The United Nations Office at Geneva
Multimedia Newsroom
UN Geneva Press Briefing - 14 January 2025
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53:46
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MP4
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3.2 GB
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
- UNHCR, Babar Baloch: Ukraine and the Region: Joint Launch of the Humanitarian and Refugee ResponsePlans for 2025 (UNHCR and OCHA)
TOPICS:
- UNICEF, James Elder with Ricardo Pires, UNICEF’s Communication Manager for Emergencies: Ongoing death and maiming of children in Syria due to unexploded ordonances (UXOs).
- IOM Kennedy Okoth Omondi_ Increasing Displacement in Haiti and the Worsening Humanitarian Situation
UN GENEVA PRESS BRIEFING
14 January 2025
Increasing displacement in Haiti
Alessandra Vellucci, for the United Nations Information Service (UNIS), reminded that on 12 January, the global community had marked fifteen years since the devastating 2010 earthquake in Haiti. The Secretary-General remembered the victims of the earthquake and continued to honour their legacy through the United Nations work in the country. He also paid tribute to the 102 UN colleagues, who had died on that day, including the Head of the Mission at the time, Hédi Annabi.
Kennedy Okoth Omondi, for the International Organization for Migration (IOM), stated that more than a million people were now believed to be internally displaced in Haiti. Children bore the greatest burden of displacement, making up over half of the displaced population. This marked a threefold increase in displacement within a year, rising from 315,000 in December 2023 to over a million. In the capital alone, displacement had nearly doubled, rising by 87 per cent fueled by relentless gang violence, the collapse of essential services - particularly healthcare, and worsening food insecurity. The majority of the displaced originated from the metropolitan area of Port-au-Prince. Many were seeking refuge in Haiti’s provinces, overwhelming host communities and straining limited resources.
Compounding this crisis, 200,000 Haitians had been deported back to Haiti in 2024, further placing an even greater strain on the country’s already overwhelmed social services. Displacement sites, particularly concentrated in the capital, had surged in number, increasing from 73 to 108 within a year. Those sites were severely overcrowded and lacked adequate access to essential services such as food, clean water, sanitation, and education. Despite the challenges, IOM was delivering critical support to those in need. Access remained a major challenge, stressed Mr. Okoth Omondi. IOM reiterated the need for continued humanitarian assistance and unobstructed access. Those efforts are essential to breaking the cycles of violence and displacement, fostering stability in communities, and restoring hope for recovery.
Full statement is available here.
Ms. Vellucci informed that the USD 673.8 million Haiti Humanitarian Response Plan was currently only 42.5 per cent funded.
Most deportations in 2024 had come from the Dominican Republic, said Mr. Okoth Omondi responding to a question. People should not be deported to unsafe, unfavorable environments. Haiti was currently experiencing the largest levels of internal displacement, he stressed. The police force was making an effort to restore stability in Haiti, but it needed more support. Mr. Okoth Omondi also spoke of the crumbling social services in the country. Also answering a question, Ms. Vellucci said that some 750 security personnel had been deployed from Kenya, Guatemala, Jamaica, Bahamas, El Salvador, and Belize for the Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti; and Kenya was planning to deploy further police officers. However, this was just a portion of the 2500 personnel initially planned for deployment. The trust fund to support this mission was currently underfunded.
Ongoing death and maiming of children in Syria due to unexploded ordnance
Ricardo Pires, for the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), speaking from Damascus, said that Syrian children continued to suffer the brutal impact of unexploded ordnance (UXO) at an alarming rate. In December 2024 alone, UNICEF had received reports of 116 children killed or injured by UXO, an average of nearly four per day. This was believed to be an underestimate given the fluidity of the humanitarian situation on the ground. Over the past nine years, said Mr. Pires, at least 422,000 incidents involving UXO had been reported in 14 Governorates across the country, with half estimated to have ended in tragic child casualties. As reconstruction efforts continued to be discussed, and the international community prepared to help Syria pave a new path for children, it was imperative that immediate investment take place to ensure the ground was safe and clear of explosives.
Over a decade of devastating conflict had left an estimated 324,000 pieces of unexploded ordnance across the country. This danger affected approximately five million children living in areas contaminated with UXO and landmines, which had become the leading cause of child casualties in Syria. Mr. Pires shared a story of several boys playing football at the outskirts of Hama and being killed and injured by an UXO. Life-changing injuries and disabilities often meant that they could not return to school or might find it harder to access proper healthcare. UNICEF and partners would continue to push for increased humanitarian demining efforts to remove the deadly remnants of war and make communities safe again. Mine-risk education would need to be expanded so children could recognize and avoid UXO, while comprehensive support for survivors, including medical care, rehabilitation, and psychosocial services, had to be provided so that they could regain their dignity and rebuild their lives. There was no hope for reconstruction in Syria when there was so much destruction still lying in wait on the ground. Syria could not move past this horrific war if children remained at risk of walking outside their doors and being blown up by explosives, concluded Mr. Pires.
Answering questions from the media, Mr. Pires said that the areas in Aleppo, Homs, and rural Damascus were particularly at risk. UNICEF’s role was to advocate for demining and ordnance clearing efforts. UNICEF was also educating children and their families about potential risks. The new authorities were urged to address the issue of UXOs without delay. Mr. Pires could not provide any information on new mines being potentially planted but reminded that with the fall of the previous government on 8 December, a lot of weapons and ammunition had been left behind. James Elder, also for UNICEF, added that tens of millions of USD were needed for demining efforts to save thousands of lives, which would help Syria return to being a stable, middle-income country.
