Sudan/Egypt, Syria, Libya & other topics Daily Press Briefing | United Nations

Noon Briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.

• Sudan.
• Sudan/Egypt
• Libya
• Syria
• OCHA/Türkiye
• Israel/Yemen
• Occupied Palestinian Territory
• Security Council/Afternoon meeting
• MONUSCO
• Security Council
• Central African Republic
• Liberia
• West and Central Africa
• Ukraine
• International Days

Sudan
The Secretary-General is outraged by the killing of three World Food Programme staff members in Sudan on 19 December, when the agency’s field office in Yabus, in Blue Nile State, was hit by aerial bombardment.  He sends his deepest condolences to the families of the victims and their WFP colleagues.   The Secretary-General condemns all attacks on UN and aid personnel and facilities. He calls for a thorough investigation.   Yesterday’s incident underscores the devastating toll that Sudan’s brutal conflict is having on millions of people in need and the humanitarians trying to reach them with life-saving assistance.  2024 is the deadliest year on record for aid workers in Sudan. Just last month, in November, a colleague from OCHA was killed in El-Fasher. Yet despite significant threats to their personal safety, our colleagues continue to do all they can to provide vital support wherever it is needed.  The Secretary-General calls on the parties to adhere to their obligations to protect civilians, including aid personnel, as well as humanitarian premises and supplies. Attacks must not be directed against them and all feasible precautions must be taken to avoid harming them.   After more than 20 months of conflict in Sudan, the Secretary-General once again stresses the need for an immediate ceasefire. The United Nations will continue to back international mediation efforts and work with all relevant stakeholders to help bring an end to the war. For her part, Cindy McCain, WFP’s Executive Director, said that we are urgently working to establish the circumstances around this appalling incident. She also demanded a thorough investigation and for the perpetrators to be held accountable. Yesterday at the Security Council, Edem Wosornu, Director of Operations at OCHA, spoke about the staggering humanitarian crisis in the Sudan. She also reminded Council members that in 2024, humanitarian organizations faced significant funding gaps and called on donors to provide the $4.2 billion humanitarians need to support nearly 21 million people inside Sudan next year.
Sudan/Egypt
The Emergency Relief Coordinator, Tom Fletcher, has allocated $6 million from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) to address the humanitarian needs of refugees fleeing conflict in Sudan to Egypt, in support of the ongoing response there. The conflict in Sudan has created the world’s fastest-growing displacement crisis. Of the more than 3 million people who have sought protection across Sudan’s borders since April of last year, some 1.2 million are being hosted by Egypt - more than in any other country - according to recent data from the Egyptian Government. This influx of new arrivals has placed additional strain on host communities in Egypt, stretching public services and resources. The funding from CERF will help support people’s most urgent needs including food, water, shelter, cash assistance and protection services.

Full Highlights:
https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/ossg...