UN Daily Press Briefing: Gaza, Myanmar, Central African Republic, Sudan & More

Gaza Conflict and Humanitarian Crisis

• 🚨 The Secretary-General is deeply alarmed by the intensified hostilities in Gaza, condemning the killing of over a thousand people since the ceasefire collapsed.
• 💔 Over 100,000 Palestinians have been displaced from Rafah in two days due to widespread destruction from Israeli bombardments and ground operations.
• ⚠️ The UN is shocked by an attack on a medical convoy on March 23rd, resulting in the deaths of 15 medical and humanitarian workers, bringing the total aid worker deaths in Gaza to 408 since October 2023.
• ⚖️ The Secretary-General reiterates calls for an immediate ceasefire, unconditional release of hostages, and unimpeded humanitarian access, while also condemning Hamas attacks and collective punishment of Palestinians.
• 🚫 The UN reminds parties of Security Council Resolution 2735, which rejects attempts at demographic or territorial changes in Gaza.

Humanitarian Concerns in Multiple Regions

• 🌍 The Deputy Secretary-General's travel to a global disability summit was rerouted due to technical issues, but she delivered remarks via video, highlighting that 98% of SDG indicators for persons with disabilities are off track.
• 🇲🇲 In Myanmar, humanitarian partners are supporting earthquake-affected populations amidst ongoing aftershocks, with urgent needs for healthcare, clean water, and shelter, while funding remains critically low.
• 🇸🇩 In Sudan, there are grave concerns over massive displacements in North Darfur due to escalating violence, with a quarter of a million people reportedly fleeing their homes, and a hepatitis outbreak spreading in eastern Sudan.
• 🇸🇸 In South Sudan, clashes and intercommunal violence are impacting humanitarian operations, including pausing food distribution for 167,000 people, and malnutrition rates are rising, with 2.1 million children at risk.
• 🇸🇴 Somalia faces displacement due to fighting and climate factors, with nearly 4.6 million people projected to experience high levels of hunger and 1.8 million children at risk of acute malnutrition, while the UN humanitarian appeal is only 9% funded.
• 🇨🇩 In the Democratic Republic of Congo, intense clashes in North Kivu have triggered panic and constrained humanitarian access, with reports of a sharp rise in sexual violence and civilian casualties.
• 🇭🇹 In Haiti, violence is spreading to the center department, leading to displacement, looting, and the burning of essential services, with gang activity expanding beyond Port-au-Prince.

Protection of Humanitarian Workers and Mine Awareness

• 🛡️ The Security Council heard that humanitarian workers are being killed in unprecedented numbers, with a lack of political will to enforce existing protection frameworks.
• 🇰🇪 A Kenyan military observer, Major Paul Endungu Neogi, was tragically killed in the Central African Republic, prompting an investigation by the UN mission.
• 💣 Ahead of the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance, briefings were held on UN Mine Action Service (UNMAS) efforts, highlighting the ongoing threat of mines and explosive remnants of war globally.

Other Topics and UN Engagement

• 🗣️ The Secretary-General's report on missing persons was briefed to the General Assembly, emphasizing the pain of not knowing and the disregard for international humanitarian law.
• 🌍 World Autism Day was observed, with the Secretary-General acknowledging the contributions of people with autism and the challenges they still face.
• 🇺🇳 A screening of the film "No Other Land" was organized, focusing on human rights and legal aspects of land issues in the occupied Palestinian territory.
• 📈 The UN expressed concern about rising economic protectionism and its potential impact on the global economy, particularly in light of announced tariffs.