"SYRIA"

UN chief Antonio Guterres “strongly” appealed to the members of the Security Council to reach consensus on allowing cross border operations in Syria as “a vital channel of support for another year,” adding that “A failure to extend the Council’s authorization would have devastating consequences.” UNIFEED

Briefing Security Council, Secretary-General implores members to reach consensus on extending cross-border humanitarian aid deliveries into Syria.

Noon briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.

As he prepares to leave office on Friday, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Mark Lowcock said, “the last four years have been an unusually difficult time,” marked by protracted and emerging conflicts, the rising impacts of climate change, and the toll of diseases such as Ebola and now COVID-19, bringing the number of people requiring assistance and protection to unprecedented levels. UNIFEED

Briefing by Stephane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.

Ahead of World Refugee Day, High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi and United States Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield spoke about this year’s theme, The Power of Inclusion, and how refugees can contribute to society. UNIFEED

Briefing by Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.

UN Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen “strongly condemned” the attack on Al-Shifaa hospital in Afrin city in northern Syria, which resulted in the “killing and injuring of civilians, including medical personnel, and the destruction of parts of the hospital,” according to a spokesperson. UNIFEED

Vulnerable Venezuelan migrants and refugees who have been hit particularly hard by the COVID-19 health and socio-economic crisis urgently need greater support from the international community, UN humanitarians said today, ahead of a donor conference hosted by Canada next week. UNTV CH

Solving world’s problems requires ‘global cooperation based on agreed rules’, European Union High Representative tells Security Council.