Madam President,
Only last week, Under-Secretary-General DiCarlo, on behalf of the Secretary-General, recounted the horrific toll the 1,000 days of Russia’s full-scale invasion have brought to the people of Ukraine. The invasion that was launched in gross violation of the UN Charter and international law.
Yet, in recent days we have seen alarming signs of further escalation in this already explosive war.
The latest developments follow the already disturbing reports of troops from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea being deployed to the conflict zone.
On 21 November, the Ukrainian city of Dnipro was hit by a ballistic intermediate-range Russian missile. The location hit was reportedly an industrial area southwest of Dnipro city.
According to the Ukrainian authorities, the missile was equipped with six warheads, each with six sub-munitions, and took only 15 minutes to arrive from the launch site in the Astrakhan region of the Russian Federation, some 1,000 kilometers away from Dnipro city.
Hours after the strike, the President of the Russian Federation confirmed that Russia had tested a new conventional intermediate-range missile called “Oreshnik”. He said that the strike was launched in response to the use of Western supplied long-range missiles by the armed forces of Ukraine against the territory of the Russian Federation.
He further stated that Russia would continue testing the new missile in combat.
Yesterday, Russian authorities signaled the likelihood of further such strikes, following additional reported Ukrainian strikes on Russian military targets using the above-mentioned long-range missiles.
The United Nations does not have additional details on these incidents, including on the type of weapons used. However, the use of ballistic missiles and related threats are a very dangerous escalatory development.
Under international humanitarian law, parties are required to “take all feasible precautions in the choice of means and methods of attack with a view to avoiding, and in any event to minimizing, incidental loss of civilian life, injury to civilians and damage to civilian objects”.
We condemn all attacks on civilian targets and critical infrastructure - irrespective of the weapons system used.
We urge all parties to take immediate steps to de-escalate and to refrain from any action or rhetoric that could further intensify this war, bring more suffering to the civilian population and gravely endanger regional and international peace and security.
Madam President,
Amid these concerning reports, systematic Russian aerial strikes have continued to wreak havoc across Ukraine.
Just yesterday, Russia reportedly launched 188 drones against seventeen regions of Ukraine. This was reportedly the record number of drones deployed in a single attack.
Since February 2022, at least 12,162 civilians have been killed and 26,919 injured in Ukraine, according to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.
In addition to civilian casualties, relentless attacks hitting residential areas continue to cause severe damage to civilian infrastructure, further deteriorating the living conditions for millions of Ukrainians.
Madam President,
The cost of this war is already too high for the people of Ukraine, and for the world – and it is growing by the day.
We must reverse the dangerous cycle of escalation.
This requires genuine political will and inclusive diplomatic efforts towards a just, lasting and comprehensive peace, in line with the UN Charter, international law and General Assembly resolutions.
We stand ready to use our good offices and to make available all our tools and experience to this end.
Thank you.
Ongoing hostilities across Syria are intensifying an already dire humanitarian crisis, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has warned, amid reports of a deadly airstrike at the Ad Dabousiyah border crossing with Türkiye.
The Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) has filed an application for an arrest warrant against Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, Commander-in-Chief of Myanmar’s armed forces and Acting President, alleging his involvement in crimes against humanity targeting the Rohingya population.
Recent days have seen alarming signs of further escalation in the war in Ukraine, a senior UN official warned the Security Council on Wednesday, appealing for greater efforts to bring an end to Russia’s full-scale invasion of the country.
As the Lebanon ceasefire deal entered into force early Wednesday based on the full implementation of Security Council resolution 1701 (2006) – facilitated by UN peacekeepers UNIFIL and bolstered by an international monitoring committee - UN humanitarians committed to supporting communities uprooted by the war that have already started returning home.
Recent days have seen alarming signs of further escalation in the war in Ukraine, a senior UN official warned the Security Council on Wednesday, appealing for greater efforts to bring an end to Russia’s full-scale invasion of the country.
