UNOG RUSH NEWS Briefing 30AUG2024
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Press Conferences | ILO , OCHA , OHCHR , UNHCR , WHO

UN Geneva Press Briefing - 30 August 2024

ANNOUNCEMENTS

       ILO - Isabel Piquer Hubert
       - Launch of the next ILO World Employment and Socal Outlook report.

TOPICS

          WHO - Margaret Harris with Dr Rik Peeperkorn, WHO representative for the occupied Palestinian territories (from Jerusalem)
          - Update on the health situation in Gaza

  • OHCHR - Seig Magango, UN Human Rights Office spokesperson 
    - Libya: Report on human rights violations in Tarhuna

    OHCJHR - Ravina Shamdasani 
    - Bangladesh: Update on UN Human Rights visit

  • UNHCR - Mysa Khalaf, UNHCR Spokesperson in Yemen (From Sana)
    - Yemen: Needs grow for millions displaced amid catastrophic flooding and prolonged humanitarian emergency

  • OCHA - Jens Laerke 
    - UN releases US$100 million to support 10 underfunded humanitarian crises (OCHA)

UN GENEVA PRESS BRIEFING

30 August 2024

Jens Laerke, Deputy Spokesperson of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, chaired a hybrid briefing, which was attended by the spokespersons and representatives of the World Health Organization, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the United Nations Refugee Agency, and the International Labour Organization.

Health situation in Gaza

Dr. Richard Peeperkorn, World Health Organization (WHO) representative for the occupied Palestinian territories, speaking from Gaza, provided an update on the polio campaign and the overall health situation. A two-round polio vaccination campaign was set to commence in the Gaza Strip on 1 September; two drops of novel oral polio vaccine type 2 (nOPV2) would be administered to more than 640,000 children under the age of ten across the enclave. The Palestinian Ministry of Health, WHO, UNICEF, UNRWA, and partners were now finalizing preparations to start the campaign this coming weekend. Some 1.26 million doses of vaccines had been delivered to Gaza along with 500 vaccine carriers, with 400,000 additional doses arriving soon. Over 2,180 community outreach and health workers had been trained to provide vaccinations and inform communities about the campaign. At least 90 percent vaccination coverage during each round of the campaign would be needed to stop the polio outbreak in Gaza and to prevent an international spread, explained Dr. Peeperkorn. WHO welcomed area-specific humanitarian pauses and appealed to all parties to halt the fighting so all children under ten could be reached. The campaign would be delivered in stages, over three days each, covering three different areas of Gaza. Vaccination coverage was to be monitored and analyzed every day, and vaccination drives would be extended by one day if necessary. Over 2,180 workers were ready to support the campaign, with 392 fixed points and almost 300 mobile teams. The security for this massive operation was of paramount importance, and all parties were urged to ensure protection of health facilities, staff, and children.

Turning to the overall health situation, Dr. Peeperkorn said that 17 out of the 36 hospitals in Gaza were partially functional; five field hospitals were partially functional, and four fully functional, which was absolutely inadequate for the scope of needs. In recent weeks, out of the six missions planned by the WHO to bring fuel to the north of Gaza, only two had been approved. Dr. Peeperkorn provided examples of hospitals operating at limited capacity due to the lack of fuel, dearth of staff, and the damages endured over the almost 11 months of fighting. Over time, informed Dr. Peeperkorn, more than a million cases of acute upper respiratory infections had been recorded, over 600,000 cases of diarrheal diseases, along with 105,000 cases of scabies, 70,000 cases of skin diseases, and over 105,000 Hepatitis A, all related to the horrible water and sanitation conditions throughout Gaza. These numbers were all likely to be underreported, said Dr. Peeperkorn.

Responding to questions from the media, Dr. Peeperkorn said that the vaccination campaign would be feasible if the necessary conditions were created, including humanitarian pauses. At the end of every day, analysis would have to be made to see how the campaign was progressing so that necessary adjustments would be made. If after the three days of the campaign, the coverage in the area was estimated to be too low, an additional day would be added. Risk communications would have to be completely clear, he stressed. Dr. Peeperkorn reminded that over the past year, health surveillance across Gaza had deteriorated. In Gaza, routine immunizations were generally well received, and vaccination coverage usually stood at over 90 percent. He said that the agreements to conduct the campaign were in place, and the WHO expected all parties to stick to them. Dr. Peeperkorn further specified that the campaign would last for three consecutive days per zone, with an additional day added if needed; once the campaign was completed in one zone, it would move to the next one. In four weeks’ time, the second phase of the campaign would be undertaken. Based on the lessons from the first phase, adjustments would be made for the second phase, said Dr. Peeperkorn. He stressed that the novel oral polio vaccine type 2 (nOPV2) vaccines were safe and effective, and had been used on over 40 million children across the world. Speaking on the situation in the West Bank, he emphasized the importance of unimpeded access to health facilities, and the protection of health facilities, ambulances, and medical workers, in accordance with international humanitarian law.

Addressing questions from the media on recent Israeli raids in the West Bank, Ravina Shamdasani, for the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), said that the OHCHR was extremely concerned about the situation, which was already catastrophic and could deteriorate further. The occupied West Bank had for a long time witnessed impunity for settler and IDF violence; there had been very little accountability for victims of numerous violations, encouraging further conduct of such violations. The ongoing raids had caused damage to some vital infrastructure. OHCHR once again reminded Israel, as the occupying power, to respect international law and to independently and impartially investigate all unlawful killings.

Report on human rights violations in Tarhuna, Libya

Seif Magango, a new member of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) spokesperson team in Geneva, said that a new UN report warned that the continued lack of accountability and years of impunity enjoyed by those behind the human rights violations and abuses committed in the Libyan city of Tarhuna between 2013 and 2022 risked fuelling more instability and further division in the country. The report by the Human Rights Service of the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) and the OHCHR described how the Al-Kaniyat, an armed element which had emerged in 2011, later exercised brutal control over Tarhuna, a city of some 150,000 people 90 km southeast of Tripoli. The report detailed killings, disappearances, sexual violence, abductions, torture, ill-treatment, forced displacement and other gross human rights violations and abuses, as well as serious violations of international humanitarian law committed by the Al-Kaniyat between 2013 and 2022.

