UNOG Bi-weekly press briefing 23APR2021

46:14

MP4

399.8 MB

23-04-2021

Press Conferences | UNHCR , OCHA , WHO , UNOG , UNITED NATIONS , IOM

UNOG Bi-weekly press briefing 23APR2021

ENG

Humanitarian delivery in Ukraine

Jens Laerke, for the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), stated that on 22 April the United Nations had organized a humanitarian convoy to the non-government controlled areas of Ukraine, a second such convoy to cross the contact line since the reopening of the humanitarian corridor a week earlier. The convoy had carried 23 tons of hygiene items. The first convoy since the reopening, with 18 tons of equipment primarily for the treatment of COVID-19, had crossed the contact line on 15 April. This reopening was very much needed, as there were as many as 1.7 million people in need of humanitarian assistance. Mr. Laerke reminded that, due to the pandemic, the civilian crossing points on the contact line had been mostly closed since March 2020, which had severely affected civilian movement and the capacity of the UN and partners to deliver aid to people in need. The humanitarian plan for Ukraine remained only 13 percent funded for the time being, stressed Mr. Laerke.

Leaders’ Summit on Climate

Alessandra Vellucci, for the United Nations Information Service, reminded that the previous day the Secretary-General had participated at the Leaders’ Summit convened by US President Joe Biden. The commitments and actions announced, stressed the Secretary-General, provided a much-needed boost to the collective efforts to address the climate crisis ahead of COP 26 in November in Glasgow. To avert a permanent climate catastrophe, the world had to urgently build on the momentum delivered, in this make-or-break year for people and planet. The Secretary-General looked forward to convening leaders in September to make a final push towards COP 26.

Informal Cyprus talks in Geneva

Alessandra Vellucci, for the United Nations Information Service (UNIS), stated that an informal five-plus-one meeting on the Cyprus issue would be held at the Palais des Nations in Geneva from 27 to 29 April. The Secretary-General would be coming to Geneva to convene this informal meeting following consultations conducted on his behalf by a senior UN official, Jane Holl Lute. Those consultations had been done over the previous several months.

As these talks were informal, there would be no official media opportunities. The talks would be covered by UNTV and a photographer, along with a small media pool. If there was to be a press conference, it would be held in a hybrid manner and the media would be duly informed.

Shipwreck in the Mediterranean

Responding to questions, Safa Msehli, for the International Organization for Migration (IOM), said that the NGO SOS Méditerranée reported that as many as 130 people had died when their rubber dinghy had sunk in the Mediterranean this week. The NGO had sent distress signals to States asking them to send rescue vessels; however, when the NGO’s Ocean Viking vessel had eventually arrived to the area, it had found dozens of bodies floating around the rubber dinghy. It was not the first time that States had refused to respond to distress calls, which was their international obligation. Ms. Msehli added that another boat had been returned to Libya, and there were also reports of a third boat reportedly carrying 40 people, which remained missing.

Ms. Msehli, in an answer to another question, said that there had been 523 recorded deaths in the Mediterranean in 2021; this number rose to 650 deaths if the reported deaths from the previous day were added. The IOM’s ability to monitor the deaths in the Mediterranean was limited due to the inactivity by States, and the true number was likely to be higher.

Tensions in Chad

In an answer to questions from journalists, Alessandra Vellucci, for the UN Information Service (UNIS), stated that the UN priority was now on helping to defuse tensions and sustain peace as part of our conflict prevention mandate. The United Nations was consulting with African partners, primarily the African Union, on how to achieve those goals and support Chad in the best way possible. The UN was also looking forward to supporting Chadian stakeholders to work towards a peaceful and inclusive election leading to the appointment of a new civilian leadership.

Geneva announcements

Tarik Jašarević, for the World Health Organization (WHO), informed that today at 1 p.m. there would be a virtual press conference by the World Health Organization (WHO), on the disruption to essential health services globally over one year into the COVID-19 pandemic. Speakers would be Dr Jim Cambell, Director, Health Workforce, and Dr Patrick Zuber, Lead Health Systems Connector.

Alessandra Vellucci said that the Committee on Enforced Disappearances would conclude today at 12 noon the review of the initial report of Mongolia.

The Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination would conclude its 103^rd session on 30 April.

The Committee against Torture would open on 25 April at 12:30 p.m. its three-day 70^th session.

