UN Geneva - Multimedia Newsroom : UN Geneva Press Briefing

Let's start the briefing. Good morning. Today is Friday, 24th of May.

We are here in Geneva, the United Nations,

and, uh, we are going to start this, uh, press briefing with

the office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights

who's coming on with two subjects.

And we start with Myanmar, the situation in Myanmar.

And for that Elizabeth

brought us James Rod, He

that, you know well, we have had the pleasure to hear from you, James.

In the past

you are the head of the

army and my team and you are calling in from Bangkok.

But I'll start by giving the floor to

Liz. And then we will go to you and we'll open the floor to questions.

Thank you very much.

You have

the floor? Yes.

Good morning, everyone.

We are receiving frightening and disturbing reports from northern Rakhine

state in Myanmar of the impacts of the conflict on civilian lives and property.

Some of the most serious allegations concern incidents of killing

of Rohingya civilians and the burning of their property.

Tens of thousands of civilians have been displaced

in recent days by the fighting in bid

and Mang

DAO

townships,

an estimated 45,000 Rohingya have reportedly fled to an area on the Naf

River near the border with Bangladesh seeking protection.

Over 1 million Rohingya are already in Bangladesh having fled past purges.

The high commissioner calls on Bangladesh

and other states to provide effective protection

to those seeking it in line with international law

and to ensure international solidarity with Bangladesh

In hosting Rohingya refugees in Myanmar,

we see clear and present risks of a serious

expansion of violence as the battle for neighbouring Madog

town has begun,

where the military maintains outposts and where a large Rohingya community lives,

including hundreds of displaced Rohingya who moved

to the town from villages seeking safety.

In

this appalling situation, civilians are once more victimised, killed,

their properties, destroyed and looted,

their demands for safety and security ignored and they are again

forced to flee their homes in a recurring nightmare of suffering.

The high commissioner calls for an immediate end to the violence and

for all civilians to be protected without any distinction based on identity.

Prompt and unhindered humanitarian relief must be allowed to flow

and all parties must comply fully and unconditionally with international law,

including measures already ordered by the International Court

of Justice for the Protection of Rohingya.

Now I'll hand over now to James Rode

he

who, as Alexandra said,

is our head of our Myanmar team and is just back from a visit to Cox's Bazaar.

James, over to you.

Thank you very much, Liz.

And, uh, good afternoon or good morning to you all.

Uh,

we over the last week have, uh, talked to many sources on the ground.

We have reviewed satellite imagery.

Uh, we've, uh, received online videos and pictures,

Some from sources on the ground.

Some from, uh, open sources. Uh, but we have, uh,

been able to review and see that many of those, uh, source materials are credible.

And they indicate the Buddha Don

town has been largely burned.

Uh, this, uh, of course is is very, uh,

it is corroborated by many of the testimonies that we've taken from, uh,

victims and and eyewitnesses to some of the events that occurred inside, uh, budong

town. Uh, beginning, You know, last, uh, friday afternoon and evening there.

Uh, we have received information indicating that the, uh,

the burning did start on the 17th of May.

Uh, there are I will say there are conflicting reports,

Some saying that the the burning started at three.

In the afternoon

at the high school in Ward four of Bong

Town

and some saying that began at 9 p.m.

at the hospital ward one.

Uh, now, this was two days after the military had retreated from the town

and had withdrawn largely back to their bases just outside of

Mal.

And the Arakan army claimed to have taken full control, Uh, of the village.

Now, our our office is corroborating information further, uh,

particularly in order to establish who were the perpetrators of the burnings?

Uh, we do have some information already.

Uh, but it has not been verified to our legal standard of proof.

One survivor described seeing dozens of dead bodies as he fled the town.

Another survivor said that he was among a group of

displaced persons numbering in the tens of thousands who attempted

to move outside of the town to safety along the western road towards Mongol.

Uh, but they,

uh, were blocked by the

Arakan army from going in that direction.

Uh, so this large mass of people had, in some cases, to go different ways.

So in the last few days, we understand some people have gone south to sit way

And while it whereas others have have, uh, been able to,

uh, to to move in, a more secure

this route, uh, towards the north, Uh, and towards the the Bangladeshi border, uh,

and the

Naf River, which is, uh, one of the traditional crossing sites

survivors recounted that the American army had

abused them and extorted money from them

as they fled the town and moved through villages.

Uh, where there were a A checkpoints,

particularly in the in the area of 10 to 15 kilometres south of the town,

uh, where they had, uh, previously shot No

shelter.

Uh,

the Rohingya individuals in these areas have for

weeks described sheltering with families they do not know

without enough food to feed their families.

In the weeks leading up to the burning of

bong,

the Myanmar team of the UN Human

Rights office has documented renewed attacks on Rohingya

civilians,

uh, both by the

army and by the military,

uh, in northern

Aine state.

Uh, of course,

many of these were as a result of airstrikes

perpetrated by the military as well as other attacks,

uh, perpetrated by unmanned aerial vehicles.

So drones

and we've also received reports of shooting at unarmed, fleeing Villagers.

Uh, we have confirmed at least, uh, uh, four cases of beheadings,

um and, um, multiple

enforced disappearances of individuals as well as several

villages and homes that have been burned.

Uh, now, for years,

the military has targeted the Rohingya and

have actively enforced draconian and discriminatory restrictions

affecting all aspects of their lives That has to be taken into account.

Um, and it's one of the reasons why the Rohingya, whenever they were asked to leave,

Mong

and other villages have been very reluctant to move

because they've needed special permission to move

outside of their township of residence.

Uh, they also have nowhere else to go.

And, uh, they, of course, have learned very hard lessons since 2017.

Uh, knowing that,

the, uh

you know, whenever movement starts,

usually ends by them leaving their homes never to see them again.

Uh, so I'll just stop there. Um, you know, I?

I was just in Cox's Bazaar where I was able to talk to many people who had,

uh, either been in Myanmar or, uh, who had spoken to family, uh, in Myanmar.

So, um, it's, uh it's been a very busy and fruitful week of investigations.

Thank you.

Thank you very much. James, Uh, for this comprehensive report,

I'll give the floor to the journalist now for questions. If there is any

in the room,

let me see.

I don't see any hand up,

so let's go to Maya on the platform. Maya plans the UN brief.

Thank you very much for taking my question.

Good morning to all. Um, my question is related to the Rohingya

massacre.

Uh, a couple of years ago, where most of it happened through, um,

social media platform, Facebook.

And, uh, my question is, regarding if

you have, this has been very well documented, including by the UN

um, the office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Um, are you are observing two movements in terms of the platforms

as the company in case Facebook now called meta, uh,

has been, um,

doing something about it, Or,

um, can you tell us a little bit? How do you surveil that?

Uh, the usage of social media platforms to disseminate hatred

that spill over into real life. Uh, violence.

Thank you very much. James, do you want to take this?

Uh, sure.

Uh, I would just, uh I would indicate that that yeah, that right now there are, um

there have been several instances in recent weeks where you've had, uh,

a lot of disinformation and propaganda placed on social media,

uh, clearly with the intent to,

uh,

sow discord between the, uh, Rohingya and the Rakhine communities.

Uh, there have been conspiracy theories promoted.

they're, uh, including by some very prominent individuals, Uh, in

including the the

aan army commander in chief who has, uh, who has, um, in some cases been

promoting the idea that,

uh, some of the Rohingya are members of extremist, radical Islamic groups.

Uh, and, uh and then on the other, on the other hand, he's been retweeting.

And and I would say that a lot of the activity that we've observed has been on Twitter,

um, or X. Uh uh.

You know,

since you clarified Facebook is now meta then that

I have to clarify that Twitter is now X,

even though I think it's ridiculous,

But, um,

the,

uh and and this these conspiracy theories have been about, uh, you know,

kidnappings and that are ethnically motivated and so forth.

The one thing I will say is that whenever we

you know, look at this kind of material,

um, you know, we do.

First of all, check with our other UN agencies because, you know, a lot of this is,

of course, in a variety of different Myanmar languages.

So, uh, my team has very limited language resources.

So we do check with UN agencies that do have more resources dedicated to

monitoring social media.

Uh, and then, uh, we also, of course, check with the double.

I double M because I'm I'm sure, as you will see, a few weeks ago, they put out a report,

uh, on hate speech, um,

and and how it was used in 2017 and and and in other instances as well.

And, uh, so we do know that they are tracking that as part of their investigation. So,

uh, it is something that we take very seriously.

I will say that the one sort of, uh, hopeful sign that we have seen is that,

uh,

so far at least a lot of the sort of inter ethnic tensions that

seem to have arisen as a result of of these efforts to sow division

between the Rakhine

and the Rohingya

communities,

which I will say has been one of the major tactics of the military going back, Uh,

you know, years and years,

Um and and we do think that by enacting the

conscription law and by promoting

certain disinformation and conspiracy theories,

they are trying to sow those divisions,

uh, to divide

right now, one of their primary opponents.

And, uh, But one of the hopeful signs, as I was saying before, is that

right now, a lot of the inter ethnic,

um

uh, flash points that we're seeing

are between armed actors.

We're not seeing this being repeated by civilians in

in local communities and in split inter ethnic settings.

And

and that's important because in 2017,

uh, you know, the violence really was magnified.

Uh, by you know, the whipping up of of anger and hatred in local communities where,

you know, civilians were sort of pressed and taking part

and, um, and duped into taking part.

So, uh, we're not seeing that sort of dynamic yet,

So that's a hopeful sign.

Thank you very much. Lisa.

Slain

Voice of America.

Uh, yes. Good morning. And thank you.

Uh, first James, where are you talking from? You left caucus

Bazaar. But I'm not.

I told

you,

I'm in

Bangkok. OK, thank you.

