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UN Geneva Press Briefing - 30 September 2025

57:30

MP4

3.6 GB

30-09-2025

Press Conferences | UNECE , WHO , OCHA , UNHCR , UNICEF

UN Geneva Press Briefing - 30 September 2025

ENG FRA

UN GENEVA PRESS BRIEFING

30 September 2025

UN Response to the Earthquake in Afghanistan

Indrika Ratwatte, United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) Humanitarian Coordinator, speaking from Kabul, said one month after the earthquake which had killed 2000 people, injuring 3600 and damaging 8500 homes, the humanitarian community had delivered to Kunar province, a remote part of Afghanistan, in coordination with the authorities and partners. The challenges were such that many of the families in the more remote villages had to come down to the valleys, creating informal settlements.

Some 3000 families were now being supported. The immediate challenge was preparing for the winter, including providing clothing and heating solutions. Other priorities were food, health, nutrition and psychosocial support to the affected populations. There were also challenges in female colleagues delivering assistance: the UN agencies were underscoring the point to the authorities that this remained quintessential for an effective response.

Regarding the initial response from the international community to earthquake, around 23.7 million USD had been contributed so far out of the 140 million asked. Food had been delivered to over 150,000 individuals.

This remained “a crisis within a crisis”: as of yesterday, almost 2.2 million Afghan refugees and undocumented individuals had returned to Afghanistan; at the same time, other parts of the country were affected by a drought. Furthermore, the UN agencies were informed yesterday that the telecommunications and fiber optic connectivity in Afghanistan would be suspended until further notice. This affected not just the UN and its partners in humanitarian assistance, but also health programs, banking services, financial services and air traffic, as flights could not land in the country. The UN agencies were negotiating to get a waiver from this suspension; in the meantime, they were striving to maintain essential support activities with the communications available.

Arafat Jamal, UN Refugee Agency Representative in Afghanistan, also speaking from Kabul, underscored that a large number of affected persons were doubly hurt: first they had been deported from their places of asylum, then they had suffered an earthquake.

Answering questions from journalists about the consequences of the suspension of communications, Mr. Ratwatte noted that there would be a fallout on critical medical services, supply chains and vaccinations. The running of basic essential services in the country would also be impacted. Even the authorities were having challenges in communicating between themselves, Mr. Ratwatte noted.

Situation in Gaza

Journalists inquired about the UN’s reaction to and involvement in US President Trump’s recently announced plan regarding the conflict in Gaza.

Jens Laerke, for the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), noted that the plan was a proposal. In any event, aid was stockpiled in the region and ready to move in; this aid had already been paid for by donors who expected the UN to deliver it to people in need.

Questions were then raised regarding a potential involvement, under President Trump’s plan, of UNWRA to distribute aid. Mr. Laerke said that the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East was and remained the backbone of aid infrastructure in Gaza and elsewhere.

Ms. Vellucci stressed that as the suffering of the Gaza people continue, we continue to advocate for the immediate end of the hostilities, the return of the hostage and the full access for humanitarian aid.

Regarding questions on the volume of aid and the number of trucks the OCHA was getting into Gaza, Mr. Laerke said the question was, rather, how much it was able to pick up and distribute: there was a constant back and forth toggle between whether the UN got permission to go and pick it up, and then whether it got permissions once it has been picked up to go and deliver it.

Ricardo Pires, for the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), added the Fund had some 11,000 tents not being allowed in, as well as other items that would support sheltering displaced families in the south. It was important to obtain a ceasefire so that aid could flow in, not only to prevent the famine that was moving to the south, but also to make sure that children and families had shelter before the onset of winter. Ms. Vellucci said that between mid-August and the end of last week, some 453,000 displacements had been recorded across the Gaza Strip, the majority originating from Gaza City.

Answering other questions on the political aspect of the situation, Ms. Vellucci reminded that the UN had constantly been involved in the peace process in the Middle East, and had been speaking to all the mediators as well everyone that can do something to end the suffering of the Palestinian people. She recalled the two-State solution that was discussed at the recent conference at UN Headquarters and that remained the only viable way forward. She also recalled yesterday’s briefing of the Deputy Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process to the Security Council.

Announcements

Thomas Croll-Knight, for the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), said coming up next week would be the 5^th UN Forum of Mayors (6-7 October, Tempus) preceding the Ministerial Meeting on Housing Affordability and Sustainability (8-10 October, Tempus). Under the theme Cities Shaping the Future, the Forum of Mayors would stress the crucial role of cities and local actors for sustainable development. The Forum would engage directly with the Ministerial meeting, as part of the 86^th Session of the UNECE Committee on Sustainable Development, Housing and Land Management.

The Forum would be chaired by City Leader of Glasgow Council (United Kingdom), with Vice-Chairpersons the mayors of Novo Mesto (Slovenia) and Heidelberg (Germany), and the deputy mayor of Geneva (Switzerland). The keynote addresses would be delivered by the mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, and Ruth Dreifuss, former President of Switzerland and the spokesperson of the 5^th Forum of Mayors.