Ms. Vellucci also informed that 23 April was the World Book and Copyright Day, the English Language Day, and the Spanish Language Day. 24 April would mark the beginning of the World Immunization Week.

24 April was the International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace, on which occasion an in-depth conversation had been recorded with the UN Geneva Director-General, the Special Envoy for Syria, the UN Representative to the Geneva International Discussions, the new Director of the Graduate Institute, and researchers from the Graduate Institute of Geneva and the University of Geneva.

Ms. Vellucci finally informed that 256 UN Secretariat cases had been tested positive to COVID-19 since March 2020.

Teleprompter

[Other language spoken]

Welcome to the Information Service, Geneva's Press briefing of Friday, 23rd of April.

Today we have OCHA briefing actively and a number of colleagues who are listening if you have questions.

But I'll start immediately with Yens on my left for OCHA on Ukraine.

Yens, thank you very much, Alessandra and good morning, everyone.

Yes, Ukraine, In Ukraine, we had a United Nations organised humanitarian convoy yesterday delivering 23 tonnes of hygiene items to the Donetsko blast through the Novotritskay crossing point.

This is the second UN convoy through this point since the reopening for delivery of humanitarian cargo a little over a week ago.

It is the only one operational for humanitarian aid deliveries on the contact line.

The first delivery since the reopening was on 15th of April when 5 trucks crossed with 18 tonnes of COVID-19 supplies to Donetsk, which is a non government control area.

The crossing point was closed earlier for humanitarian cargoes on the 24th of February and that was due to security concerns by the parties.

The opening is welcome as needs remain very **** with nearly 1.7 million people in need of assistance in the non government controlled areas of Donetsk and Luhansk.

The elderly, people with disabilities, female headed households and children are among the most vulnerable.

Since March of last year, as you may recall, we have seen an almost complete closure of civilian crossings over the contact line due to COVID-19 restrictions for humanitarian deliveries.

Only this one crossing point was available where we used to have four or five.

These restrictions to non government control areas obviously have a direct impact on the capacity of the UN and our humanitarian partners to help the affected people.

But restrictions is not the only challenge.

Our humanitarian response plan which requires $168 million remains 13% funded.

So of course we appeal to donors to support that plan.

[Other language spoken]

Thank you very much.

[Other language spoken]

Let me see if there are questions for you.

I don't see any.

[Other language spoken]

OK, so I have a few announcements or in the room.

[Other language spoken]

OK, So I have a few announcements for you and I'll start with the with the withdrawing your attention to the statement of the Secretary General that he made on the conclusion of the opening session of the Leaders Summit on climate of yesterday.

We have distributed these remarks to you where the Secretary General, of course, welcomes all the announcements and it says that it's now urgent that all countries present their 20-30 climate plants well before COP 26.

Among the other things he says, he said that to avert a permanent climate catastrophe, we must now urgently build on the momentum delivered yesterday in this make or break here for people and planets.

And he had that.

He's looking forward to convening leaders in September to make that final push towards top 26.

You have the full remarks and also the message and a statement he made on the occasion of Hurt DAY.

I also would like to remind you that sorry here that as announced, the Secretary General will convene an informal 5 + 1 meeting on the Cyprus issue at the United Nations Paradin Assume in Geneva from 27 to 29th April.

We have remanded that also last briefing.

As you know, he's convening this informal meeting following consultations conducted on his behalf by a senior UN official, Jane O Luther.

These consultations were done over the past several months.

The purpose of the meeting is to determine whether common grounds exist for the parties to negotiate a lasting solution to the Cyprus problem within a foreseeable horizon.

The Secretary General will be, I can confirm, travelling to Geneva to attend the meeting, but as these are informal talks, there are no media activity planned at this time.

Any potential live media event will be covered by UNTV and photo official photographers and videographers and a small visual pool from the accredited press in Geneva.

And as you know, Jill for Eunice will be working on the pool.

So this is what we have for the Cyprus issue.

And I see there are quite a few hands up.

[Other language spoken]

Actually, they have appeared.

So I'll, I'll start with Yan Yan, you have to unmute yourself.

[Other language spoken]

Good morning for IOM and UNHCR, if I may.

[Other language spoken]

We have, we have colleagues waiting on the line.

If you don't mind, let me see if there are questions for Jens or for me on Cyprus and then I come back to you for that body.

[Other language spoken]

I have a question for you, first of all about it's a global climate summit meeting.

Do you have any?