Questions,

uh, in in regard in

regard to, uh the, uh, conscription into the army. I mean is,

uh uh, isn't this counterintuitive? On the one hand, what the army seem, uh,

and the general seem to want to,

uh, kind of get rid of the massacre, the Rohingya.

And at the same time, are they actively

trying to conscript the Rohingya into the army? Is this working?

I had read reports that

a lot of the Rohingya were fleeing as a consequence of that.

And, uh, what is what do you know in regard to the the, uh, war that is going on?

There are reports that, in fact, the generals are losing in many instances,

And is that, uh,

providing greater impetus on the part of the generals to go after the Rohingya?

Uh,

regarding this genocide Seems unfortunately to be the word

the word of the day in too many,

uh, crises that are erupting around the world

Is there any indication that this is

perhaps

in the minds of the generals that this is

happening? Uh,

I mean,

what is it that they want from the Rohingya? They want to get rid of them.

How do they do that?

Thank you.

Teams.

I Well, let me just say that first of all,

you know that that we when I when I when we talk about conscription,

we've received many reports on it,

and we have talked to some people who have been conscripted.

Uh, we've actually talked to a few people who, uh, who

were taken into, uh, and and and given their military training,

uh, with the the Myanmar military, along with, uh, many of their comrades.

Uh, now

they have been, uh, promised many things by the military. Uh,

you know, some of them have been promised that, you know, uh,

additional food rations for them and their family.

They've been promised money. Uh, land.

Uh, some have been promised citizenship

if they serve in the military.

And we think that there are many reasons why, you know, this is being offered.

First of all,

I think that it shows the the degree of desperation in the military because,

as you say,

uh, the conflict they're doing very badly in the conflict. Um, they are in retreat

enormously, uh,

all of the 9 to 12 different fronts that they're fighting on right now.

Um, and they've probably only had I think one marked success in the last 3 to 4 months.

Uh, which was retaking Mayawati

back from, Uh

uh,

the the E A is working down in the southeast of the country.

But in Rakhine, they've been steadily,

uh uh, having to retreat or withdraw.

They've had there have been several instances where their forces have

retreated or had to flee into to India or Bangladesh.

Uh, because, you know, they were they were soundly beaten.

Uh, that's one of the reasons why they continue to rely on airstrikes because,

at least with airstrikes, you know,

it's it's, you know, there is no surrender involved.

It's, uh it's conflict from from above. But the conscripts

there's a couple of different things there that makes this far more insidious. One

is that

they know that these Rohingya men are ill prepared to to fight.

First of all, you know,

they've been deprived of humanitarian access for for months

and months dating back to last year's cyclone.

They have been existing on very few rations.

So a lot of these, these men are very poorly nourished.

Uh, secondly,

most of them have have never had any

sort of combat training or self defence training.

So they're largely being sent to the front lines,

Uh, as human shields or as cannon fodder. Uh,

and so you can say that the military knows that very well.

And so why not get rid of some of the your young Fighting age opponents,

Uh, by co opting them?

They've also been involving other groups to

help them convince and conscript people.

And including ar

sa

um, ar sa is a group that, um,

is, uh, you know, it's it's it's a it's it's sort of an armed group,

but it's also a criminal gang.

Uh,

and clearly they're in the money making business. And so it's very,

uh, uncertain.

You know what their motives are in this case,

but they've been helping recruit people for the military and in some cases,

through kidnapping them

and then taking them to a military, uh, training site.

Um and so you know, the military has also told the Rohingya that Look, if you run away,

if you don't serve,

uh,

we will arrest you,

uh, or we will cut the rations to your family.

So they've used a variety of pressures to convince

the Rohingya to join, and we don't know fully the the full numbers.

But we have We've had reports of anywhere from 1500

to 2000 that have been recruited at this point,

and, uh, and those are, you know, and and those aren't reports,

I will stress that this is not information that we have confirmed,

but the reports are out there,

and, um and I think that it's indicative now these armed groups, of course,

that are operating in a variety of areas.

They

they are also forcibly recruiting people. So right now it's kind of open season, and

the Rohingya are are

are,

you know, recruit, you know,

they're they're they're trying to pressure their

own people into fighting for different actors.

And it's, uh

it's and that that's contributed to the whole mess.

And then on on genocide, I mean,

I think you just have to look at the provisional measures,

uh, that were ordered by the I CJ,

uh that are supposed to be in force in Rakhine,

which are essentially, you know,

stop committing acts of violence against the Rohingya

community.

Stop. You know, hiding evidence. Stop putting Rohingya at risk

of the impacts of violence.

You know,

these are the things that these that that these groups are supposed to be observing.

And that was to prevent a future or a continuing genocide.

And yet those provisional measures, at least seem to be

being flagrantly violated. Right now.

I'm not the i CJ, so I can't make that determination for them.

But I would say that if you look at it from a common sense perspective, that seems to be

the state of affairs.

We've got quite a few more questions. Gabriel.

Tru,

Reuters.

Um, just to to clarify is is there is it possible to

say, um, who might be the perpetrators of this?

This violence,

these frightening and disturbing reports of the killings and burning

Can we attribute those to the Arakan army itself?

Um, is there any evidence suggesting

that, um, just to clarify? Thank you.

All right,

well, right now

the you know, if we could clarify In all instances, we would

we would say that, you know, we have been able to verify some

incidents. Like, you know, as I said, we have

multiple incidents of of killings that have been perpetrated both by the

Army and by, uh, the military of Rohingya civilians and and, frankly,

of other civilians as well.

This is not just an issue of Rohingya.

Uh,

there have been a number of incidents

that have targeted the Rakhine ethnic Rakhine,

uh, civilians, Uh, and Hindus,

Uh

uh, in in, uh, Rakhine state.

Civilians are getting

the the worst of the violence there.

Uh,

and that's because the military targets the

civilians because they can't fight back.

It's far easier to fight civilians

than it is

the armed groups, because every time they fight the armed groups, they lose ground,

and, uh, but the civilians don't fight back.

And if they kill civilians, then frankly,

what that does is send a message that these

armed groups that say they're fighting for you,

uh, they can't protect you.

So it also damages the credibility of these armed

groups in the eyes of some of these communities.

So, uh so So that's sort of the game. The military is playing the A

army. Uh,

you know, it's very hard to know why these different incidents have happened.

Uh, many of them the men killed are fighting age male civilians.

Uh, and as I say,

we have confirmed at least four incidents in which there were beheadings.

Now, the the the violence in budong,

uh, we do have some strong

suspicions of of who the perpetrators are.

We have some information, as I said,

but we have not confirmed it to the point where we can announce firmly.

Uh, you know who the perpetrator is.

Thank you. Uh, Nina Larson a FP.

Thanks. Uh, yeah. You know,

our

NP I had a few, um, just some follow up questions

on the, uh, the beheadings that you just mentioned.

Um, are are those attributable, uh, specifically to the Arkan army.

And then also on the

social media question, I was wondering,

uh, in the the hate speech that you have seen, uh, circulating.

Uh, are there any actual, um,

instances of violence that have been attributable to those, uh, so far?

Thank you.

Excuse me. Could you just repeat the last part of your question?

Yeah, sorry.

Uh, on the social media question that you received earlier,

I was wondering on the the more recent hate speech,

uh, that you were mentioning that you've seen on Twitter.

Uh um and elsewhere,

if there are any actual instances of of violence

that you think could possibly be attributable directly to

to, um that, uh, hate speech on social media. Thank you.

Uh, well, in the latter part of your question, I'll answer that first.

And just to say that, you know that that's something that we are still like,

connecting the dots on.

So I you know, I can't

II. I certainly could not make those connections at this moment.

There are there are several, as you say,

several instances of things being said and promoted different, you know,

stories that have been reported in different media sources in the region

and then amplified by retweeting or or REBROADCASTING those

claims or the stories themselves that really alarm us.

And so

we are trying to find out more.

We are trying to also engage with some of these parties to find out why.

Uh,

you know, the they're doing these things. Um,

so, you know, we are you know, these are areas of of concern.

Now, uh, the the you know, some of the violence, as I say is, is attributable to the A A.

And of course, a lot of it is attributable to the to the military.

And, uh,

the the instances of these beheadings in in this case,

Um yeah, in those, you know, four cases or four instances.

Um, it does, you know,

I, I I'm fairly confident in saying that Yes, uh,

we have confirmed that that it was the a a acting in those instances.

OK, we've got to

elements of the A A.

We've got two more questions and then we'll go to the next item. So Christian

Erich

Deutsche

Thank you, Alexandra, for the introduction.

James, um,

can you let, uh,

can you tell us how many Rohingya are left in Arakan state or in Myanmar?

Um Total

And could you characterise the

Arakan army for us a little bit more? Who are these people?

Do you have contact with any of the commanders or are you exchanging uh,

views with them?

And a question that is poss possibly impossible to answer. The Rohingya are hated

by everyone and are discriminated by everyone, including

Aung San Suu

Kyi and her followers. Uh, what is a real

solution?

Uh, that goes beyond, uh, asking the unrealistic question of the military powers to

let them be and allow them to stay and not attack them.

Thank you.

You know, well, the the American Army, it's a it's a you know,

it's an ethnic armed group or an ethnic armed organisation.

Um, that, uh

is, uh, essentially it is. It is

both rakhine

based, but it also has operations more widely.

It's part of the three brotherhood alliance.

that, uh, was formed in 2019.

And, uh, the three members of that alliance are the A

army, uh, the the TNL A or the Tang National Liberation Army and the MNDA A, uh,

which is the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army.

And, uh,

those are the three armed groups that started this whole turnaround of events

in Myanmar back in late October last year,

this started a series of coordinate attacks in northern Shan

State.

Uh,

that really put the the military on the back foot and started driving

them out of many areas in the ethnic states and then Of course,

those tactics were so effective.

