Very good morning to you.
Thank you for joining us here at the UN office at Geneva for this press briefing today, the 10th of March.
As you will have seen, we have a very, very busy agenda for you today.
We have the situation in South Sudan, in Lebanon, in the Middle East, a wider region as well as in Afghanistan.
And we have some important announcements as well towards the end of this briefing.
So we'll get to it straight away.
We have a shift in the order if you allow us.
We're going to turn to South Sudan first.
We have our colleague from the UN Human Rights Office, Saif Magango, who's joining us from Nairobi, who will speak to the current situation in South Sudan.
We are horrified by the growing accounts of serious violations in the ongoing conflict in South Sudan, including gruesome killings, the destruction and poisoning of key water sources, and fresh waves of mass displacement.
Over the past 17 days, more than 160 civilians have been killed, at least 139 by fighters from the Bold Nowhere ethnic group in a be unknown locality in the Rwanda administrative area on the 1st of March.
On 21 February, 21 civilians were killed by government forces in Pancora village, a Yod county in Jonglei state.
The soldiers lured them into gathering at one place, promising to give them food aid, then opened fire on them.
Fifteen women and three girls were among those killed.
That same day, soldiers reportedly tied up and beheaded 4 civilians, 1 elderly man, a woman, a boy and a girl in Tian village in Waupayam, western Battle of Brazil state.
The South Sudanese Armed Forces have reportedly destroyed or intentionally poisoned approximately 99 wells during government air strikes.
Some of these acts may amount to war crimes.
There must be prompt, impartial, thorough and effective investigations into these and all other allegations of violations of the laws of war and of international human rights law which are taking place, and those found responsible must be fully and all those found responsible must be fully held to account, including those bearing superior and command responsibility.
On 6th March, the military issued an evacuation order for all civilians in a Kobo town and surrounding villages in the east.
It also directed the closure and withdrawal of the UN mission in South Sudan's temporary operating base in a Kobo, as well as the withdrawal of all other humanitarian agencies and NGOs.
We call for the we call for a ceasefire to be agreed as promptly as possible to save lives and to turn this conflict in the direction of a negotiated solution.
Parties to the conflict must also desist from attacking civilians and civilian objects and ensure safe and and sustained flow of humanitarian aid, all in need consistent with their obligations under international law.
Both parties must also take prompt and meaningful steps with the support of the international community to rescue the fledgling peace process.
South Sudan must be pulled back from the brink of all out civil conflict.
Emma of Reuters has a question.
I'd like to know more about the poisoning of the water supplies.
What are they poisoning the water with and how bad is the thirst in the area is, is anyone actually at risk of dying of thirst as a result?
And secondly, just if you could clarify whether you've verified yourself using your own methodology, the death toll of 160 and specifically also the beheadings, whether you've verified those reports yourself.
Yes, thanks for that question.
Yes, the, the, the poisoning of the wells is being done.
What has happened is that they've gone and bombed these boreholes and water wells and in some cases civilians told our team on the ground that they, they, they have broken, physically broken these boreholes and poured and non substances into, into, into them.
If we don't know what what the substances are, it is indeed, as you know, South Sudan has been beset by Congress for a long time.
There's always been problems with access to food, water, sanitation and definitely this destroyed destruction of water wells will will lead to more fast and hunger.
With regards to the figures, yes, we have documented these figures.
Our colleagues on the ground have been in touch with with people affected in these areas and they can they can confirm that these killings indeed take took place.
The number that we have document we have published is the number of civilians.
You'll have seen other numbers earlier on that are higher, but those ones may include other people who are not, who are not civilians.
We strictly looked at civilian casualties in this instance.
Safe for the questions in the room online.
No, I don't see that's the case.
Let me just suggest, colleagues, that you read the note that our humanitarian colleagues from OCHA sent last night, which has a section on South Sudan through which our colleagues express or rather warn that these military actions which you just heard about in Jonglei State, which is near the border of Ethiopia inside South Sudan.
How could, how this can put civilians at grave risk and can trigger a catastrophic humanitarian crisis.
So this is a note that you maybe want to use to compliment your reporting safe.
Thank you very, very much for joining us.
And please do keep us informed on the dire situation in the country.
OK, moving on, colleagues, we're going to connect with our colleague from the refugee agency.
Babar is with us, as always to answer any questions you may have for him.
Karolina Lindholm Billing is UN HC Rs representative in Lebanon, joining us again from Beirut, who will speak to the humanitarian displacement situation inside the country.
We also have immediately afterwards a colleague from the World Health Organisation, the representative for the World Health Organisation also in Lebanon, Doctor Abu Baker, will be joining us.
So we'll take first to you, Catalina, and then Abid Nisar.
We can't hear you, so let's just make sure that we have audio.
As you know, it's been just over a week since the new escalation in conflict started on the 2nd of March, when these Israeli evacuation warnings to residents of more than 53 villages and densely populated areas in Lebanon and the intensified airstrikes forced families across Lebanon to flee.
And what we see here is that lives have been offended on a massive scale.
I mean, according to the Lebanese authorities, as of today, more than 667,000 people in Lebanon have now registered on the government's online platform as displaced.
And this is an increase in of 100,000 in just one day.
And the numbers continue to rise as as we speak.
And around 120 thousand of those displaced are sheltering in government designated collective sites.
But many others are staying with relatives or friends or still searching for accommodation.
And we see cars lined along the street with people sleeping in them and also on the sidewalks.
And many of the displaced are are now displaced for the second time since the hostilities in in 2024.
And most fled in a rush with almost nothing.
And they're seeking safety in in Beirut, Mount Lebanon region in northern Lebanon and, and parts of the Bekaa.
And just to illustrate, I mean, during a visit yesterday that I did to a shelter in Beirut, I met with a woman in her 90s who had said she had lost eleven members of her family back in 2024 during the intensification then.
And she's now displaced again, staying in the same school that was turned into a shelter in 2024 and now again in 2026.
And stories like hers really illustrate the fear, uncertainty and repeated trauma that these hundreds of thousands of people are facing right now.
And we're also seeing an increase of movements into Syria.
According to the Syrian authorities, more than 78,000 Syrians have entered from Lebanon since the escalation began, plus over 7700 Lebanese.
And among the Syrians are Syrian refugees who have been planning to return in the coming months, but also others who are now rushing to return due to the due to the escalation and fear.
UNHCRS teams are present on the Syrian border crossing alongside the authorities and partners to support those arriving with essential relief.
And in Lebanon, since the first day 2nd of March, UNHCR has supported the government and its local authorities in responding to this crises.