We'll take another statement after after the close of after close or Secretary General will take another remark after after then.

And about Cyprus, you said you will confirm Secretary General come or or the lawyer will will become but when will be confirmed?

[Other language spoken]

You want to know if the IT is confirmed that it comes, but you said this will be confirmed, right?

He will.

No, no, no, he, I can confirm he will be confirmed.

He will be coming to Geneva.

He will be travelling to Geneva for this meeting.

On your first question, I have to check and I'll come back to you.

[Other language spoken]

It's a question on on Cyprus and question on on Secretary General.

[Other language spoken]

And I would like to know if you think that there will be a press conference organised with the Geneva press corps, with the SG and not only on Cyprus that will have the opportunity to ask a lot of questions to the SG as we haven't seen him for a long time, even virtually.

[Other language spoken]

Thank you very much.

And I know that I can new has asked this also to our colleagues in New York.

I don't have any confirmation neither for a general press conference or even on the press conference on the talks.

And as soon as I hear something, if I hear something, you will be the first to know.

And it's all I have on this for the moment, but just just to be clear, because we have said that for the moment we are not accrediting journalists because there are no media events foreseen apart from the small pool on the Cyprus meeting.

Obviously, if there will be a press conference, we will have it in a hybrid form and we will organise the participation of the journalist in a COVID related manner.

I would say with the with the COVID restrictions that unfortunately we have to respect Peter Kenny.

Is that a question for me or for Yens?

Actually, it's a question for Yens.

[Other language spoken]

Is Yens is here.

[Other language spoken]

Yens, I wonder if you could just clarify a bit more clearly.

You said in the Donetsk area it's under it's you mentioned the word non governmental control.

Could you just elaborate on what that means?

Does that mean there is no state that controls that area?

And how did the UN convoy get in?

Did they come in via Ukraine or via Russia?

Thank you, Peter.

They are, they are, they are crossing the what what is called the contact line inside Ukraine between areas controlled by the government of, of, of U Ukraine and areas that are not controlled by, by the government.

So that is that is that is the the issue.

So they have to move past that contact line and return through that contact line.

To do so, they need, they need the consent of both the official Ukrainian authorities and the de facto authorities on the other side.

And sometimes that that can cause trouble because they need to, to, to agree on that on both side.

The the main restrictions that that have been in place for now more, more than a year across that, that that contact line is for civilian movements.

And that is because of COVID-19.

Now when they closed this only crossing point that we had for humanitarian deliveries into the non government controlled area in in Donetsk, they did that citing security concern.

So that was closed between the 24th of of February, sorry, the 24th of of yeah, the 24th of February and until the 15th of April.

So then that crossing was luckily reopened and since then we've had two convoys, interagency convoys going in to deliver supplies.

Of course, as there have been a long period of no deliveries, there is a, if you like a pent up demand for for relief.

So we very much hope that this can continue and increase, but to do so, we need both the access but also the funding.

And with the 13% funding of the appeal, the future is uncertain.

Thank you, Yens, I understand Emma's question is also for IOM, so I go to Robin for you for whom?

Sorry.

[Other language spoken]

Just to know what was actually in the humanitarian aid that was being taken across the contact line?

What was the stuff that was being taken in?

And yeah, if you could perhaps say a little bit more about plans for further convoys crossing in.

Is there anything sort of concrete on that?

[Other language spoken]

I, I do not have a lot of detail, but what I can say is that the two convoys that, that have gone in, the first one on the on, on the 15th, as I mentioned, 18 tonnes of COVID-19 supplies that was facilitated by several agencies.

It was 5 trucks primarily with IOM equipment for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19 and other viral diseases that went in.

The one that went over yesterday, 23 tonnes of hygiene items.

I'm sorry, that's the, that's the level of detail that I have on that one.

For future deliveries, of course, we hope to be able to to to increase deliveries.

There is a very **** demand.

On the other side.

As I say, the global figure we're looking at is almost 1.7 million people who identified as being in need of our supplies.

And with a long time closure of course the needs are obviously not decreasing but rather increasing.

And for that we certainly need the access and we need the funding.

[Other language spoken]

So in other words, does that mean social services and health services are not working in that area?

And who is it who gives the UN access to that area?

[Other language spoken]

Yeah, the the, the the problem is we can try to to summarise it like that, that people on in the non government controlled areas typically need to go to government controlled areas to get their social services.

As I mentioned, the elderly is a particular vulnerable group here.

