facilities sustain some sort of of damage.
So the idea is really to restore health services as fast as possible, then to assess the damages on the on the on existing health facilities and see how we can put them in use.
But we should not forget other areas and that's the 12,000 patients still need to be evacuated outside Gaza.
We need to make sure that those people can go and receive medical care they need.
We, we, we've been talking to 25,000 people have sustained life changing injuries.
These people need rehabilitation services that are not available right now.
So really it's, it's and we need really to think about health workers in Gaza.
We estimate there were around 20,000 health workers before.
We don't know how many there are now.
These people have gone themselves with their families through multiple displacement and, and, and through the war.
We need to make sure that they first feel safe and they feel recognised so they can go back to their places of work and, and try to, to, to, to provide those service.
In the meantime, we will continue with deployment of emergency medical teams to support Gaza health workers.
Let me go to the platform Katrina.
You mean yes to Yens and also human rights.
Human rights is not with us today, I'm afraid.
But you can ask your question to Yens and yeah, more or less.
And then I'm sure there will be other questions on Gaza.
But if colleagues don't mind, we let's ask, let's ask the question Syria.
Thank you so much, Alessandra.
My, my question is, is related to the reconstruction of Syria.
French President Macron announced a couple of weeks ago that a meeting would take place at the end of January in France.
So do you have any information on that and have you been invited?
And also I, I, I'd like to speak about, but this is more an issue for human rights.
It's a pity that they're they're not attending the briefing towards women because we see a lot of reporting about women not allowed to walk into the streets without being totally covered.
And I'd like to know if these kind of topics have been addressed by UN agencies, human rights and even United Nations in New York.
Alessandra and I had a question for you regarding the retreat.
You spoke about the retreat that the SG is going to have with the heads of agencies and when is it going to take place.
And I suppose that it's going to take place as usual in in Switzerland, Compton Duvalle.
Maybe I'll start with the last one.
Yes, the retreat is going to take place in Switzerland and that is what I can say about that.
The OHCHR in Syria, I would refer you.
I, I, I will definitely forward your question to the colleagues, but I would also refer you to the statement that **** Commissioner Turk made at the end of his mission to Syria.
There were a few issues that would answer your question on that, on Syria maybe.
And you have anything to add in terms of reconstruction.
And no, I've, you know, reconstruction is not really our, our, our mandate.
But just to reiterate basically on on the other part of of your question to on human rights, we also reiterate that all international human rights laws and conventions should be should be upheld by the new Syrian authorities.
And yeah, but but really, I think when when **** Commissioner Turk was there, he spoke at length about that.
Let me see who's got the next question is Beza.
My question is for the UNHCR or I or maybe I can wait for that.
Is it about the Middle East?
Is it about it because normally we should have Kennedy online?
Can we do you mind if we wait for let's finish with the humanitarian issues and then I'll I'll see if Kennedy is there and if he can answer you.
Lisa, you had a question on Syria or Gaza for our colleagues.
Yeah, it's, it's it's kind of on, on Gaza, right, For both welfare Yens and Tariq, if you want to participate, just very quickly, what is the likely impact of Israel barring Anra from providing aid and in in Gaza?
And I'm also wondering what has happened to, I've forgotten his name, but there was a doctor, the head of the hospital in Gaza who has been detained or had been detained by Israel.
Do you know about his whereabouts?
Has he been released or is he still detained?
And I'm wondering whether from from Tariq perhaps whether Doctor Peppercorn and other health professionals that you've had who've regularly gone into Gaza will have a more difficult time in doing this because of the with US withdrawal from WHO?
OK, let's take this one by one.
First of all, I think we have been extensively speaking about the fact that UNRWA is absolutely irreplaceable in our work in humanitarian work with the Palestinian refugees.
The Secretary General has consistently stated this.
We have distributed to you the remarks of Commissioner General Philippe and Sarini to the press conference that he held on the 17th of January after briefing the Security Council.
I think it is absolutely clear that the fact that if if UNRWA had to be barred from delivering his essential work, it would be a disaster.
Really we need UNRWA to support international response in this very important moment.
And again it is totally irreplaceable.
Yes, I'll give you the floor on this and the other questions from Lisa.
And then if that is also want to intervene on the doctors, I'm not sure if we have answers, but we listen from colleagues.
Yes, yeah, thanks and hi Lisa on on the doctor.
I I do not have any information on that on a little bit closer to the ground and in practical terms, when we are reaches back to Agnes question earlier about distribution, how the aid that is now coming in is going to get out to people.
Who do you think are going to do that?
UNWA staff is going to help with that.
There are hundreds of them.
They have, as they have had throughout this conflict, the the close relationship, the network, the the historical kind of presence that is crucial for distributing aid work his assistance the last mile.
So they're certainly going to be part of that.
And just to give you an idea of the, of the extent of the services that Unwrap provides, it's they, they provide services, really key primary services as healthcare, in education, social support too.
5.9 million Palestinian refugees in the Israeli occupied Palestinian territories, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon.
It is almost 6,000,000 refugees that are allowed to have this very primary services thanks to Andra.
So it's absolutely impossible to replace it in these functions.
Well, I I also don't have any information on Doctor Abu Safiya and director of Kamal Advan Hospital and Alexander already mentioned how important the owner is from the health point of view.
With 1000 health workers, UNRWA handles over 16,000 medical consultations per day, including for childhood vaccination, maternal health services, malnutrition screening and mental health support.
So I think we all have said many times that no one can match that and no one can replace.
And I would also maybe just to finish on this subject, draw your attention to what the Commissioner general said on this.
Press conferences at dismantling Umrah now outside the political process will undermine the ceasefire agreement, sabotage Gaza recovery and political transition.
