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Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General, 5 October 2020 - Nagorno-Karabakh, Chad

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Armenia
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UN DGC
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Nagorno-Karabakh

I have a humanitarian update on Nagorno-Karabakh: the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs today said that they remain deeply concerned about the ongoing hostilities along the line of contact in the Nagorno‑Karabakh conflict zone. They urge an immediate end to the fighting.

Our humanitarian colleagues tell us that the hostilities reportedly continue to cause the loss of civilian lives and injuries, as well as damage to civilian properties and infrastructure. From the beginning of the latest round of hostilities to today, more than 40 civilians have reportedly been killed and more than 200 others have been wounded on both sides. Hundreds of houses have been seriously damaged.

We call on all sides to respect international human rights law and international humanitarian law, in particular by ensuring the protection of the civilian population and by preventing damage to essential [civilian infrastructure]. The UN country teams in both Yerevan and Baku stand ready to respond to humanitarian needs as they emerge. Neither government has requested international assistance from us.

Chad

And a quick update from Chad, where floods have now affected an estimated 388,000 people across the country. In support of the Government‑led response, the UN and our humanitarian partners have provided initial support – including food and non‑food items – to nearly 2,650 households in the capital, N’Djamena. We have also provided food to 12,000 displaced people in the Lake area.

In the capital, an emergency accommodation site is being prepared with the construction of 100 shelters funded by the Government and tarpaulins provided by the UN. UNICEF [United Nations Children’s Fund] will assist more than 36,000 people with water treatment products, as well as the construction of 827 latrines.

In the eastern, central and southern provinces, which are the most impacted, very little to no response has been [possible] so far due to a lack of resources and access constraints. An interagency needs assessment mission is scheduled to take place next week in the southern province of Mayo‑Kebbi. Immediate needs include water treatment, food, non‑food items, and support to health structures to prevent the spread of COVID‑19. We will continue to work with the Government to monitor the evolving situation and to track the responses so far.