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HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NOON BRIEFING BY STEPHANE DUJARRIC

SPOKESPERSON FOR SECRETARY-GENERAL ANTÓNIO GUTERRES

FRIDAY, 24 APRIL 2026

LEBANON/ISRAEL 

We are deeply saddened to learn of the death of yet another Blue Helmet, who died earlier today. The Secretary‑General expresses his deepest condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of 31-year old Corporal Rico Pramudia, of Indonesia, as well as to the Government and people of his country. 

Corporal Pramudia succumbed to his wounds sustained in an incident that took place on 29 March, when a projectile hit his position at Adchit Al Qusayr, in southern Lebanon. At that time, his position came under fire, amidst hostilities between Israel and Hizbullah. A UNIFIL preliminary findings of the investigation indicated that a shell fired from an Israel Defense Forces Merkava tank struck a UNIFIL position, leading to the deaths of Corporal Rhomadhon and Corporal Pramudia

In order to mitigate risks to UN personnel, UNIFIL has repeatedly provided the Israel Defense Forces with the coordinates of all UN positions and facilities. 

The Secretary‑General once again calls on all to uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law and to ensure the safety and security of UN personnel, as well as the inviolability of UN property and assets at all times. 

As a tragic reminder of the dangers of these hostilities, With Corporal Pramudia’s passing, six peacekeepers serving with UNIFIL have now been killed and several others seriously injured amidst the recent hostilities between Hizbullah and Israel. These incidents are unacceptable and they must stop. We have requested that the relevant parties ensure these cases are investigated and, where appropriate, prosecuted by national authorities in order to bring the perpetrators to justice and ensure accountability. Attacks against UN peacekeepers may constitute war crimes under international law. 

On the political front, the Secretary-General welcomes the announcement yesterday of a three-week extension to the cessation of hostilities arrangement agreed to by the Lebanese government and Israel. Mr. Guterres urges all to fully respect the cessation of hostilities and to cease further attacks. 

Despite this agreement, our peacekeeping colleagues in the South did report a concerning incident earlier this afternoon. As a UNIFIL patrol was clearing a roadblock near the village of Tiri, in Sector West, an Israeli drone dropped a stun grenade a few metres from the peacekeepers. Roadblock clearance is essential to ensure the freedom of movement of all UNIFIL patrols. Thankfully, no peacekeepers were injured, and the patrol was able to continue on its work.  

LEBANON/HUMANITARIAN 

Moving to the humanitarian front in Lebanon, our colleagues at the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs say that while the ceasefire has slowed down displacement, people are still on the move as families trying to return to their communities face damaged homes, disrupted services and continued security risks. 

There are nearly 116,000 people that are still registered in collective shelters countrywide. That is down by about 4 per cent just from yesterday. These are the registered numbers. Our humanitarian colleagues tell us that hundreds of thousands of people remain displaced outside of these shelters, and they are staying with relatives, host communities and other makeshift arrangements. 

In Beirut, displacement has increased as instability persists in parts of southern Lebanon.  

Some families are going back briefly to check on their homes, but returns remain limited in the South, Nabatieh, in Beirut’s southern suburbs and parts of the Bekaa valley. 

Emergency assessments have resumed, both inside and outside collective shelters, after a short pause at the start of the ceasefire, helping us to refine support efforts for both displaced families and those who are trying to stay in their homes. 

Since March 2nd, our partners have distributed nearly 150,000 blankets and some 117,000 mattresses, as well as more than 91,000 hygiene kits and 46,000 menstrual hygiene kits. More than 6.6 million hot and cold meals have been provided by us and our partners in collective shelters, along with some 94,000 ready‑to‑eat rations. 

Separately, our human rights colleagues published an interesting report today documenting the significant civilian toll of the first weeks of the recent escalation in Lebanon, including deaths, large‑scale displacement, and serious damage to homes, health facilities, and other civilian infrastructure. The report raises concerns about possible violations of international humanitarian law by all parties and calls for accountability and the protection of civilians. 

It also calls for prompt, thorough, independent and impartial investigations into all incidents, with full accountability for those responsible.   

 OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORY 

Turning to the Occupied Palestinian Territory, our colleagues in the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs yesterday released a new mapping of access restrictions that Israeli forces have set up across the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.  