And to date, as UNHCR, we have delivered around 168,000 emergency items to more than 63,000 displaced people across 270 of the government designated collective shelters.
And this includes mattresses, blankets, sleeping mats, solar lamps and so on to help displaced families meet their most urgent needs.
But to ensure this critical assistance reaches as many displaced people as quickly as possible, we're dispatching relief items from our warehouse to these collective shelters through multiple channels in partnership with NGOs, as well as through the municipal authorities and partners like the Lebanese Red Cross.
But I've seen also very much first hand this week how the volatile situation and this displacement is triggering emotional trauma.
Children and adults alike, including many older now displaced people are really in shock and in fear.
And UNHCR through community centres, outreach volunteers and protection partners are scaling up psychosocial support, identifying people at heightened risk and helping to reunify separated children with families.
And also prioritising people with low mobility and disabilities who are struggling, particularly in this rapid displacement crisis.
But at the current pace of displacement, we're working very hard to replenish our country level stocks of essential items.
But Unhcr's operation in Lebanon is currently only 14% funded and this therefore the fast and sustained international solidarity is really critical to enable us to support the Lebanese government and the it's authorities in responding to the emerging needs.
And every day after this conflict continues, more suffering is inflicted on hundreds of thousands of civilians while Lebanon and the region are further destabilised.
And just to end by recalling that civilians must be protected at all times and that safe, unhindered humanitarian access must be guaranteed so aid can reach those most in need.
Absolutely important messages there.
And thanks for the update.
And Babar has shared the notes with all the figures.
We're going to go immediately to Doctor Abubakar, WH OS representative also joining us from Beirut.
OK, we'll just yes, good, good morning colleagues and thank, thanks for inviting us to share our, you know, situation here in Lebanon.
As my colleague have said, actually you know the Lebanon is facing a severe humanitarian and public health consequences of the conflict with the health system.
With health system already weakened by years of economic crisis, workforce losses and also previous conflict, the expansion of the evacuation orders has triggered large scale displacement and increased pressure on already fragile system services and communities.
Overcrowding of the shelters but also hostile communities and homes is heightening the public health risk, including disease outbreaks, interruption to the routine health services but also disruption of care of chronic diseases, maternal health care, mental health among others.
Hospitalist and frontline responders are under extraordinary strain, managing rising number of injuries patients while trying to maintain the essential services.
The latest figures that we have, you know that we have is that of the 9th of March.
So far there are 486 people that have been killed.
There's a 1313 injured among those among those injured and also killed, 20% of the casualty are children, which is significant as compared to the previous conflict.
We also have a 20% of those, you know, wounded casualty are women.
But also this time we have an increased number of refugees and migrant workers that account for 10% of all casualties.
This heightened their vulnerability when it comes to the this conflict.
Attacks in healthcare actually have resulted in the deaths of 19 healthcare workers and injuries 26 paramedics as well as other healthcare workers.
In total, we have also 56 healthy facilities that have been impacted, including five hospitals which are now out of service for partial damage, but also almost 43 primary healthcare centres which is closed mostly in the South in the area that's been evacuated so far.
I think WHO has been working with the Minister of Health but also health, health sector partners in supporting of increasing the access to hospital care, including facilities coverage, coverage for war wounded Syrian refugees and migrant populations.
While the Minister of Health is continued to ensure that the coverage of Lebanese nationality.
We are also WHO is supporting frontline hospitalists to strengthen their mass casualty management capacity and they can also respond to the increasing numbers of injured patients while maintaining a critical services.
WHO also is reinforcing disease surveillance and everyone in surveillance, including deploying surveillance staff to shelters and expanding call centres, capacity for early detection, rapid response to potential outbreaks.
As my colleague have reassured that some of those shelters are overcrowded and there's poor water and sanitation and that actually is the ingredients of potential disease outbreaks.
And we are working with the Minister of Health to detect the early but also to respond.
We are also we are also supporting the distribution of essential medicine but also time on kids, particularly for non communicable diseases and mental health conditions for the displaced population but also other people that are affected by the conflict.
We will be deploying staff to support the emergency operations centre, strengthen referral hospital capacity but also to ensure access to trauma care for war wounded patients.
WHO is already propositioning trauma and other supplies and burn supplies, essential medicine, including insulin and other critical supplies and the frontline health facilities.
And also we have a designated trauma centres in coordination with the Minister of Health.
There are a number of HealthCare Partners who are supporting the shelters, but also who are supporting some of the referral hospitals to improve the travel management capacity.
I think we're currently undertaking rapid, rapid needs assessment in the shelters.
Hostile communities are under way with the Ministry of Health as well as other line ministers and we're working with the partners to keep healthcare as accessible as possible during this difficulty time.
It's very important to note that, you know, the, the, the ongoing extracts across, you know, different part of Lebanon actually has increased the vulnerability of many civilians.
And as I reported earlier that we have increased number of children that have been killed or wounded in this fight.
We are trying to scale up actually, you know, the, the trauma management capacity in frontline hospitals despite the closure of five very important hospitals that was managed in the trauma.
Another important point that we're trying to scale up also, as my colleague have said earlier, is how we can better provide mental health and psychosocial support for the affected people, both the displaced, the vulnerable and those people who lost their lofty ones.
Again, as much as we're trying to scale up the response, the available resources for us WHO, as well as money at the humanitarian agency here is very limited.
And we are appealing to the international community and donors actually to support and to provide resource need to sustain the the response that we continue to develop as ever WHO calls also for the escalation and return for peace for everyone.
So at least the people can live and can enjoy their lives.
Thank you very much, Doctor.
Colleagues, we will be sharing the notes with you.
I think some of it was not very understandable because the audio wasn't great.
But thank you very much for this very important briefing, Doctor.
We'll turn to you colleagues for questions to either Doctor or Miss Lindholm Billing or Doctor Abu Bakar from HCR or WHO.
So the floor is yours starting in the room if any questions?
No, I don't see any questions in the room online perhaps OK.
I think therefore, well, we have do have a question, sorry and yes of the French news agency AFP and yes.
Thank you for taking my question.
It's a question to WHO, what you mentioned the potential outbreaks.
If you could elaborate on that, tell us what kind of outbreaks do you fear and if you have already seen any, any signs of that?
Yes, yes, thank you very much.
You know, as you know as the situation evolve and whenever you have a, you know, a major displacement and you have a shelter and also you have a, you know, more vulnerable people staying, I think the risk of potential outbreak is very high.
And I think some of our concern is measles among the children.
But also we have now we're in the winter season we might be seeing now we're seeing more upper respiratory tract infection.
So potential influenza also is very high situation.