“Years have passed since these terrible violations were committed, but the perpetrators have still not been brought to justice, nor have truth, justice or reparations been delivered to victims and their families,” said UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk. “The impunity must end – there must be accountability in accordance with international due process and fair trial standards.” The report recommended a comprehensive transitional justice and reconciliation process, with meaningful truth-seeking measures and effective reparations for victims – including legal aid and mental health support and guarantees of non-repetition, designed in consultation with those directly affected. It also calls for robust accountability measures, through investigations and prosecutions of alleged perpetrators in line with international standards.

OHCHR press release is available here, while the full report can be accessed here.

UN Human Rights Office visit to Bangladesh

Ravina Shamdasani, for the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), stated that an advance team had been in Bangladesh from 22 to 29 August, meeting with student leaders of the recent protests, many of whom had been detained or injured in recent weeks, as well as a wide range of advisors in the Interim Government, the Chief Justice, senior officers of the police and armed forces, lawyers, journalists and human rights defenders, representatives of political parties, and minority and indigenous communities. In these meetings, the team had discussed the modalities for an investigation into human rights violations and abuses in the context of the recent violence and unrest, as requested by the Interim Government. It had also discussed wider areas – including civic space, the need for truth, justice, healing, reparation and reconciliation, and other human rights approaches to the reform process – in which the OHCHR could provide sustained support.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk had received an official invitation from the Chief Advisor, Muhammad Yunus, to conduct an impartial and independent fact-finding mission into human rights violations committed between 1 July and 15 August. The Office would deploy a fact-finding team to Bangladesh in the coming weeks, with a view to reporting on violations and abuses perpetrated during the protests, analysing root causes, and making recommendations to advance justice and accountability and for longer-term reforms. The team had received commitments from the Interim Government and security forces for full cooperation in this work. The High Commissioner warmly welcomed the announcement of Bangladesh’s accession to the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, and the establishment of a five-member national commission of inquiry to determine the whereabouts of individuals forcibly disappeared allegedly by law enforcement agencies.

OHCHR press release can be found here.

Conviction of journalists in Hong Kong

Responding to a question on the conviction of two journalists in Hong Kong on sedition charges, Ravina Shamdasani, for the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), said that the OHCHR expressed regret over these developments and called on the authorities to review these decisions in line with Hong Kong Special Administrative Region’s obligations under international law.

Needs grow for millions displaced in Yemen

Mysa Khalaf, for the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) in Yemen, speaking from Sana'a, warned that millions of displaced Yemenis faced worsening conditions as Yemen’s prolonged crisis deepened. UNHCR’s Internally Displaced Persons Protection Monitoring Update, issued this week, revealed a grim picture of the conditions affecting Yemen’s displaced and host communities. The data, collected from over 47,000 households in the first half of 2024, offered insights into the struggles of internally displaced people (IDPs), returnees and host community members. Among these households, a significant number resided in formal and informal IDP sites, reflecting the ongoing displacement crisis.

Away from the world’s headlines, UNHCR feared that the situation was deteriorating. The report showed that 85 per cent of these families were unable to meet their daily food needs. Many had resorted to extreme coping mechanisms, like reducing meal sizes or skipping meals altogether. These statistics represented the harsh reality where entire families were facing hunger every day. Another critical but overlooked issue was the widespread lack of civil documentation among displaced families. Over 51 per cent of families surveyed had at least one child without a birth certificate, and 70 per cent had family members without national identity cards. Without these crucial documents, families were cut off from accessing essential services, education, and their fundamental rights, exacerbating their vulnerability and hindering their ability to rebuild their lives.

Ms. Khalaf stressed that more systematic and sustained global support was needed for countries like Yemen, one of the world’s most climate-vulnerable countries, which was also among the least prepared to mitigate or adapt to the impacts of extreme weather conditions and disasters fueled by climate change, as these become more frequent. As of 31 July, the UNHCR’s country appeal for $354 million had been just 21 per cent funded, leaving critical areas like protection and shelter severely underfunded. UNHCR appealed to the international community to strengthen its support and solidarity with the people of Yemen.

Full UNHCR statement is available here.

Answering questions from the media, Ms. Khalaf stated that 4.5 million people remained displaced over 2,300 formal and informal IDP sites. UNHCR was working with the local authorities and the Yemeni Red Crescent Society, who were the first responders. UNHCR prioritized the security of its staff and humanitarian partners, who had a network across the country.

Also in reply to questions, Jens Laerke, speaking on behalf of the United Nations Information Service (UNIS),), reminded of the 19 August statement by the Secretary-General, in which he had expressed deep concern about the wellbeing of UN staff and other who remained in Houthi detention, and appealed for their release.

UN releases US$100 million to support 10 underfunded humanitarian crises

Jens Laerke, for the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), informed that today the United Nations had released US$100 million from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) to address critical underfunding of humanitarian emergencies across ten countries in Africa, the Americas, Asia, and the Middle East. More than one third of this new funding from CERF, which is managed by OCHA, was going to support aid operations in Yemen ($20 million) and Ethiopia ($15 million), where people were grappling with the combined impact of hunger, displacement, diseases and climate disasters. The new funding package would also support humanitarian operations in countries beset by years of conflict and displacement, exacerbated by climate shocks and stresses: Myanmar ($12 million), Mali ($11 million), Burkina Faso ($10 million), Haiti ($9 million), Cameroon ($7 million), and Mozambique ($7 million). Countries responding to El Niño-induced drought and flooding, such as Burundi ($5 million) and Malawi ($4 million), were also included.

“In far too many humanitarian emergencies, a lack of funding prevents aid agencies from reaching people who need life-saving assistance, and that is heart-wrenching,” said Joyce Msuya, Acting Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator. “CERF funding is an emergency cash injection of last resort to avert the worst and save lives when other humanitarian funding is inadequate. We urgently need increased and sustained donor attention to these underfunded crises.”

More details are available here.

Announcements

Jens Laerke, speaking on behalf of the United Nations Information Service (UNIS), informed that 31 August would be the International Day for People of African Descent, which coincided with the ending of the International Decade for People of African Descent. Secretary-General’s message on this occasion had been distributed.

Mr. Laerke further said that today, at 2 pm, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) would hold a hybrid press conference to present its annual Air Quality and Climate Bulletin, under embargo till 6 September, the International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies. Lorenzo Labrador, scientific officer at the WMO, would be the speaker.

Isabel Piquer Hubert, for the International Labour Organization (ILO), said that on 4 August at 10:30 am, the ILO would launch the “World Employment and Social Outlook: September 2024 update” report. Speakers would be Celeste Drake, ILO Deputy Director-General, and Steven Kapsos, Head of the Data Production and Analysis Unit, ILO. This report would provide an analysis of the latest global labour market trends, focusing on the evolving relationship between labour and capital income, challenges facing youth in the current job market, and progress towards key Sustainable Development Goals. The update offered insights beyond headline figures, examining critical factors shaping employment and social conditions worldwide. The report would be under embargo until 11:30 am on 4 September.

