Let's start the press briefing of the UN Geneva on this Friday, 21st of August.
I will immediately start by asking Jensler to to come to the podium.
While he is coming, I would just like to do some housekeeping and remind the journal and tell the journalist that because of the new measures taken in relation with the COVID-19 pandemic, we are now asking everybody who is in Room 3 to wear masks.
So regardless of the number, please wear masks when you come to Room 3.
Obviously, as you can see, I had it, but when you speak, we take it out.
So yes, I see you have your mask and you've taken it out for your announcement.
Yes, thank you Alessandra and good morning everyone.
Just a just a quick note on World Humanitarian Day on on Wednesday, we talked about the **** numbers of aid workers who have been killed, injured or kidnapped just doing their job.
And we commemorated those who we have lost in the line of duty.
And we thanked all the frontline workers, the local responders, the national staff and humanitarians everywhere who are doing life saving work out there.
Those who call our real life heroes, we send the message that the best way to pay tribute to them is by supporting their work and ensuring their safety.
The support and enthusiasm for getting this message out all over the world has been extraordinary.
For example, Twitter mentions of World Humanitarian Day hashtags increased by 435% compared to last year's campaign, with over 150,000 tweets viewed 140 million times on social channels in 136 countries.
The World Humanitarian Day video has been viewed a million times.
And the campaign is far from over.
In fact, we're just at the beginning of this.
So thank you all in the media for your coverage and to all the humanitarian organisations doing this with us, thanks to the support from governments and social media influences.
But mostly, thank you to all the people who spend a little time reading the stories of the extraordinary commitment, courage and humanity of frontline humanitarian workers and sharing them with their friends and followers.
It shows us that people agree that this is a message the world needs to hear.
So thank you for your support and let's keep going.
Thank you indeed to all the humanitarian workers.
And Sarah has also has also joined us for UNDP.
Sarah Bell, because we are going to speak about Lebanon and we have the pleasure.
I was looking if he was already connected.
I think this is the case.
Yes, we have the pleasure to have with us.
Arkan El Siblani was the regional Chief Technical advisor and manager of UND PS regional project on anti corruption and integrity in Arab countries.
If I am right and Sarah is going to say a few words and then I'll give him the floor.
Good morning everyone, we're lucky to have Archan with us is going to is going to brief you on these issues of anti corruption and integrity in Lebanon in the curing context of the explosion.
I'll send you some background documents that explain the efforts and that you can to address them and the road ahead what needs to be done.
In addition, we will organise A webinar series tackling both topics starting the first week of September and covering 4 main topics.
Transparency and accountability in internal aid to Lebanon, integrity guarantees in election processes and financing constitutional gaps, hindering efforts to curb corruption and means to address corruption in public sector institution.
If you have an interest to join Voice Webinars, just reach out to me.
But just before I would like also to inform you that Yens and Madixi, in fact, Madixi, if you want to come to the point, we'll also talk about Lebanon.
So I'll give you the floor now, Arkan for a brief introduction and then we'll hear from the other two spokesperson and we'll open to questions.
Thank you and good morning to everyone.
I would like to start by saying that the explosion at the Port of Beirut on 4 August has resulted in deep human suffering and major massive destruction to the city and its waterfront.
But it also brought to the forefront what is perhaps a deeper and more complex and devastating problem that Lebanon has been facing for years, which is the deep accountability deficit and the widespread and systemic corruption.
The unfortunate situation, this unfortunate situation is recognised by everyone now, political parties, society, successive governments even in recent years, and even the international community.
So if we look at numbers quickly, we see that Lebanon consistently scores very poorly on all related international indicators, most of the times well below the regional averages and the global averages.
We take the Corruption Perception Index as an example for 2019, where Lebanon scored 28 / 100 compared to the Arab states regional average of 33 points and the global average of 43 points, and it ranked 137 among 180 countries.
According to some estimates, the cost of corruption in Lebanon is equal to $5 billion a year.
So putting that number in perspective, it's about 9% of the country's GDP.
And this is only the direct cost and doesn't include indirect costs, opportunity costs, and also the social costs in terms of the health and well-being of citizens at the Port of Beirut alone alone.
The the losses incurred because of this accountability deficit are estimated, according to one study to be nearly at $800 million a year, with the overall estimate of the annual cost of corruption in Customs and Border control expected to be well over $1 billion.
Again, putting that in perspective shows how massive these amounts are.
So regardless of what ended up triggering the explosion, it is becoming clear from the media reports, from statements by different public official officials, that the combination of several major governance gaps are behind the improper presence of the highly explosive materials at the warehouse of the port.
And what, who exactly is to blame for what happened?
Unfortunately, we may never know.
And this is this on its own is another example of the deep accountability deficit that I referred to earlier.
Unfortunately, this deficit is likely to have an impact on the response and recovery efforts, including the international assistance.
So leakage and embezzlement of money and goods, bribes and kickbacks in construction projects as well as a political cooperation of related efforts are all real and present in the context of Lebanon.
