The United Nations Office at Geneva
Multimedia Newsroom
UN Geneva Press Briefing - 14 February 2025
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51:30
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MP4
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3 GB
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
- UNIS on behalf of HRC
TOPICS
- UNHCR - Eujin Byun: UNHCR calls for urgent support as violence in eastern DR Congo leaves hundreds of thousands without shelter
- IFRC - Tommaso Della Longa (PR) with Madeleine Lyons, IFRC Senior Humanitarian Analyst (From Ottawa): New report marking 3 years of the Russia-Ukraine
UN GENEVA PRESS BRIEFING
14 February 2025
Urgent support needed for hundreds of thousands without shelter in eastern DRC
Eujin Byun, for the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR), stated that the UNHCR was alarmed by the rapidly worsening humanitarian crisis in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) as the continued lack of access to displaced people hampered the provision of urgently needed aid. Heavy artillery shelling and looting had destroyed 70,000 emergency shelters around Goma and Minova in North and South Kivu provinces, leaving some 350,000 internally displaced people (IDPs) once again without roofs over their heads. Hundreds of thousands of displaced people were now in overcrowded makeshift shelters, churches, schools, and hospitals. The displaced people in Goma were also affected by the increase in crime. While some 100,000 had attempted to return to their home areas, where houses had been damaged and there were little or no essential services, many remained stranded in collective centers, damaged IDP sites, or with host communities. Displaced people reported that fear of unexploded ordnance, destroyed homes and lack of essential services were significant obstacles to safe return.
Ms. Byun stressed that UNHCR teams in both North and South Kivu continued to assist displaced people as much as possible. They had seen families once again packing up their few remaining belongings, trapped in uncertainty, unable to stay, yet with no safe place to go. UNHCR remained committed to supporting civilians in North and South Kivu and was closely monitoring the situation. It called for an immediate cessation of hostilities to ensure the safety of civilians, including the displaced, and to uphold international humanitarian principles including the right to move freely in search of safety. UNHCR also urged all parties to stop attacks on civilian infrastructure and guarantee unhindered humanitarian access.
Full statement is available here.
Alessandra Vellucci, for the United Nations Information Service (UNIS), referred to the statement by the Executive Director of UNICEF, Catherine Russell, from the previous day, who had spoken of horrific reports of grave violations against children by parties to the conflict, including rape and other forms of sexual violence at levels surpassing anything seen in recent years. Ms. Vellucci also informed that the UN Secretary-General was in Addis Ababa to participate in the 38th African Union Summit, where the situation in the DRC would be on the agenda.
Responding to questions, Ms. Byun, for the UNHCR, said that numerous IDP sites were destroyed, leaving many displaced persons stranded on the streets. The lack of clean water was significantly increasing the risk of diseases. The road from Goma to Bukavu was blocked, cutting the access for humanitarian actors, who were coordinating to deliver aid to the areas to which they still had access. There were 28 IDP sites around Goma, 70 percent of which were destroyed, specified Ms. Byun. Some 350,000 people were without roof over their heads at the moment. The conditions on the ground were worsening, and people were fearing further violence. The airport in Goma was still not functioning, which also adversely affected the delivery of humanitarian supplies, said Ms. Byun.
Three years of the Russia-Ukraine conflict
Madeleine Lyons, Senior Humanitarian Analyst at the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), speaking from Ottawa, Canada, said that many displaced Ukrainians were reaching a tipping point, when living abroad became unsustainable, but returning to Ukraine meant living in uncertainty. A new IFRC report highlighted that financial hardship was pushing more displaced Ukrainians to return home even to front-line areas where devastation and the threat of violence remained high. Economic strains and declining international support were driving more and more Ukrainians into hardship both inside and outside the country, said Ms. Lyons.
Over half of those returning to Ukraine were doing so due to economic pressures, with 23 per cent reducing their food intake due to lack of resources. One out of four returnees were settling in areas near the front lines, despite serious security risks. A shocking 79 per cent of returnees to frontline areas reported urgent unmet humanitarian needs. One in three returning refugees were currently in debt, with 12 per cent facing crippling debt they were unable to pay back. While many people were returning in order to reunite with their families, an unexpectedly large percentage reported that financial exhaustion and limited access to essential services in host countries played a major role in their decision to go back to Ukraine. For those returning to their frontline communities, challenges were immense: over 60 per cent reported that their homes had been damaged or uninhabitable. The lack of medical resources, along with the ongoing conflict and lack of financial resources, left the returnees particularly vulnerable to long-term health consequences. While returning posed a significant risk, remaining abroad also had its challenges. Savings had dried up and many had resorted to taking on new debt to get by. In countries like Romania, families who once had enough savings to sustain themselves are now struggling to afford grocery bills, rent, and healthcare.
The IFRC and its network of 60 Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies involved in this crisis continued to deliver one of the largest humanitarian responses in its history. Across Ukraine and in host countries, they were providing life-saving assistance to those most in need. In Ukraine, Red Cross teams were delivering emergency cash assistance to prevent vulnerable families from falling deeper into debt. Ms. Lyons stressed that now was the moment for governments, donors, and the international community to reaffirm their commitment to these people who desperately need support. Without sustained support, more people would face impossible choices: cutting back on meals, delaying medical care, or returning to unsafe conditions because they had nowhere else to go.
IFRC’s press release is here, and the full report can be accessed here.