Tarik Jašarević, for the World Healh Organization (WHO), announced the release, today, of two reports on antibacterial agents. The first report was an analysis of antibacterial agents in clinical and clinical development, assessing whether current research and development efforts were keeping pace with the urgent need for new treatments against the most dangerous drug-resistant bacteria; the second report was an overview of commercially available diagnostics for bacterial priority pathogens. The WHO expert was ready to take interviews; the reports could be received under embargo. On another topic, the WHO Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (Sage) would hold its press conference after the regular meeting today at 4:00 p.m.

Ms. Vellucci, on behalf of Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights (UNHCHR), announced that on Thursday, 2 October, at 1:30 p.m., Yao Agbetse, Independent Expert on the Human Rights situation in the Central African Republic, would hold a press conference.

The Committee on Enforced Disappearances would close its 29^th session also on 2 October. It would then issue its concluding observations on the three countries reviewed during the session: Montenegro, Benin and Sri Lanka

Finally, Ms. Vellucci reminded that a high-level Conference on the Situation of Rohingya Muslims and Other Minorities in Myanmar was taking take place today in New York. Its objective was – among others – to propose a concrete plan for a sustainable resolution of the crisis, including efforts to create a conducive environment for the voluntary and dignified return of Rohingya Muslims and other members of the minority group to Myanmar. The conference would be webcast by UNTV.

***

Teleprompter

[Other language spoken]

Welcome to the press briefing here at the UN in Geneva.

Today is Tuesday, 30th of September.

We have two invitees who will brief us on the situation in Afghanistan one month after the terrible earthquake that has hit this region, the eastern region of Afghanistan.

Unfortunately, we have some issues with the connection.

So I will start with the announcements and in the meantime, we will try to to, to retrieve the connection with our colleagues in Kabul.

So let me give the floor to Thomas Crawl Knight for UNECE.

Thomas, you have the UN Forum of Mayors coming up and maybe another meeting just that you present it.

That's right.

[Other language spoken]

So big week on urban issues next week here in Geneva as the fifth form of mayors will gather over 50 city leaders from around the world here in the ballet and that will come back-to-back with a ministerial meeting on housing affordability and sustainability.

So that will take part in the framework of our Committee on Sustainable development, on sustainable Urban Development, Housing and Land Management.

So that's starting next Monday on the 6th and goes up until the 10th.

The form of mayors.

Let me give you a little bit of background on that for those who didn't attend last forums.

So under this year's theme, Cities Sharing the Future, the Forum will help to reinforce the crucial role of cities and other local actors for sustainable development and addressing key issues.

Now this is a unique platform within the UN system which links local and national authorities within a normative intergovernmental framework.

So this is part of the idea of realising a more inclusive, networked, multilateral system.

So the Forum of Mayors will negotiate outcomes that will then be submitted to the ministerial level and to our committee work.

So this is linking those two levels in an innovative way.

Now, this forum will be chaired by the City of Glasgow, the Mayor of Glasgow, with vice chairpersons from Slovenia, from Novomesto, Slovenia, Heidelberg, Germany, and the deputy Mayor of Geneva.

Here in Switzerland, our host city keynote addresses from the Mayor of Paris, Annie Dalgo and Ruth Dreyfus, former President of Switzerland and the spokesperson of this forum.

So city leaders from across Europe will be joined by city leaders from Latin America, Africa, Asia and the Middle East.

So I will share again the list of those participating with you by e-mail.

So the ministerial meeting on housing affordability and sustainability, this is starting on the 8th of October.

We'll gather around 30 ministers and high level government representatives from UNECE member states to be chaired by Switzerland, Switzerland state Secretary for housing.

And the focus is on affordable housing.

So a major challenge right across Europe, right across the region, which is not affecting only the poorest, the poorest of the populations, but large swathes.

We had a study last year, just to put this in context, that over 1/3 of those in the bottom 40% of income distribution are experiencing housing stress with housing costs regularly exceeding 45% of income of household income.

So this is a highly political issue and the holding of this ministerial meeting is testament to the increasing political prioritisation of these issues.

So ministers will negotiate and be invited to agree on commitments for sustainable and affordable housing.

Again, I will share this with you for your for your perusal before.

As always, we remain available to facilitate your contact with cities, with ministers.

I will share the list of them with you and we will do our best to, to put you in contact.

Those are taking place in Tempest next week and we will have a dedicated press conference here on the 8th of October at 9:00 AM.

So next Wednesday with the State Secretary of Switzerland of Croatia of the form of Mayors Chair and our Executive Secretary.

I will just touch briefly on two more points.

So I sent to you yesterday details of the Sustainable Energy Week events that's taking place this week, including a couple of sessions with the Human rights focus.

A big topic for us is the just transition and resilient energy system.

So that's that's the focus.

Please have a look at those and if you're interested, we will do our best to facilitate contact again.

And finally, just the the good news that Sierra Leone has joined the UN Water Convention as said yesterday, that Sierra Leone now joins a growing group of West African nations to have joined the convention, Cote d'Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea Bissau, Nigeria, Senegal, Togo.

So there are now thirteen parties from Africa where 90% of freshwater is in shared basins.

