First aid to Sri lanka & other topics - Daily Press Briefing (23 April 2019)

Noon briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General.
Highlights:
- Sexual Violence
- Sri Lanka, Libya
- Syria, Yemen - UNDP
- Cyclone Idai
- Malaria
- International Days
- Honour Roll
SEXUAL VIOLENCE
This morning, the Secretary-General spoke at the Security Council’s open debate on Women and Peace and Security: Sexual Violence in Conflict.
He told Council Members that over the past decade, advocacy groups and individuals have spoken up about the enormous damage caused by sexual violence in conflict and many governments have shown a willingness to provide justice for sexual violence survivors. He said that the United Nations has taken action by strengthening its ability to investigate these crimes as well as by training peacekeepers to prevent and respond to sexual violence in conflict. However, he said, sexual violence continues to be a horrific feature of conflicts around the world.
The Secretary-General emphasized that sexual violence in conflict is closely linked to the issues of gender inequality and discrimination and added that prevention must be based on promoting women’s rights in all areas, before, during and after conflict.
He stressed the need for women’s full and effective participation in the political, economic and social life to ensure lasting peace, and he also called on Council Members to strengthen justice and accountability for perpetrators as well as support for survivors.
Also, addressing the meeting was Pramila Patten the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for sexual violence in conflict.

SRI LANKA
The Secretary-General will be going to the Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka late this afternoon, early evening, to sign the condolence book. Meanwhile on the ground, following the terrorist attack on Easter Sunday, the UN Resident Coordinator in Sri Lanka, Hannah Singer, said she met with the President, the Prime Minister, the army commander and religious leaders to convey the United Nations’ condolences.
The Resident Coordinator, who spoke to our colleagues in the News Centre said the UN is working to speak as one to build a narrative of peace and is monitoring social media to track hate speech.
She added that she is coordinating with UN agencies on the ground, such as UNICEF, which is providing medical supplies to treat injured children and their families. The UN Children’s Fund, together with the World Health Organization, is also providing psychosocial first aid for families impacted by the violence.

LIBYA
The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) says it has received reports in the past few hours from Libya that say that the Qasr Ben Ghashir detention center in Tripoli was breached by armed actors; some 890 refugees and migrants are located in the detention centre. There are as yet unconfirmed reports of multiple injuries. The humanitarian community is closely following the evolving situation in order to provide assistance as soon access can be granted to the area.
Overall, some 3,600 refugees and migrants are thought to be trapped in the detention centers close to the front lines. Five of these centres are in areas already engulfed by fighting, while six more are in close proximity to the clashes. The situation in these detention centres is increasingly desperate, with reports of guards abandoning their posts and leaving people trapped inside. In one facility – Gharyan – has reportedly been without drinking water for days.
An estimated 35,000 people have now fled conflict-affected areas in and around Tripoli, according to the International Organization for Migration. Some individuals who remain stuck in conflict-affected areas remain unable to move due to conflict dynamics, while others are unwilling to leave, often due to fear of looting.
Ninety civilian casualties have been verified by the health sector, that includes 21 civilian deaths.
Wherever access allows, the humanitarian response continues, including at detention centres; some 21,000 people have received humanitarian assistance and services so far, despite considerable access and funding constraints.
The UN and humanitarian partners have launched a flash appeal seeking $10.2 million in addition to funding to assist 100,000 people.
WHO for its part has registered 264 fatalities in total, including more than 1,200 injured, and that includes civilians and armed combatants since the beginning of the conflict.
Full highlights: