REGULAR PRESS BRIEFING BY THE INFORMATION SERVICE

Alessandra Vellucci, Director of the United Nations Information Service in Geneva, chaired the briefing, which was attended by the spokespersons for the United Nations Refugee Agency, the United Nations Children’s Fund, the World Health Organization and the International Organization for Migration.

Humanitarian situation of refugees on Manus Island

Rico Salcedo, for the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR), gave the following statement by telephone:

“Thank you for the chance to briefly update you on UNHCR observations from our latest mission to Manus Island (Papua New Guinea).

What stood out the most from this mission, at the time we were there, was a pervasive and worsening sense of despair among refugees and asylum seekers. I observed and people shared with us that many are staying in their rooms, not going out, and not meeting and talking with others around them.

Those that you see walking or meet are usually downcast. In our conversations with different people, there’s a sense of desolation, as if people are grasping for hope. They ask many questions that we, as UNHCR, have previously heard and repeatedly raised as well. What will happen to them? When will this end? How long will they have to stay in these conditions? These questions are particularly concerning in a context where current services, as well as future solutions outside of Papua New Guinea, remain insufficient.

While the relocation of refugees to the United States is an ongoing and welcome process, the knowledge that many remain without any resolution is weighing on everyone.

As part of a group of more than 3,000 forcibly transferred by Australia to offshore processing facilities since 2013, more than 500 refugees and asylum seekers are living in three sites in Wards 1 and 2 on Manus Island.

It was evident again from our last mission, and after more than 100 days since the closure of the former Regional Processing Centre, that the need for greater mental health support, emergency medical care and specialised torture and trauma counselling remains critical and unmet.

I spoke with a refugee who shared with me his daily struggles and what he was going through. He told me how he was concerned for some of his friends who were depressed or thinking of self-harm and how he tries to just be there for them. But he also shared how he felt unable to help on some days because he himself could not get the help he needed.

The services provided at the site are predominantly implemented by Australian-contracted providers. The Government of Australia is no longer playing a coordination role on Manus Island. This is in contrast to previous arrangements at the former Regional Processing Centre.

UNHCR staff have observed a consistent and ongoing lack of clarity on the designated roles for specific services amongst contracted providers. This continued confusion among refugees and asylum seekers as to how they can obtain the necessary services and if they can even be provided. This highlights the lack of outreach services to people with mental health concerns. It is particularly important at this point, as the most vulnerable are not able to seek assistance outside the accommodation sites.

We have already emphasized, and it remains the case, that the local health facility, primarily the Lorengau Hospital, has very limited capacity and resources to assist refugees and asylum seekers with serious mental health concerns.

Another observation is the safety of the refugees in the community, which remains a major concern. This is noted from the conversations with refugees and community leaders.

In the local community, while no local curfew is in place, local police have advised all refugees and asylum seekers that they should return to their accommodation by 6 p.m. each evening to mitigate security risks and to walk in groups and not alone.

We cannot emphasize enough that solutions must be found for all, outside of Papua New Guinea, as a matter of urgency. Australia remains ultimately responsible, as the State from which these refugees and asylum seekers have sought international protection, for their welfare and long-term settlement outside of Papua New Guinea.

The Government of Australia should assume a clear coordination role with regard to the service providers it has retained and adequately monitor and provide services in line with growing and evolving needs.

Much more clearly needs to be done to bring the circumstances of refugees and asylum seekers on Manus Island up to a basic minimum standard. These critical steps, however, will only be a stop-gap measure until durable solutions are found and made available for them outside of Papua New Guinea.”

Responding to questions from journalists, Mr. Salcedo said that UNHCR had always emphasized that Australia remained responsible under international law for the refugees and asylum seekers held on Manus Island. The right to seek asylum, irrespective of their means of arrival, should be respected.

Responding to questions from journalists, Andrej Mahecic, for UNHCR, said that UNHCR had highlighted concerns regarding the closure of the so-called Regional Processing Centre. The environment was clearly unsuitable for refugees. Since 2013, more than 3,000 refugees and asylum seekers had been forcibly transferred by Australia to Papua New Guinea and Nauru. There had been several cases of self-harm. Under a bilateral agreement not involving UNHCR, the United States of America had agreed to accept 1,200 refugees. A total of approximately 800 refugees and asylum seekers remained in Papua New Guinea.

Myanmar/Bangladesh

Andrej Mahecic, for the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR), said that that the High Commissioner would brief the Security Council that afternoon on the refugee situation in Bangladesh and Myanmar. His remarks would subsequently be made available.

Response to recent allegations against Oxfam staff members

Responding to questions from journalists, Andrej Mahecic, for the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR), said that, following the allegations recently made against Oxfam staff members, he was sure that the relevant bodies within UNHCR would be conducting the appropriate follow-up. UNHCR conducted due diligence prior to commencing work with all new partners and required them to sign a code of conduct. It was important that allegations of sexual misconduct underwent a thorough review. UNHCR had a policy of zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation, misconduct, abuse and harassment. All reports of such conduct were thoroughly investigated.

Responding to the same questions, Alessandra Vellucci, for the United Nations Information Service in Geneva, said that yesterday the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General had described the allegations, as reported, as extremely troubling. It had been emphasized that the United Nations was working to improve the stringency of its background checks in order to prevent persons against whom allegations had been made from finding employment within the United Nations system. The allegations in question would first have to be confirmed. In any case, they were being taken very seriously at the highest levels. The Secretary-General, as the Chair of the Chief Executives Board for Coordination, was working to implement the appropriate policies across the United Nations system as a whole.

Marixie Mercado, for the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), said that UNICEF blacklisted former staff against whom confirmed or unresolved allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse had been made. All candidates who applied for staff positions at UNICEF were required to provide details about their work history, supply references and disclose their criminal record. UNICEF did not hire candidates who had previously been dismissed for misconduct or who had not been cleared of allegations of misconduct.

Tarik Jašareviæ, for the World Health Organization (WHO), said that WHO was in the process of introducing mandatory training for all staff by using existing resources, including a United Nations course on the prevention of harassment, sexual harassment and abuse of authority and a United Nations inter-agency tool. In that connection, WHO was drawing on existing policies, including its code of ethics and professional conduct, which specifically addressed sexual harassment. There was a policy on whistleblowing and protection from retaliation and another on sexual exploitation and abuse.

Congolese refugees seeking safety in Uganda

Babar Baloch, for the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR), gave the following statement:

“UNHCR is deeply saddened by reports of four Congolese refugees who drowned as they were seeking safety in Uganda, after their boat capsized on Lake Albert.

UNHCR warns that even more lives could be lost on the often perilous lake routes, as increasing numbers of refugees escape intercommunal violence and conflict, across the eastern regions of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

Last week, over 22,000 Congolese crossed Lake Albert to Uganda, bringing the total number of DRC arrivals in the country to about 34,000 since the beginning of the year. The refugees either use small canoes or overcrowded and rickety fishing boats, often carrying more than 250 people and taking up to ten hours to cross.

Overloaded with luggage and fishing nets, the small canoe, which was carrying the four refugees who drowned on 11 February, had paddled for nearly two days when it was hit by high waves, causing the passengers to fall overboard. UNHCR staff report several other incidents of boats going adrift due to engine failure or insufficient fuel, prompting rescue operations by the Ugandan authorities.

Meanwhile, on 7 February, UNHCR partners recorded two more deaths at the DRC shores of Lake Albert, where thousands of people are waiting to cross, as some wrangled to get onto the boats. With attacks on villages in the DRC province of Ituri continuing over the weekend, UNHCR calls for increased humanitarian access to the area inside DRC, to cover the population’s enormous protection and assistance needs.

Refugees crossing to Uganda talk of growing attacks against civilian populations, as well as killings and destruction of private property. UNHCR staff also received many reports of civilians being hacked to death and killed with arrows. Last week, an elderly man died from exhaustion upon arrival in Uganda and a newborn did not survive complications during its birth. In addition to the port of Sebagoro, a small fishing village in the northern side of Lake Albert, refugees also have arrived in their hundreds in Canara, a new landing site on the southern end of Lake Albert.

UNHCR works with the Ugandan authorities for the registration and the relocation of the new arrivals to settlements further inland. However, more support is needed. Among the critical priorities is the preparation of new settlement areas, together with psycho-social interventions to help refugees overcome their trauma.

Meanwhile, crossings through Lake Tanganyika towards Burundi and Tanzania declined significantly last week, currently reaching some 8,000 and 1,200 respectively. Army advances against the armed groups inside DRC, as well as a dwindling supply of readily available fishing boats and canoes, may have contributed to the drop in new arrivals. However, UNHCR is afraid that flows could soon pick up again, given the unpredictable and volatile nature of the conflict.

Over the past year, some 120,000 Congolese fled to neighboring countries, joining the 510,000 refugees that were already in exile. With Congolese refugee flows to neighboring countries expected to further increase in 2018, UNHCR is urging donors to step up their support. From the USD 368.7 million that UNHCR has requested for the DRC refugee situation, only 1 per cent has been funded so far.”

Responding to questions from journalists, Mr. Baloch, for UNHCR, said that, two decades previously, the conflict between the two ethnic groups had displaced around 400,000 people and killed thousands. The precise number of refugees affected at the current time was not known. Access remained a major issue in parts of Ituri. In recent weeks, it had been reported that around 3,000 people fleeing per day and that thousands of others reportedly remained stranded on the shores of Lake Albert. From a humanitarian perspective, it was important that a solution of some kind was found. It was clear that the conflict was taking a heavy toll on the lives of desperate people.

Seasonal influenza

Tarik Jašareviæ, for the World Health Organization (WHO), gave the following statement:

“Influenza activity remains high in the temperate zone of the northern hemisphere. However, most countries currently experiencing the influenza season have reported influenza-like illness reaching moderate levels in comparison with previous years, with a few countries reaching levels that exceed those of previous years.

Some countries, however, have reported levels of hospitalization and Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admissions reaching or exceeding peak levels compared to previous influenza seasons. WHO recommends countries with current influenza activity or entering their season to adopt necessary measures for ensuring appropriate case management, compliance with infection control measures and seasonal influenza vaccination for high risk groups.

WHO, through its global network called GISRS (Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System), is monitoring the influenza situation closely.

All three type/subtype seasonal viruses (A(H1N1), A(H3N2) and B) are co-circulating, but the predominant circulating viruses are different from one country/region to another.

In North America, the percentage of visits to health facilities for Influenza-like Illness (ILI) are still increasing and are higher than the last seven seasons with influenza A(H3N2) as the main circulating virus, although B is increasing in proportions among the samples tested. In the USA, the cumulative hospitalization rate for influenza is similar to levels observed in the same period during the last seven seasons.

In Europe, influenza activity remains high in most countries. Activity remains high in Northern and Southwestern Europe. It has peaked in a few countries and started to increase in Eastern Europe. Influenza B (mainly Yamagata lineage) remains the virus most frequently detected and the subtype of the influenza A viruses detected varied depending on the country.

In North Africa and Western Asia influenza activity remains high with A(H1N1) predominant, followed by B.

In East Asia, influenza activity continues to increase across the region. ILI activity continues to increase in Southern China, but appeared to decrease in Northern China. Influenza B lineage virus was predominantly detected, followed by influenza A(H1N1) virus. A steep increase in consultation rate was reported in Hong Kong SAR, China, and influenza activity due to influenza A(H1N1) was reported in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. In Mongolia, too, the percentage of hospital patients with pneumonia appeared to decrease, while influenza B lineage detections remained high.”

Mr. Jašareviæ said that, although it did not provide 100 per cent protection, vaccination remained the best means of prevention against influenza. The viruses were constantly mutating, which made it necessary to change the vaccine regularly. Twice a year, WHO held a meeting to determine the composition of the vaccine for the following influenza season. The entire process of preparing, producing, shipping and delivering the vaccines lasted eight months. It was estimated that, every year, up to 650,000 people died of seasonal influenza. Vulnerable groups, including children, pregnant women and the elderly, should be prioritized for vaccination.

Responding to questions from journalists, Mr. Jašareviæ said that the process of developing new vaccines was essentially one of educated guesswork. Mathematical models were used to predict the strain most likely to predominate in the following years. The vaccine was a “cocktail” in that it contained elements that would induce the creation of antibodies against a range of types and subtypes. The vaccine was less efficient for some types and subtypes than for others. In any case, a vaccinated person would have a lower chance or getting influenza and, even if he or she did, would experience less severe symptoms.

World Radio Day

Alessandra Vellucci, for the United Nations Information Service in Geneva (UNIS), said that 13 February was World Radio Day. To mark the occasion, the Secretary-General of the United Nations had issued a message on the role of radio in the enjoyment of sporting events, and UNIS had conducted a Facebook live event with staff from the UN and the European Broadcasting Union, as well as with Laetitia Bernard, a French horse-riding champion and journalist, which could be found at: fb.com/ungeneva.

Joel Millman, for the International Organization for Migration (IOM), said that, on the occasion of World Radio Day, IOM was hosting a Communication with Disaster Affected Communities Network event, entitled “Radio – A Beacon of Progress in Today’s Tech-led Communication Landscape”, at which the role of radio in disaster situations would be considered. Press officers would be in attendance to answer any questions.

Migration from Venezuela

Responding to a question regarding migration from Venezuela to Colombia and other countries, Joel Millman, for the International Organization for Migration (IOM), said that, on average, 45,000 migrants were reportedly arriving every month. There had always been some level of migration between the countries in the region, which was perhaps one reason why so few tensions had been reported.

Director General of IOM

Responding to a question regarding the forthcoming elections for the post of IOM Director General, Joel Millman, for the International Organization for Migration (IOM), said that he was aware of three candidates who had been nominated by their respective countries to serve as IOM Director General: Ken Isaacs of the United States of America; Laura Thompson of Costa Rica; and António Vitorino of Portugal.

Syria talks

Responding to questions from journalists, Alessandra Vellucci, for the United Nations Information Service in Geneva, said that, on Wednesday, 14 February, the United Nations Special Envoy for Syria would brief the Security Council. The briefing would be webcast at Webtv.un.org.

Geneva Events and Announcements

Alessandra Vellucci, for the United Nations Information Service in Geneva, said that, on Wednesday, 14 February, at 9.30 a.m. in Room III a special briefing would be held, at which representatives of many UN agencies would present their entity’s priorities and key events for 2018.

Ms. Vellucci said that the Minister for Social Development of Chile, Marcos Barraza Gómez, was scheduled to travel to Geneva to speak at the International Labour Organization (ILO). He would discuss indigenous consultation within the framework of the ILO Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Convention, 1989 (No. 169). On the same occasion, Minister Barraza Gómez would present the Chilean experience on the inclusion of persons with disabilities in the world of work. He would be prepared to give interviews in Spanish. Interested journalists should contact the Permanent Mission of Chile.

The Conference on Disarmament would hold a public plenary meeting that afternoon. It would be the last held under the presidency of Sri Lanka. From Monday (19 February) to the 18th of March, the CD will be chaired by Sweden.

The Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities would open its nineteenth session on Wednesday, 14 February, in Room XVII. During the session, the Committee would consider the reports of Haiti, Nepal, Oman, Sudan, Slovenia, Seychelles and the Russian Federation.

Press Conferences

UNOG-UEFA
Match for Solidarity 2018
Tuesday, 13 February at 2:00 p.m. in Room III
http://bit.ly/2BIJQ9y

UNMAS
Clearance of explosive hazards in Iraq post ISIL
Wednesday, 14 February at 1:30 p.m. in Press Room 1
http://bit.ly/2BNa6zN

WHO
New recommendations to establish global care standards for healthy pregnant women and reduce unnecessary medical interventions.
Thursday, 15 February at 11:00 a.m. in Press Room 1
http://bit.ly/2ChXxrQ

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The webcast for this briefing is available here: http://bit.ly/unog130218