But again, you know, we we are not, you know, only focusing one or two, but at least we're trying to see how we can monitor the situation and also prevent.
I think one of the prevention aspect that we're doing is we are ensuring that every child who comes to the shelters, actually they get vaccinated for missiles as well as other vaccine preventable diseases.
But at least the one we're concerned that mostly is the vaccine preventable diseases, for example, the missiles, the diphtheria and the polio as well, which, you know, always comes the risk that we may have.
OK, Thank you very much, Nick.
Yeah, Thank you for taking the question.
Thank you for the briefing.
I just wanted to ask why you do think the number of children casualties is higher this time around?
And secondly, there have been reports of white phosphorus use by Israeli forces in the operations in Lebanon.
And I'm just wondering if you have any casualties associated with that.
That's back to you, Doctor.
I think, you know, one reason why we have a high number of children is as you know, that the most of the attacks that we see actually is the, you know, it's, it's, it's urban centres like in Beirut, you know, in urban Beirut, same thing with other locations.
And that may be the reason why we have a more children as well as more women actually that's been impacted as compared to the previous.
And remember that this only seven days conflict and we are already seeing that almost 100 children that have lost their lives and an increased number of children and also that has been wounded.
So this is, you know, our speculation is this is the reason because most of these attacks are happening in the urban centres and where, you know, some of those buildings that's been attacked.
Regarding the white phosphorus, yes, as you recall in the last two conflicts, yes, we have documented, you know, the use of white phosphorus as well as some injuries.
But at this time I think we have received the report.
But you know, we have been in touch to the hospital and so far we have not received any, you know, injuries associated with the white phosphorus as well as other chemicals that's been used previously.
But we are, we are investigating and we are monitoring the situation if in case there are people that's been affected.
And remember some of those area that's been used, that's been reported, that's been used phosphor, phosphor is white phosphor is the area that's been evacuated.
So probably, you know, we may not have that many people in that area, but definitely there are many people that have decided not to leave from their homes in those evacuated area and they may be at risk for, you know, this white proper contamination.
But we will continue to monitor, but also we'll investigate if there is any cases that have been reported.
Thank you very much, Doctor.
Oh, sorry, Nick, is that an old hand or is that a follow up?
Thank you for for your explanations.
You mentioned 20% of the casualties of children, 20% of women.
I wonder if you could just give me specific numbers.
I would, I would be able to give you that number as soon as we finish.
We can send you the the, the details of the figures that we have for the children and the and the women in the voice specifically, if you don't mind.
We'll make sure to follow up on that.
We have a question now from Moussa of Al Mayadeen TV.
Moussa, is this for Moussa?
If this is for the UNHCR representative or WHO, if you can specify UUNUNHCR, regarding the number of displaced people in Lebanon, is it less or more than in 2024?
And did any Lebanese people refugee refugees in Syria in this time and how many are they?
Yes, I didn't get the second part of the question, but just to say that in one week that almost 700,000 have self registered on the government platform as displaced.
That's a faster pace of displacement compared to in 2024.
Can I, can you repeat, I think it concerned the number going back to Syria.
If that's not, if I'm not mistaken, Moussa, maybe you can clarify that.
Yes, I mean, just the Lebanese people go go to Syria, not the Syrian people.
OK, back to you, Catalina, about Lebanese going to Syria, if you have any.
Yeah, 7 thousand 7700 Lebanese have been kind of recorded or mentioned by the Syrian authorities as having entered or arrived to Syria over the past week 7700.
OK, thank you very much for that clarification.
And again we'll we'll certainly share your notes with our colleagues here.
Any last questions before we move on to the next briefers?
We sorry, we do have a question from Jamil Shad of a a Brazilian journalist, various Brazilian media Giamelo.
Rolando, a question to WHOI know that you're going to send the the numbers again, but could you repeat the numbers you mentioned to us in a very, I would say specific way each one of them?
So as of as of 9th of March, actually, there are 486 deaths related to the conflict and there are 1303.
Sorry, could I just stop for a second?
Can we maybe get you on camera saying that and maybe have your colleague shift the focus on you?
Yes, I think we're having technical difficulties here, but it's important that we get you on camera to to recite these important statistics.
OK, if just just sorry, go ahead.
I hope we're connected right now.
Just let me repeat, as of 9th of March, we have a 586, you know, deaths and fatalities related to the conflict and 1315 injured related to the conflict among the children.
We said that that they said 84 deaths.
And in terms of the women, there are 44, you know, women that have died.
But when it comes to the, you know, the, the number of children that injured 259 and among the women there are 280 injuries.
Again, let me just to connect you the dots.
Among the children, we have 84 deaths and 259 injuries.
Among the women, we have 44 deaths and 280 deaths.
I think it's clear right now for the numbers.
I think if you wouldn't mind repeating that just to be absolutely extra clear, if you wouldn't mind, doctor, because it's a little bit muddled.
So the so the total number of deaths and the fatality that related to the conflict is 486 deaths and 1313 injured relates to them.
Among children, we have 84 deaths and 259 injured.
Among women, we have 44 deaths and 280 deaths, sorry, 280 injured.
Among women, 44 deaths and and 280 injured and among children, we have 84 deaths and 259 injured.
OK, I thank you very much, doctor.
Colleagues, we, we'll share these in in writing.
These are very important to get the record straight on this.
This is a very fluid situation.
And thank you very much, doctor, for sharing the updates.
And we'll make sure to share your notes as well as yours, Catalina, who I thank also very much for joining us from Beirut.
Did you have a question for either briefer?
This is a question for you, Catalina, one for UNHCR.
Yeah, I, I was just hoping you could elaborate a bit more on why there have been so many displaced in one day, 100,000 in one day and, and where they've come from.
And I had a question for Christian on Iran after, if possible.
Yes, I think this very fast pace of displacement is an illus.
I mean, it's a consequence of several large geographical areas being, you know, called for evacuations by the IDF.
So you have the area both South of the Litani River, you have areas north of the Litani River, you have the whole southern suburbs of Beirut, you have parts of the Beka Valley and then you have air strikes ongoing.
So it's quite large and populated geographical areas that are being subject to evacuation orders and air strikes.
And this is leading to this large scale displacement.
Plus, as I mentioned before, many of the people fleeing were also fleeing back in 2024.
They were displaced then during that escalation.
So they also remember vividly the how, how dangerous the situation was.
We met many who then had their homes completely destroyed, family members killed and so on.
So this means that people are not waiting to see what will happen next.
Thank you very much for that, Catalina.
I think that does it for questions to you and to Doctor Abubakar.
So thank you very much for joining us from Beirut.