Launch of the 2025 Humanitarian and Refugee Response Plans for Ukraine
Alessandra Vellucci, for the United Nations Information Service (UNIS), said that the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Coordination and the High-Commissioner for Refugees, in collaboration with the Government of Ukraine and humanitarian partners, would jointly launch the 2025 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan and the Regional Refugee Response Plan for Ukraine in the morning of 16 January. The two plans aimed to ensure the continuation of critical assistance for people affected by the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine, where over 12.7 million people required aid, and for the more than 6.8 million Ukrainian refugees worldwide. A press conference would be given by the heads of UNHCR and OCHA in Kyiv on 16 January at 1 pm Geneva time. Accredited media in Geneva and New York could submit questions in advance to huguenin@un.org. The press conference would be webcast on UN Web TV.
Babar Baloch, for the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR), added that all the details of the two plans with updated figures would be shared in an embargoed press release expected on 15 January. Responding to a question, Mr. Baloch stressed it was the time to keep supporting people affected by the crisis in Ukraine, both inside the country and abroad.
Transition in Syria
Responding to questions from the journalists, Jenifer Fenton, for the Office of the Special Envoy for Syria (OSE), said that the Envoy, Geir Pedersen, had returned to Geneva from Riyadh. He had held a series of constructive meetings with the Syrian Foreign Minister and a number of other interlocutors. UN stood ready to assist Syria and its people. He would be ready to visit Syria again in the nearest future, while Deputy Envoy Najat Rochdi remained in Damascus. UNSC resolution 2254 (2015) could not be applied in a literal manner given the change of the context; there was a wide consensus that there would need to be a transparent, Syrian-led and inclusive transition, which would inspire public confidence. A new, credible constitution and free and fair elections were also needed, which were elements of the resolution which remained relevant, stressed Ms. Fenton. She reminded that the Special Envoy had last briefed the Security Council on 8 January and was expected to do it again soon.
Announcements
Alessandra Vellucci, for the United Nations Information Service (UNIS), informed that the first World Congress on Enforced Disappearances would take place in Geneva on 15 and 16 January. The event, to be held at be held at the Geneva International Conference Centre (CICG), would feature panel discussions on topics such as international responsibility for the forcibly disappeared, strengthening search procedures, and protecting victims, rights defenders, lawyers, and journalists. Onsite registration at the venue would be possible, and the meeting was open to the press.
The Committee on the Rights of the Child was concluding this morning its review of the report of Slovakia, begun the previous day. The Committee would also review Eritrea, Honduras, St Kitts and Nevis, Peru, Gambia, and Ecuador.
The 31st high-level meeting organized by the Nizami Ganjavi International Center and the United Nations Office at Geneva would be held in Room V of the Palais des Nations on 16 and 17 January. The event, focused on implementing the Pact for the Future and COP29 commitments, would be open to journalists.
On 17 January, the UNHCR, along with the Permanent Missions of Italy and the Holy See, would host at UNOG a screening of the movie “Cabrini” on Catholic missionary Francesca Cabrini. The lead actress, Cristiana Dell'Anna, would be at the screening to participate in the preceding panel. More information is available here.
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Teleprompter
So thank you very much.
Welcome to the press briefing of the Information Service in Geneva here at the UN.
Today is Tuesday, 14th of January.
We have got a few announcements and a couple of topics.
And I'll start immediately with the Kennedy for IOM, who's going to brief us on Haiti, just as a reminder, the 12th of January.
So on Sunday, we marked 15 years since devastating earthquake that claimed the lives of hundreds of thousands of people in Ahiti.
The Secretary General remembered the victims of the earthquake and continued to honour their legacy through the United Nations work in the country.
He also paid tribute to the 102 colleagues, our own colleagues who died on that day, including the head of the mission at that time and a number of others.
There were about 3 million people who were estimated to be impacted by the earthquake.
And the distractions of the earthquake are still having presenting challenges for AET.
So and as we all know, the situation of security and humanitarian situation are worsening in the country and that is what we will hear now from Kennedy.
You have the floor.
Thank you.
Thank you very much.
Just to start as of.
That we have seen an.
Increase in the number of displacement in Haiti since the violence surged last.
Year, as you can recall, in December 20, 2023, we did record around 315,000.
People who were displaced from the violence.
One year, one year since then, we have seen.
The number triples to over 1,000,000 people who have now been.
Displaced because of gang violence in Haiti.
This, this is a really troubling number and it's represents the security situation that most agents are currently facing.
The the most concrete data we have is that around.
One and 1,000,000.
41,000 people, to be precise, are currently living in displacement in Haiti.
Most of these people have been displaced multiple times.
We have seen a lot of the displacement occurring within the capital of Port-au-Prince, but then we've seen also a lot of people.
Being displaced and moving towards.
The neighbouring provinces and this also has created a bit of pressure on the.
Social services within the Within the.
The provinces that are adjacent to Haiti, and now we are.
Seeing more and more people moving and, you know, seeking.
Refuge living with families, communities, friends and who already are are facing their own economic challenges, further putting a strain and and creating a lot of struggle for most of the community members.
Humanitarian.
Access to to basic services like food, water, clean water and shelter is.
Becoming more and more limited.
To most of the most of the of those displaced, emphasising the need for sustained humanitarian aid and access to those who have been displaced in Haiti itself, we have seen also.
As I did mention the spread of the of the of the.
Violence beyond the beyond the capital, and this means more and more people are also being displaced even within the neighbouring community, neighbouring provinces.
What has really made this worse is the fact that we have.
Seen over and over.
