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Chair Report
GA 3rd
kmun2015
KabatasMUN
kmun2015
MUNKabatas
kabatasmun
Kabatas MUN
[email protected]
Letter from the Secretary-General
Dear Representatives of the Distinguished Nations,
I, in lieu of the Secretariat, am thrilled to welcome you to the third annual session of Kabataş
Model United Nations Conference). I, Orçun DOĞMAZER, have been studying at Kabataş
Erkek Lisesi for four years and am receiving the privilege to serve as the third SecretaryGeneral of this society.
KMUN Conference is the biggest student initiated organization in the illustrious 107 years old
history of this community. How Buckingham Palace was used by King George III to host
diverse reputed bureaucrats and royal families, likewise Kabataş High School was utilized to
serve for those certain purposes at the times of Ottoman Empire. KMUN 2013 and KMUN
2014 have the distinctive honor to comprise more than 350 national and international
participants. As it was planned and announced a year ago, the conference will be hosting
more than 500 participants coming from various countries in 10 different committees this
year.
Academic and organization teams of the conference have been challenging themselves to
set a different level of understanding in MUN for KMUN’s participants. Experiencing both of
the previous editions of KMUN, this year’s KMUN will differ from its previous editions by not
only mixing the interesting sides of the Model UN examples in Turkey, but will also try its best
to combine the understanding of the international Model UN.
All the research reports of the conference are written by the directors of the respective
committees with the guidance of the academic team of the conference. I do thank the
Student Officers namely Samuel Gang and Defne Narşap for writing this very guide for the
GA-3. Appreciating their efforts on this research report, I do believe that this report will be a
great start for our participant’s on their researches to prepare themselves for the debates on
the given agenda items.
In case you require any further instruction as to the academic content of the GA-3, you may
always contact your Committee Directors or me via [email protected]
After a year full of work and dedication, I do believe that KMUN 2015 will manage to create
its dreamed atmosphere by taking further steps on its previous editions.
Orçun DOĞMAZER
Secretary-General
1
Letter from the PGA
Dear Participants,
I consider it my greatest pleasure to join the student officers of the GA-3 in
welcoming you all to Kabatas Model UN 2015.
On the following pages of this document, there might be various challenges that
await you, assorted problems that the rest of the world has failed in addressing to a
satisfactory extent so far. I am not sure if the nature of my position permits me to say
so, but I have to assert there`s absolutely no denial that what is expected of you is
abundantly demanding, so much so that it is quite likely to end up being rather
quixotic, just the opposite of what we all have striven for.
Yet, this should not lead you to underestimate your skills, capabilities and the
potential you have to offer whether you attempt to recreate a momentous event in
history and alter it or cope with the contemporary obstacles on our way to stamp out
the instability worldwide, and I truly am confident that this report will manage to
enlighten your way throughout the journey that you have dared to go on.
If you feel the need to, you may contact the committee directors or me via
[email protected] to make any enquiries relating to academic matters.
Have it mind that the slightest change we manage to generate will grow into
something greater in time, and this May is meant to be the beginning of that change.
Regards,
Oya Gursoy
President of the General Assembly
2
Letter from the Student Officers
Dear Distinguished Delegates:
Welcome to the committee of SOCHUM, the elaborate surname for the Social,
Cultural, and Humanitarian committee. My name is Samuel Gang, the president
committee director of GA 3 SOCHUM, and my Vice President Committee Director,
Defne Narşap are thrilled to serve you as chairs of GA 3 committee. We have the
privilege of being your chair for what promises to be an exciting committee full of
mirth and heated debates. We are excited to share the activities that we participate in
which reflects our interest on the international spectrum and international studies. We
look forward to share out interests with you as we chair our committee.
As student officers, we have several expectations. We expect delegates to come
prepared and represent their countries professionally. Please do not forget to learn
the parliamentary procedure and language; in addition, please pay attention to the
rules of writing a resolution. Furthermore the delegates should be familiar with the UN
charter and the mandate of our committee, SOCHUM. Moreover, please be
respectful of others delegates and student officers even though you may disagree
with other’s stances and opinions. We also expect delegates to engage whole
heartedly during the entire conference whether through debates or note passing in
order to weave a resolution that encompasses all the possible solutions to the
agenda that will be discussed. Delegates must know each topic that will be debated
and the stances of your countries. We especially look forward for fruitful debates and
successful resolutions but in order to do this everyone delegates must be prepared.
