UN Daily Press Briefing: UK Attack, Jane Goodall, Gaza Aid, Ukraine, DRC, Haiti & More

Condemnation of UK Terrorist Attack

• 🇬🇧 The UN Secretary-General strongly condemns the deadly terrorist attack on a synagogue in Manchester, United Kingdom.
• ✡️ Targeting a synagogue on Yom Kippur is described as particularly heinous, with condolences extended to victims and a call for justice.
• 🌍 There is deep concern over the alarming rise in antisemitism worldwide, stressing the need to confront hatred and intolerance.

Honoring Jane Goodall's Legacy

• 🌳 Jane Goodall, a UN Messenger of Peace since 2002, has left an extraordinary legacy for humanity and the planet.
• 🌱 Her lifelong environmental protection efforts and support for the UN are gratefully acknowledged.
• 🕊️ Her voice brought global attention to the urgency of protecting our environment, and her legacy will continue to inspire efforts for peace and sustainability.

Humanitarian Crisis in Occupied Palestinian Territory

• 💔 Fighting in Gaza City makes getting aid to the north difficult, with many humanitarians forced to suspend work.
• ⚠️ Displacement orders do not negate obligations under international humanitarian law; civilians in Gaza City must be protected.
• 📈 Over 417,000 displacements from northern Gaza to the south have been recorded since mid-August, with conditions in the south remaining unsafe.
• ⛺ Overcrowded shelters and makeshift tents in the south lack sanitation, privacy, and safety, with a high risk of children being separated from families.
• 💰 Families are selling belongings to afford transport, and many are forced to walk, facing mobility challenges.
• 🏥 UN and partners are expanding services in the south, rehabilitating medical points and shelters, while continuing operations in the north to the extent possible.

Updates from Around the World

• 🇺🇦 In Ukraine, continued attacks have damaged critical civilian infrastructure, disrupting power supply as cold weather arrives, with nearly 300,000 people impacted by power outages.
• 🇨🇩 In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, violence in Ituri province has displaced over 1 million people, with attacks targeting civilians in displacement sites, resulting in civilian deaths and looting.
• 🇭🇹 In Haiti, rising gang violence restricts humanitarian access, pushing families deeper into hunger, with extreme funding shortfalls forcing ration cuts and program suspensions.
• 🇲🇲 A UNDP analysis highlights a precarious learning situation for Myanmar's youth, with calls for locally driven actions to expand flexible learning and vocational training.

International Day of Non-Violence & Flotilla Concerns

• 🕊️ Today is the International Day of Non-Violence, honoring Mahatma Gandhi's legacy.
• 🚢 Regarding the flotilla intercepted in international waters, the UN believes international maritime law must be respected and hopes those detained are treated fairly.
• ⚖️ The UN supports efforts to provide humanitarian aid to Gaza and stresses that people carrying humanitarian aid should be left alone.
• 🏛️ The Secretary-General has repeatedly called on Israel to abide by relevant International Court of Justice rulings, emphasizing the need for freedom of navigation and protection of humanitarian vessels.