UN GENEVA PRESS BRIEFING

19 July 2024

Alessandra Vellucci, Director of the United Nations Information Service in Geneva, chaired a hybrid briefing, which was attended by spokespersons and representatives of the World Health Organization, the United Nations Human Rights, the United Nations Refugee Agency, and the United Nations Children’s Fund.

Situation in the Gaza Strip

Jeremy Laurence, for the United Nations Human Rights (OHCHR), stated that, over the previous week, the people of Gaza had been subjected to a renewed wave of deadly Israeli air strikes and ordered to move yet again to supposed ‘safe places’ that were anything but safe. Since 12 July, 503 Palestinians had been killed, mostly in central Gaza, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. Israel’s evacuation order on 9 July, one of the largest since 7 October, had forced families into an impossible choice once again: stay amid active hostilities or risk fleeing to areas still subject to attack and with hardly any space or services. Nowhere was safe for people in Gaza: not the roads, not shelters, not hospitals, not the unilaterally declared so-called humanitarian zones.

The outcome was now clear of Israel’s dismantling of local capacity to maintain public order and safety: there was looting, mob justice, extortion of money, family disputes, random shootings, fighting for space and resources, and we see youths armed with sticks manning barricades. The creation of these conditions had led to the predictable and entirely foreseeable unravelling of the fabric of society in Gaza, setting people against one another in a fight for survival and tearing communities apart. The High Commissioner stressed once again that the violence had to end. There had to be a ceasefire, and the hostages had to be released. Reconstruction of Gaza had to begin. The occupation had to end, accountability had to be served and the internationally agreed two-State solution had to become a reality.

Ajith Sunghay, Head of the United Nations Human Rights (OHCHR) for the Occupied Palestinian Territory, speaking from Amman, said that he had returned from Gaza the previous day, after spending a couple of weeks in the area. The people of Gaza were suffering immensely, and the situation was truly desperate. People were on the move from north to south, again, although they were making the journey knowing it was fraught with danger. As people moved from Gaza City to Middle Gaza, Mr. Sunghay had observed several humanitarian responders, including protection actors, provide urgent services to the exhausted and repeatedly traumatized population at reception centres on Al Rasheed Road and Salah Ed Deen Road. Most people had moved on donkey carts and horse carts, holding white flags. Many said that they had lost everything due to Israeli bombing, including their homes. The outcome was becoming obvious of Israel’s dismantling of local capacity to maintain public order and safety in Gaza; anarchy was spreading. The hostile environment due to the war and the breakdown in civil order also raised enormous challenges for any meaningful humanitarian response to the mammoth needs of the people.

Mr. Sunghay explained that humanitarian and human rights entities were doing incredible work under impossible conditions, while trying hard to ensure respect for diversity and inclusion.

Civil society groups had provided frontline protection from day one. They also stressed the need for accountability for the gross human rights violations that had occurred. Women’s rights organizations shared information about sexual and gender-based violence, including in Israeli detention, but stressed that there was no space to talk about this while the war was ongoing. Mr. Sunghay heard accounts of women committing suicide due to their desperate living conditions and the terrible deterioration of mental health.

Responding to questions from the media, Mr. Sunghay said that the inadequate sewage and spillovers were an ongoing challenge. Christian Lindmeier, for the World Health Organization (WHO), said that samples collected from the surveillance points in Gaza in June had indicated presence of a polio strain. As part of response efforts, WHO teams were conducting an assessment of the polio virus spread and necessary response. As per data available, the polio vaccine coverage rates in Gaza had been optimal (89 per cent) before the onset of the current war. Currently, reminded Mr. Lindmeier, only 16 out of the 36 hospitals were functional, and the decimation of the health system, cramped living conditions, shortages of medical supplies, poor quality of water and inadequate sanitation increased risk of vaccine-preventable diseases, including polio. Mr. Lindmeier stressed that a ceasefire was essential to scale up immunization efforts.

The United Nations Secretary-General was disappointed by the decision of the Knesset opposing an establishment of a Palestinian State, added Ms. Vellucci in a response to another question, quoting the Secretary-General’s spokesperson. He had said many times that he believed that a two-state solution, where Israel and an independent, democratic, contiguous, viable and sovereign Palestinian state living side by side in peace and security with a secure and recognized border based on 1967 lines, with Jerusalem as the capital of both states, was the only viable path to a sustainable peace for the people of Israel and for the people of Palestine.

On another question, Mr. Sunghay stressed that without clear security guarantees and a green light provided by the Israeli side, the UN and partners could not move humanitarian aid within Gaza. An enabling environment had to be established, added Ms. Vellucci. James Elder, for the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), said that the evidence was clear that there were no security conditions on the ground to distribute life-saving aid safely and efficiently. The risk of famine was still at the highest level. Because of the fluid nature of the conflict, populations were on constant move. Mr. Sunghay reiterated that there was no law enforcement in Gaza; there was looting because of the hunger and other factors. Police had to be back on the streets to bring some order. Jeremy Laurence, also for OHCHR, said that a report on Palestinian refugees was expected to be released in the coming weeks.

