UN Press Briefing: Gaza Crisis, Climate Action, Yemen, Syria, Sudan & Ukraine

Gaza Humanitarian Crisis

• ⚠️ The UN Secretary-General is appalled by the accelerating breakdown of humanitarian conditions in Gaza, calling it an "atrocious and inhumane act."
• 💔 Mass displacement orders, including in Dar'a Al-Bala, are pushing people into overcrowded, unsafe areas with no access to essential supplies, further fragmenting the strip.
• 💧 The destruction of vital water infrastructure, like the southern Gaza desalination plant, would be catastrophic, impacting hundreds of thousands of people.
• 🆘 UN staff remain in Dar'a Al-Bala, with two guest houses impacted, despite coordinates being shared with all parties; UN premises must be protected.
• 🚨 The Secretary-General reiterates an urgent call for the protection of civilians, including humanitarian personnel, and the provision of essential resources, stating "the time for a ceasefire is now."

Climate Change and Energy Transition

• ⚡ The Secretary-General will deliver a special address on "Moment of Opportunity: Supercharging the Clean Energy Age," emphasizing that a clean energy future is a fact, though the transition is not fast or fair enough.
• 📊 A new report will be released showcasing the latest science on the progress, opportunities, and benefits of the emerging clean energy economy.

Regional Conflicts and Diplomacy

• 🇾🇪 The UN is deeply concerned about renewed air strikes on Hodeidah port in Yemen and Houthi strikes against Israel, urging all parties to cease attacks and exercise maximum restraint.
• 🇸🇾 Over 93,000 people have been displaced due to escalating hostilities in Syria's Sweida Governorate, with critical damage to water infrastructure and significant electricity cuts.
• 🇸🇩 The humanitarian crisis in Sudan deepens with a dramatic surge in cholera cases, underscoring the urgent need to scale up response and resources.
• 🇺🇦 Attacks in Ukraine have killed at least 20 civilians and injured over a hundred, damaging homes, schools, and health facilities across various regions.

Multilateralism and International Law

• ⚖️ The Secretary-General will address the Security Council on promoting international peace and security through multilateralism, noting a disregard for international law and a lack of accountability.
• 🤝 He highlighted signs of momentum and possibility in multilateralism, referencing agreements like the pandemic accord and commitments at finance and ocean conferences.

Humanitarian Operations and Challenges

• 🥫 The World Food Programme convoy carrying vital food assistance into Gaza encountered large crowds of desperately hungry civilians.
• 🩺 Amidst ongoing shelling in Gaza, severely malnourished individuals are arriving in hospitals in extremely poor health, with reports of deaths from hunger.
• 🚧 UNIFIL peacekeepers in Lebanon observed heavy machine gun fire from an IDF position and found unauthorized weapon caches, including tunnels containing rockets and missiles.
• 💧 In Eastern Sudan, flooding has displaced over 1,400 people, destroying homes and forcing reliance on contaminated water sources, increasing the risk of waterborne diseases.
• ✈️ Returns to Sudan are increasing, but returnees face challenges from unexploded ordnance, undermining the sustainability of these efforts.