OK, on this note, Uh, perhaps we can start our briefing.
I'd like to thank you for joining us here at
the UN office at Geneva for this press briefing today.
We have a change to the agenda.
We we are trying to connect with our colleague from U NDP
in in Gaza. Um, but we're not able to do so at the moment.
We'll we'll keep you updated on on that.
If should we be able to connect, we'll we'll go straight to her.
Uh, that's Miss Noguchi, Uh, the deputy special representative of U NDP.
We also have another change of
peppercorn, who, you know well from WHO
was also is also in Gaza, but not able to connect. Uh, unfortunately,
So our agenda has shifted a little bit. Maybe, um
and I will introduce uh, Ms Bauer in a moment.
We're very pleased to have you here with us,
but perhaps first we'll start off with Alejandro.
Who you know well from UN EP who has an announcement for us.
And then we'll go over to Ms Bauer. Alejandro,
Thank you very much, Rolando.
Good morning, dear colleagues ahead of the UN Climate Corp in Azerbaijan. In Baku,
the UN Environment programme UNIP is about to launch as it does every year
the emissions gap report.
Now this is the 15th emissions Gap report that we're going to launch.
an overview, a yearly overview
the gap between the emissions, the global emissions
and where those emissions would need to be
a limit to global warming to the increase
in global warming compared to pre industrial times
In other words, it offers
an overview of the gap between the ambition of the Paris Agreement on climate Change
and the nationally determined contributions of different countries.
Now each edition also explores ways to bridge that gap, and
I should also mention that this year is special because we
have a very good opportunity to see the ambition rise.
We've got a new set of nationally determined contributions that
are going to be presented at the next cop,
the one in Brazil in the cop 30.
I don't know if you remember that the
last emissions Gap report had a very interesting title
and a rather playful but sad one.
Broken record Temperatures hit new highs, yet World fails to cut emissions
What do you think the new report is going to look like?
Do you think it's going to be very different to what we had last year?
What temperature do you think we're heading to now?
What do the current commitments look like?
What temperature are we heading to?
Even if countries do meet their commitments,
their nationally determined contributions
well, the answers to all these questions will very soon be available to you.
We're going to launch the report officially on Thursday. I will send you an email
with the details for an online conference
where you will be able to watch our executive director, INGRI. Anderson,
as well as the head of the publication.
But if you are really interested,
there will be an embargo technical briefing tomorrow.
I will also share the details online,
And if you want to receive embargoed press materials, feel free to reach out to me.
You have my email, but it's Laguna at Un.org.
Thank you very much and have a good rest of the week.
No, I think you it was very clear that we look forward to that, Uh,
those emails on Thursday and for the briefing tomorrow to register
Alejandro. Thank you. Once again.
OK, on this note, we shift gears. Oh, wait a minute. I'm sorry. Um,
pardon me, but before you leave Alejandro,
we have I think claire wanted to add something or is I'm not sure who Veronique is.
If you can identify yourself. Veronique. Is she a
Um, let's maybe I think Claire from WMO wanted to add something on this note, please.
Yes. Sorry. Sorry. Sorry to butt in like this.
Uh, it's It's not It's not a It's not a question. But it's also just to
uh, following on from the emissions gap report,
uh, the World Meteorological Organisation will be releasing its
greenhouse gas bulletin on Monday,
the 28th of October press conference at the Palais.
concentrations of greenhouse gases that stay in the atmosphere.
So it's not the, you know, the net emissions.
It's what is up what stays up there after
greenhouse gases have been absorbed by the oceans.
by the biosphere, et cetera. Um,
we will send out information on that,
Um, but it, you know, very much complements the emissions gap report.
And it is part of the package of information which is sent to the, um, to the climate.
The climate change conference.
That's most helpful. Thank you very much, Claire, for that additional note. Um,
OK, I see our guest. I'm not sure if Veronique Willie is muted, but, um
is, um Veronique Willie, are you a journalist?
And could you introduce yourself, please? Hi, Romana,
it's me. I'm sorry. I'm using my vibes.
Yes. Um, my question was, uh,
to the UN EP spokesperson The briefing on Thursday. Will
the Geneva Press be able to ask questions online or just to follow the Webcast?
Thank you, John. Uh, I believe you will be able to ask questions online,
but I will. I will actually double check and get back to you.
Great. Thanks very much. Alejandro. Once again,
and good luck with this launch this week.
Now we turn to Ms Florence B,
who is a UN FP, a regional director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia,
who is here to speak about
Ukraine so over to you, and nice to have you here with us.
Thank you so much for the invitation. Great opportunity to be here with you today.