Deportation still occurring back to.
Haiti where?
Communities are already struggling to basically survive just just last year.
Alone 200,000.
People were returned to Haiti amidst the current security situation and the dire.
Humanitarian needs that the country.
Is facing.
Just just to add.
Up on that, we've seen that the displacement sites.
Within the, within the.
Capital city Port-au-Prince have surged just within this one year.
In the beginning of the.
Year we did record around 73 displacement camps.
Within the capital, but now the camps have grown to 100 and.
8 camps within one year re emphasising the surge in displacement.
Within the within the province.
Alone.
Reports indicate that even with the even within.
These sites we are having, we're seeing more and more deteriorating conditions, with families struggling to survive in makeshift shelters amidst mounting health and protection risks.
Despite the challenges, IOM, of course, and other UN organisations have been providing critical support to those in.
Need.
So far we have been able to provide and around.
18,000,000 litres of water.
To communities, clean water.
To communities in displacement, Rehabilitate.
Rehabilitated water pumps and provided additional support to 75,000 people, including support on medical assistance, rental subsidies and relocation assistance for those in need.
The challenge that still stands.
Is the access.
Remains one of the biggest.
Challenge we need.
As the As the violence surges, it becomes more and more difficult to access those who basically.
Need them.
Need the humanitarians aid more and more?
These efforts are essential.
Of course we sorry, we reiterate.
The need for humanitarian.
Assistance and also long term investments in governance, security and.
Social cohesion simply.
To ensure that we have to break the silence of the cycle of violence and displacement and foster stability in communities towards restoring hope recovery to the people of Haiti.
Thank you.
Thank you very much, Kennedy.
And just to remind the journalist that we call for the international community to show solidarity with the Asian people and contribute to funding appeals.
As of today, the Humanitarian Needs Response plan, which was asking for $674,000,000, is only 42% funded.
We have a gap of 386, sorry, in 87.7 millions without this funding, of course, the 3.6 million people targeted by the plan will face very reduced chances of survival.
And I'll open now the floor to questions in the room.
Jamie, good morning.
Happy New Year.
I think we'll see you for the first time.
Good morning, Alessandra.
Thank you, Kennedy.
Good morning to you and happy New Year you.
Mentioned that there were 200,000 people who returned to Haiti last year and.
Where did those people?
Come from.
Primarily, where were they returned from and.
What are you expecting in terms of trends for this year?
Do you think that that number will rise this year?
Thank you, Jamie A.
Lot of the deportations.
That were.
Recorded last year were basically seen from the Dominican Republic.
And in terms of projection, we cannot say as long as these.
Policies stay in place.
Then the number.
Of people who are.
Going to be.
Who are going to arrive back in Haiti is going to increase, but.
What we are really calling for?
Is to make sure that we do not really deport people to.
Situations where they are not going strictly.
They're not favourable to them, just the word that you know it's.
It's important to note that at the moment, Heidi is facing the largest number of internal displacement as a result.
Of the gang.
Violence ever in history.
So additional returns only add.
To this number and straining the social services that are already beyond stretch at this moment.
Thanks.
Sorry, Maya.
Yes, thank you for taking my question.
My question is.
Regarding the number of displacement camps.
You mentioned 73 but the sites have increased.
And how many of these camps are run by IOM or the?
UN refugees, do you have?
This number I can confirm the number to you, but at the moment.
We are offering support to most of these camps.
These are not camps that are established entirely by IOM, but we're having makeshift shelters where people are trying to seek refuge even as the violence surges.
So I'll I can get back to.
You on the specific number of.
Of camps that are being that are being controlled by AOM and this stuff.
Thanks.
I go to the platform if there are no other question in the room.
Lisa Lisa Shrine.
Good morning.
Thank you, Alessandra.
Yes, I'd like to continue to ask you a bit about the deportations.
What are your concerns regarding the new Trump administration, which has actually has threatened to deport immigrants not just from Haiti but from all over and is has not looked favourably on the Haitians in particular?
As you recall in the during the election, there was a lot of scandal regarding Haitians who were living in Ohio.
And are you concerned also that the United States might cancel or do away with the temporary humanitarian asylum policy, which has or is protecting the Haitians and other immigrants from countries where their lives might be at risk?
That's one question.
And then would you say that that Haiti at this point is in a situation of total anarchy and that there is no effective police, either domestic or International Security force, which is able to do something in order to get rid of these Haitian gangs and create some kind of order and protection for the people?
Thank you.
Thank you, Lisa.
Just to start you off from the last question, we we're.
Aware of the Air Force.
Made by the multilateral forces that are working towards restoring, restoring peace in Haiti.
The progress is, we cannot speak much towards the progress, but.
What we do know that the number of.
People who are being displaced, you know, is a clear.
Indication of the surge of violence so as much as.
We basically need more support towards this multilateral forces to ensure that we have peace and stability to the country today to to to the country and to the Haitians who desperately need this.
In terms of the deportations, I'll not speak specifically to countries policies and pre empt.
But I think.
It is important to note that.
You know.
Deportations are already forced returns to countries that are already.
Facing mounting security and humanitarian.
Challenges is not something that is, is, is, is it's going to be beneficial to the group as well because we have seen.
More and more.
Stretching in.
Social services we have seen.
More and more stretch to the risk to the people themselves.
Just that just last week I think OCHR did release a report.
Outlining the number of.
Deaths that have been recorded so far, these basically, you know, reemphasizes the need for, you know.
Protection of of of lives.
And so.
Returning people to such situation.
Is, is, is.
Not something that is going.