They've been repeated

pretty much all over the country by ethnic armed groups working with, uh,

the people's defence force.

You know, militia forces.

Uh, and

so the

aan army is one of those three major armed groups, and now, you know,

they are based primarily in in

Arakan, Uh, or in Rakhine state,

uh, they are an ethnic rakhine,

uh, largely, uh, organisation.

They have a political wing, which is the UL A.

And they also have a humanitarian wing.

Uh, now, in, uh, they they began, you know, fighting the military, uh,

in earnest back in, uh, 2019.

And, uh,

there was an There's been a sort of an ongoing an

on and off armed conflict with the military in Rakhine state

since 2019,

there have been, um, cease fires. Agreed that have lasted different periods.

Uh, one that that took hold in, uh 2020 late 2020 Right, uh, around the elections

in Myanmar,

and it lasted about a year.

And then it was broken.

And then there was fighting again for about four or five months.

And then, uh, a new cease fire was established that held until last, uh, November

and, uh, the their kind of army.

Basically,

they've always lobbied for either an independent Rakhine

state or an autonomous Rakhine state within Myanmar.

And, uh, they have been incredibly effective.

Particularly, uh, in the periods where there were cease fires,

agreed with the military

because they built up a Democratic or AAA civilian governance apparatus

as part of their,

uh, operation.

So they they started promoting.

They started, uh, creating their own courts, their own judges,

their own police forces.

And, um and

they built up a lot of credibility

with the the Rakhine communities all over Rakhine state.

And,

uh so that's effectively how they are.

Um uh And yes, we do have, uh, an ongoing conversation with them,

uh, both with their humanitarian wing and with, uh,

elements of their political office.

We've We've been trying to establish AAA

discussion with the their military wing,

and, uh, because we want to talk about these incidents that we are investigating

and then, uh, in terms of the number of rohingya left in the country,

it's around 600,000.

Uh, that's the Those are the estimates,

Um, and with you know another 1 million plus in in

Bangladesh and

and then, you know, a few 100,000 spread out in the region.

Thank you very much.

I'll take the last question from

Mussa Musa,

Asi and mad.

You have to

OK, so

still has another briefing item. So if this is the case, let me thank

our colleague James

Rod

Heber for this very extensive and very interesting briefing.

Thank you very much for being with us to brief the journalist in Geneva.

I

let you go and turn to Liz.

Maybe before we take Musa's

question, I would like

to give you the floor for the second and last

item that you have this morning which is on Ukraine.

Maybe I'll just

start by saying that

Denise Brown,

as you know, leads The UN's effort in Ukraine

has condemned the deadly attacks on Cardiff City,

which follow two weeks of attacks on the region.

And

while the UN are of course continuing to support

evacuated people and those impacted by the strikes,

I think you have more on the human rights side.

Yes, that's right. I do. Thank you very much, Alexandra

Testimonies gathered by the UN Human Rights monitoring mission in Ukraine

highlight the terrifying impact on civilians of

the recent escalation in hostilities in the north

east of the country where Russian armed

forces have seized control of several villages.

People who have flared from these areas

along the

Kiv region front line

described having to shelter for days in cold, dark basements with no electricity.

Amid intense aerial bombardment,

strikes by drones and missiles and artillery shelling,

there's been massive disruption of people's

homes and other civilian infrastructure.

Entire communities have been uprooted and destroyed,

with more than 10,000 people displaced to date.

According to our monitoring team,

at least 35 civilians have been killed and 137 injured in the Kharkiv region

since Russian armed forces launched their cross border offensive on 10 May.

Of those killed or injured in the northern part of the region,

which has seen the heaviest fighting, more than half were over the age of 60 Now.

This reflects the disproportionate number of older people

in border and front line areas who in many

cases were either unable or unwilling to leave their

homes even amid a fast deteriorating security situation.

Since the 10th of May.

Our monitoring teams have interviewed 90 displaced civilians

and have visited several sites that were struck.

Some of those interviewed were unable to reach shelters or even get to a basement.

People described seeing their neighbours killed or injured.

Some said the situation was so bad they decided to

risk walking for several kilometres to reach an evacuation point.

Local authorities and volunteers have taken major risks

to help vulnerable people to get to safety.

As an example.

On 16 May 2 medical workers,

two ambulance drivers and a local official were injured while

they were trying to get civilians out of the village of

On the morning of 19 May,

Russian armed forces struck a recreation centre in the village of Chehaa

Loso

near Kharkiv City.

Less than 20 minutes later,

the site was hit again when police and medical workers

were already on the scene to assist the victims.

Our

monitors visited the location and documented the deaths of

at least six civilians with dozens of people injured.

Many of those who have been evacuated from

Fof Chak

and other areas have arrived in Kharkiv City, which as Alexandra just read out,

also remains under attack

in Kharkiv There were multiple missile strikes on Thursday,

reportedly killing seven civilians and injuring 21 others.

And having spoken to colleagues this morning, they indicate that

Kharkiv has again come under attack. This morning

we call again on the Russian Federation

to strictly respect all the rules of international

law relating to the conduct of hostilities and

to cease its attacks on Ukraine immediately.

In the third year of the Russian Federation's full scale

armed attack on Ukraine with no end in sight,

lives, homes and futures continued to be destroyed.

The long term impact of this war in Ukraine

will be felt for generations with the task of

rebuilding shattered communities already a massive undertaking growing larger

with every further day of violence and destruction.

Thank you.

Thank you very much. Let me see if there is any question in Ukraine.

I don't see any

any on the line too. So if you're OK, I'll give the flus

for his question.

I suspect he's not on Ukraine either,

USA.

So we see the past election.

Uh, good morning, Liz.

I ask if you have a comment on the decision of the International Criminal Court

regarding the request to arrest Israeli and Hamas leaders. Thank you.

Thank you, Mia.

Obviously, we're aware of what the ICC

did this week.

The High Commissioner has called for respect for the legal process.

As we know, the matter is now before the pre trial chamber.

And this must be allowed to undertake

its work free from external pressure or interference

laws,

norms and the institutions so painstakingly built to

advance them must be fully respected and defended.

Thank you,

Nina.

Um, thank you. So on, Um uh,

on Gaza. Uh, I was wondering if you had any, uh, any indication of the situation

in Rafah now? Um,

the numbers of people displaced, um, if you if you have any

thoughts on on the the rights implications for for

people who are now fleeing again from Rafah.

Yes,

I do have some information on that.

Obviously, as you highlight, there's been a lot of focus on Rafa.

Understandably,

we know that while the Israeli defence force

military operations have been intensifying in

Rafah,

it's also important to underscore that attacks by

the IDF in North Gaza have increased,

resulting in further displacement,

killing and maiming of Palestinian civilians who were already

extremely vulnerable so we're very concerned about the situation in

in north Gaza as well with regard to the numbers displaced from Rafa.

This has been ongoing and I think that's partly that there

are sort of has been a lot of people moving out,

trying to get away,

going back to

the situation in north Gaza. There also been evacuation orders

earlier this month on 11 May, according to information our colleagues have,

the IDF issued an evacuation order to residents in areas in

Jabaliya

and Beit

Lahiya

to move to locations west of

the city.

And this was followed by intense airstrikes, shelling and ground operations,

especially in and around

Jabaliya camp.

There have been other evacuation orders issued as well.

So obviously we're concerned about Rafa.

But we're also stressing it's important to keep

sight of what is

happening in north Gaza as well.

Do you have any idea of specific numbers of people who fled and also

the rights implications for the people?

Yes, I think the numbers that we have about 800,000 people have gone from Rafa

and about 100,000 from the north.

Thank you, Lisa.

Uh, yeah. Liz I. I don't have a question for you.

Now, I just would like to ask you to stay around, please,

because WHO is going to be talking about Chad.

And I would like to ask you a question about

that in Sudan. So I if

perhaps you could

stay around and I'll hold my question for now. Thank you.

Thank you very much. And this is a good transition, actually to. But

before doing that, I John has his end up,

and then we will actually go to Christian and his invitee John.

Yes. Uh, good morning. Uh, Liz, I was wondering if you had from your

monitoring office, uh,

in the OPT,

uh, any, uh, up to date information.

Since we don't have anyone briefing from, uh, World Food Programme

on the number of, uh, trucks

with food

that have been allowed into

the Gaza Strip in the last 48 hours. I've seen some

disturbing reports by some humanitarian NGO S,

uh, that the situation is really dire.

I've got something. No, you don't.

No, I thank you for the question, John,

but I think precisely because it is relating to humanitarian aid,

I think it's better coming humanitarian colleagues.

It's something that our colleagues obviously do follow

and co operating with colleagues, but I don't have specific information.

John.

The only thing I have is a line from the World Food Programme

that says there are no food distributions taking place in the

South except for some limited stocks that are being provided to commun

community kitchens for hot meals.

And

that's about and of course, they say,

O

said that

warned that if aid doesn't begin to enter in

massive quantities, desperation and hunger will spread even further.

The closure of the Rafah crossing a limited functionality of Karem

Shalom

in the south have choked off the flow of life saving supplies.

But I'm pretty sure we can get something more during the day from.

So

if you want to stick around, yes, we will definitely go now to

Christian Christian. Good morning.

You indeed have a point on the Sudan crisis and

its impact on the health situation in Chad. And there is Dr

Blanche

Anna,

who is the

representative in Chad who is talking to us from

Jamina,

who is also briefing on this subject. I don't know if you want to start

Dr Anna or,

um

maybe let me say a word before.

we just We just shared the briefing notes on what Doctor Anya will talk about.

I'm very glad to have her here with us. Um,

as we all know and we talked about many times, the spillover effects are massive.

and over to you, Doctor. Yeah,

Thank you very much. Uh, can you hear me?

Yes, we can.

Maybe you cannot hear me, but we can hear you, madam, if you want to go ahead.