And this is not only limited to resources through the government institutions because the corrupt networks that have infiltrated the public sector over the years have also set up their own organisations and alliances in the private sector and even in civil society.
So we have to be clear of of about the risk from the UN side.
And despite the widespread recognition by virtually everyone that there is a corruption problem in Lebanon, the country's responses continue to lack strategic direction.
And we're limited to political promises, sporadic, sporadic media campaigns, abrupt unsuccessful case based action.
And this is where we we, we came in before the blast trying to help the country, you know, design its strategic direction.
And, and we're able to work with the government to adopt just two months before the explosion in May, the first national anti corruption strategy in the history of the country and implementation started in June.
In parallel, we had worked with, with civil society, different institutions to also bridge the deep gaps that are found in, in laws and procedures.
And we've worked on access to information, whistleblower protection and a number of other measures that that are now very critical for it's very critical to support their their implementation.
I want to conclude and I don't want to take more time by saying or maybe just an additional point before I conclude that in addition to this direct support to national stakeholders that we've been trying to do in the past period, we've also worked with the EU and the World Bank started in recent months to convene monthly anti corruption coordination groups for the development partners of Lebanon.
We plan to maintain those meetings now and evolve them first further in coordination with the members of the group in order to better respond to the needs of Lebanon.
I want to conclude by saying that it's very important for the friends and partners of Lebanon to understand that the way explosion is not only a humanitarian crisis, but it's also a symptom of a much deeper and more complex governance crisis that requires dialogue and collective action.
And that this crisis will not be resolved without adequate attention and direct attention to the promotion of transparency, accountability and anti corruption.
And that such efforts need to be targeted and consistent with the priorities that have been identified by all stakeholders and adopted officially in May in the context of the National Anti Corruption Strategy as well as the related international standards such as the UN Convention against Corruption.
I'm happy to take any questions later on the situation.
And indeed, as you said, this is not just a humanitarian classes, but it's also humanitarian classes.
So we'll hear now from Yens for Ochai Malik, C for UNICEF, and then we'll open the floor to questions.
Yens Yeah, thank you very much.
Just just an addition that that I think is is important to to mention in the ongoing humanitarian response to the explosions.
OCHA has begun the disbursement of eight and a half $1,000,000 from the Lebanon Humanitarian Fund to provide rapid support to families that were affected by the disaster.
The Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon IS, Najad Rushdie said that it is important we expedite funding to immediately begin the process of rebuilding people's lives and support their recovery.
This funding will support 5 international and three local NGOs in Beirut who were already working closely with vulnerable communities, ensuring assistance to reach people who need it the most.
More than 180,000 people will be reached by their projects.
That is life saving humanitarian assistance, which include aid in the tech sectors of health, food assistance and protection.
I have a small update on the ongoing assessments and response work in Beirut.
First, on psychosocial support, which is a major programmatic priority.
In a rapid needs assessment conducted by UNICEF and partners earlier this week, half of respondents reported that children in their households were showing changes in behaviour were signs of trauma or extreme stress following the explosions.
These behaviours and symptoms include severe anxiety, quietness or withdrawing from parents and and family nightmares and trouble sleeping and aggressive behaviour.
1/3 of households also reported negative symptoms.
It is clear the needs are immense.
Many children will require urgent and sustained psychosocial support to address the trauma of these explosions.
UNICEF psychosocial support comes in the form of psychosocial kits for children and parents, setting up child friendly spaces in the affected areas and the provision of more specialised, intensive and longer term care for those who need it.
Just a little bit more on the wider impacts of the blasts.
According to the latest information, an estimated 5% of buildings in affected areas have been disconnected from the main water network.
Households still have no clean water supply due to damage to the connections between water sources and buildings and within buildings.
Six major hospitals and 20 clinics sustained partial or heavy structural damage, reducing collective health capacity by about 500 beds.
The Ministry of Education and Higher Education reports that 159 public and private schools and 20 technical and vocational schools serving 50,000 children and young people have sustained minor to significant damage.
Also just a few for a few words and what we've been able to do so far with our partners.
We bring it to reach hundreds of children with psychosocial first aid and hundreds of caregivers with health counselling and referrals.
We have reconnected over 60 buildings to the public water system and installed 109 water tanks in households.
We relocated 98% of the medications and vaccines from the central drugs warehouse and distributed them to primary healthcare centres, dispensaries, UNHCR vaccination sites and other immunisation points.
We've repaired 2 vaccine cold rooms and two solar fridges and installed a generator at the main public hospital.
We have brought in three shipments of humanitarian supplies, including $3.5 million of personal protective equipment.
And we've supported over 1100 young people to clean and do minor repairs of damaged homes and to distribute food and masks.
UNICEF requires $46.7 million to respond to the immediate needs of children and families over the next three months.
The response focuses on keeping children safe, on rehabilitating basic essential services, and equipping adolescents and young people with the skills they need to be part of the effort to rebuild their country, all while limiting the spread of COVID-19.