To to.
To be beneficial to both their security and their.
Livelihoods and maybe just to add Lisa, as you know, we, we welcome the Secretary General.
Welcome to the the Security Council press statements of the 23rd of December, which stressed the need for the international community to double their efforts to support the the National Police and strengthen the multilateral security support mission.
You have to consider that so far around 750 personnel has been deployed by from Bahamas, Belize, El Salvador, Guatemala, Jamaica and of course Kenya who is in the lead.
And Kenya has indicated that it tends to deploy an additional 600 police officers, but this is out of 2500 personnel initially planned.
So they, we really need to, to step this up in order to, for the, for the, for the mission to, to, to, to demonstrate its full potential really.
And the secretary general has been appealing to the international community to ensure that the MSS mission receives the financial and logistical support it needs to succeed.
As you know, we want to establish the trust fund to support it and the SG has encouraged the Member States and other entities to contribute to the trust fund which is currently severely underfunded.
I see Lisa has a follow up.
Yes, very quickly.
How many Haitians have been deported from the Dominican Republic?
If you already mentioned it, it went by me.
Thank you.
I can give you the.
Specific numbers, but the total number of that have been deported.
Recorded by IOM so far.
Stand at.
I did mention stands at around 200,000 just in 2020.
4 alone.
Thank you.
Just just to note that the numbers of the deployment I gave you was up to the 9th of January.
Gabriella, is this a question on IT or just go ahead?
Yes.
Thank you, Alessandra.
Happy New Year.
Yes, it's on Haiti.
I am not aware of all the details but this mission that went from other countries to to strengthen the police, but is there any possibility to send blue helmets or something like that?
Or it's a it's a different thing or what can it can the UN do?
To.
Strengthen the the security there.
Look, as you know, the decision about peacekeeping forces is entirely up to the Security Council, to member States and this MSS is not AUN operation.
But of course you're beyond who is, you know, in charge of this or that.
I think we can say that the UN is fully committed to seeing succeed the MSS, but also of course the work of the that the UN and humanitarian organisation are carrying out in a heating.
So we are present, we are there and we support fully the mission of the MSS.
Obviously, if there had to be another decision that would be up to the member states.
Any other question on Venezuela?
I'm sorry we said Venezuela.
I don't see any.
OK.
So thank you very much, Kennedy.
I think we have established the the the connection with Ricardo.
James, you come on the the podium.
Thank you very much, Kennedy.
So welcome, James.
Happy New year to you and happy New Year to Ricardo.
Ricardo Perez was joining us from Damascus, Ricardo's communication manager for emergencies for UNICEF.
Maybe you want to start and then we give him the floor or?
Thanks so much, Boninet.
Hi everyone.
Nice to be back Alfandra.
Thank you.
Yes, tech IT nothing like it in what we call a Level 3 emergency Ricardo's been in.
Damascus and in the.
Field in Hom and is.
Now going to brief on.
UX OS and the.
Ongoing ****** to children, despite some good news in the last.
Month or two, Ricardo.
Thanks, James.
Bonjour, Hatuz, good morning.
Thanks for having me here.
As hopes for peace dividend for Syrian children.
Grow girls.
And boys in the country.
Continue to suffer the brutal impact of unexploded ordinances or.
Uxos.
At an alarming rate.
In December last year alone, at least 400.
And 22,000 incidents involving UX OS were reported in 14 governorates.
Across the country in December.
Last year alone as well 116.
Children were killed or injured.
By UXO.
An average of nearly.
4 per day this is believed.
To be an underestimated giving.
The the fluidity of the situation, the humanitarian situation on the ground, actually over the past.
Nine years.
I'm sorry there.
Was a bit of a confusion.
Over the past nine years, at least 422,000 incidents involving Uxos were reported in 14 governorates across Syria, with half estimated to have ended in tragic child casualties.
Across Syria, children face this.
Lurking, often invisible, but extremely.
Badly ******.
Renewed displacement only worsens the danger, since 27th November at least.
Over 1/4 of a million children were forced to flee their.
Homes due to renewed and escalating conflict.
For these children and those.
Who are trying to return to their regional areas.
The peril of Uxos.
Is constant and unavoidable.
As reconstruction efforts continue to be discussed, the international community prepares to help Syria.
Pave a new path for children.
It is imperative that immediate.
Investment takes place to ensure the.
Ground is safe.
And clear of explosives.
Explosives.
Over a decade of devastating conflict has left.
Communities.
Across Syria, littered with deadly remnants of war.
Including an.
Estimated 320.
1000 pieces of unexploded ordinances scattered across the country.
This.
Danger effects approximately 5 million.
Children who are living in **** risk areas contaminated with UXO and land mines which have become.
The leading.
Cause of child casualties in Syria.
Every step they take carries the risk of an unimaginable tragedy.
One of them happened to.
12 year old Abdul who I met in the.
Outskirts of Hama.
Yesterday, on 18th December, he was playing football with friends in a field behind his.
House when one of them stepped on something shiny on the ground.
What followed What followed was a blast.
That killed 1515 year old Muhammad.
Abdul's cousin and injured Abdul and his younger brother, 10 year old.
Muhammad, who are now recovering from multiple fractures in their legs and arms.
They can no longer.
Walk without help.
Both are deeply traumatised.
This their stories are far too.
Common Abdul's mother.
Cried when trying to bring out.
The trauma and mentioned that yesterday.
Another three children died after bringing a grenade into their homes, which they.
Found on a playground.
Without knowing of the deadly impacts it could have, even if children.
Survive these blasts.
