Sudan/Humanitarian, Multilateralism & other topics…

The Secretary-General spoke in the Security Council about the violence in Sudan which, he said, risks a catastrophic conflagration within Sudan that could engulf the whole region and beyond. He strongly condemned the indiscriminate bombardment of civilian areas, including healthcare facilities.

About 700 UN, international NGOs (INGOs) and embassy staff and their dependents have reached Port Sudan by road. Dozens of UN internationally-recruited and international NGO staff have already been evacuated from El Geneina and Zalingei to Chad while other operations are ongoing or planned. 

The Secretary-General delivered remarks on multilateralism. He noted that multilateral cooperation is the beating heart of the UN; its raison d’être and guiding vision. The Secretary-General warned that tensions between major powers are at an historic high, and so are the risks of conflict, through misadventure or miscalculation.  

The security and humanitarian situation in many areas of Cité Soleil in Haiti has reached alarming levels. According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), between 14 and 19 April, clashes between rival gangs led to the death of nearly 70 people, including 18 women and at least 2 children. Another 40 people were injured.

Following a recent polio outbreak in Botswana, the UN team, led by Resident Coordinator Zia Choudhury, supported authorities to roll out two urgent immunization campaigns targeting children under the age of seven: one at the end of February and one at the end of March. 

Today is the International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace. This day is a reminder that multilateralism is based on founding principles such as consultation, inclusion and solidarity.

The United Kingdom and Nepal made full payment to the UN’s regular budget, bringing the total number to 95 fully paid-up Member States.