REGULAR PRESS BRIEFING BY THE INFORMATION SERVICE
Rhéal LeBlanc, Chief of the Press and External Relations Section, United Nations Information Service in Geneva, chaired the briefing, which was attended by the spokespersons for the United Nations Refugee Agency, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the World Health Organization and the International Telecommunication Union.
Libya
Rhéal LeBlanc, for the United Nations Information Service in Geneva, drew attention to a tweet by the Secretary-General that morning, in which he stated that he was flying from Tripoli to Tobruk and Benghazi and that his aim remained the same – to avoid a military confrontation. The Secretary-General had further stated that there was no military solution for the Libyan crisis, only a political one. Mr. LeBlanc also drew attention to a press conference held in Tripoli on 4 April, in which the Secretary-General had made an appeal for all military movements to stop; for containment, calm, de-escalation, both military and political, as well as verbal de-escalation; and for the recognition that there was no military solution for any problem in the world, and there was no military solution for the problems in Libya. The solution, the Secretary-General had stressed, must be political, and it was essential that a strong political solution was reached through dialogue.
Venezuela
Andrej Mahecic, for the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR), made the following statement:
“Despite Venezuela having officially closed its land borders with neighbouring Colombia and Brazil as of 23 February, thousands of people are still leaving the country daily. Many are risking their lives in the process, either wading across torrential rivers or risking exploitation and abuse by armed groups controlling treacherous irregular paths.
On Tuesday, security forces on both sides of the border struggled to control the situation as some 46,000 desperate people forced their way across the Simon Bolivar International Bridge between the Venezuelan town of San Antonio de Tachira and the Colombian city of Cucuta. People were moving in both directions. At one point crowd-barriers were overturned. In the melee, crying babies, distressed small children, exhausted pregnant women, elderly people and people with disabilities were at risk of being crushed or trampled by the crowd. Fortunately, no casualties were reported.
The crowds we have seen this week are a result of the Tachira River swelling, which in turn is making crossings by foot even more dangerous than usual. Since 23 February, when the Venezuelan authorities imposed restrictions on crossing the border, pedestrian traffic at the bridge had dwindled. People instead resorted to using muddy footpaths known as “trochas” and wading across the Tachira River to get to Cucuta where they work, study, receive medical attention or go to obtain food or medicines unavailable at home. In addition, thousands of Venezuelan refugees and migrants enter Colombia every day to stay or to continue their journeys to other Latin American countries.
With heavy rain having swollen the river and flooded many of the footpaths, the only viable option for most Venezuelans was the bridge. The situation illustrates the dangers of irregular cross-border movements by people who are desperate. Although by Wednesday the current of the Tachira River had temporarily subsided, the onset of the rainy season means crossings will continue to be highly dangerous.
UNHCR recognizes the efforts of Colombia and other Latin American countries in hosting millions of Venezuelans, and the commitment of the Colombian authorities to promote access to their territory, legal residence and other basic rights for them. In 2018, UNHCR supported the Government of Colombia’s administrative registration of over 440,000 Venezuelans.
UNHCR works closely with the Colombian authorities, intervening on behalf of individuals with specific protections needs, including women, children and adolescents, the elderly, persons with disabilities, indigenous people and LGBTI groups, and providing specialized services and humanitarian assistance to them. At all the main border crossings UNHCR provides information and legal counselling on how to access refugee status and alternative forms of stay. We also coordinate with other organizations to distribute drinking water, hygiene kits, blankets and light meals to refugees and migrants, and refers the sick to health centres and hospitals. UNHCR also gives technical assistance to relevant authorities to develop an effective coordination and prepare local response plans.”
Responding to questions from the media, Mr. Mahecic said that some people crossed the border into Colombia to meet their daily needs, for instance, for food and medicines, and then returned to Venezuela; therefore, not everyone who left Venezuela stayed on in Colombia or went elsewhere. Such movements across the border had been observed for a long time. However, some people did go in search of family and acquaintances and to seek shelter and asylum throughout Latin America and beyond. The number of Venezuelans currently living outside of Venezuela was estimated to be 3.4 million. The official closing of the Venezuelan border had had some impact on movements, which were more irregular now. UNHCR could only monitor the situation where it was based, at the international border crossing. It was difficult therefore to gauge the number of Venezuelans leaving Venezuela every day, but it continued to be estimated at around 5,000 people.
Asked about Venezuelans crossing the border into Brazil, Mr. Mahecic said that he did not have information on how specifically Venezuelans were crossing into Brazil. People who were desperate generally found a way. Unfortunately, it was those same people who easily fell prey to traffickers and smugglers and who were more vulnerable to discrimination and sexual abuse, among other misfortunes.
