Thank you for joining us here at the UN
office of Geneva for this press briefing today.
The sixth of February 2024. We have another very packed agenda.
We will start off immediately with a colleague from the World Health Organisation.
Who's joining us from Brazzaville. Doctor Fiona BRCA,
who is WH OS Emergency operations manager,
uh, for WH OS regional office for Africa. And again, she's from Brazzaville.
But I think maybe Tarik, who's joining us online.
I would like to say a few words beforehand.
thank you. Uh, thank you very much. Uh, Rolando for, uh, having, uh uh,
given the opportunity to To to WHO to speak about, uh,
cholera situation in in southern
region of Africa. So I'll give the flow immediately.
who will, uh, tell us about the current situation on cholera and her, uh, her, uh,
recent visit to Zambia and WO response Doctor Brea
Thank you, Tariq. Good morning.
While cholera is surging globally since 2021
Africa in particular eastern and Southern Africa is today the epicentre.
In the first four weeks this year, 10 countries in the WHO African region
have reported over 26,000 cases
which is almost twice the numbers reported during the same period in 2023.
The main countries of concern currently are Zambia and Zimbabwe,
but in addition, we have Mozambique, Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of Congo,
Ethiopia and Nigeria reporting active outbreaks.
There's a high risk of further spread to other countries,
especially during this peak Transmission season
and climate change and conflict are adding fuel to the fire,
floods, cyclones and droughts, further reduce access to clean water
and create an ideal environment for cholera to thrive.
I've just returned from Zambia
where the country is witnessing its worst ever cholera outbreak.
I observed strong commitment at the political level and among front
line workers who are working tirelessly to contain the outbreak.
It was great to see high acceptance of the cholera vaccine by communities
in the most affected areas that have been targeted for vaccination.
Like in neighbouring Zimbabwe, the capital city Lusaka is the worst affected
although now cases have spread to all the 10 provinces in the country
and in both countries Zambia and Zimbabwe,
the number of people that have died is particularly concerning
the majority are dying in the community and not in health facilities,
a large proportion of patients are not reaching life saving
care in time due to reasons such as stigma.
WTO is working closely with the governments
and partners in the affected countries.
To respond to these outbreaks,
we have over 100 experts, both local and UH S
capacity deployed in Zambia and Zimbabwe. They
are working closely with the government to
improve quality and access to treatment,
infection prevention and control surveillance and engagement with
communities to promote hygiene and safe practises.
W-2 is also coordinating deployments of international
medical teams who have offered their support.
We have sent over 24 tonnes of emergency supplies to Zambia and over 10
These emergency supplies include cholera kits and oral
rehydration salts for management of cholera cases.
Despite the global shortage of oral cholera vaccines,
W-2 is supporting countries in the targeted and strategic use of vaccines
in Zambia. Over 1.7 million people have been vaccinated
and a similar campaign is underway in
Zimbabwe expecting to cover 2.3 million people.
We are seeing early signs that the outbreak is slowing down
in Zambia due to the UH over the past week,
especially in the epicentre Lusaka,
with over 30% fewer cases and deaths reported compared to the previous week.
However, we are not out of the woods yet.
While this situation is unprecedented,
it's nothing but a continuation of what we saw last year.
Zambia is seeing its worst cholera outbreak.
Zimbabwe is seeing its second worst outbreak.
Last year it was Malawi and Mozambique.
We will continue to see records being broken as long as
people do not have access to clean water and sanitation facilities.
Given the global shortage of vaccines now more than ever,
we need a multisectoral approach focusing on improving water and sanitation
and hygiene, scaling up disease surveillance and quality and timely treatment.
Ending cholera needs investment.
WO released $10.5 million for cholera
from the Contingency fund for emergencies last year.
However, the global appeal for cholera remains unfunded.
Cholera is preventable and treatable.
No one no longer should die from it.
Thank you. And back to you. Tariq
Thank you very much. Uh, Doctor Braca
for that update. We have a question to for you from Lisa Schlein. A Voice of America.
Thank you, Rolando. Good morning to you and good morning to you, Ms BRCA.
Let's see. What do I want to I want to say here.
Um, yeah, uh, would you talk about First of all,
if you would please send your notes to us by email?
Uh, in terms of our information. Thank you.
you mentioned the situation of, uh, stigma as being something that
discourages people from seeking help for cholera.
I don't quite understand why that should happen.
In the case of cholera, perhaps you could
elaborate upon the reasons for this.
And also, do you have information about the situation in Sudan because
that has been highlighted. Uh, recently, as a as a big problem. Especially as,
um, medical help is unable to access the regions where this is occurring. Thank you,
Yes. Um, so in, uh uh in Zambia. We we are seeing that, uh, a number of, uh, cases and,
uh, deaths are being concerned. Of course, is deaths happening in,
in in the communities in these situations, we want to ensure we reduce mortality.
Uh, we reduce deaths as quickly as we can.
That means that people need to access services timely.
And those that are found to be, uh, severe cases should be able to, uh,
receive treatment at a facility where they can
So, uh, we are seeing in the case of, uh, of, uh, Zambia,
that majority of the deaths are happening in, uh, the communities.
And that is a signal that, uh, they are not accessing care, uh,
timely at the facilities.
And, um, one of the reasons that has been put forward by, um
from the, uh, uh, analysis that is done the community engagement.
that is done through discussions with communities is the is the
fear of going to AAA facility because it will then mean that
you would, uh you know, you would people would know you have cholera,
and, uh, that might create, you know, a stigma around
around you or your or your household.
So, uh, we are working to understand this in in in more detail.
And this involves really sitting, uh,
and and understanding with the communities themselves as to why
they would feel that they would be looked at,
uh, negatively if they have, uh, cholera.
we are engaging with the communities as part of the
community interventions to deep dive into those reasons behind that thinking
and so that the messaging can be packaged
in a way that addresses those specific concerns.
Sudan is one of the countries that, uh, is reporting cholera cases
is in the eastern Mediterranean region
and with the movements of people out of Sudan,
uh, into neighbouring countries, uh, into the neighbouring countries of Chad.
Um, we are seeing that that movement does create some risks.
Um, and, uh, we need to curtail the outbreaks happening in Sudan.
Uh, there is, uh, as based on the data we have, uh, cumulatively,
uh, they've had, uh, cases reported from 11 out of the 18 states,
And, uh, we have a total of 10,000 cases with 281
deaths reported as of 26th of January,
they had a peak of of cases, And, uh, we are seeing that, uh, starting to come down.
remains a major challenge.
And so, uh, even the verification of these numbers, uh, is is is quite a challenge.
