Thank you all for joining us here at the
UN office at Geneva for this press briefing today,
items on the agenda for you today.
We'll start off immediately. Uh, with, uh, the landslides in Ethiopia. Jens Lake
from the office of the Coordinator of Humanitarian
who has an update on you in response to the landslides. Jens.
Thank you, Rolando. And good morning, everyone.
Staff from the office for the co ordination of humanitarian affairs my office, or
leading rapid assessment teams on the ground in Goa,
that were devastated by deadly landslides and heavy rainfall earlier this week.
At least 257 people have died, according to local authorities,
who warn that the death toll could rise
Search and rescue operations were ongoing yesterday,
led by local authorities with the support from
the Ethiopian Red Cross society and community members.
Rescuers were mainly digging through mounds of mud with their bare hands
UN agencies and our non governmental partners.
We are on the scene and we are dispatching assistance including food, nutrition,
health and other critical supplies.
Authorities say more than 15,500 people have been affected,
and those people remain at high risk of further landslides
and need to be evacuated to safe zones immediately.
The government is working with regional and local authorities
and with us on plans to relocate those people.
We expect to have a fresh flash update a bit later in the day.
But if you need it in a direct mail,
please let me know and I will send it to you as soon as it's out.
I take this opportunity to remind you that we issued a couple of
days ago a statement on behalf of the Secretary General through which he
says he is deeply saddened by the loss of lives.
Uh, as he said at the time, more than 200 lives lost. Um,
this number will will probably increase in the south of
Ethiopia following the landslides triggered by the heavy rains.
And of course, as always,
he expresses his sincere condolences to the families and victims
So we'll turn over to you now for, uh, for questions.
Three ends on Ethiopia. Landslides
Give it a second. Anyone in the room? No,
we have a question from Paula Dupras.
Yes. Good morning. Um just wanted to know Uh, actually, it's not about Ethiopia.
It's more about, uh, the Philippines.
I don't know if, uh, yens may have, uh, an update on on the situation there.
And, uh, any response to the flooding
And I just want to make sure we have no
questions on Ethiopia before we shift to the Philippines.
Are there any questions on
OK, I don't see that's the case, So yes,
on the Philippines yens if you have something.
I don't have anything this morning,
but I will try to get some updates about what we can say.
Ok, uh thank you very much.
And if you can maybe stay with us just for a bit, we also have with us, of course,
Mantu of the UN refugee agency. Uh, we move to a different subject here, um,
about the shipwreck, uh, of Mauritania. So, um sheer
and you'll have another item afterwards. So first on the shipwreck.
Um, Good morning, everyone. We've just got, uh, a bit of a,
uh, an update just on the the tragic, um,
shipwreck that was reported on 22nd of July on Monday
The UN refugee agency is deeply saddened by this tragic shipwreck that has resulted
in the deaths and disappearances of numerous people off the coast of Mauritania.
The vessel, which was following the West Atlantic route, capsized near Nasha,
claiming the lives of at least 15 people with many others are still missing.
approximately 300 people were on board the vessel which departed from Gambia.
The Mauritanian Coast Guard has rescued 120 survivors,
most originally from Senegal and Gambia.
While search and rescue operations continue to locate missing people,
around 165 people remain unaccounted for and this is the second deadly
shipwreck in the region that has been reported this month with another,
uh, that was recorded at the start of July.
These very tragic incidents underscore the
extreme perils faced by desperate individuals
who resort to risky sea journeys in the absence of safer pathways.
And these are done for reasons to reunite with family,
to seek better opportunities or to escape extreme violence,
human rights violations and dire conditions in their home countries.
According to data from IOM, between first of January and 15th July this year,
more than 19,700 refugees and migrants disembarked on the Canary Islands,
compared to 7590 during the same period last year, so that is 100 and 60% increase.
But the West Atlantic route is one of the deadliest routes in the world,
with thousands of migrants and refugees drowning in recent years.
Since June last year, more than 76 boats with approximately 6130 survivors
have disembarked in Mauritania, while around 190 have perished at sea.
Before these two latest tragedies,
the increase in journeys along the Mauritanian coast reflects the increased uh of
the mixed nature of of movements in the West African and Sahel regions
amid a deterioration in the economic and security situation in various countries.
Mauritania currently hosts over 238,000 refugees and asylum seekers
and while Most are located in the
southeastern region of the country bordering Mali.
20,000 refugees and asylum seekers have been
registered by UN HCR in coastal cities.
UN HCR has offices in Mauritania where, uh, in two,
coastal cities where disembarkation take place
and UN HC I is present at disembarkation conducted by the Coast Guard
and refugees and asylum seekers with UN HCR documentation
are referred to UN HCR by authorities for legal assistance and release.
So alongside other UN agencies,
civil society and the Red Crescent and Red Cross movement U
HR continues to advocate for initiatives that prevent and offer alternatives
to dangerous onward movements by sea,
including enhanced protective measures,
greater solidarity and alternative pathways of admission to third countries
and concrete routes based, uh,
protection responses are needed to save lives and reduce suffering
in addition to addressing the root causes of
displacement and the drivers of irregular onward movements.
Thank you very much. Shaa,
Do we have, uh, questions on the shipwreck?
Ok, we have a question from Lisa Schlein, Voice of America. Lisa, over to you.
Uh, thank you. Good morning, Orlando. Good morning, everyone. Um shabby.
You say that for, uh, 15 people
are dead. Uh, and 300 were on board approximately. So,
uh, uh, do you have any numbers on how many may be missing?
Or are the 15 people all all the dead?
Are you satisfied that the number has been accounted?
uh uh, Let's see you. You, um
So what? Why did the boat capsize? Was it because it was overloaded?
were there smugglers involved in there? Are there any people who
are responsible for this bad ship and this horrible accident who,
have been detained and perhaps might have
some kind of accountability for them because
we don't really hear about them.
I mean, it's just sort of like a boat goes out and it capsizes, and that's it.
And what are you doing right now? Where where they're they're all from,
uh, Africans, presumably on board.
Uh, do you have any specific information about nationalities? And
what are you actually doing to assist them?
And I'm sorry I've overloaded you as much as the boat has been overloaded
with my questions. But thank you.
Thank you, Lisa, for those questions. So, uh, what we can do.
Lisa is, um, information is still coming in on this.
So we can, uh, also check with our colleagues if there are any updates to
to the numbers that I shared in terms of those that are that are missing.
What we have in terms of the information so far
is reports that there were 300 people on board and the last information that I had,
uh, as of last night was that, um, at least 15 were, uh, apparently dead.
there were 120 survivors that were rescued,
and at the time, there were 165 people that were unaccounted for.
But as I mentioned these numbers, um, might be fluid.
There might be an update in terms of, uh, the rescue efforts or in terms of recording.
Unfortunately, the the the death toll.
So those are the numbers that we have, we'll send the notes after the briefing,
But as I mentioned, we will also double check if we have any latest update on this.
As this has been quite fresh, unfortunately.
So you raised some really important questions.
I don't have the forensic detail on this,
and and there may be more information that that becomes available in terms of,
tragedy unfolded. What we know so far is that most on board were from
Um, so in terms of these movements, unfortunately,
this is not an isolated occurrence.
Uh, we are seeing as we've mentioned, um,
a resort by incredibly desperate people,
both refugees and migrants and what we call mixed
movements of people just resorting to these journeys.
Um, without speaking, uh, particularly on this incident.
But in the case of these mixed movements
we do see a phenomena of these movements
being taken by people who are extremely vulnerable,
and vulnerability sometimes exploited by smugglers by traffickers by others.
So there are a variety of modes
of modalities that are resorted to. But really, it's
it speaks to the desperation.
And people are resorting to these journeys because there are
simply what they perceive to be no safer pathways.
