HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NOON BRIEFING BY STEPHANE DUJARRIC
SPOKESPERSON FOR SECRETARY-GENERAL ANTÓNIO GUTERRES
FRIDAY, 24 MAY 2024
INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE
The Secretary-General takes note of the Order of the International Court of Justice, delivered today, indicating additional provisional measures in the case of South Africa against Israel concerning Application of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide in the Gaza Strip.
In that regard, the Secretary-General notes the Court’s decision to order Israel inter alia, in accordance with its obligations under the Genocide Convention, and in view of “the worsening conditions of life faced by civilians in the Rafah Governorate”, to “halt its military offensive, and any other action in the Rafah Governorate, which may inflict on the Palestinian group in Gaza conditions of life that could bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part”.
Further, the Secretary-General takes note of the Court’s order to Israel to maintain open the Rafah crossing for unhindered provision of urgently needed basic services and humanitarian assistance. He also notes the Court’s instruction to Israel to take effective measures to ensure the unimpeded access to the Gaza Strip of investigative bodies mandated by competent organs of the United Nations to investigate allegations of genocide.
The Secretary‑General further notes that the Court reaffirmed and called for immediate and effective implementation of its Orders of 26 January and 28 March 2024 indicating provisional measures in the case.
He also notes that the Court reiterated its concerns over the fate of hostages, abducted during the attack in Israel on 7 October 2023, who remain in captivity and called for their immediate and unconditional release.
The Secretary-General recalls that, pursuant to the Charter and to the Statute of the Court, decisions of the Court are binding and trusts that the parties will duly comply with the Order from the Court.
In accordance with the Statute of the Court, the Secretary-General will promptly transmit the notice of the provisional measures ordered by the Court to the Security Council.
OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORY
The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reports that, today, aid organizations were able to reach Al Aqsa Hospital, in Deir Al Balah, with about 15,000 litres of fuel.
UNICEF warns that oxygen generators at the hospital will shut down without consistent fuel delivery, putting the lives of more than 20 newborn babies at risk.
It is critical that more fuel enters Gaza and that humanitarian organizations can work in safety as hostilities intensify.
In northern Gaza, just one hospital – Al Awda - remains partially functional but is currently inaccessible.
Gaza’s remaining health facilities are struggling to operate amid ongoing shortages of fuel, equipment and medical items.
OCHA reports that since the start of the Rafah operation, the entry of aid supplies into Gaza has been extremely limited.
Between May 7th and 23rd, just over 900 aid trucks – including about 800 carrying food supplies – have entered Gaza through all operational points of entry.
TRIP ANNOUNCEMENT
On Sunday, the Secretary-General will travel to Antigua and Barbuda to take part in the fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States.
He will first attend the High-Level Closing Session of the Small Island Developing State Business Network on Sunday afternoon. On Monday, he will address the opening ceremony of the Conference where he will reiterate the UN’s support for the aspirations of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) – from halting and mitigating the impacts of the climate crisis, to building resilient economies and fostering safe, healthy and prosperous societies. He will also call on the international community to support SIDS in the challenges they face and will underscore that SIDS are a test case for climate justice and financial justice.
The Secretary-General will also hold a series of bilateral meetings with leaders, including Gaston Alphonso Browne, the Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda.
And on Tuesday, the Secretary-General will take part in the High-Level Meeting on Resource Mobilization for Small Island Developing States.
HAITI
The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs say that the price of staple foods remains high in the capital Port-au-Prince and surrounding areas amidst an already dire food security situation.
In mid-April, the cost of the food basket in the Ouest Department, where Port-au-Prince is located, was 20 per cent higher than in January. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization, the situation has not improved since. The resurgence of gang-related violence has added pressure on prices due to a scarcity of essential products.
If domestic agricultural production does not improve and insecurity persists, prices of staple foods are likely to remain high for the rest of the year.
The number of people facing high levels of acute food insecurity (IPC 3 and 4) is expected to reach a record level of 5 million – or half of the population by the end of June.
Since early March, the World Food Programme has supported nearly 100,000 displaced people in 80 sites in the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area with 885,000 hot meals.
MYANMAR
Turning to Myanmar – where the humanitarian crisis is deepening, with entrenched conflict putting civilians at grave risk.
The situation in Rakhine is particularly alarming. Despite soaring humanitarian needs, access restrictions remain severe. At the height of the dry season, water scarcity has been widely reported. An estimated 1.6 million people lack access to hospital care in central and northern Rakhine.
As the monsoon season approaches, strong winds and heavy rain have already hit several townships in Chin, Magway, Sagaing, and northern Shan in recent months, damaging and destroying civilian properties and other structures.
Despite these challenges, humanitarian partners in Myanmar continue to deliver assistance to people in need, reaching almost 1 million people during the first quarter of this year. This year’s humanitarian appeal for Myanmar is just 11 per cent funded, with just $110 million received of the $993 million required.
SUDAN
The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs says that the humanitarian situation for an estimated 800,000 civilians in El Fasher and surrounding areas in North Darfur continues to deteriorate as armed clashes continue.
The fighting has reportedly forced thousands of people to flee since 10 May and caused hundreds of civilian casualties. Unfortunately, in El Fasher South Hospital – which is the only functioning hospital in the state – only 10 days of supplies are left, with an urgent need to restock the hospital.
More than a dozen trucks carrying aid for more than 121,000 people have been trying to reach El Fasher for over a month, but the current security situation is making this all but impossible.
Looking at the wider Darfur region, despite insecurity and severe access constraints, a WFP truck convoy carrying 1,200 metric tonnes of food and nutrition supplies for some 117,000 people was able to cross into North Darfur yesterday from Chad, through the Tine crossing. It is critical that these trucks are allowed to safely and directly continue to their final destinations in Central and South Darfur.
While this latest development is welcome, it is not enough. In order to stave off famine – in Darfur and across Sudan – we need all cross-border and cross-line routes to be open.
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO
The United Nations Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) reports that a joint operation they conducted with the Congolese Armed Forces against the CODECO armed group led to an exchange of fire with members of the group near Uzi, which is 15km south of Djugu, in the Ituri province.
The CODECO members retreated from the area.
UN peacekeepers also dismantled six illegal checkpoints by the same group near Uzi. The operation, conducted over a few days, covered a 15-kilometer radius around Djugu. It took place from 18 to 22 May.
As part of the Mission's Protection of Civilians mandate, peacekeepers established blocking positions, conducted extensive patrols, and provided medical services to the local population. The Mission continues to monitor the situation.
INTERNATIONAL DAYS
Today is the International Day of the Markhor.
Markhors are the largest of the wild goats and are found in the mountains of Central and South Asia. Preserving the markhor and its habitat is a significant opportunity to bolster regional economies.
And lots happening tomorrow, 25 May. First, it marks the start of the Week of Solidarity with the Peoples of Non-Self-Governing Territories.
Tomorrow is also “World Football Day” – or soccer – depending on where you come from. One hundred years ago, the first international football tournament took place with the representation of all regions. That event happened in Paris during the summer Olympics. And for Africa Day, the Secretary-General says in a message that the continent’s young and growing population, rich natural resources, breathtaking beauty and cultural diversity give it outsize potential.
MEMORIAL DAY HOLIDAY
Monday is Memorial Day here in the US, so the UN Headquarters will be closed.