A lot of effort going on with our colleagues, uh, in the, uh, WHOM
uh, to try and work with, uh, the team there to bring this outbreak under control.
But in the Afro side, we have also seen
some of these cases reported from
neighbouring areas south Sudan as well as Ethiopia.
And we tried as much as possible to
ensure cross border collaboration is in place as well
as surveillance to pick up these cases early
and provide the necessary treatment on the ground.
Thank you very much, Doctor. BRCA.
Do we have further questions for doctor Broa?
I don't see. That's the case.
Uh, therefore, I'd like to thank you very,
very much for the detailed and important briefing.
uh, continued luck with your important work,
earthquakes in Turkey and Syria.
The one year mark of that devastating, uh, event, uh,
which claimed nearly 56,000 lives.
We have a number of briefers
to join me here on the podium.
And we have also some guests who are joining us online from Ankara and from Damascus.
But first, maybe we'll start with, uh, you
uh, for an update from you and HCR.
And then, uh, we'll go to, uh, Jennifer then over to Tom
so you can introduce your guests.
Uh, so over to you, Shaa.
So we are briefing today about, uh,
one year on from the devastating earthquakes in Turkey and Syria.
So, a year after the devastating earthquakes that struck Turkey and Syria,
the plight of millions of displaced people and their hosts has deteriorated.
Many have been thrust further into poverty and desperation,
with thousands still homeless and vulnerable.
Turkey is one of the world's largest refugee host countries, while Syria,
where millions had been displaced by the 13
year old crisis even before the earthquake hit,
is suffering a severe economic crisis
In Syria, an estimated 90% of the population live in poverty,
12.9 million are food insecure
are internally displaced,
having to contend with multifaceted crisis.
6. 16.7 million people require humanitarian assistance,
up from 15.3 million last year.
The earthquake impacted millions of people across the country,
Uprooting tens of thousands, many whom have already been displaced.
In northwest Syria alone,
more than 40,000 people remain displaced by the earthquakes
and are residing in 70 temporary reception centres.
Turkey hosts 3.4 million refugees and the earthquake impacted a
region that is home to some 1.75 million of them.
Despite Turkey's impressive and inclusive humanitarian
response supported by NGO S,
the UN and international community,
the impact of the earthquakes is still being
felt by both refugees and their Turkish hosts.
90% of refugees in the country were already unable
to cover basic needs prior to the earthquakes,
with many reliant on the informal informal employment,
social assistance or loans.
Now in the aftermath, critical needs have intensified around housing,
basic utilities, shelter, electricity, healthcare and telecommunications.
With less money and increasing needs. Many refugees, Syrians and others
are resorting to survival strategies like
cutting food spending and borrowing more,
according to testimonies and a humanitarian assessment.
The catastrophe fee has already taken an excruciating
toll on the mental and emotional well being
of a long suffering population.
Many have lost family members and friends.
Almost 60,000 deaths were reported in the two countries
as a result as a result of the earthquakes,
with tens of thousands injured and entire neighbourhoods reduced to rubble.
While UNHCR appreciates the timely and generous aid offered by donors,
it appeals for continued support to ensure critical humanitarian needs can be met
UN HCR has been delivering protection assistance,
including psychosocial support for more than
311,000 people affected by the earthquakes.
It has also been providing shelter support,
cash assistance and other aid to those affected.
HCR has also been distributing relief items
for those uh in earthquake earthquake affected areas
in Turkey. To support the national state led response.
UN HCR has provided over 3 million relief items
at the request of the government, including tents, containers, hygiene kits,
bedding and warm clothing for refugees and local residents
in temporary accommodation centres.
And it also supported protection activities for more than half a million people,
including legal counselling,
identification and referrals of people with specific needs,
as well as psychosocial support and cash assistance.
So to better facilitate responsibility sharing with Turkey,
is also calling for an expansion of resettlement opportunities for refugees,
some of the most vulnerable for whom longer
term solutions and a fresh start are needed.
We'd also like to honour the memory,
commitment and dedication of four colleagues as well as dozens of
humanitarian workers who tragically lost their lives or remain unaccounted for
because of the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria.
Thanks to you, Shelby. Uh
We'll now turn to Jennifer of, um,
the office of the special Envoy for Serial
Good Morning, the UN Special Envoy for Syria, Mr Pedersen,
released a statement which you should have received
Thousands of Syrians in Syria,
Syria and Turkey perished after devastating earthquakes
and millions fled their destroyed homes.
This disaster came on top of more than a decade of conflict and suffering,
compounding the tragedy of the Syrian people inside
and outside and on both sides of conflict lines
we remember those who died and paid tribute to all those
especially Syrians on the ground and aid agencies who responded in solidarity
and who have this past year worked tirelessly in difficult conditions.
The earthquake struck at a time when humanitarian needs were enormous
and they have only grown since.
Continued backing for the humanitarian operation in Syria remains essential,
including initiatives for early recovery.
After the earthquakes, we saw the lowest levels of hostilities in a decade
and fresh diplomatic attention to the Syrian tragedy.
This, however, did not translate into real progress.
Tragically, 2023 later saw the worst eruptions of violent conflict in years,
further exacerbating the worsening humanitarian situation
and a lack of meaningful progress on the political process.
Ongoing and alarming spillover from regional developments remind us
just as the earthquakes did a year ago,
that Syrians are acutely vulnerable.
The special envoy urges all parties to take concrete measures to lower tensions and
consider the human and economic cost of a broader conflict in an arty,
The Syrian people need the hope and protection that
can be provided by deescalating from all key actors,
genuine assistance to all in need and
a political path forward to restore their unity
and meet their aspirations in line with Security Council resolution
And thanks also for sharing that with us before we turn to you, Tomaso.
Let's just I think, Tarik, I also wanted to
add something from on behalf of WHO
on this, uh, anniversary. Go ahead, Tarik.
Yes. Thank you. Uh, thank you. Thank you very much.
Uh, Roland, I mean, colleagues, uh
that, uh, the consequences are still felt, and and I'm sending the note.
Uh, it has been already sent with lots of details and numbers of WHO response.
But again, I'd just like to remind that
consequences of of a disaster of this scale will last for many years to come.
And one year on the suffering of the people, uh, is still going on.
Many people continue to live in temporary
shelters dealing with loss and mental health
trauma. For example, in Turkey, the earthquake created new and urgent health needs
in the communities affected,
including both host and refugee populations.