The struggle.
Doesn't end.
Life changing injuries and disabilities.
Often mean they cannot return to school or might find it harder to access profit proper.
Healthcare they.
Face a new kind of.
War against isolation, isolation, stigma and limited opportunity.
But these are things.
We can do today to life, but there are things we can do today to make life.
Just a little more bearable for these children.
We must push for increased humanitarian and mining efforts to remove the deadly.
Remnants of war and make communities safe again.
We need to expand mine risk education so children can recognise and avoid UXO.
And we must.
Provide comprehensive support for survivors.
Including medical care, rehabilitation and psychological services so they can regain their.
Dignity and rebuild their lives.
We owe it.
We owe.
It to these children not.
Just to listen, but to.
Act.
There is no hope for.
Reconstruction in Syria when there's.
So much destruction still lying in.
Weight on the ground.
Syria cannot move fast.
This horrific war if children.
Remain at brisk outside their doors and being blown up by explosives.
Every day without action is another day that threatens.
Children, the children, the children.
Of Syria.
These children who have lived their entire lives in danger deserve to live the rest of their lives in safety.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Sorry.
Thank you very much, Ricardo.
Let me open the floor to questions.
I'll start with Jeremy Launch Radio France International.
Thank you so much, Ricardo.
2 questions.
Maybe the places, which places are most concerned today in Syria by UXO, are we talking about the Idlib area?
Is it more the East?
Can we find those Oxos in in Damascus, in the outskirts of Damascus as well?
So places and the second question.
Will be about the demining efforts.
Are there any demining efforts today in Syria?
Do you have like vehicles on the ground trying to demine a few places or all those?
Completely absent today.
Thank you.
So your first.
Question in terms of of of the, the scale of of of the.
******.
It's really.
Across Syria, but the areas in Aleppo, Homs, where I was yesterday in Hama, but also as you mentioned.
Idlib even though.
Access to that area has has had been very restricted.
Over the course of the war, but I I would.
Say the two main.
Areas that are at risk are.
Aleppo, Homs and rural Damascus.
Where you can definitely find.
Many, many UXO and mines that are are threatening the.
Lives of children every day.
In terms of the mining efforts, look for UNICEF really our.
Role is to advocate for these efforts to take.
Place they haven't been happening fast enough over the last.
14 years and we hope that the situation will change.
Now we are trying to.
Really raise awareness and educate.
Children and communities and families about the risks.
Of of of these devices so horrible.
Events like the ones I described don't happen.
Again, but in terms of more comprehensive than mining efforts, this is really up to to the new authorities to look into it.
Because mines are are normally addressed.
By by government.
So it's what we call the White Helmets that look at.
The the the UXO and again in the in the last 14.
Years since the Civil War started these.
Efforts were not broad enough.
Or even encouraged.
So there is a lot of work to do.
And, and UNICEF will be doing our part and continuously so, so these threats reduce day after day.
Are there questions in the room?
Let me go to the platform.
Nick.
Kamim Bruce.
New York Times.
Yeah, thank you.
I just wanted to ask, given the conflict continues, do you have any indication that mines?
Continue to be being laid and if so, by which parties and secondly.
There are several humanitarian.
Demining organisations operating in Syria, do you see any sign?
Of this coming on the agenda of the interim government and.
Is there any move to?
Establish coordination between them.
Thank you.
Definitely, it's something that.
We are heavily.
Advocating.
For it's one of the main advocacy.
Asks that we have at the moment it it's the main.
Cause of child casualties in.
Syria right now and.
And has been for many years and and will continue to be because the.
Ground continues continues to be infested.
Infested.
And contaminated.
Over 300,000 mines are still spread across the country.
In some areas it's more concentrated.
But the ****** is everywhere, as we've as we've heard with the story of of Abdul and his cousin who were playing just literally outside their homes.
And I went to the.
Area.
It doesn't look like an area that had heavy military action.
In terms of new mines being being placed, I, I, I don't know, I, I haven't heard anything about it, but for sure since 8th of.
December when when the previous.
Government fell, A lot of weapons have been left behind.
A lot of explosive weapons or or just.
Weapons in general in in.
Many areas, including in homes where I was.
But also in Damascus, so there is a lot.
Of work to do.
The the mines and the UX.
OS are there more than ever because of what?
Happened since 8th of December so.
Indeed, there are efforts to.
To change it.
But it it doesn't.
Seem like it's happening.
Fast enough.
The situation on the ground, since I arrived anyways, is very fluid.
There's still a lot of.
A lot of.
Celebratory atmosphere across Damascus especially, but this?
Is not being talked with with the urgency to look into these.
About these issues and the the.
Humanitarian situation for children in.
Syria, which continues to be very, very dire with at least 7.5 million.
Children in urgent need of humanitarian needs and humanitarian support so.
A lot of work.
Needs to be done and it needs to be done faster.
But go ahead, Nick, Excuse me, Nick, just just to add, as you rightly say, other organisations like Halo Trust and and so on.
On the ground.
And I'm not sure if you've seen but.
When we.
Talk in a place like Syria, with a density and the sheer number of mines.
Excuse me, that that Ricardo refers to we're we're.
Talking about 10s of millions of dollars, not hundreds of millions of dollars.
We're talking about 10s of millions of dollars for the DE mining, for that removal of those explosive ordnance, well disposal of those explosive ordinances.
So we're talking 10s of millions of.
Dollars which as we've.
Just heard would save.
Thousands of lives and we'll we'll be an.
Absolutely.
Imperative part.
If Syria is to.
Again, become a middle income country.