And for the reasons that we mentioned to escape instability,
human rights violations, persecution
to escape dire conditions at home,
to escape poverty, to unite with family members.
If they feel they don't have pathways to
access safety or to access those mechanisms.
People will resort to these journeys. So it is very much a mixed, mixed movement.
And we are calling for action to address this as there have been many
tragedies in this region and in others at sea and also on land.
But there should be accountability indeed for anyone that
profits of the desperation of others. And as I mentioned, I can't speak to the
details of this specific incident until we have further information.
accountability is something that we are calling for when
it comes to placing desperate people's lives in danger.
Thank you very much. Um, for that very critical context as well.
Lisa, do you have a follow up?
was, um, Mauritania, the place where they were
aiming to go, or where were they heading for? Actually,
Yeah. What we know is that they were were traversing the West Atlantic route.
Um, but they were, um they departed from Gambia, and they were rescued.
Uh, some were rescued by,
uh, the Mauritania Coast Guard.
the the forensic detail of of the motivations of
the ultimate destination Because many may also plan,
uh, to go onwards to other countries.
we can also follow up after this and come back with whatever information we have.
Yeah, that would be much appreciated.
Thank you for the continuous updates on this important story.
Do we have further questions on this
I don't see that's the case. But do stay here. Obviously you have another item.
But before we turn to you, if I may just go back to the previous question from Paula
on the Philippines, I think yens does have something you wanted to add.
Yeah. Thank you, Rolando I.
I just wanted to flag that we We do have a flash update out now.
and I can share that with you,
Paula and anyone else interested Just in terms of the top lines.
The super Typhoon gamer, which locally is called Karina,
to a typhoon as it crossed Taiwan and exited the Philippine area of responsibility.
Governmental authorities have reported that over
393,000 people have been affected by incidents
from the 24th of July and onwards and that's across 11 regions.
The hardest hit area is in Metro Manila.
In total, the combined effect of several weather systems since 9 July
has affected over 1.1 million people nationwide in the Philippines.
As of yesterday, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council,
which is a government entity, reported 13 confirmed casualties
The government of the Philippines is taking the lead
in coordinating the response and early recovery efforts.
And of course the United Nations stand ready to support that.
I know that our resident and humanitarian coordinator there
is very active mobilising the country team to see how we can support the response.
Thank you very much, Jens, for that important update, Uh, on the statistics.
Um anything more for Jens on the Philippines?
Or perhaps another subject?
No, I don't see that's the case. So thank you very much, Yan.
So much appreciate it. We'll go back now to you, Sha,
an announcement on the UN refugee agency marking
the 73rd years of the Refugee Convention.
Thank you, Rolando. Indeed A A topic very close to our heart.
Um This Sunday marks the 73rd anniversary of the 1951 Refugee convention,
which is the cornerstone of refugee protection and which has saved and
protected the lives of millions of people around the world fleeing war,
conflict, persecution and human rights violations.
The refugee convention and its 1967 protocol
establish the internationally recognised definition of a refugee
and the rights and assistance they are
entitled to receive while they are displaced.
Millions of people around the world continue to receive protection
owing to the principles that these treaties enshrine.
At the heart of the refugee convention is the customary law principle of non reform,
on which prohibits a state from returning someone
to a place where their life or freedom
Important regional refugee instruments such as the
OAU convention signed by many African states and the
Carina Declaration from the Americas
complement the refugee convention and have built upon its refugee definition.
149 states worldwide have acceded to the refugee
convention and or it's a 1967 protocol,
and these are set out in a new refugee treaty and legislation.
Dashboard, recently released by UNHCR,
which captures developments on international and
regional refugee instruments and national legislation.
So ahead of the anniversary of this Sunday,
UNHCR, as the guardian of the refugee convention,
is urging the remaining 46 UN member states and observer states to accede to it.
An increase in the number of accessions to the refugee
Convention was observed in the latter part of the last century
and since 2000, uh, since the year 2000, 13 states have acceded to it as well,
with the most recent being Nauru
in 2011 and south Sudan in 2018.
