YouSaid · the spoken record

Holmes

lines on the record: 557
first: 2007-04-04
most recent: 2010-07-07
sittings or episodes: 25
sources: un-security-council

Every line below is reproduced as it was said and linked to the record it came from. Nothing here is summarised or generated. Directory · Search · Corrections

“Some 12,000 Kenyan refugees in Uganda are also being looked after. Most of the basic humanitarian needs in the camps and sites have, I believe, been reasonably met so far. The Kenya Red Cross Society has led the response, together with the relevant government services, and has played a key role in that success. The initial strategy of the United Nations humanitarian agencies and non-governmental organization (NGO) partners, which responded quickly and effectively to the new and unexpected crisis, was to support and complement the national response capacity, in a country that does not lack resources or a strong civil society. There have been many challenges to overcome. In the first chaotic weeks, displaced Kenyans moved around the country rapidly and unpredictably, driven by violence and threats of violence, but also by fear and rumours.”
2008-02-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5845 (2008) · source
“My other aims were to assess the humanitarian situation on the ground, in particular by visiting some of those most affected by the violence; to make clear to all concerned our commitment to completely impartial help for all those in need; and to make sure that the humanitarian 2 community is fully prepared for the challenges in the coming months. As a result of the violence, which left around 1,000 people dead, at least 300,000 people were driven from their homes - and probably many more. Over 270,000 people from six of Kenya's eight provinces remain in approximately 200 camps and sites in the Rift Valley, Nyanza, Western, Coastal and Central Provinces. An estimated 500,000 people altogether continue to require emergency assistance, with shelter, water, food and medical care.”
2008-02-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5845 (2008) · source
“Mr. Holmes: I am grateful for this opportunity to brief the Council on my visit to Kenya from 8 to 10 February. I apologize if I have kept the Council waiting; I think there was a misunderstanding about the timing. I went to Kenya in response to the post-electoral wave of violence and its devastating impact on so many ordinary Kenyans, and at the specific request of the Secretary-General. My first objective was to reaffirm the practical support of the United Nations for the people of Kenya at this extremely difficult time. As part of that, I made clear again that the full weight of the United Nations was behind the mediation process led by former Secretary-General Kofi Annan.”
2008-02-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5845 (2008) · source
“They are a reflection of the peace and security problems in that area and probably also have implications for the peace and security problems in this highly explosive area in the Horn of Africa, if we do not resolve those problems quickly.”
2007-12-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5792 (2007) · source
“I entirely agree that if we compare the kind of issues that we were raising in the report of the Secretary-General in November and the situation in Somalia, that is clear illustration of how far we have to go in some of these areas. Finally, I thank delegations for their interest and support. Once again, the support of this Council is absolutely vital for what we are trying to achieve. Let me reassure all concerned that we will continue to do all that we can to face up to these humanitarian problems and to step up our relief efforts in all three of those places, because they are profoundly worrying and they do have implications.”
2007-12-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5792 (2007) · source
“I agree that that is profoundly preoccupying. Humanitarian operations are having great difficulty in continuing while fighting between the Government and rebels is going on. Movement is heavily restricted, and if that situation is not resolved quickly it will start to have a 22 very serious impact on the ground in terms of the help we can give to the 230,000 refugees in camps in eastern Chad and the 180,000 internally displaced persons who are also there. This is something we need to follow very carefully. I hope the fighting will stop soon, and I echo the calls that others have made for a final end to mutual support of rebels across that border. Mr. President, you referred to the importance of the protection of civilians in the particular context of Somalia.”
2007-12-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5792 (2007) · source
“Meanwhile, the dangers faced by humanitarian workers are illustrated again by the fact that a World Food Programme driver was killed - I think earlier today in Afghanistan - which again is an illustration of the problems we face. Many people referred, as I did myself, to the very serious situation in Mogadishu, the apparently indiscriminate and disproportionate attacks going on there and reciprocal fighting, which is having a terrible effect on the civilians. I agree that that is a terrible problem. We need to repeat that those who are operating in Mogadishu from all sides must be regarded as accountable for their actions. I think that is a very important principle to stress. Several delegations referred also to the very worrying situation in eastern Chad, which obviously has a linkage with what is going on in Darfur.”
