Noon briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.
Highlights:
-Afghanistan/Attack
-Afghanistan/Regugees
-Ethiopia
-Security Council/Kosovo
-Yemen
-Venezuela
-Migrant Workers
-Latin America
-Nigeria
-International Day of Rural Women
-World Food Day
-International Day for the Eradication of Poverty
-Guest Manday
AFGHANISTAN/ATTACK
The UN Mission in Afghanistan today said that terrorism continues in the country with at least 30 people killed and scores injured in a suicide attack on Kandahar’s largest Shia mosque. The attack took place during Friday prayers. UNAMA stressed that the UN condemns the latest atrocity targeting a religious institution and worshippers. Those responsible must be brought to justice.
AFGHANISTAN/REFUGEES
The UN Refugee Agency today urged states to facilitate and expedite family reunification procedures for Afghans whose families are left behind in Afghanistan, or who have been displaced across the region. UNHCR said that recent political developments in Afghanistan have not led to large-scale cross-border displacement. However, many among pre-existing Afghan refugee and asylum seeker populations remain separated from their families owing to the inaccessibility of family reunification procedures.
UNHCR stressed that the principle of family unity is protected under international law and in binding regional legal instruments. Domestic legislation in many countries also has this principle.
ETHIOPIA
The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs is greatly concerned about the situation in the north of the country, where they are receiving reports of an intensification of the conflict in multiple locations.
Despite extremely challenging circumstances, aid workers continue to deliver assistance to people across the three northern provinces.
In Tigray, where more than 90 per cent of the people need aid and an estimated 400,000 people are living in famine-like conditions, aid operations continue to face significant challenges. Although more than 200 trucks of humanitarian supplies arrived in Tigray last week, far more is needed, and the convoys did not receive clearance to carry much-needed fuel or medicine.
The lack of cash, fuel and supplies is disrupting the response in multiple areas. Last week, UN’s humanitarian partners were only able to reach 17 per cent of the people who should have received food assistance. Water trucking services in Central and North-western zones have been reduced, and that impacts more than 472,000 men, women and children.
Our colleagues say they are particularly concerned that much-needed medical supplies continue to be blocked from entering Tigray. Nine trucks carrying medicine have been awaiting approval to enter Tigray since the beginning of August.
In Amhara and Afar, the UN continues to scale up operations so that people impacted by the fighting receive the help they need. Since the beginning of August, 640,000 people in Amhara and 72,000 people in Afar have received food assistance.
Again, the UN calls on the parties to the conflict to halt the fighting and ensure that aid workers are able to reach all people in dire need of help.
Full Highlights:
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