Middle East, Global Health Summit, Climate Action, & other topics - Daily Briefing (21 May 2021)

The United Nations of Earth reporting on this issue: "Middle East, Global Health Summit, Climate Action, & other topics - Daily Briefing (21 May 2021)"
The topics: Noon briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General. Highlights: - Middle East - Senior Personnel Appointment - Global Health Summit - Covid-19 - Covid-19/South Asia - Nepal - Myanmar - Mozambique - Libya - Climate - Biodiversity - International Tea Day - World Day For Cultural Diversity For Dialogue And Development - International Day To End Obstetric Fistula MIDDLE EAST Last night, the Secretary-General welcomed the ceasefire that took place in Gaza and Israel, after 11 days of deadly hostilities. He extended his deepest condolences to the victims of the violence and their loved ones.  Mr. Guterres commended Egypt and Qatar for the efforts carried out, in close coordination with the UN, to help restore calm in Gaza and Israel. He called on all sides to observe the ceasefire.  The Secretary-General appealed to the international community to work with the United Nations on developing an integrated, robust package of support for a swift, sustainable reconstruction and recovery that supports the Palestinian people and strengthens their institutions.   He also stressed that Israeli and Palestinian leaders have a responsibility beyond the restoration of calm to start a serious dialogue to address the root causes of the conflict. Gaza is an integral part of the future Palestinian state and no effort should be spared to bring about a real national reconciliation that ends the division.  Today, Mark Lowcock, the Emergency Relief Coordinator, allocated $4.5M from the Central Emergency Response Fund, towards the rising humanitarian needs in Gaza. This is in addition to the $14.1 million, announced earlier this week for the Occupied Palestinian Territory, which comes from the central Pooled Funds for the OPT. So that total amount as of today, of money we have disbursed, is $18.6 million.  A three-month inter-agency Flash Appeal for the occupied Palestinian territory is expected next week. Strong financial support is crucial to meet needs especially in Gaza, and also the West Bank. It is also critical that the Occupied Palestinian Territory Humanitarian Fund is replenished. This is a flexible tool to quickly respond to urgent needs.  Today, 13 humanitarian trucks with food, COVID-19 vaccines, medical disposables, and drugs, including emergency medicines and first aid kits, for multiple UN Agencies and NGO partners, crossed into Gaza following the partial reopening of the Kerem Shalom Crossing. The Erez crossing was also opened temporarily for senior humanitarian officials. Two of our most senior officials, Philippe Lazzarini, the Commissioner-General for UNRWA, and Lynn Hastings, the Head of the humanitarian operations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. Both traveled to Gaza this morning. Both Mr. Lazzarini and Ms. Hastings have been spending some time not only visiting with Gazans and examining what has happened. But they also thanked all the UN colleagues who have worked hard to help traumatized civilians under difficult and dangerous circumstances. And, following the ceasefire announcement, the number of people seeking protection in UNRWA schools has now decreased to less than 1,000. The peak was about 66,000. SENIOR PERSONNEL APPOINTMENT The Secretary-General is appointing Martha Ama Akyaa Pobee of Ghana as Assistant Secretary-General for Africa. That is a post that is both in the Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations (DPPA-DPO).  She succeeds Bintou Keita of Guinea, who took up a new role as Head of the UN operations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.   Mr. Guterres is deeply grateful to Ms. Keita’s service and contributions as the first Assistant Secretary-General for Africa for the peacekeeping and political departments.  For her part, Ms. Pobee brings more than 30 years of experience in international affairs and diplomacy with the Ghanaian Foreign Ministry.  Currently, she is the Chief Director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, she was previously Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Ghana to the UN from 2015 to 2020. Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date%5Bvalue%5D%5Bdate%5D=21%20May%202021


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