Do you hear me?

I don't think she hears me.

We we can hear you. Well,

ok, thanks a lot.

So the conflict devastating the neighbouring Sudan is putting Chad

at the centre of the resulting refugee crisis

with a profound impact on health.

And since the start of the violence in 19 in 2023

about 43% of Sudanese refugees that is Around 600,000 people

are being hosted in Chad

and about 170,000

Chad nationals have also returned from Sudan

Every week. An estimated 5000 new arrivals continue

to enter Chad, converging at 32

points in the east.

And this number may further rise as important attacks are anticipated. In Darfur,

the majority are women and Children,

representing about 88% of refugees and 93% of returnees.

Many of the women and young girls have been raped.

Malnutrition among Children is widespread, combined with needles

and other outbreak facilitated by overcrowding

an under

resourced camp

and creating serious ongoing health. Emergency

Child's already fragile health care system is under immense pressure.

With this situation

and with limited resources and stretch infrastructure,

the health system is facing AD

challenge

supporting these refugees while not neglecting its own citizens

health needs at the rainy season. As the rainy season is approaching,

the access to affected population will really become very difficult

and more difficult. The health challenges in the refugee camps are numerous.

Every week, around

1

to 2000

cases of severe equip malnutrition are registered

and since the start of the crisis,

320 have been

cases. 320 deaths have been reported among

both the refugees and host population,

and the majority of these deaths, that is 184

are among my nourished Children.

Along with malnutrition,

there are other diseases such as malaria, acute respiratory infections,

uh, diarrhoea, diseases as well, as well as outbreaks of dengue,

measles, chickenpox and hepatitis.

The outbreak of hepatitis in the refugee camp is particularly concerning,

and as of 15 June,

around 402,000 cases

around 2400 cases and seven deaths have been reported in four health districts

of we have, we are observing now a decline of the overall trend,

but the situation is still there.

So the poor living conditions, inadequate health care

infrastructure,

limited sanitation and clean water create ideal

conditions for the virus to spread.

Hepatitis is especially dangerous for pregnant women

with a high mortality rate among those in the third trimester.

This is war

worsened by the lack of specialised healthcare services in the refugee camp.

Mental health needs are also significant.

This population, as you know,

have experienced stressing things and a human being can witness,

and an estimated

1500 refugees requirement has support.

But resources are simply not enough.

Among these numerous challenges, WHO,

in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Health and the

Health Cluster Partners, have provided

750,000 medical consultations in refugee camps

They are also delivered 200 tonnes of medicine for malnutrition, cholera,

trauma and other diseases,

and assisted around 13,000 women in delivering their baby safely.

The

efforts to combat the hepatitis

E outbreak in the forehead disease and the chickenpox outbreak in the

Ache

Prison in Wadeye province are ongoing.

There has been a national vaccination campaign against measles, yellow fever,

polio coupled with vitamin A and warming

where

this was also conducted in the camp.

But all these efforts cannot be sustained alone.

We urgently need increased international support.

Funding for the humanitarian appeal in charge remains critically low.

In 2023 the humanitarian appeal for charge was only 30% funded,

leaving a significant gap in resources needed

to avert a public health catastrophe.

The

Sudanese refugee crisis is not just a regional issue. It

is a global humanitarian emergency that require

united effort.

The health impact on child is profound and we must act swiftly and

decisively to provide necessary support to

not jeopardise countries' efforts to move towards

SDGs. Thank you.

Thank you very much, Doctor Anna. I will open the floor to questions.

I don't see any in the room, so I'll go to Lisa. Lisa

Schlein was of America.

Thank you. I have several questions for several people.

Uh, first to you. Uh uh, uh, Doctor Anya,

are, uh,

are people actually fleeing now as we speak from,

uh, Al Fasher, which,

which seems to be the

really serious crisis point right now in

in, uh

in Sudan.

I don't know. Perhaps, uh uh, I.

I think, uh, William Spindler is there, too, And he could speak about the

situation.

Yeah, so? So I'm wondering whether,

uh, you are seeing people, uh, actually continuing to flee from Darfur

into china, whether this is even possible

and, uh, whether, since you are on the spot, this may not be your issue, but whether it

is possible to get any kind of humanitarian aid

delivered from Chad into Darfur or whether that pipeline has essentially dried up

And then, um,

to perhaps you Christian, uh, if you have, uh, uh,

sort of some latest information about

the health situation in Sudan itself. Perhaps you do as well, Doctor.

Anya, I really don't know. I don't mean to cut you short,

but I I'd like to know something about the health situation. in Sudan.

And then Liz, uh, if you could,

uh, give your, um,

OK,

I mean, what what does the High Commissioner say? Or has he said or

has your organisation said about what is happening in, uh uh, in Al

Fasher? And there is a lot of talk about,

uh, a genocide

which is occurring there. The noises about that are very strong.

And so I'd like to have your, uh, response to that. Thank you very much.

Um, thank you. I'll start with Doctor Anna.

this is one of the priorities in the country. Now,

as I said earlier, the government is, uh,

has a dual challenge

not only to address the needs of this population,

but also to address the needs of these refugees.

And, uh, with the RC, all the UU UN country team is really working together

to see how we can better support the government to address this.

And, uh,

what we did with the U, the UN country team, and, uh, the, uh,

the development partners, for example.

We had issues of human resources. Which human resources do we send there?

Because, as you know, China had a critical gap in human resources for health.

So the World Bank funded,

uh, to to support for with human resources. This is now, uh uh,

uh The the funding is now, uh, stopped and so we don't have any funding anymore.

But so we are constantly working together

with,

uh at the UN C as a UN city country team to really

see how we can mobilise additional resources under the lead of the RC.

So this is one of the priority of us. But we need to make sure that

we are not only supporting these refugees,

but we are also continuing to address them to support the health

and in Chad, because at the end of the day,

we have to to to to to to tender towards achieving the SDGS.

So the SDGS is not only for the refugees, but also for the, uh, the local population.

So this is a direct challenge we are really having here.

But I can assure you that this is on top of the priority of the authorities here,

the UN county team and even the partners.

Now, regarding the field, we have teams in the field from the information I have,

uh there are still refugee comings there is.

There are still the corridors that are that

for which you can provide, Uh

uh,

uh items to the to the Sudan.

Uh, but, uh, we are really, uh, uh Afraid that with the rainy season coming,

this corridor might not be operational.

Uh, thank you.

Maybe on the issue of Refugee will you want to add something, and then I will go to the

statement.

Yes. Thank you, Alexandra.

Uh, yes. The situation in Al

Fashir seems to be getting more and more

serious with continuous fighting going on there.

The situation.

The humanitarian situation is deteriorating with serious needs and for

humanitarian aid, food, shelter.

The few operational hospitals in

Al Fashir

have been affected by the fighting.

On Sunday,

19 May shelling damaged

Saudi obstetrics and Gynaecology Hospital in

Al

Fashir, resulting

in the wounding of nine civilians who were passing by the hospital at the time.

Reportedly, the shelling has damaged the hospital's main water tank,

part of the solar energy system

and the electricity generator.

So the situation in El Fasher

is very serious.

As you know, there have been many

calls for the fighting to cease because of

the impact it is having on the civilian population

and we continue to see people fleeing this region and crossing into Chad,

particularly to the ad

region, which is about 400 kilometres from Al

Fasher

in Adra,

is in Chad

and about 600 people

are crossing on average every day.

The numbers continue to be relatively small,

but we think that

we have received reports that there might be impediments

for people who would like to seek refuge in Chad

and they are not able to do that because of the fighting

or because they are being prevented by armed actors to travel.

We also have received very worrying

reports that some people who intended to either go to al

Fashir from the surrounding countryside or cross into Chad have been killed.

the situation inside Chad as doctor Anya has

already described at length is very worrying as well

because uh particularly in

Adri conditions, are very difficult.

Uh, Chad is already hosting over 600,000 Sudanese refugees,

and the conditions, particularly in Adri, are deteriorating as well.

The camps there are severely congested

and that's why

has

identified a new site

in

DUI where we would like to evacuate or to transfer these refugees who are in

a very close also to the border

to this new site where conditions are better and it

will be easier for us to provide assistance to them.

It's a race against time because the rainy

season has already started in eastern Chad.

We had on Tuesday

the first

rains in ad.

These rains are going to make conditions that are already dire,

even more miserable for the thousands of refugees who are in ad.

And

they will also make it more difficult the delivery of

aid because roads will become impassable during the rainy season.

That's why we need

to move people as soon as we can to

site where they will be safer and where it

will be easier to provide assistance to them.

But in order to do that, we need funding. As

Dr Anna

said, the humanitarian appeal for Chad is very badly underfunded,

so we make an appeal also to donors to continue supporting Chad

and the other countries that have been affected by the crisis in Sudan.

Thank you very much, William. And yes, indeed.

Lisa, you also asked about the statements

and

I

just would like to remind you that

the secretary general threw a statement attributable to his spokesperson

said on 13 May

that he was gravely concerned by the outbreak of fighting in Al Fasher,

which puts over

800,000 civilians at risk. As we have heard,

he was alarmed by reports of the use of heavy weaponry in densely populated areas.

He recalled that civilian

in the area are already facing a looming famine.

That's also something we have heard and the consequences over a year of war

and urged all the parties to immediately stop the

fighting and resume ceasefire negotiations without further delay.

I think

High Commissioner Turko

also expressed himself on this and I will give the floor to

yes, absolutely. The high commissioner has repeatedly

stressed his deep concern, his horror at the situation in Sudan.

You may recall that last week

he spoke of

the fact that he was horrified by the escalating violence and he did in fact speak to

Lieutenant General Abdel Fattah al Borhan,

the president of the Transitional Sovereignty Council

and commander of the Sudanese armed Forces.