They need to go to government controlled areas to get their pensions, for example, which makes it very, you know, of course, important that they can move back and forth across these crossing points in terms of humanitarian deliveries that we then, uh, uh, push in, uh, to, uh, into the non government, uh, controlled areas, uh, to, to get across the, the, the crossing point, we need the, the, the consent of both sides of the, of the conflict.

So both sides effectively have, if you like to look at it that way, a veto right over whether we can cross or not.

So there are constantly negotiations and, and, you know, going on on both sides so that they, they understand that they accept our impartial and neutral and humanitarian deliveries for what it is, namely to support the people in need and nothing else.

[Other language spoken]

Is that for Jens?

[Other language spoken]

No, actually it's, but maybe Jans can answer this one as well.

[Other language spoken]

Go ahead because I have a question actually to Barbara and Jans and later on to The Who, but I will ask Jans.

You know, taking into account the situation, current situation in chat with the killing of the President of chat, how worried are you about the situation of refugees in this country?

And do you have any contingency plan for relocation of people there or like helping them?

[Other language spoken]

Thank you very much.

I think if if if you're asking particularly to refugees from other countries inside chat, I would refer to UNHCR for that question.

[Other language spoken]

And Babar is connected if I'm not wrong, maybe you want to answer and then promise I'll go back to Yan and Emma for IOM Babar.

[Other language spoken]

Thank you, Alexandra.

[Other language spoken]

I haven't seen any reports from colleagues inside Chad.

Remember, we were just recently talking about new refugee arrivals into Chad.

But if we get any further details to to share, we'll we'll bring it here.

Lisa, for whom is your question?

It's very difficult today with I don't know who is asking for what.

[Other language spoken]

Yeah, yeah, I'm sorry, I missed the first half of your presentation technical difficulties.

So perhaps you you dealt with it, but very quickly.

Are there Russian troops that are along the the, the, the border between the two parts of Ukraine?

And also, did you talk about the seriousness of COVID among the people in Eastern Ukraine, if you have any figures on infections and deaths and so forth?

And how are they actually dealing with it?

Are they dealing with it or is it a big mess?

[Other language spoken]

Lisa, we are concerned about, you know, for, for, for the recent tensions that that we have seen on the on the border between Ukraine and and Russia.

I think we've already in the news about an apparent build up.

There seems to be some de escalation on, on, on that front.

But that of course, has, has raised our concerns and humanitarian actors have of course, reviewed their, their, their capacity in, in light of that, uh, we're always looking ahead, uh, looking for what, what, what might happen.

Uh, so of course it's something that is on our, our radar on, uh, COVID UH-19.

Umm, I think we'll have to check with WHO on the, on the exact numbers, but what I do have is that it's certainly not getting better.

[Other language spoken]

In March, Ukraine experienced a tripling of the number of COVID-19 cases cases nationwide compared with February.

So the curve is going up and not down.

The main method for for trying to stop this is like everywhere else in the world, we have to or they are imposing restrictions on people's movements so that it doesn't spread any further.

And finally, John is that for Jens.

John, you have to unmute yourself.

[Other language spoken]

Now it's not for Yens, it's for Paul and Baba.

[Other language spoken]

So I think I don't have any other question for you, Yens.

Thank you very much.

And then just in order of of hands up, I'll start with Yan and Yan has a question for you, Paul, if you can open your mic.

[Other language spoken]

You know, you have to always unmute yourself.

We unmute you here, but you also have to unmute your mic.

[Other language spoken]

Yeah, it's on, on the latest shipwreck off Libya yesterday, apparently 100 people died.

And I was wondering whether UNHCR and IOM have some more information on it and especially a question to IOMI.

Don't know whether Safa is listening in now, but Safa was treating states stood defined and refused to act to save the lives of more than 100 people.

I was wondering whether you can elaborate on this.

Which states stood defiant and how did they refuse to act?

[Other language spoken]

Safa, I see your hand up.

So maybe you want to answer.

Or is that Paul?

And then Babar, please don't hesitate to add if you have anything.

[Other language spoken]

Please defer to Safa on this.

OK, Safa, your mic is on.

[Other language spoken]

Just very briefly, we've received confirmed reports from the NGOSOS Mediterranean and Alarm Phone on a confirmed shipwreck in the Central Mediterranean.

The reports say that 130 people were on board the rubber dinghy for two days before they sank in the Central Mediterranean for two days.