2007-12-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5792 (2007) · source
“Several delegations mentioned the question of piracy off Somalia. Allow me to take the opportunity to welcome the steps that have been taken to try to reduce and eliminate it, not least the protection given by French naval vessels to the recent World Food Programme ship that arrived in Merca a few days ago. Some delegations also referred to the incident that that gave rise to, when there seemed to be a ban on humanitarian operations in that particular region. That was happily resolved. But this is an illustration of the problems we face in Somalia with the authorities, and I very much hope that the new Government and its new Prime Minister will take a very different attitude in the future and will facilitate humanitarian aid much more.”
2007-12-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5792 (2007) · source
“But I accept that we need to move to a meeting as soon as possible. Meanwhile, the procedures under that High-level Committee have not ceased and have continued to operate. But I entirely agree that a meeting of the High-level Committee would be desirable soon. One or two delegations commented correctly on the impact of weather on some of these humanitarian situations and that is certainly the case. I would draw the attention of the Council to some early indications I heard while I was in Darfur that the harvest in Darfur this year, at least in the south and the north, will likely be poor. That is going to put an extra strain on our humanitarian operations. So we will be planning to step up our food relief efforts, not only to those in camps, but also to the wider population who may face a longer hunger gap than normal.”
2007-12-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5792 (2007) · source
“Similarly in Somalia - however difficult it may seem in present circumstances - a cessation of hostilities, if it could be agreed, would be extremely valuable, not least because of the situation in Mogadishu itself. One or two other points came up during the discussion. I think the delegation of the United Kingdom mentioned the desirability of a further meeting of the High-level Committee that was designed to follow the implementation of the Joint Communique on Facilitation of Humanitarian Assistance in Darfur, and I entirely agree. The reason there has not been a recent meeting - I think the last meeting was in September - is because there has not been a Minister for Humanitarian Affairs in the Sudan as a result of the difficulties between the north and the south over the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement.”
2007-12-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5792 (2007) · source
“I did not make the point in my initial intervention, but what would be extremely valuable - in particular, I think, in Darfur, but also in Somalia - would be some kind of cessation of hostilities that could be agreed to by all sides and that would give a respite at the very least, if not a more lasting relief, from the fighting and the violence, which is what causes the humanitarian problems or makes them so much worse. I take the opportunity to say that I still think a humanitarian ceasefire in Darfur is necessary. There have been suggestions by the Government of the Sudan that they are prepared to contemplate that, as long as others reciprocate. That would obviously be extremely useful and would help to avert some of the problems I have discussed.”
2007-12-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5792 (2007) · source
“I think the point I know I have tried to make is that some kind of political framework is needed, some kind of situation in which to try to support a political process; otherwise the situation can become very difficult indeed, and it is possible for contingents to become part of the problem rather than part of the solution. Having said that, I think we all entirely accept the need for the kind of contingency planning that has been talked about and for a possible United Nations successor force to AMISOM. Many delegations commented on the problems of security that underlie so many of the humanitarian problems in the areas I have been talking about. Again, I fully agree with that.”
2007-12-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5792 (2007) · source
“I think we need to keep those expectations in check to avoid too much disappointment afterwards, because it is clear that it will take some time for UNAMID to reach its full capacity. In any case, as I said, some of the expectations in some of the camps are simply not aligned with reality. You make some powerful points, Sir, about the need to avoid any suggestion of a double standard existing between Somalia and Darfur. I do not want to go into this in too much detail. That is obviously more the business of my colleagues in the Department of Peacekeeping Operations and in the Department of Political Affairs. Of course, I agree that when we talk about a peace to keep, we should not be thinking about a perfectly peaceful situation, because we certainly do not need a peacekeeping force at that point.”
2007-12-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5792 (2007) · source
“President, have talked about the need for and the importance of peacekeeping operations in two of the situations we have been discussing, that is, the earliest possible deployment of the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) in Darfur and the strengthening of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). I fully agree that those forces need early deployment and strengthening in order to create better environments for civilians and for humanitarian workers to operate. I note that there are still in some areas - and I saw this again when I was in Darfur in some internally displaced persons (IDPs) camps, for example - some exaggerated expectations of the likelihood of UNAMID transforming the situation overnight.”
