"CONFLICT SITUATION"

As another round of talks on Syria’s future constitution is set to begin at United Nations premises in Switzerland on Monday, Geir Pedersen, the UN Special Envoy for Syria, expressed his hope that the co-chairs of the 45-member committee, known in diplomatic parlance as the Small Body, will agree on work plans with clear agendas and topics and with an urgency in delivering progress in this process. UNTV CH

UN Special Envoy for Yemen Martin Griffiths said he is “extremely concerned about the impact of the decision from the United States to designate Ansar Allah as a Foreign Terrorist Organization.” UNIFEED

A flag Installation ceremony of the newly elected non-permanent members to the Security Council for the term 2021-2022 - Mexico, India, Ireland, Kenya, and Norway - took place today at UN Headquarters. UNIFEED

Humanitarian agencies reported that, despite limited access to conflict areas, assistance “has started to gradually trickle” into Ethiopia’s Tigray province, according to a UN spokesperson. UNIFEED

Two UN interagency assessment teams are expected to enter Tigray today to assess the humanitarian needs, following the official approval from the Federal Government, said a UN Spokesperson. UNIFEED

Briefing reporters on the situation in Ethiopia, a UN spokesperson said “our humanitarian colleagues continue to tell us of dire shortages of food, water, fuel, cash, and electricity, as well as telecommunication services and other vital supplies” in the Tigray region. UNIFEED

The World Food Programme warned that looming famine in Yemen “is a ticking time bomb and the world needs to act now.” UNTV CH

Secretary-General António Guterres told reporters that the “immediate priority” in Ethiopia was “the well-being of the people of Tigray and ensuring those in need urgently receive humanitarian assistance,” as well as “ the swift resumption of the rule of law, in a secure environment and in full respect for human rights, paving the way for a true and lasting reconciliation.” UNIFEED

UN Secretary-General António Guterres said preventing genocide ultimately involves all of society, and stressed the need to “work harder to repair the fissures and polarization that are so prevalent in our societies today.” UNIFEED

High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet said the situation in Ethiopia “is spiraling out of control, with appalling impact on civilians.” UNTV CH