UN Noon Briefing: Myanmar Earthquake, Haiti Gang Violence, Ukraine Conflict, and Global Humanitarian Crises

Myanmar Earthquake and Humanitarian Crisis

• 🌍 The UN is calling for increased support for Myanmar following a devastating earthquake that destroyed infrastructure, with urgent needs for water, hygiene, shelter, food, and medicine.
• 🚨 UN agencies like UNHCR and UNICEF are distributing emergency supplies, but current efforts are insufficient given the scale of the disaster and ongoing disruptions.
• ⚠️ Even before the earthquake, Myanmar faced a severe humanitarian crisis affecting nearly 20 million people, with the response critically underfunded at only 5% of the required $1.1 billion.
• 🕊️ The Special Envoy for Myanmar urged an immediate cessation of hostilities to allow for humanitarian relief and the protection of civilians and aid workers.

Global Security and Humanitarian Concerns

• 🇭🇹 The UN Secretary-General condemns a gang attack in Haiti that led to over 500 detainees escaping, urging authorities to restore security and support the multinational security mission.
• 🇱🇧 The UN is deeply concerned about an Israeli airstrike in southern Beirut, reiterating calls for maximum restraint to prevent further escalation and protect civilians.
• 🇵🇸 In Gaza, intensified hostilities continue, with displacement orders forcing civilians into smaller, more dangerous areas and a suspension of aid entry leading to bakery closures due to lack of flour and gas.
• 🇺🇦 In Ukraine, aid workers are providing emergency assistance following drone attacks on populated cities, with ongoing hostilities damaging civilian infrastructure and causing casualties.

Regional Stability and Diplomacy

• 🇦🇸 The UN welcomes a trilateral summit between Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, encouraging further steps to strengthen good-neighborly relations and cooperation in Central Asia.
• 🇸🇾 The UN welcomes the unveiling of a new cabinet in Syria, reaffirming the importance of an inclusive political transition and encouraging efforts towards a credible, inclusive, and sustainable transition.
• 🇸🇸 The UN peacekeeping mission in South Sudan is involved in diplomatic efforts to broker a peaceful solution, encouraging dialogue over military confrontation.
• 🇸🇩 The humanitarian and security situation in Sudan remains dire, with intensified hostilities and reports of civilian casualties, exacerbating famine conditions and requiring urgent action to prevent its spread.

Humanitarian Aid and International Law

• 💔 The UN reiterates its condemnation of attacks on humanitarian workers, with 48 aid workers killed in Gaza since October 7th, stressing that any targeting of humanitarian personnel is unacceptable and demanding investigations and answers.
• ⚖️ The UN Secretary-General urges all parties to avoid inflammatory rhetoric and settle disputes through diplomatic means, emphasizing that attacks against UN peacekeepers may constitute war crimes.
• 🚫 The UN hopes that countries do not exit important international treaties on landmines and cluster bombs, highlighting their crucial role in protecting people long after conflicts end.

Deputy Secretary-General's Travel

• 🇩🇪 The Deputy Secretary-General will travel to Berlin to represent the Secretary-General at the third Global Disability Summit and meet with government officials and civil society representatives.
• 🇲🇰 She will then travel to Skopje, North Macedonia, to meet with government officials and chair the annual Regional Retreat of UN Resident Coordinators for Europe and Central Asia.