VIENNA/ATTACKS
Today, the Director-General of the UN Office in Vienna, Ghada Waly, said that the UN in Vienna joins their Host City and Country in mourning in the wake of last nights terrorist attacks, which killed several people and injured many others. She added that her office utterly rejects hate and terror and that it stands in solidarity with the people and Government of Austria.
Ms. Waly ordered the flags at the Vienna International Centre, which hosts the 51勛圖 in Vienna, to be lowered as they grieve with Austria during this period of national mourning.
Also, today, the High Representative for the UN Alliance of Civilizations, Miguel ngel Moratinos, expressed his dismay and shock at the attacks and stressed that such acts of terror are intolerable and utterly unjustifiable whenever, wherever and by whomever they may be committed.
You will also have seen in a statement we issued last night, the Secretary-General himself strongly condemned the attacks and reaffirmed the solidarity [of] the UN with the people and the Government of Austria. He also extended his deep condolences to the families of the victims and wished those injured a speedy recovery.
AFGHANISTAN
Yesterday afternoon, we also issued a statement on Afghanistan, in which the Secretary-General strongly condemned the horrific attack at Kabul University. The Secretary-General said that this appalling attack, the second in ten days on a school facility in Kabul, is also an assault on the human right to education.
The Secretary-General reiterated that those responsible must be held to account. He added that the UN stands by the people and Government of Afghanistan in support of their long-held aspirations for peace.
SECURITY COUNCIL
The Deputy Secretary-General spoke to the Security Council this morning at its virtual open debate on Peacebuilding and Sustaining Peace: Contemporary Drivers of Conflict and Insecurity.
She said that the COVID-19 pandemic has driven home that in todays world, there is no such thing as a distant crisis, adding that it continues to exacerbate the risks and drivers of conflict from cross-border insecurity and climate-related threats to social unrest and democratic deficits.
The Deputy Secretary-General stressed that building and sustaining peace requires addressing these root causes as they develop and interact with each other, including the emerging threats posed by the pandemic.
SOUTH SUDAN/HUMANITARIAN
On South Sudan, some sad news to report: yesterday, we told you about an aid worker who was killed and today our humanitarian colleagues tell us another aid worker was killed.
The Humanitarian Coordinator, Alain Noud矇hou, condemned the killing, stressing he is appalled by repeated acts of violence against humanitarians. He called [for] the perpetrators to be identified and brought to account.
Mr. Noud矇hou said that South Sudanese aid workers are enduring difficult conditions to deliver lifesaving assistance to their fellow citizens and that they should be protected.
The two humanitarian workers killed in the past week were South Sudanese. They were delivering critical nutrition services to vulnerable people affected by conflict and flooding.
This latest incident brings to nine the total number of humanitarian workers killed in South Sudan this year - three times the total number who lost their lives last year in the country. Some 124 aid workers, mostly South Sudanese, have lost their lives in the line of duty since the conflict broke out in late 2013.
SOUTH SUDAN/SEXUAL VIOLENCE IN CONFLICT
Also on South Sudan, the Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Pramila Patten, today said that she is encouraged by the positive steps taken by the South Sudans Peoples Defence Forces to court martial perpetrators of sexual violence.
This has resulted in the sentencing of 26 soldiers for offences committed this year and last year.
Ms. Patten also welcomed the recent convictions in several civilian courts for rape and gang rape.
She said these verdicts not only send a message to perpetrators about the consequences of their actions, but also reaffirm the Governments commitment to a zero-tolerance policy for conflict-related sexual violence.
Ms. Patten also commended the brave survivors who came forward to testify and seek justice and acknowledged the critical role civil society has played in advocating for and supporting them.
漍漍
CENTRAL AMERICA
Turning to Central America where Hurricane Eta is about to make landfall over Nicaragua near the border with Honduras:
Our UN teams on the ground in Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala are actively monitoring developments and are in contact with national authorities and regional partners. Together with authorities in Honduras and Nicaragua, the UN Emergency Technical Teams are working to identify available resources to support the response upon the request by the two governments.
The World Food Programme (WFP) has also essential food supplies ready to be delivered to Honduras and Nicaragua through its Logistics Hub in Panama.
There are also 70,000 people in areas along Etas track in northern Nicaragua who are exposed to hurricane winds. More than 483,000 estimated people in Honduras are also exposed to the hurricanes impact, according to the Pacific Disaster Center. The projected path will then take it over parts of Guatemala, El Salvador and Belize, potentially bringing heavy rains.
COVID-19/INDIA
An update on what our country teams are doing to help address the COVID-19 pandemic: Today, I want to update you on our operations in India, where cases have surpassed 8 million with more than 123,000 deaths, according to UN figures.
The UN team, led by Resident Coordinator Renata Dessallien, is supporting authorities to save lives and livelihoods, and to protect rights.
The UN Population Fund (UNFPA) has helped more than one million vulnerable people receive health and social protection. It distributed sanitary kits to 20,000 households headed by women and has provided training on sexual and reproductive health, as well as on how to prevent and address violence against women.
The UN Childrens Fund (UNICEF) for its part is working with womens groups, village councils and Government departments to ensure social protection for marginalized groups in two Indian states.
The UN Development Programme (UNDP) has reached 420,000 people with social protection schemes to restore livelihoods for women microentrepreneurs, farmers and artisans, as well as youth.
Through the Secretary-Generals Recover Better Fund, WFP and its partners are also providing food to more than 20,000 vulnerable households, including transgender, female and male sex workers, as well as migrants and disabled people as well as those who are chronically ill.
QATAR
I was asked before the briefing about announcements made by the Emir of Qatar today, and I can tell you that the Secretary-General is encouraged by the important announcement made by the Emir of the State of Qatar that the country will hold elections for the Advisory Council next October.
We understand that preparations are underway and that the Government of Qatar will take all necessary measures to allow for inclusive and participatory elections.
