"YEMEN"

UN chief Antonio Guterres said his global ceasefire appeal is resonating across the world but noted that there is “huge distance between declarations and deeds” and stressed that to “silence the guns, we must raise the voices for peace.” UNIFEED

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

A UN Spokesperson said that the Office of the Special Envoy for Yemen is "engaging the parties on reaching agreements on a nationwide ceasefire, humanitarian and economic measures to alleviate the suffering of the Yemeni people, adding that "this process further aims to foster joint efforts to counter the threat of COVID-19." UNIFEED

The Security Council will turn to technology in April to tackle the humanitarian crises in Yemen and Syria, address conflict-induced hunger, promote the youth, peace and security agenda, and respond to the threat of COVID-19, says its President for the month, José Singer Weisinger, Special Envoy from the Dominican Republic.

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

Ambassador José Singer of the Dominican Republic, President of the Security Council for the month of April, announced that the Council will begin holding open briefings via video teleconference (VTC), including a meeting on the issue of COVID-19, currently under discussion. UNIFEED

The coronavirus pandemic has become the largest near-term challenge for the Middle East and Central Asia, with three-quarters of its countries reporting at least one confirmed case of COVID-19 and some facing a major outbreak. IMF

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