The disaster disrupted access to health services, including maternal and new
health care, vaccination, non
communicable disease management,
mental health, support, disability and rehabilitation services
in Syria. The earthquake the earthquakes hit communities that had already been
deeply affected during the 13 year long conflict. As Jennifer just said,
Uh and this conflict was characterised by
repeated displacement leading to food insecurity,
disease outbreaks and a severely weakened health system.
The disaster resulted in massive infrastructure damage,
displacement and wreaked havoc on the economy.
Increasing tensions within the country and the region continue to exacerbate
the already precarious health situation of nearly 15 million people across the
teams who were already working in Syria and Turkey before the earthquakes.
Uh and then they turn to to to to support
the health response, and they still continue to do so a year later.
in the first days after the earthquakes uh, WHO mobilised support, uh,
Care for hundreds of casualties.
Uh WHO supported both Turkey and Syria by delivering health supplies,
jointly coordinating the deployment
of emergency medical teams,
to affected parts of Turkey re-establish and strengthening disease surveillance
and outbreak response and addressing mental health and psychosocial needs.
just like to give you an an example. You know
that in northwest Syria, which is is
is a conflict area. There are around 40,000 displaced persons,
uh, that are still residing in reception
centres now lack of funding for the response in northwest Syria
has serious consequences for the provision
of basic and emergency health services,
including cancer treatment, vaccination,
maternal and child health care and chronic disease
Nine hospitals were suspended in 2023 due to funding
shortages with more at risk to close this year,
that can leave 2 million people without life saving emergency health services.
Now, uh, we there is more information in a
in the in the notes that, uh, that I have sent and and we are happy to take, uh uh,
any question and provide uh uh uh one on one interviews with our teams in in Turkey.
And, uh, and Syria, if needed. I'll I'll stop here. Orlando,
Thanks very much, Tarik. And thanks for sharing your notes.
We'll now turn to Tomaso of the International Federation of the Red Cross,
joining us online. Who? We thank uh, from the affected two countries.
Roland. And thank you very much colleagues yesterday.
We are with us, our two heads of delegation Jesse Thompson from Ankara in Turkey
our head of delegation in Syria now in Damascus.
We already circulated a press release yesterday. We said it last year
that this humanitarian response would have been a marathon and not a sprint.
we are sadly seeing needs still there, but also a huge gap in terms of funding.
So I will leave to our two colleagues to brief from Turkey and Syria.
Uh, and thanks for having me today.
Today, as we're marking this one year since the catastrophic earthquakes shook
as head of IFRC, I'm really here with a sense of urgency.
Uh, and a plea for renewed solidarity.
that we don't forget that there continues to be very important
needs in trachea to address this recovery effort that needs to continue
The earthquakes, as we've heard, claimed the lives of 55,000 people, leaving
indelible mark on the lives of countless individuals
with the tireless emergency response efforts of the Turkish Red Crescent,
who mobilised 76,000 volunteers
and more than 2400 staff,
reaching 10.5 million people across the affected area.
The Turkish Red Crescent has played a pivotal role in providing
those necessities to people who are affected by these earthquakes.
Over 426 hot meals were provided since the very first hours of the disaster
and free medical services were delivered via mobile health clinics.
The cash relief programme,
supported by the IFRC Network and International Partners,
supported over 460,000 families with cash support to meet their basic needs.
More recently we've provided support to small businesses and farmers
and in addition to all of this,
more than 200,000 people have received psychosocial support
one year on the needs of those affected
by the century's deadliest natural disaster disaster remain.
this amazing progress and the scale of the response to date,
there is still so much work to be done
to help communities rebuild their lives and their livelihoods
and to begin that slow journey back to normalcy.
million CHF are still significantly underfunded.
Now is not the time to scale down.
We really need to redouble our efforts to support communities,
to make a significant impact on their lives
and to empower people to rebuild their lives
and really to help restart and reinforce those local economies.
We really must ensure that the passage of time does
not diminish our attention or our commitment to these communities.
The IFRC remains steadfast in its dedication,
dedication to making a lasting impact on the lives of those affected.
But we can't do it alone.
We need the continued support of
the international community to bridge funding gaps
and to provide the necessary resources for the ongoing recovery.
Now is the time for solidarity
Turia. And as we'll hear shortly from that, uh, for Syria as well,
let us come together to address these critical funding and shortfalls to
ensure that these communities not only have their basic needs met,
but also are able to restart their lives restorable,
uh, and build, uh, for the future.
Thank you, Miss Thompson. Uh, Mr Hanson over to you?
Yeah, thanks. Indeed. And thanks for inviting me to speak. Thanks to you, Tomas
Um, very thoughtful words.
The picture in in in Syria is quite dire.
In Syria, tens of thousands of people are already affected by 13 years of crisis
lost their family members, their homes,
their livelihoods and many saw themselves displaced once again.
Now, since then, the Syrian Arab Red Crescent, S
and the International Federation of Red Cross
and Red Crescent Societies the IFRC and its membership
have provided 3.5 million people with humanitarian assistance.
We have delivered over 23 million
humanitarian services and continue to distribute
relief items and strengthen the resilience
of families in the earthquake hidden areas
to those displaced throughout the country and their host communities
of these families. They do also,
um, receive support through livelihoods, interventions,
psycho social support and legal services,
and cash and voucher assistance has ensured
flexible and dignified support to persons affected.
Now, the immediate earthquake response may have concluded,
but the emergency still persists
and the humanitarian needs Syria and in the earthquake areas,
a staff and volunteers continue to be a lifeline for hundreds
of thousands and their tireless efforts provide people with food,
water, basic relief items, healthcare,
psychosocial support in local communities and cities.
We're deeply concerned about the humanitarian situation
in Syria that is rapidly deteriorating.
We're concerned for the victims of the earthquake,
but we're equally concerned for the rest of the population throughout the country.
In 2024 16.7 million people will need humanitarian assistance across Syria.
This is up from 15.3 million
most cities in Syria are still lying ruins with
very limited function infrastructure and no resources to rebuild
years have gone by without reconstruction and very few rehabilitation
efforts due to limited funding and lack of political will.
At the height of disaster, we were lacking both heavy machinery and fuel.
One year later, neither is available and the rubble still remains.
Basic factors to drive the economy, such as electricity, fuel infrastructure,
access to raw materials have been greatly depleted.
The Syrian economy is currently in a downward spiral, with massive inflation,
weakened currency and massive increases on normal consumer goods.
In Syria today, most people would get by
with only one hour of electricity a day
there's still a need for relief recovery and
longer term development interventions to run in parallel.
However, it is painful to note that the preconditions are simply not there.