2007-12-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5792 (2007) · source
“Mr. Holmes: May I thank all the delegations who spoke this morning for the support they expressed for the efforts we are making. I was struck by the large measure of agreement around the table on the seriousness of the humanitarian issues I have discussed, on the need to continue to carefully monitor those situations and on the need for political action in all cases to try to remove the causes of those problems, because - as someone remarked here today, and I fully agree - humanitarian help can only be a sticking plaster, not a solution for these problems. Many speakers, including you yourself, Mr.”
2007-12-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5792 (2007) · source
“They are a reflection of the huge and linked political and security challenges that this region now faces and which must be a major concern for this Council.”
2007-12-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5792 (2007) · source
“Respect for international humanitarian law is essential, now more than ever, a point I raised strongly with both the Ethiopian and Somali Governments, but which applies just as much to those fighting them. The international community has the responsibility not to abandon the Somali people to their 6 fate, but to help all concerned to find a way out of the traps they find themselves in. There is no simple solution, certainly not a military one. Peacekeeping forces need a peace to keep, above all in this troubled country. But lack of high-level attention is not an option for Somalia, any more than it is for Darfur. I am extremely concerned by the humanitarian situation in all three areas I visited.”
2007-12-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5792 (2007) · source
“There are some 1.5 million people in need altogether. I, therefore, appeal to the donor community, the agencies and the international NGOs to increase their presence and the resources dedicated to Somalia. In 2007, we requested $300 million for the Consolidated Appeal for Somalia. In 2008, that figure will rise to at least $400 million. But a robust humanitarian response cannot make up for the absence of desperately needed political and security progress. I fear, on the basis of what I heard, that increasingly terrible things are now happening in Mogadishu, as it descends into the nightmare of urban guerrilla warfare and reciprocal atrocities.”
2007-12-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5792 (2007) · source
“In Baidoa, I met the newly appointed Prime Minister, Nur Hassan Hussein, former President of the Somali Red Crescent Society. Mr. Hussein shared my concern about the severity of the humanitarian crisis and agreed that there should be no distinction among vulnerable people when it comes to the right to be assisted. He also promised the Government's full help. We discussed ways to overcome the mistrust between the Transitional Federal Government and the international humanitarian organizations, and the priority to be given to the protection of civilians, particularly in Mogadishu. He made it clear that the humanitarian crisis, security and political reconciliation were his three top priorities. We need to see that translated into action. Meanwhile, we need to step up our relief efforts further.”
2007-12-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5792 (2007) · source
“Let me, therefore, pay warm tribute to the humanitarian workers who operate in such a hostile environment, particularly national staff, who have often themselves now been displaced from Mogadishu with their own families. 5 While a decent relief effort may now be under way in the area I visited, there are still huge challenges. I am particularly concerned about the seriousness of the situation of the other hundreds of thousands of people displaced from Mogadishu, scattered over inaccessible areas in South and Central Somalia. I am even more concerned about those still in Mogadishu. A World Food Programme programme to serve up to 50,000 prepared meals a day to the most vulnerable has just started. However, such efforts are far from enough to cover the needs - particularly if violence and displacement continue at their current pace.”
2007-12-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5792 (2007) · source
“Abdi herself is an inspiring example of the dedication of some Somali citizens to relieve the suffering of their own people. Virtually all these relief activities are implemented through local partners or national staff of international NGOs and United Nations agencies. With very few exceptions, international humanitarian staff do not feel able to work in the area because of security concerns, including extortion and violence at checkpoints and roadblocks. Our convoy had the benefit of heavy security arrangements. Armed elements were nevertheless clearly visible along the road. The prevailing atmosphere of mistrust between the authorities and the international organizations, and the resulting incidents and administrative difficulties, have not helped.”
2007-12-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5792 (2007) · source
“Clean water is being trucked in; distributions of plastic sheeting are providing cover; the building of much-needed latrines and sanitation facilities is making progress. A five-day vaccination campaign for all of the children in the areas was well under way while I was there, and the World Food Programme had recently distributed food to 180,000 people. I also visited the largest camp, known as Dr. Hawa Abdi, named after the doctor who has run a clinic there for the past 16 years, with more than 4,000 families or 25,000. Dr. Hawa Abdi runs a treatment centre there, which also hosts a therapeutic feeding centre run by Medecins Sans Frontieres Switzerland. Every one of the 60 beds for malnourished children was being used, reflecting the alarming malnutrition rates. Dr.”
