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27 August 2025<\/p>\n
Joint Press Encounter by Trishala Simantini Persaud, Charg\u00e9 d\u2019affaires and Deputy Permanent Representative of Guyana to the United Nations, and Ondina Blokar Drobic, Charg\u00e9 d\u2019affaires and Deputy Permanent Representative of Slovenia to the United Nations, on behalf of Guyana, Slovenia, Algeria, China, Denmark, France, Greece, Pakistan, Panama, the Republic of Korea, the Russian Federation, Sierra Leone, Somalia and the United Kingdom, on the situation in the Middle East.<\/strong><\/p>\n Fourteen members of the Security Council expressed \u201cprofound alarm and distress\u201d at the latest IPC report on Gaza which \u201cclearly and unequivocally\u201d confirms famine in the Strip. \u201cThe use of starvation as a weapon of war is clearly prohibited under international humanitarian law. Famine in Gaza must be stopped immediately,\u201d the joint statement reiterated.<\/p>\n At a press encounter after a Security Council meeting today (27 Aug) on the same topic, representatives from Guyana and Slovenia spoke in their capacity as informal court focal points on conflict and hunger in the Security Council. They spoke on behalf of other twelve Council Members, namely Algeria, China, Denmark, France, Greece, Pakistan, Panama, the Republic of Korea, the Russian Federation, Sierra Leone, Somalia, and the United Kingdom.<\/p>\n Trishala Simantini Persaud, Deputy Permanent Representative from Guyana to the UN said, \u201cWe trust the IPC’s work and methodology,\u201d highlighting that this is the first time famine has been officially confirmed in the Middle East region.<\/p>\n \u201cEvery day, more persons are dying as a result of malnutrition, many of them children,\u201d the Guyanese diplomat stressed.<\/p>\n She continued, \u201cWe are alarmed by the report that famine is projected to expand to the Deir al Balah and Khan Yunis by the end of September. At the same time, across the Gaza Strip, nearly 1.5 million people are facing emergency and crisis levels of food insecurity.\u201d<\/p>\n According the statement, at least 132,000 children are expected to suffer from acute malnutrition between now and June 2026. Older persons and persons with chronic diseases also continue to be disproportionately affected by the conflict, and are among the vulnerable groups reportedly succumbing to malnutrition related deaths. All this while hundreds of trucks laden with lifesaving it sit a short distance away.<\/p>\n \u201cWe stand in front of you especially disturbed by the levels of acute malnutrition among children in Gaza,\u201d Ambassador Persaud stressed. She noted that at least 41,000 children are at heightened risk of death from malnutrition between now and June 2026.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is a man-made crisis,\u201d the Guyanese diplomat said, reiterating that \u201cinternational humanitarian law must be respected. And Security Council Resolution 2417 of 2018 must be implemented.\u201d<\/p>\n For her part, Ondina Blokar Drobic, Deputy Permanent Representative of Slovenia to the UN called for \u201can immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire.\u201d<\/p>\n She continued, \u201cWe call for the immediate, dignified and unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas and other groups. We call for a substantive surge of humanitarian assistance throughout Gaza.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIsrael must immediately and unconditionally lift all restrictions on a delivery. This includes opening all land routes and allowing the UN and humanitarian partners to operate safely and at scale,\u201d Ambassador Drobic said.<\/p>\n She stressed that humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence \u201cmust be central to humanitarian action.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe call on Israel to immediately reverse its decision to further expand its military operation in Gaza, with the aim of taking over Gaza City,\u201d the Slovenian diplomat said, explaining, \u201cthis decision, which we reject, will inevitably worsen the already horrific humanitarian situation and endanger the lives of all civilians, including the hostages.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTime is of the essence. The humanitarian emergency must be addressed without delay, and Israel must reverse course,\u201d Ambassador Drobic concluded.<\/p>\nWatch Joint Press Statement<\/strong><\/h3>\n