Stay safe and thank you very much for the important work that you're doing in situ.
It's on Black Rain and Smoke, please.
I understand that The Who has has issued some sort of advisory for Iranians on the dangers of of these two phenomenon.
Could you tell us more about what you sent and also what the dangers are for people's health?
Which is worse the the smoke or the rain?
And are there any examples already of maybe people being hospitalised or or seeking treatment because of complications related to these two phenomena?
Thank you very much, Emma.
Yeah, the the black rain and the the acidic rain coming with it is indeed a a danger for the population, respiratory mainly.
And it could be acidic depending, of course, what what context you have, you have.
We're in touch with the hospitals and with the we are with the authorities.
And the Iranian authorities have issued an alert advising people to stay indoors even in light of the attacks on on oil warehouses especially.
They have also released public guidance on protection against acidic rainfall following the attacks on oil storage facilities at the massive release of toxic hydrocarbons, sulphur oxides and nitrogen compounds into the air.
So obviously the specific mix would depend on the danger.
So we'll continue to monitor the situation closely and support the authorities with public health guidance to help protect the communities and reduce the exposure is.
Additionally, the the the rainfall mixed with toxic pollutants would be extremely dangerous.
That's the advice with strong acidic properties and could cause chemical burns to the skin and serious damage to the lungs.
So sorry, it was an Iranian kind of notice to stay indoors.
But but does The Who concur?
I mean, is that a good idea in these circumstances to stay inside to the information what we have and let's not forget we, we do take the information on the substance and the attacks right now from the official sources mainly, which is the Iranian authorities.
So given what what is at risk right now the the oil storage facilities to refineries that have been struck triggering fires and and raining serious air, raising serious air quality concerns.
That is definitely a good idea.
It always depends on the exact location where you are obviously in on the wind direction and all these factors.
But the overall advice is absolutely valid.
Just to follow up on that, I was wondering sort of what your main concerns would be in the longer term.
I mean, I would expect, you know, what are sources and contamination of that kind.
Could you say sort of what kind of health risks people might be exposed to beyond the immediate sort of chemical burns possibly?
I mean the additional reported strikes on oil infrastructures also in Bahrain and in Saudi Arabia certainly raised concerns of wider regional pollution exposure and the toxic pollutions and pollutants that affect respiratory health and and contaminate and water can have long term effects.
We don't have too much yet on exactly the the proportions of it, but it is the dangerous situation is needs to be closely monitored and watched.
And ideally there is enough space to control fires to control the space and and be able to contain any any pollutants in in the air or in the water.
But that needs resources on the ground that can operate freely.
So for now, we can only to support the, the authorities on the ground with public health messaging and with, with research and monitor as good as we can in the given situation.
Thank you very much, Christian.
I see that Ravina, I'm not sure if Ravina is connected, but I think she has something.
There you are, Ravina, I think you wanted to add something from your perspective, from human rights perspective.
Indeed, on these on these attacks in particular, we are concerned about the impact of these attacks on civilians right to health as well as on the environment.
We're also concerned that the foreseeable impact on civilians and the environment of these strikes raises serious questions as to whether the proportionality and precaution obligations under international humanitarian law were met in these attacks.
These attack sites do not appear to be of military exclusive usage.
Thank you very much for the compliment that we have.
Yes, good morning, Christian.
I was wondering if you could check and come back to us if the heavy inhalation of toxic hydrocarbons is of a risk of potential renal failure in people?
As you said, John, I would need to check that.
That's a very specific question, but I'm sure Christian will get back to you on that.
Further questions before we move to our next subject.
Thank you very much, Christian free.
Feel free to stay here with me if you like.
We're going to move to it's, it's in the broader region, but now we're going to move to the Afghanistan Iranian border, where 2 colleagues we're very grateful to have.
This is inside Afghanistan, along the border with Iran.
We have Arafat Jamal, who is unit Shia's representative in Kabul, is joining us, as well as Tajuddin Oyuwale, who's a representative for Afghanistan for UNICEF.
So maybe Arafat, we'll start with you first.
Thank you very much, Rolando, and greetings to everybody.
As mentioned, I'm here with my colleague Tajudin from UNICEF.
We're both at the border between Afghanistan and Iran in a place called Islam Kala.
And we've just heard from 4000 kilometres away in Lebanon the effects of this conflict.
And you can see that the ramifications are truly the geographical spoke stoke is, is incredible.
And we are here at the border to assess the implications for Afghanistan and for the Afghans who are inside Iran.
There are no good choices for the Afghans in Iran today.
They are, they find themselves in the middle of a war with all the other Iranian citizens as well.
And their choice is to stay and to bear the consequences as everybody inside that country or to flee to Afghanistan, which itself is embroiled in a war.
And let us not forget that Afghanistan has been experiencing an open war with with Pakistan since earlier this year.
In addition, any Afghan who chooses or is forced to return is facing.
Not only the conflict, but they're facing a very, very dismal economic situation, a shrinking humanitarian and protection space and very few prospects for that.
This morning I spoke to a number of Afghans at the border who were who were coming across from Iran.
These people seem to have been moving in a pre emptive manner.
Most of them that I spoke to described scenes of bombardment wherever they wore and a feeling that they needed to leave.
They needed to leave for their own security or they needed to leave because prospects for everyone in Iran were dwindling, including economic prospects and there was simply no reason for them to stay in Iran.
So I would I would describe the current movement as a pre emptive move.
The number of returns thus far in this this year has been 110,000 Afghans returning.
So around 1700 are coming back daily since the since the onset of the conflict in the Middle East.
The situation, although the situation today, I would describe it as being deceptively calm with the returns happening in an orderly fashion.
At the same time they're freighted with tension and apprehension.
People who I, who we've spoken to, have been directed directly affected by the bombings and they are now finding themselves facing cycles of displacement, first forced to flee Afghanistan, later displaced again inside Iran due to the conflict, and now returning once more to Afghanistan.
And upon return in Afghanistan, these triply displaced people enter into a spiral of precarity and uncertainty.
Although the numbers are not yet large, I do fear that there is more to come.
There is more to come from Iran and there is more to come from Pakistan.
We will be faced with displacement and returns from 2 Frontiers very soon.
I'm sure as mentioned with UNICEF and also with other United Nations colleagues, we are equipped to deal with the with the returns based on our experience last year where Afghanistan received the largest number globally of returns.
We know how to deal with it.
We have the infrastructure, we have the people.
But what we are sorely lacking is sustained and generous financial support.
If we do not receive this, we will find this vast region that, as we saw, stretches all the way from Lebanon to Afghanistan.
