United Nations Daily Highlights, 08-05-13

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From: The United Nations Home Page at <http://www.un.org> - email: unnews@un.org

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NOON BRIEFING

BY MICHELE MONTAS

SPOKESPERSON FOR SECRETARY-GENERAL BAN KI-MOON

UN HEADQUARTERS, NEW YORK

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

MYANMAR: AID REACHING CYCLONE VICTIMS FALLS

FAR BELOW REQUIREMENTS ON THE GROUND

This morning, 24 tons of shelter supplies from the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), which were airlifted from Dubai, reached Myanmars main city of Yangon. The supplies included plastic sheets, blankets and kitchen sets from UNHCRs regional stockpile. UNHCR staff are at the Yangon airport to claim the items for immediate dispatch to areas affected by the cyclone.

The agencys second flight, shared with UNICEF, is scheduled to arrive in Yangon tomorrow.

The World Food Programme (WFP) has to date dispatched 426 tons of food to the affected areas since the cyclone struck and distributed enough food to reach nearly 74,000 people. The first ration consisted of high-energy biscuits and rice.

WFP is exploring how best to deliver food aid by boat as well, with the possibility of using a floating warehouse serviced by a flotilla of smaller boats ferrying in and out of parts of the delta which are inaccessible by land.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has delivered supplies to many non-governmental organizations. WHO has also received and distributed additional emergency health kits and diarrhea disease kits.

Myanmars Ministry of Health has given WHO a list of essential supplies and medicines that need to be replenished urgently and the agency will work with the Ministry to establish a revolving stock of drugs to ensure the continuing availability of essential medicines and supplies.

The Myanmar Government and humanitarian partners are reaching an increasing number of affected people but the levels of aid getting in to the country remain far below what is required to meet the needs on the ground.

Food, shelter, medical supplies and water are all critical needs.

Detailed assessments are ongoing, but the agencies focus has been on distribution of shelter materials.

Asked whether Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is concerned about reports that only a small portion of the aid is reaching cyclone victims, the Spokeswoman noted that the Secretary-General had expressed his concerns to the press in comments on Monday. Although the United Nations does not have specific data about the percentage of aid that has reached victims, she said, it is clear that the amount they have received so far has been small, compared to the needs of the population.

That situation, Montas said, has improved over the past day, with more aid being delivered, but the distribution of relief is still not proceeding as quickly as the United Nations would like. She said, in response to a question, that the delivery of aid is still too slow.

Asked about visas going to UN staff, the Spokeswoman noted that by noon on Monday, 34 people had received visas. She added, in response to a further question on whether some nationalities were being excluded, that it was clear that certain nationalities have been privileged.

Asked whether Member States would receive further briefings, such as the one delivered last Friday by Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs John Holmes, Montas said that Member States would receive updates on Myanmar, upon requests.

Asked whether the Secretary-General has spoken with Senior General Than Shwe, the Spokeswoman said that he was unable to reach the Senior General. The Secretary-General, she said, had spoken about Myanmar with a number of officials in neighboring countries, including the President of Indonesia and the Prime Minister of Singapore on Monday. He also spoke to the Foreign Minister of China on Monday morning.

CHINA: UNITED NATIONS STANDS READY TO HELP QUAKE SURVIVORS

According to a statement yesterday, the Secretary-General said he was deeply saddened by the loss of life and destruction of property suffered by the people of Sichuan Province in yesterdays devastating earthquake.

He extends his deepest condolences to the families of those who have been killed or injured in the earthquake. He adds that the UN stands ready to support the Government of China in its efforts to respond to the humanitarian needs caused by the disaster.

The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has already issued a Disaster, Assessment and Coordination Team alert, so that it can respond immediately if China requests additional assistance.

OCHA also informed the Chinese authorities that the United Nations has emergency environmental expert teams at the ready, if so requested. This comes amid reports that two chemical factories were damaged by the quake.

Asked whether the United Nations would provide aid to China, the Spokeswoman noted that, although China has accepted the UN offer of help, the United Nations is waiting for specific requests from the Chinese Government. Meanwhile, the effort is being made in China to save the maximum number of lives.

Asked whether the United Nations was concerned about a lack of specific requests from China, Montas said it was not, noting that there have been no reports, as in Myanmar, that aid is not reaching survivors or that a slow response is endangering lives.

NEW WEBSITE LAUNCHED FOR FOOD TASK FORCE

The Secretary-General chaired the first meeting of the High-Level Task Force on the Global Food Security Crisis yesterday. The Task force brings together heads of many of the UNs specialized agencies, funds and programmes, as well as the International Monetary Fund, World Bank, and relevant parts of the Secretariat.

The Task Forces primary goal is to formulate a unified, comprehensive response to the global food price challenge. This will include food aid, social protection initiatives, and agricultural boosts. The Task Force will present the elements of such a strategy at the high-level conference on world food security in Rome in early June.

For updates on the Task Forces activities, there is now a new website. It was launched today. On the site, there are lists of task force participants, forthcoming events, and key documents and statements made on behalf of the Task Force. It also offers news and useful links on the food security crisis issue. The website address is www.un.org/issues/food/taskforce.