Responding to a question about armed groups, Mr. Mahecic said that evidence per se was not gathered on such groups; however, UNHCR received information from people they spoke to on the ground. There were both criminal groups and armed groups operating along the border, with related increases in the risk of violence and forced recruitment.
Rhéal LeBlanc, for the United Nations Information Service in Geneva, added that, in his daily press briefing on 4 April, the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General had stated that:
“We're deeply concerned by the substantial humanitarian needs of the people in Venezuela. We have been scaling up our operations there, focussing on nutrition, on health and protection. We've increased our staffing. It's gone from about 190 in 2017 — September 2017 — to over, just over 300 as of March of this year. This has allowed us to equip hospitals with emergency medical supplies, as well as generators, provide pregnant women and children with nutritional supplements, and vaccinate more children.”
Mr. LeBlanc added that the United Nations strove to provide as much assistance as possible to those in need. However, the Government’s consent was necessary in order for the Organization to distribute aid in accordance with the principles of neutrality and impartiality.
Bangladesh
Andrej Mahecic, for the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR), made the following statement:
“UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and its partners are ramping up their emergency preparations and training of Rohingya refugees as first responders ahead of the cyclone and monsoon season in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. The first monsoon rains of 2019 are expected in weeks.
Last year’s monsoon season was a major test for humanitarian agencies, working in support of the Government of Bangladesh. Coming on the heels of the fastest growing refugee influx in decades — with more than 740,000 refugees fleeing Myanmar in a matter of months to seek safety in Bangladesh — Rohingya refugees were experiencing their first monsoon season in their place of refuge. Many families had built shelters wherever they could find space, often on steep slopes or areas prone to flash floods from heavy rains, and their immediate safety was at risk.
This year, building on terrain stabilization projects and infrastructure put in place during the 2018 season - including extensive drainage systems, bridges, roads, and upgraded shelters - work is ongoing to further fortify essential infrastructure and strategically pre-position relief items in the refugee settlements. Emergency stocks to deal with pre- and post-disaster situations, equipment, and other essentials are being placed throughout the camps. Evaluations of risk areas are ongoing and mitigation plans and response protocols are under development to reduce the impact of winds and rains.
Nevertheless, refugee lives in the hilly settlements of Cox’s Bazar area remain at risk from potential landslides, flash floods, and the unpredictability of impending cyclones and monsoon rains. The situation requires a robust humanitarian response, centred on the needs of both refugee and Bangladeshi communities.
To that end, UNHCR’s efforts are also focused on training and building the lasting capacity of refugee communities who will be at the centre of any response, including their ability to prepare and respond to natural disasters alongside UNHCR field teams and other humanitarian partners.”
Responding to questions from the media, Mr. Mahecic said that compared to the same period in 2019, the situation was vastly different. In 2018 Bangladesh had been dealing with the massive influx of people into the country and therefore during the 2018 monsoon season, local Bangladeshis and the government authorities had been the main responders. There had been a great danger of an emergency developing within an emergency. Thanks to the mitigation work done, including major engineering works and the moving of thousands of refugees to safer locations, the monsoon season had passed without major incidents and without substantial loss of life. However, it was important to stress that the situation was far from safe and stable. Experts predicted that if the camps were hit directly by cyclones during the upcoming monsoon season, up to 70 per cent of the shelters would be destroyed. An appeal for a joint response plan had been launched in Geneva in February 2019. There had been a solid initial response; it was hoped that the international community would continue to support Rohingya refugees and Bangladesh and that the focus would remain on finding a solution to the situation. Such a solution would require working with the authorities of Myanmar to ensure the voluntary return of Rohingya refugees.
Asked about progress on a tripartite agreement with the Government of Myanmar, Mr. Mahecic said that three phases of assessments had been carried out, including visits to 60 locations and consultations with some 1,400 locals in northern Rakhine State. The authorities of Myanmar had granted approval to carry out 34 community-based projects that had been identified during the first and second phases of assessment. However, because of fighting in the area since December 2018, access had become more difficult, and so in turn had the ability to implement small initiatives. UNHCR continued to request more predictable and widespread access covered by the memorandum of understanding with the Government, including areas that were not affected by the current clashes, so that it could continue its assessment visits. UNHCR was very concerned at the reports of violence in southern Chin State and northern Rakhine State. He was not aware of any reports of people crossing into Bangladesh.