So today I'm going to speak about an aspect of the war in Ukraine
that is often overshadowed by the massive
humanitarian crisis and by the political repercussion.
And that's the demographic impact that the war is having on Ukraine.
And I want to start by reminding us that even before the escalation of the war,
Ukraine was facing the significant demographic challenges the
country had one of Europe's lowest birth rates.
It has a large number of people had already
left the countries to look after all the opportunities,
the population was getting older and the total population was going down.
a situation that is not typical in Eastern Europe,
as many countries are going through similar kind of demographic trends.
But with Russia's full scale invasion that started in
2022 the situation goes significantly got significantly worse.
The birth rate plummeted and is currently at around one child per woman,
which is one of the lowest in the world.
At the same time, we have millions of people who have been displaced.
We know that we have internally displaced people and we
have 6.7 million that are externally displaced as refugees.
Some regions have been mostly depopulated,
with young people leaving this region and some old people staying,
and a significant number of people have died
due to the conflict and of the war.
what we can see is that the Ukraine population has declined
by over 10 million since the beginning of the war.
It also represents a massive loss of human capital that, as we know,
is so key for the recovery and for building Ukraine's future.
the government, with our support,
the government of Ukraine has developed and recently adopted
a national demographic strategies to address these challenges.
It's a strategy that takes into account experiences from other countries that
have been narrowly focusing on increasing birth rates and that have failed
and instead it is looking into a comprehensive
approach and putting human capital at the centre.
It also recognises that the solutions need
to address broader socio economic factors,
including access to caregiving, access to health, to education
and to create opportunities for young people and for families.
And it is based on some of the successful examples, like in Sweden,
where gender equality has been put at the
through prevental leave for fathers,
family friendly work arrangements and also kind
of flexible arrangements that make it easier
for women to be able to have Children and a career if they wish.
we can see that Ukraine had made already important
progress with the law in 2021 for example,
that has been promoting the shared care giving and the participation of fathers.
But of course, so much more needs to be done.
It would be essential to have a census as soon as the
security situation we allowed to do so because the last one was
It's also required to have thorough demographic analysis to go
more in depth and to understand how the demography is evolving
and Ukraine's path to demographic sustainability and
resilience will require comprehensive approaches that focus as
well on gender inclusivity and overcoming stereotypes
and fostering economic opportunities for all citizens.
also be key to creating environments for families and
individuals so that they can navigate those demographic trends
and, of course, above everything.
A lot hinges on whether peace will return to Ukraine.
a lot can be done to strengthen the human capital
of Ukraine so that the country can continue to build on
infant and be better prepared for the whole recovery process. Thank you so much.
I should just highlight that we did share with you yesterday remarks from
Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs
to the Security Council yesterday,
through which he addresses the civilian casualties. Extensive damage,
including the attacks over the weekend, ongoing hostilities, as just referred to.
And he also notes that next month will mark the 1000 days of this devastating war.
Those remarks of Mr Genta
were shared with you yesterday.
Uh, we have a question for you from
Yes. Thank you, Orlando. Good morning.
Good morning, Florence. I just wanted to ask if you can send your notes, uh, about
the topic that you present to us today,
uh, to all the journalists?
And colleagues in the room here will definitely take care of that as well. Um, yes.
Yeah. Uh, thank you for the briefing. Uh, I just wanted to double check.
You were saying that the population in Ukraine has declined by
10 million since February 2022 is that that was correct.
The data we have is, of course, to be taken with Koh
as well, because as we know, we don't have census and so on.
So the estimates that we have is decreased by 10 million
but we can give you an exact range of the number that we have.
You wanna follow up? Yeah, go ahead.
Because, I mean, we've seen, uh,
data before about a decline of 10 million since 22,001 1.
Is that possible? That that's it. Or is it, uh, closer to to 2022. Thanks.
Since the beginning of the war. So you would assume that it's longer? Yes.
It's probably the numbers that you have seen
I can Can I come back with you to you? With the exact number?
we'll get back to you with clarity on those figures.
OK, do we have further questions?
Yes, we have Lisa Schlein, a Voice of America online. Lisa?
OK. Uh, yes. Good morning.
Uh, I I'd like to pursue that a bit more, cause I'm I'm confused. The,
uh could you break it down a little more systematically? Uh, the loss of population
does it have to do with refugees leaving the CO, uh, the CO
with people actually being killed in the war itself?
Uh, the birth rate is something else that's been going on another time.
If you could be more specific about all of these because it's really
rather confusing. I mean, it's a startling figure,
and, uh, I I since you were talking about it happening, uh, since the start of the war,
I immediately thought, Well, it has to do with the killings and the refugees.