The NGO Alarm Phone, which is responsible for sending distress calls to the relevant maritime rescue centres in the Mediterranean region, has been calling on states to uphold their responsibilities towards these people and send rescue vessels and fortunately that has not happened.

The NGOSOS Mediterranean operating the Ocean Viking did send a vessel in search for this boat.

Unfortunately they arrived yesterday evening to the site of the shipwreck.

Dozens of bodies were described to to be to to have been seen floating around a shipwrecked rubber dinghy.

With regards to the comment I made on state responsibility, this is again in reference to the stress calls that are made time and time again in the Central Mediterranean, with states either refusing to respond to these distress calls or or arriving very late.

Let it be clear that it is state responsibility to respond to distress calls at sea, that this is an obligation that needs to be upheld by all States.

And here I'm referring to European states, coastal states, to Libya and and any country that has the responsibility to respond to such cases.

Thank you very much.

And I think Emma has another question on that.

[Other language spoken]

Sorry, Safa, I just wanted to clarify, if possible, that the breakdown of how many of the 170 migrants were on the three boats and which one containing how many migrants was found?

And could you confirm what the death toll is now?

And are you concerned that all seven 170 people could have died in the Mediterranean?

[Other language spoken]

So over the past three days, we've received reports that there were three, at least three boats in the central Mediterranean.

One of these boats was intercepted by the Libyan Coast Guard and around 103 people were returned to Libya and detained.

[Other language spoken]

We are told that a mother and her child were found dead on this boat.

The second boat in reference is one that is reportedly carrying 130 people and it is the one that was found yesterday evening by the NGO Ocean Viking, operated by SOS Mediterranean.

There are further reports of a third boat carrying up to 40 people.

We have no news on this boat.

It's been out there at sea for three days and again we fear that the worst has happened given the status in the state of these boats, given the length and the duration that people are spending in what remains the the most dangerous sea crossing in the world.

So for now, the reports that we have is that up to 130 people have died.

This, this actually brings the death toll in the Central Mediterranean alone to close to 500 people, which is almost three times as many as as the death toll in the same period of last last year.

[Other language spoken]

Your first question was for IOM and Babar, I think.

And then when we finished with that, I'll give you the floor for tariff.

[Other language spoken]

My question is to 1st to, to both actually I am and UNHCR, I understand earlier this week the Special Envoy for Libya, Mr Kubich, met with a head of IOM and UNHCR.

Did they discuss the issue of asylum seekers and migrants crossing the Mediterranean?

And secondly, if IOM could let me know if the child soldiers that were detained in Tripoli, if they have been allowed to go home.

[Other language spoken]

Thank you very much.

Who would like to start to answer this poll or a bar.

Thank you, Alexander.

[Other language spoken]

I I'll need to check with colleagues here.

I have no information at this stage in the in the press release release that we distributed indeed in our colleagues of the UN support mission in Libya are saying that the special environment with Mr Victorino, but also with Mrs Bachelet.

I don't have here confirmation about Mr Grandy, but maybe Paul or Safa would like to say something about the meeting with the with the IOM Director General.

[Other language spoken]

Thank you, John for the question.

Yes, Director General Antonio Viteronia did meet with the special envoy to to Libya.

I'm happy to send any further details on on the meeting.

But obviously the situation of migrants in Libya and in the Central Mediterranean was at the top of the agenda.

As you understand, people continue to be detained arbitrarily in Libya.

That is one of the priorities or one of the priority items that that were in the discussion.

Also the situation in the Central Mediterranean with increased departures and increased deaths and the absence of a change in approach to to the situation in the Central Mediterranean.

But I'm happy to follow up with the Office of the Director General and share any further details.

[Other language spoken]

Byram, thank you for asking my questions.

My question for Safa as well.

Actually follow up regarding Emma's question, It's very important for us to you know, to clear this number of jets in Central Mediterranean, Mediterranean.

So can you confirm US 130 migrants died and 40, another 40 missing from the third board.

And then do you have any idea about the nationalities?

[Other language spoken]

Thank you, Byron.

As clarified, we have two bodies that were retrieved by the Libyan Coast Guard 2 days ago.

The reports from the NGOs, again, this needs to be attributed to the NGOs that were on site, state that up to 130 people have perished on this rubber dinghy, who were on this rubber dinghy have drowned.

And we continue to receive reports about a third boat that is carrying around 40 people, which remains missing.

