SG: The SG leaves New York tomorrow morning for Nicaragua and Costa Rica where he will meet with the country’s respective presidents and government representatives until his return on Wednesday evening.
Middle East: The Security Council held an emergency session early this morning where the SG called for an immediate, unconditional humanitarian ceasefire. The Council supported the SG’s request by issuing a presidential statement urging all parties to accept and implement a ceasefire into the Eid al-Fitr period marking the end of the Ramadan. Over the weekend UNRWA spokesman Chris Gunness was interviewed about the UN’s relief efforts on Meet the Press. Full interview available here.
Ukraine: The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights reported an increase in fighting among armed groups in Donetsk and Luhansk against the Government of Ukraine. Regarding the Malaysia Airlines flight, High Commissioner Pillay stated that the downing of the plane is a violation of international law which could result in a war crime. Investigators continue attempts to access to the site and examine details of the crash.
UN Peacekeeping: The SG briefed the SC this morning regarding regional partnerships with UN peacekeeping. He noted effective division of labor among regional organizations, but expressed concern for the deteriorating situation in South Sudan despite the presence of the UNMISS peacekeeping mission.
Syria: OCHA reported that over the weekend UNRWA was forced to halt deliveries of healthcare items and medicine to Palestine refugees in Yarmouk due to lack of authorization.
Cameroon: Boko Haram militants kidnapped the wife of Cameroon’s vice prime minister and killed three people in a cross-border attack on Sunday. The incident was the third Boko Haram attack in Cameroon since Friday.
Iraq: OCHA reported that the Anbar Department of Health scaled-up medical assistance ahead of the Eid holiday in Iraq. WFP continues to distribute food to 8,000 families in the region.
Afghanistan: UNAMA condemned this weekend’s attacks in Afghanistan’s western province of Ghor killing 15 people. The UN called for a prompt and thorough investigation into the incident.
World Hepatitis Day: Today marks World Hepatitis Day to increase awareness for a disease that kills close to 1.4 million people each year. WHO and its partners use this day to mobilize policymakers, health workers and the public to coordinate a global response to viral hepatitis, strengthen prevention, and increase hepatitis B vaccine coverage.
United Nations Headquarters in New York will be closed tomorrow in observance of Eid al-Fitr.