It's a combination of factors and again we have to
take into account that we don't have a census.
And it's important also to note that already before the war that something
that you see happening in many of the countries of Eastern Europe,
with young people leaving the country's ageing population
and slowing shrinking birth rates.
So what we have seen since
one in particular since the full scale escalation, is that the birth rate,
the fertility rate, is around one that's one of the lowest in the world,
so well below the 2.1 theoretical reproduction rate
and what we have also seen.
As you know, I have refugees, 6.7 million that are outside Ukraine
and we have a number of people who also move and go in and out. So that's
an additional complexity to that.
But of course, as you know,
we have many young people who are also looking for
other opportunities and going outside the countries within the countries.
We see whole villages where you basically have only
older people who don't want or cannot move,
young people has left the country
Of course, as we can imagine, because of the situation of the war,
families are not in a position to be able to create a family.
So it's a conjunction of factors.
And in addition to that, you have the casualties that, as you know,
it's difficult to have exact numbers of days.
But the estimate range around
tens of thousands of casualties, which, of course, add to the equation.
So it's a combination of factors that is putting
a lot of demographic pressure on Ukraine and jeopardising,
the human capital and weakening the human capital that is so
essential during the war And as soon as it will finish.
Thank you very much. Florence, we have another question from Reuters. Thomas.
Hi there. Can you hear me?
OK, great. Um, thanks very much. So I just really want to be quite clear.
So is that 10 million since February 22?
the other thing I wanted to ask is are these your estimates
or are they based or are you relaying estimates by Ukrainian authorities?
And if they're your estimates,
have you done similar for other countries in the region.
I mean, notably Russia, of course.
And actually the third thing I would ask is, um
uh with 6.7 million abroad,
do the neighbouring countries have do the countries where the refugees are
Do they have a role to play in addressing this demographic crisis? It would seem
on the face of it that they do.
Let me answer part of the question.
Initially, this is a number by the government on the reduction of the population.
So that's one point on your question on the refugees in the other countries.
Yes, we are ourselves and other UN agencies, by the way, and other actors,
we are playing a role also
in the other nearby countries.
I take one example that is Moldova,
where we are supporting the refugees through services on sexual reproductive
prevention of gender based violence,
but also providing opportunities to young people.
And this is of course, done along the nexus.
So there are, for example,
youth centres that have been established in Moldova with our support, where
in addition to being included in society
and having access to the different services,
have those additional services that will enable them
to develop skills and to continue
to develop the competency so that they can,
have the lives that they would like to have initially.
Where they are now taking a continuing example of Moldova, for example.
But also when they will go back to Ukraine. So
definitely a lot can be done and is being done and
has to continue to be done with the refugees in the
neighbouring countries so that investment in human capital will continue to
be made so that it eventually also pays back for Ukraine.
Thank you very, very much.
Ms. Bauer, I think that exhausts the questions
on Ukraine. So you wanted to add something? Yes. Please
just add on the question. I just ask clarification.
So the number is since the beginning of the full scale invasion.
so 10 million since beginning of full scale invasion.
It's a number from the government.
Ok, that's very good for that clarification. Thank you very once, Once again. And
please do feel free to join us any time. So thank you again.
we have now. I'm told that Miss Noguchi, uh, Chitose,
Noguchi, uh, the Deputy Special Representative of U NDP
is online. Uh, joining us from Gaza. The connection is not great.
Uh, ladies and gentlemen, so
I'm not sure how long we can keep her.
But Miss Noguchi, thank you very much for joining us from Gaza,
uh, over to you for some brief remarks, and then we'll take as many questions as we can
Thank you very much. Good morning, everybody.
Um, it's really a pleasure for me to be connected from Gaza. Um, I'm currently in Deri
which is in the middle area. Um, and which is where? Uh, many of the displaced persons
and many of the UN offices and non
government organisations are placed to provide services.
I'm going to turn off my camera because I think the connection is not so great.
Um, if it gets cut off again, that's understood. No problem. Thank you.
Please continue. I hope you can hear me. Well, yes, the audio is fine.
So if you can continue If you could continue. Yes.
So, um, this month we marked a full year of the war in Gaza. Um, and, um
uh, having been here a couple of times, Um, I think the human
catastrophe, um, is really unfolding daily.
Um, and at that level, that's surpassing anything in recent memory.
Um, leaving behind unprecedented numbers of casualties, uh,
widespread destruction, severe food insecurity and mass displacement.
uh, we also have crippling restrictions on aid delivery.
Um, and, uh, that has really, um, compounded the crisis. Um, exponentially.