So water Corporation to strengthen the foundations for peace, security, climate change adaptation and sustainable development.

[Other language spoken]

Thank you very much, Thomas for this briefing.

I don't know if there are any question from the room or online.

I see Jamie has his end up, but I'm not sure he's for you or because he was there before.

Jamie, is that a question for Thomas?

[Other language spoken]

Hi Thomas.

Thank you for your presentation.

But my question is for yes.

I hope he can answer my question.

[Other language spoken]

Look, if there are no other question for Thomas, I will let him go because we have we see now a connection from an address Unama.

So I'm hoping that, I'm hoping that we are, we have contacted, we have managed to contact the Kabul.

I'm looking at my colleagues.

So Thomas, thank you very much.

Thanks for this, for this briefing.

Let me see if we still have Unama online and I have I'm not seeing them anymore today.

The connection is hard.

[Other language spoken]

OK, So maybe I'll give the floor to Jamie.

[Other language spoken]

And maybe you could also address this question as well.

As you surely heard yesterday, there was an announcement in Washington from President Trump about a peace plan for for Gaza that is seemingly been agreed to by Bibi Netanyahu .8 of that 21 point plan.

20 point plan says refers to the entry of distribution of aid into Gaza that will proceed without interference from the two parties through the United Nations and its agencies.

So could you give us some details please about how the UN will be involved in this?

And was the UN aware of this beforehand and is it on board?

And I have a follow up after that.

[Other language spoken]

So let me first start by saying that we are aware of the of the of the plan that you are referring to.

Of course, we are also continuing to be in touch with the parties, with the various parties about the peace efforts.

For indeed, we, we welcome all the mediation efforts.

And of course, we stand ready to support any, any, any, any peace plan with everything we can do, including the provision of humanitarian assistance.

And maybe he answers a little bit more on that.

[Other language spoken]

Good morning, everyone, and thank you, Jamie.

[Other language spoken]

As you know, the, the UN is not part of drafting this proposal, which remains a proposal.

So on, on the content on what's it, I don't know.

What I can say for sure is that the United Nations and its humanitarian agencies, of course, as we have done since day one, stand ready and prepared and capable to increase 8 deliveries inside Gaza whenever the opportunity is such that we are allowed to do so.

And the, you know, safety and, and and security of doing so is there.

Indeed.

[Other language spoken]

Yes, if you could update us on the backlog of trucks and and various aid that is still waiting that is currently waiting to get into Gaza, whether through Rafa or Karim Shalomra or other places if you have that.

And I'd also like you to just take up the second part of the statement which says that the .8, I should say, opening the Rafa crossing in both directions will be subject to the same mechanism implemented under the January 19th, 2025 agreement.

Could you please give us a refresher?

January 19th to many of us seems like a really long time ago.

Can you give us exactly the details of that, what that meant and and how quickly the UN can be mobile to get aid in if this plan does actually get accepted and implemented?

[Other language spoken]

On on the volume of, of aid ready to go in.

I I think we have briefed and heard from, from many agencies that aid is ready and available to move in from various agencies and have been so for a long time who have made a point of this that it is stockpile and available in the region to get in.

And that it has been of course paid for by the donors who will expect us to deliver that aid to, to people in need.

The you mentioned that date, I think in the 19th of January.

That was the first day of the ceasefire when when we resumed deliveries at a much larger scale that we have been able to prior to that and we continue to do that for the duration of of that ceasefire.

We did have a statement out and you can look it up.

I can also send it to you by Tom Fletcher on on the 19th, which gives your reaction to what we said at that point in time.

And I think that's the best I can I can give you at this moment.

Jamie, follow up to the follow up.

Yes, I'm sorry.

Thank you and I appreciate your forbearance to you, you and everyone for my questions.

Just one third, one third little point.

Also referring to .8, it also says that that other international institutions that are not associated in any manner with either party will be involved in the aid distributions.

As I understand it, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation is still active and we and other in in the area and I have reported and we have reported and others have reported that it does have ties to the Israeli government.

So is it your understanding that this the the Gaza human affair addition would be set would would not be involved in the aid distributions if this plan is enacted?

And just last question about this, what is the United Nations doing to try to get more information from the Trump administration, from the Israelis about what the UN role would be in this?

Are you communicating with them now actively?

[Other language spoken]

The the, the, the issue as I said, Jamie is this plan.

As you said yourself, it's quite recent and we are in touch with various parts that should contribute to the peace efforts.

On the issue of the Gaza Monetary Foundation, I think you should ask the those who have drawn the plan.

But we are absolutely ready to contribute to support and to provide every head help that we can, including monetary and assistance, as Ian's confirmed Ravikant.

[Other language spoken]

Same issue which Jamie has raised, namely it's not clear that you will be involved at all or not.

Suppose if the new peace body which is being set up doesn't involve the UN.

What could the UN do then?

Yeah, just briefly from from the UN humanitarian side, we will do whatever what we always do, try to deliver aid to the people who who desperately needed and we have the the structures available to do so and the aid to push through those structures.

Thank you very much, Christian.

Emma, I know you're all asking questions from Gaza.

The problem is that we have managed to get our colleagues from Nama, as you can see on the screen.