The ceasefire agreement in Lebanon represents “the first ray of hope for peace” in the regional war “amidst the darkness of the last few months”, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said on Wednesday in Lisbon.
UN human rights chief Volker Türk lent his weight to growing ceasefire calls in Lebanon on Tuesday, as senior Israeli cabinet members were reportedly due to meet on a deal to end more than a year of conflict with Hezbollah militants, sparked by the war in Gaza.
The United Nations has welcomed the announcement of a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon.
Addressing the General Assembly on Tuesday, President Philémon Yang called for urgent collective action to address the humanitarian crisis in Sudan and stressed the shared responsibility of UN bodies to safeguard global peace and security.
As the security situation in Haiti’s capital Port-au-Prince rapidly worsens due to ongoing gang violence, the United Nations is adjusting its operations to ensure the continued delivery of critical humanitarian assistance.
With 2024 the deadliest year for aid workers on record, the Security Council must clearly condemn attacks against them and ensure accountability for perpetrators, a senior official with the UN humanitarian affairs office, OCHA, said on Tuesday.
With all eyes on a possible ceasefire deal between Israel and Hezbollah militants in Lebanon, UN humanitarians have condemned the ongoing violence in Lebanon, Gaza, and Israel. Meanwhile, at UN Headquarters in New York, a special meeting was held to mark the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. UN News app users can follow here.
As the security situation in Haiti’s capital Port-au-Prince rapidly worsens due to ongoing gang violence, the United Nations is adjusting its operations to ensure the continued delivery of critical humanitarian assistance.
Heavy rainfall has caused severe flooding across displacement sites in Gaza, further compounding the humanitarian crisis, the UN has reported.
The United Nations remains concerned by the escalation of hostilities in Lebanon between Hezbollah and the Israel Defense Force (IDF), as well as the widespread destruction and death across the Blue Line, the Secretary-General’s Spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric, said on Monday.
As Gaza teeters on the brink of collapse, a senior UN official on Monday renewed urgent calls for an immediate ceasefire and action to address the humanitarian crisis.
The number of children being recruited into armed groups across Haiti has increased by 70 per cent over the past year, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has reported. The unprecedented spike also reveals the alarming deterioration of child protection amid escalating violence in the Caribbean nation.
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The crisis in Gaza, Lebanon and Israel continues unabated as people struggle to live in the midst of conflict. Follow this live blog for the latest updates from humanitarians on the ground, our colleagues in Geneva and at UN Headquarters in New York. UN News app users can follow here.
Myanmar has become the world’s deadliest country for landmine and unexploded ordnance casualties, with over 1,000 victims in 2023 alone, surpassing all other nations, according to separate studies by the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the International Campaign to Ban Landmines.
The past two months of intensifying Israeli bombardment in Lebanon have been the “deadliest and most devastating” in decades as communities uprooted from the front line flee continue to flee across the border to Syria, UN humanitarians said on Friday.
The mpox outbreak continues to constitute a public health emergency of international concern, the World Health Organization (WHO) said in a statement on Friday following the conclusion of a meeting of its emergency committee convened in Geneva.
UN humanitarians warned on Thursday that one in four people in the Democratic Republic of the Congo suffers from “crisis or worse” levels of hunger that affects a staggering 25.6 million people.
Gang violence is escalating at alarming rates in Haiti: tens of thousands have been forced from their homes, and critical supply chains have collapsed. Despite the rising peril, the UN has committed to remain in the country, helping the most vulnerable to survive the current crisis.
This year of conflict in Syria is “on track to be the most violent since 2020”, with the potential for even greater devastation looming on the horizon, the UN Deputy Special Envoy for Syria told the Security Council on Thursday.
Children in Myanmar are increasingly caught in the crossfire of intensifying conflict, climate disasters and a collapsing humanitarian system, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) reported.
The delivery of life-saving aid across Gaza “is grinding to a halt” amid a surge in armed looting targeting humanitarian convoys, the senior aid official in the region said on Thursday.
Madam President, Excellencies,
Haiti is at dire crossroads.