ZIMBABWE: U.N. TEAM CONCERNED BY SITUATION ON GROUND, CALLS ON LEADERS TO RENOUNCE POLITICAL VIOLENCE

The top UN official in Zimbabwe says the UN country team has been receiving an increasing number of reports and requests for humanitarian assistance to people that have been affected by violence, purportedly instituted by some elements of the security forces, youth militias, war veterans and gangs of supporters of both the ZANU-PF and the MDC.

The office of the UN Resident/Humanitarian Coordinator, Agustino Zacarias, says these incidences of violence are occurring in the communal, farming and urban areas and there are indications that the level of violence is escalating in all these areas and could reach crisis levels. The UN country team has been presented with some evidence in support of these reports.

The UN team on the ground is deeply concerned about the number of internally displaced people that have fled their homes for fear of reprisals by party activists, without food, shelter and other basic social services. This state of affairs will lead to unprecedented humanitarian needs in the country, the press release says.

The UN country team has brought this information to the attention of the Government of Zimbabwe and continues to engage the Government to seek solutions to the unfolding humanitarian situation and encourages all concerned to ensure that people in need are properly assisted.

The team urges the Government to set up a central clearing house which will be a safe and secure environment were victims can report cases of politically motivated violence without fear of retribution.

Further, it urges all political leaders across the political divide to unequivocally renounce politically motivated violence to restrain their supporters from engaging in such activities, and also encourages all law enforcement agencies to discharge their constitutional mandate in a non-partisan and professional manner.

Asked whether the United Nations will appoint an envoy to Zimbabwe, and whether it is concerned about planned runoff elections, the Spokeswoman noted that the Secretary-General continues to monitor the situation and is in contact with leaders in the region.

EFFECTIVE SECURITY SECTOR NECESSARY FOR PEACE & DEVELOPMENT

The Security Council will meet at 3 p.m. today to read a Presidential Statement on Sudan.

The Security Council yesterday afternoon discussed ways to reform countries security sectors their armies and police forces and the Secretary-General

told the Council in an open meeting that a common framework and a coherent system-wide approach to deal with those matters is needed.

He noted the UNs long experience in security sector reform, from El Salvador in the past to Sierra Leone in recent years.

He stressed that, first and foremost, the UN should engage in security sector reform at the request of national Governments, or in response to Security Council mandates and General Assembly resolutions.

Beyond that, the Secretary-General said, Member States are the primary providers of security, and national ownership is the cornerstone of our approach.

The Security Council later issued a Presidential Statement in which it recognized that the establishment of an effective, professional and accountable security sector was one of the necessary elements for laying the foundations for peace and sustainable development.

SUDAN: BAN KI-MOON IS DEEPLY DISAPPOINTED

THAT PARTIES STILL RESORTING TO VIOLENCE

The Secretary-Generals latest monthly report to the Security Council on the deployment of the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation (UNAMID) is out of the racks today. The Security Council is expected to take up the report tomorrow morning.

In the report, the Secretary-General expresses his deep disappointment that the parties continue to resort to violence.

He says the ongoing military activities of the rebel groups and reprisal actions of the Government and its allied militia are costing civilian lives, limiting humanitarian operations, severely constraining efforts to move towards a negotiated settlement and, in addition, presenting a fundamental challenge to UNAMID, which is not a peacekeeping force designed to deploy or function in a war zone.

Owing to the violence in Darfur, the Missions freedom of movement was restricted in violation of the status-of-forces agreement.

Voicing his extreme concern about the security situation in the Chad-Sudan border area, the Secretary-General also calls on the government of Sudan and Chad to implement the Dakar Agreement without delay and restore security and order in the border area.

Saying that UNAMID cannot be a substitute for political engagement, he says he is working with the Chairperson of the African Union to appoint a joint chief mediator as soon as possible to be based full-time in Sudan. He urges Member States to look at what guarantees or incentives they can provide to the parties to stop the fighting and give them the confidence to join the peace talks.

U.N. ENVOY WELCOMES MEASURES TO IMPROVE

SOCIO-ECONOMIC SITUATION FOR PALESTINIANS

The UNs Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Robert Serry, has welcomed todays announcement by Quartet Representative Tony Blair of an initial package of measures to improve the social and economic situation in the occupied Palestinian territory.

Serry welcomed in particular the packages focus on improving movement and access and opening up trade routes. He added that he hoped this would mark the beginning of improved mobility, economic growth, security and confidence.

According to Blairs announcement, among other things, Israel has agreed to remove some checkpoints across the West Bank. It has also approved thousands of entry permits to Israel for Palestinian workers. Both sides have also agreed to facilitate access to and from Bethlehem, which should have positive effects for both the Palestinian and Israeli tourism sectors.

BAN KI-MOON CONDEMNS KILLING OF U.N. TEACHER IN GAZA

In response to questions, the Spokesperson said that the Secretary-General condemns the killing of a mother of six and UNRWA schoolteacher in an IDF operation at her home last Thursday.

The UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) has called for an impartial investigation into the incident in a letter sent to the Israeli authorities, and the Secretary-General fully supports this call.