There's a lack of international funding
and the Syrian economy is quickly declining and falling apart.
The cost of living nearly doubled in the 1st 10 months of 2023 and it continues to rise
with a dramatic reduction in funding among major donors.
There are very limited resources left for the very basic needs of the population,
not to mention recovery and reconstruction.
With nearly 90% of the population living below the poverty line,
among which over 30% are below the extreme poverty line,
the Syrian people will have increasing difficulties
in getting their next meal on the table
and will continue to have no possibilities
to organise themselves for a better future.
Now, in face of the overwhelming humanitarian needs, complex,
where access is a constant challenge,
the work of Sark, the Red Cross and Red present movement remains critical.
The term forgotten crisis is sometimes used for Syria,
but it is a gruesome reality for the people who are struggling
Syria cannot be forgotten.
The situation now is more dire than ever Before
millions of people in Syria are still struggling to rebuild their lives,
having lost their homes, livelihoods and belongings.
And I just take this opportunity to point out that we
also have a statement at the end circulated earlier from Martin Griffiths
on this, um, very grim anniversary.
And and, of course, I take this opportunity to repeat,
uh, the strong appeal from the Secretary General
to the international community to show that the people of Turkey
and Syria support generosity and, of course, to join in solidarity.
OK, we'll take questions. We have a question from Musa
Uh, thank you. Uh, Gomez,
um I have a question about the reconstruction in Syria.
The United States suspended sanctions on Syria for a period of six months or more.
Did this, uh, help bring in equipment for reconstruction?
Uh, or at least repair of, uh, water and electricity networks. Thank you.
I suppose that question for
we have to remind ourselves that
sanctions are not intended to compromise humanitarian
Most sanctions are directed at persons they are directed at entities.
Exceptions to these sanctions in Syria were granted early on.
We very much appreciate that.
But they can have very indirect in our efforts.
we have seen that suppliers of relief goods didn't and suppliers
of relief groups did not want to participate in tenders.
And often banks didn't want to transfer funds to
Syria because they were afraid of breaching sanctions.
although we saw, uh, exceptions to the sanctions,
a lot of of people involved in the supply
chain did simply not understand these these exemptions.
And And we felt, uh uh, the problems on our side
with regard to maybe a caveat to that one. Maybe, uh uh uh, A
comment on the reconstruction.
I think reconstruction is not so much part of the exemptions as
it is a part of political will or lack of political will,
to to venture into to, uh, reconstruction per SE.
Uh, attempts are are made to go into recovery early recovery,
and that is we very much appreciate.
But the brunt of the funding
is for relief at the moment.
Hanson. I think Jennifer wanted to add one comment.
I'll just note what Mr Pedersen has stressed to the Security Council, um,
noting verbatim what he said in December to the council,
noting that he said the economy is increasingly dire
straits in Syria due to a wide range of factors
that he has outlined on many occasions and critical infrastructure,
is under major strain. It
is vital to ensure that any adverse effects of
sanctions on ordinary Syrians be avoided and mitigated,
including continuous and active efforts by sanctioning states
to counter over compliance.
Thank you very much, Jennifer.
I'll take a question now from Lisa, uh, Voice of America. Lisa,
at the risk of sounding like a broken record
with the agencies that have not sent their notes,
please do so that would be helpful. Then I would like to have your reaction to
the reports that we hear about the shoddy construction that is going on,
I mean, Uh, no construction seems to be going on in Syria, so I think this is really
a political situ problem in Turkey or corruption problem there.
Could you talk about it? I mean, are you concerned
that the kind the the devastating earthquake, which had occurred,
uh, and largely due to the shoddy construction and, uh that that was
at fault will recur again in the future? Because, in fact,
the buildings that have gone up have gone
up quickly and without the kind of inspection that
needed to be done. Thank you.
Perhaps, um, I don't know if Miss Thompson, um,
or either of you from the IFRC if you wanted to tackle that question.
Uh, what I can say from an IFRC perspective is that, uh, disaster risk reduction
is fundamental to saving lives. And that,
in the context of earthquakes is about how we build buildings to withstand shocks.
Uh, and where we build buildings to ensure that they, uh, stand
in times of earthquakes, um, as well as investments in emergency preparedness
to enable a swift response. So that's a key priority for us
as IFRC as we think about not just the recovery from this earthquake. But also,
uh, as we reflect on how to prepare for future emergencies, knowing that
Tia remains a very high risk country for earthquakes, uh, and every
and has is stumbled top of mind as well.
I can't speak specifically to the ongoing rec reconstruction efforts,
but certainly from our perspective, we continue
careful attention to those best practises to ensure that we are building back.
better that we are building back strong and that we are ensuring that communities,
Uh, both now and in the future.
Great. Thank you very much. I think we have a question caera
Kir Jaffer from Geneva Solutions. I have a question for shaa
Uh, where our levels at at the moment and then
for the IFRC. What does that
the funding gap mean? In terms of what you're not able to deliver, which areas are
are taking the hit. Thank you.
Thank you for the question.
I issued a Syria and Turkey emergency,
um, appeal in February. Um, which was actually, you know, very,
um generously received by donors.
And we did, uh, receive, uh, that was significantly funded.
Um, however, the ongoing,
um the the issue is the ongoing situation requires urgent attention.
There are worsening humanitarian needs as we outlined
We're streamlining the support for that into our regular programmes.
So if we look at the funding levels for
both the Syria operation and the Tokyo Operation UNHCR's
work there in both countries they're around the range
of about 31 and 37 per cent funded,
I can go back and check if there's anything further than that. But I think we saw
support overwhelming support after the earthquake
happened for the initial emergency phase.
the needs are prolonging and accruing,
it's really important that that support is sustained and that we're not seeing
the levels that we're looking at today.
But in addition to humanitarian support and funding,
it's also crucial that there is international support,
um, and solidarity sharing.
And as I mentioned, Turkey is one of the world's largest refugee host countries.
Um, so with millions of refugees there,
it's important that humanitarian assistance is sustained.
But then also opportunities like resettlement or third country, um,
pathways to ensure that other refugees who have critical
needs and who may need a fresh start,
as we mentioned can move as well elsewhere.
So, um, those schemes such as resettlement and complementary pathways,
Thank you very much. Uh, shabby.
If you want to add on that. No.
OK, then we'll, uh, take a question from Jamie of a P Jamie over to you.
Um, my question is for, uh,
Uh, Hansen, if you don't mind.
I wanted to just follow up a little bit
on Musa's question about reconstruction and the sanctions,
but not specifically about the sanctions.