Mr. Laerke said that on 6 September at 9:15 am, the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission for Sudan would launch its first investigative report. Speakers would be Mohamed Chande Othman, Chair of the Fact-Finding Mission, and its expert members Joy Ngozi Ezeilo and Mona Rishmawi.

Mr. Laerke informed that the the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities would have an informal meeting with States Parties on 5 September, at 11:30 am, would close its 31st session at 3 pm the same day, and issue concluding observations on the nine countries reviewed during this session.

The Committee on the Rights of the Child was reviewing today the report of Mexico.

Teleprompter
Good morning, everyone, and welcome to this press briefing today, Friday, 30th of August from the UN in Geneva.
We have a long agenda with a lot of important topics.
We'll get into that.
[Other language spoken]
We have a brief announcement from ILO that I would like to just take up here at the top.
So if we can go to Isabel Piqueru Bell for your announcement.
[Other language spoken]
Thank you very much.
[Other language spoken]
[Other language spoken]
The International.
Labour Organisation, it's going to publish.
It's a world employment.
And Social Outlook, September update.
[Other language spoken]
The 4th of September.
The report provides an analysis of the latest global.
Labour market trend in this.
Case it focuses on the.
Evolving relationship between labour.
And capital income challenges facing youth in the current.
Job market and progress towards.
Key sustainable development.
Goal goals as the 2030 deadline approaches, so for there.
Will be a a press briefing next Wednesday with Celeste Drake, the ILO.
Deputy Director General and Stephen.
Capsus, who led the team.
Responsible for the report.
The briefing will be at 10:30 from 10.
30 to 11:30.
[Other language spoken]
[Other language spoken]
[Other language spoken]
Thank you very much.
Let me just see if there are any questions to that announcement.
Doesn't seem to be the case.
So thank you very much for that, Isabel.
Now let's go to World Health Organisation and we have with us from Jerusalem Rick Peebicorn, whom you know well because he's briefed here on many occasions, The Who representative for the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
We also have Margaret online for any questions, but I believe we can go directly to you, Mr People.
[Other language spoken]
So over to you for your briefing.
[Other language spoken]
Thank you very much.
Actually, I'm not in Jerusalem, I'm in Gaza.
[Other language spoken]
[Other language spoken]
WHO office in Derabala?
[Other language spoken]
Update actually on on on two key areas.
One an update on the polio campaign the the the audio campaign, which is set to.
Begin on the 1st of September and.
Then I want to give you a bit of a.
General update on health.
So first of all on on polio A2 round.
[Other language spoken]
Vaccination campaign is set to.
Begin on 1st of September in the Gaza Strip.
And during each round of.
The campaign.
The Palestinian ministry.
Of Health in collaboration with the.
World Health Organisation, UNICEF.
UNRWA and partners will provide 2 drops of novel oral polio vaccine type 2 and OPV 2, as we call it, two more than 640,000 children under 10 years of age.
So it's the ministry, the Ministry of Health.
UNRWA and UNICEF.
And partners together with WHO we are ready to.
[Other language spoken]
The campaign and preparations are being finalised ongoing and say as we.
[Other language spoken]
Etcetera, it's Friday, but actually just under me the technical committee WHO you just have ANRA partners.
Ministry of Health, they're actually finalising.
Preparations so 1.26 million doses of the vaccines and five.
100 vaccine carriers have.
Already been delivered to Gaza.
[Other language spoken]
400,000 additional vaccine doses will arrive in Gaza soon.
Over two 2180 health workers and community outreach workers have been trained to provide.
Vaccination and inform the.
Communities about the campaign so.
This is an an an complex exercise and at least 90.
Percent vaccination conference during each round will be two rounds split by 4 weeks during each round of the campaign is needed to stop the outbreak to stop the circulation polio within.
Gaza, but also to prevent international spread.
Of polio.
So we welcome the the very much welcome, the preliminary commitment.
To this what we call area specific.
Humanitarian pauses during the campaign.
And we call on all.
Parties to pause the fighting to allow children the.
Families to safely access health facilities and.
Community outreach workers to get the children who cannot access health facilities for polio vaccination.
[Other language spoken]
Really.
Emphasise this again and again without.
[Other language spoken]
The campaign delivery.
Which is already being.
[Other language spoken]
Incredibly complex and challenged circumstances will not be possible, so in response to the to the commitment of this area specific humanitarian pulses, it has been agreed that the campaign will be delivered in phase approach over 3.
[Other language spoken]
Starting with central Gaza.
[Other language spoken]
Gaza because of the insecurity damage, road infrastructure and constant population displacement and conducting conducting the campaign for for just three days.
[Other language spoken]
Very unlikely to be sufficient to achieve the adequate vaccination coverage.
So vaccination coverage will be monitored.
That's always happening with any.
Polio campaign monitoring analysed every day.
And adjustment will be made.
Throughout the campaign.
It has been agreed that.
Vaccination will be extended by one day.
Whenever necessary, so over 2.
[Other language spoken]
[Other language spoken]
[Other language spoken]
And community outreach workers already and will support the campaign.
Campaign will be delivered through 392 fixed points and 209 more almost 300 mobile teams.
This is a massive operation.
The security, of course, is.
Paramount and we.
Urge all parties.
To ensure their protection as well as of.
Them and of course, of the families as well as the health.
Facilities and children.
Finally, I mean on the polio thing.
We will raise it every time, but it says and.
I don't want to sound as a broken record, but of course we reiterate our call for a ceasefire to enable the rebuilding of the.
Health system strengthening of the.
[Other language spoken]
Immunisation.
And that brings me a little bit to.
The overall health situation and, and there we unfortunately continue to be deeply concerned.
We talk about hospitals, we talk about hospitals functionality very often and and.
Currently, 17 out of the 36 hospitals are partly functional.
Only 58 of the one of the 32 primary healthcare centres are partly functional.
In addition, there's 55 field hospitals which are partly functional and or fully absolutely insufficient and a specific area where I want to.
Mention when we talked.
And we talked about that.
For a number of times.
[Other language spoken]
Very simple and.
It's really, I think it's it's.
It it shows the complexities that we still have to talk about.
That in in the 11 months.
Of this.
[Other language spoken]
So in the last two weeks out of 6.
Missions planned by WHO?
To the north only to bring fuel and medical supplies, only two were two were approved to deliver the fuels.
And medical supplies the day before, yesterday after.
Incredibly lengthy, unnecessary lengthy mission WHO reach Indonesian hospital with fuel and from their fuel.
Was supplied to Kamala Dwan and.
[Other language spoken]
[Other language spoken]