Asked about the number of internally displaced persons in Rakhine State, Mr. Mahecic said that, based on recent reports by the local authorities, there were over 17,000 internally displaced persons. Ravina Shamdasani, for the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), added that the most recent estimate by Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) was 17,354 internally displaced persons. However, that figure accounted only for those registered; given the large numbers of internally displaced persons living in rice paddies and spontaneous settlements, the true number was likely to be over 20,000.
Myanmar
Ravina Shamdasani, for the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), made the following statement:
“We are deeply disturbed by the intensification of the conflict in Rakhine State in recent weeks, and condemn what appear to be indiscriminate attacks and attacks directed at civilians by the Myanmar military and armed fighters in the context of the ongoing fighting with the ethnic Rakhine Arakan Army (AA). It is important to note that this is an armed group that recruits mainly from among the ethnic Rakhine Buddhist community, which is distinct from the Rohingya Muslim community. The conflict between the Myanmar military, known as the Tatmadaw, and the Arakan Army has given rise to credible reports of the killing of civilians, burning of houses, arbitrary arrests, abductions, indiscriminate fire in civilian areas, and damage to cultural property. The fighting has impacted on civilians of various ethnicities in Rakhine and Chin States, including Rakhine, Rohingya, Chin, Mro and Daignet.
According to reports received by the UN Human Rights Office, fighting has intensified in Buthidaung, Rathedaung, Kyauktaw, Mrauk-U, and Sittwe townships in Rakhine State in recent weeks, leading to the displacement of over 20,000 civilians. The impact of the violence on civilians in northern Rakhine has been exacerbated by the Government’s near-suspension of humanitarian access since January 2019.
In the most recent escalation, on the evening of 3 April, two military helicopters flew over Hpon Nyo Leik village tract in south Buthidaung township and fired on civilians tending cows and paddyfields, killing at least seven civilians and injuring 18 others, according to sources on the ground. The 3 April attack was carried out in an area that had seen large-scale displacement of Rohingya civilians in recent days. According to information received by our Office, some 4,000 Rohingya were displaced between 25 and 30 March from the villages along the road connecting Buthidaung and Rathedaung towns. The displaced had fled westward and are now taking shelter in areas including Hpon Nyo Leik village tract.
We call on the Tatmadaw and the Arakan Army to immediately cease hostilities and to ensure that civilians are protected. Humanitarian access to all areas of northern Rakhine must urgently be restored, including those areas affected by recent clashes. As the international community is taking steps towards accountability for the crimes committed against civilians in previous years, the Myanmar military is again carrying out attacks against its own civilians - attacks which may constitute war crimes. The consequences of impunity will continue to be deadly.”
Responding to questions from the press, Ms. Shamdasani said that it was preferable to delink the conflict from religion. While the attack of 3 April had hit Rohingya Muslims, victims of the various clashes had been of different religions and backgrounds. The ethnic Rakhine Arakan Army had been formed a decade earlier and had their own grievances, including about the economy and the lack of proper consultation by the Government with communities. Such issues were different from the systematic discrimination observed against Rohingya Muslims. As for the Myanmar military, or Tatmadaw, like most of the Government, it was made up mainly of Buddhists. Again, however, the conflict appeared to be ethnic rather than religious. There had been some attempts towards establishing dialogue and a ceasefire, but they had proved unsuccessful. The fact that the military was scaling up its attacks, including by dropping bombs on civilian areas, made dialogue all the more difficult. OHCHR was calling on all sides to cease hostilities and to return to dialogue.
Asked specifically about the attack of 3 April, Ms. Shamsadani said that although OHCHR did not have access to the area in question, evidence of the attack had been received by sources on the ground and by sources outside of Myanmar who were in close contact with sources on the ground. OHCHR received lot of unverified information, most of which it did not publish; however, it had been able to verify much of the information received regarding the 3 April and had therefore decided to publish it. As for what had led to the recent escalation in the conflict between the Tatmadaw and the Arakan Army, an attack on 4 January by the Arakan Army on several police posts had led to a very strong response by the Tatmadaw, who had reportedly been instructed to “crush” the Arakan Army. Subsequently, there had been a number of seemingly indiscriminate attacks, including against civilians, by both the Tatmadaw and the Arakan Army. Initially, the fighting had been concentrated in the hills, but increasingly the conflict had been moving down towards urban areas, putting residential areas and civilians at much graver risk. The protection of civilians was paramount in all situations.
Sudan
Responding to a question about an upcoming protest in Khartoum, Ravina Shamdasani, for the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), said that OHCHR had been monitoring the situation in Sudan since protests had broken out in late 2018, and had documented the use of excessive force by the security forces and resulting casualties. OHCHR was engaging with the Sudanese Government and had called for a meaningful dialogue to be set up with civil society representatives. It reiterated its call for people to be allowed to exercise their right to peaceful assembly and for the authorities to refrain from using excessive force.