We may experience yet another destabilised country over here.
So all I can say on that is that this Afghanistan is facing the ramifications of what is happening with Iran.
It is layering itself on top of an existing war on another frontier and we are preparing for massive returns.
We are prepared, but we are not funded.
And I will now hand over to my colleague and friend, Doctor Tajidin of UNICEF.
And just to mention that we also have James online from UNICEF.
Now Thank you very much and let me echo what Arafat said that the ongoing escalating crisis in the Middle East is already having implication for children beyond borders.
At Islam Qala border in Afghanistan, we are seeing an increase in individual and family returns in the last few weeks.
Like Arafat said, the numbers may not be alarming us of today, but clearly what we are seeing is concerning.
For example, this morning when I went to meet with our nutritionist on the ground, she shared with me that the total number of children who have been screened and treated for malnutrition has doubled in the last one week.
Also, when I spoke to some of the individual returnees that I met with this morning, they clearly informed me that many more are on the way because those we are seeing now were able to brave the difficult journey, the cold windy weather and the risk along the way to get into the border.
As such, as a country team, we are preparing for a higher number of return in the course of the weeks to come, specifically for children.
I'm very concerned on what this crisis means for our children.
If you recall the last year when we had the High Peak of the response, we had a huge number of children who were separated or or unaccompanied across the two borders for UNICEF.
We were able to provide family reunification and family tracing services for more than 6000 children last year alone, and when we have a huge number this year, I can imagine what that would look like.
I recall the last time I was here in Islam Kala when I met with some of the children returning from Iran and they described to me how difficult the journey to the border was are now unclear.
Their fate for the future looks like I can only but reflect for the now what that would mean today when family starts to come in huge number from Iran across the border and what the level of trauma that the children coming with them will have seen, Arafa said.
We had about 3 million Afghans returned to the country last year, both from Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Let me hide that amongst that 60% of that with families with children and when you have families with children, the whole situation becomes more complicated and that is what we do as a country team to respond to the situation.
Yes, we have the capability and the know how.
Yes, we have the partnership to respond, but we do need support and consistent flexible funding to be able to take forward the response that is required on the ground for us as UNICEF and partners.
We are very concerned that as we take forward this response, our preparedness action around nutrition, counselling, immunisation, primary healthcare, access to water, sanitation and hygiene and child protection services that is on ground will be able to respond if we're able to provide adequate resources.
You may want to know that the humanitarian response plan in Afghanistan is currently only funded at 10%.
So we're starting the year with a major funding shortfall and we are looking towards a huge returning crisis that is beyond what we can handle.
The response to the returning crisis starts in the border, but it also goes beyond the border to communities.
So our action needs to go not only at the border but also what we do at the communities.
And for families who come into Islam Colour, when they move into communities, they will hard on to the total number of people who are accessing social services.
That is already strained on the ground.
So we need to respond both at the border point, but also at the communities in a context where things are extremely difficult in Afghanistan to hard to the situation.
Two more dimension that is important to share from our perspective, the geopolitical tension is already disrupting procurement routes.
What this means is that supplies that we need to care for children and their mothers in the midst of this emergency will arrive late.
A clear example is that a malnourished child will only get the nutrition supplement required not immediately but with some level of delay and at the higher cost.
And this is part of the implication of this geopolitical tension on the ground for us in Afghanistan.
The recent escalation in the Afghanistan Pakistan border crisis is also adding to the existing humanitarian situation.
We have already documented around 164,000 people who are internally displaced due to this crisis, amongst whom had 30,000 survivors of the earthquake that we had last year.
This means that displacement for us in this country this year is going to be more complicated than we have ever had when we start having population movement both from the West and the East, but also coupled with internal displacement.
So we are asking for early action to support the work we have to do while we track the movement across all the borders into the country.
And those early action will include additional support from partners to help us with airlifting of supplies so that we can address the major concerns around procurement of humanitarian supplies, but also direct funding to the humanitarian response plan and to the UNICEF appeal for children in the country.
Our message is very, very clear.
Children must be protected and be supported at every stage of the response to the ongoing crisis.
Because for children, their lives is not just tomorrow, it starts from today.
And we count on yourself.
Thank you very much how you're doing.
And Arafatjan as well for that important briefing, colleagues, again, where they're briefing from is inside the Afghan border along close to the the Iranian border is Al Qatar, ISAISALQATA, if I'm not mistaken.
We had our Deputy Secretary, the Special Representative of the Secretary General, Georgette Ghanyan, who is the acting head of mission for the UN mission in in Kabul, who briefed the Security Council yesterday, echoing many of the points from our colleagues which we just heard, including the 10% appeal, only 10% of the appeal has been funded.
She spoke of the broader disruptions of worsening countries, fragile economy.
She also referred to the situation of women and girls, concerns about terrorism and other major obstacles.
So I would suggest you read Miss Gagnon's statement to the Security Council, which he delivered after hours Geneva time yesterday.
We have a few in the room.
Let's start off with Nina.
Thanks for the briefing for UNHCR you.
You mentioned that you need you're appealing for funds, but I didn't hear you say how much it is that you need for, for the situation.
And then I was hoping you could clarify a little bit on the on the numbers because I think you you were talking about the numbers who had fled per day since the conflict started.
I was wondering if that was since if that was just from Iran or if it was also from Pakistan, if you could give us both of those numbers that would be be helpful and, and how that compared to the the start of the year.
Maybe Arafajan, maybe that's for you starting off maybe.
Thank you very much for for the two questions regarding the the the amount that we need, we're actually in the process of preparing our appeal.
So I'd rather hold on that when when we get an exact figure on the second question in terms of numbers.
So this year alone accounting from January 1st, we've had 110, 1000 returns of Afghans from Iran, 160,000 return Afghan returns from Pakistan.
And in addition as Tajuddin was was talking about, we've had internal displacement of to the tune of about 115,000 and that's all along the frontier with Pakistan.
OK, I think that's sorry.
And on the funding, you, you were talking about a lack of funding.
So even if you're not giving the actual amount, could you say how much you've received or how much could you compare it to what you've been asked asking for previously?
You know, how big of a shortfall is there right now?
As you heard Georgette Gagnon being quoted for, for UNHCR, our current budget has been around 200 million for the year and we are at this point 15% funded.
But as I said, those figures will be changing.
Bipar is also here in case he can compliment any specific questions you have on the funding issue.
I was hoping you could elaborate a bit more on the supply chain issues.
Were you saying that this is something that's going to happen that nutrition supplements for children are going to start arriving late because of Iran?
Or is this already happening?
And could you explain a bit the logistics, where are they coming from and to to Afghanistan?
