The SG: The SG spoke to Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathon by phone from Rome today. President Jonathon accepted the SG’s offer to send an envoy to Nigeria to work with the government and support the search process for the abducted schoolgirls. The SG is in Rome chairing the UN Chief Executives Board meetings (CEB) and will meet with Pope Francis tomorrow. The SG will speak at the Global Forum for Migration and Development (GFMD) May 13 and will return to New York May 15.
South Sudan: UNMISS released a report today highlighting human rights violations and violations of international law that have been committed by both sides since the conflict began. The report asks for further independent and transparent investigations.
Security Council: The Security Council had consultations today on Syria’s chemical weapons and was briefed by the Special Coordinator of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons-UN Joint Mission, Sigrid Kaag. The SC also adopted a resolution to create a medal for UN military, police and civilian personnel, “the Captain Mbaye Diagne Medal for Exceptional Courage.”
Pakistan: Kyung-wha Kang, Assistant SG for Humanitarian Affairs, encouraged support for the millions of Pakistanis burdened by natural disasters and malnutrition on the last day of her trip.
Philippines: Six months after Typhoon Haiyan, millions of people in the Philippines still live with inadequate shelter. According to the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in the Philippines, more funds are needed to rebuild and maintain progress.
Appointment: The SG appointed Marco Carmignani as Deputy Special Representative with the UN Peacebuilding Support Office in Guinea-Bissau.
WASH: WHO and UNICEF released a report today highlighting global inequalities in access to safe drinking water and sanitation. While the report did mention some areas of progress, people living in low-income settlements or outside of cities and small towns are still in need. According to the report, 116 countries met the MDG target for drinking water, 77 countries met the MDG target for sanitation and 56 countries met the MDG targets for both drinking water and sanitation by 2012.