Press conference by Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs

Date: 28 Oct 2009
Lasted update: 29/10/2009
Source: United Nations Department of Public Information (DPI)

The top United Nations humanitarian official today briefed the press at Headquarters on the situations in Yemen, Philippines, Indonesia and Uganda after his recent visits to those countries.
At the outset of his press conference, John Holmes, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, condemned the suicide bombings and attacks in Afghanistan and Pakistan that had taken place earlier this morning, particularly the attack in Kabul, which killed six United Nations staff. He ensured correspondents of the United Nations' determination to continue its work there despite the attacks.

Turning to his recent travels, he said he had visited Yemen to see first-hand the humanitarian consequences of the conflict in the northern part of that country between Government forces and rebels ‑‑ a conflict often neglected by the international community and media. Fighting, particularly intense around Saada City, had resulted in the displacement of some 150,000 people.

Operations were under way to address the needs of the displaced, including providing shelter, clean water, sanitation and health care, he said, but acknowledged his concerns about humanitarian access. He had asked the Government, without success, to declare a humanitarian ceasefire or establish humanitarian corridors. Thus far, 36 per cent of the $24 million flash appeal launched in September by the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs had been met.

On the Philippines, he said that country had recently suffered two typhoons, resulting in severe flooding that had killed over 800 people and caused enormous amounts of damage. Several areas were still flooded, which carried the risk of outbreaks of communicable diseases. He noted that 30 per cent of the flash appeal for $74 million had been met. A needs assessment, organized with international financial institutions and the private sector, was under way to study the long-term damage, especially in the agricultural sector.

As for the situation in the Indian Ocean, he said that more than 100,000 people had been killed in Western Sumatra, Indonesia, as a result of an earthquake there which damaged some 200,000 houses, as well as schools, hospitals and other public buildings, he said. The Government's response had been well organized and effective. An appeal for $38 million had been poorly funded. A long-term post-disaster needs assessment was under way. He noted that the Lao People's Democratic Republic, likewise affected by the typhoons, had requested humanitarian assistance, and thus far some 38 per cent of an appeal for $10 million had been funded.

In Uganda, he said he had attended the Summit meeting of the African Union which had drawn up a groundbreaking Convention on the Internally Displaced, the "Kampala Convention", which was the first binding regional convention on internally displaced persons. That Convention had not only noted conflict as a cause of displacement but natural disasters as well. It had further drawn attention to the need for long-term solutions for displacement.

The Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) had been dispersed in Northern Uganda and scattered remnants were now creating havoc in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Central African Republic and Southern Sudan, he said. Eighty-five per cent of the some 2 million internally displaced persons had returned, but there was a "residual caseload" of internally displaced persons, mainly elderly or disabled persons, orphaned children, or persons affected by HIV/AIDS, who could not return. The Karamajong region was severely affected by drought and in need of food aid. The issue of long-term food security also had to be addressed.

Answering questions about Yemen, Mr. Holmes said the Government was open to a humanitarian ceasefire or humanitarian corridors, but both parties had to agree to that. For that to happen, contact was necessary with the rebels groups. The Government did not object to such contacts, but they had not yet been organized. Access was easy in some areas, but difficult in other areas because of heavy fighting ‑‑ especially around Saada ‑‑ or because of difficulties with local authorities.

He had not heard that some non-governmental organizations were planning to withdraw their operations from Pakistan or Afghanistan, he said in answer to another question. He would be surprised if that was the case. The United Nations and others were determined to stay. The issue now was to reconcile the need to continue providing assistance with the need for safety of humanitarian workers.

In response to questions about Uganda, he said the returning LRA child abductees had been reintegrated "surprisingly well". Communities had been willing to accept them, realizing that they were victims even though they had been responsible for atrocities. Although 15 per cent of the 2 million internally displaced persons still remained in camps, he expected a surge in returns shortly. There would be a remaining residual 5 per cent, mostly elderly, orphans and HIV-affected people, who would need individual assistance as they could not return on their own.

That was due to the breakdown of the normal dynamics in communities after some 15 years of fighting.

Asked whether the situation in Karamajong was due to climate change or to violence, Mr. Holmes said there had been an age-old tradition in the area of cattle-rustling. That tradition had continued to today, with ever more efficient modern weapons available. Government attempts at disarmament had had some success and the violence had declined. The drought, however, was endemic in the region, resulting in lack of water and grazing opportunities. A long-term solution was necessary to guarantee food security and develop livelihoods.

He said that Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni had indeed disengaged himself from negotiations with the LRA, but had said he was ready to re-engage if there was anything to re-engage about. A peace agreement had been agreed by negotiators but had not been signed by Joseph Kony, the leader of the LRA. He had not shown up at several planned signing ceremonies, perhaps because of an indictment against him from the International Criminal Court.

Addressing a question about the Lao People's Democratic Republic, he said that, although the country did not have a sea coast, it had suffered the constant rains following the typhoons, which had destroyed some 40,000 hectares of rice cultivation, affecting 178,000 people, as well as damaging 32 schools and three hospitals. Viet Nam and Cambodia had also suffered from the typhoons but had not requested international assistance.

Asked about the situation of internally displaced persons in Sri Lanka, he said some 44,000 people had left the camps, and there were plans under way for some 120,000 more to leave. The situation was improving and people were moving swiftly through transit camps.
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