So if you're talking.
About 10s of millions of dollars as a major influence to help Syria regain that status.
It had as a middle income country, then it is a very a very cheap.
Price that needs to be paid.
Other questions from Syria, I don't see any other hand up.
Ricardo, thank you very much for being with us this morning.
And please continue updating us here in Geneva.
Good luck with your important work there.
Thank you very much.
James, I would like now to move to Ukraine, but you, I think you are online.
Yes, you are.
I understand you're in Geneva, right?
Yeah.
I am, yes.
Good morning.
OK, good morning.
So just an announcement to let you know that the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and the UN **** Commissioner for Refugees, the Refugee Agency, in collaboration with the Government of Ukraine and humanitarian partners, will jointly launch the 2025 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan and the Regional Refugee Response Plan for Ukraine on the 16th of January from Kiev.
These plans are aiming to ensure the continuation of critical assistance for people affected by the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine, which is about 12.7 million people with who require aid and for the more than 6.8 million Ukrainian refugees worldwide.
So we will have the launch on the 16.
Immediately before the launch, there will be a press conference with USG Tom Fletcher, as you know, the USG for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief coordinator and Filippo Grandi, the UN **** Commissioner for Refugees in Kiev.
That will be at 2:00 PM the local time and in a in a centre in in Kiev.
So journalists in Kiev are invited to attend the press conference.
We will send you the information if it's not already done.
I think Vanessa may have sent it already out and of course is there, but it will be webcast by, in fact by our colleague of UNTV Geneva.
There will be the launch event at 3:00 PM local time, also webcast, sorry, webcast live streamed on UN Web TV.
What you can do, if you want to ask questions, you can send them to Vanessa beforehand and they will be transmitted to the to US GS.
That will have to be done before 8:00 AM GMT on the 16th of January.
So basically questions to Vanessa as soon as possible and then the press conference and the launch on new Web TV.
And maybe Babar, you want to say a little bit more on the refugee response plan that we've been announcing there?
Yeah, apologies.
Good morning, dears.
Happy New Year and happy.
Tuesday indeed, so all the details will be shared in an embargoed.
Press release hopefully tomorrow, so all of.
You have it in in.
Advance with with all all the details, both the humanitarian response plan for inside Ukraine and also for the refugee response plan for the region.
All the details will.
Be in it.
With all the numbers and updated figures as well and what we are asking in in that sense, once you.
Receive it please be.
In touch as it it was mentioned, the launch is in Kiev and also before the launch the press conference.
So hopefully you can follow the proceedings online and please share questions in case you have.
Our dear.
Alliances on on the ground and.
He will be.
Moderating the press conference on on Thursday.
Back to you, Alessandro.
Thank you very much.
Yes, indeed.
And Vanessa's in Geneva, so don't hesitate to ask any question on this launch of the two appeals.
I don't see any hand up.
Yes, Gabriella.
Yes, thank you, Alessandra.
It's.
On another.
Subject if it if it's possible to ask.
Yeah, I think you can go ahead because I don't see questions on Ukraine.
So just go ahead.
Is it for Babar?
Yes.
Go ahead.
Yeah.
OK.
So I'm asking on Venezuela that.
If you are a.
Vigilant because now that Maduro.
Is the new.
President, there's going to be a a lot of people that is going to.
Be out.
Of, of Venezuela because they, they, they are the opposition and everything and all these people are going to be a, you know, very harassed by the government.
So people has to leave.
So I don't know if you have in mind any plan, any contingency plan for people that is going to leave Venezuela because there's already.
7 million or something like.
That that had left, left the country.
So what is it?
What is your opinion on that?
If you have any plan, any estimate of how many people is going to leave Venezuela?
Sure.
Thank you, dear Gabriella.
Indeed, I mean, as you mentioned them, 7 million people are already outside of Venezuela.
I, I can check in terms of what the update we have from our side.
I I have nothing this morning, but I can follow up with my colleagues.
And then we can get back to you.
Thank you.
Thank you very much, Bubbar.
Any other question either?
Yes, Emma.
Hi, Bubbar.
I actually had one on Ukraine since we're coming up to the three-year.
Anniversary.
There are some.
Signs, including in Switzerland, that.
Conditions for giving Ukrainian refugees.
Asylum here are are tightening, getting tougher.
Could you?
Comment on the trend.
Across Europe, are you seeing Europe?
Some European countries start to turn their backs on Ukrainians.
And.
Are you concerned about this going forward?
Thank you.
Thank you, Emma.
Nothing in terms of updates for now.
I think what you will.
Hear through the launch.
On Thursday is This is not the time.
To turn our back on, on Ukraine or on people who have left Ukraine.
So this is the launch.
Is actually an attempt in in that way to kind of ensure the continuation of critical assistance for people who are affected by the.
Hamiltonian crisis in Ukraine I mean.
We are now, we are talking about over 12.7 million people who require aid and also there are more than 6.8 million Ukrainian refugees worldwide.
But I can follow up in terms of specifically what you were asking and then we can get back to you.
Thank you very much.
I don't see other hands up.
So thank you very much Babar.
Good luck with the launch and hope you will be following.
It's in great numbers.
I have a quite a few other announcements for you.
Let me start with OHCHR.
So I must to announce you that the First World Congress on Enforced Disappearances will take place from 15 to 16th of January here in Geneva.
The event will feature panel discussions on topics such as international responsibility for the foreseeably disappeared, strengthening search procedures and protecting victims, right defenders, lawyers and journalists.