So if you I would ask for your indulgence against will not go away, neither will I.

And if you don't mind, let's go now to Kabul and listen from our colleagues because the the connection is not very steady.

And then I promise I will give you the floor to ask for more questions on Gaza.

So I'd like to welcome were colleagues that you have already seen and met from Kabul, Indrika Ratwater, the humanitarian Coordinator in Afghanistan and Arafat Jamal, the even HCR Afghanistan representative, They're both connecting from Kabul.

[Other language spoken]

I know that the connection is not perfect.

[Other language spoken]

I'll give you the floor for an update on the situation a month after the earthquake.

I think maybe Indrika, you want to start?

[Other language spoken]

Thank you very much.

I think as you said, one month on, after this horrific earthquake which killed some 2000 people, injuring about 3600 and damaging 8500 homes, the humanitarian community has really stepped up in the last four weeks in its response and in coordination with the authorities and with our partners, delivered to a very, very remote part of Afghanistan.

I myself was up in Kunal Province together with the representative of UNHCR, UNFPAWHO and our NGO, NGO Umbrella Lead to look at this response and up in these areas we see a huge effort being made by partners and the UN, our male colleagues, our female colleagues delivering on the ground.

As I mentioned last time, the topographical challenges are such that many of the families in the more remote villages have coming down to the valleys and we have some phenomenon of informal settlements coming up in the we went to call Andala Chak in Chaka district in Kuna province.

That was about 3000 families to give you an idea around the cluster of villages and the villages themselves pre earthquake had only about 1000 of individuals.

But now we have 3000 families in that valley that are being supported.

So the immediate challenges are really looking at winterization.

The winter is not anymore on the way, It's upon us seriously trying to make the shelters winterize winter clothing for the individuals.

Heating solutions remain a top priority.

At the same time, these are very congested settlements given the the topographical challenges and the space available in and around the villages because there are cultivable lands with crops on it.

So people can't just extend themselves.

They are congested.

So the wash facilities, water, sanitation really has to be increased and then supporting also very much the ongoing, the food, the health, the nutrition, the psychosocial support to to the affected populations.

For example, I had a together with our colleagues meeting with the Shura of the male population and the women and we're talking to one woman, she had lost eleven members of her family.

And really the trauma is quite immense.

And I must say I was gratified that in my interactions with the local authorities there and it could where I_the importance of of a female colleagues, UN partner colleagues being able to reach deliver for the affected populations and the women.

There was a consensus that this space is essential from a protection and delivery perspective and that this has to be maintained.

There are challenges, obviously, the overarching space for our female colleagues to deliver, as you well know, but we were really making and underscoring the point of the authorities that this remains quintessential for effective response here.

I think where we stand right now one month on is really while continuing the critical humanitarian response is to now have a quick, what we call a joint recovery assessment, which looks at how we can target the limited resources at our disposal to also helping with some of the key rehabilitation elements.

The shelter component which all the families told us, which is extremely important for them to go back, the connectivity where some of the roads have collapsed so they can't go back.

And it's difficult for us to also take the non food items and other shelter repair elements up to their villages.

And last but not least, I think a very important part here is also maintaining the food, health and education support to these families.

[Other language spoken]

I want to thank the the initial response from the international community to our earthquake response plan.

Around $23.7 million have been contributed so far of the 140,000,000 ask.

But really again a shout out to those who supported but requesting urgent support because we need to step up the winterization and the wash.

As we said, food has been delivered to over 150,000 individuals, a lot of wash facilities and right now we looked at the distribution collective joint approaches at the hub there with all the agencies coming together that beneficiaries can come and collect these assistance moving forward.

This remains, I think, as I said before, a crisis within a crisis we have had so far as of yesterday.

Almost 2.2 million Afghan refugees and undocumented individuals returning to Afghanistan and they continue.

And Rafa Jamaal, the UNICR Rep is also fear has been out in the field looking at that as well, together with our colleagues with IOM and this continues apace.

So we have that challenge while at the same time we are facing a drought in other parts of the country.

So multiple shops are really impacting us.

And lastly, to another point before I just open up for Q&A, as of yesterday, 1700 hours, we were informed that the telecommunications and fibre optic connectivity in Afghanistan is going to be suspended until further notice.

What you're seeing right now is, is a satellite link we have here.

But the rest of the country is completely cut off right now by and large and affecting not just the UN and partners in critical humanitarian assistance delivered to people, but health programmes, banking services, financial services and including also connectivity flights are not landing in the country.

So we pretty much have a very dire situation with connectivity right now and we do hope we are in discussions with the government to seek a waiver for critical connectivity for us.

[Other language spoken]

So hence also the very Apache connector connectivity we have.

And by the way, as this call has required me to shut down everything else in in the in the in the office here to be able to have a connection with you.

So let me stop there and also ask Arafat if you want to add something from your side.

[Other language spoken]

Indrika, simply to underline that this trip to the tragic site in Nunderlajek was also an example of the UN doing what it does best.

In other words, coming together as different agencies under the leadership of the humanitarian coordinator.

