Palestine, Afghanistan, South Sudan & other topics - Daily Press Briefing (30 November 2021)

Highlights:

- African Union/UN Conference 
- Secretary-General/G77 
- Planet Budapest Sustainability Expo 
- Deputy Secretary-General/Travels 
- Middle East 
- Afghanistan
- South Sudan 
- Ethiopia 
- Ukraine 
- Day of Remembrance for all Victims of Chemical Warfare
- Hybrid Briefing Tomorrow

MIDDLE EAST
Tor Wennesland, the Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, told the Security Council this morning that we face a series of heightened and interrelated risks across the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
He said that in the West Bank, a severe fiscal and economic crisis is threatening the stability of Palestinian institutions. Meanwhile, in Gaza, the fragile cessation of hostilities continues to hold, but further steps are needed by all parties to ensure a sustainable solution that ultimately enables a return of legitimate Palestinian Government institutions to the Strip.
Mr. Wennesland said that it is essential that the parties avoid unilateral steps, reduce flashpoints and violence across the occupied Palestinian territory, solidify the cessation of hostilities, and support economic development in the Gaza Strip.

AFGHANISTAN
The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affair (OCHA) today said that temperatures have already dipped below zero in the country and people are in need of winter clothing, emergency shelter, heating and fuel, as well as rental support.
Recently, the UN distributed winterization assistance to 32,200 people in Kunar, Nangarhar and Nuristan provinces, and partners are also responding.
Yesterday, the UN launched a distribution of cash assistance in Jawzjan Province. The distribution covers 1,750 people, with a focus on internally displaced and drought-affected people, returnees, vulnerable communities, and female-headed households, the elderly, and people with disabilities.
The 2021 Afghanistan Flash Appeal, seeking $606 million, is 112 per cent funded. While the Humanitarian Response Plan, the broader plan, seeking $869 million, is 84 per cent funded.
OCHA is grateful for the generous contributions by the donor community. However, all financial commitments have not been translated into actions on the ground due to financial system challenges amid the cash and liquidity crisis.

SOUTH SUDAN
The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) today said that they are responding to the worst floods in the last six decades in Unity State. This flooding has led to many people being displaced.
Heavy rains this weekend have made the main road linking the city of Bentiu to the airport and the UN Mission’s base impassable. The Mission’s engineering contingent, with the help of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), immediately deployed heavy equipment and water pumps.
In Bentiu, the Mission also organized a forum to promote the global 16 Days of Activism campaign against gender-based violence. More than 100 women leaders, community and traditional leaders, as well as youth representatives took part in the event designed to encourage people to speak up and take action against gender-based violence.


Full Highlights:
https://www.un.org/sg/en/conte....nt/noon-briefing-hig