REGULAR PRESS BRIEFING BY THE INFORMATION SERVICE

Corinne Momal-Vanian, Director of the United Nations Information Service in Geneva, chaired the briefing which was also attended by Spokespersons for the United Nations Population Fund, the World Trade Organization, the World Food Programme, the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the International Organization for Migrations, the Human Rights Council and the World Health Organization.

Libya

Rupert Colville of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights said the death of Muammar Gaddafi and the fall of Sirte and Bani Walid brought an end to eight months of extreme violence and suffering for the Libyan people. A new era was now beginning which should respond to the aspirations of the people for democracy and human rights. For this to become a reality, human rights must be the cornerstone of all future policies and actions. The thousands of victims who suffered loss of life, disappearance, torture and other serious human rights violations since the conflict broke out in February 2011, as well as those who suffered human rights violations throughout Gaddafi’s long rule, had the right to know the truth, as well as to see the culture of impunity brought to an end, and to receive reparations.

On the issue of Gaddafi’s death yesterday, the circumstances were unclear - there seemed to be four or five different versions of how he died, Mr. Colville explained, adding that they believed that there was a need for an investigation. More details were needed to ascertain whether he was killed in some form of fighting, or was executed after his capture. The two cell-phone videos, one showing him alive and one showing him dead, were very disturbing.

Responding to a question, Mr. Colville said OHCHR would like to see some of those responsible for human rights violations in court, and noted that there were many others apart from Col. Gaddafi. That process had already begun with the Commission of Inquiry on Libya, and he imagined that the Commission would be looking into Col. Gaddafi’s death and how it had occurred. It was imperative that the authorities do the utmost to calm the situation.

Ms. Momal-Vanian said that she had put at the end of the room the extensive summary of a press conference given yesterday by Ian Martin, the head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya where he talked about reconciliation, transitional justice, arms flows and so on.

Tunisia

Mr. Colville said that an op-ed from the High Commissioner for Human Rights had been released on the situation in Tunisia and the upcoming elections there on Sudan which was available to journalists.


Haiti Cholera Update


Mr. Jasarevic of the World Health Organization gave an update on the cholera situation in Haiti, explaining that as of 9 October 2011, the cumulative number of reported cholera cases was close to 470,000 of which 250,000 persons were hospitalized, and 6,595 persons had died. The exact figures could be found in the note at the back of the room. If current trends continued, they could expect another 75,000 cases by the end of the year, bringing the total cases to approximately 500,000 since the beginning of the epidemic. After a decline in weekly cholera incidence in August, the number of cases rose in September, where the South and Nippes departments experienced a significant increase alongside North, Centre, and Port-au-Prince, he explained. In addition, torrential rains were expected in South, South-East, and North departments in October along with heavy rainfall throughout the country during this season. This would create conditions favourable to the spread of cholera and other diseases. There were currently 37 cholera treatment centres in Haiti, 269 cholera treatment units and 766 oral rehydration posts. According to Mr. Jasarevic as the cyclone season was advancing, with risks of flooding and subsequent increase in cholera cases, a number of WHO’s partners had withdrawn or were downscaling, due to lack of funding. The WHO called upon the humanitarian community and its donors to remain vigilant and attentive to the risks of cholera outbreaks in the near future, and the need for continued long-term coordinated response.

Responding to a question on the possibility of a vaccination programme in Haiti, Claire-Lisa Chaignat, WHO Cholera expert, said there had been a long discussion on this issue last year when the epidemic started. It had been agreed that it was not possible to use vaccines in the early stages of the epidemic because of the urgent response to be sure to save as many lives as possible. Now the situation seemed to be becoming endemic in Haiti and the discussions with regard to cholera vaccination introduction had resumed on whether they should consider cholera vaccine introduction into Haiti for the most vulnerable. However, it was difficult to decide where to start, with the limited number of vaccines available. It was extremely critical to ensure that a vaccination campaign be performed in the best possible way and means.