More commitment to the refugee convention is still needed,
in particular among states
in Asia and in the Middle East as well as in the Caribbean and the Pacific.
Accession to the refugee convention is important.
It not only evidences a state's willingness to protect refugees
in accordance with international legal obligations,
but it can also help avoid friction between states over refugee issues.
In recognising that the granting of asylum is not a political act
but a peaceful humanitarian and legal act,
it can also help foster Co-operation and the
sharing of refugee protection responsibilities between states,
strengthening predictability and accountability at the international level.
And it is also a signal of support
for the principles of multilateralism and international solidarity
that underpin refugee protection.
So with 43.4 million refugees currently protected in countries across the world,
today's global displacement situation is testament to
the enduring relevance of the refugee convention
and regional refugee law.
So as long as new conflicts continue to erupt and prolonged ones and fail to end
and people continue to be persecuted,
there will be a need for these legal instruments.
So, in addition to promoting universal accession to the refugee Convention,
the UN refugee agency is calling on all states
to give effect to the principles of refugee law,
including to protect the fundamental right of all people to seek and enjoy asylum
and to uphold and protect
the human rights of those forced to flee.
Thank you very much. Shabby.
Uh, very, very important messages. Indeed. Um, on the 73rd anniversary coming up,
Do we have questions for Shab
No, I don't Oh, I'm sorry. Lisa. Uh, voice of America. Go ahead, Lisa.
Uh, I'll keep it small. Although I have more questions.
I don't know. You say that. Uh
you kind of praise the enduring relevance of the convention, but,
uh, do states see it that way? Um,
many things have changed. Do you think it needs to be
And perhaps, uh, the definition of a refugee expanded, For instance, I think when
the convention was enacted, um,
danger that people, depending upon their sexual identity,
was not figured into that. And I believe that this is
now, in some cases, a reason for granting,
uh, asylum to certain people.
And then there is all of this confusion with economic migrants.
Doesn't that somehow need to be clarified?
you know, abhorrence. And
maybe that's not the right word, but, uh,
a lot of countries really are not interested in granting protection to
They sort of mix up, uh, who a refugee is with an economic migrant as I mentioned.
how do you overcome that? Thank you.
Thank you. Uh, Lisa for those questions.
And, uh, this is, uh, a subject for for further discussion, no doubt.
And we'd be happy to to continue that conversation but
very briefly to to come back to your questions.
we we are faced sometimes with these questions about
the enduring relevance of the the refugee convention,
one just needs to look at the global picture to date.
Look at the recent crises that have erupted, UM,
whether it was Sudan or Ukraine or or elsewhere, or the Syria crisis.
The fact that millions of people fleeing those crises were able to
access safety and protection is on the basis of commitment to,
uh, the the refugee framework and the principles of international refugee law.
So it's not a question of anyone contesting
the relevance of the application of that because,
we often say that the Refugee Convention is one
of the greatest human rights instruments to have existed simply
because it protects and saves the lives of people
who otherwise would face grave danger and grave harm,
So it is a life saving instrument.
We've seen state practise recognise that we don't have states in answering
their intention to abdicate from those responsibilities.
Surely there are attempts.
There have been attempts by some to perhaps
circumvent some of the provisions or evade responsibilities.
But we also see the corresponding reaction from the rest of
the world when those initiatives and those proposals are announced.
we can take the case of externalisation, for instance,
or the sending of refugees and asylum seekers
to third countries and see the international reaction,
um, by states and also civil society, that was, um, that that was met with,
um So I don't think it's a question of relevance,
your question about the application in terms of of different circumstances.
Indeed, we're dealing in a situation where we have climate,
the effects of climate change,
the persecution or the harm faced with
people of diverse sexual and gender orientations.
International Refugee framework has been capable
of applying to people facing threats
and harm based on their identities based on who they are,
and that is to do with the
location of the principles.