Example what what this means?
So as of Tuesday, a lot of hospitals in the north, they face serious fuel shortages which will result in cancellation of the maternity services.
The 15.
Daily surgeries including C sections etcetera they have hospitalised.
Patients limiting their lap, X-ray sterilisation, etcetera.
Will all not be possible.
It's it Al Hilu Hospital there's.
Also a number of of hemodialysis patients etcetera.
The same thing.
And of course.
Fuel is needed.
The same.
Applies for Al Hilu International.
Hospital they will have.
To cancel their general surgical operations, etcetera, issues which other hospitals?
In the neighbourhood we've seen a lot of.
Evacuation orders, which is.
Affecting all hospitals close.
[Other language spoken]
If it is Al Aqsa.
It's relatively close by here we see the hospital operates.
Of 30% of the staff capacity and and and to take.
Care of of more over 100 patients European gas hospital which was.
50 days out of services just.
Started where again with partial.
Services restored emergency and surgical and.
Inpatient Nasser Hospital, also relatively close to the so-called evacuation zone there.
With Nasser, we also.
Focused on non communicable diseases and WEHL.
Managed to reach the hospital.
With medication for cancer patients.
Right, hemodialysis, disposables and medications and and we make an.
Assessment for other supplies.
Which is needed last.
Point I want to raise and the support.
Related to diseases.
Overall.
And and and we've seen and and it is.
Difficult this whole public health intelligence.
Force has been Hanford in an in a big way.
And.
[Other language spoken]
Again, this is under reported more than a million.
Cases of acute respiratory infections.
Over 600,000 cases of diarrheal diseases which is a 25 fold what it normally.
[Other language spoken]
[Other language spoken]
One of the 5000 cases of scabias.
And and and 70,000.
Skin diseases and and over 100 to 5.
1000 what we call acute jaundice.
Syndrome, which is actually hepatitis A.
All of this of.
Course meant a lot of this is related to the to the absolutely.
[Other language spoken]
Water and sanitation conditions throughout.
Gaza and and specifically in all these makeshift shelters which you can see.
All the way from from.
[Other language spoken]
Specifically in the South, but.
Everywhere, also in the North.
Especially from Deraballah, Khan Yunus and all the way.
[Other language spoken]
It here over to you.
Thank you very much Doctor people Cohen and apologies for misplacing you through the Jerusalem when you are indeed actually in in Gaza.
So thank you for that.
Let me see if there are any questions in the room.
Doesn't seem to be the case.
[Other language spoken]
Over to you.
[Other language spoken]
[Other language spoken]
Thanks for taking my question.
I wonder with the.
[Other language spoken]
Campaign, obviously it's going to be very challenging.
Could.
[Other language spoken]
Kind of description of.
What ideally you would like a campaign like this to have?
[Other language spoken]
Interested in will you have?
All the communications equipment.
That you would normally have for a campaign like this, because I know that sometimes in Gaza, things that the humanitarian workers would normally have for communication has not been allowed in because it's viewed as.
[Other language spoken]
[Other language spoken]
Well, thank you very much.
[Other language spoken]
And I.
Think I've stated that also in other.
Time and in our discussions, it's not ideal.
[Other language spoken]
Would I say is this?
[Other language spoken]
We think we and then I'm taking the the the technical committee.
Here in Gaza, as the ministry.
Of health, WHO, UNICEF, ANRA and partners.
Yeah, we think if, if, if things are in place, it is it is feasible.
Yeah, but as you rightly said, everything.
Has to be in.
Place so the we talk about this three.
[Other language spoken]
Over the week, all of of of of humanitarian polls we talk about we will definitely.
And that's absolutely has to happen and.
Every day.
And I think the polio campaigns and and and and we.
Got some other polio experts in as well from other.
Places to to assist and.
This is done very well on the polio campaign.
Every day an analysis.
Is made and later the evening you.
People will analysis and say, hey, how do we?
Do we have to readjust and refocus?
Campaign, and it is the campaign.
Because in ideal situation you would go house to house.
Fortunately, that's not feasible.
We all know right in Gaza, so that's why we work with those fixed points.
Etcetera and mobile teams.
So there's constant analysis like are the areas.
In one zone where kids are not reached, etcetera.
Mobile teams will reach out to.
These areas we have together, I think.
Your point is completely.
Right, we have to get.
To get the risk communication, the communication.
Completely clear.
That is a challenge.
There's of course a lot.
Of.
Agencies UNICEF, WHO, other agencies who have a lot of.
Experience with that and assisting the Ministry of Health in in getting this messages out then.
This is not just.
One thing I mean like in in in what happened of?
Course over over time.
Since since this crisis.
War over the last 11 months.
[Other language spoken]
[Other language spoken]
Disintegrated, as we all know.
And I described a.
Little bit of health.
Functionality and and it's not just the direct health services, hospitals, Primary Health care.
Community health etcetera, but of course it's also public health intelligence, it's surveillance and that these.
[Other language spoken]
Public health programmes.
So WHO is assisting the ministry?
Of health to strengthen surveillance that was one of the.
Reasons after the environmental samples we well.
Through strengthened surveillance, there's three suspected cases of which.
One was confirmed with polio and that is ongoing, but also I think.
And that is?
With all parts, with health workers, with the Ministry of Health, UNICEF, WHO and all parts, we are trying as good as possible to.
Strengthen routine immunisation.
As well, I mean and that is a continuous.
Feat and and this.
Maybe is also.
It's very.
Important because in Gaza and, and I would say also the West Bank.
Routine immunisation was very well.
Is very well received parents.
Parents are very eager to bring their children for vaccination.
And and.
And over the over the last years, vaccination coverage was as.
**** as 95% Ninety.
[Other language spoken]
Percent or something like that.
But really ****, actually much higher, relatively higher than many countries, neighbouring countries and even a lot of **** income countries struggle to have this kind of of of coverage.
So we do the communication.
Well, there is.
Definitely a a a needs and and and we hope to address it as good as possible.
But all pieces of this puzzle which I now just described, they have to fall.
In and they have to work together and and again, if we if we analyse that after day one, we are missing too many kits in a certain in a certain zone.
We will have to readjust.
And find other.
Ways Should we send more mobile teams?
Should we do differently?
After three days, if you see hey.
Coverage is too low.
We, we will, we will ask and and we have agreed.
For additional days besides that etcetera, of course, the vaccines.
We will keep the vaccine.
Longer in Gaza and then make sure that even after that at health facilities people case can still be.
Vaccinated, but the issue with this kind of campaigns you you you get a.
Shot and you want to.
Do it as good as possible and you want to get as close as possible.
To that 90%.
Well, actually you want to get more than 90.
[Other language spoken]
That's what the issue is.
