Safety & Security

Summary

During August 2017, 12 incidents of violence against health care were reported.

Of these, three have been verified and nine are still being verified as seven of them in besieged or hard to reach areas. Among the verified attacks, two incidents were identified on specialized pediatric and maternity hospitals.

Supporting life-saving, coordinated and effective response

The humanitarian situation in Somalia deteriorated in 2016 due to protracted conflict and prolonged drought conditions in most parts of the country. By December 2016, the number of people in need of humanitarian assistance had reached 5 million, a 28 per cent increase from 3.9 million in February.

Speech by ICRC President Peter Maurer, High-Level Event on the Humanitarian Crisis in Yemen, United Nations General Assembly, 72nd session.

Like others in this room, I was in Yemen just a few weeks ago. What I saw was a stark reminder of how the pain of conflict permeates deep into communities and how webs of alliances equipped with easily available weapons complicate and prolong wars.

Murder of Red Cross physiotherapist Lorena Enebral Perez by wheelchair-bound patient offers new focal point for concern among aid workers

On the morning of 11 September, Lorena Enebral Perez met with a 21-year-old polio patient at a clinic in northern Afghanistan with a simple, gracious task: to help the wheelchair-bound man to walk.

Read the full article on The Guardian

The Government of Sudan’s long record of stifling dissent continued in late 2016 and early 2017. Between October 2016 and April 2017, at least 77 people were subjected to arbitrary arrests and detention in Sudan. These opposition political activists and human rights defenders are routinely subjected to torture and other ill-treatment and detained for long period without charges solely for the peaceful exercise of their rights to freedom of expression, assembly and association.

• Several incidents in central Rakhine over the past 24 hours indicate a serious deterioration of the security situation. In the late evening of 18 September, an ICRC vessel, which was being loaded with supplies for distribution, was attacked by a large group of protesters. Threats against United Nations and INGO offices are reportedly circulating on social media. All agencies have been advised to remain vigilant.

Speech by ICRC President Peter Maurer, High-Level Humanitarian Event on South Sudan, United Nations General Assembly, 72nd session.

The humanitarian situation in South Sudan today is rapidly deteriorating, spiralling further and further out of control. The numbers of people affected run into the millions and comprise a significant proportion of the country’s population.

The impact of the conflict has gone far beyond the frontlines of war: sparking food shortages, an economic crisis and causing a massive displacement of people.

Co-chairs’ summary issued on behalf of Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Mr. Mark Lowcock; African Union Commissioner for Political Affairs, H.E. Ms. Minata Samate Cessouma; and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Norway, H.E. Mr. Børge Brende

On 20 September 2017, we hosted a high-level meeting to draw international attention to the escalating humanitarian crisis in South Sudan with participation from United Nations Member States, regional organizations, UN partners and members of the civil society.

1. Le 19 Septembre 2017, en marge de la 72ème session ordinaire de l’Assemblée générale des Nations Unies, s’est tenue une réunion ministérielle de haut niveau sur la République centrafricaine (RCA), co-présidée par le Secrétaire général des Nations Unies, M. António Guterres, le Président de la République centrafricaine, M. Faustin-Archange Touadéra, et le Président de la Commission de l’Union africaine, M. Moussa Faki Mahamat. La réunion s’est tenue en partenariat avec la Communauté économique des Etats de l’Afrique centrale, l’Union européenne et la Banque mondiale.

1. On 19 September 2017, a High-Level Ministerial Meeting on the Central African Republic was held on the margins of the 72nd ordinary session of the General Assembly of the United Nations, co-chaired by the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mr. Antonio Guterres, the President of the Central African Republic, Mr. Faustin-Archange Touadéra, and the President of the African Union Commission, Mr. Moussa Faki Mahamat. The meeting was organized in partnership with the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), the European Union and the World Bank.

Toronto, ON- A massive spike in violence today in the areas of southern Idlib and northern Hama in Syria has left 3 hospitals, 3 ambulance centres and 3 White Helmets facilities out of service. Two paramedics and a female custodian were killed and several others were wounded.

At 11 a.m. Damascus time, the Hand in Hand Hospital (formerly Orient Hospital) in Kafr Nabl was attacked and put out of service. The hospital sustained major damage and people near the hospital were wounded.

Statement attributable to Dr Peter Salama, Executive Director, WHO Health Emergencies Programme

Multiple reported attacks on health facilities and personnel today in Syria have killed and injured health workers and disrupted health services for thousands of people.

According to WHO local partners, several ambulances and hospitals in Idleb province were reportedly hit by airstrikes within a few hours.

All three hospitals in Kafr Nabl, Khan Sheikhoun and Heish sub-districts are no longer in service.

CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC

16,000 IDPs FLEE FRESH CLASHES IN BASSE-KOTTO

Recent clashes between armed groups in two localities in the southern Basse-Kotto prefecture have forced around 16,000 displaced people to flee for safety in the neighbouring Ouaka prefecture. They were initially uprooted from their homes in May. The displacement has left them in desperate need of emergency assistance, especially shelter, basic household items, food, water, hygiene and protection.

DR CONGO

RÉPUBLIQUE CENTRAFRICAINE

16 000 PDI FUIENT DE NOUVEAUX AFFRONTEMENTS EN BASSE-KOTTO

Les affrontements récents entre groupes armés dans deux localités de la préfecture de la BasseKotto, au sud, ont obligé environ 16 000 personnes déplacées à trouver refuge dans la préfecture voisine de la Ouaka. Elles avaient déjà fui leurs foyers en mai. Ce nouveau déplacement les a laissé dans le besoin désespéré d‘une aide d'urgence, en particulier d’abris, articles ménagers de base, nourriture, eau, hygiène et protection.

Bangui, 11 Septembre 2017 – Le Comité de Coordination des ONG Internationales en RCA condamne fermement l’attaque ciblée contre les acteurs humanitaires dans la ville de Batangafo, au nord du pays, jeudi 7 septembre 2017.

Regional Highlights

• A cholera epidemics breaks in north-east Nigeria on 16 August 2017 with, as of 13 September, 45 dead amongst 1,925 cases recorded in Borno State.

• The hepatitis E epidemic declared in April in Niger is marking a decreasing trend, after recording 1,672 cases in the Diffa region.

• Cameroon’s Far North is witnessing an increase in incidents and attacks as well as a geographical shift in violent incidents from Logone-and-Chari to Mayo Sava department.

Résumé

Summary

Countrywide Conflict Displacement

From 1 January to 16 September 2017, 250,985 people have fled their homes due to conflict in Afghanistan. This is more than 21,000 people more than reported in the previous week, notably due to verification of earlier reports and assessments of displaced families.

The war in Syria is entering a new phase, as Bashar al-Assad’s government forces, backed by Russia and Iran, are already claiming victory. While the rest of the world focusses on the fight against ISIS, the Assad regime continues its campaign to force civilians opposed to his government to surrender.

However, this “victory”will not bring stability, as it will make the displacement of millions of people permanent. Nor will hasty reconstruction, since so much of the population is left out.