But all states recognise the definition of the refugee,
which is codified in the refugee convention,
and also the principle of non refoulement, which ensures
not returning people who face specific threats
and dangers because of who they are or because of the situation of conflict
or violence from being returned to a situation where their life would be in danger
so it is capable of being applied. And it meets
the challenges that we find in today's contemporary world.
But the real test is just the commitment to these principles and
to also ensure that spirit of multilateralism of solidarity is maintained.
Because we see in the global picture that
many of the world's refugees are hosted in some of the poorest regions on earth.
And that's also not equitable for them to
be hosting the bulk of that responsibility.
So it's important for other countries to support those states,
but also for other countries that are far more
are prosperous to also ensure that they are
also fulfilling their refugee protection responsibilities as well.
Yes. Thanks for those questions. And thanks very much for the
very comprehensive uh uh, responses. Shay,
I do. We have further questions on this, Uh, point. No.
OK, I think in that case, we've, uh we've exhausted the agenda items. Um,
which leads me to just recite a few announcements to keep you on track, starting with
the secretary-general. Who, Uh, we've shared with you a short while ago.
The message of the Secretary General, Antonio Guterres.
Um, that will be a video message.
In fact, that will be aired this evening, Uh, in Paris at the opening of the Olympics.
Um, the Secretary general is en route to
to France where he will attend, Uh, the ceremonies this evening, the,
uh, the Olympic Games at the invitation of the International Olympic Committee
and the government of France.
Um, so in the video message, uh, that will air again this evening.
Um, the Secretary General, Um,
in the spirit of the Olympic truce, he calls on everyone to lay down their arms,
uh, to build bridges, foster solidarity and strive for the ultimate goal.
That is peace for all. So that message is in
Uh, later today, once, uh, he's in Paris.
Secretary General will hold a series of bilateral meetings,
including with Thomas Bach,
the head of the International Olympic Committee,
and several other meetings. So we'll keep you updated
as, uh, things progress throughout the day.
And of course, uh, we've shared with you earlier.
We announced that this press at this press briefing on Tuesday. Um, the
call to action on extreme Heat, which was launched yesterday in New York. Uh,
we had our briefer from ILO here, and, uh, we flagged, uh, to you, uh, the
statement and the report, um,
which was again launched yesterday
at a press conference yesterday.
The Secretary General, uh, on the subject of, uh, the call to action
he referred to billions of people facing extreme
heat epidemic wilting under increasingly deadly head,
with temperatures topping 50
So the cold action I should mention for the record, um,
addresses various points. Um,
uh, firstly, it's talking about caring for the most vulnerable.
Of course, as we've said, uh, must, uh, stepping,
Stepping up efforts to protect workers, which was addressed
quite, uh, specifically by ILO,
um, massively boosting the resilience of economies and societies.
Um, using data and science
and then, of course, tackling. Um
uh, the disease, the disease, which is the madness of incinerating our only home.
That is the Secretary general's words.
The disease is the addiction to fossil fuels.
uh, fuels and the disease is climate inaction.
So please do consult those important comments from the Secretary General.
And nearly the last note for me is just
to mention what's happening here at the Palais de
N. The Committee against Torture this morning closes, uh, closed its 80th session,
um, during which it reviewed reports for Ecuador, Republic of Korea,
and the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. Uh, which, uh,
will be starting its meeting.
Uh, next meeting this coming Monday.
Um, I'm sorry. The week after Monday.
Sorry, the fifth of August, and we'll review reports for Venezuela, Iran,
Bosnia and Herzegovina, United Kingdom, Iraq and Belarus.
And the Conference on Disarmament will start this coming Monday.
It's third part of the sessions for this year
under the presidency of Ireland.
But maybe just a simple personal note, uh, looking at my colleague here,
angel in the front row and putting her on the spot.
Angel is our intern from the UN Information Service.
I'd like to She's Today is her last day, and
I'd like to thank her for her six months working with us unpaid. I should say,
And this is really a shout out to all the interns.