And have you had to reroute it all?
And it's a very valid question.
We already experiencing some of these supply chain disruptions, most, for example, for nutrition supplies, we do some procurement from Europe and India and our normal entry route for supplies to Afghanistan is often through Pakistan.
And now with the ongoing clash between the two countries and the border closures, that option is not viable.
So we are now exploring new routes through the Northern corridor, through Europe to then get into Uzbekistan and then drive down those supplies from Termis.
So that is extra additional time.
But in addition to that, with what is going on now with the destruction in the airline industry because of the crisis in the Middle East, we are having more challenges in doing that.
We have been fortunate lately, we donors like ECHO and FCDO supporting us to do airlifting of some nutrition supplies directly from Europe to Afghanistan to cushion the immediate gap that we have.
But that will not sustain the kind of response and the prevailing needs that we have in the country.
So yes, we already been impacted by the disruption around the logistics in the country.
Thanks very much for that.
Yeah, sorry, sorry to be harping on numbers, but I wanted to just make sure I understood on the for UNHCR again on the number of people who have left, you said I think it was 171,700 per day since the conflict started.
Are that, is that only from Iran or is that also from Pakistan?
And also it would be good to know how many Afghans are considered to be within Iran to have an idea of the of the scale.
Sort of the the figure of 1700 per day is exclusive to Iran.
And in terms of the the estimate of Afghans inside Iran, I will turn to Babar who might have the best on that.
So the number of registered Avan refugees and others who are still inside Iran, that number is 1.65 million that are still there.
Remember, as mentioned by colleagues, last year we saw nearly 3,000,000 Avans returning from Iran and Pakistan.
A majority of those were from Iran.
Thank you very much, Bubba, for the we.
Sorry, we have a question online.
I don't have a question on this subject, but I saw that Francois Richard is there and I would like to know what is happening with my accreditation.
Let's talk about this after the briefing.
This is a housekeeping matter, so we really need to stick with the briefers, if that's OK.
But if he can check his, we will.
Yes, thank you very much.
We'll get back to you on that.
I think that does it for questions to our briefers from and I correct myself, it's Alkala QALLA, pardon me again in Afghanistan along the Iranian border.
Thank you both very much, Arafat, Jan and Tajuddin for this important briefing.
We'll definitely connect with you and make sure we'll share your notes with our colleagues here to amplify these important messages.
OK, we're going to move to our friend Jean Martin Bauer of the World Food Programme, joining us from Rome.
He is, as you know, director of WF PS Food and Nutrition Analysis Service.
He's going to speak about sticking on the subject at hand the the Middle East crisis.
He's going to talk about the escalating conflict and implications on global food security.
So Jean Martin, over to you.
Good morning and thank you for the opportunity to brief you on this matter.
I'd like to to start by conveying my my concern about the severe disruptions that global supply chains are experiencing as a result of the Middle East crisis.
This is nothing less than another Seminole moment in the global supply chain history with impact on the economy and on food security and and on humanitarian response.
I'd like to break that down.
Right now what we're seeing is, is an impact of course in the Strait of Hormuz, but also in the Babel mandeb SO2 key points of of the global supply chain set up are, are are affected by by restrictions and by risk and shipping lines are diverting their their services.
The scheduling of these services has become less reliable.
There are surcharges, emergency surcharges being being charged to their customers.
This is leading to quite some impact that we're seeing congestion in places that are very far from Hormuz.
We're seeing congestion in, in Asia.
It's it's quite a, a, a, a severe disruption that's taking place right now.
We're seeing disruption in the in the Indian Ocean ports, logistics hubs and inland supply chains are, are are all affected and this is obviously having an impact on.
On on trade, also on humanitarian supply chains and to follow up and provide a little bit more detail, you heard my colleagues from Afghanistan mention how complicated it is for them to bring in fresh supplies into Afghanistan.
This is something we're seeing for very many countries in, in that part of the world now.
For example, we're seeing a war risk insurance that's, that's increasing and, and at a cost of between 2000 and $4000 for each container in, in, in areas that are at risk.
We're also seeing that we're needing to, to go the long way around the Cape of Good Hope to, to reach some of our key geographies.
Right now, the, the biggest operation for the World Food Programme is in Sudan.
Sudan is, is supplied through the, the port of Port Sudan.
What we usually do with the contributions we receive is purchase food in, in India, take that food to Salala.
From Salala, it goes by ship to to Jeddah and from Jeddah into Port Sudan.
Right now with the situation at hand, shipping lines are are taking the same shipment from Mumbai to Salala to Tangiers, Tangiers to port side and side to to Jeddah and then to Port Sudan.
That's an additional sale of 9000 kilometres, quite, quite the distance.
It's like going coast to coast in the US and then going back and it's, that's, that's adding approximately 25 days to, to, to shipping times.
So that gives you an idea of how disrupted supply chains can be.
And we're talking about a part of the world with, with very high vulnerability.
That's, this is where you also have a Yemen, a place with people living in, in famine like conditions in parts of Yemen.
There's a, a drought in Somalia, the place where the number of acutely food insecure people is increased from 4.5 million the 6,000,000.
So so these, these, these, these costs and, and, and the, the, the the last time are having quite an impact on, on, on humanitarian programmes of the situation lasts longer.
So yesterday we, we had oil trading above $100 for the for the first time in a while.
And this really brings to mind analogues in the past.
So we had the situation in 2007 and 2008 with very high cost of energy, very high cost of food, a global inflationary episode with which also led to to violence in the streets.
There was the a few years later in 2011, the same thing with, with energy and food prices rising with, with also impacts on, on stability and on food security.
The supply chain impacts were also quite severe at the start of the COVID pandemic and also at the start of the conflict in Ukraine.
And what's going on today is, is reminding us of those episodes.
They could definitely if the situation lasts longer, turn into an impact on, on global inflation because of impacts on on the fertiliser market.
Many of the precursors do come from the Gulf.
That flow has stopped and fertiliser prices are increasing at a time where we've got the 2026 crop that's being put in the ground.
Let's be monitoring this very closely because of the potential impact this could have on global markets, on food security and on very many vulnerable countries.
Thank you very much, Jean Martin.
Hi, thanks for taking my question.
On the cost of the war risk insurance, do you have the comparative figure?
So what it would typically cost, you gave the figure for now and then and also you mentioned the, the, the number of days is 25 days that it's adding to routes again.
Do you have any figures for the cost as well of those extra added days to shipping rates?
So what I, what I'd say on, on that the, it's still early days and I don't have the overall cost to, to, to provide you.