The war continued to inflict massive suffering on Ukrainian people. The war needed to end, stressed Alessandra Vellucci, for the United Nations Information Service (UNIS). In January 2025, civilian casualties had increased by 35 percent compared to December 2024. She said that the Ukraine Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan 2025 asked for USD 2.63 billion to assist six million people, only 12 percent of which was currently funded.
Replying to questions, Ms. Lyons, for the IFRC, said that people were returning because they desired to go back home, a familiar place to which they were attached. At the same time, governments across Europe were interpreting temporary protection measures in an increasingly restrictive way, which was a factor for the return of some Ukrainians. Some 30 percent of Ukrainian households across Europe had taken on additional debt, much of which was at unsustainable levels. People were borrowing money to afford food, pay for accommodation, and to pay for healthcare. Over one in four people returning from European countries to Ukraine were returning to frontline areas, which was surprising finding, said Ms. Lyons. Those people lived in a precarious state and could be displaced again. IFRC and humanitarian partners were working to support refugee households with cash transfers. She explained that the survey for refugees had taken place in six countries and included some 3,200 households surveyed by phone, in Ukrainian. Tommaso Della Longa, also for the IFRC, said that the IFRC had already seen a significant reduction in its humanitarian budget for Ukraine between 2023 and 2024. IFRC was updating the figures of returnees every several months, and was aiming to cover the areas controlled by Russian armed forces.
Health issues
Responding to questions from the media, Christian Lindmeier, for the World Health Organization (WHO), said that countries that had recently reported mpox cases included the United Arab Emirates, Thailand, and China. In the DRC, there had been 1,348 lab-confirmed cases of mpox and zero deaths as of 2 February. In 2024, the case fatality rate had been under 0.5 percent among the confirmed cases and 2.5 percent among suspected cases. Mpox response was particularly impacted in Goma and adjacent areas. DRC was the worst affected country by mpox, he reminded, and very few identified cases remained in isolation in the conflict areas, which posed a danger for everyone.
Also answering requests, Mr. Lindmeier said that a specific briefing on the danger of video games could be organized if there was sufficient interest by the media. Another press conference could be organized on the risks of alcohol consumption. On a question regarding the US withdrawal from the WHO, Mr. Lindmeier said that the US was one of the 194 Member States, and anything that any Member State brought to the table had to be discussed, including internal reforms. All 194 Member States were interested in global health, and cooperation was in everyone’s interest.
Announcements
Alessandra Vellucci, for the United Nations Information Service (UNIS), congratulated the newly elected leadership of the Association of Accredited Correspondents at the United Nations (ACANU), and looked forward to continuing productive collaboration.
She informed that the Human Rights Council Advisory Committee would hold its 33rd session in Room XX from 17 to 21 February. More details are available here. On 19 February at 10 am, the President of the Human Rights Council would hold a press conference ahead of the 58th session.
The Committee’s plenary meetings are open to the media and will conclude with a round-up press release. The agenda and programme of work are available on the Advisory Committee’s session webpage.
The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women was reviewing today the report of Liechtenstein.
The Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights was concluding this morning its review of the report of United Kingdom.
***
Teleprompter
Good morning.
Welcome to the press briefing of the Information Service here in Geneva at the UN.
Today is Friday, 14th of February.
Sorry for being a little bit late.
I would like to start the briefing by welcoming the students of the Webster Universities led by our your former colleague Lionel Fatton, now Professor Lionel Fatton.
And I would also like to start this this briefing by congratulating the new committee of the Association of Accredited Journalists to the UN.
I can we have I think this week had the election of the new members.
I'd like to congratulate them all and thank the members of the committee that was in charge last year for the good cooperation that we will shortly continue with the new elected colleagues.
So let's start immediately by going to our first speaker, Eugene from UNHCRI.
Think Eugene, you have an update on DRC?
I'll give you the floor.
Thank you, Alexandra.
Hello everyone, I'm happy to brief about the DRC update.
One of the the worst.
Humanitarian crisis on boarding and also happy to have the the Webster student so UNH.
CR, the UN refugee agency.
Is alarmed by the rapidly worsening humanitarian crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo as the continued lack of access to displace the people hampers the provision of an.
Urgently needed aid, heavy artillery shelling and looting have destroyed 70,000 emergency shelter around Goma and Minova.
In North and South Kivu.
Provinces leaving some 350,000 internally displaced people once again without a roof.
Over their heads.
Hundreds of 1000 of displaced.
People.
Are now living in overcrowded makeshift the shelter, churches and hospital the displaced.
People in Goma are.
Also affected by the considerable increase in crime, while some 100,000 internally displaced people.
Have.
Attempted to return to their.
Home warehouses have been damaged.
And there are little.
Or no essential services?
Many remain stranded in collective centres damaged.
IDP sites.
Or with the host.
Community.
This place people reported that fear of unexploited.
Ordinance destroyed homes.
And lack of essential services are significant obstacle to their.
Safe.
Return.
The crisis is worsening as.
People.
Fleet area where humanitarian aid cannot reach due to insecurity.
In South.
Kivu.
Over 50% of humanitarian organisations providing critical support to survivor of sexual.
Violence.
Report being unable.
To reach those in need.
Due to insecurity and continuous displacement.
Meanwhile, in North Kivu, the.
Destruction of a health facility, including Mortuary and.
Overcrowded hospitals increase the risk of spreading infectious disease, including cholera, malaria and measles.
UNHCR.
Team.
In both North and South.
Kivu continue to assist displace.
The people as much as.
Possible they have seen a family once.
Again packing up their few remaining belonging trapped.
In uncertainty and able to.