Off the appeal, we have received $1.3 million with more in the pipeline.
We are grateful for these timely and flexible contributions, but further support is vital now.
Marks here open the floor now to questions on Lebanon, both to Archon in Beirut and our colleagues on the podium.
And I see Katrina has asked for the floor.
Thank you for giving me the floor.
First of all, I would really appreciate that Marixi sends her notes in advance because it's very important to be able to have all these figures and that would allowed us to ask proper questions and not take notes and bad notes at the same time.
The other thing is I would like to thank UNDP for putting us in contact with Mr Arkan El Sablani.
But I think it was worth to have a special briefing on that.
And also about the report.
I mean, we've received a mail this morning, but I've only seen the the article of Mr El Sablani and, but I haven't seen the report.
And I would like to know if the report has been launched before, where, when and if we could receive maybe the contacts of Mr El Sablani in order to ask him a range of questions on on that very, very interesting issue.
I think Marixi has taken note of your of your request.
And I don't know if, Sarah, you want to answer or give the floor to Arkan.
Very briefly, Catherine, I'll send the contact of Archan to all of you.
And yes, indeed, if you look at the e-mail that I've sent, if you click on the link, it should lead you to the report that we did with that magazine, which is called the Executive, which is one of the leading magazine in Lebanon.
And Archan, maybe you can say a few words about the work that was done on the report.
I would be very ready and happy to engage with any questions and happy to share my contacts with with whoever is interested.
With regards to the report, yes, this is a first installment of the special report on anti corruption.
It's actually published on the website of the Executive Magazine.
It was just published less than 24 hours ago.
It includes a number of articles which highlight key issues that are at the core of the current debate in Lebanon on anti corruption, including the article that I have co-authored.
But there are others on asset recovery, on specialised anti corruption courts, on access to information, which is a critical point when we talk about transparency and accountability of international assistance as well.
So this this special report, there will be a second instalment of this report in October.
From now until then, like my colleague mentioned, there will be a series of online discussions and webinars with experts with stakeholders in Lebanon and on the four topics she mentioned.
So we expect this kind of generation and dissemination of specialised information to continue with a view to informing the debate and hopefully informing policy action and decision later on.
Thank you Catherine, I see you have asked again for the floor.
You all know we have a very important press conference at 12.
We have a lot of speakers so I'm trying not to give follow-ups if it's not really, really, really important.
If you could ask the follow up afterwards to Sarah it would be much easier.
Hi, this is a question to Marixi.
You mentioned this survey where families answered on the children's needs.
Can you be a bit more specific?
When was this taken and how many families were part of that?
So this was a rapid needs assessment and my understanding, and I'm going to confirm this right now, is that it was conducted on the 17th of August.
So that was on Monday and it spoke to 940 respondents in the Carrentina, Gaitawi and Basta neighbourhoods.
So let me just confirm the August 17 now and I'll have that for you.
Oh, she has put down her hand.
So Catherine, quickly please.
Yes, very quickly regarding the webinars that are going to be organised by UNDP on corruption.
Will it be possible for for for the press to ask questions?
And really I would like to, to, to have that report sent to us in order to read it.
On the web banners, I don't know yet, but I assume, but you know, I'm going to check with the teams and send you immediately after the briefer an e-mail with the report and the answer to your question.
Thank you very much, Sarah.
I don't see any other requests for the floor.
So thank you to the speakers in the room.
Just also quite quickly, I've referred now to the press conference at 12:00.
As you know, on Monday 24th of August, the Syrian Constitutional Committee will reconvene at the Paladin assuming in Geneva under the auspices of the UN Special Envoy for Syria, Gairo Patterson.
You have received the note to correspondent.
I'm not going to read it because it's quite long, but you have all the information there about both who guides the various delegations, plus some indications of media opportunities.
The first one of these media opportunities is going to be today and it's going to be a curtain raiser by Mr Patterson on the work of the Syrian Constitutional Committee of next week.
This is going to take place here in this room at 12:00.
And we will also be giving you the possibility to connect.
Jennifer will moderate that press conference.
We expect to have quite a few requests for physical presence and as you know we are limited in that.
So we have invited you are ready to ask to tell to let Cecil Carlier know if you want to be here in person.
It will be limited 27 and Please remember, you will have to wear masks and the others will have a chance to follow the briefing online.
And also so just to let you know that the live web cast on webtv.un.org will be also available in Arabic with Arabic interpretation.
So this is so that is why we now have a little more than one hour to complete the briefing.
And I'll give the floor to Elizabeth Russell for OHCHR.
She has two items to brief us about.
We're saddened and appalled by the ongoing violence and threats against human rights defenders in the Philippines, including the killing of two human rights defenders over the past two weeks.
We welcome the statement from the presidential palace denouncing and I quote any form of violence perpetuated against citizens, including activists.
And we know to investigations into both cases are under way.
Randall Randy Ichanis, an agrarian reform advocate and peace consultant, was killed in his home in Quezon City on the 10th of August.