The event is Co organised by the UN Committee on Enforced Disappearances, the UN Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances, the UN Human Rights Office and the Convention against Enforced Disappearances initiative.
It will be held at the Geneva International Conference Centre.
It will be open to the press and to the public, and you can register on site if you wish.
Also on the committees, as I think Michael reminded you, last Friday, the Committee on the Rights of the Child started this work and is concluding this morning the review of the report of Slovakia, The other countries to be reviewed with our Eritrea, Honduras, Sankitsa, Navies, Peru, Gambia and Ecuador.
I also wanted to announce you two other events this week, also on the 1617 of January.
So this Thursday and Friday in Room 5 of the Palais, our office you know is organising together with the Nizami Ganjavi International Centre, a **** level meeting entitled from Promise to Impact, Implementing the Pact for the Future and COP 29 commitments.
This event will serve as a platform to discuss how key commitments from the fact of the future and from COP 29 can be transformed into tangible and actionable strategies.
The meeting will bring together an assembly of prominent figures, including former heads of state, leaders of international organisation, and this includes not only our Director General Titianovalo Vaya, but also Doctor Tedros during Bogdan Martin, Winnie Brahima and others.
You have the full list of speakers on the Internet.
The event is open to journalists, so don't hesitate to participate if you wish.
And then lastly, I wanted to announce you also that on the 17th of January, the Permanent Mission of Italy, the Permanent Mission of the Holy See, UNHCR, and of course, as a cultural activity enogue, we'll host the first screening in Switzerland of the film Cabrini.
This is a movie dedicated to the figure of mothers and Francesca Cabrini, founders of the religious congregation the Missionary Sister of the Second Heart of Jesus.
Jesus Mother Francesca devoted herself to assisting Italian migrants in the US at the beginning of the last century and as such she was proclaimed St.
So the idea of this event is for UNHCR and the DG of UNOG which who will participate together with other dignitaries of the mission to underline the importance of the support to migrants and.
Refugees.
And there will be the main actress of the movie, Cristiano Delana, who will do the the trip to Geneva to talk at the panel, which will precede the screening.
So that is what I had on my list of events.
Let me see.
I think that's that's about it for what I wanted to tell you.
Just a reminder that tomorrow at 10 AM New York time, the Secretary General will be presenting its priorities for 2025 to the General Assembly.
Of course, this will be webcast, so you're invited to listen to it.
We will distribute, of course, the statement afterwards and there had to be, maybe you have heard that there had to be a press conference on the Thursday on the priority of the Secretary General, but this has been postponed.
We will announce the new time as soon as possible, but there should be a press briefing just after the presentation of the priorities, a shorter press briefing by the Secretary General.
We will confirm this in writing to you as soon as possible.
Emma, I was hoping to ask a question to Jennifer and to Christian.
Jennifer's here.
Maybe you want to come to the to the podium.
Go ahead.
Hi, Jennifer.
I was just.
Hoping to get an update on Peterson's whereabouts.
And plans now I'm also curious if he's met the new Middle East envoy of the US, Steve Witkoff.
Sorry, Witkoff.
And what are the chances of Geneva?
Talks we we heard about this as a.
Possibility in December.
Where are we now?
Thank you.
So Mr Patterson has returned to Geneva this morning.
I think you'll have seen over the weekend he was in Riyadh.
There he welcomed the strong support expressed for the Syrian people and the commitment to assisting the caretaker authorities during this critical time.
He noted that he had a constructive meeting with Syria's caretaker Foreign Minister Al Shabani which focused on advancing an inclusive Syrian LED political transition and addressing the challenges and opportunities and a post Assad Syria.
The discussions in Saudi, you will have seen_the importance again of the credible credible, inclusive, transition which, of course has to be led by the Syrians But, backed by genuine international support to help the Syrians Navigate pardon, me this, transition of.
Course Mr.
Peterson Reiterated the UNS Readiness to assist Syria And its people in seizing this opportunity and addressing any challenges Mr.
Peterson Had noted his desire to visit Syria As soon as feasibly possible again.
The deputy special envoy, Najat Rusty, remains in Damascus, where she continues her engagements.
If I have any information regarding those, I will make sure to get those to you.
Mr Patterson has briefed the Security Council three times since this transition took place in December.
I don't have a date for the next Security Council briefing, but I think another one will be scheduled this month, which has been communicated, I think, by the presidency of the Council regarding talks in Geneva.
I don't have anything further at this time.
And just the the.
Jumps new envoy for the middle.
East have they met?
I do not believe so, but I note that the USI believe was part of their discussions in Riyadh.
If I have any further information I'll get that to you.
Thank you, Jennifer.
Gabriela, is that for Jennifer too?
No, Alessandra.
It's really for you.
Let me see if there are other further questions.
Yeah, Jamie, for for Jennifer.
Good morning.
Hello, Jennifer.
Happy New Year.
Could you just tell us?
Could.
You just remind us what?
Mr Peterson's view is about the.
Future of the Security Council resolution.
His number is now escaping me all of a sudden 2254.
Thank you.
Could you just tell us what his status is on that please?
His position on that, he did brief the Council on that last week and he noted that obviously Resolution 2254 cannot be applied in the literal manner as it was adopted in 2015 and there have been significant changes since then.
For instance, he noted to the Council that former regime members will not be a party to enter any future process.
Of course, there are other examples too, but he noted that there is wide consensus.
The transition still does need to achieve the main things that Resolution 2254 lays out.
So first, a credible, inclusive and transparent Syrian lead and own transition.
And on this he was very clear that he does not believe that any that any Syrian is asking for quotas based on sex.