But the nearest situation we've had in the past was when the Red Sea crisis occurred in 2023 and 2024.
Then at that time the cost of WP was an additional cost of 15 to 40% on our shipping in, in that part of the world.
And if, if we look at the, the, the, the time it takes, the additional time we have and I said it's 25 days more, well, it's, it's basically 50% more than we would usually have.
So that's, that's really extending the supply chain and adding to cost.
I mentioned the cost of war risk insurance of two to 4K per container.
That's an additional cost that we're looking at right now.
And sorry, just a quick follow up, are any insurers refusing insurance or it hasn't got to that point yet?
I'll have to get back to you.
Thank you very much to you Kazmira for the question and the Jean Martin, I think I think that's it.
Well, John, is there a question, another question for you from The Lancet and Francois Catz.
Jean Martin, I was wondering you briefed us in January on the potential food insecurity in West African countries.
I think at the time you mentioned 55 million people were at risk, including 13 million children.
Do you have an update and how all this sudden crisis could also impact on the situation in West and Central Africa?
So the situation in West and Central Africa was was provided at the by by the sales.
The numbers were provided by the, the sales, which is the Interstate, the mechanism in West Africa in December, they will provide an update very soon.
So if you ask me the question in in April, I'll be able to give you an updated set of numbers.
But of course, West Africa happens to be a part of the world that we're we're some some highly vulnerable countries depend largely on imports for their fuel supply and for their fertiliser.
We need to be watching West Africa very closely because of its, the potential impacts there.
What we learned in 2022 when the global fertiliser market was affected by the conflict in Ukraine was that the farmers in places like West Africa and Central Africa and East and Southern Africa were the most affected by the increased price of fertiliser.
We, we, we saw that there's a vulnerability that's there and that we need to look out for.
And of course, do come back next month brief us on these other issues, Emma.
I just wanted to get an idea of how long your buffers will last.
Presumably you have some pre position supplies, but eventually if these delays continue, you won't be able to replenish them.
Can you tell us how long your pre position supplies might last for, for example, for a place like Sudan?
So thanks for asking a very relevant question.
I don't have the exact number of days to tell you right now, but what I can say is that overall WT programmes are under resourced.
We've experienced a, a substantial funding cuts in the past year and that's meant that there's simply less food in the, in the, in the countries that we work in to, to, to provide and supply these programmes and support the vulnerable population.
So this situation of Hormuza and and Babel Mandeb being being at risk and the global supply chains being in a situation of severe disruption.
This is happening at a time when we have very limited stocks in country where humanitarian programmes have shrunk.
This is a factor that's aggravating existing vulnerabilities and risk at at the field level for us.
I think that does it for questions for you, Jean Martin.
On a very important and related note, I wanted to flag that there's a report from the UN Trade and Development that'll be out momentarily, which speaks to the implications for global trade and development concerning the closure of the Strait of Hormuz disruptions.
So this is the report which you'll have shortly.
It has lots of figures, many of those which I'm sure you'll be interested in.
So do take a look at that report, which again will be in your inboxes rather soon.
And if you have any questions, of course, do contact to colleagues at UN Trade and Development.
We have one last topic and a couple of announcements left.
So now I turn to our colleague, Devanand Ramya, who's from UNDPUNDP, Director of Crisis Readiness, Response and Recovery, who's speaking to a new partnership with UNITAR and UNDP to leverage satellite imagery to guide faster recovery in crisis zones.
So Devanand, over to you, and thank you for joining.
Thank you for giving me this opportunity to brief today.
As you know, satellite imagery is often associated with war.
But satellite imagery can also guide faster response and recovery in crisis zones.
So today, the United Nations Development Programme and the United Nations Satellite Centre, which is hosted by the United Nations Institute for Training and Research, are strengthening our partnership to deliver rapid crisis impact analysis.
This new partnership reduces assessment times from weeks to just 48 hours.
The first 48 hours after disaster is critical.
They shape the decisions that determine how quickly communities can recover.
Government partners and communities need immediate answers to questions such as which communities are hit hardest, which hospital roads and infrastructure are damaged, and where displacement may occur.
Without this information, recovery planning can be delayed.
This is where this partnership comes in.
It combines satellite analysis with field verification to produce integrated crisis assessments.
Geospatial analysis allows us to see thousands of square kilometres at once even where physical access is impossible, providing an early picture of damages and risks.
The process involves 3 simple steps.
First, satellite imagery is analysed immediately after a crisis using advanced digital tools and AI tools.
Second, UNDP teams validate these findings on the ground or provide additional information from the ground that strengthens the digital analytics.
And 3rd governments and partners receive this verified data that to guide their planning.
The result is assessments delivered up to 30% faster, providing clear evidence to guide recovery operations and resource allocations.
We have already seen how this approach makes a difference.
Following the 2025 earthquake in Myanmar, satellite analysis and field verification identified 2.5 million tonnes of debris, more than 10,000 damaged buildings, health facilities exposed to the earthquake.
This information helped UNN partners to guide debris removal, prioritise buildings for structural integrity assessments and infrastructure repair.
After Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica in 2025, satellite analysis and field edification showed 4.8 million tonnes of debris, roads, schools and hospital blocked or inaccessible.
Authorities use this data to plan large case, large scale clearance operations and restore access to essential services.
Similarly, also in Sri Lanka, satellite data after Cyclone DTWA revealed that over half of the people in flooded areas were already highly vulnerable, which enabled government and UN partners effort on livelihood restoration and support to businesses, mainly Msmas.
So in closing, each year more than 300 million people are affected by crisis while humanitarian resources are increasingly stretched.
So better data allows the UN and partners to target assistance to the most affected areas, strengthen coordination across response and partners, and support evidence based appeals and recovery planning.
Simply put, faster data means faster response and recovery.
Thank you very much, Devanand.
No, I don't see that's the case.
I think you are very, very clear.
This new partnership sounds very promising.
So thank you very much for joining us here in Geneva.
My colleagues, just a couple of announcements.
Karim and Giovanna are with us here.
So over to Karima for an announcement and then Giovanna.
I'm here to announce an important step in the global effort to address rising inequality.
Many of you may know that the latest G20 governments, UN leaders and leading experts are coming together to create establish the International Panel on Inequality inspired by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
The video was recommended in AG20 report led by Nobel Prize winning economist Joseph Stiglitz, highlighting the need for a global scientific and policy platform dedicated to understanding inequality.
So on March 16th, so next Monday, Anne Rees, the UN Research Institute for Social Development will Co convene with Executive Director Winnie Banyama, the fund, the first meeting on the founding comedy of the International panel Inequality here in Geneva de Palais.