This mission included, in addition to UNHCR, we have the World Health Organisation and UNFPA, just a sampling of the large number of agencies that are responding.

I think it really did show that that we can come together for a joined up response in emergencies.

While we were there, we observed, we saw, we listened to the needs and we also took the time to listen and to condole with the with the people who've suffered this huge tragedy.

I would also just_as Indraka mentioned, that a large number of these people, even in a very remote area, are those who have been doubly hurt.

They have been deported from their places of asylum and then they have suffered an earthquake.

So Afghan is always layers upon layers of crisis.

[Other language spoken]

Thank you very much to both for this update and thanks for, I mean that we understand the technical situation is terrible, but thanks for being there and briefing us.

[Other language spoken]

On the, the Taliban's decision to cut the Internet and mobile phone signal, could you say a little bit more about the what the fallout of this decision is going to be on, on People's Daily lives in Afghanistan?

What is the the impact that it's going to have?

I presume it's going to shut down a lot of a lot of commerce, for example.

[Other language spoken]

Yeah, Thank you, Robin.

As I was saying, I mean at, at at top line impact is that connectivity is gone.

So mobile phones, data connectivity, for example, our colleagues out in the deep fields who are front facing delivering, we don't have connectivity with them at a community level.

I would imagine that for normal business transactions, for banking, for cash transfers, for remittances that come from abroad which are critical for, for these communities, that's been cut off.

Internal communication amongst partners, agencies, banks, institutions has been cut off.

Even for the for the de facto authorities and line ministries, communication has been completely cut off.

We have been trying to, we've been trying to reach out with the relevant authorities and even they are having challenges in communicating between themselves.

The fallout also in terms of impact on lives is critical medical services, critical supply chains and critical vaccinations and assistance that keep the basic essential services functioning in the country is going to be impacted.

And last but not least, I think the connectivity with the rest of the world.

The flights have been cancelled.

International flights are not coming in today.

And I would imagine transit, trade goods and services across borders, all, all of that including, I would imagine even if there's connectivity linked to passport control in some of these borders is going to be impacted.

So it is, it is really, as I was saying, this is another crisis on top of the existing crisis, utterly unnecessary in that sense for, for the, for this kind of interruption to take place.

And the impact is is going to be on the lives of Afghan people.

Thank you very much, Emma Reuters.

[Other language spoken]

Just to follow up on my colleague Robin's question.

So firstly, have they explained to you at all why they've taken this step and how long it will last?

[Other language spoken]

And then secondly, so if you can't get this waiver, how will that concretely affect your aid work in the next week or the next month?

[Other language spoken]

Yes, we are obviously negotiating and trying to get this waiver, but also talking about it beyond the UN partners and humanitarian work, it's impact on the whole country is also what we are trying to reiterate.

As far as we know, we don't have any details right now that this was tested out in some areas in the last week or 10 days.

In some provinces, there was some disruptions and we believe there was discussions happening in, in in Kandahar with the authorities around this.

But we have not been given a reasoning for as to why this disruption is taking place.

From our side, we've had an emergency, what we call a crisis management meeting to look at essential business connectivity and continuity.

We've reduced this national staff and others coming to the offices because we just can't communicate.

And we have gone into what we call essential business continuity, limiting our communications, using other channels like VHF and radios to communicate and bringing it down to essential life saving work that we can support with the comms capacity we have.

And that I must reiterate with the comms capacity we have because in the remote areas VHF is only the the ability to communicate.

There has been some patchy on and off mobile connectivity with some service providers.

The fibre optics we are told is may be replaced by other systems, but we do not have any visibility.

But we have gone into essential essential service and essential business community business continuity mode from from our side.

Thank you very much.

If there are no other question in the room, I'll go to the platform.

Isabel Sacco F The Spanish News Agency.

[Other language spoken]

Thank you very much.

It's it's very difficult to to imagine how is this is happening nowadays news are describing a complete cut cut of Internet and telecommunications.

And firstly, it's possible to maybe use telephone communications, because I understand that data interpret is not possible, but can you use telephones?

Also, this situation was was more or less announced a few days, a few weeks ago because the authorities cut the optic fibre in the north of the country.

So did you have any preparation for the situation?

Could you may put in place any system and also do you know how long it will last the situation?

Because also they have the authorities have have have have said that that they will create an alternative system system inside the country for the essential needs.

Do you know something about this?

And when it is, will be?

Functioning.

[Other language spoken]

We have been informally told through our sources, the telecoms authority it this might be shortly, but we haven't been officially told anything.

So that's just on how long this would be.

Yes, indeed.

As you said, when we saw the disruptions in some of the provinces, we have looked at what we call VSAT connections, which we have through satellite in in some of our offices, including in the field, we have gone to service providers to increase that bandwidth.

This is a very expensive connectivity.

So we stand by we have a very low bandwidth.

But in the last week or so, many of our partners and our agencies have increased and as of last evening, we are in active discussions with some of the service providers to increase that bandwidth even more so hence our ability to communicate right now.

But this call, for example, requires everything else to shut down because it takes video connectivity.

I am told, and forgive my ignorance, I'm not a expert on the IT side, but they are looking at another system with point to point and what they call a different system that we are established in here.