I was just hoping that you'd be able to give
us sort of an overview about the prospects for post
earthquake reconstruction.
some of the same factors that have
prevented post war reconstruction are also preventing
earthquake reconstruction.
So do you see any way forward on that?
Well, to to be very blunt, um,
if we look at the current funding to Syria,
it has over the past five years, been declining.
Uh, the funding we have we have received now for for the earthquake.
Of course, we are extremely happy for that.
But it is a residual due to a very concrete situation.
we are expecting it to continue to decline.
Given that there are many other issues in the world at that, uh, at this given time
uh, a little bit of a government crisis. Um,
maybe, uh, the lack of political will under the current political circumstances,
Uh, is not there. So what we do see is that
the first priorities will be the distribution of relief
relief items, food, water and non food items,
the recovery initiative, the strengthening of resilience
and providing families with new livelihoods,
their health care, hospital care, health centres and emergency medical clinics.
Psycho social support, legal services, rehabilitation of water,
water and sanitation facilities.
That is what we are going to prioritise
uh, to even think of going into, uh,
larger scale rehabilitation and reconstruction.
Miss Thompson, you wanted to add Go ahead.
I wanted to jump in on the question around, uh, the funding gaps and, uh,
what that means for our operations.
And much like Mads has rightly pointed out,
it really prevents us from, uh,
properly responding at scale to the the needs in this recovery phase.
Um, we've been able to do, uh, some support, uh,
provide some support to small and medium enterprises and
to farmers who've lost assets whose whose, uh,
livelihoods were impacted. But we know that 25% of the affected population
had lost their income generating activities.
So we've reached 1500 households so far.
But that's just a drop in the bucket in terms of the scale of the need.
So we really, uh we know that without more funding,
we won't be able to scale up those recovery efforts.
with leaving too many people still very much dependent
on aid and in in a situation of crisis.
Uh, and we also know that there are households, single female headed households,
elderly or people with disabilities who are in temporary accommodation.
who will continue to need basic assistance in the form of cash support and our, uh,
our cash programme is also facing significant
limitations and will struggle to continue,
beyond the spring without additional resources channelled
in response to the recovery efforts here in
Thank you very much, Mr. Uh, Ms Thompson, I think, uh, Jamie, you have a follow up.
Yes, please. Thank you for for both of your answers. Um,
I just wanted to somehow even broaden it beyond IFRC if I could.
And just in terms of the overall picture for reconstruction, I mean,
you're obviously mentioning the lack of funding humanitarian funding from
some of the major donors that support your work.
But I'm just wondering the overall picture does that the fact that
you're getting nothing or the UN agencies are getting less or whatever.
that reconstruction is just not happening at all at all from other sources,
whether it be from owned state funds in places like Turkey and
Syria or from outside donors that are outside the normal remit?
Obviously, Russia has a presence, for example, and, uh, military, uh,
and and connection to to the Syrian government
Are there any other possible sources for for support for reconstruction? Thanks.
It's, uh, and I don't want to speak on behalf of,
of of any bank donor or or or the government.
But it's very clear to see that that there are
in Syria that the economy is
as weak as it probably can be, as as weak as it
has been for for many, many, many decades,
and the the the the economy in Syria doesn't allow
for the government per SE to engage in in reconstruction
with the crisis around the world.
We've also seen many donors reprioritizing their funding.
at the moment see, uh, major,
uh, reconstruction efforts in Syria at at at this point in time,
I think I would would add, uh, that the situation is
in tea in the sense that there is
a large scale government reconstruction effort underway.
The conditions are, of course,
quite different in terms of both the economic reality but also the reality of, uh, of
international financial institutions such as the World Bank are also, uh,
scaling up their reconstruction recovery efforts.
Where I think so there is, I think there is hope. There is optimism.
to ignore those important efforts
I think that I see the gaps is that that re reconstruction
the scale of this disaster was massive in
terms of both the the level of destruction in
CIA as well as the geographical, uh, spread of the affected area.
And while you have whole cities now that have been cleared in terms of the rubble,
that's still a long way from people being back in their homes and,
you know, resuming normalcy and where I I am concerned is Is that period now,
in the next year, year and a half?
Uh, well, that recovery and reconstruction is ongoing.
Um, particularly for the most vulnerable in the affected area who don't have, uh,
family members or savings to rely on and who
who've already lost so much and and for whom?
you know, 11 or two days away from crisis.
And so that's where where I think the
IFRC and the Turkish Red Crescent continued support and
accompaniment of communities is so critical alongside those
bigger efforts by government by the IFI S.
And, of course, by UN Partners and I NGO partners that are all working,
There's no this is not a 11, agency or one government. Uh
that can solve this and the scale of the crisis alone.
And in terms of that recovery effort, it will take
everyone and it. It, uh it is not insignificant.
Thank you very much. Uh, Ms Thompson,
do we have further questions on the Turkey Syria earthquake?
I don't see that's the case.
So I'd like to thank you very much, our colleagues,
especially from Ankara and Damascus, for joining us here at this press briefing.
And, of course, to our colleagues here
uh, we're going to shift to Pakistan, but I think maybe there was a question. No
It depends when you want to take it.
think maybe we'll take advantage of our colleagues who are on the podium. At least.
I think, uh, maybe, uh, we'll turn, maybe just quickly, if you don't mind.
Um, on Gaza, I believe from Emma of Reuters.
Yeah. Thank you. Uh, Tomaso,
I was just hoping for an update on the hospital situation around, um, central Gaza
And how much longer you think the hospitals there
can continue to function in the current circumstances and
the consequences of their collapse. Given that they've already
started, uh, absorbing all of the most of northern Gaza's hospital capacity
and more broadly, I don't know if this is the moment. Maybe for Jens.
Israel has threatened to move into Rafah,
and I'm wondering what the scenario would look like from
a humanitarian point of view and how to protect people.
and let's see, Maybe if you
answer something to add on this second point.
what I can say that, of course, the health situation.
But I would say the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip is beyond
catastrophic and literally desperate.
want to take this opportunity to
head of youth and volunteers of
Crescent in Gaza. Her name was Heda
She was killed last Friday in the Palestine Crescent premises
while she was doing what she was doing every day supporting wounded people,
internally displaced people,
her own communities and of course supporting the work of Palesa
Crescent. And this is sadly the 14th time
denounce something that is unacceptable. That Red Cross Crescent
staff and volunteers ended up in the line of fire 11 times in
Palestine and three times in Israel
of our colleagues saw the Magen
Now I think that this is the icon of the
level of violence and where the situation has gone.
humanitarian workers have no protection, hospitals are hit.