2007-12-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5792 (2007) · source
“I drove along most of this road and was able to see the extent of the over 70 IDP camps. Some have mushroomed in the past month. Others already have 07-62908 signboards advertising the name of the settlement and even the phone number, as if they expected to last. All the people I spoke to in the camps had fled the violence and intimidation that have made life in Mogadishu so unliveable. Some spoke to me of snipers fuelling panic in the streets. Many left with nothing but the clothes on their backs. I visited a recent IDP settlement called Gutale, hosting about 600 families. The shelters were rudimentary, literally branches and cloth, and people's distress was clear. Nevertheless, an active relief response is now visible.”
2007-12-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5792 (2007) · source
“Finally, I have talked only about Darfur today. I did not visit Juba in the South on this mission. But there are significant continuing humanitarian operations in the South, and I take this opportunity to underline as forcefully as I can the fundamental importance of the North-South relationship, including for Darfur. The last leg of my mission was a brief visit to Somalia, for the second time this year. I visited the area where a large proportion of those fleeing the capital have sought shelter. The United Nations estimates that more than half of the city has been emptied of its citizens, or 600,000 people altogether. Some 230,000 of them are now living along a lS-kilometre stretch of road between Mogadishu and the small town of Afgooye, probably the single largest IDP gathering in the world today.”
2007-12-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5792 (2007) · source
“Morale among the humanitarian aid workers is low - lower than when I was last there in March - because of the multiple pressures I have mentioned. The political context is changing as rebel groups jockey for position and some Arab groups flex their muscles in new ways. The Government of Sudan, and all the armed groups, have a particular responsibility to avoid any unravelling of the humanitarian operation. The main requirement, as we all know, is an inclusive peace agreement as soon as possible, reinforced by a peacekeeping force capable of monitoring the peace and ensuring the protection of civilians. But, while it is right to ensure a focus on the justice, political and peacekeeping tracks, the humanitarian operation itself could soon be in real jeopardy. It requires close monitoring from all concerned, not least this Council.”
2007-12-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5792 (2007) · source
“The reality is that the need for humanitarian assistance in Darfur continues to grow. The 2008 workplan for the Sudan will appeal for $825 million 07-62908 for humanitarian needs and for some early recovery activities in Darfur. In this context, let me repeat how much I would like to see the moratorium on restrictions and the fast-track procedures formally extended soon, since that would give all partners of the workplan, particularly NGOs, the certainty they need to plan ahead for 2008. I have detailed these challenges to underscore that, despite its scale and relative success in sustaining millions and saving hundreds of thousands of lives, the humanitarian operation in Darfur is increasingly fragile.”
2007-12-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5792 (2007) · source
“However, the necessary conditions for large-scale returns across Darfur do not yet exist, in my view and in the view of most outside observers, and to encourage return without security would endanger the lives of those who have already suffered too much. The United Nations, nevertheless, stands ready to work on returns with the Government and the displaced, as and when the conditions are appropriate. Another key current issue in some of the more volatile camps, such as Kalma, near Nyala, is the presence of arms, which jeopardizes the safety of all concerned. I call on all parties to respect the civilian character of the camps. Recent constructive discussions between the Government of Southern Darfur and the African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS) about how to tackle the problems in KaIma camp are welcome and show the way forward.”
2007-12-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5792 (2007) · source
“Like the IDPs themselves, the United Nations and NGOs working in Darfur look forward eagerly to a time when peace is a reality and when people can return to their areas of origin in conditions of safety and dignity, or make the choice to settle elsewhere. In line with international principles and agreements between the United Nations and the Government of Sudan, return or resettlement must be voluntary - free of pressure or coercion - and may take place only after consultations with the displaced themselves and the humanitarian community. In several areas, such as Marla and Yassin in Southern Darfur, and near Kutum in Northern Darfur, some voluntary return has occurred with the support of the humanitarian community.”