We still don't have information on this boat, whether it's been rescued or intercepted or if it arrived autonomously to European shores.

But if we receive any information, I'll be sure to send you updates.

[Other language spoken]

The statement the the Secretary General Sula City Assion Director Constitution respected suits the terrorism stability mercy Gorky exact.

Redwit support come pardon prevention the conflict.

[Other language spoken]

They say Leader politic Verdu's Pacific inclusive.

[Other language spoken]

Say not to an angle.

John, you had another question and then I'll go back.

No, sorry.

[Other language spoken]

Yeah, I know you wanted to talk to Tariq, but Catherine?

No, no, let's really No.

[Other language spoken]

Yes, is that firstly, yes, a correction that the IT wasn't UNHCR, it was Madame Bachelet and Peter Marra, if there could be.

Exactly that's what we saw in the right.

But my question concerning the child soldiers that were detained in Tripoli, Libya, if they have been released, I am if they've had got some info, have some information on that.

[Other language spoken]

I will have to check with the office and revert back.

But maybe Ansmil would be the best to respond to this.

But I'll check with you and colleagues on the ground and and revert back.

And don't hesitate to also ask John John Jean El Alam, John Catherine.

Yes, it's a question relate to for Babar UNHER related to the the trip of Mr Grandy in DRC.

So I'd like to to have more details about the trip of Mr Grandy in DRC.

And is it part of an African tour?

Is Mr Grandy going to visit other countries outside of the DRC?

[Other language spoken]

Thank you there, Catherine.

Indeed, we just issued a press statement which kind of gives all the details of **** Commissioner Grandy's trip to the country.

He has been there.

Today's he's he's he's in visiting Goma, but inside DRC he went to visit the recent arrivals of refugees who have been fleeing violence in the Central African Republic.

So he went to visit the refugees on on on the border locations in in Yakoma.

So he met with refugees and he also witnessed first hand our efforts working with the Congolese authorities to move those refugees further inland.

And Commissioner Gandhi also saw how communities in these remote border villages inside DRC were sharing their land available resources with these desperate refugees who have been fleeing post election violence in in the CR.

So far, the authorities inside DRC estimate more than 92,000 CR refugees arriving in in DRC.

So **** Commissioner Grandi has called for international support to the DRC for these communities despite of having their own challenges.

Let's not forget DRC also is a situation of more than 5 million people that are internally displaced in the country.

So in Kinshasa yesterday, **** Commissioner met with with the President.

There was also renewed call in terms of bringing solutions for the internally displaced people inside the country.

Also the Congolese refugees who have fled to the neighbouring countries and also around half a million refugees from within the region who are in inside DRC today.

As I mentioned, he is in in Goma to have a look and and meet the internally displaced people.

I'll try to get if there are more details available, but but please do have a look at at the press release.

[Other language spoken]

If you could please send the press release because we haven't received it yet.

And I would like to know also, when Mr Grandy met with President Shisekedi, did they also talk about the Congolese refugees that were in Angola?

And some of them were forced to come back to DRC and they are living in in in a very pitiful condition since more than a year.

I mean, could you give them more details about the exchanges that have taken place between the President of DRC and Mr Grandy?

[Other language spoken]

I'm sure there Katherine, apologies if it hasn't reached to you already.

[Other language spoken]

Indeed, he he met actually the the President yesterday afternoon, as far as I understand.

So, the **** Commissioner Grandy was received by the President at his office, with whom he discussed forced displacement challenges facing the DRC.

As I mentioned, the 5.2 million internally displaced people inside the country, refugees from the region hosted in the country and Congolese who have sought asylum abroad.

They agreed that protection of civilians in conflict affected areas of DRC, especially in the eastern provinces, had to be strengthened and that development intervention had to be more strategically targeted.

These issues were also discussed with the country's prime ministers and other government ministers as well.

[Other language spoken]

Thank you very much.

I've got the mayor.

[Other language spoken]

My question is for IOM and I'm asking about the statistics about the death crossing the Mediterranean from the beginning of the year and and other statistics related to migration through the Mediterranean.

[Other language spoken]

So this year so far in the Mediterranean as a whole, there have been 523 recorded deaths.

If we add the numbers from yesterday, that's 650 from 650 recorded deaths.

In the Central Mediterranean alone, which remains the deadliest sea crossing, there are now as of yesterday close to 500 deaths.