The last update that I got from Palestinian
Crescent colleagues yesterday is that
8000 internally displaced people who sought
refuge in our Palestinian Crescent Hospital in
left the hospital yesterday.
in the last more than two weeks.
The hospital was surrounded by heavy shelling, fighting no way,
no way out hit several times and
the last time, sadly, was last Friday when his colleague
So there was big issues in terms of medicine.
Replenishing stocks was almost impossible.
Access of ambulances, lack of food and lack of water. And this is why
I mean, I would say that is a nightmare,
that we already experienced a couple of months ago
in our Palestine Crescent Hospital in Gaza City called Al
We were kind of celebrating when we were able to evacuate safely
displaced people, patients, volunteers, staff members.
But this is a paradox because from one side we are celebrating
and on the other side, the sad reality is that the hospital was closed.
So of course I'm not hoping and I'm not even,
uh I don't want even to think about the possibility of having a lama
hospital closed in the next coming days. But the reality here is that
if the situation will not change,
it will be very difficult to continue the activities in the hospital at the moment.
elderly people and people with disabilities that were
not able to move out from the hospital.
and an 100 between staff and volunteers of the hospital Still inside.
So Yeah, I would say that this is what I can tell you in terms. In terms of update,
the situation is simply deteriorating every other minute.
yeah, we said it many times that we don't have any more words, and, um,
and I am frustrated even to keep repeating the same.
But this is exactly what is happening.
And meanwhile, of course,
I don't want to underestimate the importance of having
humanitarian aid still entering inside the Gaza Strip.
But still it's a drop in the ocean.
So from one side we thank the great effort of colleagues of the Egyptian recreant
stakeholders who made it possible, but then on the other side,
needs are really enormous.
And this number of humanitarian aid and trucks is not enough.
Thank you very much. Uh, Tomaso
Jens on Emma's second question, please.
Thank you. Thank you, Rolando. And thank you, Emma.
let me say a few points about the situation in Rafa.
in the almost five months of war.
is unbelievably overcrowded and the public health crisis is looming.
The mental health emergency is already an established fact.
Every single child suffer from some kind of trauma.
We can warn what might unfold with the ground invasion,
and we can make clear what the law says.
under international humanitarian law,
indiscriminate bombing of densely populated
areas may amount to war crimes.
intensified hostilities in Rafah in this situation
to large scale loss of civilian lives.
And we must do everything
possible within our power to avoid that. Thank you.
Thank you very much, Jens, for that.
On this note, I just wanted to, uh,
mention we have our briefer from FA O joining us from Port Sudan,
who unfortunately has to leave in a few minutes.
I've asked Liz if we can just switch the order a little bit.
So we'll go immediately to,
uh, Adam Yao, who is the deputy FA, O representative in Sudan,
who is speaking to the looming desert
Um, the situation in Sudan and food insecurity as well.
Uh, Mr Yao, thanks for being patient and over to you.
Yes, Uh, thank you very much. I want to brief quickly on
the issue on the dead and
and the the looting of the Jin Bank in one madani,
which is the product of security and also
provide a quick update on the food security.
So the desert, Of course.
A lot of situation, uh, in Sudan has significantly worsened since the mid 2023.
Uh, this deterioration can be attributed to the absence of surveillance.
And, uh, during December 2023 the deer
local situation reach, uh, a a treated level,
uh, precipitation in the winter breeding zone during December created fire
condition for locals breeding
and the formation of local swamp.
most swarm are expected to invade land from neighbouring country in early 2024
and destroy crops and pasture.
Uh, particularly in the eastern states. Uh, we are already facing a PC.
Uh uh, Phase three, which is crisis or R? PC, uh, scale, uh, four.
Which is emergency food and security.
And, uh, from mid December up to date, Uh, with the
the locals control department has, uh, uh,
uh has managed to control around 23,000 hectare of, uh, infected, uh, area.
And the situation remains critical
sustained control operation are taken to control the development of the measure.
Uh, significant agricultural losses are inevitable. Posing a great
in the gulf. Uh uh. Gulf states.
do between now and the upcoming planting season
starting from June is a crucial opportunity,
uh, to implement action to curb the spread of the locals
and safeguard the food production
of the most vulnerable, uh, population.
I would like also to brief on the on the current uh uh uh risk to lose the the genetic,
uh, material which are the seed.
is is says the F fight started there,
uh, so recently if I was informed that the gene bank located in Wat Madani
with unique collection of seed,
uh, consisting of, uh, 50
of seed collected from different regions of Sudan over the last 40 years
and the plant materials stored in the deep freezers are
now at risk of being lost completely if not already,
coordinations of the office of the
and the Minister of Agriculture is urgently
working to secure immediate access to work
facilitate the transportation of seed collection collection,
The collection include, uh, indigenous, uh, wild relative of crops such as, uh, so
Sicily, eggplant and others,
which originated from Sudan
and are highly important for food security in the region. And globally,
the loss of this, uh, collection will not be just for Sudan,
but for the entire humanity.
So there is a need to urgently, uh,
uh organise and and ourselves and save the the the
remaining of what we still can save in one mada
on the food security situation.
Uh, the food security situation in the country is extremely concerning
and demand, uh, urgent intervention has 17.7 million people across the sua,
accounting for 37% of the analysed population, are facing high level of acute, uh,
PC. Uh, phase three or above.
is conducting the post distribution, monitoring and proper
and food supply assessment, uh,
to provide critical evidence on the performance of the proper
and the production estimate
as as well as the full balance sheet to inform actors
of affected population and the appropriate response
For the first quarter of 2024
FA is focused on four main activity, uh,
to support key cereal and visual pro production vegetable production,
uh, protection of live stock assets and control of desert Los
to protect food and nutrition security in, uh, of Sudanese people
the the the need are tragically growing. While, uh, resources remain scarce. It
is imperative that resources aligned with the escalating need
found is urgently uh uh, seeking 100 $4
To reach 9 million people across all state of Sudan
to strengthen the food and nutrition security in 2024.
are crucial to address escalating need
and then look at, uh, food production
and improve its accessibility across the country.
of the conflict to cease hostility immediately and to enable aid worker to
reach out all region of Sudan and deliver the much needed humanitarian assistance.
unified action before it is too late.
Uh, thank you very much and be ready to take your question if
thank you very much, Mr Yao. Yes. Urgent and unified action is very much needed.
I'm afraid that, um your intervention was a bit garbled.
The audio quality wasn't great. So if you could kindly
share your notes Or maybe if I can ask key to do so, that would be much appreciated.