But we, we are, we don't have any visibility on that.

But yes, we took contingency steps already and we have very rudimentary, very rudimentary communication through reset, which is very, very unpredictable.

And I must say, the bandwidth is is absolutely, absolutely unpredictable.

Thank you very much.

[Other language spoken]

Isabel, you have a follow up.

Yes, yes, sorry.

Just on the the phone calls, can you do this I guess?

No, we don't have phone connectivity.

Very briefly for a moment that was because we have a WCC ACCI and Ethisalad has main providers and Roshan.

Roshan was on for a while and then it went down because I think some of the systems are so very connected to the fibre optic sys systems, which which is which is now in today's I think network framing.

That's that's the way it is.

So one impacts the other.

I know from our IIT colleagues here who are working on this tirelessly, that even the service providers are looking at other options, technical options, But that's not, that's not the answer.

This this has to be resumed.

The normal connectivity that the impact across the country to the average Afghans trying to get on with their lives is not disrupted in this manner.

Thank you very much.

[Other language spoken]

I don't see other hands up in the room.

[Other language spoken]

So thank you very much.

I'd like really to thank you both because I know it has been difficult.

And as you said, if you had to shut all the other communication to be with us, we really appreciate Indrika and and Arafat and I'm pretty sure you'd be able to share some briefing notes.

Thanks and good luck with your with your work and hopefully we will manage to to hear from you very soon.

[Other language spoken]

So I know there are many questions, but I guess they are all on Gaza.

But we also have Tariq who has some announcements.

So I'll ask Tariq's indulgence if it's OK.

And I don't see him appearing.

So I think it's OK for him.

[Other language spoken]

So let me go back to the questions that we had before.

I'd seen Christian 1st and then Jeremy.

Thank you Yens, I'm here.

[Other language spoken]

I'm not sure that was very clear before that the UN had no part in in this plan and didn't know anything about it.

Also, the parts that Jamie pointed out .8 about the UN involvement and a broader question is, does the UN have any kind of peace plan for Gaza or are they just waiting and seeing what's happening on other fronts?

[Other language spoken]

I think you always sit there, so I don't know where you are.

Thank you for that.

No, I mean you, you saw I think we're probably also the live feed out of the White House yesterday when the president presented this and I did not see any UN people there.

So it is not a proposal from us.

So that I think that's what I can say about that on on a peace plan.

Well, that's not within my remit.

[Other language spoken]

But I'm sure Alessandra can perhaps say something about that.

But I just want to mention we do have a plan, a humanitarian plan.

Of course, we do have a humanitarian appeal that is funded and and so on and so forth.

So there is a plan, but on the humanitarian delivery side.

Just maybe to add to what Ian said, Christian, the, the, the, the, the peace plan, I mean, we have been witnessing the two states solution conference at the beginning of the high level week.

And I would really refer you to what Ramiz Alk Barov, sorry, Alk Barov said yesterday to the Security Council.

He, he briefed the Security Council.

He's the deputy special coordinator for the Middle East peace process.

There is a process which is there.

It's been there for a long time.

So I think we don't really, I, I would refer to what he said on behalf of the secretary general.

And the call that we have repeated again for all the things that needs to be done immediately, which are the payments is via immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, unfettered humanitarian access across Gaza.

And of course, we welcome all the mediators efforts towards stopping immediately the hostilities.

But there is there is a process, there are people involved that have been the UN have been in this for a long time.

We just need to have the political will to go ahead.

[Other language spoken]

And then I go to you and then I go to the platform.

Kind of a follow up to our previous question, but specifically when the plan is saying that the UN and international organisations are going to take care of of the of the assistance in the aid.

[Other language spoken]

Does it mean that UNRA could be back on track?

Is that what you're hoping for?

Well, our position has not changed.

UNWA is and and should be certainly a part of, of, of of the response.

We've said as as you remind me, it is and has been for a very long time the backbone of the of the aid infrastructure in Gaza and elsewhere.

[Other language spoken]

I just wanted to press you a little bit more about you being in touch with the various parties about the peace efforts.

Could you just elaborate a bit more on who the UN has been speaking to, the extent to which you've been consulted and when and Ian specifically on the peace board?

I'm just wondering if if Archer might have a role with Tony Blair.

Has Tom Fletcher been asked, are you talking about that at all?

[Other language spoken]

Just a caveat, I'm not necessarily Privy to all discussions that are going on between the very high levels of the United Nations.

So there are things that I can only honestly say I simply don't know.

[Other language spoken]

So this is one of those occasions I don't know.

[Other language spoken]

But just, Alessandro, if you could elaborate a bit more, you said you've been in touch with various parties about the peace efforts.

Can you just tell us what that means?

Who, when, Any specifics?

No, I, I sorry, I don't have more on that.

And I think this is as, as, as Yan said probably to all the discussions, but definitely there is a, a, a strong, the UN has been working constantly during all these conflict and especially the the last years in we've been in touch with all the various mediation efforts by the various mediators.

We've seen many efforts in that sense, not only the US but also Qatar, Egypt, as we've seen and we've been.

