UN Peacekeepers Day/ UNIFIL/ Lebanon & other topics - Daily Press Briefing

All right.
Good afternoon.
I think you heard Jean Pierre speak extensively about UNIFIL, but I just want to give you a bit of an update on the status quo of our two peacekeepers who were injured on Wednesday.
I can tell you that they are continuing to receive treatment at UNIFIL medical facility in South Lebanon and we of course, continue to wish them a quick and swift recovery.
A full recovery.
Their colleagues meanwhile, continue to do their work and they're continuing to observe intensive IDF activity across UNIFILs area of operations, including sustained airstrikes and helicopter fire in both sectors, that is east and west.
Yesterday, UNIFIL peacekeepers reported total of 773 firing incidents originating from IDF positions south of the blue line within its area of operations.
In addition, 15 trajectories of projectiles were detected from north to south and one crossing the blue line while ground forces observed 29 projectiles interceptions by Israel over in that area.
Peacekeepers also observed IDF personnel and vehicles establishing two roadblocks near a UNIFIL position in Sector West.
As we have said repeatedly here, full freedom of movement for UNIFIL throughout its area of operations is essential for it to carry out its mandate.
Also, yesterday, a UNIFIL observed two armed drones flying over or near UNIFIL position just north of Balata.
One of these drones dropped a grenade in the vicinity before turning back.
Incidents of this nature are of concern to say the least and we reiterate that all parties must avoid any action that puts in danger the lives of UN peacekeepers or threatens UN peacekeeping property.
In coordination with our humanitarian colleague, I think as Jean Pierre mentioned, the mission facilitated three humanitarian missions to tire in Sector West yesterday.
On the humanitarian front, our colleague Imran Riza, the resident humanitarian coordinator for Lebanon launched with the Lebanese government the revised flash appeal for Lebanon that is calling for an additional $331.5 million to cover the period from June to August.
This brings the overall as for the flash appeal running from March through August to nearly $640 million, and this is to sustain lifesaving efforts for 1.4 million human beings.
As you'll recall, the Secretary-General announced the initial flash appeal in person three months ago, and donors, and that was done in Beirut.
Donors have up till now provided about $186 million to bolster the humanitarian response.
We and our partners have so far reached some 680,000 people.
However, humanitarian needs are rising, as we've been telling you, essential services, including healthcare and water systems continue to be severely impacted very negatively.
Emphasizing that some 1 million people remain displaced because of the conflict, Mr.
Reza called for sustained international support to enable the delivery of a broad range of lifesaving assistance, protect civilians and help restore critical services in affected areas.
Turning to the occupied Palestinian territory, our our Deputy Special coordinator and humanitarian coordinator there, Ramiz Alabkhorov today highlighted the impact of the conflict on the environment in Palestine and the importance of integrating environmental considerations into humanitarian recovery and development efforts.
The statement issued for World Environment Day, doctor Abkharov who said that environmental damage has affected people's health, livelihoods, and well being and placed additional pressure on vulnerable ecosystems and natural resources.
Warned that damage to essential infrastructure, including water and sanitation systems, as well as pollution and the accumulation of debris has immediate consequences for communities and may have long term implications.
Meanwhile, our colleagues working on sanitation in Gaza report that solid waste management continues to rely on temporary dump sites that are near where displaced people live and therefore has an immediate negative impact on public health.
Over the past three months, our partners have transferred about 100,000 cubic meters of waste from the ferest market in Gaza to a newly identified dump site in Abu Jaarad, but the new site cannot be fully developed or effectively utilized without specific fabrics, also called geotexiles that have only now been approved to be brought into Gaza and are in the procurement phase.
There's a need to secure Gaza's access to landfills close to the eastern perimeter.
We also need approval to bring in equipment and other inputs to clear explosive ordinance and remove waste and rubble.
Finally, our mine action colleagues tell us in the last two weeks of May, they've raised awareness and the risks linked to explosive ordinance among more than 16,000 children and adults, but they still lack approval to take into Gaza the necessary equipment to dispose of the actual explosive devices.
You saw that yesterday we issued an update on the activities of our colleague Jean Arnault, who since the start of his assignment as the Secretary-General personal envoy for the Middle East Conflict and the consequences, has been conducting extensive consultations with countries of the Middle East affected by the conflict, members of the Security Council and other member states, including with counterparts at headquarters in the region.
In his engagements, Mr.
Arno has amplified the Secretary-General call for an urgent de escalation and the consolidation of the ceasefire, as well as comprehensive and durable settlement and the need to avert the devastating consequences of a resumption of hostilities and to restore the freedom of navigation through the strait of Hormuz as an urgent matter.
As he prepares to undertake further consultations, Mr.
Arnau is encouraged by the broad regional convergence on the need to bring the current conflict to a quick and definitive end and among others, steps to undertake the difficult but necessary work of restoring trust and cooperation that has been broken by this conflict.
This emerging consensus can make a powerful contribution to the settlement of the conflict and long term regional stability.