Stay yet with no safe place to go among them.
Is 50.
Five year old widow with five children who lost everything when she fled.
Her village to seek safety in Goma.
Now she has been.
Forced to leave the Blengo IDP.
Site on the outskirt of the city with.
No idea of where she will go.
Resident of Bukavu, home to 1.3 million people, are on **** alert as insecurity worsen in the region, prompting many to flee further.
South and beyond.
A further influx of people into the city.
Is expected in the coming.
Days potentially.
Followed by onward.
Movement as the fighting spreads.
UNHTC.
R remain committed to supporting civilians in North and South Kivu.
And is.
Closely monitoring the situation UN.
HTCR stands ready to help community recover by providing shelter.
And relief item for Bonneville.
Household, however, without sufficient financial resource the ability.
To provide life saving assistance.
Such as shelter, healthcare and protection services will be severely limited, further deepening the suffering of vulnerable populations.
Unity CR urges the international community to bolster their support to.
Prevent a deeper humanitarian.
Catastrophe.
Unit CCR once.
Again, calls for immediate cessation of hostility to ensure the safety of a civilian, including displaced populations.
And to uphold international humanitarian principles, including the right to move freely in search of safety.
We urge all parties to stop attacks.
On civilian.
Infrastructure and guarantee unhindered humanitarian access.
Thank you so much.
Thank you very much, Eugene.
And just to complete the information about DRC, I'd like to draw your attention to the statement by UNICEF Executive Director, Catherine Russell that was issued yesterday on the situation of children in Eastern DRC, which who are increasingly exposed to sexual violence, abduction and sorry and recruitment.
And also to the information that was given yesterday by our colleagues at the World Food Programme about the incredible problems that disruptions in market prices in and around Goma, which have the prices have grown exponentially and nutrition remains inaccessible for many.
The World Food Programmes operation in this area remain post, but the agency is ready to resume operation as soon as it's safe to do so.
So allow it now open the floor to question on the RCS.
Robin, thank you.
Good morning.
What are some of the dangers of having such a large number of.
People on the move.
Within a conflict zone and of the people that that you have been able to reach.
How many are there and?
And what sort of condition are those people in?
And and also what supplies do you have pre positioned within the area that you might be able to to get into that area once conditions allow?
Thank you, Robin for your question.
So the the lack of.
Essential.
Service of those the displaced.
Person who are already displaced multiple times is the biggest concern.
As well as I mentioned that the IDP sites which are destroyed, so meaning that those people.
Doesn't.
Have a shelter.
So many.
Are just as stranded on the street and then living on the street.
And then also that a lot of.
Essential infrastructure are destroyed.
Inside of IDP sites which is the toilet, the health facility so and then also that lack of clean water is is the increasing.
The the significantly the risk.
Of the disease among them.
So as Alexandra mentioned that there is an increased risk of GBP we have heard about.
This risk over and over and then we are calling the old party involved and.
Also everyone to uphold.
The humanitarian International humanitarian law to protect.
And prevent the GBB in DRC so there is a place.
That we are still unable to reach.
But there is a place that that.
Around, for example, around the Goma, there was that there has been 20.
8 IDP sites.
Most of them are.
Destroyed.
Still we have some of the access.
But our most.
Biggest concern is.
That we don't have the access from Goma.
The road from the Goma to Bukaboo is cut.
So also that that that cause a lot of anxious.
Around humanitarians and also.
That talking about that the.
Supplies that of course our warehouse.
Were also looted.
And impacted, but there is a warehouse that we are not, we're not.
So we haven't been noted, which hasn't been noted.
So which means that we still have some supplies and then we are coordinated with other, other agency.
Who also have some.
Supplies on the ground, for example, charter material.
So we are gathering those information that each agency has what to in in.
Order to deliver those supplies.
To those.
Area that we still have access.
Thank you very much.
Yes, please.
Hi, thank you very much for.
Briefing, it's Olivia Lopotova from Reuters.
But it's right there.
She doesn't know you yet.
Thank you.
Hi.
Thank you very much.
Just wanted to follow up.
Could you kindly just confirm again how many?
IDP sites have been destroyed.
And just just to check.
But do you know by by?
Whom and where exactly are those sites?
And just secondly as well.
Just confirming it's 300.
And 50,000 ID PS Without a roof over the head.
Just want to check that figure.
Thank you.
So I mentioned that.
The around the girl mother has there is a 28 IDP site.
What I heard is 70% of them are.
Destroyed.
And also that.
We are hearing the report.
That in in South Kivu.
The.
Minova IDP site.
IDP Sites.
Around the Minova is also has been destroyed, so 350.
1000 people without roof at the moment.
Among them, as I mentioned, the 100,000.
Are attempt to return to their their home town.
Which they also found difficulty because of explosive ordinance and also.
Lack of services so.
Meaning that if they cannot find a safety and an essential service of a place of.
Origin there there is also.
Possibility of those people will be displaced once again.
Thank you.
Eugene, The question in the room, no, I don't see it.
So Yuri Online.
Yes, thank you.
Jean, thank you, Alessandro.
Good morning.
My question is regarding the last week when we had the special session and on the human.
Rights Council on the situation.
In DFC, did you see any improvement in the situation there in DFC after this session regarding to access or regarding to the conditions for the displaced state people?
Thank you.
Gary, as I highlight, I think what we are seeing on the ground is a worsening.
Condition and we're.
Also hearing that a lot of.
People.
Around and in.
Bukavu.
In.
South Kivu.
Is also fearing the the the further.