Over to you.
Thank you very much.
We have a a few more questions for you first jury, then Paula and then Nick.
But over to you jury first.
Yes, Thank you, Rick and thank you Jens for.
Taking my questions, I have two questions.
The first one is.
Where the three day breaks.
In the fighting in these.
Three parts of Gaza.
Directly negotiated.
[Other language spoken]
With Hamas and.
[Other language spoken]
And secondly, will you stop the vaccination campaign if the agreement is not respected by the parties and the bombing resumes and the fighting scoop?
[Other language spoken]
[Other language spoken]
[Other language spoken]
[Other language spoken]
Like what's this?
Based on, on, on negotiations etcetera, Yeah, I think.
For first of.
All I think that.
What I said the technical.
Committee here in Gaza, Ministry of Health, WHO, UNICEF parts are planning for this.
Yeah, so and they've.
Planned for this now.
For for four.
[Other language spoken]
Actually since since the the the this environmental sample was positive, since we have a confirmed case, etcetera.
And ongoing, yeah, there there has been of course discussion, negotiations with Israeli.
Authority, Colgate, etcetera, and that is?
The agreements we have this.
Three days per zone.
And when needed, when needed.
And that's based on our assessment and analysis.
We had a day and within our three.
Days it's a combinations from.
Static I mean the the fixed.
Points We want people to get to their as close.
To.
I mean to the point which is as close to them as as possible.
But of course, we have mobile teams with with with move out.
Your second point was I.
Don't want to I think get into that.
[Other language spoken]
[Other language spoken]
[Other language spoken]
I understand you know when something is happening, but first we have disagreement.
And I expect all the parties to stick to disagreements.
[Other language spoken]
I don't want to get into that kind of.
[Other language spoken]
[Other language spoken]
[Other language spoken]
We, we are, we are here that the the teams are ready to move forwards.
And and and we expect that this will happen.
In the best possible way possible.
[Other language spoken]
I just want to stress that.
Not ideal but I think we with all the parties, we agreed this is a way forward and we will do our level best to reach 90.
[Other language spoken]
Over to you.
Thank you very much.
Then to Paula and Nick after that and then I think we are going to wrap it up.
Thank you, Paula, over to you.
Yes, thank you very much for taking my question.
Actually, it's just a little clarification regarding the three days, Are they 3 consecutive days or will they be spread out over next week?
Could you clarify that please?
No, they are so three days per zone, consecutive zone.
So we start in the central zone when need, as we add today.
Depending on that then.
[Other language spoken]
To the southern zone, so the timing of the campaign.
So the campaign will take.
Place between 6:00 and 2:00.
[Other language spoken]
And and and so we.
[Other language spoken]
We focus on that.
[Other language spoken]
When needed, we add a day and then we.
[Other language spoken]
To the other.
Zone to the southern zone.
And then to the northern.
Zone, then four weeks pass, approximately 4 weeks pass and then we do the second round of campaigns.
Thank you, Nick, over to you.
[Other language spoken]
[Other language spoken]
Rick, in relation to the second phase, is that going to be done in the same way?
[Other language spoken]
At the same sort of areas or is there a?
Completely different game plan for.
That and secondly, perhaps after you've addressed all the questions about the polio campaign, could you just give us an update on the state?
Of the hospitals in the West Bank.
At the moment.
[Other language spoken]
[Other language spoken]
I think your first question is a very good.
[Other language spoken]
And I think it's, I think.
1st, we will learn many lessons from from from from the coming campaign and, and, and we will, of course.
Based on this lesson.
We, if needed, we will adapt and refocus.
For the next campaign.
In principle, we expect it will be a similar approach.
[Other language spoken]
[Other language spoken]
Plus one day approach etcetera, what I mean what we hope of.
[Other language spoken]
Lot can happen over the next 4 weeks and.
Personally, I really would hope there are.
There will be a ceasefire.
[Other language spoken]
[Other language spoken]
I mean like, which will change of course, the approach to this campaign again, but in principle you want to do it with the same intensity.
[Other language spoken]
And and wherever you go, you want to go for at least because.
I said it's not ideal, at least the three plus one day and.
On your on your question on the on on, on the West Bank, I've saw information.
On that I think.
We and.
I think that's already.
Been shared, of course.
Gravely concerning and and and in.
Directly or indirectly, then when it comes to.
[Other language spoken]
And that's what I want to.
[Other language spoken]
On I think other agencies have to focus on other the other areas that.
[Other language spoken]
As well, I mean movement of ambulances health workers were trying to reach.
Injured and and engineering or to Karam and to Bos governors etcetera was impeded.
[Other language spoken]
And and and and that's of course an issue.
[Other language spoken]
Raise this.
[Other language spoken]
Again unimpeded.
Accessibility of facilities is is is is.
Crucial for reaching and receiving care.
But also to deliver.
Health aide etcetera and and, and so we, we we call on the.
Infrastructure, ambulances, health workers around.
Hospitals, health facilities to be to be protected.
I want to leave it there.
[Other language spoken]
Yeah, well, thank you very much, doctor, People Corn, if if with your permission, I will just give one last question to Satoko from Japanese press.
[Other language spoken]
[Other language spoken]
[Other language spoken]
[Other language spoken]
On the oral polio vaccine, how many?
Dose is needed per child.
Is that one dose or two doses?
[Other language spoken]
[Other language spoken]
It is the novel polio vaccine.
It's an and you need 2 drops.
Per per child and and again.
[Other language spoken]
In the.
First campaign and then also in the in the.
In the in the.
In the second campaign.
Then four weeks after, another.
Dose another 2 drops.
So it's a novel or oral polio vaccine and OPV and it's being used.
To to stop this transmission.
Of this variant.
Poliovirus type 2 and and.
It's currently the most prevalent form of this so-called.
[Other language spoken]
Poliovirus and I think that maybe.
We saw some, some, we always have something in social media, etcetera.
And I want to stress again that NOP.
[Other language spoken]
Effective and offers protection against parallel paralysis and community.
[Other language spoken]
It's a it's AD vaccine globally.
Recommended for these variance type.
[Other language spoken]
Polio outbreaks and the type that has been found.
In the recent samples from.
Gaza and and since the.
Role of of this so-called novel.
OPV virus type 2 in March 2020.
One more than 1.2 billion.
Doses of this vaccine.
Have been used to protect children in over 40 countries against this type 2 variant poliovirus.
Over to you.
Thank you so much, Doctor Piber Kwan for this very important briefing.
We will let you go back to it now and I think we'll all wish you really all the best in the days and weeks to come with this important campaign.
So thank you very much for that and for the journalists and for the journalists here.
We do have Margaret, of course, available.