Reports indicated he suffered brutal treatment before he died, including blunt force trauma to the head and **** wounds.
On the 17th of August, the day that Ichanis was buried, another long standing human rights defender, Zara Alvarez, was shot dead in Baccalot City on Necros Island.
Both Echalis and Alvarez had been repeatedly read, tagged, in other words, labelled as communists or terrorists in relation to their work.
Alvarez's name appeared, for example, on a list of 649 people that the government sought to designate as terrorists on March 28th.
While the list was later truncated, many who were removed from the list, including Alvarez, continue to report harassment and threats, as highlighted in the **** Commissioner's Human Rights Report on the Philippines published in June this year.
Alvarez's photo also appeared in a publicly displayed poster purporting to depict terrorists that is cited in the **** Commissioner's report.
She was pictured alongside 2 other human rights defenders who'd been killed, Benjamin Ramos Junior and Benedina Bernardino Patigas, both of whose murders remain unsolved.
Alvarez had spent two years in prison on ****** charges before she was acquitted in March this year for lack of evidence.
Following the ****** of Zara Alvarez, her colleague Clarissa Simpson received a death ****** on Facebook, warning her that she would be next.
This is particularly worrying as Simpson's name also appeared on the above mentioned list of suspected terrorists and her photo is included in the same poster.
The UN Human Rights Office stresses the need for independent, thorough and transparent investigations into the killings and for those responsible to be held to account.
Effective measures must be taken to protect other risk human rights defenders and to halt and condemn incitement to hatred against them.
We also call on the government to ensure that relevant agencies cooperate fully with investigations by the Commission on Human Rights in the Philippines.
We have raised our concerns with the government and the Commission on Human Rights on these cases and look forward to continuing to engage with them.
Any question to Liz on the issue of Philippines?
Let me give the journalist one second.
Just very quickly, the you've been in contact with the government.
Have they taken any responsibility for these these grisly murders?
What has their response been to you about having an independent investigation?
I mean, they've been accused of many things and I don't see that they've really responded adequately to it.
What I could say is first of all, as we say, we, we do welcome the statement that came from presidential palace that denounced any form of violence perpetuated against citizens, including activists.
With regard to investigations, well, we understand that the Department of Justice has announced that it will lead an an interagency body to conduct an investigation into the ****** of a child is the the first who was killed on the 10th of August, and it will also look into the killing of Alvarez.
This investigating body formerly known as the Interagency Committee on Extra legal killings, enforced disappearances, torture and other great violations of the right to life, liberty and security of persons.
Now, what I would say here is the **** Commissioner's report to the Human Rights Council noted that the effectiveness of this interagency committee does remain limited due to a perceived lack of independence, transparency and powers.
There have been efforts to strengthen the mechanism, but the government has failed to ensure transparent, independent, effective investigations and prosecutions in the vast majority of cases.
And to give you an idea about that, of the 383 cases that under this mechanism dating back to 2001, only 13 have resulted in convictions.
So that's why we do absolutely repeat our calls for independent, thorough and transparent investigations into these murders and into all the human rights violations that have been documented.
Thank you very much, Liz.
Don't see any other hand up.
Yes, this this is with regard to Belarus.
The UN Human Rights Office is continuing to follow developments in Belarus, which has seen protests and strikes since the presidential election on the 9th of August.
We know that most of the several 1000 people reported to have been detained in connection with the protests have now been released, but we remain seriously concerned that over 100 people are reportedly still detained.
These include approximately 60 individuals who were accused of criminal acts which could carry heavy prison sentences in connection with their participation in largely peaceful protests.
And there were still reports of people being detained yesterday, Thursday.
We call on the authorities in Belarus to immediately release all those who have been unlawfully or arbitrarily detained and to stop detaining people for exercising their rights to freedom of expression and to freedom of peaceful assembly.
We're particularly worried that the fate and whereabouts of at least eight people remain unknown and they all disappeared following the start of the protests on the 9th of August.
Given the practise of mass detentions that took place, it has been impossible to obtain complete information regarding all detainees.
Under relevant international standards.
Belarus has a duty to ensure that comprehensive and accurate records are kept about all individuals in detention and that their family members and legal counsel are promptly informed about where they are being held.
Allegations continue to emerge of large scale torture and I'll treatment of people, including of journalists and particularly alarming of children during the arrest and in detention.
We're therefore disturbed that reportedly no action has to date been taken to investigate these reports with a view to bringing those responsible to justice.
We remind the Belarus authorities of the absolute prohibition on torture and reiterate the call made last week by the **** Commissioner for prompt, thorough, independent and impartial investigations into all allegations of human rights violations.
These include the deaths of four people as a result of injuries they sustained during the protest.
Victims have the right to redress.
As a situation in Belarus continues to evolve, the government should take steps to facilitate and not repress the right freedom of expression and of peaceful assembly.
We also encourage the Belarusian authorities to reconsider their stance of not engaging with the UN Special Rapporteur on Belarus.