Flooding in Thailand and Cambodia

David Singh from the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction explained how the floods in South East Asia which were threatening 8 million people and were threatening Bangkok had underlined shortcomings in disaster risk reduction, with the highest concern being many children drowning because they could not swim (reportedly over 200 children in Cambodia, Viet Nam and Thailand out of an estimated total of 740 related deaths). There were also thousands of workers unemployed because of poorly located manufacturing plants, he said.

UNISDR called on the governments of the affected countries to open discussions with the private sector on what adjustments needed to be made in their land use and basic prevention measures when these events were now so predictable. Across the region, the well-being of millions would be drastically affected by the loss of livelihoods, as manufacturing plants were forced to shut and agriculture struggled to recover. Over the long term, countries such as Thailand needed a more comprehensive framework to manage disasters, especially floods. The main shortcoming right now was that there were about eight institutions that dealt with water. Most of the countries in the region had no comprehensive framework to deal with this catastrophe. Their analysis raised fears that the current flooding in Thailand may be a prelude to even worse flood catastrophes in the future. UNISDR believed that the worst was yet to come.

Jemini Pandya of the International Office for Migration said a first consignment of essential relief had been handed over to the Thai disaster management authorities today (Friday), consisting of flat-bottomed aluminum boats with outboard engines, dispelling pumps, generators and water purifiers. More work was being done to acquire more boats and life vests, among other aid. The Government and residents were fighting to divert pent-up waters, Ms Pandya explained, and having already seen some forced evacuations, more were likely. A third of the country was now flooded, she added, 320 people had been killed and thousands of families were in government shelters. At least half a million people had so far been left without work.

Ms. Sévenier of the World Food Programme said Cambodia was being hit by the most severe and widespread flooding in ten years, adding that the waters in some areas had started slowly receding but there were forecasts of heavy rains and possible tropical storms in the coming days. WFP was launching an emergency operation to address the immediate food needs of some 12,000 households (60,000 people) by providing a monthly 50kg of rice per household. Distributions were expected to commence in the coming days. The main aim of the $ 500,000 emergency operation was to save lives and protect livelihoods by averting damaging coping mechanisms which were already being adopted by affected households. These included borrowing rice at very high interest rates, selling assets, pulling children out of school, and reducing food intake. The Government of Cambodia had welcomed WFP’s assistance under the emergency operation.

Pakistan

Gaëlle Sévenier of the World Food Programme said that deliveries of rations were continuing in the areas of Pakistan most affected by floods. Since beginning one month ago more than 1.3 million people in the 19 districts of Sindh had received food aid, with 100,000 more receiving help each day. The roads for distributing these rations were becoming easier. Before, they could only use boats to reach those affected, but now they could use tractors. The World Food Programme urgently needed $ 109 million to continue providing assistance to the most vulnerable for the next four months, with current stocks set to last until only the end of November.

Ms. Byrs added that relief efforts in Pakistan remained hampered by funding constraints, with the Pakistan Flood Response Plan funded only at 22 per cent, receiving $ 79 million of the requested amount of $ 357 million. The situation for the people in Pakistan remained very difficult. In the absence of additional funding, it is estimated that most stocks would be depleted by the end of October. She called on the Member States and the international community to provide more funding urgently, otherwise the programme could not continue.

Central America

Elisabeth Byrs of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in Geneva said that the torrential rains, which started at the beginning of October, were continuing. Early figures showed that more than 600,000 people had been affected by the rains in seven countries in the area one way or another, though these were indicative and would evolve.





El Salvador was the worst affected by the floods, she said, with 50 per cent more rain than during Hurricane Mitch. It was also suffering from the worst material and infrastructure destruction since 1932. El Salvador had declared a national emergency and had requested international assistance. An emergency CERF cash grant of $ 50,000 was in the works and a Flash Appeal was being developed.
In El Salvador, 50,000 had taken refuge in shelters and were in need of humanitarian assistance.

