UN Noon Briefing: Plastic Treaty Failure, Gaza Crisis, Ukraine Aid, Afghanistan Needs, DRC Insecurity

Plastic Pollution Treaty Negotiations

• 🌍 The Secretary-General deeply regrets the conclusion of negotiations on a legally binding instrument on plastic pollution without achieving consensus.
• 🤝 Member States are commended for their determination to continue working towards a treaty to tackle plastic pollution.

Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza

• ⚠️ The UN warns of a worsening situation in Gaza due to delays and impediments in the flow of essential supplies.
• 🏥 Reports of starvation and malnutrition, particularly among children, are increasing, with healthcare facilities overwhelmed.
• 💔 Disturbing reports of aid seekers being killed and injured are being received, with many injured near food distribution sites or in crowds.
• 🕊️ The UN reiterates its call for the immediate and unconditional release of hostages and emphasizes it will not participate in any forced displacement of the population.
• 📈 While commercial supplies have eased food prices, energy prices have skyrocketed, making cooking gas and firewood unaffordable.

Updates from Ukraine

• 🇺🇦 A humanitarian convoy delivered vital aid, including medicine and hygiene kits, to frontline communities in the Kherson region.
• 💰 The Ukraine Humanitarian Fund has provided $7 million to support local NGOs delivering aid in the Mykolaiv region.
• 🏘️ Ongoing hostilities are causing further displacement in the Donetsk region, with thousands of civilians evacuated.

Afghanistan Humanitarian Needs

• 🆘 Over half the population in Afghanistan requires vital aid, with women and girls being particularly vulnerable due to restrictive policies.
• 📈 The number of returnees from Iran and Pakistan is swelling, straining already limited resources and services.
• 💧 Drought alerts have been issued across several regions, exacerbating existing needs.
• 💰 The humanitarian response plan is severely underfunded, with only 25% of the required $2.4 billion received.

Democratic Republic of the Congo Insecurity

• ⚡ Insecurity is rising in the Djugu territory of Ituri province, leading to civilian deaths, injuries, and displacement.
• 🏠 Homes have been looted and burned, with displaced people sheltering in public buildings.
• 🚫 Humanitarian access is severely hampered, depriving 250,000 people of essential services, and nine health facilities are out of service.

Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF)

• 🧑‍⚖️ The Secretary-General has appointed new experts to advise on CERF funding allocations.
• 🌍 CERF is a critical fund for rapid response to global crises, allocating $214 million in the first half of the year.
• 💰 Over the past 19 years, CERF has channeled over $9 billion in life-saving aid worldwide.