Extreme levels of gang violence continue to erode state authority and pose an alarming threat to the people of Haiti and to international peace and security in the region, with no improvement in sight.
The country is now in its third year of political transition following the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021. On 11 November, the Transitional Presidential Council appointed a new Prime Minister, Mr. Alix Didier Fils-Aimé, after weeks of intense standoff with the former Prime Minister Mr. Garry Conille. Mr. Fils-Aimé is the fourth Prime Minister to hold office during this political transition.
We are deeply concerned about the slow progress on Haiti’s roadmap for restoring democratic institutions. Time is of the essence and, to ensure that general elections can be held in 2025, it is crucial to complete the appointment of all nine members of Haiti’s Provisional Electoral Council. I want to reiterate the Secretary-General's call for all national stakeholders to set aside their differences and work constructively for the benefit of the people of Haiti and its institutions, who are faced with immense challenges.
BINUH continues to use its good offices to support the political process, including to boost civil society participation in the transition, with particular focus on youth.
Excellencies,
Haiti’s security crisis keeps intensifying.
On the very day of the new Prime Minister’s installation, a series of shocking incidents unfolded as four commercial aircraft were struck by gang-related gunfire, resulting in the reported injury of one crew member. As a result, Port-au-Prince’s International Airport remains closed, the US Federal Aviation Administration prohibited US commercial flights to and from Haiti until 12 December, and many international carriers have indicated even longer suspensions.
These measures suspended international access to the capital and severely restricted our ability to transport UN and other international personnel by air as needed. Regular movement in and out of the capital and rest of the country are also disrupted. Today, thanks to concerted UN efforts, the UNHAS helicopter was able to resume its operations in and out of Port-au-Prince.
This is the second time this year that armed gangs exploit moments of political instability to tighten their stranglehold on Port-au-Prince by targeting the airport. Unlike in March of this year, armed gangs directly targeted commercial aircraft with multiple passengers on-board, during their landing and takeoff. Following the resulting closure of the International Airport, armed gangs have further intensified their coordinated and well-orchestrated attacks.
Having encircled the capital and all access roads, armed gangs have made territorial advances in strategic areas and according to some estimates now control 85% of the capital. They are also attacking the remaining pockets of relative safety. increasingly including government buildings and infrastructure. In the night of 18 November, armed gang coalitions launched a coordinated attack to gain control of the Petion-Ville suburb, which is home to most international staff, UN offices and diplomatic missions. While the Haitian National Police tried to push gangs back, clashes in these areas have reportedly resulted in several dozen fatalities. Desperate Haitians are increasingly turning to vigilante groups, establishing roadblocks, taking justice into their own hands.
This is not just another wave of insecurity; it is a dramatic escalation that shows no signs of abating.
The humanitarian consequences are severe. We are deeply concerned about the safety, basic needs and human rights of people residing in gang-controlled areas, in particular those of women and children. Predatory armed gangs systematically attack communities, using extreme forms of violence, including sexual violence, as a weapon to subjugate them. We condemn in the strongest terms the widespread sexual violence used by armed gangs.
The International Organization for Migration reports a staggering rise in displacement, with 20,000 people fleeing gang violence in just four days in November. This adds to the approximately 700,000 internally displaced persons in Haiti as of September 2024. In addition, over 167,000 Haitians have been deported from several countries so far this year, including 35,000 since 1 October.
The United Nations’ remains fully committed to standing with Haiti through these challenging times, but more resources are needed to provide vital assistance and support. At present the $674 million Humanitarian Response Plan for Haiti is only 43 percent funded.
Madam President,
The start of deployment on 25 June of the Multinational Security Support (MSS) Mission authorized by this Council marked an important milestone in the international response to Haiti’s request for assistance. The multinational effort was made possible by personnel contributions from Kenya, which is leading the mission, the Bahamas, Belize and Jamaica. Furthermore, voluntary financial contributions, equipment and logistical support from donor countries, including Canada, France, Germany and the United States, have been crucial. However, with just over 400 of the initially planned 2,500 personnel currently deployed, the MSS remains in its deployment phase and is unable to demonstrate its full potential. The UN Trust Fund for the MSS has a pledged amount of only $96.8 million. Much more is needed. And it is needed now.