Um, and also in terms of travel, an update on miss Marie Angela Hogan, who, as you know, is the personal envoy of the Secretary-General, and she will be in Cyprus on the seventh to the 14th of June, meeting with Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders separately on June 8th to discuss a way forward.
From Cyprus, she will travel to Ankara and Athens for further meetings and consultations.
Turning to Libya, as I've been asked, I can tell you that we are deeply concerned by the violent protests that took place yesterday outside the UNHCR and USML headquarters in Tripoli.
The UN strongly condemns any attack or threats against personnel or premises.
We are concerned by the spread of misinformation and disinformation regarding the work of the United Nations in Libya.
We want to clarify that UNHCR works closely with the Libyan authorities to identify and support solutions outside of Libya for people fleeing war and persecution and in need of international protection, including through third countries such as resettlement and voluntary returns when feasible.
The UN appreciates the support of the Libyan authorities in maintaining public order and ensuring the safety of protesters and UN personnel and facilities.
An update for you on the Democratic Republic of the Congo where our humanitarian colleagues warned of intensifying violence, claiming civilian lives and severely restricting humanitarian access in the provinces of North and South Kivu.
In North Kivu province, an armed attack in Bi territory on the night of June 2nd, reportedly killed at least 24 civilians, triggered fresh displacement according to local authorities, in neighboring Masisi territory, heavy clashes on June 3rd, caused further displacement, compounding a crisis that had already displaced some 270,000 people as of May.
The renewed violence has compelled humanitarian organization to restrict movements in several areas, further limiting access to affected populations.
In South Kivu, hostilities on June 3rd in Fizi and Hwang territories reportedly involving the use of drones sparked new displacement according to local civil society.
Over the past two years, persistent insecurity in that area has cut off more than 165,000 men, women, and children from regular assistance.
Our OCHA colleagues say they are very concerned about the ongoing violence in the two Eastern provinces and that it could hinder the response to the Ebola epidemic as well as ongoing humanitarian work.
Despite these challenges, provision of lifesaving assistance continues wherever possible.
Since April, humanitarian partners have provided cash assistance to more than 8,000 people in Beni territory, and we call on all parties yet again to respect international humanitarian law and provide unimpeded, safe, and sustained humanitarian access.
Earlier today on Ebola, the Africa Center for Disease Control and Prevention, along with the World Health Organization launched a joint Continental preparedness and response plan for the ongoing Ebola outbreak.
The plan aims to raise $518 million to support countries together with partners to prepare, detect, and respond to the outbreak.
The six month plan will cover the period from now until November and bring together governments, partners, and communities under a unified one response approach to strengthen outbreak response measures, including emergency coordination, disease surveillance, lab testing, infection control, and many other aspects.
The plan complements the national response plans launched by the governments of the Democratic Republic of the Congo as well as Uganda.
And on behalf of our friends at UNPS in Copenhagen, we wanted to flag their new annual report that was issued today in which it outlines how the agency provided technical operational logistical support through more than 1,100 projects across 130 countries and territories.
In those projects, it delivered around $2.7 billion worth of support in terms of humanitarian response, sustainable development, and peace and security initiatives.
The majority of the projects were in response to conflicts and crises, including in high risk areas.
Two thirds of UNP work was in complex situation in line with the continued focus to operate in some of the world's most challenging places, through its projects, the report says its organization created around 26 million days of paid work for local communities, among them the poorest, including 10 million days of work for women.
And the global food price index, for those of you who may have put some money on the global food Price Index on poly Market.
Global food prices were largely unchanged in May, according to data released today by the Food and Agricultural Organization.
The Food Price Index, which tracks international prices for major food commodities, averaged 130.8 points in May.
The index was down 0.2% from April but remained 2.9% higher Then a year ago, FAO says that while global food commodity markets have remained broadly resilient, disruptions to key trade routes, including the strand of Hormuz, of course, could reduce fertilizer use and place additional pressure on food prices, underscoring the need for international cooperation.
Today is World Environment Day in a message, the Secretary-General said that warning signals are everywhere.
Noted the past 11 years have been the 11 hottest on records and that damage goes far beyond rising temperatures.
He pointed out the world is heading for a temporary overshoot of 1.5 degrees and every fraction of a degree brings greater harm, especially to the most vulnerable.
He stressed that our task is to make that overshoot as small and as short and as safe as possible, rapidly bringing temperatures back down.
Secretary-General stressed this means slashing emissions, accelerating or just transition away from fossil fuels and towards renewables, cutting methane, protecting forest land, sea, and helping communities adapt to already devastating impacts.
His message was shared with you.
Also today, Volker Türk, the Hih Commissioner Human Rights, in his own message stressed that over the past three years, his office has recorded nearly 600 environmental and land defenders killed or disappeared worldwide in at least 55 countries, um environmental defenders have been detained for just defending the environment.
Mr.
Turk urged all governments to ensure the safety of environmental defenders and accountability for all abuses.
His message is shared with you.
Today is also the International day for the fight against illegal, under reported and unregulated fishing.
According to FAO, over a third of fish stocks globally are being overexploited.