And if you have more questions and follow-ups, I suggest that you take it up with her.
After the briefing, we will now turn to Office of the **** Commissioner for Human Rights.
And I will let Robina introduce her guest today over to you.
[Other language spoken]
Good morning, everyone.
Just wanted to give you an update on the the spokesperson's team at UN Human Rights Marta.
Hurtado has left us to.
[Other language spoken]
To to take on a role there.
And Saif Magango, who was our narrow B based spokesperson will now be.
Based in Geneva.
So he's here to brief you today on Libya Safe.
Over to you.
Yeah, a new a new report we're issuing jointly with the UN Support Mission in Libya.
Onsmail warns that the continued lack of accountability and years of impunity enjoyed by those behind the human rights violations and abuses committed in the Libyan city of Tarhana risks fuelling instability and division in the country.
The report details how the Alkadiyat and armed element, which emerged in 2011 and exercise brutal control over Tarhuna, a city of 150,000 people 90 kilometres southeast of Tripoli, carried out gross human rights violations and abuses, including killings, disappearances, sexual violence, abductions, torture and I'll treatment and forced displacement between the years 2013 and 2022.
He decries the failure to deliver justice, which has in some instances led to renewed violence and repeated violations, fomenting farther farther grievances in Tarhuna and surrounding areas.
[Other language spoken]
Integration into the former Government of National Accord and later the Libyan National Army says the report has been a significant barrier to accountability and justice.
Commenting on the report, our Commissioner Volcker Tarc said years have passed since these terrible violations were committed, but the perpetrators have still not been brought to justice, nor have truth, justice and reparations been delivered to victims and their families.
The impunity must end.
There must be accountability in accordance with international due process and fair trial standards.
End of court.
For his part, acting Head of the UN Support Mission in Libya and Deputy Secretary Deputy Special Representative for Political Affairs Stephanie Curry said open court, leaving the root causes and drivers of conflict and dressed will only serve to keep for fuelling toxic cycles of violence and revenge within communities.
The report, which complements and builds on the 2022 findings of the Independent Fact Finding Mission on Libya, recommends a comprehensive transitional justice and reconciliation process with meaningful truth seeking measures and effective repressions for victims, including legal aid, mental health support and guarantees of non reputation, designed in consultation with those directly affected.
It also calls for robust accountability measures through investigations and prosecutions of alleged betrayers in line with international standards.
The 2022 Fact Finding Mission For background, the report detailed evidence of atrocities committed in Tarhuna, including through the discovery of mass graves containing hundreds of human remains, most of them handcuffed, blindfolded and bearing signs of torture.
The report The report also warned of the possibility that there could be up to 100 more such mass barrier sites.
[Other language spoken]
Thank you very much, Seifa.
Let me welcome you to the spokesperson group here in Geneva and to this press briefing room.
I hope to see you often.
Let me see if there are any questions in the room online to Libya.
That doesn't seem to be the oh, sorry, please go ahead.
It's not going to be on.
Maybe it's going to be on West Bank.
OK, I think we will just grab up with the briefings from from, from the human rights and then we can go back to the to the West Bank.
So over to you, Ravina on Bangladesh.
Thanks Yens on Bangladesh.
You received a press briefing.
[Other language spoken]
Earlier this morning.
So this is just an.
Update on the work of our advanced team that was deployed to Dhaka last week from the.
22nd to the 20.
9th of August they met with student.
Leaders of the recent protests.
Many of whom have been.
Detained or injured in recent weeks, as well as a wide range of advisors in the interim.
Government.
The Chief Justice.
Senior officers of the police.
And armed forces lawyers.
Journalists, human rights defenders, representatives of political.
Parties as well as minority.
And Indigenous communities.
The team discussed.
Areas in which our office.
[Other language spoken]
The interim government.
And the people of Bangladesh, including on issues.
[Other language spoken]
The need for truth, Justice.
Healing, reparation and reconciliation.
And other human rights.
Approaches to the reform process.
The **** Commissioner has also received an official invitation from the Chief Advisor, Muhammad Yunus, to conduct an impartial and independent fact finding.
Mission into human rights violations.
Committed from the 1st of July to the 15th of August, the Office will deploy this fact finding mission to Bangladesh in the coming weeks.
With a view to reporting.
On the violations and abuses perpetrated during the protests, analysing the root causes and making recommendations to advance justice and accountability.
[Other language spoken]
[Other language spoken]
Commitments from the interim.
Government and security forces for.
Full cooperation in our work.
On this, the **** Commissioner also warmly welcomes the announcement of Bangladesh's accession to the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance and the establishment of A5 Member National Commission of Inquiry to determine the whereabouts of.
Individuals who were forcibly displaced.
Allegedly by law enforcement agencies, it is.
Particularly symbolic that this announcement.
Comes as we mark the International Day on Enforced Disappearances.
The issue.
Of enforced disappearances has a long and very painful.
History in Bangladesh, on which we have robustly.
Advocated over the years and we.
Stand ready to support.
The Commission in its work, which should be, of course.
Done in close consultation with victims.
And their families and in line with international human rights standards, the UN human rights.
Office looks forward to supporting.
The interim.
Government and the people of Bangladesh at this pivotal moment to revitalise democracy, to seek.
Accountability and.
Reconciliation and to advance human.
Rights.
For all the people in Bangladesh.
[Other language spoken]
Let me see if any questions on Bangladesh in the room or online doesn't seem to be the case.
So if there's a question for human rights, back to you.
[Other language spoken]
[Other language spoken]
[Other language spoken]
About the recent raids in the West West.
Bank and first of all, what would the UN.
Human rights office say about those raids and such.
Raising the tension and possible spillage of the conflict, but also I would like to know how would you evaluate Israeli minister's call to displace people?
[Other language spoken]
In Gaza, more than many times.
[Other language spoken]
Thanks for your question on the West Bank.
We are extremely concerned about the situation.
In fact, what we have said is that this.
Is a catastrophic situation already.
And there's a risk that.
It is being further deepened.
As you know, there's long standing impunity in the West.
[Other language spoken]
That have been committed against Palestinians, there's been settler.
Violence.
There has been violence by Israeli security forces as well.
There have.
Been hundreds of arbitrary detentions of Palestinians as well and when these violations occur, unfortunately there are.