And he also in a separate phone call, spoke to General Mohammed Hamdan

Dallo,

commander of the rapid support forces.

And in those calls, I think as a ravine highlighted last week,

he basically called on them to put aside entrance

positions and take specific concrete steps to seize hostilities.

So

you've heard very powerful information from colleagues in who

and from

UN,

the UN refugee agency, on the real impact it's having on

civilians this fighting. So, of course, that underscores the deep, deep concern

that we do have

what is unfolding.

So just to reiterate,

the high Commissioner has called and continues to call

for an immediate de escalation of tensions in and

around Al Fash and others have said we are

concerned because it does appear that the fighting is

intensifying

in al Fasha.

He's also of course,

calling for an end to the wider conflict that

has ravaged Sudan for more than a year now.

The important thing from the human rights point of view, of course,

is that the High Commissioner, our office,

has called for investigations into all alleged

violations and abuses of international human rights law

and violations of international humanitarian law.

And that, of course, is with a view to ensuring accountability and victims' rights,

to truth, justice and reparation.

Now,

given the situation, Lisa,

you did make a reference to what real concerns we have from the point of view.

What we would say is that the conflict clearly has exacerbated pre

existing ethnic and tribal divisions and

increased polarisation and ethnically motivated violence,

particularly in the Darfur

region.

So that is incredibly concerning.

So I think, Yes, absolutely. The high Commission is concerned

he and his staff are continuing to monitor and to

make calls with regard to what is happening in Sudan

and to the appalling, horrendous impact it is having on civilians. As I said, as who

and UNHCR

have clearly outlined Thank you.

Thank you very much.

Liz.

I see your hand is still up. If it's for the notes from William, I think William spoke,

um, out of his heart and knowledge, but he will send out something.

Is there anything else you wanted to ask?

Uh,

yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, Yeah. That at first. Thanks so much, William.

That was great what you said. And if you do have your notes, send them.

But I also have just a couple of, uh, quick clean up questions.

One first for you, Liz, uh, I asked about whether you think what's happening, and,

uh um, I I

Al Fasher is genocide. People are talking about it. I know that,

uh, you're probably you don't have the expertise to say what it is, but, you know,

just your reflections on that.

And if Christian is still there, I did ask, uh, whether he could perhaps

give a a kind of quick overview of the health situation as

that exists right now

in, uh, in in Sudan.

And, uh, the, uh, the ability

for WHO to get, uh, medical care to people or whether you know,

too many places are out of reach.

Thank you.

Let's start with Liz.

Yes,

thank you, Lisa.

Well, as I said, the high Commissioner in his phone calls with the two commanders.

Basically,

we reminded them of their obligations under international humanitarian law

to ensure strict compliance with the principles of distinction,

proportionality and precaution,

and to put an end to any ongoing violations,

as well as to ensure accountability

for violations of international humanitarian law

and international human rights law committed

by their respective forces and allies.

So it's clear that the High Commissioner

is really concerned about what is unfolding

in Sudan

with regard to making a determination on the question of genocide.

As we say, that is for a court. Thank you.

So I don't know if Doctor Anna or maybe

Christian want to answer the other question from Lisa

on the situation, the health situation in Sudan

itself.

Yeah, I can I can thank you, Lisa.

I can repeat a few messages that were shared earlier,

but just to flag the situation there, too, as it's of course, not Chad,

but in Sudan. So the health system in Sudan is collapsing, especially

in the hard to reach areas with health facilities destroyed,

looted or struggling with acute shortages of staff, medicines, vaccines,

equipment and supplies.

Only 30 to 20% of the health facilities remain functional.

Uh, and even so, at very minimal levels,

the medical supplies in country are meeting only 25% of the needs. Ws

warehouses

or warehouse singular in

Al

Jazeera state has been inaccessible already since December 2023.

Some states, such as Darfur,

have not received medical supplies for the past year.

Medi

uh, people suffering from diabetes, hypertension, cancer or kidney failure.

Um, may experience complications or die

from the lack of treatment.

Disease outbreaks are increasing, with over 1.3 million cases of

malaria,

11,000 cases of cholera, 4600 cases of measles and some 8500 cases of dengue.

Outbreaks of malaria, measles, dengue

and hepatitis E are also spreading

over to neighbouring Chad as Doctor Anya just referred to

UH Wo

has reached close to 2.5 million people through direct

support to services and delivery of emergency supplies.

That's good news.

Around 50,000 people received care in mobile clinics.

433,000 Sudanese refugees were treated in mobile clinics

in eastern

Chad.

WO has delivered vital medical supplies

through cross border operations as outlined

Um

In the past few months, W

and partners efforts have led to a decline in the number of cases of cholera.

Dengue

malaria

4.5 million people over one year of age received the Oral Corolla

vaccine in six high risk states.

Uh and we have delivered supplies for the treatment of 115 so 11,

515,000 Children suffering from severe acute malnutrition

with medical complications.

That's what I can offer.

Thank you very much.

Um, I'm just concerned about the time because it's almost 1140.

We still have two item brief items,

so I'll give the fruit to Robin, and then maybe we'll move to Brazil.

Uh, Robin,

thank you. Uh, I have a couple of questions for Christian on other topics.

Uh, can can you tell me which topic is that?

The World Health Assembly. And

because yeah, that's that's why I was asking,

because Christian is going to have some announcement

at the end of the briefing on that.

And I also have AAA breaking news announcement from

So we give this to you in a moment. But let me stay on the line.

Robin,

I like to thank very much Liz for this morning's briefing and also for bringing us

and, uh, thank you very, very much, Doctor Blanche

and,

uh, uh, calling in from

Jena

for updating us on the situation in Chad.

I'll turn to William now for an update on the floods

in Brazil and maybe ask Claire also to come to the

POUM.

Uh, to also tell us about that.

Thank you. Uh, start with William

please.

Thank you. Alessandra.

Uh, so, uh, I have an update on the situation of, uh, various, uh uh,

regions that have been experience, uh, floods in recent weeks.

Uh, they have all been, uh, covered already, Uh, in this briefing and elsewhere.

Uh, so this is just an update on on what is happening in all this.

Uh uh, various, uh, places starting with Brazil.

Almost one month after the start of heavy rains

in the southern state of Rio Grande to

Soul

UN

AC.

R is expanding its response with national authorities

to meet the needs of the most vulnerable,

including 43,000 refugees and other people in need of international protection,

mainly Venezuelans, Haitians and Cubans,

as well as the communities that host them.

The floods are the biggest climate related disaster in southern Brazil

and have caused 163 deaths and displaced some 580,000 people.

More than 65,000 are still sheltering in

improvised collective centres.

93% of the cities and towns in Rio Grande do Sul have been affected.

An estimated $3.21

million is needed to support

a

response including financial assistance to affected

individuals and essential relief items.

A team specialised in shelter management documentation and the prevention

of gender based violence has been mobilised to the disaster areas

and is coordinating the reception of relief items dispatched by

the team is also providing technical assistance

to improve the running of shelters,

especially in Puerto Alegre,

the state capital.

The first refugee housing units and sleeping mats

arrived in the affected area last Monday,

coming from UN HC R's warehouse in Boa

Vista.

Other items like Jerry cans, backpacks, adult diapers, tarpaulins, solar lamps,

mosquito nets, sanitary and hygiene kits are on the way to Rio Grande do

so

More items are being dispatched from Eun

Asia stocks in Colombia and Panama.

UN.

And I

are visiting shelters to survey refugees,

other people in need of international protection and migrants

to assess their needs and support the most urgent cases.

Those interviewed have expressed concern about their future,

especially where they will return to and when.

UN, AC, R and its partners

are also prioritising the re issuance of lost documentation,

which is needed by people in order to have access to services,

even reduced rainfall and the drop in the UH in river levels.

The situation in Rio Grande do Sul is very worrying.

The weather forecast for the next days indicates rain and strong winds,

electrical storms and possible hail in several parts of the territory.

Today,

a cyclone is expected to bring more rains with constant

winds to the coast of Rio Grande do Sul.

I think Claire will have something to add to that as well.

Um

According to government data,

the state hosts more than 21,000 Venezuelans who have been relocated

from Roa

state on the border with Venezuela since April 2018.

Meanwhile in Afghanistan,

flash floods and heavy rains which began on the 10th of May,

have caused extensive damage and loss of life in the north, north,

east and west of the country.

Thousands of homes and hectares of farmland have been damaged or destroyed

and more than 300 people killed.

UN AC R has been responding with other agencies,

assessing needs and distributing emergency tents,

non food items and clothing kits

with partners.

UN AC R is also monitoring protection concerns,

including reported cases of family separation,

and is delivering psychological support.

UN AC R trained community outreach volunteers

have disseminated information about available services.

Fresh flooding is still being reported and large

areas remain cut off due to damaged roads,

bridges and culverts.

The situation across East Africa also remains of great concern

in Kenya. More heavy rains this week have flooded parts of the Kakuma

refugee camp, affecting shelters and public facilities,

including health clinics and schools.

UN, AC,

R and partners are distributing relief items as well as helping

to evacuate the most affected to safe areas and rehabilitating damaged shelters

in Burundi. UN

continues to work together with the government and partners to

assist the most affected through relocations to temporary sites,

providing clean water,

cash assistance for urgent needs and

distributing school learning materials for Children

in south Sudan, Sudan and Somalia.

More rains are expected and rivers will continue to overflow in the coming weeks.

Large numbers of refugees and displaced people are

hosted in sites that could be severely impacted.

Our teams are working with partners on preparedness.

However,

the funding shortfall is hindering

significant investment in mitigation measures.

Climate change disproportionately affects refugees and

other people in need of international protection

who are already living in vulnerable areas prone to

the effects of extreme and recurrent climate events.

Thank you.

Thank you very much indeed. Claire.