Having a constructive engagement with the Special Rapporteur would be a real opportunity for Belarus to show its willingness to reflect on and respond to human rights issues, especially in a time of crisis.
We also recognise the important role played by non governmental organisations in Belarus for continuing to carry out essential human rights work, including by documenting in challenging circumstances allegations of human rights violations both prior to, during and after the election.
Our work should be facilitated and supported.
So OK, let me see if there's any question about Belarus, but I don't see, I don't see any.
Are you concerned about what has happened to him?
Are you concerned about the fact that the decisions about his medical welfare seem to be in the hands of a medical team that do not include his personal physician, who has been excluded?
And do you recommend that he should be allowed to travel to another country for treatment?
Obviously, the reports of what has happened to Alexina Navalny are very concerning and very worrying.
And I think our first call and our first consideration would be that we really hope that he is able to make a speedy and completely full recovery.
And as part of that, we would absolutely stress that it is important that he gets all the adequate care that he needs in order to be able to make a recovery.
She had to step out for for a minute.
Catherine, you have your hand raised.
It's it's a question of course, for Liz.
Liz, My question is related to the situation in Mali.
I've seen the declaration of the SG, but I would like to to know if you office, because if I remember well you have an office in Bamako.
If you have your office has any contacts with the group of military people that took power over there?
And if maybe you could send me then contact details of Mr Nguefa, if I remember well, who's head of your office over there?
Katherine, I can actually give you some updated information that we have received from colleagues there.
As you as you say, we do have an office there.
It is part of the Human Rights and Protection Division of the the mission in Mali.
The director of the Human Rights Division and some members of his team were able to get access last night to all the people that had been detained by the people who conducted the coup.
And that the access that include access to president.
We understand that 14 people in total have been detained.
From the information that our colleagues were able to to gather following this visit, there are no indications that these people have been ill treated.
There was initial 19 people detained, but the 14 detainees were moved to a place with with better conditions of detention.
So that's the information that we've received from the team that is closely following the situation.
I think what we would stress is, is absolutely what the Secretary General has called for that the the people that who have been illegally detained should be unconditionally released.
Thank you very much, Liz.
I don't see any more hands for you, but we should have Andre from UNHCR on the line for with the briefing on Rohingya.
So I will hand over the floor to you, Andre.
A very good morning to everybody.
Ladies and gentlemen, I do hope that you can hear me.
I have two items for you today.
The first one is related to the Rohingya crisis.
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is calling today for the new support and solutions for displaced and stateless Rohingya communities both within and outside of Myanmar.
Three years on from the latest exodus of Rohingya refugees who fled Myanmar and sought sanctuary in Bangladesh from August 2017 onwards, challenges persist and continue to evolve.
The COVID-19 pandemic has added additional complexities.
The international community must not only maintain support for refugees and their host communities, but adapt to critical needs and expand the search for solutions.
Rohingya communities estimate that up to 3/4 of the Rohingya people are today living outside Myanmar.
UNHCR and the Government of Bangladesh have individually registered over 860,000 Rohingya refugees in the refugee settlements in Cox's Bazaar.
Bangladesh has demonstrated A profound humanitarian commitment to Rohingya refugees.
It has ensured their protection and extended life saving humanitarian support and now hosts 9 out of 10 Rohingya refugees registered in the Asia Pacific region.
This generosity must be acknowledged through continued investment in both Rohingya refugees and Bangladeshi host communities.
Ultimately, the solution to the plight to the Rohingya lies in Myanmar and in comprehensive implementation of the recommendations of the Advisory Commission on Rakhine State to which the Government of Myanmar has committed.
Creating conditions that are conducive to the Rohingya's people, safe and sustainable return will require whole of society engagement, resuming and enhancing the dialogue between the Myanmar authorities and Rohingya refugees, as well as other measures that help inspire trust.
These include lifting restrictions on freedom of movement, reconfirming that the internally displaced Rohingya can return to their own villages, and providing a clear pathway towards citizenship outside of Myanmar.
But our collective efforts must be directed not only to ensuring the dignity and well-being of the Rohingya people today, but also preserving their hopes and improving prospects for their futures.
This means working towards lasting solutions, not only Myanmar itself, but also through study and work opportunities outside countries of asylum and 3rd country pathways for those with the most acute vulnerabilities.
The strength and resilience of the Rohingya people in exile in Bangladesh and elsewhere have formed the backbone of the humanitarian response over the past three years and supported the communities hosting them.
In turn, respecting and recognising their courage and capacities means ensuring that they are not forgotten as the crisis enters into its fourth year.
You mentioned my, my, my, the answer in a sense in your last sentence.
But has the Rohingya tragedy fallen off the international media map and the consequences of that, I mean, essentially, they do appear to be forgotten.
If you could talk about that.
And then could you speak a bit more about the COVID pandemic in the community?
Is this spreading or by some miracle or whatever it is, has it not really gone very far?
I do have some of the latest information from there.
Just bear with me for a second.
So on the, on the situation with the testing for the COVID-19, I'll start with the second part of the question.
