Virtual Press Briefing by Spokesperson for Secretary-General

Briefing by Stephane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.

• Categories: Media / Press Conferences
• Video Length: 00:30:25
• Production Date: 22 June 2020
• Asset Language: English
• Personal Subject: STEPHANE DUJARRIC
• Corporate Name: UNITED NATIONS RELIEF AND WORKS AGENCY FOR PALESTINE REFUGEES IN THE NEAR EAST - UNRWA
• Subject Topical: APPOINTMENT OF OFFICIALS; EPIDEMICS; PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS; SECURITY COUNCIL
• Geographic Subject: AFGHANISTAN; CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC; MALAWI; MALI; NIGERIA; SOMALIA; SYRIA
• MAMS Id: 2548925
• Parent Id: 2548925

Description

This morning at the Security Council, the head of the UN Peace Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, said the political situation in the Central African Republic remains fragile and dominated by preparations for the presidential and legislative elections, which is scheduled for this December.

On Somalia, the Secretary-General welcomes today’s virtual meeting in the country between President Mohamed Abdullahi ‘Farmajo’ and the Federal Member States’ leaders as an important step towards the resumption of dialogue and collaboration.

Over the weekend, we issued a statement in which the Secretary-General said he’s following with concern the recent political developments in Mali. He expressed his full support for the ongoing efforts of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and in particular for its declaration of 19 June calling for an inclusive dialogue.

In Syria, our humanitarian colleagues there tell us that 15 new COVID-19 cases have now been confirmed by the Government, bringing the number of cases identified by authorities to 219, including 83 recoveries and seven deaths.

In Afghanistan the UN is gravely concerned by recent deliberate attacks on healthcare personnel and facilities, especially in the context of the pandemic.

In Nigeria, our humanitarian colleagues there tell us that the UN has provided vital medical kits and equipment to further support government efforts in addressing the pandemic. This includes over 100,000 test kits, 545 oxygen concentrators, thermometers, personal protective equipment, laboratory supplies and emergency health kits.

In Malawi, where the virus has deeply impacted livelihoods and the economy, there are 730 cases and 11 confirmed deaths. The UN team, led by the Resident Coordinator Maria José Torres, is helping the Government respond by delivering life-saving goods in several parts of the country.

In Darfur, the African Union–UN Hybrid Operation (UNAMID) conducted a mass awareness campaign using megaphones mounted on open vehicles and vans adorned with posters and banners with slogans on measures to mitigate and fight the virus.

The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) today released new data measuring the impact of COVID-19 on the tourism sector.

The Secretary-General has appointed Najat Rochdi of Morocco as his Deputy Special Coordinator for Lebanon. Ms. Rochdi will also serve as Resident Coordinator as well as Humanitarian Coordinator in Lebanon.

Tomorrow, the Secretary-General will take part in a virtual ministerial conference on the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), called “A Strong UNRWA in a Challenging World – Mobilizing Collective Action.”

For further details please see SOURCE below.
Office of the Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General