He extends his condolences to the family and children of Wafa Shaker El-Daghma, and to her UNRWA colleagues who carry out such important work in the service of Palestine refugees.

The Secretary-General also reiterates his call upon Israel to exercise maximum care and restraint, and reminds the IDF of its responsibilities to protect civilians under international humanitarian law during its military operations.

SECRETARY-GENERAL DEPLORES ROCKET FIRE AIMED AT ISRAEL

Responding to questions, the Spokesperson said that the Secretary-General condemns the continuing Palestinian rocket fire from Gaza aimed at Israeli civilian targets, which killed two civilians in southern Israel on Saturday and yesterday.

The Secretary-General reiterates his condemnation of all such acts of terrorism and calls on Hamas and other Palestinian militant groups to immediately halt the firing of rockets and similar attacks.

He also reiterates his strong support for the Egyptian efforts to reach a truce, which would also encompass the re-opening of crossings to alleviate the humanitarian situation in Gaza.

LEBANON FRIENDS CALL FOR IMMEDIATE STOP TO FIGHTING

Yesterday afternoon, the Secretary-General took part in a conference call with the Foreign Ministers and Representatives of twelve key Middle Eastern and other countries, known as the Friends of

Lebanon, as well as with the Secretaries-General of the Arab League and of the Council of the European Union. They discussed the ongoing crisis in Lebanon.

In a statement afterwards, the Friends of Lebanon welcomed the Arab League Initiative, and its intention to dispatch a delegation to Lebanon to lead a return to dialogue. The group said that it remains deeply concerned by the situation in Lebanon, which threatens the stability of the country and the region. It called for the immediate cessation of fighting, the withdrawal of gunmen from the streets, the unblocking of roads and the reopening of Beirut International Airport.

Asked whether there would be a further meeting of the Friends of Lebanon, the Spokeswoman said she was unaware of any in the immediate future. She noted that yesterdays teleconference had been initiated by U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

ENTRY INTO FORCE OF DISABILITIES TREATY HERALDS A NEW DAWN

Yesterday afternoon, the Secretary-General spoke at a special event to commemorate the entry into force of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its Optional Protocol.

He said the entry into force heralds a new dawn in the fight for the well-being of people with disabilities -- a struggle rooted in the fundamental principle of universal human rights.

At the same time, he stressed that, as our journey to create the Convention concludes, an even more challenging path stretches ahead. Now we must take concrete steps to transform the vision of the Convention into real victories on the ground. We must address the glaring inequalities experienced by persons with disabilities. And we must counter discrimination and prejudice.

BAN KI-MOON TO SPEAK AT HARVARD

The Secretary-General will make a one-day trip to Cambridge, Massachusetts, on 23 May to deliver a speech on nuclear disarmament at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.

This event is co-sponsored by the Institute of Politics and Harvard Kennedy School's Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs. It is open to the public, and any media interested in participating should contact the Kennedy Schools Communications Office.

SECRETARY-GENERAL ANNOUNCES TWO SENIOR APPOINTMENTS

The Secretary-General has appointed Angela Kane of Germany as Under-Secretary-General for Management, and Alicia Bárcena Ibarra of Mexico as Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC).

Ms. Kane will replace Ms. Bárcena Ibarra, who, in turn, will succeed Mr. Jose Luis Machinea of Argentina.

Ms. Kane is currently serving as Assistant Secretary-General, Department of Political Affairs, and immediately prior to that she served as Assistant Secretary-General for General Assembly and Conference Management.

Ms. Bárcena has been serving as Under-Secretary-General for Management since January last year and, prior to that, as the Chef de Cabinet to former Secretary-General Kofi Annan.

Asked how the replacement for Bárcena was chosen, the Spokeswoman said that there had been several candidates, and the final decision was made by the Secretary-General. Angela Kane will start her job as head of the Department of Management on 1 July.

OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS

REPATRIATION FOR AFGHAN REFUGEES TO RESUME: The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) says that it will resume the assisted voluntary repatriation of Afghans from the north-western Pakistani city of Peshawar tomorrow. The repatriation process had been suspended because of security conditions in the Afghan province of Nangarhar over the weekend.

U.N. OFFICIAL BREAKS GROUND ON RE-EDUCATION CENTER FOR IVORIAN EX-COMBATANTS: Georg Charpentier, the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Humanitarian Coordinator for Côte d'Ivoire, yesterday presided over a ceremony marking the end of the disarmament and reinsertion programme for a first group of 192 former combatants. At that event, Charpentier also formally broke ground for a building expected to serve as a reeducation center for ex-combatants. The 192 ex-combatants are former rebels from the Forces Nouvelles and include 12 young women. The group joined the disarmament in March.

TIMOR-LESTE MATTER BEING LOOKED INTO: Asked about concerns that someone linked to crimes was given a UN contract in Timor-Leste, the Spokeswoman said that matter is being investigated. She later added that the person in question is not UN staff, but was on a special service contract for UNDP.

Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General

United Nations, S-378

New York, NY 10017

Tel. 212-963-7162

Fax. 212-963-7055

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