We are today, uh, launching, uh, with es
an assessment. Uh, that has new data. Um, and, um, it's really highlighting
the fact that we have, um, a development emergency looming.
Um, and this is jeopardising the future for all Palestinians, not only in Gaza.
If we look at the economic figures, um, the economic losses are staggering.
By the end of 2024 the GDP of the state of Palestine
would have dropped from pre-war estimate of 20.2 billion
which is the equivalent of over 35% reduction.
Unemployment is skyrocketing. One in two people is jobless.
In Gaza, unemployment rate is reaching 80%.
Poverty is also exponentially rising. Uh, three out of four people live in poverty.
And in the state of Palestine, poverty is projected to rise to 74.3%
Sorry, uh, up from 38.8% at the end of 2023 which is affecting 4.1 million people.
Uh, which includes 2.6 million people who have newly, uh, become impoverished
if we use another poverty metric, uh,
which takes into account other dimensions such as freedom of movement,
um, and access to services.
Calculations indicate that the number of
people in Gaza living in multidimensional poverty
has risen to 97.9%. That's almost 100%.
The state of Palestine is experiencing unprecedented setback, uh,
in development, um, as measured by the human development index,
uh, indicating a loss of loss of almost 24 years of development gains.
And as you're aware, the human development in
this, um, is looking at, uh, very as
various aspects of of, um
of the, um, people's lives, uh,
which includes a long and healthy life knowledge as well as the standard of living.
are looking at figures, Um that are showing that, uh, the state of Palestine is, um,
unprecedented levels of of setbacks.
for Gaza reversing development by an estimated 70
years to the level equivalent to 1955.
If we look at just humanitarian assistance flows, um,
at a rate of 218 million per year, uh, for 10 years,
according to the assessment show that he mentioned aid alone can't
put Palestinian economy back on track to restore pre-war levels.
Um, and align with the Palestinian development goals.
The investments in development enabling multi sectoral recovery interventions,
at least in an equal amount or more annually, must be secured.
Recovery must be enabled to eventually support reconstruction
of destroyed capital and restoration of lost livelihoods.
Restrictions that are currently stifling the economy must be lifted,
such as the movement of restrictions on Palestinian workers,
as well as the withholding of clearance revenues due to the Palestinian Authority
to improving the business climate.
This would actually allow the private
sector to contribute to recovering reconstruction,
So the reliance on recovery and reconstruction should not be just on
OD a um that should be also
the private sector being recovering,
able to recover so that they can actually contribute to the process.
The conclusion from the assessment, um, is very important not just for Gaza,
but also for the Arab states region
as it's facing rising levels of war and crises.
Home to less than 6% of the world's population,
this region has witnessed 31% of global conflicts
and originated 10% of the world's refugees.
The call for SIM simultaneous attention
and investment in the dual tracks of immediate
humanitarian aid and development focused early recovery.
This applies to many other contexts in the Arab region. Today.
We as U NDP, are already working on similar assessments in Lebanon,
Syria as well as other places
in the region. Thank you.
Thank you very much. Miss Noguchi.
Uh, and, uh, please, uh, if you could share those notes with us,
it would be most helpful.
This this really helps, uh, put, uh, this horrific situation in in
Uh, we do have a couple of questions, and please do let us know if you need to leave.
you don't have much time.
But we have a question from, uh, Christian of the German News Agency in the room.
And then we have another one online
yes. We had similar reports in the last two weeks from
Ted and from ILO with, uh, similar but different figures.
And that leads me to two questions. Do these UN organisations not work together?
Is there a lot of duplication of analysis
or does this contribute something?
Uh, that has not been presented in the other reports. Thank you.
I'm so sorry. I was trying to unmute, but
Ok, thank you very much for your question.
With regards to the different, um,
assessments and reports that are coming out from different agencies.
Uh, we do coordinate. Um, and we do collaborate.
Um, as I mentioned at the beginning, um, the report, um,
the socio economic impact assess
report, uh, that we are doing and launching today, um,
is actually in partnership with es
Um, and, um, uh, to your question earlier, Um, uh, the the figures are being,
Um, and that is actually, um, online.
Uh, so that is shared, um, with you, Uh, so that you have the actual figures.
So in terms of the different numbers, Um, of course, Um,
we are making many assumptions when we do projections.
Um, so each report or assessment might have a different, um, triangulation of data.
Different methodology for data collection, different analysis.
but what we are always doing is to complement each other
in terms of the different information that is coming together,
For example, on the economy, on the unemployment on poverty rates,
our assessment, Um uh, in terms of the socio-economic impact assessment, um,
is actually looking at a multi
poverty index, which is a unique, um uh, measure.
Um, that, um, has been calculated and shared through this report.
