Conflict Prevention and Mediation & Other Topics - Daily Press Briefing (12 June 2019)

Noon briefing by Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesman for the Secretary-General
- SG Security Council
- Saudi Arabia/Yemen
- Yemen
- Middle East
- Iraq
- Cyclone Idai
- WHO
- Child Labor
SG SECURITY COUNCIL
This morning, the Secretary-General addressed a session of the Security Council on conflict prevention and mediation. He urged Council members and all Member States to strive for greater unity to ensure prevention and mediation efforts are as effective as possible.
“When we act early, and are united, we can successfully prevent crises from escalating, saving lives and reducing suffering,” he told Members of the Council.
The Secretary-General pointed out how efforts are leading to encouraging developments in countries such as Madagascar, Ethiopia, Eritrea or South Sudan.
But he also emphasized the enormous obstacles to peace that remain around the world and how ultimately, civilians pay the price.
“We cannot afford to reduce the energy and resources we invest in prevention and mediation,” he concluded. 
This afternoon, the Security Council is expected to meet on Mali. The Special Representative of the Secretary-General and head of the UN Peacekeeping Mission in Mali, Mahamat Saleh Annadif, will brief the Council.
Yesterday, the Secretary-General spoke by phone to the President of Mali, Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, and offered his deepest condolences to the people and Government of Mali following the tragic attack that took place in the village of Soubanou-Kou. The Secretary-General reiterated the UN’s engagement to support the authorities in their search for solutions to intercommunal tensions in the country. 

SAUDI ARABIA/YEMEN
The UN is deeply concerned over the missile attack on the Abha civilian airport in southern Saudi Arabia.
The UN urges all parties to prevent any such further incidents, which risk escalating the current situation, pose a serious threat to the national and regional security and undermine the UN-led political process.
The UN echoes the recent Security Council statement calling on all parties to ensure the protection of civilians, and critical civilian infrastructure, in accordance with international humanitarian law.
The UN urges both parties to exert more efforts to re-engage in the political process to end the conflict through an inclusive intra-Yemeni dialogue.

YEMEN
Close to 70,000 people across Yemen, including internally displaced people, have been affected by torrential rain and flash flooding in recent weeks, culminating in widespread flooding in the second week of June. Hajjah is the most affected Governorate, where over 8,000 families (or almost 48,000 people) have reportedly been affected.
There are concerns that flash flooding could escalate the spread of cholera across the country. Yemen is already experiencing a rise in cholera cases, with 364,000 suspected cases reported since the beginning of this year.
The UN and humanitarian partners are conducting assessments and scaling up humanitarian response, despite access constraints in many of the affected areas. Preliminary information indicates that critical immediate needs are shelter, food, non-food items and cash assistance.

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