Sudan, Haiti & other topics - Daily Press Briefing (16 June 2023)

Noon briefing by Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesperson for the Secretary-General. Highlights: Sudan Haiti Ukraine Mali South Sudan Mozambique Lebanon Greece International Days Financial Contribution SUDAN We have an update for you on the humanitarian operations in Sudan, as the current hostilities are entering the third month. Since 22 May, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs has facilitated the movement of at least 350 trucks carrying more than 14,000 tons of vital assistance to different locations across the country. As for the situation in Darfur, the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Martin Griffiths, warned that the situation there is spiraling into a humanitarian calamity. He urged the parties to allow those seeking to flee to do so safely and voluntarily. He also urged them and those with influence to ensure the movement of humanitarian supplies and personnel from other parts of Sudan – and from neighbouring countries – to Darfur. And looking ahead to next week – just flagging that the UN Secretary-General António Guterres will open Monday’s high-level pledging event for Sudan and the Region. He’ll be speaking virtually to the conference, which is being held in Geneva in hybrid session starting at 3 p.m. local time. We encourage donors to give generously to help meet spiraling humanitarian needs resulting from the conflict in Sudan and the flow of refugees into neighbouring countries. HAITI This morning, the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) held a high-level meeting on food insecurity in Haiti. The meeting seeks to mobilize action and resources in support of food security in Haiti following the recent floods and earthquake. Many of our colleagues spoke, including Cindy McCain, Executive Director of the World Food Programme, who addressed participants via a pre-recorded video message. She said that almost half of the population in Haiti is facing acute hunger. The Head of UNICEF, Catherine Russell, added that nearly a quarter of Haitian children are severely malnourished, and risk grave long-term consequences. Ms. Russell and McCain are both planning to visit Haiti next week – and we will have more details about their visit as it unfolds. Speaking from Port au Prince, the Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Haiti, Ulrika Richardson reiterated that more than ever, Haiti needs global attention and solidarity. The 2023 humanitarian appeal for Haiti seeks $720 million to help more than 3 million people – over half the population, but the plan is currently just over 20 per cent funded. Also speaking at today’s event was the Director of Operations and Advocacy for the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, Edem Wosornu. Addressing challenges linked to the delivery of humanitarian assistance, she said the aid community has assembled a humanitarian negotiation team to facilitate our ability to reach people in need. The team is working with many parts of Haitian society for the sole purpose of helping us negotiate with armed gangs so we can reach those most in need. That meeting was chaired by the President of ECOSOC, Lachezara Stoeva, who also spoke. Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon...