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HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NOON BRIEFING BY FARHAN HAQ,
​DEPUTY SPOKESMAN FOR SECRETARY-GENERAL ANTÓNIO GUTERRES
MONDAY, 04 JANUARY 2021

PAKISTAN
In a statement issued earlier today, the Secretary-General strongly condemned the terrorist attack and killing of at least 11 coal miners in the Balochistan province of Pakistan yesterday. He extended his sincere condolences to the families of the miners and the people and Government of Pakistan.
The Secretary-General trusts the Pakistani authorities will do everything possible to bring the perpetrators of this terrorist act to justice.

NIGER
In Niger, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reports that as of yesterday, an estimated 1,000 people have been displaced following attacks on two villages in the country’s Tillaberi region. Many of them have sought refuge in nearby towns.
People fearing further attacks are also reportedly fleeing areas around the two villages attacked over the weekend.
A joint interagency assessment mission with the government is scheduled for tomorrow. Meanwhile, the UN, along with its humanitarian partners, is mobilizing relief items to provide emergency assistance as soon as possible to people affected by these attacks - including people still in the villages, displaced people and host communities.
In a statement issued last night, the Secretary-General strongly condemned the attacks. He expressed his deepest condolences to the bereaved families and the people and Government of Niger and wished a speedy recovery to the injured.
The Secretary-General added that he trusts that the Nigerien authorities will spare no effort in identifying and swiftly bringing the perpetrators of this heinous act to justice while enhancing the protection of civilians.
He also reaffirmed the solidarity and support of the United Nations to the Government and people of Niger in their fight against terrorism, violent extremism and organized crime.

SIR BRIAN URQUHART
Yesterday, the Secretary-General said that he was deeply saddened at the passing of Sir Brian Urquhart, the legendary long-time United Nations official. He offered condolences to his family and to his legions of admirers within and beyond the United Nations.
The Secretary-General said that Sir Brian’s imprint on the United Nations was as profound as that of anyone in the Organization’s history. As one of the Organization’s earliest employees, he set the standard for the international civil service: dedicated and impartial. He said that we are grateful for his brilliant and incomparable contributions as a stalwart servant of “we the peoples”.

LIBYA
The Acting Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Libya, Stephanie Williams, announced over the weekend the establishment of the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum’s Advisory Committee.
The UN Mission, UNSMIL, received a total of 28 nominations from the Forum and commended the enthusiasm demonstrated by the Forum members in the nomination process. The Mission has expanded the membership of the Advisory Committee to 18 to ensure broad geographical and political diversity, as well as the participation of women, youth, and cultural components.

YEMEN
Turning to Yemen, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said that according to initial reports, three civilians were killed and at least four others were wounded when artillery shells fell in the vicinity of a wedding hall in Al Hawak District in Al Hudaydah City on 1 January.
The Acting Humanitarian Coordinator for Yemen, Ally-Raza Qureshi, called on the parties to the conflict to stop these indiscriminate attacks, which are causing many casualties among civilians in clear violation of international humanitarian law.
Yemen remains the world’s worst humanitarian crisis. Nearly 80 per cent of the population – more than 24 million people – require some form of humanitarian assistance and protection. By the end of last year, only 50 per cent of the $3.38 billion needed for the humanitarian response had been received.

CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC
The United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) strongly condemns the attacks launched over the weekend by armed groups against the towns of Damara (Ombella-M'Poko Prefecture) and Bangassou (Mbomou).
Mankeur Ndiaye, the head of the Mission said that “there is no doubt that these attacks are taking place in a context of disruption of the elections - before, during and after the polls.”
He also reiterated the Mission’s commitment to protect the population, as well as its role to secure elections.
Meanwhile, MINUSCA reports that protocols and tally sheets from the 27 December 2020 presidential and legislative elections from all 16 prefectures arrived at the Data Processing Centre in Bangui, with logistical and operational support from the Mission. The National Elections Authority is expected to announce the final provisional results today.
In Damara, following Saturday’s attack, peacekeepers have increased patrols in the city and the surrounding areas.
In Bangassou, when the town was attacked, UN peacekeepers immediately intervened to protect civilians and secure local authorities, including the prefect of Mbossou. The UN is also securing the camp for displaced people and evacuated two wounded Central African soldiers to Bria.
Peacekeepers continue to patrol in both cities to deter any armed groups’ activities.

ETHIOPIA
In Ethiopia, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said that although humanitarian access into some areas of Tigray has slightly improved, it remains critically challenged by insecurity and bureaucratic constraints throughout the region.
The two joint Government-humanitarian partners’ assessment missions are completed in south-eastern and western Tigray. Initial findings indicate a dire humanitarian situation throughout the region with poor access to services and limited livelihoods as well as urgent needs for shelter, food, non-food items, water, sanitation, and hygiene, and provision of health and protection services.
Health facilities in major cities are partially working with limited to no stock of supplies and absence of health workers while facilities outside major cities are not operational.
It is estimated that more than 222,000 people were internally displaced due to the recent conflict in the Tigray region. This is in addition to 100,000 people displaced prior to the conflict.
The UN continues to engage with the Government for the safe passage of humanitarian personnel and supplies to all parts of the region.

RESIDENT COORDINATORS
Today, three new UN Resident Coordinators were announced - in Liberia, Montenegro and Niger. These appointments follow the confirmation of the respective host governments.
Niels Scott of the United Kingdom will be the new Resident Coordinator in Liberia. Peter Lundgren of Sweden is taking up his Resident Coordinator function in Montenegro, and Louise Aubin of Canada will be serving in Niger.
We are also proud to say that we remain with full gender parity and North-South balance among all our Resident Coordinators, covering 162 countries and territories.
The UN Sustainable Development Group website has a list of all Resident Coordinators and heads of UN agencies, funds and programmes, as well as more information about the work of the UN teams in countries.

WORLD BRAILLE DAY
Today is World Braille Day, which raises awareness of the importance of Braille as a means of communication in the full realization of the human rights for blind and partially sighted people.
The UN notes that, even under normal circumstances, persons with disabilities are less likely to have access to health care, education and employment and to participate in the community. With COVID-19, for the visually impaired, life under lockdown has posed several issues in terms of independence and isolation. The pandemic has revealed how critically important it is to produce essential information in accessible formats, including in Braille and audible formats.
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that globally, at least one billion people have a near or distance vision impairment that could have been prevented or has yet to be addressed.