UN Noon Briefing: Yemen Detentions, Sudan Peacekeeper Deaths, Gaza Aid & More

Yemen: Detention of UN Personnel

• ⚠️ The UN Secretary-General strongly condemns the arbitrary detention of 10 UN personnel by Houthi de facto authorities, bringing the total detained UN staff to 69.
• 🚫 These detentions render the delivery of humanitarian assistance in Houthi-controlled areas untenable, impacting millions in need.
• 📢 The UN calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all arbitrarily detained personnel and respect for international law, including UN privileges and immunities.

Sudan: Peacekeeper Attack and Casualties

• 🕊️ Six UN peacekeepers from Bangladesh were killed in a drone attack on their camp in Kadugli, South Kordofan, as part of UNISFA.
• 💔 Their remains have departed for Bangladesh, and the UN reiterates that attacks against peacekeepers may constitute a war crime.
• 🏥 Eight injured peacekeepers are receiving medical treatment in Nairobi, Kenya, with one discharged.

South Sudan: Staff Killing

• 😔 The UN is deeply shocked and condemns the killing of a UN peacekeeping mission staff member, an interpreter, who was detained by South Sudanese security forces.
• 🔍 The UN calls for an immediate, thorough, and transparent investigation by South Sudanese authorities to ensure accountability.

Gaza: Humanitarian Crisis

• 📉 Despite efforts, 1.6 million people in Gaza (over 75% of the population) are projected to face extreme food insecurity and malnutrition.
• ⛺ Winter storms are worsening conditions, with vital infrastructure struggling to operate, and the need for aid is growing faster than it can be delivered.
• ⚖️ The UN reiterates that a durable ceasefire is the only lasting solution and highlights Israel's obligation to facilitate humanitarian aid.

Global Updates

• 🇺🇦 Ukraine faces disrupted critical services due to a new wave of attacks, impacting hundreds of thousands without water, heating, or electricity.
• 🇱🇾 In Libya, the UN mission launched a structured dialogue for political transition, and the security environment in Tripoli has stabilized to an extent, though fragility remains.
• 🇸🇸 The Sahel region is the global epicenter of violent extremism, with concerns over the erosion of democratic norms and unlawful detentions.
• 🇧🇮 Over 84,000 refugees have crossed into Burundi from South Kivu, overwhelming local resources and highlighting the worsening humanitarian situation.
• 🇨🇫 The UN mission in the Central African Republic is supporting preparations for the first combined presidential, legislative, and local elections.
• 🇺🇳 Barham Ahmed Sali of Iraq has been elected as the new High Commissioner for Refugees, the first from a non-donor country.