"WATER SUPPLY"

“Five million people are being affected by the ongoing water crisis” in the north and northeast of Syria, the United Nations said on Tuesday, calling for a “multi sector response” of USD 251 million to target 3.4 million of the most impacted people over the next six months. UNIFEED

Recognizing the needs of displaced people who have fled recent conflict in Tambura, Western Equatoria, Blue Helmets from the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) have started water collection escort patrols. The main aim: To accompany displaced people as they fetch water from a nearby source. UNMISS

UNICEF warned that close to one million children in Afghanistan are facing the threat of acute malnutrition, as a result of drought and the ongoing conflict there. UNICEF

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

In Bangladesh, water scarcity threatens agricultural production and the livelihoods of farmers. Inefficient irrigation practices cause huge water losses that deplete underground water reserves. In addition, the excessive use of fossil fuels in running irrigation systems leads to environmental pollution that contributes to climate change and ultimately affects the livelihoods of farmers. FAO

Escalating conflict, deepening economic crisis in Syria pushing humanitarian needs to highest levels since start of conflict, senior officials tell Security Council.

The Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for the Horn of Africa, Parfait Onanga-Anyanga, told the Security Council that despite various attempts at negotiations between Egypt, Ethiopia, and the Sudan, “the parties have been unable to agree on a framework of engagement to settle the remaining contentious issues” related to the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). UNIFEED

Building resilience against future shocks through structural changes and investment in sustainable infrastructure

United Nations spokesperson Eri Kaneko expressed concern about reports of a disruption of the water supply from Alouk water station to Al-Haskakeh in Syria, affecting up to one million people in the region. UNIFEED

Briefing by Eri Kaneko, Associate Spokeswoman for the Secretary-General.