UN GENEVA PRESS BRIEFING
Alessandra Vellucci, Director of the United Nations Information Service (UNIS) at Geneva, chaired a hybrid press briefing, which was attended by spokespersons and representatives of the World Health Organization and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.
Death of a World Health Organization Contract Worker in Gaza
Responding to a question from the media, regarding a WHO contract worker killed in Gaza, Christian Lindmeier, for the World Health Organization (WHO), read a statement by Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, which said that WHO was devastated to confirm that a person contracted to provide services to the Organization in Gaza was killed during a security incident. Two staff members were also present at the incident but were not injured. Following the incident, WHO had suspended medical evacuation of patients from Gaza via Rafah to Egypt until further notice.
Answering another question about the worker’s nationality, Mr. Lindmeier said that typically, contracted staff were local, but he had no further information at this point. Medical evacuations were halted until further notice. Responding to another question, Mr. Lindmeier said that typically the vehicles used during a medical operation were WHO-marked vehicles, but he could not currently confirm this.
Visit of the UN Secretary-General Personal Envoy to the Middle East
Responding to a question from the media, Alessandra Vellucci, Director of the United Nations Information Service (UNIS) at Geneva, said that Jean Arnault, the UN Secretary General’s Personal Envoy to the Middle East, was visiting the region. More details would be shared about his activities.
Rhetoric speeches against Iran
Responding to a question from the media on recent social media posts by President Trump regarding Iran, Alessandra Vellucci, Director of the United Nations Information Service (UNIS) at Geneva, read a statement which said the United Nations were alarmed by the rhetoric seen in the social media post which threatened American attacks on power plants, bridges, and other infrastructure, should Iran not agree to a deal. The Secretary-General urged all parties to abide by their obligations regarding the conduct of these hostilities. Civilian infrastructure, including energy infrastructure, may not be attacked, even if specific civilian infrastructure were to qualify as a military objective. It was time for the parties to stop this conflict.
Displacement in Lebanon
Responding to questions from the media, Babar Baloch, for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), said more than one million people were displaced inside Lebanon, as well as nearly 200,000 Syrians who had left Lebanon and arrived in Syria. There were not yet updated figures for inside Iran; the last figures were 3.2 million according to official sources from the local authorities.
Mr. Baloch said many Lebanese had also arrived in Syria. It was not easy for people to restart their lives in Syria due to the difficulties experienced by the country in recent years. There were financial needs; the situation inside Lebanon was alarming as well as for those arriving to Syria, where the needs were already huge. Some Syrians could join their extended family members while others needed help. UNHCR were in contact with the local authorities to figure out how best to support these families.
Answering questions from the media, Alessandra Vellucci, Director of the United Nations Information Service (UNIS) at Geneva, said there needed to be de-escalation, protection of civilians and the upholding of international humanitarian law. Attacks against civilians were a clear violation of international humanitarian law. Anyone involved in the war needed to ensure unimpeded delivery of international humanitarian aid. The UN stood ready to support any efforts towards peace.
As of yesterday, less than 100 million dollars of the 308-million-dollar appeal for Lebanon had been received; funds were urgently needed.
Ms. Vellucci read a statement, which underlined that the United Nations remained deeply concerned by the ongoing strikes between Hezbollah and the Israeli defence forces. All actors were urged to uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law.
Medical situation in Lebanon
Responding to a question from the media, Christian Lindmeier, for the World Health Organization (WHO), said humanitarian access in the south of the country where thousands of people had chosen to remain in their homes, continued to be a major logistical and security issue. The Ministry of Health had reported at least 1,169 deaths, with deaths rising by over 50 percent in just one week. 92 attacks on health care had been verified since March, resulting in 51 primary health care centres and six hospitals were now closed. Displacement remained massive, with over one million self-registered internally displaced people, placing significant pressure on services and driving rising risk of infectious diseases including measles and hepatitis A. Children made up one third of the displaced persons, while women and girls made up 53 percent. Mental health needs were also surging, while health services were continually under pressure but remained operational.
Responding to another question from the media, Mr. Lindmeier said that mental health needs in Lebanon were surging, with thousands seeking support as trauma, fear and uncertainty deepened across the affected communities. WHO were providing medical kits and trauma care, alongside support for surveyance and mental health services.
Announcements
Alessandra Vellucci, Director of the United Nations Information Service (UNIS) at Geneva, said today the international community commemorated the International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda. The message of the Secretary General, which had been sent to the media said that 32 years ago, Rwanda endured one of the darkest chapters in human history. In just 100 days, more than a million people were murdered, primarily Tutsi, but also Hutu and others who opposed the genocide. Entire families were brutally erased. On the International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi in Rwanda, we mourn the victims and honour their stolen dignity.
To commemorate this important day, a solemn commemoration would be held at 4pm in the Assembly Hall, to which the media were invited, which included speeches from authorities as well as a testimony from a survivor of the genocide.
Christian Lindmeier, for the World Health Organization (WHO), said today was World health Day, which marked the birthday of WHO, under the theme “Together for health. Stand with Science.” The “One Health” summit, hosted by France, was being held from 5 to 7 April in Lyon, convening heads of states, scientists, civil society, youth and global actors.
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