Niger
Jens Laerke, for the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), made the following statement:
“The Diffa region in south-eastern Niger bordering Nigeria and Chad has seen a spike of violence and displacement last month with at least 21 attacks against civilians and military forces resulting in 88 civilian deaths. The violence is related to increased activity of non-State armed groups in the Lake Chad Basin, principally Boko Haram.
The 88 civilian deaths last month alone compares to a total of 107 killed during the entire year 2018 and the Humanitarian Country team in Niger is concerned about what appears to be a shift in the pattern of offences by these armed groups to target some of the most vulnerable people in the region, including already displaced communities and refugees.
The 21 attacks in March triggered a movement of nearly 18,500 people towards the urban centre of Diffa and other big settlements in the region which already hosts over 100,000 internally displaced persons and nearly 120,000 refugees. The most populated hosting sites are Awardee with nearly 8,000 displaced persons in the urban district of Diffa, and the site of Kindjandi with 2,500 displaced persons in the commune of Gueskérou.
The Humanitarian Country Team will maintain their operational presence in the affected areas despite the increased violence and five rapid assessments have been carried out. The initial results of the assessments show that people critically need water and sanitation, shelter, food and household items.
Since late last month, humanitarian organizations have distributed food in the most populated site in Awaridi, as well as shelter kits and non-food items. Water trucking is also taking place and mobile clinics and psycho-social support specialists are available on the site in Awaridi. Aid distribution has also been carried out in some Diffa neighbourhoods, where the displaced people are now.
While the number of people in need keeps growing, the availability of resources is very limited. The Humanitarian Response Plan for Niger, which requests US$383 million for 2019, is currently less than 3 per cent funded.”
Responding to questions from the press, Mr. Laerke said that Boko Haram or affiliated groups accounted for most of the non-State armed groups in the Lake Chad Basin. It was difficult to know the nationality of the fighters for such groups, as the Boko Haram insurgency had spread across borders, including into the Diffa region. It was also difficult to understand why the targets of attacks seemed increasingly to be civilians. OCHA condemned the attacks, which were illegal under international law and human rights law and an affront to common human decency. OCHA was striving to respond to the needs of the survivors of such attacks, displaced persons and host communities. OCHA was committed to remaining on site and delivering assistance, but it needed more funding to make such assistance meaningful.
Update on Ebola outbreaks
Asked for an update on the Ebola situation, Christian Lindmeier, for the World Health Organization (WHO), said that, cumulatively, the number of cases continued to rise, with a marked increase in the Democratic Republic of the Congo over the past 21 days: 57 health areas within 12 health zones had reported new cases. As at 4 April, a total of 1,107 cases had been reported; of those, 1,041 were confirmed and 66, probable. A total of 695 people had died, while 339 patients had survived or were still under care.
Meeting of the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) on Immunization
Christian Lindmeier, for the World Health Organization (WHO), said that the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) on Immunization, during their biannual meeting, held from 2 to 4 April 2019, had discussed a number of topics relating to immunization globally. Agenda items had included: discussions on the development of the post-2020 immunization strategy; progress on the Post-Polio Eradication, Certification and Integration Strategy; updates on the Malaria Vaccine Implementation Programme (MVIP), alongside recommendations for how to inform future policy recommendations on the RTS,S vaccine; and a review of recommendations on Ebola vaccine use for children under 1 year old and lactating women. On Friday, 5 April, at 5 p.m., the Chair of the SAGE would hold a virtual press conference from WHO headquarters in Geneva. The speakers would be Dr. Alejandro Cravioto, Chair of SAGE; Dr. Joachim Hombach, Executive Secretary of SAGE; and Dr. Kate O’Brien, Director, Department of Immunization, Vaccines and Biologicals, at WHO.
World Health Day
Christian Lindmeier, for the World Health Organization (WHO), recalled that World Health Day would be celebrated on Sunday 7 April. On Friday 5 April 2019, a solidarity chain in support of universal health coverage would be formed around the Place des Nations, in Geneva; at 12.45 p.m., there would be an opportunity for photographs. Statements would then be given by the Director-General of the United Nations Office at Geneva, Michael Møller [it was later added that his statement was actually delivered by Clemens Adam, Director of Administration], and guests; a music and dance performance would follow.