Violence.
Which will eventually make them decide to move to further to South or.
Or in neighbouring.
Country.
Thank you.
Any other question to Yes Ramin?
Hello, just to ask if if you have had any?
Contacts at all with any.
Of the warring parties or perhaps those countries that might have influence over them to find out more information about.
About the situation.
On the ground and to relate to them directly your concerns we are.
Currently not having particular.
The the contact with the wearying parties.
But we are still on the ground.
To support the humanitarian perspective and aspect of this crisis.
So yeah, to answer your question, no, but we are continue to.
Call for those two wearing.
Party to respect and protect the civilian and the civilian.
Infrastructure.
As we do, and maybe this gives me the opportunity to remind you that the Secretary General is currently in Addis Ababa in Ethiopia to take part in the 38 African Union Summit.
And he is scheduled to take part in meetings of the African Union Peace and Security Council at the level of Heads of States and government where they will have a specific meeting on the situation in this in Eastern TRC.
So that will be at the highest level by the secretary general.
And in fact, this gives me also the opportunity to inform you that in addition to the remarks that he will deliver to the opening session on Saturday, he's scheduled to hold the press conference around 3:00 PM at this time.
And you can, of course, follow it on UN Web TV.
Antonio.
Have to mute yourself.
Yeah, you are OK.
Yes, I am unmuted now, so it's a question of more general problem.
Maybe you don't have the.
Numbers now, but the US has suspended the programmes for resettling refugees in the country.
And I would.
Like to know how many people, how many refugees are affected by this?
From which countries?
I know this week in in Spain there was a call from UNHCR official.
For other.
Countries to accept the refugees.
That the US is not.
Accepting now, so did there's some countries answer to this call?
So if you can.
Give us some information on this later in the day.
We would appreciate.
Thank you SO.
Just to simply.
Answer, Antonio, and then maybe we can follow up.
But yes.
We are aware that the reset programme is impacted, but how many are impacted is still uncertain.
And then that's something that we can follow up with you separately.
Thank you very much.
Any other question to your NHTR?
Yes, Mohammed, thank you so much.
Mohammed from Turkey's under news agency.
I would like to ask you about I got my airport.
The airport still is closed.
And is there opportunity to use this airport for humanitarian operations?
Thank you.
Thank you.
Mohammed, as far as I know that the airport is still not functioning for the humanitarian.
Aid, and this is one of.
Our concern as well and then at the same time that the the since.
The the violence is spread to the South Kivu.
And then those supply line, supply pipeline is our biggest concern and.
As soon as we have opportunity to reach and have access to those people in need, we will definitely need.
Those those the road.
And then air.
Has to be.
Open and then accessible for the humanitarian agency to bring their additional.
Supplies.
Indeed, any other question, I don't see any.
So thank you very much, Eugene, for this briefing.
And I'd like now to go to my left to Tomaso de la Longa.
Tomaso, you have brought us Madeleine Lyons, who is the IFRC Senior Humanitarian Analyst.
She's calling in from Ottawa to tell us about the three years of the conflict in Ukraine.
Indeed, almost three years, as you know, have passed since Russia's full scale invasion of Ukraine and 11 years since the annexation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and city of Sebastopol.
And the war continues to inflict untold suffering on the Ukrainian people and has profound global implication.
As we've heard these last days, the war must end now in line with the UN Charter, international law and UN resolutions.
And IFRC has more on that.
Thomas.
Yes, Thank you, Alessandra, and good morning, everyone.
Yeah, as you said.
Today we want to.
Present this new report ahead of this sad three years mark of the Russia, Ukraine international conflict.
The headline of the of the of the report is at a tipping point.
How financial strains are driving Ukrainians abroad, back home.
And again, just two things were like, the first one is that the report is now online, so you can find the full report on our website.
And second, let me thank Madeleine because it's very early in the morning and she's happier to present the report.
Yeah, that's very kind of you.
Thank you very much.
You have the floor.
Thank you very much for having me many displaced.
Ukrainians are reaching A tipping point.
Where the struggle to remain?
Abroad has become unsustainable and returning to Ukraine means living in uncertainty.
Our latest?
Data is showing that economic strains and declining international support are driving many Ukrainians into significant hardship both.
Inside and outside the country the data is gathered.
Through our partnership with Impact.
Initiatives and is substantiated.
By data through several national societies.
Including the Ukraine Red Cross Society.
We're seeing that more than one in four people are settling in areas.
Near the front.
Lines once they return.
Where security?
Remains a critical concern.
They're returning for several reasons.
A large percentage of people are driven to return by a desire to.
Reunite with family more than.
Half are returning due to economic.
Reasons.
However, what was unexpected?
In this report is that there was a.
Growing number of people who are indicating that they are driven to return due to financial exhaustion and limited access to.
Essential services in host countries.
This includes, say, 13.
Percent of refugees who cite medical care as their reason for returning.
10% are citing education.
As their primary driver of.
Return and once they return we see that 23% are being.
Forced to reduce their food.
Intake due to a lack of.
Resources.
For those on the front line, their challenges are immense.
We see 65.
Percent of returnees report returning to homes that are damaged or uninhabitable.
Leaving them to rebuild.
In the middle of a conflict zone.
Their daily life is being shaped by air raid sirens.
And infrastructure that has been damaged by the ongoing conflict.
A.
Shocking 79% of returnees.
Report urgent unmet humanitarian.
Needs ranging from food and necessities to assistance finding employment still.
Many of those on the.
Frontline are contributing to.