And I think all of us would agree The
interns really are providing invaluable support to us.
Without them, our work would simply not be complete. So thank you.
Michelle and Jasmine sitting next to you.
She's here for another couple of weeks,
but just a shout out to our
wonderful colleagues who are providing this invaluable service
Oh, I did that too early. I'm afraid I didn't even look at my screen.
I have a couple of questions. Lisa.
Thanks again, Lisa. For your question. Go ahead.
Oh, well, it's Friday, and it's hot.
I'm glad you're still there. This may be a bit of a stretch, but,
uh uh, Rolando happened to mention the Olympics. That's right.
and I believe that there are a number of refugees who will be competing
in the Olympics. Uh, how many actually will be competing? And I'm
you know how how their participation in the Olympics and their achievements
reflect upon the importance of the convention bringing
it back to the convention and and how,
the the the convention essentially says that these lives are valuable, right,
and that they're beneficial to society. So I'm wondering if you can
co-ordination between what is happening in terms of their participation in this,
uh, most important athletic event and the convention.
I will definitely come back to you with, um, information on, uh, the participation,
Uh, whatever info we have.
So I'll come back to you as soon as we finish the briefing.
Um, but you raise a very important point about, um,
optimising human potential and ensuring that people
who are displaced and who have faced
incredible adversity where their their lives or
their freedom have been threatened or endangered,
to, um, have the same opportunities as others here, even while they're displaced.
And it is such a a great honour.
Um, and, uh, a source of pride to see, uh, these refugee athletes participating in
in, um, one of the pinnacles of of human sport and endeavours.
Um, but it's really important.
it's best to to hear it from the
refugees themselves and those that are participating.
um, to see how, um inspirational it is. It's an inspiration.
Um, not just for other refugees,
but also for the rest of society to see what is achievable when you have, um,
the right opportunities when you are given that protection and safety,
even in a country of asylum where you're able to to contribute back and to to just,
reach your, uh and try and fulfil your potential and have those opportunities.
um to resilience as well to the resilience of people
who've been forced to flee all around the world.
You have people who have been driven from their homes, and these can be, um,
athletes. They can be professionals.
They can be people who simply want to to have those opportunities
to live their life as best they can and to contribute,
uh, to societies and and to their communities and and to the world
So we hope that this will, um,
really inspire and encourage other forms of participation and contribution,
and for other countries to make sure that,
um, refugees have the right have the rights that they require.
Uh, while they're they're displaced, whether it's the right to,
um to work or to other social, economic and cultural rights, but also
opportunities to engage in sport.
And we know sport has a critical role to play in helping,
uh, also achieve what we would call protection outcomes.
but also to support the recovery and the resilience
of people who have faced perhaps trauma or the,
um the the really adverse circumstance of displacement.
You're extremely well said so much. Uh, much appreciated.
Uh, Antonio, you want to add something, or
Um, sorry. Yeah. Antonio, you had a question as well. Go ahead.
Sorry again for prematurely. Almost ending this Preper.
No problem. Uh, my question is for you. Orlando.
I would like to know if, uh, at the end of this, uh, preparatory meeting, uh,
Uh, which is, uh, August 2nd, I believe, uh,
do you know if there will be a press conference or at least a press release?
No, we thank you for the question we we only shared with you.
We had the opening press conference with the chair of the, uh, prep com, Of course.
Here, in this room, Um, we don't have any indication of a closing press
we'll check with our colleagues who are
providing support to this important meeting.
It does conclude a week from today, the second of August.
I should note that the first of August, as you all know,
is a holiday here in Switzerland.
But, uh, there will be a small hiatus.
Uh, the meeting will go Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and then resume on Friday.
So we'll check with colleagues and get double back to you as soon as possible.
Did you wanna add something or
yeah. So shabby will come back to you. Do we have further questions?
Bon appetit. Uh, see you on Tuesday. Thank you.