The testing capacity the exists it's, it's run by a National Laboratory at Cox's Bazaar Medical College.
Now that one started operating on the 2nd of April.
Currently the capacity is about 1000 tests per day.
So far we have 3849 COVID-19 positive cases.
This is a cumulative number.
These were reported in the Cox's bizarre district.
Just to be clear, not just not, not among refugees.
This is as of 19th of August.
That includes 3765 host community and 84 refugees.
Now, so far, 3575 refugees have been tested and as I said, 84 COVID-19 cases have been confirmed positive, with six deaths.
The number of refugees being tested on a daily basis has significantly increased and currently about 19 tests per day are conducted on average.
We feel that it's very important to come to your first part of the question, obviously to keep this situation on the international agenda.
The need for solution is acute.
We are just, you know, talking about the, the, the last crisis, this is the, the last displacement, which was a substantial 1 when hundreds of thousands of people were displaced.
But there there is a longer history to the to to the Rohingya, the situation of the Rohingya people.
And we feel that it's really important to bring about the the discussion about the solution for them, particularly those in displacement and stateless in Myanmar and outside Myanmar.
Thank you, Andrea, I'm looking at the room and at the least no other questions.
Thank you very much, Alessandra.
We're also today briefing about the situation of the flash floods as an estimated 300,000 people in Yemen have lost their homes, crops, livestock and personal belongings in the last three months due to torrential rains and severe flash floods.
Amongst the newly displaced are people who were previously forced to flee their homes because of the conflict.
Now they have been uprooted again and have to rebuild their lives and their communities.
The most badly hit areas include Mahdib, Amran, Hajja Al Hudeida, Taiz, Large Aden and Abian governorates, where floods have killed at least 148 people in the last two months alone.
In Hababa, a sudden and catastrophic break of Aluruna Dam dam led to the uncontrolled release of 250,000 cubic metres of water, affecting thousands of people.
In IDB sites in Alta Haseen, Sukhalil and elsewhere, many of the internal displaced people by the floods were already living in objected poverty, sorry, in abject poverty, often in overcrowded makeshift shelters made from plastic sheeting or mud which have been meshed, washed away or sustained significant damage.
People are now being forced to shelter in mosques, in schools or with relatives, or live out in the open in abandoned buildings, some of which are at the risk of collapsing or whatever is left of their damaged homes.
Many were already struggling to survive, with little or no work opportunities and barely able to afford one meal a day for their families.
Levels of desperation and despair are rising as the world's worst humanitarian crisis plums to new deaths.
We are deeply concerned that the displaced communities are extremely vulnerable to the COVID-19 pandemic, with many unable to practise the social and physical distancing, access to clean water, hand for hand washing or enact other measures to prevent transmission of the virus.
The country's health infrastructure is already badly damaged after years of conflict.
Thousands more may yet be impacted as the rainy season is expected to continue and the capacity of many dams, some of which are in poor condition due to neglect in many in recent years because of the conflict, are becoming increasingly overwhelmed.
In Marit, for example, the dam has reached the overflow level and is highly vulnerable to bursting, with further extreme and extended rainfall overfills the reservoir.
This would destroy the downstream irrigated area where sites hosting thousands of people who have been who have become internally displaced people by the conflict are located.
We are rushing to provide emergency shelter support and core relief items, basic household items for thousands of people, as well as counselling support to those struggling to cope with the loss of their homes and loved ones.
We are also working with other partners on addressing the the COVID-19 pandemic, the raising the awareness, protection and prevention measures.
However, our capacities to continue are constrained by severe underfunding on current levels.
Our stocks of shelter and emergency relief items will run out of in a matter of weeks, leaving with some some of the leaving basically some of the most essential needs unmet.
And after more than five years of conflict, more than 80% of Yemen's total population requires humanitarian assistance.
Close to 4 million ID PS retainees, refugees and asylum seekers are now reliant on regular humanitarian aid just to survive.
Andre, any question to HCR on Yemen and see any on the platform?
I didn't see any in the room.
Thank you very much, Andre, for the briefing.
I'll go now to IUN, to Safa, who has something to tell us about Libya.
Return returns from Libya, Safa for IUN if she can be unmuted.
Yes, yes, go ahead, you are connecting.
We have a briefing on our operations in Libya.
118 Ghanaian migrants stranded in Libya to to COVID-19 restrictions ordered a flight home yesterday.
Iowans first voluntary humanitarian return programme movement since a temporary hold began 5 months ago Among those aboard Thursday's charter to Accra was seven women, three children and two infants.
All were medically screened by IOM prior to departure and received personal protective equipment like masks, gloves and hand sanitizers as well as psychosocial assistance.
The organisation will continue to provide support during a 14 day quarantine period in Ghana and later reintegration assistance.
COVID-19 has added a whole new layer of complexity to the VHR programme, a critical lifeline for migrants wishing to return home since it began in late 2015.
In the face of sweeping COVID-19 mobility restrictions and intensified conflict in Libya, IOM received many new requests for VHR assistance.