Ukraine's rebuilding efforts despite these.
Extraordinary challenges.
The lack of medical resources.
Compounded by the ongoing conflict and infrastructure damage leaves your attendees.
Particularly vulnerable to long term health.
Consequences.
This is exacerbated by challenges resuming their previous employment.
While.
Returning presents severe risks, the.
Situation.
For Ukrainians, living abroad also remains deeply challenging.
We see that savings have dried up and many have resorted to taking on new debt to get by.
We can see that in.
Countries like.
Romania families who once had enough savings to sustain themselves.
Are now struggling to afford groceries.
Rent and healthcare in Moldova, 36% of those displaced are now relying on humanitarian.
Aid as their.
Primary source of income.
All the people.
Are among the most vulnerable.
Many have lost not only their homes.
But also the social connections.
And support networks that once sustained them.
Only 27% of elderly.
Ukrainians living abroad live in private housing.
Leaving most in temporary.
Shelters or dependent on assistance that is stretched.
To its limits.
For those with chronic illnesses.
The inability to access medical care is more than just an.
Inconvenience.
It can be life.
Threatening.
We see that 18% of displaced older Ukrainians cited urgent unmet medical needs as one of their.
Key humanitarian requirements without proper.
Medication We know blood pressure rises, diabetes goes unmanaged, and minor infections turn into serious complications.
Some have no choice.
But to navigate foreign healthcare.
Systems in languages they don't.
Understand hoping that someone.
Will take the time to help them.
For many.
Displaced Ukrainians, the longer they remain abroad, the harder it is.
To find a path forward.
Language barriers.
Shut them out of job opportunities and without financial independence, many feel trapped.
In a cycle of uncertainty, 63% of Ukrainians abroad are in entry level jobs, up from just 23.
Percent who worked in those positions prior to the escalation.
Where the majority were employed in professional or managerial positions, this of course has had a dramatic effect on their.
Quality of life and the future for those households.
In the.
Face of this crisis.
The IFRC and our network of 60 Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies continue to deliver one of the largest humanitarian responses in our history, across Ukraine and in host.
Countries, we are providing life.
Saving assistance to those in.
Need in Ukraine?
Our teams are delivering emergency cash assistance to prevent vulnerable families from falling.
Further into debt we're providing.
Food.
Shelter and medical care.
And as the winter sets in, our volunteers are distributing hygiene kits.
Blankets.
And setting up heating stations to keep people.
Warm, our largest.
Ever mental health initiative is helping those struggle with the psychological toll of the conflict.
Through counselling, stress relief workshops and psychological first aid from.
Language classes to vocational training to legal aid and.
Social integration programmes we're working.
To ensure that displaced individuals.
Have the tools.
They need to rebuild their lives.
But even with all these efforts, we see the uncertainty in the future.
The needs remain significant and the resources.
To meet them shrinking.
At the same time.
Policies are changing.
In host countries, often reducing assistance.
Or narrowing eligibility for displaced.
Ukrainians who are still struggling to survive.
Now is the moment for.
Governments, donors and the international community to reaffirm their commitment to.
These communities and to people who desperately need their.
Support.
Without sustained assistance, more people will face impossible choices cutting back on.
Meals, delaying medical care or.
Returning to unsafe conditions simply because they have nowhere.
Else to go.
Thank you, Thank you.
Thank you very much.
And I would like to remind everybody of the of the numbers that we've seen from the protection of civilians, those who are in the country, those who come back are really the first priority of that we have to have.
In January 2025, civilian casualties increased 39% compared in January, so and to compare to December and 27% compared to January of last year.
So this is really the biggest worry we have.
And since we're speaking also about funds, just would like to remind you that as you know, $2.63 billion is needed, are needed by the UN and partners to assist 6 million people through the humanitarian needs and response plan.
And as of the 13th of February, only 12% is the appeal is funded to a level of 12%.
So I think important to recall.
So I'll open the floor to questions now on Ukraine Robin for Madeline.
Robin is our correspondent of the AFP.
Thank you.
2 questions.
Those those people who are returning to to dangerous areas near the front line, what does that tell you about the the situations?
That they are returning from.
If if that is a preferable option for for their lives.
And secondly, on this issue of a personal debt, how large is this becoming for the, for the?
Refugee.
And and returnee community and what are some of the possible?
Pathways that people might be able to.
Get out of that situation, Madeline.
We answer every question in a in a press conference style.
So if you want to go ahead.
Thank you so much.
Robin, very, very interesting questions.
I think the first piece around why the population are returning, there's two factors here.
So firstly we see that people want to return back to.
A place that is familiar.
To them we see the power of home, you know.
The desire to return.
Back as you can.
Imagine and we can all empathise with the desire to.
Be somewhere that is familiar in such uncertain and unfamiliar times.
So that's that's part of the equation that we're seeing.
I think the other piece, however, is recognising that we remain concerned that.
There are.
Governments that are interpreting the Temporary Protection Directive across Europe in a more and more.
Restricted way and we do.
See that this is contributing to hardship as the number of people.
Who are for example.
Eligible for accommodation assistance, we see that these individuals are particularly challenged then to make ends meet and we do see this this sort of consequence or carry on effect around.
Household debt so moving.
On to that second question, one of the statistics I would point you towards.
Is that we know we see in our post.
Distribution monitoring that around 30% of households across.
The European region on.
Average have taken on new.
Household debt, however, I'd point you to a particularly severe debt acquisition levels.