You want to tell us more on the weather situation?

Yes, I can indeed. So

morning, everybody, literally.

In Brazil, it doesn't rain. It's pouring.

The Brazilian National Meteorological Service

on its website is posting constant updates.

The most recent update warned of a new instability event

which started this week, and it is strengthening

yesterday and especially today

you've got a

and it's being made worse.

So you've got a cold front passing with a strong mass of cold air of polar origin.

This is slamming into a warm and humid mass of air from the north,

and this will intensify the rainfall.

Added to that, you've got an extratropical cyclone

which is developing in the ocean

at the height of the coast of Rio Grande do

Sol, and this will obviously make the situation even worse.

We're talking about huge amounts of rainfall on what has always already been very,

very heavy rainfall.

So

in Rio Grande Do

and Santa Catarina today, rain totals of

up to 100 millimetres per day

and

very, very high totals per hour. So that will

exacerbate the already terrible, terrible situation.

And to add insult to injury,

we'll get the cold front moving in today and that is going to lead to a pretty

rapid temperature drop.

So that will worsen the hardship and the misery that all these displaced people are

suffering.

If I could just go on to East Africa,

there's a new study out released this morning from the World Weather ATTRIBUTION

Group.

It's not it's not W,

but it does bring together many scientists who are

affiliated with the WMO community

and that looked at the role of climate

change and rapid urbanisation in the destructive floods.

And

just to I won't read out the full press release, but just to give you a couple of

headline takeaways.

The extreme rainfall that led to destructive floods in Kenya,

Tanzania and other parts of East Africa

is becoming more intense with climate change. As one of the drivers,

the study highlights that East African cities

face a double pressure from rapid urbanisation rates

and changing climate risks,

with climate models projecting that heavy rainfall will

continue to increase in the region with further warming

so I can

send you the link to that study. I can recommend it

as reading. And the conclusions of this study on rapid rainfall

don't just apply to East Africa. They do apply to other parts of the world. Thanks.

Thank you very much to both of

these starts. From the room.

Any question to any of the agencies or

two questions now. So I'll go to Jamel.

Yes. Uh, can you hear me?

We can

Yeah. Thank you. Uh, two questions. First to William, uh,

from the 3.2 million that you have requested. How much have you gotten?

And from whom?

Uh, second question also to you, William.

Um, uh, How many people are being, uh, hosted in these, Uh um

um

sorry. What do you call them? Uh, tents or or

houses that you brought them to to, uh, Puerto

Alegre. How many people are there?

And what is the percentage of refugees or local people?

Um, and to clear, um,

the, uh, the governor of, uh, hi. The

Su uh said that, Yes, they get these alerts,

but the agenda of governments are different.

Uh, and that's why basically nothing was done for so many years.

Um, is this a pattern of, uh, of

of, uh,

behaviour that you see around the world.

Uh, because it's not lack of information, obviously. But what would you say

to governments that claim that, Yes, we get this these kinds of information, but,

uh, our agenda is different.

I was turning to the left, but I turned to the right clap.

OK, thank you. That's a very, very, very good question.

So the World Meteorological Organisation Celeste Saulo,

who took office the start of this year

that is one of her

main priorities, is really to

increase the standing of national meteorological

and hydrological services within governments.

You know, we have made huge scientific advances. Our science is there.

We know what's happening with temperature increase with climate change.

We need to be listened and taken seriously

and certainly what happens within within many countries.

And I'm not saying that Brazil

is the case. But

in many countries,

national meteorological services don't have much

standing within within the government,

they

sometimes they're embedded in the Transport Ministry.

And so obviously the need to

build roads improve infrastructure takes priority over

the meteorological services. So the strong message from

W

is it really

pays dividends to invest in national meteorological hydrological services.

For every dollar of investment, you get much, much bigger returns.

And that same principle applies for

early warning services. If we

invest more in forecasts in early warnings,

you get disproportionate benefits in terms of in

terms of reductions in terms of saving lives,

et cetera.

But it's only part of the equation. It's.

And

as this study in

East Africa highlighted, it's not

just the weather, it's not just climate change. There's a whole

a whole range of other issues as well, including rapid urbanisation,

the loss of ecosystems, destruction of the environment,

which is it's combining to the perfect storm.

Thank you.

Now, William,

that gave me a bit of time to find the information.

So, Jem,

I think your first question was about donations,

and so far we have received over $400,000 in response to the floods in Brazil,

the top countries where these are individual donations,

not state donations.

But these individuals are mostly within Brazil, about 60 per cent of them

and followed by individuals in the Netherlands and in the USA.

We have also received donations from private companies in Brazil,

Sweden and the USA,

who have made both financial and in kind donations.

And, uh, uh, we are also receiving support from our partner, Latam Airlines, uh, to,

uh, transport,

uh, items from our warehouses in various countries in Latin America,

um, to, um

to to where they are needed

now in terms of, uh, the, uh, refugees that have been affected.

there are 43,000 refugees that have been affected.

The main nationalities, as I said, are Venezuelans, Haitians and Cubans.

I've got the actual number of people who have been of those nationalities,

which are, uh, 29,000 Venezuelans, 12,000 are Haitians,

and around 1400 are Cubans.

We don't have the number of people who are in shelters of different nationalities.

These are all the kind of overall figures

that have been provided by the authorities based on

the number of people who have been registered

and records of people by nationality and status.

But we don't know how many of them are in each individual shelter.

I think that was one of your questions.

I believe so. Um, yeah, I

don't see other hands up,

on the platform.

OK, so thank you very much, William, for this update. Claire.

Yes.

Hurricanes,

high ocean heat content and the anticipated development of a La Nina event

are expected to fuel a very, very, very active hurricane season this year.

The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration yesterday issued

its predictions for the coming season.

It forecasts a range of 17 to 25 named storms. The average is 14

of these, 8 to 13. Our forecasts become hurricanes, the average is seven

and this includes 4 to 7 major hurricanes. The average is three.

So you can see from the

statistics very above normal. Activity is expected.

There have now been eight consecutive years of above average hurricane activity.

The last below normal season was in 2015,

it only

as we know from the past.

It only takes one landfall hurricane to set

back years and years and years of socio economic

development. Just to give you an example.

Hurricane Maria, which hit in 2017, which was a very active year in the Caribbean

that cost Dominica 800 per cent of its gross domestic product

Early warnings

have helped save lives. They've really cut the death toll dramatically.

But even so, the small island developing states in the Caribbean

suffer disproportionately, both in terms of economic losses and losses to life

in the Caribbean next week. And I don't know if you're talking about that.

There is the big Small Island International

Conference on Small Island developing states,

and there will be a WMO delegation at

this conference basically pleading the need for

better early warnings for more targeted investments,

more co ordinated action

and this forecast from Noah just bears out the need.

Why we really do need to be vigilant.

So

what's causing it?

As I said, near record Ocean Heat, the anticipated development of La Nina

and W

will be issuing its update on La Nina, hopefully next week or the following week.

So this is creating conditions for the perfect storm.

But obviously as we've seen, sea level rise worse and worsened by storm surge

increases the potential risk for coastal communities.

And in recent years we've seen a

trend towards more rapid intensification

of tropical cyclones and this is really a major major channel challenge

when it occurs near land, as we saw last year with Hurricane Otis, which literally

blew up overnight and just smashed into Acapulco

and caused a huge amount of damage.

We've posted a news item on the web. We've sent you the briefing, the briefing notes.

If you've got any questions, please let me know.

Absolutely. Any question to Claire?

Don't see any hand up.

I don't

so thank you very much. That was really clear

and important.

I I've lost track of all the people who wanted to ask questions.

Uh, Christian, I think we started with Robin, but there were other hands up.

So maybe Robin, you wanna ask your question,

maybe. Sorry, Robin.

Just one thing, because I think there are quite a few questions I just wanted to tell

you because it's getting late and I think you want to plan this.

It's about the

a new treaty on intellectual property,

genetic resources and associated traditional

knowledge that was adopted last night

at

and it's a groundbreaking new treaty related to these issues,

which is marking an historic breakdown, a couple of decades of negotiations,

and the news is that they are giving a press conference today at 115

at

in person. If possible,

there would be also a possibility to follow from a distance. But

you are really encouraged to go there because

you will have the director general of,

but also Ambassador,

Patriot of Brazil, Patriota

of Brazil, who has been the president of the diplomatic conference.

They will be there to answer

questions, and you can also have interview opportunities. I think

has just sent you the information.

But I just wanted to stress it at the briefing so that you can do your planning.

And that's again. As I said today at 115

and I'm sorry for that Christian, I cut you and Robin.

I'll give the floor to Robin now for questions. I think

had a question, too. I don't know.

Let's start with Robin.

Yes, thank you. So, Christian.

Firstly, if you can give us an update on the state of the pandemic agreement talks

where they've

got to

and are they expected to reach a successful conclusion today?

You're asking

Yeah. Yeah. You're asking me the crystal ball again.

Um, but Robin, not well understood,

and then let me just run through a few updates because

I assume many questions now are on several topics here.

And I'll try to cover a few, and then we'll see what's remaining. So

I and B discussions are ongoing.

Um, that's important.

The schedule for today is until I think nine o'clock in the evening.

But as you know from, uh, previous experiences that's not written in stone.

Um, but that's the deadline which

they had for themselves for today. Again,

any the member states are are running this.

Hence they can change as they see fit and as they need

important, the mandate of the IMB

is to present the outcome or an outcome

for consideration at the World Health Assembly.

And any consideration, um,

at the World Health Assembly would then result in advice or action

for next steps.

And at this point, it's impossible to prejudge what

a either the outcome of the IMB will be or what?

Then, of course, in a in a follow up, the WH A will decide.

That's that's, um,

what's what's going on for today?

Well, let's keep it at that.

