Looting and looting are reported from the DRC. Daily Top Stories | Monday: Middle East, Ukraine, Sudan, DRC UN
Main news in the UN and in the world: visit of the UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator to Israel; new strikes on Ukrainian cities; reports of extrajudicial executions in Sudan; the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Visit of the UN Under-Secretary-General to Israel and Palestine
Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher has arrived in Israel. He will visit the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including Gaza and the West Bank, this week and hold meetings with local authorities, UN humanitarian partners and those on the front lines of the humanitarian response. On Monday in Ramallah, Fletcher met with Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Mustafa and heads of several Palestinian ministries. He also met with Dr. Younis al-Khatib, President of the Palestinian Red Crescent Society.
Strikes on Ukrainian cities
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) expressed deep alarm over the ongoing attacks on populated areas in Ukraine and their devastating impact on children. Three children were reportedly injured in a missile strike on a residential building in Poltava, while at least four were injured in recent days in Kramatorsk, Sumy and Synelnykove. UNESCO, in turn, condemned the missile strike on the historic center of Odessa, which is recognized as a World Heritage Site.
Reports of Extrajudicial Executions in Sudan
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is deeply alarmed by reports of extrajudicial executions of civilians in northern Khartoum, allegedly committed by militants and militias associated with the Sudanese Armed Forces. The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights is currently verifying the information. The UN chief reminded all parties to the conflict in Sudan of their obligations under international law, especially regarding the protection of civilians and infrastructure, and reiterated their call to immediately cease hostilities and take steps towards establishing a lasting peace.
Situation in the DRC
The UN peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo reported on Monday that the M23 armed group was approaching Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu province. Since June last year, peacekeepers have no longer been present in South Kivu as part of a disengagement plan agreed with the host country. There are reports from rebel-held areas of looting, seizure of private homes and vehicles, including those belonging to humanitarian organizations, which is a violation of international humanitarian law.