In households in Romania and Moldova, in Romania, 15% of households have taken on not just new debt, but debt that is.
Unrepayable.
Or debt that we would consider to be at unsustainable or unmanageable levels.
I think the important point is that regardless of the country, what's very interesting in this data is that we see.
The.
Reason for acquiring this new debt is by and large, firstly that people are borrowing to buy food and other Expendables, you know, clothing, things that are, are fundamental.
Secondly, we see that they're using it to pay for accommodation and.
Thirdly, we see that, upsettingly, they're using it to pay for healthcare services.
So those are the three main.
Drivers of this new debt.
Acquisition in.
Terms of how they get out of the cycle.
We and our humanitarian partners have been endeavouring to support them through.
Cash transfer programmes and other.
Forms of assistance.
However, I think recognising that for many of these.
Households, they are still effectively in the relief phase of this.
Experience and that there is a long journey remaining ahead of them necessitates additional humanitarian support as well as additional support from our government partners.
Thank you very much, Senator Christian Erich, German News agency.
Yes, thank you for the briefing since we didn't have a chance to look at the report yet and I couldn't find that in the last.
5 minutes, can you?
Give us an idea of how many people you interviewed in how many countries and when these interviews took place referring.
To all the.
Percentages that you gave us.
Thank you.
Perfect.
Brilliant question.
So the number of.
People who were surveyed for this We did this survey in partnership with Impact Initiatives.
The survey for refugees spanned.
Six different country contacts, including Germany, and the numbers were about 3200.
Households that were surveyed by.
Phone in Ukrainian for this.
The survey took.
Place at the end of up until the end of October, beginning of.
November.
In terms of the returnee data that I've cited, the population that was surveyed is about two.
[Missing Subtitle]
And that data collection took place shortly after that timeline.
Yes, Olivia.
Reuters.
Thank you.
You were describing how you've.
Been providing life saving assistance, how concerned.
Are you by current aid freezes by the?
US and how might this impact?
Your.
Operations on the ground both now imminently but also looking forward to the to the rest of this year.
Tomaso, you might have more information on this than I.
Do.
Yeah.
Thank you, Madeleine, and thank you for the question.
Of course, every budget cut, it's concerning when it's coming to the Ukrainian appeal.
And what we are saying today is basically that we have been seeing an overall and ongoing trend which began last year.
So just to give you an example, in 2024, our emergency appeal received a contribution of 30 million Swiss francs compared to one 108 million in 2023.
So reduction of 78,000,000 between 2023 and 2024.
So of course, I think that it's a wide concern when we're talking about humanitarian budget cuts.
Thank you very much.
I'll go to the platform.
Satoko Adachi Miuri Shimbun.
Hello and thank you very much for that, Sandra and thank you very much for doing this you talked about.
The Chinese returning to homes.
And.
Could you give us some demographic?
Picture here.
These returnees going.
Back more to western Ukraine.
Or across the country, including Eastern.
Ukraine, thank you.
Thank you very much for.
The question, we do see that 27% of returnees are returning to frontline areas.
So there is a surprising.
Number of people who are returning.
Back to the pre.
Conflict settlement or pre escalation settlement.
Of that number, we see that the demographics do tilt slightly to women without.
Children, and we know that.
Elderly people were more likely to remain in those settlements and not to originally be displaced.
So we do see.
That that.
Population remains over represented in the number of people who are continuing to reside in these communities, however yes, it's generally women without.
Children who are now.
Returning again, the primary driver of return that we're seeing is family reunification, including with elderly parents and spouses, but the second driver aside from employment.
That would.
Again, we're beginning to see increasingly drivers suggesting that it's not so much.
The pull factors, but a growing number of push factors.
Making life in Europe increasingly financially difficult.
So for example, we see 9% of returnees to their.
Frontline.
Areas.
Saying.
They're returning because of financial that life in Europe is financially unfeasible for them.
Thanks Mandarin.
I see Satoko has a follow up.
You have to unmute yourself, Satoko.
Hello.
Yeah, we can hear you.
Yeah, sure, sure.
Does that mean that the?
They are also going back.
To the occupied territory by Russia in Ukraine I.
Unfortunately don't have data about those territories for today's.
Presentation What I can say is.
The the number of people.
Who are moving back to those frontline areas?
Was a surprise to us.
We didn't anticipate to see roughly A1 in four.
Over.
One in four returning to.
Those frontline areas we are very aware that this puts.
Them at additional risk of.
You know, other levels of humanitarian vulnerability and we're concerned.
About their well-being, we know that 30% of them are uncertain about their intention to remain over the next three months.
So we do see that.
There is the risk of.
Further displacement having returned back to these frontline areas.
They now may now.
In turn be.
Re.
Displaced.
From those front.
Frontline areas so.
They're.
Living in a in a precarious.
State, and we also know that.
Living in this kind of uncertainty has a huge mental toll on the population so.
We're very aware.
Of the demand for psychosocial.
Services and that exists.
In the country.
Thank you very much.
Yuri Apreleffi University.
Yes, thank you.
And it was almost the same question than Satokova.
Yuri, Yuri.
Thank you.
So yeah, I'm quite surprised with the answer because I have the same question that Satoko just asked if your data also include.
Ukrainians who are returning to.
Russian controlled cities and areas once the fighting is over via Belarus and Russia, because for example, I took the bus between Poland and Belarus and it was full of Ukrainians coming back to these territories through Belarus and through Russia after that to come back to the Donbas area.
And as you say that you have no data on that, but the Red Cross has also a federation in Belarus, also a federation in Russia, and you are working with them.