The organisation operates an information hotline for migrants and has maintained communications with governments of countries of origin to facilitate consular support.
More than 2300 migrants have been registered for voluntary return to their countries of origin since March.
In the first quarter of 2020, IOMSVHR programme helped over 1400 people stranded to return home from Libya.
Nearly 9800 others returned to 34 countries of origin across Africa and Asia last year.
Conflict and COVID-19 have severely impacted the livelihoods of migrants in Libya, according to an assessment conducted through IO Ms Displacement Tracking Matrix.
Migrants in 93% of assessed locations reported they were negatively affected by movement restrictions, chiefly in a loss of employment, and more than 1/3 are estimated to be food insecure.
Thank you very much, Safa.
And I see you already Lisa has raised her hand.
Could you speak a bit more about the condition of these people?
I'd like a profile of them.
I mean, your, your report is a little bit dry, if I might say.
Were they victims of ***** or what if, if you would elaborate upon that, do you anticipate that you will have more repatriation flights coming up?
And then lastly, because of the increasing difficulties which exist in in in Europe, I mean in Libya, in order for the migrants to go to European countries, do you notice that any migrants are being discouraged from actually going to Libya or has the message not reached them?
All of the migrants on board this this flight are actually from the city.
So a lot of them were migrant workers.
They were not in detention.
So all of them were in the city of Tripoli.
Many of them have been working in Libya for years, others have arrived in the past few years.
But due to the severity of the conflict as well as the COVID-19 situation, mobility restrictions, they found themselves out of jobs, out of income and have been stranded in in in the city and have decided to go home.
Many of them had already accommodations but some of them were out on the streets when they reached out to IOM.
So we've provided them with shelter for five months as the programme was on temporary hold.
With regards to the question for more flights, voluntary return as I said was and is a lifeline for migrants stranded in Libya.
We expect that there will be more flights due to the backlog of of migrants who've applied for the programme and sought the programmes assistance during the temporary hold.
Over the past five months.
We know that at least 2300 people have registered for the programme to return to their countries of origin.
Some of them will be returning in September to to Bangladesh.
We did have a flight to Mali next week, but that has been postponed due to the security and political situation.
The last question was with regards to arrivals in Europe and migrant crossings.
I suppose it is difficult to to get an estimate of how many migrants are making their way into Libya right now.
The insecurity at the border and and the the lack of monitoring at the border does not allow us to have a clear idea on how many people are making their way into Libya, nor does it give us a clear idea on how many people attempt to to cross the.
But we did see in many cases where hundreds of migrants were stranded or left by smugglers between Indonesia and Libya border this year, signalling that smuggling activity and trafficking activity continues towards the country.
Arrivals in Europe or departures from Libya specifically have increased this year compared to 2019.
Although it is really important to put things into perspective and point out that it is an increase compared to 2019, but a massive a decrease compared to to previous years where Europe has seen hundreds of of thousands of arrivals, especially through the Central Mediterranean.
I hope that does answer the question.
Are there any other questions?
Yes, pardon me, but for IOM, OK, no.
So for IOM before we dismiss Safa, I don't see any so suffer.
Jamil, who is your question for because I still have Elizabeth who needs to brief at the end.
OK, so let's go to Elizabeth Beers for WFP for every item on Burkina Faso.
WFP is concerned about the deterioration, alarming deterioration of food security in some parts of Burkina Faso.
It's worsening dramatically.
More than 3.2 million people are struggling to feed themselves during the current clean season.
It's 50% rise since March and if immediate sustained action is not done very, very fast, we can have a very dramatic situation in the region which are worth it by this food insecurity.
2 provinces in the Seoul region.
Udalan Esum have been driven into emergency phase of food insecurity which is phase 4.
The assessment indicate that more than 11,000 people in this northern area may be experiencing catastrophic levels of food insecurity.
Insecurity and conflict are the main driver on the growing hunger in Burkina Faso.
These are compounded by the effect of climate change and socio economic impact of coronavirus pandemic.
Over 1,000,000 people have now fled their homes as armed groups spread across the country and the country has witnessed a spike in security incidents in the last two years.
Most of those forced to flee are subsistence farmers and livestock herders who have had to abandon their farms, homes, assets, livelihoods.
Some farmer were not able to harvest their field and most of the displaced are no longer able to grow crops.
This is a dramatic in a country where 80% of the population lives from agriculture, WFP is racing again the clock to prevent a hunger catastrophe.
Over the last two years, we have continued to ramp up our assistance to keep up with the deepening humanitarian crisis.
In August, WFP is set to reach 1.2 million people, but funding falls short of the needs and this may jeopardise efforts to save lives.
WFP urgently needs $51 million to quickly respond to the growing needs of this situation in this country.
Questions for WFPI See Kathleen.
Question of Francais actual more univo de Burkina situation only.
Elizabeth OK, so Elizabeth was our last speaker, so I give the floor to Jamil for his question.