It shows that restrictions on movements and access of Palestinians across the West Bank is tightening. On at least three occasions last month, Israeli forces installed obstacles, which can include checkpoints, gates, trenches and earth mounds, across Nablus, Salfit and Tubas governorates in the West Bank. These obstacles disrupt people’s access to services, homes and livelihoods and come on top of other restrictions that have been imposed for decades.  

The analysis is carried out by a survey done by OCHA and their partners in December of last year, when they documented 925 obstacles that restrict access to livelihoods and services for some 3.4 million Palestinians.  

This is 43 per cent above the average over the past two decades, and the highest number on record. 

Turning to Gaza, a recent survey covering over 40 UN agencies and humanitarian NGOs shows a system-wide shortage of engine oil and spare parts, which are, as you can imagine, essential to keep vehicles running and generators running in the Gaza strip. If the shortages persist, essential services such as health, water and sanitation will be at risk of erosion or even potential collapse.  

Humanitarian partners warn that approvals and a sustained flow of supplies are critically needed.  

Meanwhile, our health partners say that as of last Friday, just about 43 per cent of all health points that were operational before October 2023 were still functioning, most of them only partially. Health partners have provided an average of 276,000 consultations every week in April, up from about 201,000 per week in March.  

Recently, the World Health Organization completed a 128-bed extension at Al-Shifa Hospital, to help with inpatient capacity.  

And last, a note to correct something we said yesterday: humanitarian partners are supporting the daily production of 290 – not 230 – metric tonnes of bread.  

UN80  

Back here this morning, the Secretary-General spoke at an informal dialogue on the UN80 and the Pact for the Future initiatives, and he said that those initiatives are about restoring trust — through concrete action, meaningful reform, and results that people can see, feel, and believe in. 

He said that the Pact for the Future is the world’s pledge to tackle such shared challenges together, while the UN80 Initiative is about equipping ourselves with the right tools to do the job. Together, they are designed to renew the vision and machinery of multilateralism, so the UN can further deliver with credibility and impact today and for generations to come. 

DEPUTY SECRETARY-GENERAL 

Our Deputy Secretary‑General, Amina Mohammed, departs this evening for Melbourne, Australia, to participate on behalf of the Secretary-General in the Women Deliver 2026, a global forum that brings together civil society, advocates, and partners to advance gender equality and the rights of women and girls. 

During the visit, Ms. Mohammed will engage with a wide range of stakeholders, including civil society, youth leaders, women business leaders, philanthropic partners, and senior government officials from Australia and the Pacific. The Deputy Secretary-General’s programme is centered on hearing directly from those driving change on the ground, strengthening multilateral cooperation, and advancing collective action in support of gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls. 

The visit will also offer opportunities for dialogue, public engagement, and partnership‑building, reinforcing our priorities and highlighting the essential role of civil society voices in accelerating progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals. 

Amina Mohammed will be back in New York on Tuesday. 

FOOD INSECURITY AND MALNUTRITION  

The Global Report on Food Crises 2026, released today, shows that acute food insecurity and malnutrition levels remain alarmingly high and deeply entrenched. Looking ahead, the report warns that severe levels of acute food insecurity remain critical in multiple contexts this year. Ongoing conflicts, climate change and global economic uncertainty, including risks to food markets, are likely to sustain or worsen conditions in many countries.  

In particular,  while a full assessment is premature, the report notes that the escalation of the conflict in the Middle East, in addition to causing further displacement in a region already hosting millions of forcibly displaced and returnees, exposes countries and territories with food crises to both direct and indirect risks of global agrifood market disruptions. 

This is the tenth edition of this report and it notes that acute hunger has doubled over the past decade, with two famines declared last year for the first time in the report’s history. Ten countries, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Myanmar, Nigeria, Pakistan, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen, accounted for two-thirds of all people facing high levels of acute hunger. In total, 266 million human beings in 47 countries or territories experienced high levels of acute food insecurity last year.  

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO 

Quick update from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where the head of the peacekeeping mission, James Swan is continuing his mission in the East. He is in Goma today.  

Upon arrival, he spoke to the media and said his interactions in North Kivu would be focused on support to ceasefire monitoring, the protection of civilians and the Mission’s support to the ongoing peace efforts in the country. 

He will meet with our UN colleagues, engage with the AFC/M23 representatives, as well as members of the Expanded Joint Verification Mechanism Plus. As you will recall, the peacekeeping mission is mandated to support the ceasefire through this verification mechanism.  