There's a real dearth.
Of investigations and really very little accountability and justice.
For the victims of these.
[Other language spoken]
What that does is it.
Creates a climate of impunity.
[Other language spoken]
Where settlers, for example extreme.
[Other language spoken]
Are able to carry out violations with complete impunity it.
Encourages them to carry out further.
Violations we've seen since the 7th of October as well the arming.
Of some settlers.
So the situation was already very, very.
Volatile and what we've seen in the past few.
Days is is a real.
Deepening of this.
This, as we said, catastrophic.
Situation we've seen.
[Other language spoken]
[Other language spoken]
We've also seen damage to infrastructure, essential infrastructure.
Including water supplies.
Of the communities that reside there, we are, of course reminding Israel yet again that as the occupying power, it must abide by its obligations under international.
Law, Israeli security forces, use of air strikes and other military.
Weapons and tactics violates human rights norms and standards applicable to such law enforcement operations and any unlawful killings must be thoroughly independently investigated and those responsible must be held to account.
On these statements that have been made by by some officials that may amount to incitement to commit human rights violations, we roundly condemn these statements.
This can only serve to escalate an already very dire situation.
[Other language spoken]
We have Robin from AFP who raised his hand.
So, Robin, over to you for your question.
Thanks very much.
[Other language spoken]
Just to ask if you have any reaction to the news from Hong Kong yesterday at.
The pro democracy.
[Other language spoken]
Stands news and it's.
[Other language spoken]
Former chief editors being found guilty of sedition.
[Other language spoken]
[Other language spoken]
Robin, yes, we have of course been following the the trial of these two journalists.
And we regret the decision.
By the Hong Kong court to convict them on sedition related charges and the.
UN Human Rights Committee Which?
Overseas implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and.
Political rights the the ICCPR had already raised concerns.
Two years ago, in August 2022, about a number of.
Academics, journalists, civil society actors who have been.
Arrested and charged with seditious offences, We understand.
That there is an appeal.
Right now, that's open to the defendants in this.
[Other language spoken]
And we call on the.
Authorities.
To review closely this court.
Decision in line with.
Hong Kong SA Rs obligations under international human rights law.
[Other language spoken]
I'm just looking at the room and online.
If there are other questions to you on these topics, it doesn't seem to be the case.
So Ravina say thank you very much for being with us today.
We'll now turn to to Yemen and we should have Misa Khalaf, who is UNHCR spokesperson in Yemen online where we will hear about the needs that needs are growing for millions of displaced people as we see catastrophic, catastrophic flooding and a prolonged humanitarian emergency in Yemen.
[Other language spoken]
Good morning, everyone.
[Other language spoken]
I'm dialling in from Yemen where UNACR.
The UN refugee agency.
Is warning of the worsening conditions for millions of displaced Yemenis.
As the country's prolonged crisis deepens, this is.
Based on our latest assessment, our Internally Displaced Persons Protection Monitoring update issued this week paints A grim picture of realities faced by Yemen's displaced.
And host communities the data collected from over.
47,000 households in the first half of 2024 reveals the immense struggles of internally displaced people, returnees, and members of the host communities.
Many of these families reside in formal and informal IDP sites, highlighting the ongoing nature of the displacement crisis.
Out of the spotlight.
We see the situation.
Deteriorating, the report reveals that.
[Other language spoken]
Percent of these families are unable.
To meet their daily food needs, many have resorted to extreme coping.
[Other language spoken]
[Other language spoken]
[Other language spoken]
These.
Figures represent the harsh.
Reality that entire families face.
Hunger every day yet?
Another critical, often overlooked issue.
Is the widespread lack.
Of civil documentation among displaced families, over 51% of the families surveyed have at least one child without a birth certificate, and 70% have families members without national identity cards.
Without these crucial documents, families are essentially cut off from accessing essential services like education and their fundamental.
Rights.
This exasperates their vulnerability and hinders their ability to rebuild their lives.
Despite ongoing efforts to improve living conditions, the majority of displaced families do not feel safe returning home due to persistent instability, a lack of livelihood opportunities, and dangers like landmines.
This traps.
Them in a cycle of.
Protracted.
Displacement Yemen, which is 1 of.
One one of the.
World's worst humanitarian crises faces extreme challenges even as global attention shifts.
[Other language spoken]
Currently, 18.2 million people in the country, including 4.5 million displaced, are in urgent need of humanitarian aid.
This includes more than.
60,000 refugees and asylum seekers.
Primarily from Somalia and Ethiopia.
More systematic and sustained global.
[Other language spoken]
Urgently needed for countries like Yemen, one of the world's most climate vulnerable countries, Yemen is among the least prepared to mitigate.
Or adapt to the.
Impacts of extreme weather conditions and disasters fueled by climate change, which are becoming more frequent.
The recent catastrophic flooding in Manhunt district of Mahaweed Governorate caused by heavy rains and bursting of three.
DAMS has devastated entire communities.
Over the past month, floods have claimed 97 lives, injured more and many, many.
[Other language spoken]
Displaced over 1000 families and.
Affected over 56,000.
Family homes across 20 governors.
The hardest hit areas include Al Hudeida, Hajja, Al Tawila and Matreb.
Impassable roads are isolating affected areas and hampering rescue efforts.
This disaster, layered on top of Yemen's ongoing crisis, has compounded the suffering of millions.
[Other language spoken]
Infrastructure has been obliterated, shelters washed away and farmland submerged, unexploded ordnance unearthed by the floods.
Poses additional threats to civilians and.
Humanitarian workers as the lead agency for protection.
Shelter non food items.
And camp coordination UNHR is working with local partners and authorities to provide.
Urgent assistance.
We are ramping up cash assistance, a critical lifeline for the most vulnerable.
This includes multi purpose cash to cover essential needs, respond to immediate crises, obtain documentation, and repair damage shelters.
UNITR is also advancing longer term solutions.
Including home rehabilitation for IDP.
Returnees upgrading host community facilities like schools and healthcare centres and initiative to foster social cohesion.
However, the available resources are insufficient to meet critical humanitarian needs.
As of July, Unhcr's country appeal was just.
[Other language spoken]
Leaving critical areas like protection and shelter severely underfunded, UNHCR appeals to the international community to strengthen its support and.
Solidarity with the people.
Of Yemen The world cannot afford to overlook Yemen's crisis any longer.
Sustained and coordinated support is crucial this moment as millions of lives.