Sex, ethnicity or import, importing models, for example, from other countries, But rather that we need to see the broadest spectrum of Syrian civil society and Syrian parties represented.
So that's in part to inspire public confidence in any transition moving forward.
Second, he's noted, of course, ensuring A credible, inclusive and transitional government.
3rd, a new constitution needs to be prepared that is credible and again, inclusive process.
And 4th, we need to see fair and free elections that are inclusive of all Syrians.
And in.
Accordance with international standards.
Those are all main points of Resolution 2254 that Mister Patterson has communicated he believes remains relevant.
Go.
Ahead, I could just follow up on that.
Thank you.
Over the course of the three meetings that you mentioned that he's already had with the since the transition is I think.
The word used.
The transition last month, is there any sort of sign just?
Either in his formal briefings or communications with members.
Of the Security Council.
They could lead.
To his belief that maybe.
There's an effort underway afoot to actually find an alternative.
To 2254.
Is there any steps forward in that direction?
As far as you can tell.
So yes, he has briefed the Council three times.
I don't have anything further than what I just communicated to you.
You will have seen the Council put out their own statement, which I believe was December 17th or thereabout, so I would defer you to the Council members.
Mr Liu.
Hello, Jennifer.
Yeah, this is from China Economic Daily.
My question is about whether you have any comment on the latest revelation of.
That fact that that the Syrian transitional government is making some.
Appointment of to its top government leadership.
Positions of some jihadist individuals.
Whether you could call that for militant groups last week, China's envoy.
In the Security Council mentioned the involvement of ETIM members, but I don't want to specify on that particular.
Group because this is exactly the same question that was raised by some of my peer colleagues the last week.
So are you aware of the the?
Appointment by the Syrian Transitional Government of those foreign militant.
Individuals in the top actual like the what the Taliban is doing in Afghanistan.
So again, I think Mr Patterson addressed this in his Security Council briefing last month, so I can send you that link if you need it.
Again, I will just reiterate what I said, that Mister Patterson had noted any transition needs to be fully inclusive of all Syrians and that any persons taking part in any transition and governance moving forward, they need to comply fully with international law and behave in accordance with international standards.
Thank you very much.
I don't see other hands up for you, Jen.
Thank you very much for coming to the podium.
Gabrielle, I had a question for me.
Yes, thank you.
Actually, one quick.
Clarification or question if if there's going to be any press encounter with.
Carla Quintana, The one that.
Is in charge of disappearances.
In in.
Syria, I don't know if.
If you have.
Contemplating that is I.
Mean I am, I'm asking.
Not before because I am Mexican, but it's because disappearances are.
Very important issue in Syria.
So I don't know if you are planning something like that.
And second question, if there's going to be any press conference with the committee and everybody that is going to to be in the disappearances conference, is there any encounter that you are planning with the press?
Thank you.
This you refer to the World Congress, the second part of your question, I think that's what, Yeah.
OK.
So, OK, So on Syria, obviously determining the fate of missing person is critical and the UN pledges its support to those who continue to live with the agony of uncertainty.
And as you refer to, we have Mrs Quintana now leading the independent institution of missing person in Syria.
As you had already asked, I spoke to Nimrin.
Sorry, the new focal point for communication of Mrs Kintana.
She took note of your request.
She told me that she will look into organising some kind of press encounter with Mrs Kintana and we will inform you of it as soon as possible.
As for the ward Congress, I don't know.
We will have to ask the colleagues of OHCHR.
I'll do it with pleasure and I'm pretty sure they will let you know if there is any meeting counter.
What I know is that it's the meeting at the ICICICG.
Sorry.
CSCG is open to the press, so you can definitely go there and there will be colleagues who can facilitate contacts.
But As for a press conference, I will have to ask them.
Yes.
Emma, is Christian still online?
Could I ask a question?
I think he is.
I think he is Christian.
Your patience has spayed.
You have a question, Emma.
Go ahead.
Hi.
Christian, I wanted to ask.
About.
Tedros's visit to Washington, I saw he was there.
For Jimmy Carter's funeral.
At this.
Key moment in American.
History with the transition, did he also take the opportunity to meet some of the incoming administration?
Can you give any?
Details if you did.
Thank you.
Thank.
You very much Emma, Yeah.
Good question, interesting question, but unfortunately I have no further details on that one.
We'll.
Check.
And let you know in case.
Any other question for WHO, since we've got Christian on the line, Gabriella.
Thank you, Alessandra.
Hi Christian, Happy New Year.
My question is if if you have any, if you issue any statement or any?
Recommendations for the?
People who are living around Los Angeles area, they're still going on the fire and there's a lot of smoke.
So I don't know if you have any recommendations for the people.
That are living around the the the area.
Thank you.
Look, I think we had that topic last week already if I recall right in obviously smoke inhalation is can be really toxic and the the fumes together with the dust.
And the ashes and everything.
So the respiratory.
Troubles can be a lot.
When it when when when you inhale this.
But of course, it's something difficult to avoid.
When you're living in the area, right?
Now caring for your life I think is the most important one.
Following the recreation orders and so on SO.
Forth, but for those further.
Away take care of your respiratory systems, obviously, whether that is.
Closing windows trying to be.
Avoid being outside when there's the the the fumes around, however that is possible.
During everyday life of.
Course.
Thank you very much.
Any other question for Christian?
I don't see any.
So thank you very much.
I think this concludes our briefing.
I've given you all the announcements I had.
We'll follow up with the the office of Mrs Quintana.
And yeah, thank you very much.
And I'll see you on Friday.
Thank you.