2007-12-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5792 (2007) · source
“It is important to emphasize, as I did, that monitoring and speaking up for the rights of civilians and respect for humanitarian law and principles are fundamental to humanitarian action and reflect the concerns of this Council. During my visit, I appealed to the Government to use the high- level Committee as a forum for discussion to address any concerns, rather than to take unilateral actions, such as the recent expulsion of the head of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) office in South Darfur, which we have strongly contested. Humanitarian workers are there to help the people of Sudan and to help the Government of Sudan fulfil its responsibility to protect its own citizens, not for any other reason. The return or relocation of IDPs is clearly a very sensitive issue.”
2007-12-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5792 (2007) · source
“Tragically, 12 relief workers have been killed. In other words, those who have come just to help continue to be attacked in an atmosphere of near-total impunity. Those responsible for these attacks are often hard to identify with certainty. But they appear to come mainly from rebel groups and Sudan Liberation Army (SLA)/Minni Minawi elements. Hijackings and compound break-ins are also a growing phenomenon in and around the main towns such as Nyala and El Fasher, where the Government is clearly in control. In that context, I welcomed the pledge from a senior Government official to increase patrols in such areas. During my visit, Government officials repeatedly suggested that some humanitarian staff in Darfur were engaged in inappropriate activities.”
2007-12-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5792 (2007) · source
“Some of the survivors were in the camp I Visited near Ed Daein in South Darfur, although heavy security prevented me from speaking to them privately. Continuing hostilities and the unpredictable security situation are the greatest obstacles to access. But there is also justified concern over the refusal of national authorities to allow access in certain areas, for example Adilla and Jebel Marra, where there are tens of thousands of civilians in severe need. Access to some of the IDP camps near Nyala in South Darfur has, on occasion, also been restricted. Meanwhile, attacks on humanitarian personnel continue at unprecedented levels. Since the start of the year, 128 humanitarian vehicles have been hijacked, 118 staff temporarily taken hostage, more than 59 personnel physically or sexually assaulted and 74 convoys ambushed and looted.”
2007-12-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5792 (2007) · source
“Clashes between signatories and non-signatories of the Darfur Peace Agreement, aerial bombardments, 3 militia and inter-tribal clashes, banditry and general lawlessness continue to have a major impact on the population of Darfur. This year, nearly 280,000 more civilians have been forced to flee violence, many for the second or third time, to already overflowing camps for internally displaced persons (IDPs), or to seek refuge in the bush. The consequences are significant; they include increases in malnutrition in several areas of Darfur. There are other grim consequences too. In Adilla, an area in eastern South Darfur not far from Haskanita in North Darfur, where fighting started in August, one medical clinic reported 183 cases of sexually transmitted infections in September, including 40 cases in children under five years old.”
2007-12-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5792 (2007) · source
“While this progress is welcome, significant problems still remain. There are continuing challenges regarding the implementation of some of the fast-track procedures, such as the issue of initial entry visas, exit visas for NGO workers and the release of equipment from customs. Nevertheless, I welcome the clear assurances I was given about the renewal of the fast- track procedures when they expire on 31 January 2008. In my meetings with Government representatives, I also stressed the importance of strengthening trust and confidence between the Government and the humanitarian community and ensuring full implementation of the Joint Communique in spirit as well as in letter.”
2007-12-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5792 (2007) · source
“My objective was to review the implementation of the Joint Communique between the Government of Sudan and the United Nations on Facilitation of Humanitarian Activities in Darfur, signed just after my first visit in March, and to assess the humanitarian situation on the ground. Currently, some 13,300 relief workers in Darfur are assisting 4.2 million people affected by the conflict, including almost 2.4 million displaced persons. But the situation is gradually deteriorating, and the operation in many ways remains fragile. My serious concerns include restrictions on access, Violence affecting civilians and aid workers and respect of humanitarian principles by all parties to the conflict. The Joint Communique has helped to reduce some of the bureaucratic obstacles hindering relief agencies.”
2007-12-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5792 (2007) · source
“For my part, I will continue to monitor this very closely and am ready to authorize more resources, for example from the Central Emergency Respond Fund, if that should be needed. In the longer term, a return of peace and stability to the region would obviously be the best guarantee against disaster. I hope some kind of inclusive political dialogue to that end can start again soon. Meanwhile, I encourage the international community, not least members of the Security Council, to monitor the situation and to encourage political progress, in the light of the potential implications for peace and security in an increasingly explosive region. Allow me to turn to the Sudan.”