We have a question, uh, for you from Lisa Schlein, the Voice of America.
Yes, thank you. Uh uh. Hello, Ms
I, I I'd like to first know is the, uh, um $104
million that you're asking for,
uh, for just for seed protection and food for the people? Or does it in I?
the Acti action that you need to take in order to control the locust infestation?
And I'm wondering whether, um, if you
to control the locust infestation then,
I mean, would it is that really what? What?
It comes down to a lack of money in order to do that. And then also regarding Sudan,
um, is the current situation with locust enough to push the country
over into famine? Which is something that WFP and other agencies are warning about?
thank you very much. Lisa,
for your question. I mean, the 100 formed.
Uh, million, Uh, are for the food security?
taking into account the the the resources that we
will need to save the gene bank In what,
And the com The disability cost control.
Uh, that is, uh, that's not included in the 100. Uh uh, 4 million.
And as you said, we we need really to act quickly for the
local control. Otherwise, we know that, uh uh uh, the locals will be affected.
uh, classified on I PC, uh, scale three as crisis situation
and, uh, uh, four as emergency. Just to avoid to, uh, to descend to, uh to family.
Great. Thanks very much, Mr Yao. I appreciate that
we have a question from kasmir
Thanks for taking my question. Just a question about the gene bank. So
the fact that you're still trying to secure
access means that at the moment you don't know
the extent of the damage and
we have a good idea on the level of damage because the the gene bank was stored
in the freezer when, uh, minus 20 degree. And, uh
uh, uh with the fighting, I think the those fighters have, uh,
removed all the deep freezers and all they put the material
on the on the floor under you know, uh uh, uh, room, room temperature.
And, uh, we, uh if we raise, uh, quickly,
we still can see some of the material and bring them
and, uh, quickly to, uh, plug them, uh, institute and exit you.
Uh, so that to to increase the the chance to have a germination rate.
Uh, of those, uh, those materials that are remaining there.
That's why we We are really appealing to all
uh, we can plan and secure what we still can secure, uh, in
in in one. But what madam?
Thank you very much, Mr Yao,
For the questions for our colleague from FA O.
No, I don't see this case, so thank you very much.
Once again for joining us at this briefing. in Geneva.
And thank you, Liz, for your patience.
Liz from the office of the High Commission for Human Rights
has an update on the upcoming elections in Pakistan this week.
Yes, I do indeed. Thank you, Rolando,
Ahead of Thursday's parliamentary election in Pakistan,
we deplore all acts of violence against political parties and candidates
and urge the authorities to uphold the fundamental freedoms
necessary for an inclusive and meaningful democratic process.
In the lead up to the vote,
there have been no less than 24 reported instances in which
armed groups have staged attacks against members of political parties.
Pakistan's democratic gains over the past 15 years have been hard
won in the face of many security and economic challenges.
Elections are an important moment to reaffirm
the country's commitment to human rights and democracy
and ensure the right to participation of all its people,
including women and minorities.
We're disturbed, therefore, by the pattern of harassment,
arrests and prolonged detentions of leaders of the Pakistan
and their supporters, which continued during the election period.
Multiple legal cases have been brought against former Prime Minister Imran Khan,
which have disqualified him as a candidate and sentenced him to long prison terms.
We expect the higher courts will carefully review these conclusions
in line with applicable due process and fair trial rights
and Pakistan's wider international human rights obligations.
All eligible parties must be able to compete fairly.
the election is a reminder of the barriers
faced by women and minority communities in Pakistan,
particularly the Ahmadis.
Despite 22 per cent of seats in the National Assembly being reserved for women,
some political parties appear to have not met the legal quota
of having five per cent women candidates on their party lists
separate voter lists, as is the case for the
Expose them to harassment and violence
despite the equal rights guaranteed to minorities in Pakistan's constitution.
Mindful of Pakistan's political journey,
the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights folk
appeals to authorities to ensure a fully free and fair vote and to recommit to
the democratic process and an environment that promotes
and protects the full range of economic,
social, cultural, civil and political rights
which are clearly interconnected.
Thank you, Liz. Questions
Yes. Thank you very much. Uh, but I have a question on another issue.
Let's just make sure there are no questions on Pakistan.
Maybe Moussa is also has his hand up. So, Moussa, is this on Pakistan?
no, not about Pakistan. About
OK, if it's for Liz and on other issues. OK, then I see no questions on Pakistan.
Let's take your question, Gabby,
Yes, Uh, thank you very much.
So, uh, the president of Mexico, uh, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador
presented initiatives that threaten the independence of the judiciary.
He also aims to eliminate the National Electoral
Institute responsible of organising and validating elections.
So this undermines democracy. So I would like, uh, to know your opinion if you are,
looking at this situation in Mexico, especially this year's election, uh,
And then I have another question. If May I, on Mexico as well?
Gabriel, I'll respond to your first question on Mexico.
You're highlighting what is happening with regard to
initiatives and moves that are being undertaken.
It will not surprise you to know that we
are indeed analysing and monitoring that in particular,
which obviously follows developments in
Mexico extremely carefully is analysing.
So we are aware, and we are following.
Thanks, Liz. Uh, Gabby, your second question.
personal data of over 200 journalists covering the presidency were leaked.
Uh, the government was in possession of this information,
so including their addresses, passports, phones and all personal details.
So this occurs in a country where more than
43 journals have been killed during this administration.
So how how, uh, how dangerous is this for? For journalists, I mean,
to have all the information over there,
take advantage of this of of this,
Thank you for that, Gabriela.
I'm not aware of the details of what you're setting out.
Which do, as you describe them, appear to indeed be worrying.
I think we would be concerned over any leak of personal data.
There clearly are concerns human rights concerns
with regard to personal data and privacy.
But in order to give you a more considered response,
I think it's best that we consult with colleagues and then we will get back to you.
Thanks very much, Liz. Ok, Musa, we'll go back to you.
Um um, last week, an Israeli commander for stormed a hospital in Jenin
and killed three Palestinians, including one wounded.
What is your, uh, comment about that?
Uh, especially, uh, regarding the international law. Thank you,
I think you talked about a hospital in Jenin, Is that correct?
I would need to double check with regard to this
specific incident in order to get back to you.
Yeah, we'll we'll need to get back to you on that, Musa.
and thanks for understanding. Do we have further questions for Liz before?
or do you wanna clarify something? I also see gabby
Yeah. Thank you. We asked last week about, uh uh, this matter and, uh uh,
uh, somebody from, uh, uh, High Commissioner. Tell us
they didn't have any, Uh, uh, news about that.
