Syria: UNHCR announced today that the Za’atri camp has been affected by heavy rainfall in Jordan. UNHCR and its partners are working to drain the section of the camp affected, mitigate the effects of further rainfall, and has relocated some of those affected to pre-fabricated housing. UNICEF is also working continuously with its partners to sustain the provision of services to the camp where some 55,000 children are living, and to ensure that all refugees have access to water, latrines, and showers. UNICEF noted that their funds raised for 2012 have been exhausted and that no new funds have yet arrived for 2013.
Mali: The UN is concerned about the reported military movements of rebel groups and increased tension in northern Mali. The Spokesperson noted that the UN asks the Malian rebel groups to abide by SC resolutions 2071 and 2085, calling for them to cut off all ties with terrorist organizations, and to adhere to the cessation of hostilities declared on December 4, 2012. The SGSR for West Africa and Special Envoy for the Sahel are both watching the situation. ECOWAS is set to resume negotiations on Mali on January 21.
Haiti: DPKO Chief Hervé Ladsous is visiting Haiti in preparation for the third anniversary of the devastating earthquake in 2010. He met with Haitian President Michel Martelly upon arrival yesterday afternoon and is scheduled to meet a number of government officials, including the Minister of Foreign Affairs. He will also meet with officials and staff from MINUSTAH, and will return to New York this weekend.
UNAMID: Following violence in North Darfur earlier this week, UNAMID has dispatched a verification patrol to Jabel Amer, has mobilized its medical teams, three special flights, and has evacuated a number of injured persons from the area. In efforts to mediate tension, the Mission’s acting chief held talks with the Wali of North Darfur and offered UNAMID’s assistance in facilitating humanitarian aid as well as mediation and reconciliation efforts. The Mission has provided air support to a high-level delegation led by the Wali in the Jabel Amer area.
DSG: The DSG will travel to Washington D.C. for meetings with senior officials at the World Bank on Friday to discuss further collaboration between the UN and the World Bank. He will meet with the Bank’s President, Mr. Jim Yong Kim, and take part in a roundtable discussion with the members of the Board of Executive Directors. He is also scheduled to meet with Mr. Mahmoud Mohieldin, Special Envoy and Representative on Millennium Development Goals and Financial Development; Ms, Caroline Anstey, Managing Director; and Ms. Rachel Kyte, Vice-President of Sustainable Development, as well as other senior World Bank officials.