Democratic Republic of the Congo, Palestine & other topics - Daily Press Briefing | United Nations

Noon briefing by Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.

Highlights:

- Secretary-General
- Occupied Palestinian Territory
- Sudan
- Central African Republic
- Air Pollution
- Female Genital Mutilation
- Financial Contribution

SECRETARY-GENERAL
This morning, in a press encounter, the Secretary-General made a special appeal for peace in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, ahead of a summit tomorrow with the leaders from the East African Community and the Southern African Development Community in Tanzania. He added that next week in Addis Ababa, he will take part in a Summit-level meeting of the African Union Peace and Security Council where the crisis will be front and centre.
The Secretary-General said his message is clear: Silence the guns. Stop the escalation. Respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Uphold international human rights law and international humanitarian law.

OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORY
The Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Tom Fletcher, accompanied a UN aid convoy into the Gaza Strip today, where the UN and its partners continue responding to immense needs as part of a prepared scaling up of our operations.
In northern Gaza, Mr. Fletcher toured two hospitals – Al Shifa in Gaza City and Al Awda in Jabalya – where he met with patients, staff and management. Leaving the Al Awda hospital, Mr. Fletcher spoke with survivors and returnees in Jabalya who are trying to rebuild their lives amid the rubble.
The Under-Secretary-General also visited the only operational water well in North Gaza governorate. This well, which is run by theUnite d Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) serves as a crucial lifeline for clean water, given the extensive destruction of Gaza’s water infrastructure. From the north of the Strip, the Under-Secretary-General crossed the Netzarim area into Deir al Balah in central Gaza.
Throughout his visit, Mr. Fletcher held discussions with humanitarian workers from local and international non-governmental organizations, as well as UN agencies, stressing the need to seize the opportunities presented by the ceasefire to sustain and expand relief efforts.
Partners of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) supporting water, sanitation and hygiene services report that they are distributing 2,500 cubic metres of safe drinking water daily across Gaza and North Gaza governorates, serving 411,000 people. One of our partners is also providing cleaning services at 17 displacement sites in northern Gaza, benefiting nearly 12,000 people.
Water, sanitation and hygiene partners are carrying out assessments in locations across the Strip to repair water wells, install dosing pumps, and set up water filling points.
While some repairs are already underway, further progress hinges on teams being able to clear debris and carry out assessments of explosive hazards.
Meanwhile in the West Bank, OCHA reports that Israeli forces’ operations are intensifying in Jenin, Tulkarm and Tubas, severely restricting Palestinians’ access to essential assistance, including water, food, medicine and supplies for infants.
In Tubas governorate, Israeli forces have been operating in the El Far’a refugee camp for five consecutive days. They have imposed a curfew, reportedly prohibiting residents from leaving their homes. They also bulldozed roads and damaged water networks, forcing residents to rely on collecting rainwater.

SUDAN
The Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan, Clementine Nkweta-Salami, today warned that South Kordofan and Blue Nile States are on the brink of catastrophe, as the violence there continues to escalate at an alarming rate.
As of yesterday, the civilian death toll following recent shelling in South Kordofan’s capital Kadugli had increased to 80, with some three dozen others injured.
In a statement, Ms. Nkweta-Salami condemned the reported use of women and children as human shields in Kadugli, as well as the obstruction of humanitarian aid and the detention of civilians, including children.
The western Nuba Mountains, which extend into South Kordofan and West Kordofan States, are among the areas in which famine has been identified by the Famine Review Committee of the International Food Security Phase Classification system, or IPC.
Ms. Nkweta-Salami stressed that humanitarian needs also remain critical in Blue Nile State, amid reports of mass mobilization for conflict. She also called on all sides to the conflict in Sudan to de-escalate tensions, protect civilians and civilian infrastructure, and allow humanitarian organizations safe and unrestricted access to those in desperate need.

Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/ossg/noon-briefing-highlight?date%5Bvalue%5D%5Bdate%5D=06+February+2025