REGULAR PRESS BRIEFING BY THE INFORMATION SERVICE

Ahmad Fawzi, Director a.i. of the UN Information Service in Geneva, chaired the briefing, which was attended by the Spokespersons for the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, United Nations Development Programme, World Health Organization, United Nations Children’s Fund, United Nations Refugee Agency, and the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

Syria

Mr. Fawzi informed that the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Syria Staffan de Mistura would hold a press conference in Press Room III at 11:30 a.m. today, immediately after the press briefing. The topic would be the consultations on Syria starting in Geneva today.

Christophe Boulierac, for the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), announced that in support of UNRWA, this week UNICEF had participated in two cross-line interagency missions to provide humanitarian assistance to families recently displaced from Yarmouk camp to three locations (Yalda, Babila, and Bei Sahem), 10 km south of Damascus. That was the first time in the previous two years that UNICEF had been able to access those areas. Mr. Boulierac informed about the delivery of three trucks with 9,000 baby diaper kits, 1,500 new-born kits, and 2,000 kits of clothes for children.

UNICEF staff estimated that 50,000 people were living in those three locations, in addition to 2,500 Palestinian refugee families who had fled Yarmouk. Mr. Boulierac warned that the humanitarian needs were dire. Water sources were contaminated and required treatment before distribution, the electricity was only available only one hour per day, and there was only one doctor in the area compared to 500 before the crisis. Prices of basic commodities were four to five times higher than before. Mr. Boulierac shared that community leaders expressed the need for safe water, diapers, rehabilitation of schools, medical care, medicine and antibiotic drugs, vaccines and food. Mr. Boulierac confirmed that UNICEF was planning additional convoys to those areas in order to continue responding to the needs.

Answering a question on which armed groups were controlling those areas, Mr. Boulierac said that these three areas are controlled by Armed Opposition Group hence the cross-line. These cross line operations are to reach areas under Armed Opposition Groups.

Sudan

Geert Cappelaere, speaking for UNICEF via phone from Khartoum, said that the massive measles outbreak in Sudan. He reminded that Sudan was still harbouring one of the most massive humanitarian crises in the world. The crisis might no longer be in the spotlight, but close to 3.5 million children faced acute humanitarian needs, mostly related to conflict, but also due to the low investment in basic social services.

In the previous four months, 2,200 cases of measles had been confirmed, which was four times higher than the annual measles figures in previous years. There were also some 4,000 suspected cases. Many were children under the age of five, but there were also those above the age of 15. The outbreak was not attached to a specific region, but was country-wide: 14 out of 18 States in Sudan were affected at the moment.

Mr. Cappelaere said that in border areas with Ethiopia, South Sudan and Chad there were also some smaller outbreaks. The response by the Ministry of Health in Khartoum had been very serious, with the support of UNICEF, World Health Organization and the Doctors without Borders. One stage of the nation-wide vaccination campaign had been completed; the goal was to reach eight million children, but also older people. UNICEF’s contribution consisted of the procurement of measles vaccines, 9 million of which had made it to the country in record time. Awareness raising was also of critical importance, as parents needed to reach out to vaccination centres and have their children vaccinated.

On the reasons of that massive outbreak, Mr. Cappelaere said that the routine of immunization was still not as good as it should be. Another look had to be taken at the existing immunization services. The data on vaccination and coverage ought also to be looked into. The positive outlook might not be as positive, and mistakes in the data should be identified. In Sudan, there were still several areas still largely inaccessible to humanitarian assistance, with massive groups of unvaccinated children there.

Two strong appeals were made: an appeal to the Government of Sudan and all rebel forces active in Sudan to allow UNICEF and partners immediate access to the vaccination of children; and an appeal to the Government and the international community on debt relief, which should be looked into positively, in a conditional way, so that more investments could be made in health, social services and nutrition. The measles outbreak was a sign that children in the country were still vulnerable and the basic social services were not up to the necessary standards. Debt relief would be welcome in that regard.

Asked when the campaign had begun and how long it was intended to last, Mr. Cappelaere stated that the initial stage had taken place from 22 April until 1 May. It had targeted two million people, mostly children under the age of five in the most affected localities. The campaign would continue across the country shortly.

On conditioning debt relief with social services provision, Mr. Cappelaere said it was important to know that Sudan had an outstanding foreign debt. Discussions were going on for some time between the Government, the IMF and some of the creditors. UNICEF wanted to bring into discussions a different perspective on debt relief, in order to ensure that money available be invested in basic services. Mr. Cappelaere could not provide a detailed answer of the size of the Sudanese debt.

Answering to the question on the measles outbreak affecting Ethiopia and South Sudan, and measures being taken to prevent further spread, Mr. Cappelaere confirmed that measles easily crossed borders. UNICEF was in a very close contact with the neighbouring countries, and vaccination campaigns were taking place there as well, to complement those efforts in Sudan.

On whether there had been any deaths due to measles, Mr. Cappelaere said that it varied across the country: in east Darfur, the fatality rate stood at 13 percent and in north Darfur it was 1.7 percent. The overall case fatality rate across the country stood at 1.2 percent. Before the outbreak, the vaccination coverage was reported at 90 percent, but now UNICEF was looking into how reliable that data was. Mr. Cappelaere specified that the total number of children who had died of measles in 2015 stood at 27.

Responding to another question, Mr. Cappelaere specified that up to half a million children were out of reach.

Central African Republic

Mr. Boulierac stated that in Bangui, one hour earlier, leaders of the different armed groups in the Central African Republic had decided to set all the children associated to their forces free as well as to stop the enrolment of new children in their groups. An estimated 6,000 to 10,000 children were currently associated to armed groups in the CAR. That number was not only for combatants, but also for all of those who were used as sex slaves, cooks or in any other support role. CAR was one of the worst places in the world regarding the situation for children, especially after the last two years of violence.

Mr. Boulierac explained that the agreement facilitated by UNICEF and its partners had taken place under the auspices of the National Reconciliation Forum trying to re-establish peace in the country. The forum was welcoming leaders of armed groups as well as religious leaders, members of government and parliament. The parties would have to gather to decide how to enforce it, especially regarding the calendar for the release of children as well as how they could be brought back into their communities. The leaders of armed groups had given an immediate and restriction-free access to UNICEF to any zone under their control.

In 2013, 500 children had been set free while their number was 2,800 in 2014. The release of those children would be bringing a financial challenge, especially considering the fact that the violence and humanitarian crisis in the CAR was not being given enough visibility globally.

Answering a question regarding how cautious the international community should be when looking at that agreement, Mr. Boulierac said that it was true that caution was needed, but everything had to start with an agreement.

When asked about where most of the children were recruited, Mr. Boulierac said that he did not have all the details, but it was a difficult operation to help children, once out of an armed group, to leave their weapons and come back to a normal life in a community. Therefore, work with local communities was crucial.

When asked if all parties were part of the agreement, he said that eight groups were represented, which were the vast majority of all the armed groups.

On whether the latest development had closed the chapter on child soldiers, Mr. Boulierac said that the fact that all armed groups had committed to it should indeed encompass all children. There was still violence ongoing in the CAR, and the first condition was for the lasting peace to return to the country. UNICEF kept advocating to the armed groups, rebels, religious and community leaders, civil society organizations. There had been a lot of pressure and contact with the rebel groups; effort had been made to reach everybody.

Asked if during the time UNICEF had interviewed abused children in summer 2014, sexual abuses of children had been continuing, Mr. Boulierac reaffirmed that those children identified as victims had received psycho-social support and protection, but would look into further details.

Nepal

Sarah Bel, for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), stated that alongside humanitarian relief, reconstruction needed to start in Nepal. UNDP would lead the early recovery work and start with rapid structural assessment of public buildings. That would identify which structures were safe and which ones needed repair and retrofitting, to determine if workers could resume their duties. The assessment would provide data to support long-term recovery and construction plans. Masons were key players in the construction industry, and UNDP would continue a programme, supported by UK Aid, that trained them in earthquake resilient construction techniques. More than 900 masons had been trained thus far.

In cooperation with the Government of Australia, UNDP was conducting programme on supporting micro-entrepreneurs in making a speedy comeback. UNDP was assisting small and micro-entrepreneurs to build back businesses that had been damaged as a result of the earthquake. Resources were being allocated so that micro entrepreneurs who were supported by UNDP’s MEDEP programme could rapidly restart their micro-enterprises.

Working on the post-disaster damage and needs assessment, UNDP, the World Bank, and the European Union had signed a tripartite agreement to work together to prepare to deal with emergencies such as the earthquake. The Asian Development Bank had also shown interest in joining the process that would commence in early May.

Jens Laerke, for the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), said to bring on-the-ground humanitarian coordination closer to the people in the most affected areas, humanitarian hubs had been established in Gorkha and Sindhupalchowk, where assessments showed that between 80 and 90 percent of houses had been destroyed and families urgently needed tarpaulins, food and medicine. A network of logistical hubs was also being established in five additional districts to support humanitarian deliveries. In those districts, 90 per cent of the buildings had been completely destroyed so there was an urgency of getting shelter and repair tools for the other 10 per cent of buildings. Since 29 April, humanitarian actors had distributed 52,000 tarpaulins in 29 earthquake-affected district and more than 230,000 more are en route to Nepal. Distribution of more than 2,000 tons of food had also begun across 15 districts.

Christian Lindmeier, for the World Health Organization (WHO), said that temporary field hospitals had been established in five locations in Kathmandu and five others outside of the capital. The total of 109 foreign medical teams were registered, over 90 of which had been deployed as of the previous day. Assessments were being made on the effect that any of their departures from the country might make. Physical rehabilitation of patients who had already been treated was of immediate concern, as there were limited capacities. Needs for psycho-social support were rising. WHO was coordinating Water, Sanitation, Hygiene (WASH) response. No outbreaks of water-borne diseases had been recorded so far, but the WHO continued to monitor the situation. Rumors of diarrhea had been looked into, but not confirmed, and foreign medical teams outside of the capital were requested to report on any cases of diarrhea.

Yemen

Ravina Shamdasani, for the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), stated that the conflict in Yemen had now taken at least 646 civilian lives, including 50 women and 131 children. In addition, more than 1,364 civilians had been injured. Those were the figures from 26 March up to 3 May. There had also been severe destruction of civilian infrastructure, including houses, in many districts.

In recent days, the OHCHR had documented the destruction of a number of civilian houses, reportedly belonging to individuals affiliated with the Houthis, by airstrikes. In one incident, on 1 May, at least 17 civilians had been killed, including four children and nine women, and 27 civilians had been injured as a result of an airstrike that allegedly targeted the home of a Houthi leader in the Sa’wan area of Sana’a City.

OHCHR reiterated that all suspected violations of international human rights law and humanitarian law during the conflict should be investigated, and that the intentional targeting of civilians not taking direct part in the hostilities should be immediately stopped.

Ms. Shamdasani also drew particular attention to the plight of people with disabilities in Yemen. There were an estimated 3,000,000 people with disabilities living in Yemen who were facing serious protection concerns and increasing difficulties in meeting their basic needs.

Campaign against the Serbian Ombudsman

Ms. Shamdasani expressed the concern of the OHCHR about the increasing and continuing pressure made on the Serbian Ombudsperson, Saša Jankoviæ, by the Serbian authorities, including members of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party. Such pressure, which had first emerged in January after the beginning of his investigation in the Serbian military security agency’s wrongdoings, had intensified since the publication of his latest Annual Report on Serbia on 14 April.

The High Commissioner had raised his concerns with the Serbian authorities, which had assured him of their respect and support for the Ombudsman and his office, and of their commitment to properly investigate and prosecute any of the alleged pressure and threats.

Human rights office in Honduras

Ms. Shamdasani informed that the previous day, the OHCHR had signed an agreement with the Government of Honduras to open an office in the country. The country office, established at the request of the Government of Honduras, would be charged with monitoring and reporting publicly on the human rights situation, helping build the capacity of State institutions and civil society for the promotion and the protection of human rights, as well as conducting public advocacy on human rights issues. The new OHCHR office in Honduras should become operational in the second half of 2015.