So I'm quite surprised why these people are not at all in your data.
Thank you.
Thank you for the question.
At this point our data.
Is limited in in terms of.
It does not include the.
Occupied territories or the territories?
No longer under the control of the Ukrainian government, it also does not include populations that have returned to the Russian Federation.
That said, we're working closely with the Russian Red Cross to understand the needs of these populations and endeavouring to to improve our data reach for these populations in the.
Future as well so.
Tomaso, did you have any, any additional insight on this or any additional comment that you wanted to add?
Yeah, no thanks, Madeleine.
Thanks, Yuri for the question.
I mean, it's a very good point just to say that we are updating these figures.
And correct me if I'm wrong, Madeleine, I think every three or four months.
And of course there is always the will to update all these kind of studies also related to the people in different areas of the country, also in the areas held by the Russian Armed Forces.
So we'll see in the next future which kind of update we can provide.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you very much.
I don't see other hands up on the rumour on the platform.
So thank you very much to our colleague of IFRC and Madeleine, thanks for being up this time of the day as early as 4:00 in the morning.
Understand.
Thank you for briefing us and come back anytime.
Thank you, Tomaso.
So I, I only have a couple of announcements for you.
One is on behalf of Pascal of the Human Rights Council.
He would like to inform you that the UN Human Rights Council Advisory Committee will hold this 33rd session from the 17th to the 21st of February in Room 20.
It's an it's an open session, It's open to the media and but it will not be webcast live in case you want to hear.
You have to go in person there.
More details on the issues to be discussed at the sessions are going to be in the Unaware in the Media advisory, which was shared with you yesterday afternoon.
Also on the human rights committees, the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women is reviewing today the report of Liechtenstein and in the afternoon on Monday.
Next Monday they will hold 1/2 day of general discussion on gender stereotypes.
The Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights is concluding this morning the review of the UK.
The next countries under scrutiny are Rwanda, the Philippines and Kenya.
And that is what I had on the announcement side for the human rights.
Do you have any question?
Yes, Olivia, thank you.
I just have a question for Christian Lindmeyer from World Health Organisation.
Yeah, he should be online.
Christian, show your face.
I think you are there.
I'm not wrong.
Yes, go ahead.
Thank you, Christian.
I have two questions on on two different subjects.
The first is about mpox, the first case being reported in the UAE yesterday.
Please would you?
Tell us some more details on.
That if you have any.
And the second is you.
Your organisation has issued a.
Report.
Essentially suggesting that alcohol labels.
Should raise awareness that consuming.
Alcohol can lead to cancer.
I just would like to.
Understand from who?
How does this?
Call for labels to differ differ from your previous.
Position and also are you?
Able to clarify whether it supports warning labels on alcoholic drinks globally or just in Europe so.
Yeah, any.
Details on that would be.
Great.
Thank you.
Thank you very much, Christian.
Yeah.
Thank you very much.
I have very.
Limited.
So on the last one, we really have to get back to you because that's very detailed on the subject.
I.
Don't have with me I.
Also don't have many more details on the inbox cases now reported other than countries that newly reported cases of the clade 1.
He includes the UAE as you mentioned, Thailand and China, but not much more.
I can share with.
You right now.
Sorry for that.
Thanks, Christian.
There are more.
Hands up.
I don't know if they're for you.
Let's start with Antonio.
It's for you, Alessandra.
I want to know if the President of the Human Rights Council is organising a press conference next week.
Well, I know that this is a tradition, so I believe that would be the case, but I cannot speak for the Council.
We have to ask Pascal and I'll ask him to come back to all of you with with this information.
It's it's pretty traditional.
They always do.
So I I hope that would be the case this year too.
Thank you, Catherine.
So Catherine Fiancan is our the new president of Akano.
I'd like to congratulate her for the election.
Catherine, you have the floor.
Thank you, Alexander.
Thank you.
Looking forward.
To continue to work.
With Eunice and and congratulations to.
The former president Yuriya Prelev, who did.
An incredible job.
And with whom we had a great cooperation.
Thank you very much, Catherine, go ahead.
Yes.
I'd like.
To come back to Mpox, a question has been.
Asked and I'd like.
A good morning Christian about mpox in the Congo.
Because when I can.
Received ministers from the Congo.
They spoke.
About cases of mpox in Kivu, I'd like to have some.
Details about how you are cooperating with the.
Government on that issue, are you able?
To be in the region as the region.
Is now with different.
Troops controlled by foreign troops.
And another question, Christian.
Would it be possible to have a?
Briefing on the danger of.
The.
Extra.
Use the too much use of video games as recently we had yesterday the.
Attempt in Munich and several media.
Spoke about the fact that the aggressivity as aggressivity of the killer was linked.
To.
Too much use of video.
Games and devices so so.
Could you maybe organise something or give?
US.
The contact details of the experts at WHO on that.
Matter.
Thank you so much.
Yeah, that would help any mother in the room too.
Christian, go ahead.
And the fathers, by the way, thank you very much, Catherine.
And then Congrats to the new board and to you to the, to the new, to the role, to the.
Function on on the last.
Topic the video game so if.
There's a general interest then we can see.
To to organise a specific.
Briefing we I think we had.
Discussed this a while ago.
And I think even we while ago had.
Mentioned that not specifically on video games, but I kind of recall something.
Anyway, point being if.
There's a general wish, yes.
Please, then we can we can do that otherwise.
If it remains an individual.
Request happy to put you in touch indeed.
