Friday
Feb062009
UN update from Spokesperson Michele Montas
Friday, February 6, 2009 at 12:46PM
The Secretary-General (SG) made a previously unannounced visit to Iraq. He held meetings with the Iraqi President and Vice President and UN staff. A joint press conference was held to congratulate the government on the elections. He said, "elections mark an important event to add to the lives of Iraqi people. The United Nations is in support of Iraqi leaders."
There were six hostages released in Colombia by FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia) rebel groups. The SG is relieved and pleased to know the hostages are now enjoying their freedom. He expressed solidarity with those still being held "kidnapping is inhumane" he added. The High Commission for Human Rights expressed great relief as well and underscored illegal armed groups are violating humanitarian law and should release victims.
The SG demands Hamas immediately release goods stolen from UN distribution centers today. This is the second stolen shipment in three days. The SG reiterates the Security Council Resolution 1860 which calls for unimpeded distribution of urgently needed humanitarian assistance to the civilian population in Gaza. Food aid was taken by trucks who seized ten truckloads of rice and flour. UNRWA (UN Relief and Works Agency) has suspended shipments until Hamas ensures that no more goods will be stolen. OCHA (UN Organization of the Coordination of Humanitarian Affiars) notes that water and waste including raw sewage continue to be grave concerns throughout the region. The SG's Special Representative for Children and Armed conflict, Radhika Coomaraswamy, recently visited the region. She said "children in Gaza told horrific stories. In Israel, children live under fear of missile attacks."
On Sri Lanki, the SG spoke with the Sri Lankan President on ongoing fighting and the dire need for civilian population caught in the storm. The SG asked the rebel groups to safeguard civilian lives. WFP (World Food Program) reports that many displaced civilians are facing a food crisis and that people's coping mechanisms have been exhausted.
On Darfur, 30,000 people have fled from their homes because of hostilities in the region. NGO's and humanitarian groups are trying to get aid to people displaced in the provinces. The African Union reports that the situation is now calm with 190 military observers and peacekeepers in the country.
More than 3 million people remain dependent on food aid in Somalia. SO far this year, the WFP has implemented 30 tons of food to over 3 million. The WFP fund also supports children against water born diseases. On Cote d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast), ten thousand ex-combatants have been disarmed. On Zimbabwe, the World Health Organization has noticed an increase in the spread of cholera.
There were six hostages released in Colombia by FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia) rebel groups. The SG is relieved and pleased to know the hostages are now enjoying their freedom. He expressed solidarity with those still being held "kidnapping is inhumane" he added. The High Commission for Human Rights expressed great relief as well and underscored illegal armed groups are violating humanitarian law and should release victims.
The SG demands Hamas immediately release goods stolen from UN distribution centers today. This is the second stolen shipment in three days. The SG reiterates the Security Council Resolution 1860 which calls for unimpeded distribution of urgently needed humanitarian assistance to the civilian population in Gaza. Food aid was taken by trucks who seized ten truckloads of rice and flour. UNRWA (UN Relief and Works Agency) has suspended shipments until Hamas ensures that no more goods will be stolen. OCHA (UN Organization of the Coordination of Humanitarian Affiars) notes that water and waste including raw sewage continue to be grave concerns throughout the region. The SG's Special Representative for Children and Armed conflict, Radhika Coomaraswamy, recently visited the region. She said "children in Gaza told horrific stories. In Israel, children live under fear of missile attacks."
On Sri Lanki, the SG spoke with the Sri Lankan President on ongoing fighting and the dire need for civilian population caught in the storm. The SG asked the rebel groups to safeguard civilian lives. WFP (World Food Program) reports that many displaced civilians are facing a food crisis and that people's coping mechanisms have been exhausted.
On Darfur, 30,000 people have fled from their homes because of hostilities in the region. NGO's and humanitarian groups are trying to get aid to people displaced in the provinces. The African Union reports that the situation is now calm with 190 military observers and peacekeepers in the country.
More than 3 million people remain dependent on food aid in Somalia. SO far this year, the WFP has implemented 30 tons of food to over 3 million. The WFP fund also supports children against water born diseases. On Cote d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast), ten thousand ex-combatants have been disarmed. On Zimbabwe, the World Health Organization has noticed an increase in the spread of cholera.
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