“These incidents are unacceptable and demand full accountability,” he said after the UN Interim Force in Lebanon, UNIFIL, suffered three fatalities within 24 hours at the end of March.
Attacks on United Nations peacekeepers may constitute war crimes under international law.
Situation continually monitored
Earlier in the day, the head of Peace Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, told troop-contributing countries that the UN has a firm commitment to establish the full facts and circumstances surrounding the deaths and injuries sustained by ‘blue helmets’ serving the mission.
Hostilities continue between Israeli forces and Hezbollah militants, which has led to mass displacement across the country with over 1,200 Lebanese killed and more than 3,500 injured. Many women, children and first responders are among the dead
He stressed that developments on the ground will continue to be monitored to enhance safety and security and to mitigate risks.
Under these challenging conditions, Mr. Lacroix also expressed his sincere gratitude for the commitment of the courageous women and men serving in the UN’s peace operations in the Middle East, in line with Security Council mandates.
More than 200,000 have crossed from Lebanon into neighbouring Syria since the escalation began.
UN mission in Haiti starts to support gang fighting force
A UN mission tasked with supporting the Security Council-backed Gang Suppression Force in Haiti began work in the crisis-hit Caribbean island nation on Wednesday.
Criminal gangs have terrorized local people in Haiti for years and are responsible for murders, rape, kidnaps for ransom, extortion and coercing children into their ranks.
The UN Support Office in Haiti (UNSOH) will provide logistical support including providing living and office accommodation, medical support, rations, water, wastewater and solid waste management, as well as power, fuel, ground mobility, aviation, ICT support and security services.
Check out our explainer here on what the UN is doing in Haiti.
Capital under siege
Gangs are thought to control around 90 per cent of the Haitian capital Port-au-Prince and have recently expanded into more rural areas.
The Gang Suppression Force – a multinational mission authorised by the UN Security Council – is tasked with conducting operations to counter armed gangs, protecting critical infrastructure and assisting in establishing security conditions necessary for elections and the delivery of humanitarian aid.
When fully staffed it will have some 5,550 personnel.
Drought and conflict drive hunger crisis in Somalia
Drought, conflict and cuts to aid funding “could spell catastrophe” for the Somalia’s children, the UN’s Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has said.
In Baidoa, capital of South West state, families have come to seek shelter and assistance, after fleeing their homes and livelihoods. The town now hosts around 430,000 uprooted people.
For the most severe cases of malnutrition, the agency provides emergency medical treatment and fortified milk for infants.
“The majority of children survive after receiving care,” but malnutrition is increasing the longer the drought goes on, UNICEF said.
Recent conflict fuelling crisis
The Humanitarian Coordinator in Somalia, George Conway, called for de-escalation in South West State, where tensions and clashes forced some 45,000 people to flee their homes over the last week.
Mr. Conway said that these knew pressures add further strain to the 30 per cent of the population who live in displacement sites.
“[They] were already struggling to cope with the compounded impacts of severe drought”, he said.