To fully deliver on the MSS mandate and achieve its envisioned strength, international donors and personnel contributors must step up immediately. Without a substantial and sustained increase in voluntary contributions from Member States, there is a real risk that the MSS will never be fully equipped, fully deployed, or able to sustain its support for the Haitian National Police.
Despite the magnitude of the challenges, the Haitian National Police persist and continue to conduct anti-gang operations. However, they face significant shortages of human, material, and financial resources, making it difficult to sustain their operational successes. Any further delays or operational gaps in providing international security support to the Haitian National Police, whether through the MSS or bilateral assistance, present a catastrophic risk of collapse of national security institutions. This could lead to a complete breakdown of state authority, rendering international operations and the support to Haitians in need in the country untenable.
Such an outcome would be inexcusable for the people of Haiti, who have endured far too much already.
Excellencies,
In his address to the UN General Assembly on 26 September, the former President of the Transitional Presidential Council, Mr. Edgard Leblanc Fils, called for the start of a discussion on the transformation of the MSS Mission into a UN peacekeeping operation. His successor in the rotating presidency, Mr. Leslie Voltaire, reiterated this request in a letter to the Security Council on 21 October, seeking the MSS’ transformation as soon as possible. A resolution passed by the Permanent Council of the Organization of American States on 13 November urged the Security Council to urgently support Haiti’s request to transition the MSS mission into a UN peacekeeping operation.
Ongoing Security Council discussions about international engagement in Haiti’s security and stability to succeed the MSS highlight the need for the Government of Haiti and the international community to have a long-term vision. The Secretary-General urges Council members to maintain the unified approach demonstrated in the adoption of the recent resolutions regarding Haiti.
What is required is a sizable increase in internationally provided enhanced security support that complements the Haitian National Police. This support must include adequate capabilities, weapons, equipment, and specialized expertise that the Haitian National Police needs in order to remain the primary actor in the response against armed gangs. A robust mandate, already authorized for the MSS, coupled with Rules of Engagement allowing proactive engagements against armed gangs, is essential. This must be accompanied by efforts to build up national police capabilities to support the Government in sustainably delivering security.
In the current climate of violence, Haitian stakeholders have also made calls for support to strengthen the Haitian Armed Forces, to which some Member States have already responded.
BINUH’s support to the Haitian National Police remains essential for the continued and long-term development of the institution, but the immediate, robust operational support needed now falls outside BINUH’s mandate.
To ensure that security gains are sustained, more must be done to counter the illicit flow of drugs, weapons and ammunition. Corruption that incubates the illicit economy, and the patronage of armed gangs by corrupt political and private sector elites must also be tackled. To this end, national anti-corruption and accountability mechanisms need to be strengthened. The UN sanctions regime concerning Haiti must be utilized to its full potential to address the root causes of gang violence, including the collusion between individuals in the political, economic and security sectors, which would lead to increased confidence in the political process.
Madam President,
Robust international security support is required now.
There are no ideal options for addressing the severe and multifaceted crisis in Haiti. But as time passes and the situation deteriorates, we are left with less options and the Haitian people are left with less hope. It is high time we turn commitments into action to prevent any further erosion of security and state authority in Haiti.
I thank you.
Gang violence in Haiti continues to escalate, displacing thousands from Port-au-Prince and straining already limited aid resources, according to the UN Resident Coordinator, Ulrika Richardson.
Haiti is at a dire crossroads, with extreme levels of gang violence continuing to degrade State authority with “no improvement in sight”, a senior UN political affairs official told the Security Council on Wednesday.
As the conflict continues in Gaza and Lebanon, the United States vetoed the latest resolution on Gaza in the UN Security Council in New York which demanded an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire as well as the release of all hostages and full humanitarian access for civilians. UN News app users can follow here.