To whom, Jamil, either to you or to WHO?
My question basically first to know.
To know if WHO is around, WHO is unless she's gone, but WHO was connected Margaret, Yes, Margaret still here.
So you can ask your questions on regarding WHO first, are we going to go back in the coming weeks to briefings on Mondays and Thursdays or it will vary from week to week?
First of all, the organisation question.
Secondly, on the the panel led by Helen Clark, I understand that it's independent, but independent does not mean non transparent.
So my question is, is there any press officer for this group?
Is there any way we can get information, because I have information that there's a number of candidates to be member of this Commission.
How is it going to be decided?
What are the criterias for these people to be chosen?
Are countries going to vote for them?
Is it a personal choice by Helen Clark and Miss Sirleaf, or will Mr Tedros be involved?
I mean, the fact that it's independent does not mean it's obscure.
Thank you very much, Jamin.
And I see that Margaret has already been unmuted.
So, Margaret, would you like to take this up, please?
I see she is connected and unmuted, but we can't hear.
Can it's it's on her side.
Margaret, I'm told we can't really help.
We we don't hear and we don't see you.
There must be a a technical problem, I think.
Well, Jameela, I think she heard you because she was connected and simply we can't connect to her.
So maybe you can try and, and talk to her afterwards or oh, she's back.
Let's see if she can, she can be connected again now.
There's been something going on with my this morning.
I've dropped out four times.
I heard there were two questions from Jameel.
He was asking about the Commission and about our press briefing.
Yes, the plan is Mondays and Thursdays.
There was an emergency meeting that Doctor Tedros was pulled into on Monday morning.
So that's why we rescheduled to use their Friday just exceptionally this week so that that was just simply something that happened.
But the the cycle is currently Monday, Thursday on the second one, the independent Commission, yes, The good news is the secretary is beginning to be built up.
We should have a press officer for you.
I'll follow that up to see if we've got a name yet.
We have been in close contact with them because you're not the only one.
Of course, naturally, following this is an important story on the selection of the other members, that is.
Margaret, we do have a problem with your connection.
So I, I hope Jamila has already had a little part of the answer, but you will have to reconnect.
I'll see if there is any other question.
Otherwise this conversation will have to continue after we have closed the briefing.
Is there anybody else who has question for any of our speakers, maybe apart from Margaret, who can't really answer the moment?
Well, I know that Margaret is muted at the moment, but it's well, she's blocked or muted or whatever the word is.
But the journalists would actually very much like to know from The Who, what is the plan for the press conferences?
Because we were told last week that it was going to be Mondays and Thursdays, and now it seems to have gone back to Tuesdays and Fridays.
You know, it would just be good if they could send us some type of clarification on this by whatever means they can unblock themselves.
Otherwise, I'll, I'll call her after the briefing to, to repeat this request.
I don't have any other speaker.
I just have a couple of announcements for me for you.
First of all, just to remind you that today is the International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism.
And tomorrow the international community commemorates the International Day on the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief.
We've sent you the message of the Secretary General.
Also on 23rd of August, we commemorated the International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition and the UNESCO has the lead.
I have just one press conference, press briefing to remind you of this is on Tuesday, 25th of August at 8:00 AM New York time, 2:00 PM Geneva time.
But it's hold, it's held on New York on the New York platform.
This is ahead of the release of the Secretary General's report on digital financing, which will be launched on 26th of of July, sorry of August at 10 AM New York time for PM Geneva time.
So the briefers here will be Akim Steiner, UNDVUNDP Administrator and Co Chair of the Task Force on Digital Financing of the Sustainable Development Goals, and Simon Zadek, Head of the Task Force Secretariat.
The briefing and the report are embargoed until the launch on 26th of August at 10 AM New York time.
And if you want to participate, we've sent you the invitation with a link and the indication to connect, but you also have to register with our colleagues in New York, in particular Mrs Florencia Soto.
You have the e-mail on the message.
And very last point, the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities has opened its virtual 23rd session this week.
The only public meeting still scheduled for this session will take place on the 4th of September at 3:30 PM and that will be for the closure of the session.
If we have more, we'll inform you.
In 20 minutes the oh, sorry, go ahead.
I'm just wondering if you issued any accreditation for foreign journalists because some of our colleagues tried to come here to follow up the meetings, but strict decision by Swiss government, they couldn't be able to come as they need is certain visa or invitation.
We know it starts 24 August when we'll finish this meetings.
As we wrote in the NOTO correspondent, obviously we have the possibility of accrediting journalist from outside Geneva, provided that they can come to Switzerland.
So if the people in question have the possibility to come in particular in relation with the COVID-19 regulations of the host country, of course, we will be happy to to accredit them.
Otherwise, we have to follow the rules of the host country.
So that is, but it's, it's specified in the link, I believe it's in the NOTO correspondent.
Otherwise, we can give it to you.
So if there's no other question, I leave you to attend at 12:00 the carton Brazer by the Special for Syria.
Mr Pedersen, thank you very much to you all.