It's estimated that one in every five fish caught comes from illegal, underreported, or unregulated fishing.
I have a little mini quiz for you today.
A well known poet was born on June 6th.
Who is that? We are celebrating the language of that poet tomorrow.
Excuse me? Yes, it's Alexander Pushkin was born on June 6th, and we mark that because it will mark the Annual Russian Language Day.
If you're in Paris next week, Unesco will open its doors for an official ceremony to celebrate the day followed by a concert.
Sunday is World Food Safety Day.
Food safety helps to ensure that we remain safe.
To state the obvious.
And just a programming note on Monday, we will join by a number of guests leading that list is Steven Hill, our new Assistant Secretary-General for Legal Affairs.
He will be joined by miss Baya Tazeb, Deputy permanent representative of the Netherlands to the UN, Rafael Gonzalez Quiros, Director of Oceanographic Center of Giron and Fabian Custo the oceanographer, explorer and founder of the Fabian Custo Oceans Learning Center.
They will be here to briefing on the World Ocean Assessment.
Edi De Nipt.
Thank you, Steph.
In these intensifying attacks in North and South Kivu, are those areas that have been affected by Ebola Ebola cases reported there and as we mentioned, I mean, already the humanitarian work that we do there is extremely challenging.
When you add Ebola to it, it makes our work even more complicated and it makes the response to the insecurity makes the response to disease that much more complicated.
And in these protests against the UN Refugee Agency in Libya, it sounds like a an issue of poor communications and messaging with the local population, what is the UN going to do to try and if that? We are trying to communicate either through here or locally obviously in Arabic and in Libya.
But in this case, as in many others, the fight against disinformation and misinformation online is extremely challenging.
For that, we also need the assistance of the platforms, the social media platforms to help combat disinformation.
P to Ss.
Thank you.
The new humanitarian reporting that I'm quoting cyberattack on May 14th on the World Food Program exposed sensitive data from its Gaza self registration app, a people's portal affecting 600,000 households.
It may be the largest known breach of humanitarian beneficiary data to the date.
The data included names, IDs, mobile numbers, and neighborhood information.
Any comments? I mean, the comment is I can tell you, we've been in touch with our colleagues at WFP.
They were the holders of this database.
They're very much aware of the situation.
They took once they detected the breach, they took immediate action to shut down the platform, to try to contain the intrusion.
No other, um, WFP system was impacted and cash assistance, food delivery, all of that, thankfully, remains in place in Gaza.
They're working to try to restore and secure it and try to investigate it.
And I can tell you, whether it's WFP or any other organization, we all have to try to stay one step ahead of hackers, but it remains a challenge, but I know it is something they take extremely seriously.
I mean, the same report by the new humanitarian also raising some questions regarding unresolved issues that remain when it comes to the UN or the WFP handling the issue.
One of the questions they are raising is whether the wider digital strategy, including Palenteer linked systems, creates unacceptable data protection risks given the fact that back then when the UN in 2019 contracted with Palenteer, there were also a lot of critics saying that the connection between Palantier and CIA is a problematic issue a I can't comment on the on the actual contract, but I know that, you know, WFP has been in this business for a long time.
They take the fact that people trust them with individual data very seriously and they're trying to do whatever they can to remedy the situation.
Okay.
Yes, please go ahead.
It.
Thank you, staff Jerry K from China Central Television.
Ukraine President Zelensky has publicly called for direct talks with Russian President Putin and President Putin has responded publicly yesterday and US President Trump has also weighed in encouraging direct engagement between the two leaders.
Does the Secretary-General view this exchange as potentially meaningful opening for diplomacy? And does the SG believe the condition now exists for a direct meeting between the two leaders? I think in any context, in any conflict, direct negotiations within the right basis and on an equal basis is critical to resolving the conflict, and we will always be there to support the parties in order to reach a just and comprehensive and sustainable ceasefire and an end to the conflict within the parameters that we always state.
If such talks were to move forward, would the United Nations be prepared to support the entire we are and have always been prepared to do whatever we can to bring this conflict to an end.
Question.
However, today, Russian President Putin called the open letter as rude and disrespectful while he's speaking at the St.
Petersburg International Economic Forum.
He also said that there was currently no point in holding a meeting with President Zelensky.
I mean, I'm not here to provide color commentary as, you know, as the volleys go back back and forth.
I mean, my answer to you was what our general position is, and it remains the same.
Thank you.
Abu Sufjan, Thank you, Mr..
First of all, I want to know, do you have any update about yesterday's question? I asked about Bangladesh and India's border.
India is pushing Bangladesh Muslim people to Bangladesh and they are violating Vienna Convention.
No, I do not have anything for you as of yet.
Yes, Eric.
Hi.
So Kim Jong Moon was I hope it's working fine.
Is it? Okay.
Kim Jong Moon was recently photographed visiting a nuclear enrichment facility, a new nuclear enrichment facility.
Do you have any comment? Look, our stand on the need for full, complete, verifiable denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula remains unchanged.
What remains unchanged is my quest to have lunch.
Have a good weekend.