[Other language spoken]
[Other language spoken]
Thank you so much for our colleague in Yemen.
Let me see if there are any questions on that.
[Other language spoken]
Coming, Bruce.
[Other language spoken]
[Other language spoken]
Sorry, could you just recap how many?
What is the displaced population?
In Yemen at this point and how many of.
Major IDP centres do you do you have and secondly, what kind of support is being facilitated by?
Authorities and so now we've heard of arrests and detentions of UN and staff and other international organisation.
[Other language spoken]
Of that is an.
Obstacle to your attempts to.
[Other language spoken]
International support for this appeal.
[Other language spoken]
[Other language spoken]
[Other language spoken]
Yes, there's.
4.5 million people who remain.
[Other language spoken]
I mean the.
Conflict has almost entered its.
[Other language spoken]
We have nearly between the informal and formal IDP sites roughly around 2300.
They're.
Scattered.
All over the country from.
East, West, north-south for the IDP population.
Now we're we're we're working with the local.
Authorities these are.
More in the governor levels and especially in these kind of emergencies, they are the first responders, whether they're the Yemeni Red Crescent.
Society or the authorities just to be able to.
[Other language spoken]
To be able to reach the.
People and.
Because roads have been completely.
[Other language spoken]
[Other language spoken]
[Other language spoken]
So with the current situation, I mean, the most important is the security of our, of our humanitarian workers and our local partners who are the ones.
That are essentially.
On the ground as first responders.
[Other language spoken]
With our partners, national partners and our teams.
We have offices.
[Other language spoken]
Madrid to Adin and.
Hodeidah being able to reach these populations.
[Other language spoken]
And, and Nick, if I can just remind you of the of the statement of the spokesperson of the Secretary General that was issued on the 19th of August relating to these detentions in which the Secretary General said that he remains deeply concerned about the well-being of UN personnel and others who are arbitrarily detained by the Houthis.
And he said they must be treated with full respect for their human rights and that they must be able to contact their families and legal representatives.
Just wanted to add that.
Let me see if there are any other questions on this doesn't seem to be the case.
So thank you very much to Mr Khalaf from UNHCR in Yemen for your briefing.
[Other language spoken]
All right, I will now put my Ocha hat on.
I have a short announcement from from our side that I will read out to you.
the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund, which is managed by Orchard, today released $100 million to support the response in 10 underfunded humanitarian crisis in Africa, the Americas, Asia and the Middle East.
More than 1/3 of this new funding will support aid operations in Yemen with $20 million and Ethiopia with $15 million.
These are countries where people, as we've just heard, are grappling with the impact of hunger, displacement, diseases and climate disasters.
Other countries including included in the allocation are Myanmar, Mali, Burkina Faso, Haiti, Cameroon, Mozambique, Burundi and Malawi.
You have a press release where you can see the exact amounts that have been allocated to these countries.
This allocation follow the follows the release of another 100 million in February to support seven countries also with underfunded emergencies.
However, this combined 200 million this year is less than each of the previous two years and there is a growing gap between the humanitarian needs and the funding that the emergency fund has to address these needs.
Releasing the 100 million today, our acting on the Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Joyce Muzuya said that it is heart wrenching that lack of funding prevents aid agencies from reaching people who need life saving assistance.
She added that money from the Central Emergency Response Fund is a cash injection of last resort and that we urgently need increased and sustained donor attention to the world's underfunded crisis.
Let me see if there are any questions to that I do not see online.
So that wraps up what we had in terms of, of topics for today.
There are just a few additional announcements that I that I want to make.
And the first is tomorrow.
It is International Day for People of African Descent and this year it coincides with the closing of the International Decade for People of African Descent.
And there is a message from the Secretary General on that occasion that you should all have in your inboxes.
I'll just read read out a couple of points from him where he says that on the International Day for People of African Descent, which is tomorrow, we honour the immense and diverse contributions of people of African descent to the vast spectrum of human achievements and their tireless efforts to create a better world.
Building on the success of the last decade, I hope states will proclaim a second international decade for people of African descent to help to accelerate global efforts for true change.
You have the the the full the full statement or message from the secretary general in your inbox.
There is a trying to just find that there is a, a competition also that has been that has been organised by our human rights colleagues for, for a new logo for, for this day.
And I just want to mention that the, the deadline for sending in proposals for, for a logo is tomorrow.
There are a few press conferences that are coming up from World Meteorological Organisation.
There is a press briefing at 2 PMA Hybrid One and that is today.
It's about the annual WMO Air Quality and Climate Bulletin.
It is with Lorenzo Labrador, I think I pronounced it correctly, who is scientific officer with WWN WMO.
And although you have the press conference this afternoon, it is embargoed until the 6th of September.
And as we heard at at the top of this briefing, ILO is launching their World Employment and Social Outlook report and there is a hybrid press briefing on the 4th of September at 10:30.
Finally on Friday of Friday, 6th, September, 9:15, another press briefing with the Human Rights Council, independent international fact finding mission for the Sudan and it is the the launch of the Sudan Fact finding Missions first investigative report that is Friday, 6th of September.
In terms of meetings, I just want to mention a couple.
Now that we know the Paralympics are ongoing, I want to mention that the Committee on the Rights of Person with Disabilities will close it's 30 first session at 3:00 PM on Thursday, the 5th of September and they will be issuing concluding observations of nine countries that have been reviewed during this session.
And finally, the Committee of the Rights of the Child is reviewing today the it's report of Mexico.
Let me hear if there are any questions about any of these announcements.
Doesn't seem to be the case.
Sorry jury, there is a question from you over to you Thanks Yu Yan, this is not really a question, this is just.
A small announcement that today we plan to have.
The Summer Party of Journalists in the UN at 1530.
[Other language spoken]
That we have a briefing with WHO that was announced.
Only this morning.
It's post noted to 18 this evening.
This is during the announcement thinking.
Thank you, Yuri, and we wish you a very happy party.
A bit later than originally scheduled, I believe.
So if there are no other questions, we will wrap it up for today.
Have a good afternoon.