And then we'll see for further questions,

because I have further updates and also on on the Sunday events on the

opening of the Assembly on Walk to Talk events on the investment ground on

on Sunday, But let's first see if there's anything on INB.

John, I know Robin has a follow up. Sorry.

Sorry.

I was I was gonna ask on the on the World Health Assembly, actually, um, if you could,

uh,

if you could, uh, just sort of walk us through the overall schedule and, uh,

perhaps give us some some pointers on the key things to watch for.

Thank you.

Maybe in this case, let me ask John if this is a question in the treaty discussion

negotiations. John?

Yes, it is on the treaty negotiations.

You can go ahead. Can I go ahead?

Yes. Uh, Christian,

uh, I was wondering if, uh,

WHO are gonna update on their website the current draught text of the, uh, uh

agreement.

Because what you have on your website is a few months old to what's being circulated

and shared, uh, publicly with stakeholders.

It's very confusing when stakeholders are posting stuff.

It's not shared with the press corps here.

All right, so So let me take you one by one.

on the last one. I mean, as this is the document under

review and under works right now, so I don't think they will update every day.

Um, it's not good. Of course, if the the last one is still up there, which is so old. Um,

but,

I mean,

we should expect whenever these negotiations are over to

have a bit more final version of it.

Um, but thanks for flagging it.

We'll see with the colleagues if there's anything we can do to at least note that and

make it clear that it's an old version.

before you go into the assembly, I think Maya

has raised her hand. Maya, is that on the treaty?

Um, yes, actually.

And also,

if Christian could tell me if there will be any special

event related to the traditional knowledge medicine that they had the,

uh,

summit last year will be there a special event or something you'd like to highlight.

Uh, and if you could send us in written oh, and then related to nutrition

because I know your head of the division is leaving.

So if someone has been appointed and if there is someone I could interview,

if you can send me that via

email,

thank you very much

on

the on

the

as well, Of course. Thank you

OK?

And

sorry. Go ahead.

Go ahead.

On the first two questions, you had my I'll ask you to please, uh,

write to to media inquiries because that's very specialised,

which I don't have any answers for you right now

on the IMB.

Whatever there is happening tonight or whatever the outcome,

we will definitely send out a press communique in some shape or form

if there is still time at the end of the day.

And it ends in a way that we, uh that it merits, and then we would do more. But

look out for a press release. That's I think, as much as we can

do today.

If you look at the previous experiences you saw

that this goes way into the nights and,

uh,

it would be difficult to organise anything

else without any any warning beforehand.

And the

good

thing.

I'm sorry.

No, I just wanted to add that the good thing is, uh,

following the request of some of the journalists

we have asked security at the Palais

to authorise the journalist to stay as long as needed

at the Palais for the end of the negotiations.

So you will have access.

Of course, you will have access to your offices during the day, but

you will be able to stay in

at the Palais.

Security is informed as long as needed to cover the conclusion of the treaty,

which I understand.

Yes. Could go quite late into the night. And, you know, we normally

close at 7. 30 with an exit for the journalists at 8. 45 tonight. You can stay.

Christian. Sorry I got you.

Yeah, thank you. That's that's important. Of course. Um, so, yeah,

Then we go into World Health Assembly.

Now, first of all, let's let's start with Sunday on Sunday. As you know,

uh, we start the day with the big Walk the talk event.

And it's really a big event which starts even before eight o'clock, um,

at the

plus, uh plus

de

National,

with the main event kicking off at at nine o'clock.

But all the pre events there already and it's

really for those of you who have ever attended,

it's a really bring your family and friends event with many, many, uh,

celebrities and important groups being there from

a global scrub choir, which is really interesting.

So some quite some sports celebrities.

Kenyan running legend Paul TGA

Uh, the dual Olympic champion, Dera

Tulu.

Um, the, um,

dance and Development advocate uh, Sheri Silva

will will lead the crowd. Then there's another, uh, dance sensation.

Um, we'll have, um

uh, participants from Geneva. Seve

will have, um, basketball stars, football legends

and and other people joining us here on on the floor at the, uh,

the the

drop bar, for example,

And others joining for the for the walk to talk so really important.

That's in the morning. Then they have a bit of a break.

And then the afternoon at,

uh from five o'clock on starts the launch of WH OS

investment round at the announcement of the winners of the 5th,

5th Film Festival.

And that's that's an important event. Uh, the event will be opened

by

WJ

the General, of course. But Dr Ta

and it's, uh,

it's an informal celebratory event prior to the

formal opening of the World Health Assembly.

So that's important.

The formal opening of the World Health Assembly is on Monday morning at the

Pale.

Nothing changed that, but that Saturday Sunday is a really a big event.

It will be opened again, As I said

and attended by high level representatives from

member states with heads of states.

We have ministers,

live performances Um uh, from the Egyptian opera singer Fara

Danni,

um, and other statements. And it is important

this this investment round is a is a new

approach to mobilising resources for WH OS core work for the next four years.

So it's a four week year plan from 2025 to 2028

working with existing donors and other partners. This

investment round

aims to attract new donors. Hence, this is a very important event,

Uh, from 5 to 630

then inside that same event during that time, um,

there will be the announcement of the winners of the Health

All Film Festival. This film festival now goes into its its fifth round already,

and the the grand prize winners, the Grand Cleveland,

will be announced by various actors and,

uh, and, uh, uh, distinguished members.

The winners of the four special film prizes

on the themes of universal health coverage,

emergencies, refugees and migrant health,

better health and physical activity and short films will be announced

and interesting to note more than 900 filmmakers from over 100

or from 100 and 10 countries have submitted short films.

So this has really,

um, developed into,

um, and quite a quite an event. And quite an interesting thing.

Not important for you. For those who want to come.

All those who have, um, excess badges,

the the the accredited Uno

accredited badges do not need an extra badge,

but

because of limited space at the event, Um, because that will be held at WHO.

Um, we would require you any way to register indic

O. And I think

fella is about to send out

the advisory for exactly that with the link for the

Inco. I know it's an extra pain.

And, uh, normally your your ID pass should be enough. But it's a space question.

Hence, please register

so that we get an overview.

then let me go into Monday's openings. So that was Sunday at WHO. Monday

at the Palais, and we'll start

at nine o'clock in the morning with the

official opening of the 77th World Health Assembly

at 9. 40. The high level welcome

with welcoming remarks, as usual, of course. Uh, by by the Swiss confederation.

Um, then we have a round of special guests of honour, um, and high level guests,

including SG.

Antonio Guterres.

not in person as I know, but still other members of this high level guests and the the

the the VIP SI cannot tell you yet.

Um, as you may know, the it's been finalised last moment,

and member states will get the list first.

So I cannot tell you these

now,

there will be Health Leaders awards. Dr.

Tedros will present honorary lifetime achievement awards and and and

the official Director General Main address that many of you are

waiting for always is only in the afternoon after lunch at

2. 30.

So I think that's enough for a rundown for now.

Uh, otherwise,

I'm I'm doing my own press conference here only on World Health Assembly.

Um, rundown,

important nine o'clock on Monday morning,

um, with the high level welcome official DG address by 2. 30 1430 after lunch.

And, of course, join us Sunday morning for, uh,

walk the talk and then later in the day for the investment round.

Thank you very much. Uh, Christian. And there are questions so stay with us.

I just wanted to add for also on the logistics for next week

at the Pale.

So we've already sent you a note correspondent

informing you that during the World Health Assembly,

but also during the international labour Conference,

there will be the the the cost saving

measures that reduce the operational hours that the pet

will be lifted.

So there won't be

the limitations that we have, uh uh, known. Um,

until now we have sent you a detailed list of timing at the different gates,

but

there is no

the limitations are partially lifted.

I also wanted to tell you that

Monday, as Christian said, it is going to be a very busy day at the Palais.

So we are expecting a high number of people getting through the Palais de

N

to the pas

de

through the pre

gate, the Peace gate.

And therefore, whether this it's a pedestrian or

with your vehicle, we are recommending to use

de

fair.

That's not for bicycles. For those of you who bike, bike still have to go up

to the peace gate.

Um, and also,

please let me remind you that because we are expecting

a higher number of vehicles getting into the Palais.

Um, there will be a number of I mean,

we we really ask people to use all the parking areas,

those who are also a little bit farther away from the Palais.

But security reserves the right

to stop vehicles from getting in if all the parking areas are full.

So don't get in at the last minute if you want.

If that's that's the two things I wanted to say.

So now questions to Christian on this, I'll start with Nina.

Hi. Hi, Christian. Thanks, I. I had a few questions for you. Um,

so, uh, first I was wondering, I obviously for the high level, Uh uh,

participants when we can expect to get that list,

Um, if we can get an overview, uh, like a full programme, Uh, that would be helpful.

Um, I'm wondering on the, um,

on the pandemic treaty, uh, on Sunday. Monday. I mean, are are there presentations?

Expected anything around that expected those days

And also, uh, on the Taiwan issue, If there's anything on that expected on Monday,

I think generally, uh, if you could tell us what's coming there Thank you.

go ahead.

I see. We should have done our own press briefing on this one.

we had this plan for Tuesday with the DG. Anyway,

so the, uh, the list of high level speakers, I hope as soon as possible

tonight, ideally or then tomorrow, Um, with the names on it,

uh, the schedule, I think will be shared a bit earlier. Uh,

already

when we can with, uh, with an announcement.

Um, so that's for the opening segment.

There was a middle question I missed from you, but on Taiwan, maybe,

uh, you remember,

it's always the same discussion every year.

Um, the Taiwan Observer ship at the World Health Assembly is a question

for the 194 member states of WHO to consider

and to decide upon very important, it's not a secretariat question.

It's a member state question 194 members to deliver it.

and, uh,

it may just well be. And they're discussing this as we speak.

Uh, that they do the same two plus two structured debate

again,

Um, that that we used to over the last and recent years.