So thank you for that on on your second part, what we have right now, the cases and the deaths in the DRC.
On on mpox so far.
We have 1348 lab confirmed cases but zero deaths so far as that's of two February.
So that's already what, 12 days old confirmed data.
So even in in 2024 the the the case fatality rate.
For M Box in the DRC in the Democratic.
Republic of Congo was under 0.5% among the confirmed cases, but over.
2.5 in the.
In the suspected cases, that's last year's data, so now.
A bit about the response.
You're targeted, so the mpox responses is.
Heavily impacted, of course, particularly in in Goma and the.
Adjacent and area.
And with the conflict now?
Reaching.
South S Kibo as well, you see in general it's the worst affected country for mpox with with Kibo being the epicentre of the the Clayton 1B outbreak.
So out of 143 confirmed mpox pace patients in isolation units in Goma and around 128 fled.
In fear for their lives, only 50 nanpox patients, about 10%, remained in isolation.
In isolation.
And that's, of course, dangerous.
For everybody around for new.
Infections.
Not taking looking at the danger.
For the patients.
In in the situation on the attack, of course.
Some health facilities are closed.
Others.
Looted.
Some health workers have also.
Fled in search for security.
People are unable to access healthcare.
Due to the violence.
So a very.
Grim picture, yeah.
Let's leave it that out.
For now, thanks.
Thank you.
I see other hands, but just just to answer one of your former questions, I think, Antonio asked Mattis, confirming in the chat that the president of the Human Rights Council will hold a press conference at 10 AM on Wednesday, 19th of February.
Actually was announced yet, but he's confirming it in the chat.
So for those who are in the room who cannot read the chat, that's the answer.
OK, so let me continue with Maya.
Maya plans.
Yes.
Thank you very much for taking my question.
Nice to see you, Christian.
My also I.
Second, the patrine.
I would like to see if we can have a special.
Briefing on the.
Question of violence and video games.
If.
Possible within the next week.
If and.
Another one is also seconding my.
Question.
I have a question from a colleague from AFP.
Olivia.
Regarding this alcohol issues.
If we could have a special expert come to speak, give us a briefing on all the issues and how The Who is involved and who are the lobbyists pushing for this kind of legislation or trying to get to this kind of issues passed, so can you can.
You clarify the last point.
Please, Maya, I'm not quite sure what you're asking.
Yes, to have an expert at the.
That is at the.
WTO that is responsible for dealing with the lobbyists that are trying to push all this frameworks regarding alcohol use alcohol.
Consumption, OK.
So I take that as in general a request for something on alcohol consumption and.
The other one on video.
Games, OK.
Yeah.
Thank you.
It's working.
OK.
Sorry.
OK.
Sorry, Mr Liang, China Economic Daily, Michael.
Thank you.
Alexandra.
My question goes to The Who it is about the remote possibility, or lack of it, about the US returning.
Last.
Month, three days after announcing the withdrawal from The Who, Donald Trump said, he said, And I quote, maybe we would consider doing it again.
I don't know, maybe we would.
They would have to clean it up.
And so my question.
Is after this kind of ultimatum giving to The Who saying clean it up and then I could possibly rejoin?
Is it saying it is a thin end of wedge?
Thin end of the wedge opening up a dangerous trend of a sovereign country?
Blackmailing an international organisation and after this?
Announcement during this past three weeks.
Is there any?
Communication channels taking place about which part of the house that he wants WHO to clean up.
Thanks.
Or did he just unhappily walk away?
Thanks.
Very interestingly, you put.
Question, thank you very much.
There's not much I can.
Can add to that.
Part let me take.
That first part of your of your.
Question is the the announcement to possibly?
Be interested or willing.
To to work together again as it was put that's a welcome statement and as we have said all the while along and you heard.
The Director General.
Just now on on Wednesday talk about this.
We're open for all suggestions.
After all, the US is 1 member state over the 194 member States and who is a member state based organisation, meaning whatever the member states bring to the table needs to be discussed and has to be discussed.
And we as the Secretariat here in Geneva are fulfilling or implementing the the mandate or fulfilling the wishes, so to say, of the international states community.
So and the US is part of it.
So if there's anything to be discussed, we're happy to discuss.
The director general also.
Pointed out all the reforms undertaken and the steps undertaken.
So I.
Think we're on a good path, but again, as it was said, happy to discuss further whatever.
Helps the situation because.
After all, the the global health is something which interests us all, 194 Member States and even the ones who are not members.
So it's global health all are interested.
Any reductions?
In in help and aid across the world.
As we see already is hurting, and it's hurting not only the the poorest of the.
Poor.
It's hurting, it will impact people in the US as well.
So there's nobody safe from this, hence.
Operation is certainly.
Something we should all achieve.
Thank you, John.
John, you're on.
We can't hear you.
I see your mic is on, but I can't hear you.
Sorry.
You want to try again?
No, I'm afraid.
I'm sorry, John, I don't.
We don't hear you here to either you reconnect maybe or send you a question in writing in the chat.
Try again, You're on again.
No, I think you have a problem with your with your audio.
Sorry for that.
John.
Is there any other question?
Maybe John can write this one in the chat in the meantime.
No, I don't see any.
So John, I'm very sorry, but I think we will close here and maybe you want to send send your question in writing to to Christian directly because we cannot hear you.
So thank you very much Christian for for answering the questions.
I think this concludes our briefing of today.
So I wish you thank you very much for being with us.
I wish you a very good weekend and I'll see you next week.
Thank you.