"SECRETARY-GENERAL"

Briefing journalists today in New York, a UN Spokesperson said that according to Food and Agriculture Organization, “world food commodity prices declined in January for the tenth consecutive month.” UNIFEED

The United Nations and humanitarian partners launched an appeal for $751 million “to meet the urgent needs of 5.7 million people, over half of whom are women and children” in Mali, a UN spokesperson said. UNIFEED

Updating reporters on the situation in Ethiopia, a UN spokesperson said, “Since the Cessation of Hostilities agreement in mid-November, more than 127,000 tons of food have been brought into Tigray, reaching more than 3.8 million people.” UNIFEED

The Special Representative of the Secretary-General in Iraq, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, told the Security Council she wanted to “convey both a sense of hope, and a sense of urgency” about the future of the country. UNIFEED

Updating reporters today on the situation in Ukraine, a UN spokesperson said, “the fierce fighting continues in the eastern Donetsk region, with civilians being killed and injured on both sides of the front line.” UNIFEED

Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Martin Griffiths said, humanitarian agencies will continue to work in Afghanistan, “unless and until there is a blanket opposition to the role of women.” UNIFEED

Briefing journalists in New York today, a UN spokesperson reported that the UN Refugee Agency, together with 41 international and national partners, launched today the 2023 funding appeal to assist more than 900,000 refugees in Sudan. UNIFEED

Updating reporters today on the situation in Ukraine, a UN spokesperson said that fighting and hostilities over the weekend killed and injured civilians, while critical facilities, including several hospitals, were damaged on both sides of the frontline. UNIFEED

Commenting on guidelines expected to be issued by Taliban authorities to allow women to work in humanitarian operations in Afghanistan, the United Nations top humanitarian official said “Let’s see if these guidelines do come through. Let's see if they are beneficial. Let's see what space there is for the essential and central role of women in our humanitarian operations.” UNIFEED

“The Secretary-General strongly condemns the suicide bombing that took place at a mosque in Peshawar in Pakistan, earlier today,” a UN spokesperson told reporters. UNIFEED