2007-12-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5792 (2007) · source
“I took these up with the Government and urged them again to allow independent investigation and monitoring. They contested the reports but said they would be responding to them. I take this opportunity to repeat the plea that any local investigation should also involve independent outside experts. Otherwise, suspicions about dreadful things happening, involving all sides, cannot be dispelled. In sum, the commitments of the Ethiopian Government, at the most senior level, to do everything 07-62908 necessary to make sure there is no famine give me a measure of hope. But I repeat that, if all the steps I have talked about are not taken, a disaster could unfold with frightening speed.”
2007-12-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5792 (2007) · source
“My own initial assessment of the crisis, on the basis of my visit and the contacts I was able to make, is that, while there may not currently be a humanitarian catastrophe, there are strong reasons to believe that such a catastrophe could occur in the next few months if all the necessary action to avert it is not taken. I should nevertheless make clear that no one from outside has yet been able to Visit many of the remote rural areas, where the conflict has been worst. The situation could well be even more serious there. We have all also seen and heard worrying reports about the human rights situation. The United Nations report recommended that the Government allow them to be investigated independently. I heard, indirectly, further reports of the same alarming kind while I was in the region.”
2007-12-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5792 (2007) · source
“On that basis, I urged him and the Deputy Prime Minister to allow full humanitarian access to the region, to speed up relief efforts, to enable more NGOs to operate within the military zone, to allow World Food Programme (WFP) trucks to move, in at least the safer areas, without military escorts, to allow government officials to resume their normal work, particularly in the health area, and to establish a high- level regular coordination forum between the Government and the humanitarian community. There has not yet been agreement to all those requests, but I believe we have made some progress, including in terms of access and presence on the ground. Nevertheless, there is still a huge amount to do.”
2007-12-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5792 (2007) · source
“We also discussed reported human rights violations. The Government's View, in brief, is that claims of major humanitarian problems are much exaggerated, that there are now no restrictions on commercial trade 07-62908 and that there should be no difficulty in getting food aid to the people, including in the remote areas. We had to agree to disagree about the analysis of the crisis, although we will try to reconcile our respective data. But the Prime Minister helpfully confirmed that the Government would respond as if our worst-case scenario predictions were justified. He assured me that all necessary steps would be taken to avoid any famine.”
2007-12-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5792 (2007) · source
“Eighteen non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have now been cleared to work in the military area to deliver much-needed humanitarian assistance. Against that background, I Visited Jijiga, the regional capital, and Kebri Dahar. I talked to the local authorities, and to United Nations and NGO humanitarian workers. I saw briefly a food distribution in Kebri Dahar, which might have been particularly staged for my visit. I was also able to look into the local market, where food was on sale, but at prices that seemed well above those in previous years, although food prices have increased significantly in Ethiopia generally in recent months. In Addis Ababa, I talked to members of the Government, from Prime Minister Meles Zenawi down, about their views of the situation and ways to improve the humanitarian response.”
2007-12-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5792 (2007) · source
“A poor recent rainy season and evidence of worrying health and nutrition situations have added to these fears. Finally, humanitarian access to the military zones, already heavily restricted, was aggravated in July when the Government expelled the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and Medecins Sans Frontieres-Holland from the region. The Government did not necessarily accept the evidence presented in the United Nations report, but it nevertheless agreed to implement its recommendations, in particular on commercial trade and food aid. After further negotiations, they have now allowed the United Nations to set up offices in two locations within the military zones, namely Kebri Dahar and Degehabur.”
2007-12-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5792 (2007) · source
“First, the military operations, and in particular Government concerns about the smuggling of weapons from Somalia, had severely limited movement of commercial traffic across the 2 Somali border. This is a historic trade route supporting the livelihood of 1.4 million people, predominantly pastoralists, whose income to buy food from across the border depends on the export of livestock. Secondly, insecurity has also had a direct effect on the delivery of food aid, required in recent years to assist the most vulnerable elements of the population. For example, it is currently estimated that 950,000 people require 53,000 metric tons of food for the next three months, but the process of moving the first 9,000 tons to the district capitals has only just been completed.”