And, uh, we see the video, uh, in the news and, uh, all channels about, uh,
uh, we see this, uh, this attack,
see, uh, this attack from from your side. Thank you.
Yes. As I said, Russo, we'll double check, and we'll get back to you.
Given that you've already raised it with us, we'll prioritise and get back to you.
OK, Gabby, Uh, you have a follow up, I suppose?
Well, yes. Uh, not not a follow up, but, uh, you know, with this subject of elections.
Maduro's government disqualified the main opposition candidate, uh,
30 years or something like that.
what are your reactions? Uh, to this, uh, Li?
I think clearly there will be lots of issues with regard to elections
because there are so many taking place this year around the world.
We are really concerned by the fact that candidates are disqualified
because, as we're reiterating, the it is very important
that elections are free and fair.
And that includes, of course, the right to participate,
the right to stand for election and the right to vote for people.
So there are many human rights concerns,
so I would certainly stress that it is very concerning
when we see this kind of thing.
would be important to stress is that the high Commissioner
has voiced and has reiterated his support for credible elections in Venezuela.
He calls on all parties to uphold the Barbados agreement.
You may recall, that was signed in 2023
the High Commissioner stressed. And he reiterates
that reports of obstacles to the free participation in political affairs,
including administrative disqualification of members of
the opposition from holding office,
So that really underscores one of the key fundamentals with
regard to elections and human rights is the right to participation
indeed. Thanks very much.
Uh, Liz, OK, I think Jamie, you have a question as well for Liz. Jamie A P.
Yeah. Thanks. Thanks for that, Roland.
I just wanted to ask Liz, um, going back to Pakistan.
Um, has the Human Rights office said anything about the, uh,
conviction of Imran Khan?
Do you have any doubts about whether or not that was a fair process?
Well, I think as we highlighted in the note,
we point out that multiple legal cases have indeed been brought against Imran Khan,
and these have disqualified him. And also they may lead to long prison sentences.
Now, we do expect that the higher court
will carefully review these conclusions
that they have done in other cases.
it just goes back to what we're saying
is really stressing the right to participation.
And therefore, we are concerned when we see this happening.
Thank you very much, Liz.
I don't see there are any further questions for you.
So thanks again for joining us here
We are nearly done. Just wanted to highlight a few things.
Uh, just wanted to make sure that,
uh you you saw the statement that we shared with you yesterday.
Uh, on behalf of the Secretary General concerning
the appointment of this independent review group, uh, pertaining to UN R
This we shared with you around 5 p.m. our time yesterday.
In terms of meetings here we have the
Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women.
Uh, we have at 1230 in this room
Under Secretary General for humanitarian
affairs and emergency relief coordinator,
and Filippo Grandi, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees,
who will be speaking with you on the joint launch of the Sudan Humanitarian
Needs and Response Plan and the Sudan Regional Refugee Response Plan for 2024.
So it's 1230 in this room tomorrow,
the eighth of February at 1. 30.
Also here, the rights, Uh, the Child Rights Committee
will be addressing you here to present its findings.
Uh, they as they closed their session,
uh, this week, uh, on Bulgaria, Congo, Lithuania,
the Russian Federation, Senegal and South Africa. So that's, uh, 130 on Thursday
and, uh, today, uh, you know,
I realised that now that I have skipped over my colleague
from WHO, who also wanted to say something about
which is International day of zero tolerance for female genital mutilation.
refer to the SG statement, I'll go back to Tarik,
who also wanted to highlight this important day.
Tarik, apologies over to you
and no, no problems. Uh, Orlando.
And I know that, uh, there was a There was a statement from Secretary General.
So this is something that we we mark every every year
our international day of zero tolerance for female genital mutilation.
Uh, more than 200 million girls and women alive today have undergone FGM.
And this year nearly 4.4 million girls will be at risk of this harmful practise
in the 30 countries in Africa, the Middle East and Asia where, uh,
female genital mutilation is practised.
FGM comprises all procedures that involve partial
or total removal of the external female genitalia
or other injury to the female genital organs. For non medical reasons,
the practise can lead to a number of major health consequences,
including severe bleeding and problems, urinating
and later cyst infections, as well as complications in childbirth
and increased risk of newborn deaths.
of the health complications of
FGM cost health systems an estimated 1.4 billion per year,
the figure that will rise in the coming decades unless urgent action
is taken to abandon the practise.
The practise of FGM is recognised internationally as a
violation of the human rights of girls and women.
It reflects deep rooted inequality between sexes
and constitutes an extreme form of discrimination against girls and women.
There is evidence suggesting great involvement of healthcare providers
due to the belief that the procedure is safer when medicalized
WO strongly urges healthcare providers not to perform FGM
and has developed a global strategy and specific material to support healthcare
providers against medicalization,
Investing in survival led movement to end female genital mutilation.
Noting the central road role of survivors
in engaging communities and bringing about change
to raise awareness and galvanise action,
WTN partners will be championing the role of survivors in helping
to end FGM advocating for protection
in policies and laws, as well as transformative changes to social and gender norms.
we will have from WHO updated guidelines to support prevention and response to FGM.
obviously promoting these guidelines when when they are ready this year.
uh, we have, uh, experts at WHO available for one on one interviews.
Uh, on this topic, don't hesitate to contact us.
There's also a very good fact sheet on our website giving more details.
Uh, back to you, Rolando.
That's very useful. Thank you, Tarek, for the guidelines and the fact sheet and just
echoing much of what you just heard from Tarik.
The Secretary general, of course,
um calls on international community to redouble its efforts
and investments to uphold the rights of women and
girls and put a decisive end to female genital mutilation
message we shared with you
I see that Lisa has her hand up. Is that a question for me, Lisa?
Yes, as a matter of fact,
Yen if he is still around.
Yeah, regarding the, uh, uh, appeal tomorrow for Sudan
in the morning. You're webcasting
And besides, uh, Griffiths and, um, Grande, who will be speaking there,
And I was wondering whether
you would be sending please the, uh, statements of, um, both Griffiths and Grande.
Some of the participants.
I'm afraid that, uh, Jens has left.
However, if you look at the media advisor he shared with you last week,
it does give some details.
Indeed, it will be Webcast live as from 1030.
For those of you at the Palais, it's in room 26
roughly from 1030 to noon. And then afterwards, as I mentioned,
the two principals will be speaking here to you at 1230.
It doesn't give more details on, uh, the, uh,
other speakers. Uh, perhaps you can reach out to James bilaterally, but,
I can speak on his behalf and promise you that he will share the statements.
Any other questions before we wrap up?