Um, and of course, the HD I, um, is something that is not in other reports.
Um, so there are unique aspects to our report.
Uh, but as I mentioned, it's actually looking at different aspects and dimensions.
Um, and we are complement each other, um, which complement each other.
Um, in terms of the comprehensive analysis,
this actually does help us with our
interventions and prioritisation of our interventions.
Thank you, Ms Noguchi. OK, we have a few questions online. Uh, Jeremy, launch
of Radio France International.
Um, I think you mentioned the the the poverty level is, um,
could rise to 74% nearly 75%.
Uh, and then you mentioned Now the figure is 97% almost, uh, 97.9%.
Uh, if we consider multi, uh, like, multilevel of poverty, something like that.
Can you explain the difference between the two between the two?
What is the multidimensional poverty and the poverty that you
There's a 20% gap here, So I'd like to understand what is different,
yes. Um, thank you for that question. So, in terms of the figure, um, of 74%
that is looking at poverty levels from an economic angle.
Um, so it's really looking at income.
Poverty versus the multidimensional poverty index
is a much more comprehensive figure.
Um, that looks at, um, access to services, including health. education as well as,
um, uh, freedom of movement. Um, so there are many aspects that are,
um, incorporated into the multidimensional poverty index.
Um, and that is actually going to be available to you.
Um, so you'll be able to look at the specific dimensions,
differences in terms of the calculations and methodology for the calculations.
Thank you very much. OK. Gabriella Sotomayor of El processor
Hi. Hello. Thank you very much, Orlando. Thank you. Miss Noguchi.
I didn't get what What is the estimate or your Your, uh yeah, your estimate. When
you know, uh, like, uh, it was before the the war.
Um, in terms of the recovery, um, we have, um, uh estimated that if we look at, um
uh, the investments, um, going into Gaza?
Um, the humanitarian aid itself.
Um, we've calculated, um, or we we've done an assumption with $280 million per year.
Um, and then also, in addition to that, uh,
$290 million a year for investments in development.
Um, and if you if that continues, then it could go back to, uh,
pre war levels in 10 years.
However, that is based on many assumptions.
And as you'll see the report,
we have different scenarios of the restrictions being a
So, for example, if we don't have the access movement,
restrictions and materials going into Gaza to support
the early recovery and recovery and reconstruction,
uh, we also don't have the, um
the, uh, clearance revenues going to the Palestinian Authority.
Um, then those would actually affect the outcome of the trajectory of of recovery.
So, uh, the report actually details, um uh,
different scenarios and what it would take for
ASA to recover pre war levels.
But if you have any technical questions,
I'm sure my colleagues who are economists will be able
to answer them much more from a technical perspective.
Thanks for that offer. But I think it was quite clear those comments. So thank you.
We have one last question. John Zarak
think you may? I'll tell you what? If you have problems with your
connectivity, maybe you can pose a question
in the chat, but I think this way may need to be the last question.
Unless there are other questions in the room,
I remind you, we do have colleagues. Uh,
Tarik is here in the room, and, of course, colleagues online.
Should you have other questions? Um,
now? We can get you. Yes, John, please pose your question. Thanks.
uh, representative from, uh, EU NDP in Gaza.
in your report, you mentioned that, uh,
access to health are are people unable to access health increase from
So does that mean the other 70% of the population in Gaza having access
I was wondering if you have a no more up to date figure in your report,
310 medical staff had been detained
defence forces as of 30th of June. If you have an up to date figure,
how many are still in detention as of, uh, October? Thank you very much.
Thank you for those questions.
Um uh, in terms of the health, Uh uh,
workers and health facilities and access to health facilities.
Um, that is, um, probably best answered by our WHO colleagues.
Um, and, uh, they would have the latest figures as well as the health cluster.
Um, so perhaps I could refer to them,
um, in terms of, uh, specific questions related to health. Thank you.
Ok, thank you very much. Uh, Mr Noguchi and Tarik is in.
I don't know if you had anything to add, Tarik, if you wanted to.
Not really. Tarik is is nodding, and he will get back to you with these, uh, figures
in the course of the day. I'm sure.
Uh, M Noguchi. Thank you very, very much for for joining us.
Um and I know it's it's a bit of a
effort to connect from Gaza. So thank you and and stay safe.
And And please do join us any time. Thank you.
Thank you very much for this opportunity.
Ok, colleagues, Um we have, uh, now Tarik on another subject.
Um, who has a guest, uh, with, uh, him Who's going to join us here at the podium.
And then we will have one, announcement from Tomaso at
the end. If you want to come up as well, Tomaso, that would be fine.