OK, so Beza is on the other subject, so I'll go to Satoko.
My, my question is actually to youth on Gaza.
Could you talk about the problem of looting humanitarian aid by armed group gangs in Gaza?
How are you tackling this problem since ceasefire?
As, as you know there, there has been a sad, tragic history of, of, of looting happening.
Except the past two days, we have not seen any looting.
We have not seen any organised armed gangs or group, whatever you want to call them, attacking the aid that is coming in.
I think it's important to see this in the wider picture as to why were these gangs there in the 1st place, because whatever came into Gaza, whatever had extremely **** value.
So there was incentives to do that.
Now, of course, the more it that comes in, let's see, those incentives will probably not be there as much.
That's why we were talking about flooding the place with aid, right?
Because it takes that incentive away.
And that does not take away from when things do something that's illegal or, or criminal and or, or violent, you know, they should be, you know, it should be addressed head on.
We have seen in the past that attacks against Israeli attacks against the Palestinian police has for a long period of time, effectively put them out of function, out of service.
We had collaboration with local communities where there were some measure of safety and security provided by them to the areas we were passing through of where deliveries were made.
We have also seen instances in the past that these people were attacked.
The good news is, as I mentioned, we have not seen these incidents the past couple of days and hopefully that will continue this way.
Yes, thanks for taking my question.
It's about 12,000 medical evacuations have what has happened there?
Have you prepared, have you been able to evacuate?
Where would they be able to be taken out and how do you prioritise?
We have a really, our colleagues developed a really nice infographic describing the process of, of medical evocations from from making a priority list, having this list approved by, by the Ministry of Health, then this list being sent to the, to the authorities, to the Israeli authorities for the approval.
And then we need to find the country that is willing to, to.
So there, there it's, it's a long process.
So we really need to make sure that this starts working again because since the closure of of Rafa border, we only had I think around 500 people being evacuated while while before that before May, there were there were a couple of thousands.
So we need to get this to make sure that people who are on the list who are already identified.
And then we have people who are injured during military operations, but also people with the with the chronic diseases, those who identified as as as really needing who cannot receive health services they need in Gaza to to be evacuated.
I think your question was something else.
So I'll go to Antonio and then come back to base on you, Antonio.
So my question is to IOM and UNHCR on the OK, OK, OK, let's wait one second then.
I'll thank if there are no other question for Jens and Tariq.
It would be great if I could get an accurate number of the number of medical evacuations since the Rafa crossing closed.
I will definitely send this.
So, Jens Tariq, thank you so much for being here this morning.
I'll go to Kennedy first.
So if you could just open your video please, Kennedy and and do we have anybody from UNHCR?
Let me see if she's still there.
So both of them are here.
So, Beza, go ahead, ask your question to IUM and or UNHCRI, don't know.
Yeah, both of them, if it's possible.
Yesterday, President Trump said all illegal entry to the country will immediately be halted.
Also, he said he will send troops to the Sodom border to what he called repel the disastrous invasion.
I want to ask how both agencies evaluate those remarks.
Thank you very much, Besa.
So I'll give the floor to Kennedy 1st and then to Shabia.
Yeah, thank you very much, Besa.
As you're aware, some of the executive orders that came in are in the situation and many more have been pretty much vast.
Our team here in IOM, we're pretty much in the process of providing and analysing the executive orders to basically see the implication this has on our work.
And I think you'll bear with us at this moment.
Once we have a more in depth analysis of what this means, then we should be able to provide a feedback to you.
But at the moment, our team is still of course in the process of just providing an analysis of what implication this has since the document just came up.
Would you like to add anything on UNHCR side?
Just to reiterate what Kennedy has just said as well on this side, we're also currently reviewing the new executive order and other unaware of other potential measures, but we'll have to wait for that to happen and then come back to you.
Yes, thank you, Alessandra.
Good morning to both of you.
Yeah, my question was related to the decision of President Trump to end asylum.
So I mean, Shabia answered in fact my question.
Thank you, Catherine, Antonio.
Well, I had more or less the same question.
I don't know if you are already doing something in the border with Mexico, any practical movements there by, by your, by your agencies?
I guess it, it should be an emergency for, for you and, and, and you and you should act instead of waiting.
No, Kennedy, would you like to react to that?
Sorry, just to jump into this.
Yes, in terms of, in terms of reacting, we normally, I mean our work has always been ongoing in terms of supporting migrants in vulnerable situations.
So what we, what we are in the process of doing is basically analysing what implication this will have.
But at the moment our work and supporting migrants that has always been on mandate.
That is something that we'll be continuing to do to ensure was but at least the end and humane migration.
Thanks to both colleagues.
I have a question for Shabbir, a bunch of questions really relating to the situation of Uyghurs in Thailand who are being threatened with deportation to being sent back to China.
I wonder if you could confirm how many Uyghurs there are actually in detention in Thailand at the moment and whether you have yet had any assurance from the Thai government that they will not be sent back?
Thanks Nick for your question.
I'll have to check with colleagues on that.
I'm I'm not really covering that thematic.
So if you allow us, we'll get back to you after the the briefing.
OK, well, if you could also just get some sense of, of what you're actually doing to prevent this repatriation.
2015, there was another big one.
More than 100 was sent back.
So yeah, we'd like some detail on on what action is being taken to try and avert this.
Thank you very much, Nick.
I think Shabia has listened to you.
If there are no other questions in the room or online.
I thought it was going to be a brief briefing, but it's never a brief briefing.
So I thank you very, very much for following us.
I've got a feeling that we will already discuss all this in the next days, very soon.
So yeah, let me wish you a very good afternoon and we'll we'll see each other on Friday morning.