He will also have the presence of course of Professor Stiglitz and found in government including South Africa, Spain, Brazil and Norway was supported the initial part of the committee and also were supported by Africa Union and European Council.
The committee warns that the world may be approaching a critical turning point.
Extreme inequalities increasingly under undermining both democracy and economic progress.
Since 2020, shocks shot such as COVID-19, but also this escalated conflict that we see now in global trade tensions have created what expert as described as perfect storm.
Today, one in four people worldwide regularly skip meals, while billionaire wealth has reached record levels.
So to help address this challenge, International panel inequality will provide an independent science based platform to monitor inequality trends, analysing the drivers and assess policy solution for government and international community.
So we'll we'll if you're interested to come, we'll also send a press communique and also assist you if if for interviews.
And the event will take place in Room 8 from 3:30 to 5:00 on Monday, 16th of March.
So yeah, that press communique would be helpful.
So thanks very much for sharing this information for this meeting on Monday.
I was wondering, you mentioned Professor Joe Stiglitz, is he coming in person or is that via video link?
Yes, he will be coming in person along with all the members of their leading economist.
Thank you very much, Giovanna.
Thank you and good day to everyone.
Just to mention that the main UN body for vehicle regulations and that's Unisys World Forum for Harmonisation of Vehicle Regulations is meeting this week, so 10th to 13th of March at the Palais de Nation, Room 12.
The Forum will deliberate on several new UN vehicle regulations, including on limiting brake particle emissions, lifetime monitoring of vehicle pollution, as well as the driver fatigue.
Once adopted, the press will be notified about the details of these regulations.
Also, just as a reminder, hosted by UNIC, the World Forum is a unique global platform responsible for the regulatory frameworks regarding the safety and environmental performance of vehicles.
The World Forum manages 3 global vehicle regulations and any country that is a member of the UN can participate in these activities in the Forum and accede to these agreements.
Another very, immensely important subject.
Thank you very much, Jovana questions.
No, I think that was very clear.
So thank you both very much for the announcements.
I have a few announcements of my own.
Yes, you can stay here and keep me company if you like.
Just a few announcements.
Just wanted to make sure you have your fingers on the Pulse SG message rather the statement of the Secretary General to the to the Commission on the Status of Women.
We shared with you last night a very important meeting taking place on the other side of the pond in New York at headquarters.
And among other things, the secretary general notes how gender equality is and has always been a question of power.
Not a single Step 4 for women's rights has ever been given.
Important statement that we shared with you.
We have a short readout we shared with you earlier this morning of a meeting the Secretary General had with the President of the Philippines.
We also have a statement from the Secretary General on the congratulating the Colombian people for their peaceful participation on the 8th March elections for a new Congress and the inter party primaries ahead of the presidential elections in Colombia in May.
So that's a statement we shared with you as well.
Lots of meetings, lots and lots of meetings taking place here in Geneva.
We have rarely 3 concurrent treaty body meetings taking place.
We have the Human Rights Committee, we have the Committee on Enforced Disappearances, which began its 30th session yesterday, as well as the Committee of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
So you've seen the media advisories, you see that I'm not going to recite all the countries.
Just to note that the Committee on Enforced Disappearances is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year.
It's an important to mark the important work the convention and the committee has done over these last 20 years.
We'll be doing lots to promote that.
So those meetings are taking place here in Geneva.
We also have a meeting, sorry, from the Conference on Disarmament this morning.
I think by now it's probably done.
It's taking place in Room 7.
If you're interested in the confidence of disarmament, we could liaise or rather point you to our colleagues there.
The Human Rights Council, as you well know, continues its important 61st session.
Lots of rapporteurs, mostly dedicated to the situation of children, children's rights.
We had the sexual special rapporteur under the sale sexual exploitation and sexual abuse of children.
We have the Special representative of the Secretary General on violence against children, as well as the special representative on for children and armed conflict.
And this afternoon we'll have Ben Saul, the rapporteur on counterterrorism.
Maybe just to mention that in New York, the Security Council is meeting on the situation in the Middle East.
Since we talked about that extensively today, I wanted to make sure you're aware of that.
Going back to the repertoire or actually the special representative, the Secretary General on violence against children, she is presenting her report to the council, which is dealing with the issue of cyber, cyber bullying.
The title is Cyber bullying is not a future concern.
It's a current epidemic, immensely important subject being addressed by the by the special representative, excuse me, in her report to the Council, and I missed saying it earlier, our colleagues from IOM are still here.
Yes, Omondi is here just to mention that IOM is available.
We have representatives from Lebanon, I believe your IOM representative at Lebanon who we heard from recently, he's available for interviews as well from Beirut and other colleagues in Cairo are also available to speak to you should you need some comments from the International Organisation for Migration.
Lastly, we have how many press conferences, 1235 press conferences to announce 1 taking place this afternoon from this podium at 2:00 PM.
This is with the group of experts on Nicaragua.
The three experts will be here to brief you.
This is a group set up by the Human Arts Council some years ago.
Now 2:00 PM, Mr Tom Fletcher, who you know well, the humanitarian, the emergency relief coordinator will be here to brief you on the global humanitarian overview hyper prioritised plan for 2026.
So Tom Fletcher here tomorrow at 2:00 PM.
Thursday at 1:00 PM, the Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine will be briefing you again, 1:00 PM.
Thursday with Ukraine commissioners.
The three Commissioners will brief you from here.
And then also on Thursday at 2:30, the rapporteur on counterterrorism, Ben Saul, who I just referred to, will be doing a presser with you here.
So again, 2:30 on Thursday.
And last but not least, the special Rapporteur on Myanmar, Tom Andrews, who you know well will be briefing you ahead of this press briefing on Friday at 9:30 AM.
The rapporteur, Tom Andrews from Myanmar, very important encounter indeed.
So that is it for me, John.
Rolando, can you bring us up to speed if there are other senior UN officials from New York in Geneva for meetings besides Mr Fletcher?
Well, as you know, lots of senior representatives passed through here for various meetings.
The other from the for the Human Council, the ones that where they're making speeches in public forums, there there are, I'll have to check, we have to, there are some executive briefings which are scheduled in the coming days.
These are opportunities for the senior UN leadership to brief member States and whenever they do pass through, we always ask if they have the opportunity to speak with you.
So I'll definitely check in with our colleagues who are managed these executive briefings.
I mentioned Tom Fletcher, of course, who comes here quite often, but I'll look into some other senior representatives from the UN who might be here and I'll get back to you further questions.
No, well, we just made it under an hour and a half.
So thank you very much for your attention and for your reporting and see you here on Friday.