Flood-hit communities in Afghanistan need urgent humanitarian support

Babar Baloch, for the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR), said that the rainstorms and heavy flooding in the country’s central and eastern regions in Afghanistan had left at least 40 people dead, more than 340 injured and many more displaced. Many roads, bridges, homes, and public buildings had been damaged or destroyed. It was expected that figures would rise when more areas become accessible to rescue and assessment teams. Afghanistan was among the countries most exposed to extreme weather conditions and natural disasters, such as droughts and storms. It was also one of the least prepared to adapt to the impact of climate change, following four decades of conflict, insecurity, and instability. The latest floods followed devastating flash floods in May, which had hit large areas of northern, northeastern, and western Afghanistan, killing and injuring more than 683 people, with widespread damage to infrastructure, homes and agricultural lands.

The recent flooding incidents were exacerbating the vulnerabilities faced by communities already struggling to access basic services. Afghanistan remained one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises, with 23.7 million people estimated to need aid in 2024 according to the Afghanistan Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan. Since the start of the year, the UN estimated more than 145,000 people had been affected by natural disasters throughout Afghanistan, with 33 out of the 34 provinces experiencing some kind of natural disaster during this period. Afghanistan needed continued attention and support from the international community. UNHCR and other humanitarian operations in the country remained severely underfunded. Currently, UNHCR’s operation in Afghanistan was only 44 per cent funded.

Full statement is available here.

Answering questions from the journalists, Mr. Baloch informed that out of the USD 215 million needed for Afghanistan for this year, only 44 per cent was currently funded. UNHCR had maintained its presence in the country over the past four decades, reminded Mr. Baloch. Since the Taliban’s takeover, the violent conflict had diminished, but at the same time, the humanitarian situation had worsened, so humanitarian help was as needed as ever. High Commissioner Filippo Grandi had recently visited Afghanistan and met with a number of stakeholders, including Afghan returnees from Pakistan. Refugees wanted to return home when it was possible; they should not be pushed or pressured to return, however. There were currently three million internally displaced Afghans now. The total humanitarian appeal for Afghanistan for 2024 stood at USD 3 billion, out of which USD 720 million was received, added Alessandra Vellucci, for the United Nations Information Service (UNIS).

Sudan talks

Responding to a question on the Sudan talks in Geneva, Alessandra Vellucci, for the United Nations Information Service (UNIS), stated that the discussions were concluding today. From 11 to 19 July, Ramtane Lamamra, Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General, and his team had held some 20 sessions with both parties in the format of parallel talks. The Personal Envoy was encouraged by the readiness of the parties to engage with him on critical issues, and he now counted on them to translate that good will into tangible efforts on the ground. The Geneva discussions were an encouraging step in a long process, and the Personal Envoy would remain in contact with both parties. If there was a written statement at the end of the talks tonight, it would be promptly shared with the media.

Announcements

Christian Lindmeier, for the World Health Organization (WHO), informed that on the World Brain Day, 22 July, WHO would launch a new report on “Improving Access to Medicines for Neurological Disorders”. Neurological conditions were a leading cause of disability worldwide despite the development of medicines, which unfortunately remained largely unaffordable, especially in low- and middle-income countries. The advanced copy of the report was available.

Alessandra Vellucci, for the United Nations Information Service (UNIS), informed that the United Nations Ad Hoc Committee on the elaboration of complementary standards to the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination would hold its 14^th session from 22 July to 2 August in Room XX. During the two-week session, the Ad Hoc Committee would pursue its work towards the elaboration of a draft protocol criminalizing acts of racist and xenophobic nature as mandated by the Human Rights Council. The Ad Hoc Committee would also examine closely issues and elements under paragraph 101 of the report of its 13^th session (A/HRC/54/65), exchange views, discuss the Chairperson’s draft document, and adopt conclusions and recommendations.

Ms. Vellucci reminded that the second meeting of the Preparatory Committee for the 2026 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) would be held in Room XIX from 22 July to 2 August. The Chair-designate of the second session, Akan Rakhmetullin, First Deputy Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan, would hold a press conference on 22 July at 1:15 pm.

On 22 June at 11 am, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) would do a media launch of the 2024 State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World Report, which would be under embargo until 24 July at 2 pm. Maximo Torero, FAO Chief Economist, would present the report in a virtual press conference.

Ms. Vellucci said that on 23 July at 10 am, the Committee against Torture would hold a public meeting with Suzanne Jabbour, President of the Subcommittee on the Prevention of Torture.

The Human Rights Committee would end its session on 23 July. It would then publish its concluding observations on countries examined during the session: Croatia, Malta, Honduras, Maldives, Suriname, Syria, and India.

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The webcast for this briefing is available here: https://www.unognewsroom.org/story/en/2269 /un-geneva-press-briefing-19-july-2024/0/WjnegYbwZ1

The audio for this briefing is available here: https://www.unognewsroom.org/share/YRdG5oyaDz