This is compared to 149 in the same period of last year, so nearly a three fold increase in the number of recorded deaths.

Let me also be clear that our ability to monitor deaths in the Central Mediterranean especially has been reduced drastically due to the absence of states search and rescue vessels and the lack of information.

So the number of actual deaths is is likely much higher.

Again, if if you need the statistics, I'm happy to send you a breakdown because deaths in the Central Mediterranean and the Mediterranean as a whole are are quite different.

Come here.

Yes, thank you very much.

Yes, I, I would like to, to, to receive these statistics.

[Other language spoken]

I think that there is from what I see from the reaction here, there is an interest.

If you could maybe share it with all the the journalists that would be interesting.

[Other language spoken]

I don't see other questions on the on this subject.

John, you had a question for Tarek, if I remember well.

And Tarek.

[Other language spoken]

Tarek should be connected or no, Sorry.

Maybe it was Elizabetha who had a question for Tarek.

[Other language spoken]

Finally, I managed to unmute myself.

[Other language spoken]

To to The Who regarding the recent decision of the Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaida, who plans to unfree to make the withdrawal from the accounts frozen by United States sanctions to purchase COVID-19 vaccines.

So the question is apparently Guider wants to buy it through Kovacs.

So the question is, will The Who Kovacs programme be able to accept those money, this money that are actually that were actually frozen by sanctions and money actually from the opposition leader of Venezuela?

[Other language spoken]

Hello everyone.

I will really have to check on that.

I'm not aware of of of this issue.

So I will I will have I will have to check with colleagues and come back to you.

OK, Tarek, since you are on don't know if you want to announce the press conference of 1:00 or yes.

Well, just to remind really everyone, at 1:00 we will have we will have Doctor Patrick Zuber and Doctor Jim Campbell.

They will tell you about a second round of survey on availability of essential health services and disruptions to essential health services due to COVID-19 pandemic.

We sent to you yesterday both press release and the report on the embargo and, and at 1:00 this the embargo lifts.

We will, we have not been sending it to any other media.

We will be just sending after the press conference everything to our globalists.

So, so you've got this information in advance.

Hopefully you will find it interesting and hopefully we will.

We will see you at 1:00.

[Other language spoken]

Anybody else have the questions for WHO?

I don't see any hand up.

And just to remind you that tomorrow is World Immunisation Day and the 25th World Malaria Day and on 26th we started World Immunisation Week.

So you have had this information I think in the past by Tariq and his colleagues.

[Other language spoken]

So there are a number of other international days.

Today, for example, is Workbook and Copyright Day, but it's it's also English and Spanish Language Day.

And tomorrow the international community commemorates the International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace.

The Director General of UNOG has actually, together with other speakers, recorded an event that has been launched yesterday.

It's now available on the UN Geneva website and on web TV.

The event consists on of introductory remarks by the Director General, an interview with Mrs Marie Lordsal, the Director of the Graduate Institute, and a dialogue between a Special Envoy for Syria, Gerald Patterson, and the representative of the United Nations to the Geneva International Discussion, Jihan Sutanoglu, with young researchers of the University of Geneva and of the Graduate Institute.

And this is all made available in ahead of the International Day on Saturday.

So you, I would really invite you to have a look at this recorded event.

I think this is just my Friday update on the COVID cases in the UN Secretariat.

As of last night, a total of 256 UN Secretariat staff in Geneva had been tested positive for COVID-19.

This is, as usual, a global figure since March 2020.

And a final word on the Human Rights Committee committees.

We have the Committee on Enforced Disappearances that concludes today at 5:00.

Now the review of the initial report of Mongolia, the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination will conclude this 103rd session next Friday, 30th of April.

And the Committee Against Torture will open on Monday at 12:30 is 3 days, 70th session.

That's online 26th to 28th of April.

John, I see your your hand up.

Yes, I think Yan's is probably gone, but maybe Tariq might have an answer In the supplies that went into Eastern Ukraine that Yan's mentioned, which included COVID-19 and and other antivirals, did that include antiretrovirals for HIV AIDS patients?

Maybe Tariq, yes, this year, but maybe Tariq, you want to answer that?

I don't have that information, John.

And yes, doesn't either from what I see.

OK, John, is your hand is still up?

No, no, it should be.

[Other language spoken]

So thank you very much.

I think this concludes our briefing of today.

I would like to wish you all a very good weekend and see you next week.

[Other language spoken]