Um, so we have Tarek, uh, with Miss Doctor Janet Diaz,
Who's going to speak about Marburg?
thank you very much? And apologies.
to join as it has been planned.
was in the meetings planning for the
last phase of the second round of Poly Vaccination campaign
And John I I will come back to you on a question of number of detained health workers.
I don't have it in front of me.
But we've been repeating for last year that
that the right to health is one of the human rights. And unfortunately,
people in Gaza have difficulties exercising that right, Because
only half of the hospitals are partially functional.
To get to hospital is very difficult.
difficult because of the infrastructure damage.
Ministry of Health has said that
1000 health workers have been killed,
which is a really irreparable loss for the health system in Gaza.
We do the best we can and we will keep updating you on that. But today we wanted to
tell you about something else. So
who is with us today? She's our
lead on clinical management,
and she has just returned from Rwanda. Maybe you have been following.
went to Rwanda this weekend
to see the progress in the response to the current Marburg
Dr Diaz was with him and will tell us more on the situation in Rwanda
with specific focus on the clinical management of
also works on other diseases. So,
Ox and you will probably remember that she also worked on
long covid so she may answer those questions as well.
But let's focus on my work first. Look at
Good morning, colleagues.
And and thanks for having me, uh, here today, Um, as, uh, Tare already, uh,
described I lead the clinical management work here
in the health Emergencies Programme at WHO.
And I, um, was part of the search team that first went to, uh,
Kigali to support the Ministry of Health in our country office.
few days after the outbreak was declared, um and, uh, I returned this past weekend,
Uh, with the honour of accompanying Doctor Tedros, our director general,
on his high level mission
as of the 21st of October in the current Marburg outbreak in Rwanda,
there are a total of 62 cases and 15 deaths.
One patient is still in treatment but recovering well.
And there are two critically ill patients that have recovered from Marburg but, uh,
are still recovering from their critical illness.
the majority of cases are in health workers
infected during the two amplification events at the hospital
uh, cases or deaths in the past seven days.
to echo what the DG said, um uh, doctor Tedros words over the weekend
it is really a commending commending the
strong leadership of the government of Rwanda
that enabled them to make rapid decisions and take actions,
uh, and establish a multisectoral response to this Marburg outbreak
specific to case management, which is what I wanna focus on.
A pathway for early recognition of cases was developed
early diagnostic testing with rapid turnaround of
results as well as the establishment of a
treatment centre that was safe to work
in and that could provide quality clinical care
and that includes critical care services as well as mental health services.
Soon after the outbreak started,
the ministry led response decided to establish a
centralised treatment centre at the Bajo International Hospital
and two centres that would manage suspects.
That means patients who were symptomatic suspected
from Marburg by you not yet confirmed
The suspect centres could isolate patients safely, uh,
start early treatments and also conduct rapid testing.
The treatment centre itself is able to care for up to 50 patients,
uh and has dedicated staff that are working there.
There's almost over 100 and 50 staff, including general doctors,
specialists such as ID physicians, internal medicine physicians, IC, U,
emergency physicians, as well as nursing staff and general nursing,
as well as intensive care nursing.
The site also has infection prevention and control professionals,
as well as teams that are dedicated to waste management, cleaning,
disinfection and decontamination, which is really important when managing
an Ebola or Marburg uh, phyo
virus treatment uh, centre.
A survivor programme is also in place.
I want to take a moment here to acknowledge
the wonderful collaboration between WHO and its Gorn partners
that have been integrated into the national case management
pillar Under the leadership of the Ministry of Health,
the WHO experts brought high level
expertise with infectious disease intensive care,
specially specialists as well as health logistics from previous outbreaks,
and have been working side by side with the local teams within
the treatment centre to ensure collectively as one team that we are providing
safe care for patients and the best quality care as well.
I want to talk about the two IC
U patients which received invasive mechanical ventilation.
These patients were extubated late last week and that, I think,
is something that was discussed by the minister of Health
and the DG at the press conference over the weekend.
that, uh, this did receive a lot of attention because it's a little bit
more, um, advanced treatment that we have been doing in previous phyo
virus outbreaks on the continent.
But let's not forget that one of the major interventions for
Philo Virus case management has been optimising supportive care,
and that piece of work has been going on for a decade
with partners such as Alima, MS, F and in other, um, partners within, uh,
the countries had outbreaks.
So we've been working to optimise care.
And an example of that has been the Alima Cube that was used in the most recent phyo
virus outbreak responses,
where we've been able to deliver oxygen therapy
as well as non invasive ventilation therapy.
um, different about what was able to be done here in Rwanda and
Kigali was that we were able to use the colleagues were
able to use invasive mechanical ventilation for the Marburg patients.