Through his visit, Mr. Swan said he hoped to build momentum towards de-escalation and to support the implementation of the ceasefire. 

ABYEI 

And in Abyei, our peacekeepers there are reporting some encouraging news, where a key lifeline has just been restored. The peacekeeping mission says its military engineers from the Vietnamese contingent have completed the rehabilitation of a critical 37-kilometre road linking Abyei to Agok, reconnecting communities across that region. 

The road, rehabilitated in partnership with the local administration, will improve access to markets, healthcare and other essential services. The project directly facilitates the implementation of the peacekeeping mission’s mandate on the protection of civilians. Following the opening of the road, peacekeepers delivered hospital beds and other essential supplies to the Abyei Health Department.  

With the rainy season approaching, many routes risk becoming impassable, the peacekeepers tell us, they are racing to rehabilitate some 200 kilometres of roads to prevent further isolation of various communities. 

SOMALIA  

The International Organization for Migration today said that nearly 62,000 people have been displaced by drought across five districts in Somalia, and that is just since the beginning of this year. Data shows that drought now accounts for three out of every four new displacements. This is a 22 per cent increase from last year that underscores the growing severity of climate shocks.  

IOM said that the scale and pace of drought-driven displacement and food insecurity are rapidly outstripping available resources. With drought expected to persist, the agency is calling for urgent and sustained support to address the growing needs. 

PEACEBUILDING FUND 

The Peacebuilding Fund today approved $3 million for an initiative in Liberia that will focus on improving access to justice for women and girls, particularly in the context of transitional justice.  

It will be implemented by UN Women, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, and an international NGO, [Kvinna till Kvinna]. It will strengthen the capacity of women's rights organizations to engage in national peacebuilding and justice processes, while enhancing cooperation among civil society, government, and local communities. 

This project builds on Liberia's efforts to address the legacy of conflict and to promote inclusive and accountable institutions. 

TRUST FUND IN SUPPORT OF THE GANG SUPPRESSION FORCE 

Yesterday we announced a $30 million pledge from Qatar to the Gang Suppression Force Trust Fund in Haiti. Also yesterday, the government of the Dominican Republic pledged $10 million to the Trust Fund for 2027, and the Government of Greece pledged 150,000 euros.  

As of today, 15 Member States have pledged support to the Trust Fund bringing the total number of pledges to $213.5 million with actual cash for $174.1 million.  

We once again thank all donors for their support to the operationalization of the Gang Suppression Force in Haiti and we continue to encourage all Member States to give and to give generously.  

EXPO 2027  

Today, the Secretary-General appointed Maher Nasser, Director of the Outreach Division in the Global Communications Department, as Commissioner-General of the United Nations pavilion at Expo 2027 in Belgrade. He also appointed Matilde Mordt, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Serbia, as Deputy Commissioner-General. 

Mr. Nasser and Ms. Mordt will lead the UN presence at next year’s Specialized Expo hosted in Belgrade, under the theme “Play for Humanity – Sport and Music for All,” with the support of relevant UN entities and the Country Team in Serbia. Expo 2027 is the first Specialized Expo to be held in the Balkans.   

In addition to the United Nations Pavilion, we will contribute to the development of programming and activities that highlight the importance of multilateralism and of countries working together to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. 

INTERNATIONAL DAYS 

Today is the International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace. Multilateralism is at the heart of the UN. As the Secretary-General has said, the Charter remains a “moral compass” for peace, human dignity, prosperity and human rights. 

Saturday is International Delegate’s Day. Recognizing the diplomats who bring the United Nations to life through negotiation and cooperation. Also tomorrow is World Malaria Day - this year’s theme is "Driven to End Malaria: Now We Can. Now We Must." 

Sunday is International Day of Chernobyl Disaster Remembrance, a reminder of the devastating human cost of nuclear disasters and the need for continued vigilance.  

Sunday is also World Intellectual Property Day, which highlights the role of IP in driving creativity and innovation in sports. 

 And we start today an international week, which is the World Immunization Week, which is  highlighting the need for collective action and the importance of vaccines to protect people of all ages. 

 **Briefing today and Monday 

At 1:15 p.m., Izumi Nakamitsu, the Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, briefed reporters on the Eleventh Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, otherwise known as the NPT. 

At 2:00p.m., on Monday, Ambassador Do Hung Viet, President of the Eleventh NPT Review Conference, will speak to reporters about that same topic.