Talking to everyone that can do something to end the suffering of the Palestinian people.

Get back the hostages and, and, and let us work, as Ian said, with humanitarian, with humanitarian support.

Sorry, there was Robin.

But then I'll go to the platform because there are several questions there.

[Other language spoken]

So I think the United Nations had the 408 distribution points across the Gaza Strip before the war broke out.

What what is the condition of those distribution points now?

Are they ready and able to be reactivated at short notice?

There's only about 18% of the Gaza Strip that is not on the militarised, that's militarised zone or on the evacuation order or both.

So there will be distribution points which are in those areas that are not accessible for us to work in.

[Other language spoken]

Yes, thank you very much.

I just want to place the same question that actually Jeremy asked in terms of the role of Unawa when it comes to the delivery of aid into Gaza and distribution of aid within Gaza.

Does this Trump peace proposal have no restrictions for Aluva activities?

[Other language spoken]

That's a little bit complicated for us, Satoko, to speak for Unrwa.

I'd invite you to, to, to reach out to Juliet.

[Other language spoken]

I'll, I'll bring your question to, to her just after the briefing.

[Other language spoken]

Again, I come back to the same question.

Now we are in a Touch 22 situation in which the UN has not been involved at all, despite UN's long engagement and such remarkable constructive work it had done.

Are we seeing a new phase in which, you know, the most important country in the world or the largest hegemon is willing to violate, pass by or, you know, all away from UN to do these kind of actions which amount to some kind of a violation in some sense because of long UN involvement in this whole rebuilding of, you know, the owner was activities and so many other things.

When did we get a clear picture on this?

I'm sorry, Ravi, I'm not sure I understood fully your question.

But what I would say is that as I just said, we have been involved in, we've been speaking to all the mediators, we have been involved constantly in the peace process in the Middle East.

I think the conference that just preceded the general debate at the headquarters is a further confirmation of this.

So I think that the UN is very much there, is very much there with everything we can do and the Secretary General has been very voiceful on all the efforts and all the support that the UN can give.

[Other language spoken]

My question is to Jens.

Jens, yesterday at the White House press conference, President Trump mentioned that the lead would be by the World Bank.

It's not in the 20 points, but in his remarks, and he mentioned that the World Bank would be the lead.

How close is Archer working with the World Bank and have they reached out to UN agencies to coordinate some of the reconstruction efforts, given they've been very involved with the UN and the EU in earlier assessments of the damage from the war?

[Other language spoken]

Short and sweet.

OK, but really I, I mean, I, I understand that of course we, we all your questions are, are very important.

I think that it's also something that we need to, to look more into it.

This is very recent and as I said over and over again, we are that we will be, that we will support as much as we can.

We need maybe a little more time to also assess the implications and and see how the process goes.

For the moment, this is a proposal and we are looking at this proposal, but at the same time, I like to underline that the suffering of the of the Gaza people continues.

We need to be able to support them and we need to be able to continue to advocate for the return of the hostages and the end of the hostilities as soon as possible.

OK, so let me go now to Tariq who has been patiently waiting.

I think you have an announcement.

[Other language spoken]

Thank you very much.

Alessandra, I just have a really too brief announcement.

So this Thursday, we will release 2 reports on antibacterial agent in clinical and preclinical development and on available and pipeline diagnostics to detect and identify priority bacteria listed in The Who bacterial priority pathogen list.

You will, you will remember we have been talking about this bacterial priority pathogen list in the past.

So the first report WH OS analysis of antibacterial agents in clinical and pre clinical development.

So basically it's an overview and analysis for 2025 and it's assessing whether current research and development efforts are keeping pace with the urgent need for new treatments against the most dangerous drug resistant bacteria.

And the second report, it's it's entitled the Landscape analysis of commercially available and Pipeline In Vitro Diagnostics for Bacterial Priority Pathogens.

This second report maps existing and pipeline tools to detect and identify bacterial priority pathogens, which is essential for antimicrobial resistance control.

So we don't plan a press conference on this, but our experts are ready to to take interviews as as needed.

Also, the report can be can be get can be received under under embargo.

So please send the send the request either for embargoed material or for the interview to to my colleague Amna that you know very well or just simply at the at the media enquiries at WHO dot IT.

And maybe Alexander, if you allow me just to remind you that we have a press conference today on another topic.

At 4:00 you received a reminder our Strategic advisory Group of experts on immunisation or SAGE is had its regular meeting and will present its conclusion.

There will be a different different topics that that will be discussed.

Hopefully we will have their report also available for you.

So that's today at 4:00 and those two reports on antibacterial pathogens and diagnostics, sorry, yeah, diagnostics and treatments will will be on Thursday.

[Other language spoken]

Thank you very much.

[Other language spoken]

Any question to Tarek in the room?

[Other language spoken]

Well, my question was for Yens, but he's come back off of the podium.

OK, I'll ask him to to join after any other question for WHO don't see any.

So yens, sorry on the grill again.

[Other language spoken]

Sorry, yes, to bring you back up to the chair, but I, I do want to just make I, I was going over some of the recent statements from OCHA about the state of play in Gaza, the violence and the continued military operations.