New website on albinism

Ms. Shamdasani stated that the OHCHR was today launching a fully accessible new micro-site on its own website dedicated to the issue of albinism. The site, entitled “People with albinism: Not ghosts but human beings” had a wide range of resources on the condition of albinism, which was still profoundly misunderstood, socially and medically. It detailed some of the key human rights issues that people with albinism faced on a daily basis, and told the stories of 12 champions – people with and without albinism who were working to make a difference, to debunk the myths and ensure that people with albinism could live a life free of stigma and violence.

The new website could be accessed at: http://albinism.ohchr.org.

New guide on mental health in public health emergencies

Dr. Mark Van Ommeren, for the World Health Organization (WHO), announced the launch of a new guide on mental health and humanitarian emergencies, named Gap Action Programme Humanitarian Intervention Guide. That guide covered emergency situations which included natural disasters, disease outbreaks and armed conflict.

Mr. Van Ommeren stated that they had been working on the guidelines for more than two years because of the ongoing crisis like Syria, Yemen and more recently, Nepal and the increasing interest on mental health by humanitarian health agencies. The importance of the guide was because the rates of mental discordance during emergencies had increased and also because when people were experiencing emergencies they usually lived far away from specialist. The guide had been written for doctors who were not specialized in mental health care. It covered clinical management of wide range of conditions acute stress, grief, moderate-serve depressive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, epilepsy, and harmful use of alcohol and drugs. It would also help to make a distinction between normal expected stress in those emergencies and mental disorders. It included medical treatment with medicines as well as psycho-social ways of helping people. The guide also provided associated training material for the WHO and partners to apply it, including in Guinea and Syria.

Dr. Pieter Ventevogel, for the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR), added that for the UNHCR, promoting and preserving mental health and psycho-social well-being was part of their protection mandate but often it was difficult to put it in practice for several reasons, including the refugee mental situations and the reduced number of mental health professionals available in the area. For the UNHCR the only viable situation was to integrate mental health in general health care. In fact, some of the UNHCR’s partners, mainly NGOs, already did that, but others did not because there was no clear clinical tool for mental health in humanitarian situations. Hence, the Guide was the tool which would enable general health workers to identify and manage the most important mental health issues in refugee settings. All the health agencies in emergencies were called to train their staff in the use of that tool and include mental health as part of the standard mental package.

Answering a question, Mr. Van Ommeren stated that his office had not been contacted regarding mental health of children allegedly sexually abused in the CAR.

Geneva activities

Mr. Fawzi announced that the UNHCR would hold a press conference together with the Norwegian Refugee Council on the global report revealing record number of internally displaced people. The conference would take place in Room III on 6 May at 10:30 a.m., and would feature Jan Egeland, Secretary-General of the Norwegian Refugee Council, and Volker Türk, Assistant High Commissioner for Protection at UNHCR.

The Mission of Liberia would hold a press conference in Press Room 1 on 6 May at 12 noon on the access to the World Trade Organization. Liberia’s Minister of Commerce and Industry Axel Addy would provide an update on Liberia’s accession to the WTO ahead of the 7 May meeting of the Working Party. The Minister would also provide an update on Ebola and the path towards recovery.

Committee for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination was concluding consideration of Sudan this morning. Germany and Denmark would be looked at later in the week.

Committee against Torture was concluding consideration of the report of The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia this afternoon, which would be the last report of the session ending on 15 May.

Human Rights Council’s Universal Periodic Review Working Group was reviewing Malawi this morning and Mongolia in the afternoon. Media updates would be regularly provided.

Ms. Bel announced the third volume of Global burden of Armed Violence, based on a comprehensive research that covered violent deaths across both conflict and non-conflict settings between 2007 and 2012. It was a key monitoring tool for the Geneva Declaration on Armed Violence and Development, launched by Switzerland and UNDP in 2006 to measure armed violence and understand the impact of this violence. In the context of the SDG negotiations, the report was also central for the development of clear targets and indicators for the upcoming Goal 16. Press conference would be organized in Press Room III, on 7 May at 11:30 a.m.

Spokespersons for the United Nations Refugee Agency and the International Labour Organization were also present, but did not brief.
The webcast for this briefing is available here: http://bit.ly/unog050515