In Guatemala, more than 5,000 people in shelters. The country declared a State of Public Calamity at the national level, she said, but had not requested international assistance. Rivers were overflowing their banks and the Food and Agriculture Organization had reported that some 2,500 hectares had been damaged. For Guatemala, an Emergency Cash Grant of $ 50,000 was being processed, she said.

Ms. Byrs said in Nicaragua, over 134,000 people affected in Nicaragua, and a six person United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination team had arrived for a period of two weeks. A Flash Appeal for Nicaragua might be issued, but it was not for sure yet.

In Honduras, approximately 40,000 people were affected, with 8,000 reportedly in shelters.

Ms. Byrs said the situation might evolve very quickly.

Yemen

Andrej Mahecic of the United Nations Refugee Agency said the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Somalia had forced more than 318,000 Somalis to flee their country so far this year. The majority sought safety and aid in neighbouring Kenya and Ethiopia. Since January some 20,000 new Somali refugees had arrived in Yemen mainly due to drought, famine, conflict and forced conscription. The increased influx was adding pressure on Yemen and UNHCR. An estimated 196,000 Somali refugees were now in Yemen where their resources were now additionally strained by the internal displacement that affected more than 400,000 people. The worsening security was making matters more difficult, he added, and transporting new arrivals from reception centres along the Gulf coast to the Kharaz refugee camp had become increasingly difficult. Opportunities for refugees, who intended to work or continued travelling were shrinking, he said, and there were few opportunities for assisted return. For these reasons, some of the refugees were now considering returning to Somalia. UNHCR had a voluntary repatriation programme but only to the relatively stable regions of Puntland and Somaliland.

The instability in Yemen was also giving greater opportunity for human traffickers and smugglers along Yemen’s Red Sea coast, Mr. Mahecic said, and together with their partners UNHCR was providing medical assistance and counselling to survivors.
There were now 97,000 internally displaced people in five southern governorates in Yemen. In Aden, nearly 30,000 children were unable to begin classes as around 70 public schools were sheltering over 20,000 people and no alternative solution had been found.







Gaëlle Sévenier of the World Food Programme reminded journalists that WFP and UNICEF were holding a press conference on Yemen on Monday, 24 October. Yemen was one of the countries most prone to food insecurity with the highest level of stunted growth in children behind Afghanistan. More than half the children of Yemen suffered from chronic malnutrition. She added that more than 90 per cent of food stuff was imported, and basic items such as grain and sugar and the price of bread had doubled in the last six months. To date, the WFP had received 64 per cent of the $ 159 million required to implement its operations in Yemen in 2011.

Kenya

Mr. Mahecic of UNHCR said in the Dadaab refugee complex in eastern Kenya, there had been a sharp drop in the number of new arrivals from Somalia due to the border military operations and the onset of the heavy rains in the area which made many of the roads impassable. No newly-arriving refugees had arrived in the last week. United Nations staff and more than 30 partners remained operational in Dadaab’s three camps - Ifo, Dagahaley and Hagadera – as well as the new sites of Ifo 2, and Kambioos. Together with the World Food Programme, UNHCR was distributing emergency food rations and relief supplies to recent arrivals. Water trucking to the new sites was ongoing while all three hospitals in Ifo, Dagahaley and Hagadera camps were providing health care to the refugees. Primary schools were being run by teachers recruited among the refugee population in the camps.

Mr. Mahecic also said UNHCR was working with the Kenyan authorities to urgently deploy more policemen in the camps to enhance security measures for refugees and aid workers alike. Dadaab was the world’s biggest refugee complex, with its sprawling camps hosting more than 463,000 refugees. Over 190,000 of them arrived this year after fleeing insecurity and famine in Somalia.

Egypt

Mr. Mahecic said that effective Sunday, newly arriving third country nationals from Libya at Egypt’s Saloum border would not be processed for resettlement by UNHCR. People already at Saloum would not be affected and work would continue on finding solutions for them, including resettlement for those found to be refugees.

Migrant Workers in Iraq

Jemini Pandya of the International Organization for Migration provided an update on an earlier story of a group of more than 200 Ukranian and Bulgarian construction workers who had been exploited in Baghdad with promise of a $ 2,500 month salary which they never received and were left stranded. In April this year, their employers fled and abandoned them. When she last spoke about it, there were 40 people living on an ad hoc basis on the construction site. The last 22 workers had yesterday been helped to return home due to an intervention by IOM.











New Special Rapporteur on Racism

Rolando Gomez of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights said that the Human Rights Council would briefly resume its suspended eighteenth regular session today to nominate the new Special Rapporteur on racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. On the basis of recommendations received by the Council’s Consultative Group, the President of the Council, Laura Dupruy Lasserre would propose that Mr. Mutama Ruteere of Kenya would be appointed as Special Rapporteur on racism. After this short procedural action, the Council would then close its eighteenth regular session. Mr. Ruteere would replace Mr. Gitu Muigai, also of Kenya, who recently stepped down. Copies of the cv of Mr. Ruteere were available.

Geneva Activities

Ms. Momal-Vanian said the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination would today be concluding its session and would be issuing its concluding observations and recommendations on the reports of Oman, Paraguay, Montenegro, Mauritius, Lesotho, Chad, Kuwait and Côte d’Ivoire.

The Human Rights Committee today would be concluding its review of the report of Kuwait and it would take up the report of Norway on Monday, 24 October in the afternoon, concluding on Tuesday, 25 October at 1 p.m. On Tuesday afternoon, the Committee would review the situation of human rights in Malawi in private in the absence of a report.

The Director-General of the United Nations Office at Geneva, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, would be visiting China next week where he would represent the Secretary-General in celebrations of the fortieth anniversary of resolution 2758 of the General Assembly which recognized the Popular Republic of China as the legitimate representative of China to the United Nations. Mr. Kassym-Jomart would also participate in the celebration of United Nations Day, and would hold important meetings on disarmament issues with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and different specialized institutions dealing with disarmament.

Ms. Momal-Vanian said there would be a press conference by the World Health Organization on Monday, 24 October, 9:30, Salle III about global mercury instrument and health.

On Monday at 1:30 p.m., there would be a joint press conference between UNICEF and the World Food Programme about food security and the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Yemen, including the situation of children.

Tarik Jasarevic of the World Health Organization said on Tuesday 25 October at 2:30 p.m., there would be a press conference on the World Health Organization’s Special Executive Board meeting on reform of the WHO. The Special Executive Board meeting would take place from 1 to 3 November.


State of the World Population

Laura Gehrke of the United Nations Population Fund said she would speak about the upcoming launch of the State of the World Population Report 2011, entitled, “People and Possibilities in a world of Seven Billion.” The report looked at the dynamics behind the numbers and how the people and communities of nine countries were dealing with this, she said. Though the main launch would be in London, a press conference would be held at the Palais des Nations on Wednesday, 26 October at 2 p.m. Salle III. A media advisory was available at the back of the room. After registration on the agency’s website journalists could access a copy of the report, she explained, but it was embargoed until 26 October 12 GMT.

World Trade Organization

Janaina Borges of the World Trade Organization explained there were two meetings planned today ahead of the December ministerial conference. The first meeting going on now was to look at themes to be presented to the ministers in December and the other meeting scheduled for this afternoon was the Trade Negotiation Committee which would look at possible discussions for the ministers on the Doha round.

Next week, the regular monthly meeting of the Dispute Settlement Body would be held on Tuesday. The Formal General Council would be meeting on Wednesday and one item of discussion would be the accession Vanuatu to WTO. On Friday, there would be a meeting for the Samoa accession negotiations and it would be one of the final steps towards accession.