And those two patients have been extubated and now are
recovering still a ways to go in their recovery.
But, uh, but, um, but doing better
another Hallmark event in, uh, this outbreak in Rwanda has been the, uh,
initiation of the clinical trials on Therapeutics.
This success is also based on years of preparatory work led by the
R and D blueprint here at WHO in collaboration with the Marbrook Marva
And uh, that, uh, group of, uh, folks developed a generic, uh,
clinical trial protocol that that was able to be quickly
deployed to Rwanda and adapted by the national principal investigators
in record time by the regulatory authorities of the country in Rwanda.
This protocol started to enrol patients,
uh, last week, and I think is, um a big, um
in advancing the care for patients with Marburg disease.
Finally, a word about the low case fatality ratio. Uh,
there's also been mentioned that, uh, we're seeing, uh, you know,
on the range of the lower range of case
fatality ratio so far in this Marburg outbreak.
And I think we will see, um, by the end of the outbreak, what the true CFR will be,
However, uh, and the ranges between CFRS has varied across different outbreaks,
uh, from as low as you know, 20 24% to as high as 88 or 99 or 90%.
And, you know, there's many elements that, uh, that, um,
that interplay to determine what the CFR, uh, is.
But I say even though we have a 24% CFR at this point, um, let's try to aim to do better.
Uh, there is It is really important to continue to conduct, uh,
robust clinical trials to find the most
efficacious treatments and to combine that with,
you know, the highest level of standard of care or optimised supportive care.
So, together with knowing the best treatment and the best standard of care,
we can continue to drive down the mortality from, uh, this disease,
which previously has had very high mortality.
not so high and and lower in this outbreak.
But indeed, we need to learn from from this outbreak, uh, And then, uh,
try to do better in the next one.
Uh, Doctor Diaz, um, for that very comprehensive, very useful brief.
Um, do we have questions for Doctor Diaz
No, I think, uh, you were absolutely very, very clear and comprehensive.
No questions, but perhaps, uh,
I trust that the notes will be sent, so thank you very much. And, uh,
thank you. Once again, Doctor Diaz, for joining us here.
Ok, um certainly last but not least, uh, Tomaso of IFRC is here with an announcement.
Thank you. Thank you, Roland. And
everyone, As you may know,
our statutory meetings across
meeting started today and I would like to update you on the next days.
All our meetings will take place from today to
31st October at the International Conference Centre of Geneva.
so basically on the other side of Place
today we started with the
Youth Forum which is at the moment ongoing,
and this youth forum brings
and the legs together to discuss youth strategy and directly vote for the
The inclusion of youth voices in governance is critical for us
and for decision making. And this is why the head of the youth commission will sit
governing board, ensuring that youth voices are central to our discussions.
Then, from tomorrow to 25 to 25 October, we left the
General Assembly, which is our highest decision making body for our under 91
Among other topics will be discussed the new health
policy of the organisation and the Youth engagement strategy,
and we also assess where we are with our strategy 2030
discuss and discuss some constitutional constitutional amendments,
and next week As you know, we have the international conference joined, of course,
colleagues and the governments who sign the Geneva Conventions.
Journalists should already have received our media advisory
and thanks for the colleagues already answered.
I would like to remind that you need accreditation to enter the conference centre,
please drop us an email with your
contact details and we will get you a badge to enter
regarding media opportunities. All the sessions are open to media.
We are happy to support you in setting up interviews and based, of course,
on the angle that you want to cover.
priorities will be at the centre of this discussion during Plenaries,
but also in other meetings, bilateral and so on.
And just to name a few protection of humanitarians. It is really critical this year.
Health, climate, crisis, migration and integrity.
These will be all high on the agenda.
You will have the opportunity to talk with humanitarians from literary
all around the world with first hand stories from current emergencies.
And of course, we heard a lot today about the Middle East climate related disaster,
ox outbreak migration, just to name a few.
So we look forward to working with all of you at the conference centre.
And if you have any questions,
Thank you very much. Tomaso. Uh, do we have questions? Yes, we do. John Zarak.
Yes? Can you hear me there, Tommaso? Good morning. We
I was wondering if you could, uh, please. Uh, I. I couldn't locate it.
Send us the, uh, list of the names of the delegates from the, uh,
national chapters that are attending, uh, at what level?
If that's the secretary general of the
national chapters or the directors or whatever.
Pick our selected, uh, interviews to come through you, if that's possible.
Sadly, I discussed with colleagues this request, but sadly, for data protection,
we are not able to send the names of delegates.
We can send the names of national society present and governments registered.
