Afghanistan, Haiti, Lebanon & other topics - Daily Press Briefing (16 August 2021)

The United Nations of Earth reporting on this issue: "Afghanistan, Haiti, Lebanon & other topics - Daily Press Briefing (16 August 2021)"
The topics: Noon briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General. Highlights: - Security Council/Afghanistan - Afghanistan/Humanitarian - Afghanistan/Children And Armed Conflict - Haiti - Lebanon/Humanitarian - Venezuela - Zambia - Fiji - Turkey   AFGHANISTAN/HUMANITARIAN On the humanitarian front, our humanitarian colleagues tell us that, since 1 July, there has been an influx of people fleeing to Kabul and other large cities, seeking safety from the conflict and other threats. In the past month, 17,500 people have been identified as newly internally displaced. Most of the displaced people arriving in recent days are reported to have arrived from Ghazni and Logar provinces. Some 13,500 of these people have received support in the form of food, cash, health care, household items, and water and sanitation support. Assessments were ongoing yesterday morning with inter-agency teams deployed around Kabul to assess humanitarian needs. Despite immense challenges, humanitarian organizations – both the UN and NGOs – in Afghanistan are committed to delivering aid and services to millions of people in need while adhering to the humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence. The $1.3 billion Humanitarian Response Plan for Afghanistan remains just 38 per cent funded, leaving an almost $800 million shortfall. HAITI The other big story we’ve been following is, of course, the earthquake in Haiti, and I want to give you an update on what we’re doing therein order to support the Government and assist those impacted by the deadly earthquake. The Emergency Relief Coordinator, Martin Griffiths, allocated $8 million from the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) to support the humanitarian response. This money will provide essentials such as health care, clean water, emergency shelter and sanitation for people impacted by this disaster. Our humanitarian colleagues are telling us that access to the southern peninsula – where the earthquake hit – is challenging because gangs are controlling movements. Local authorities are negotiating access, and an initial convoy of six vehicles with UN staff from various agencies and the Government travelled to the affected area yesterday. Further convoys carrying supplies will travel today. Staff from the UN’s Disaster Assessment and Coordination Teams are also arriving in the country to support coordination and assessments. A UN Humanitarian Air Service helicopter managed by the World Food Programme (WFP) is transporting government and staff into impacted areas along with medical supplies and other essential needs. WFP said that they need $1.4 million for this critical service to remain operational until the end of 2021. The most urgent humanitarian needs are expected to be linked to the provision of medical services, and water, sanitation and hygiene. UNICEF will send three health emergency kits to the two hospitals in Les Cayes and one in Jeremie, which will help around 30,000 people. For its part, the UN Migration Agency (IOM) is providing lifesaving assistance including blankets, hygiene kits, jerrycans, repair materials, and tarpaulins. It is also focusing on finding safe buildings where thousands of displaced residents can shelter from the approaching storm which is likely to cause flash flooding and mudslides, and of course this impending storm is very much likely to complicate rescue efforts. You will have seen that we issued a statement over the weekend in which the Secretary-General extended his deep condolences to the people and Government of Haiti. We are also sad to report that one of our own staff members died in the earthquake. LEBANON/HUMANITARIAN Turning to Lebanon, our humanitarian colleagues told us that, yesterday, as you will have seen, a fuel tank exploded in Akkar in the country’s north, reportedly killing 28 people and injuring more than 80 others. We and our humanitarian partners responded immediately by supporting area hospitals, which declared a state of emergency. Earlier today, the Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator, Najat Rochdi, led an inter-agency UN mission to Tripoli to visit hospitals treating those injured by the explosion. The incident comes as Lebanon grapples with a deepening crisis, as fuel and electricity shortages make the delivery of basic public services difficult. Major hospitals across Lebanon are operating at reduced capacity. The delivery of life-saving care could be further curtailed due to a lack of electricity. We, along with our partners, are trying to ensure the delivery of critical basic services. Last week, the UN launched the Emergency Response Plan for Lebanon, which calls for almost $380 million to help 1.1 million of the country’s most vulnerable people, including migrants. Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date%5Bvalue%5D%5Bdate%5D=16%20August%202021


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