That means that

two countries speak in favour of the request of observations

two countries speak against and that normally closes the item.

Um, that is that is normally how it goes.

And, um, I personally do not expect anything else, but

again, this is on the debate right now.

Stand by for anything else there.

Yeah, I think Nina Nina wants to remind you the other question.

Yeah. No, I on on Taiwan.

I was also I was just wondering when that two plus two debate might happen.

I know it's generally on Monday, but if you have any timings, uh,

timings are obviously helpful.

Um, and the other question was,

just if there's anything official expected around the the

the pandemic accord, uh,

like presentation of the text or anything during at the opening of the WH.

A.

I don't believe that would be at the opening. First of all, it depends on the outcome.

Um what what is there to present? Uh, what, what?

The full thing is in a in a sense, in case there would must be a full, uh,

text to consider.

I think the schedule for this item is is not on Monday that I think on Tuesday.

Uh, but again. I would be. I'm as you know, you have to be always a bit

weary of the schedule, because when I one item moves longer,

then items get pushed back.

Uh, but to my knowledge, the, um uh,

the presentation of the outcome outcome of this working group of this panel, um,

is scheduled for Tuesday,

whatever that will be presented, it would reflect whatever the outcome was.

So I can't predict that

on Taiwan. I don't have the timing now with me when that might be or is. Um,

but a look at the at the journal should help with that.

Sorry. Don't have it with me.

Yeah. Muddy.

Uh, I question for you. We have to accept the inte,

uh, extra accreditation. But

what kind of a access we have Do we have to, uh, uh,

waiting out of the conference room or we can a

We we have access. Or,

uh, shall we share? Uh, the lunch

IN, uh, your headquarter.

Thank you.

No, thank you very much. This is important.

And I actually should have mentioned it immediately,

and I had it actually on my notes here.

So, uh, point being, um

journalists.

Yes, there should be. Uh, entry.

Uh, there is we We have seats planned, um, for you to attend.

Point being because of space,

we may not have options for setting up additional cameras.

We are planning for a photo opportunity in the beginning. When this When?

Before it starts with the typical go up going up to

the front to ha to have pictures from the front rows.

Um, but there is not space for extra camera set up because again,

with all the dignitaries and all the delegations coming,

we have very limited space.

Um, there we have, uh, video footage from at least four angles, which we then,

of course,

our video team and Chris and everybody will be happy to share or even live streaming.

Um uh, but

again. And that's good to ask

you as an individual journalist. Access?

Yes, Uh, for the investment round and the opening festival of the film festival

cameras.

Most likely not, um, photos for an opening shot and not more

hope

this helps.

So, uh, it that means,

um

to generally to select it by a double show.

No, we, uh we seem to we want to have uh,

well, I mean, we're not expecting hundreds.

I mean, if there were hundreds, then we would have to go to overflow.

Um, if we have 20 to 30 we have space considered inside

again. No cameras, no photos after,

uh, which which will already limit numbers.

And in case. And in case you ask if multiple

people come from one agency, then we may have to limit that, too. Uh,

because obviously, we need to distribute the space as good as we can.

But

the last follow up?

Uh, yeah, quite lot of follow up. Uh,

for Sunday. Is that possible to access in pale

dac

by car?

No. If if you If you need to come into the

pale to leave your car and then go to the place

DN,

the answer is no.

We have the possibility.

I mean, if you have to come inside and work inside because you have an office,

then we will have to make a special.

The

limitation

for the entry are waived starting Monday,

not the weekend, not the preceding weekend.

So if you really need to come to the Palais

because you want to work from the Palais,

let me know, and then I will have to inform security.

Last last last last question. Not for Christian, but

for

you.

Want

to

go ahead?

Thank you.

Will

the

entry accreditation

to,

uh, the W

be issued, uh, to journalists and the media are are recognised by

by, um,

countries officially

recognised by the United Nations.

I

guess that's the question for you.

I'm not sure I understood completely, but the

rule is very simple. It's very

straightforward. We can accredit

journalists and media

to come to the Palais,

and

there are a series of criteria. But for what concerns

the countries,

the journalist has to have an idea

of a country recognised by the General Assembly

and also and or because sometimes people are

from a country recognised by a General Assembly.

But the media

that is asking for accreditation has to be registered in

a country which is recognised by the UN General Assembly.

But And there are other criterias, of course, But that's not the only one.

But for the country, as I understand you're asking is this

Let me go to

so

to be clear,

our

colleague from

the region of Taiwan,

uh, with the idea of their cannot be

accredited.

But

I'm not going to characterise one country or another.

It's if you are in the list of the

countries that are recognised by the General Assembly.

You can have access and accreditation to the.

As I said you as a person, the person needs an ID from a country that is accredited,

recognised by the General Assembly

and or the media has to be registered in

a country that is recognised by John Assembly.

And I'm pretty sure you've already seen it.

But there is a list on the on the on the website

of the United Nations of the country recognised by the G A

So I'll go to

Loon now.

Yeah. Thanks, Christian.

Uh, I understood, uh, that there will be, uh,

also heads of Gover government expected to speak on Sunday at the beginning of that,

uh, investment round, if you could, uh, provide, uh, maybe, uh,

the the list of them at the same time, you're gonna provide the list

of the speeches for Monday morning. That would be great.

And then, just to understand, what's the purpose?

The concrete purpose of that meeting on Sunday.

Will there be formal pledges by some governments

to, uh, to contribute to that, uh,

to that round.

And will there be any, uh, release at the end to to give us the consolidated amount of,

uh, contribution that would have been made.

Thank you.

So step by step. Uh, first on your on your question of of names?

Same problem, Uh, names still being finalised. Um, and we're not able to share yet.

We will share as soon as we can. Exactly.

There will be quite a number of of high level of high level speakers.

That is really, really,

uh, important.

One note on which I got an update. Now on, um, it was, I think, uh,

who was it before? Who asked about when Taiwan will be on anyway?

It concerns everybody. So it should be.

It was Nina, I think. Exactly. Yeah, Nina. So, Nina or anybody else?

Decision on on Taiwan should be on Monday between 1111, 30 approximately.

So I think that's that. And then one second, let me go to the,

um, investment round part.

hang on for a moment.

Yeah, important to note. And I think I stated it roughly before.

Uh, it is not a

pledging exercise. That's really important.

Thanks for asking that for that clarification,

it's rather a forum for member states

and other participants to express their support.

So it's an in that, for

instance, an informal event.

And that's, uh, that's why it's on this Sunday afternoon.

It's, uh it's as I said, it's a new approach. Um uh, and trying to

to, uh,

to To trying to aim to attract new donors through an inclusive engagement process

that will then culminate in a high level financing event,

Uh, in the fourth quarter of 2024. So these are basically a couple of,

uh, awareness raising Um uh, appetisers

on the way to a high level financing event at the end of the fourth quarter of 2024.

as, uh,

yes. Let's leave it at that.

In case you have more

to

this uh uh, Christian,

Uh uh, A logistical question.

There are a lot of side events

to the World Health Assembly, but many are not taking place in Nepali.

They're taking place all over Geneva.

Will the WH a, as in the past, provide in the daily, um

uh, bulletin

where

each side event is taking place, or will you also list them or not?

Some are hosted by UN agencies as well, and they haven't reached out to us.

So

that's a confusing.

There are many NGO S or other groups, uh, missions,

whoever who hold side events who are basically on the sidelines of the WH a.

Uh and we we I don't think we list them or provide any further

information about the days I've seen a document somewhere.

Um, which holds list of, quite, uh, quite an amount of these, uh,

of these side events.

all the official side events, um,

will be normally listed in the journal and to my knowledge, also with a little,

uh, summary the next day in in the in the journal, looking at the day before

Thanks.

I

think that was the last question. If, uh, yeah,

and, uh

so as, uh, I know you're all concentrating on WH a. But just a small announcement

about the Committee on the Rights of the Child, which is concluding today

the 96th session

and they will conclude at five o'clock and we will issue

the concluding observation on the nine countries that they have reviewed,

which I remind you were Namibia, Guatemala,

Geo,

Mali,

Panama On the optional protocol on the sale of Children

Egypt, Bhutan, Estonia and Paraguay.

The next meeting of the Conference of Disarmament has not been announced yet,

but it will be held under the next presidency, which is the presidency of Iraq.

And again, let me remind you of 115, which is less than in one hour time.

The press conference at,

if possible, in person on the treaty that was adopted last night.

With that, I think

Sorry. There is one more question from John. I think it's for you. Christian.

Yes, uh,

Christian following up on Laurent's question concerning the investment round

you mentioned. It's informal,

but, uh, my understanding is the executive board already, uh,

approved this investment round process.

So it has a formal mechanism in WHO.

And are you targeting 2 billion for 2024 by the end of the year to track

voluntarily up to $2 billion. Thank you.

So let me see if I can, uh, find the figure.

Um, the investment round is trying to secure funding for WHO

strategy and the for the 14th Global

General programme of work, which is the GP W 14

that covers the 2025

to 2028 period. I'm trying to find a figure for you.

but I can't find it immediately, so

Oh, yeah. Uh, the the the gap, uh, from the base budget to the the remaining gap

is currently estimated at 7.1 billion.

Uh, and this this investment round will seek to encourage voluntary contributions

from member states and other donors to fill that gap

for a fully funded based budget for GP W 14.

This, I think, was really the last question.

Um, so thank you very much to you all for following this very long,

very interesting briefing.

I wish you all a good press conference now.

A

very good event on Sunday, Christian. Uh uh. A great work of the talk.

Let's hope this guy assist us.

And then a very good

a very good conference next week. Thank you very

much.

And thanks to everyone,

have a nice weekend. Thank you.

Bye.

UN Geneva Press Briefing - 24 May 2024