Usually the level of our delegations are presidents
and secretary general of the different national societies.
And in some cases, of course, the youth delegates
and in some cases, head of operations.
Then it really depends on every single national society,
and some delegations are bigger. Some delegations are smaller.
But of course, if you are,
if you have any specific interests in some national society, I can
link you with the national society and discuss it.
Sounds good. Thanks. Uh, Gabby
Yes, thank you very much. Hi, Tomaso.
Um are are you going to discuss, uh, access to prisoners, for example,
in places like Nicaragua or Venezuela?
As far as I know, to my knowledge is not, uh is not in the agenda.
But this doesn't mean that there will not be, uh,
discussion with participants with side events or bilateral.
So it's not something that I'm aware of, but I can check if you want.
Thanks very much. OK, last question.
So I just wanted to know if the Russian Red Cross is coming and at which level. Thanks.
Russia cross is registered to the statutory meetings for the level I need
to come back to you because I'm not really sure about it.
OK, lots of follow up for you, Tomaso.
for joining us here for the announcements. Good luck.
Uh, with this, uh, important meeting,
Um, and, uh, that brings us to nearly the end of this briefing. Thank you.
I just have a couple of announcements before, as usual, just to mention, uh,
keep you on track. The SG.
it was in Addis Ababa yesterday where he took part in the eighth African Union.
Um, actually, it's an annual UN annual conference taking place
in Addis, the home of the African Union.
So you have a number of documents that we
shared with you in connection with the Secretary General's visit
there, Um, remarks at the inauguration of the renovated Africa Hall.
Incidentally, in those remarks he refers to,
he referred to the fact that Africa has no
permanent seat on the Security Council and he says,
and let's hope it will be corrected soon. Quote unquote. That's
in one of the remarks shared with you. We also have
the opening remarks that were delivered by the
Secretary General at a press conference with Moussa
Faki, the chairperson of the African Union
that we shared with you last night.
Uh, a read out of the SGS meeting with the prime Minister of Ethiopia, Abi
Um, so that's a lot of material to go through in connection with the SGS visit.
In terms of meetings here,
the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women,
uh, is, uh, currently a meeting. As you know, um, today there is an informal
sorry, not today. The 25th.
That's this Friday, if I'm not mistaken, 25th of October.
Uh, the CD, as it's commonly known, is uh,
holding an informal public meeting with states parties
in the launch of the General Recommendation Number 40 on equal
and inclusive representation of women in decision making systems.
Uh, And during this session, as you know, they've reviewed Lao Saudi Arabia,
Canada, Japan, Cuba and Benin.
Human Rights Committee is also meeting,
and this morning they are reviewing the report of Greece,
and this afternoon it will continue reviewing France, which they began yesterday.
Press conferences in this room at 2. 30.
the UN trade and development will be hosting a will be holding a
press conference rather on the presentation of
the review of maritime transport 2024.
Navigating maritime chook
who is UN trade and development director for technology and logistics.
who is head of trade and logistics at
a will be here to brief you
week from today, the 29th of October.
We have another briefing from trade and development. And this one
on the publication of the trade and Development Report for this year 2024.
Rethinking development in the age of discontent,
Rebecca Greenspan, the secretary general of
A, will be here to present this report
along with Anastasia Neste
who is the head of macroeconomic and development policies Branch policies branch
Almost done. Just to mention, uh, the flag that we did share with you a, uh,
press release and a report under embargo yesterday,
um, from the Global Ecosystems Atlas,
which is a branch of the World Meteorological Organisation.
Um, this to, uh, unveil. I believe the embargo was lifted at 10 a.m. this morning.
the contents of the press release in the report itself.
Um, it was a report unveiled at the at the
cop 16 taking place in Cali, Colombia. As you know,
uh, speaking to, um the proof of concept of the global ecosystems Atlas. So that's
in your inbox. And lastly
quiz. What is this? Thursday 24 October.
Come on, colleagues. 24 October
free cup of coffee for anyone who gets it.
One day it's our birthday.
Disappointed in you? OK, today Thursday is UN Day
and we did share with you Uh,
the secretarial general's message in multiple languages, as always.
And he refers to many, many things, very important messages.
He speaks of finding solutions to ease tensions, build bridges and forge peace,
deliver humanitarian relief is something we did dress commonly in this at
this in this podium here. So lots of important messages in his UN. A message for 2024.
I think that's it for me. Any questions, Gabby?
are we going to have a press conference with SO
with the conclusions of their analysis of the countries?
I'll check with my colleague to see if they
actually if we have something pencilled in for them.
Usually they do, but, uh, nothing to announce just yet.
Certainly I'll check and we'll get back to you.