2007-12-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5792 (2007) · source
“Mr. Holmes: I thank you, Sir, for the opportunity to brief the Council on my visit to Ethiopia, the Sudan and Somalia from 26 November to 4 December. In Ethiopia, I wanted to assess the humanitarian situation in the Somali region and discuss with the Government widespread fears of a severe humanitarian crisis there. The Somali region, one of the poorest regions of Ethiopia, has long been badly affected by the conflict between Government forces and the Ogaden National Liberation Front. Intensification of the conflict during 2007 has led to fears that already chronic food insecurity could give way to real famine conditions for a significant part of the 4.5 million- strong population. A United Nations assessment team, which Visited the region in early September, identified specific reasons for concern.”
2007-12-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5792 (2007) · source
“President, for the opportunity for this important, rich and indeed very well-attended debate. It encourages us to continue our work with other parts of the Secretariat to turn the words that we have heard today into actions on the ground, and to try to help the many innocent victims of the conflicts of the world. I thank all those who have participated in the debate.”
2007-11-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5781Resumption1 (2007) · source
“At the same time we need to ensure that those actions - helping the displaced, organizing safe firewood collection for women, or whatever it is that they are doing on the ground, and advocating the protection of civilians, which is part and parcel of modern humanitarian action as endorsed by this Council - are not somehow unjustifiably labelled as violations of local laws and traditions or regarded as in some way unacceptable political interference in internal affairs simply because they do not happen to coincide with the policies or attitudes of particular parties to a conflict. There are some important principles at stake here, as well as the safety and well- being of the committed individuals on the ground themselves. So we need to look at this with great care. Finally, let me just thank you again, Mr.”
2007-11-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5781Resumption1 (2007) · source
“The Secretary- General, I myself and others have, for example, unequivocally condemned the conduct of one non-governmental organization acting irresponsibly and indeed criminally in Chad. 07-60635 However, we should not regard that kind of behaviour as in any way typical of humanitarian workers on the ground, and we should remember that they are there to deliver assistance in often the most difficult and dangerous circumstances. Their presence is often the only way of providing some measure of protection to highly endangered civilians, through their presence and their ability to offer help and draw attention to what is happening in particular circumstances.”
2007-11-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5781Resumption1 (2007) · source
“Thirdly, I welcome the strong support from many speakers during the day on the vital need to comply more fully with international humanitarian law. It seems to me that reinforcing the implementation of international norms and the normative framework for protection is indeed a vital function for this Council and its resolutions, as so many of the speakers today have indeed highlighted. In that context, it is of course vital that the highest standards are maintained by all those who are in the field to promote them, not least the humanitarian workers on the ground. That is why I fully support the call made by the representative of China to the effect that humanitarian workers should always be mindful of their responsibility to act in accordance with core principles of neutrality and impartiality.”
2007-11-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5781Resumption1 (2007) · source
“We think that would help to ensure more consistent application of resolution 1674 (2006), the aide-memoire and the other protection of civilians concerns, where it might be connected with the renewal of peacekeeping mandates or other relevant missions or the development of draft resolutions. We see the working group is replacing the rather informal and ad hoc - and sometimes rather incidental and late - efforts that exist today in this respect. The idea is to make the exchange more systematic, more effective and leading to more results on the ground. We do not see it as necessarily setting a precedent for other areas. I recognize that that is a concern expressed by some delegations. We hope that all delegations will come to see the advantages of what we are proposing. We will pursue further discussions and contacts to that end.”
2007-11-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5781Resumption1 (2007) · source
“While recognizing that this support is not unanimous and that more deliberation and consultation are clearly needed, let me simply repeat that what we would like to see is a regular forum for timely and systematic consultation on concerns related to the protection of civilians, between the Council as a whole, OCHA and other relevant departments of the Secretariat. We see it as a forum that could relay - as I say, systematically and transparently - information, analysis and possible language on protection matters to all Council members for their consideration.”
2007-11-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5781Resumption1 (2007) · source
“We welcome this idea and are, of course, ready to respond to it in whatever form - written, oral or both - will suit the Council in particular cases. We look forward to this increased engagement with the Council on access issues, particularly in situations where there are grave access constraints and the Council may feel a responsibility to focus on them. Of course, the acid test of this increased reporting and exchanges would be that they should produce some concrete changes on the ground in favour of those who are affected. Secondly, we welcome the comments from several speakers in support of the recommendation that the report makes for the establishment of a working group of the Council on the protection of civilians.”
2007-11-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5781Resumption1 (2007) · source