World Summit on the Information Society Forum
Monika Gehner, for the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), said that the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Forum, to be held from 8 to 12 April 2019, would focus on information and communications technology (ICT) solutions to advance the Sustainable Development Goals. The Forum would feature more than 250 sessions on ICTs for development, including on cybersecurity, e-health, blockchain for refugees, gender equality, 5G and Internet of Things infrastructure, and enabling environments for tech and innovation. As the programme of the Forum was fully crowdsourced following an open consultation process, it reflected the state of discourse on ICTs. The media were invited to a virtual and on-site press briefing on Tuesday, 9 April, from 11:30 to 12:00 at CICG Geneva, Room 18.
Responding to a question about the role of ITU in Mozambique and nearby regions in the context of Cyclone Idai, Ms. Gehner said that, in emergencies, communications were one of the first tools of response. ITU had deployed satellite phones to Mozambique and Zimbabwe to help ensure timely flow of vital information for humanitarian workers and aid agencies addressing the impact of Cyclone Idai. ITU was also helping countries including Guatemala and Vanuatu to develop national emergency telecommunication plans. Just before Cyclone Idai had struck, ITU had introduced global guidelines to assist national authorities in the development of such plans at a Global Forum on Emergency Telecommunications in Mauritius. ITU was working with the Emergency Telecommunication Cluster on developing a disaster connectivity map, which was to gather in near-real-time information from social media, Internet and mobile network operators on connectivity gaps in emergency situations. ITU and the United States Telecoms Training Institute had organized a competition for nationals of developing countries on emergency telecommunications. The three successful winners would be announced at the WSIS Forum the following week. They would receive a two-week training on the use of ICTs for disaster risk reduction and management.
International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda
Rhéal LeBlanc, for the United Nations Information Service in Geneva, recalling that 7 April was observed as the International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, drew attention to the Secretary-General’s message on that occasion, in which he stated:
“On this Day, we honour those who were murdered and reflect on the suffering and resilience of those who survived.
[…]
As we renew our resolve to prevent such atrocities from ever happening again, we are seeing dangerous trends of rising xenophobia, racism and intolerance in many parts of the world. Particularly troubling is the proliferation of hate speech and incitement to violence. They are an affront to our values, and threaten human rights, social stability and peace.
[…]
I call on all political, religious and civil society leaders to reject hate speech and discrimination, and to work vigorously to address and mitigate the root causes that undermine social cohesion and create conditions for hatred and intolerance.”
Mr. LeBlanc added that a ceremony would be held on Monday, 8 April, at 5 p.m. in the Assembly Hall. After the lighting of candles, the Director-General of the United Nations Office at Geneva, Michael Møller, would read a message from the Secretary-General, and then give a statement. There would also be a testimony by a survivor of the genocide, Ms. Monique Usanase, and H.E. Dr. François Xavier Ngarambe, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Rwanda to the United Nations, will deliver remarks.
Rhéal LeBlanc, for the United Nations Information Service in Geneva, said that on the morning of 5 April, the Committee on Migrant Workers would conclude its consideration of the report of Libya – the last report to be considered at its thirtieth session.
Mr. LeBlanc also said that on the afternoon of 5 April, the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities would close its session and would issue its concluding observations on the reports of nine countries: the Niger, Turkey, Rwanda, Spain, Senegal, Saudi Arabia, Vanuatu, Norway and Cuba.
Mr. LeBlanc added that on 8 April, at 10 a.m., the Committee on Enforced Disappearances would open its sixteenth session, in Palais Wilson, at which it would consider the reports of Italy, Chile and Peru.
Mr. LeBlanc said that the next public plenary meeting of the Conference on Disarmament would be held on Tuesday, 14 May 2019, at 10 a.m., at the opening of the second part of its 2019 session.
Press conferences
Monday, 8 April at 9:15 a.m. in Room III
UNECE
Cities as drivers of sustainable development
On the occasion of the Day of Cities organised by UNECE (https://www.unece.org/index.php?id=50283)
Speakers:
• Olga Algayerova, UNECE Executive Secretary
• Sami Kanaan, Mayor of Geneva (Switzerland)
• Susan Aitken, Leader of Glasgow City Council (UK)
• Erion Veliaj, Mayor of Tirana (Albania)
• Bakhyt Sultanov, Mayor of Nur-Sultan (Kazakhstan)
• Maia Bitadze, Deputy Mayor of Tbilisi (Georgia)
Wednesday, 10 April at 11:15 a.m. in Room III
United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA )
Link to the embargoed UNFPA State of World Population 2019: https://form.jotform.com/90554559236161
State of the World Population 2019 – Unfinished Business: the Pursuit of rights and choices for all
Speaker:
• Monica Ferro, Director, UNFPA Geneva
The webcast for this briefing is available here: http://bit.ly/unog050419