Page 33 - Bulletin, Vol.82 No.3, December 2023

With the deteriorating peace and security in the region, and the operational difficulties
faced by institutions that provide humanitarian support, many of the affected
communities have been deprived of food, water, shelter, and other necessities of life, in
addition to the excruciating pain and suffering brought about by the loss of family
members and loved ones.

Older people are especially vulnerable due to their health conditions and in some cases
members of the retiree community have been unable to access their pensions and
medical care, which are essential to their survival. Due to the collapse or closure of
institutions, access to basic health and financial services has been put in jeopardy.

We call on all organs of the United Nations System and Member States to stop the
escalation of this conflict and help stabilize the region to protect human lives. This is a
conflict that has also taken the lives of many UN staff whose mission is to provide
humanitarian assistance and support peace-keeping efforts. We join the rest of the
world in calling not only for a ceasefire but also for stability and peace in the region.

We renew our call for respect for human rights, including the right for all persons to live
without persecution or fear through a renewed efforts by all States to work for world
peace.

Jerry Barton
FAFICS President

********
24 October 2023

My dear Colleagues,

This United Nations Day comes at a time of sorrow and anxiety for everyone. The
situation in Israel, the Occupied Palestinian Territory and the wider region is on the
brink, and we are all fearful of what the next days and weeks will bring.

The conflict is marked by immense human suffering and heartache. I know many of us
have family, friends and loved ones in the region and are experiencing this tragedy in a
very personal way.

We are all devastated and horrified by the situation of our staff in Gaza. At least 35 of
our UNRWA colleagues have been killed and many more injured. Sadly, that number
continues to rise. We mourn those we have lost and send our deepest condolences to
their families and friends. As I told the Security Council today, I owe their families the
condemnation of these and many other similar killings.

On this United Nations Day, let us honour their memory and recognize that we are in
this together. We are one United Nations family and we stand with you in solidarity.

Throughout this very difficult period, the United Nations is standing up strongly for the
protection of civilians, for efforts to prevent further escalation and

for a pathway to peace.

AAFI-AFICS BULLETIN, Vol. 82 No.3, 2023-12 31

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