Could you tell us just right now or what the rough amount of trucks, amount of aid that the UN OCHA is getting into and the partners are getting into Israel right now to Gaza right now?

We know the GHF is, is still active, but it's important to understand there was obviously a lull for several months where there was nothing getting in and, and, and it seems to have opened up a little bit just to give us a, the context, how much aid from the United Nations and partners is getting into Gaza at the moment?

[Other language spoken]

As usual, the question is not really how much is getting in.

The question is really how much are we able to pick up and distribute in Gaza.

[Other language spoken]

For example, community kitchens have been resupplied to some extent.

On Sunday almost 660,000 meals prepared and delivered through 137 kitchens in Gaza.

So that's an indication of aid that has come in and has been delivered.

And that's where it it, it counts when it gets into people's hands and can be consumed.

There are constant, but it's a mixed bag because they're, they're constant this back and forth tall between whether we get permissions to go and pick it up.

And then secondly, whether we get permissions once it has been picked up to go and deliver it.

And we have statistics on that.

And I, I can share that with you.

[Other language spoken]

And we were reporting it on on a daily basis when in, in, in our lines that we share with you that we try to go and get some aid to pick up.

And then sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.

It can be either because of non facilitation by the Israeli side.

It can also be for, for, for other reasons.

And as you know, a lot of the aid that has come in recently that has been picked up has been taken off the trucks by desperate people and in some cases by armed groups.

So I agree it is quite a chaotic situation and that underlines the absolute need for a ceasefire as soon as possible so that we can restart what amounts to what I would call a proper and well coordinated and well supplied aid operation.

[Other language spoken]

I see Ricardo has maybe something to add on this.

Ricardo on behalf of Muni Chef.

Hi Alice.

Sorry, I was trying to unmute.

Hi everyone.

Yeah, just to add to what Jens was saying on the on the issue of humanitarian aid not getting in, as as we know right now, there is massive displacement happening in Gaza from the.

North to the South where to Alma Wasi, an overcrowded area.

Where the conditions are already very, very dire and, and can simply not absorb the quantity of people who are moving in.

And we're talking about hundreds of thousands of people, an estimated 400,000 displaced and UNICEF, we, we do have the urgent needed tents.

We have 11,000 tents waiting to get in and over 77000 appalling sheets that are waiting to get in to help supporting these displaced populations that are going to the South to help them set up temporary shelters.

And we're not being able to get those supplies in.

So it just shows how the conditions in terms of logistics and facilitation of aid continue to be very, very poor.

And I wanted just to add to what the answers were saying.

So beyond food, medicines and and other critical items to the well-being and survival of children and families, we also have items that would support sheltering displaced families in the South not being allowed in.

And, and I think it's important that we get that ceasefire and then we get aid flowing in not only to prevent the famine that continues to move to the South, but also to make sure that children and families are sheltered as we look at the winter coming and temperatures dropping.

Which will create.

A whole different range of of issues including health issues for children and and their families.

[Other language spoken]

Just just to give you a maybe a more precise figure, between mid August and the end of last week, an estimated almost 453,000 sorry displacements were recorded across the Gaza Strip with the majority originating from Gaza City.

Sorry, yeah, I don't see other hands up.

So that leaves me with a couple of announcements, not too many today.

Tariq has told you about the press conference of WHOI have another press conference to remind you about, which is Thursday, 2nd September, October.

Sorry.

At 1:30 and this is by OHCHR, the report of the independent Expert on Human Rights Situation in the Central African Republic.

The report is in the press conference.

Everything is under embargo until the 2nd of October at 4:30 PM and the speaker will be the independent expert, Yao AG Betsy.

Also here in Geneva, we have the Committee on Enforced Disappearances, which will close it's 29th session on Friday.

And they will be issuing the concluding observation of the countries that they reviewed during this session, which are Montenegro, Bena and Sri Lanka.

And then I just wanted to remind you that today in New York, there will be during the whole day in New York, time, of course, the High Level Conference on the situation of Rohingya Muslims and other minorities in Myanmar.

The objective of the High Level Conference is to mobilise political support but also sustain international attention in the crisis, review the overall crisis and address it's root causes, including human rights issues, and share perspectives on the situation on the ground, including challenges faced by Ranger and other minorities in Myanmar as well as humanitarian issues within Myanmar and the region.

In order to propose a comprehensive, innovative and concrete plan for sustainable resolution of the crisis, including efforts to create a conducive environment for the voluntary, safe, sustainable and dignified return of Ranger, Muslims and other members of minority group to Myanmar in a timely manner.

As I said, this is going to go on for the whole morning in New York and also the afternoon in New York.

So it will be a little bit late for us for the afternoon session, a whole day discussing this.

And the list of the speakers is very long.

So I would invite you to have a look at the web page.

And of course, the conference will all be webcast, so you can see it on your screens or also catch up tomorrow.

I think this was all I had for you.

So if there are no further questions, I don't see any hand up or any other people who want to take the floor.

[Other language spoken]

So thank you very much.

[Other language spoken]

I'll see you on Friday.

[Other language spoken]