Temporary shelters in Khan Yunis, Gaza. Daily Top Stories | Wednesday: Ukraine, Middle East, African Diaspora UN
The main news of the day in the UN and in the world: the humanitarian situation in the frontline areas of Ukraine, the UN Security Council meeting on Gaza, the political transition in Syria, the Second International Decade for People of African Descent.
Frontline areas of Ukraine
Humanitarian Aid Coordinator Matthias Schmale spoke via video link from Kyiv to journalists accredited at UN headquarters. He described the difficulties that Ukrainians are experiencing, especially in the east of the country, where fighting continues. From October to November, almost 40,000 people were forced to leave their homes in frontline areas. The UN coordinator said that the latest attacks on energy infrastructure on November 28 and December 13 caused widespread power outages. The consequences of the attacks worsen the situation of the most vulnerable groups of the population of Ukraine, he added.
The situation in Gaza
UN Assistant Secretary-General Khaled Khiari presented a report to the Security Council on the situation in the Middle East in the context of the implementation of resolution 2334 (2016). He noted that violence continues to escalate in Gaza, the humanitarian crisis is worsening and people are dying. In the past week alone, more than 250 people have fallen victim to Israeli airstrikes aimed at densely populated areas, schools and hospitals. Among the most tragic incidents is the attack on the school of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) in Khan Younis, where 20 people were killed.
The Transition Process in Syria
Despite the fact that the process has only just begun, UN Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen sees reason to hope that the situation will develop in accordance with the provisions of Security Council Resolution 2254. He told reporters this while concluding his visit to Damascus. Resolution 2254 provides for the development of a new constitution and social contract for all Syrians, as well as the holding of elections after the transition period. During his visit, Pedersen met with the leadership of various forces and groups, as well as with the families of detainees and representatives of civil society.
Decade for People of African Descent
The General Assembly yesterday proclaimed the Second International Decade for People of African Descent, which will run from 2025 to 2034. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk welcomed the decision and said that an important goal would be to develop and adopt a draft declaration on the respect, protection and fulfillment of the rights of people of African descent. During the previous decade, more than 30 countries changed their laws and policies to combat racial discrimination and address the problems faced by members of the African diaspora.