Please use this study guide and utilize all available resources that will enrich your
knowledge in the topics that will be discussed. If you have trouble researching
anything or have inquiries on the parliamentary procedures or language, please do
not hesitate to contact us. Our email address is [email protected] and
[email protected].
Warm regards,
Samuel Gang and Defne Narşap
3
INTRODUCTION TO THE COMMITTEE
The General Assembly Third Committee (GA Third Committee) is one of the six Main
Committees. The United Nations (UN) General Assembly (GA) Third Committee
debates and presents resolutions for social, cultural, and humanitarian problems all
around the globe. As the time passed, the task of this committee has evolved to deal
with mostly human rights issues, making it the world’s biggest and most outstanding
forum for international human rights norm establishment. The Committee addresses
the improvement of women, the guardianship of children, indigenous issues, and the
treatment of refugees, the elevation of basic freedoms through the expulsion of
racism and racial discrimination, and the right to autonomy. The Committee also
discusses crucial social progress questions such as issues related to youth, family,
ageing, and persons with disabilities, crime avoidance, criminal justice, and global
drug control.
4
Topic A: Preventing the Spread of the 2014 Ebola Outbreak
in West Africa
Background on the Ebola virus
Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) also known as Ebola hemorrhagic fever is a disease of
humans and other animals caused by the Ebola virus. Since 1976 when the Ebola
virus simultaneously originated in two regions in Africa, has been a long concern for
African states. The first of the two locations where the outbreak occurred was in the
Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) near the Ebola River, from which the virus
derives its name. The second location was at Nzara, Maridi, in south of Sudan.
Despite there being relatively low Ebola outbreaks following first outbreaks in DRC
and Sudan, mortality rate continued to remain high with rates ranging from 50
percent to as high as 90 percent.i
Transmission
Humans become susceptible to Ebola when handling and eating live or wild bats or
pig without proper preparation. Ebola is a fatal disease composed of a group of
viruses that causes multisystem organ damage and hemorrhagic fever. Ebola is
5
primarily transmitted through direct contact by sharing body fluids like saliva, blood,
and human wastes. Entry points for the virus includes eyes, nose, mouth, cuts, and
open wounds. Objects such as needles and syringes that have been contaminated
by Ebola may also transmit the infection.ii
Symptoms
Once a person comes into contact with Ebola, Ebola can take four to twenty- one
days for its symptoms to begin to appear; however, the virus may not be contagious
until the infected person exhibits fatal symptoms. The first symptoms and signs of
Ebola are high fever, maculopopular rash muscle pain, headache, intense weakness,
and sore throat; the virus continues to develop causing fatal symptoms of diarrhea,
vomiting, rash, and liver failure. Usually the function of the liver and kidneys are
impaired thus causing both internal and external bleeding. Recovery from such
symptoms may take between seven to fourteen days, and if death occurs, it is
typically followed by six to sixteen days from the first symptoms. In most cases, death
occurs because of low blood pressure from fluid loss followed by a coma.iii
Diagnosis
Diagnosing Ebola in a person who has been infected for a short period of time is
difficult because the symptoms are rudimentary. It may take up to three days after
symptoms begin for the virus to reach detectable levels. Ebola virus can only be
diagnosed definitively in a labatory, through a series of tests. Such tests are time
consuming and take up to three days.iv
Vaccine and Treatment
There is currently not a licensed vaccine for Ebola. Many vaccines have been tested
or are being tested, but none are available for clinical and public usage because of
both its unsatisfactory results and lack of effectiveness. Trials are being fast- tracked
on a timescale of weeks and months rather than years in order to find a sustainable
cure for Ebola.
Severely ill patients who show fatal symptoms require extensive supportive care.
Patients tend to be repeatedly dehydrated and require rehydration through
intravenous fluids and electrolytes. Other than caretaking, there are no further
6
treatments available to completely eliminate Ebola. Failure to give such caretaking
may speed up the terminal phase of the Ebola and drastically increases the chance
of fatality.v
Prevention and Control
Bearing in mind that effective treatment and vaccine for Ebola are nonexistent,
raising awareness of Ebola’s risk factors and protective measures should be heavily
stressed. Such measures are vital in order to reduce human infection and death toll.
The transmission of Ebola occurs mainly through direct or indirect contact with blood
and body fluids. In many cases, health care workers are susceptible to Ebola due to
lack of protective equipment and not fully adhering to proper precautions. It is not
always possible to identify infected patients because the initial symptoms are nonspecific. Consider this, it is essential for health care workers to exercise and adhere
to the same precautions for all patients regardless of their diagnosis. Such
precautions include but are not limited to protective equipment, safe injection
practices, safe burial practices, basic hand hygiene, and respiratory hygiene.
If a patient has been confirmed with Ebola, health care workers, in addition to
standard precautions, should take other infection control measures to prevent any
contacts or exposures to the ill patient’s body fluids and blood. Unprotected contact
with patients and the contaminated environment should not be considered under any
conditions. When in close contact with patients with Ebola, non- sterile long sleeved
gown, gloves, and masks should be worn.
Current Situation
The spread of Ebola, previously a rare and unknown disease, unexpectedly turned
into an epidemic as it spread far faster and farther than people anticipated. The 2014
Ebola crisis in the West Africa is by far the largest and most dangerous outbreak
since its discovery, with case number exceeding 24,500 and over 10,000 deaths.vi
Some of these figures may be understatements of the actual figures which means
that the fatality rate is higher than previously believed. The 2014 Outbreak is also the
first Ebola epidemic; which first spread from Guinea to Liberia, then Sierra Leone,
Nigeria, Senegal and other neighboring nations.
7
The origin of the 2014 Ebola crisis is routed back to Guinea where a two year old
child became the first victim of the disease. It is most likely that the disease spread to
the child’s family and then to the health worker who treated the child which ultimately
spread to other parts of the country.vii By the time the outbreak alert was declared by
the government of Guinea on 22 March of 2014, the epidemic had already claimed
twenty nine lives in Guinea and began spreading to neighboring nations.
Countries with widespread transmission
Guinea:
The ongoing epidemic of Ebola in Guinea is believed to be the source of the outbreak
of Ebola in West Africa. It is believed that the epidemic began as a result of a death
Emile Ouamouno, a 2 year old boy who lived in Meliandou, Guinea, in December
2013. Guinea did not officially confirm this case until the year 2014 when Ebola
began to spread to neighboring countries such as Liberia and Sierra Leone followed
by smaller outbreaks occurring in Mali, Nigeria, and Senegal. Since the first report,
approximately there were 2300 deaths and 2273 cases with high rate of fatality. viii As
an effort to stop the spreading of the epidemic, Guinea’s President Alpha Conde
declared the Ebola crisis as a national health emergency. The government of Guinea
tightened its borders and prevented Ebola patients from leaving their homes by
enforcing travel restrictions. Schools and other facilities closed until the disease was
sufficiently alleviated. Despite the tremendous efforts shown by Guinea’s
government, many people are stricken by fear. Although there are treatment centers
specialized for Ebola, many who are infected by Ebola still roam around hiding their
illness and evade the government’s surveillances due to falsely wide spread rumors
8
claiming that health care workers and clinic harvests organs and bloods. The Red
Cross Society and other relevant NGOs has been forced to end its voluntary
operation after receiving threats and pressure from locals who believe that doctors
and foreign volunteers are the cause of the Ebola. This had only helped Ebola to
spread further into other unaffected regions. It is vital for the population of Guinea to
properly acknowledge the true cause behind the outbreak of Ebola by separating the
disease from their societal norms and cultures.
Liberia:
The first Ebola outbreak in Liberia was discovered in the March 2014. Liberia was
one the worst affected countries after the outbreak resulting the highest numbers of
deaths in West Africa with a total of 4301 deaths as of March 2015.ix The president of
Liberia declared a State of Emergency in Liberia on August 6 and announced that
Liberia would close its borders with an exception of several airports, where Ebola
would be screened. Many regions were placed under quarantine and many schools,
universities, and other public areas were closed. Even prior to the epidemic, Liberia
already faced a health crisis. There were only fifty physicians available in the entire
country which means that there were only one physician present per 70,000
Liberians. Furthermore, hospitals were poorly equipped and lacked basic facilities
and supplies. Despite the help from WHO and NGOs, many Liberians are resistant to
the provided treatments. Also similar to Guinea, the primary reason why Ebola was
hit hard on Liberia was that there has been numerous cases of people escaping
hospitals which contributed heavily to the spreading of Ebola. Moreover, Hospital
workers and volunteers were being forced to work in dangerous conditions were
proper protective materials are not fully available. Without adequate supplies, Liberia
may continue to be negatively affected by Ebola and continue to weaken. Not only
did Ebola cause health crisis but also weakened Liberia’s economy and working
conditions.
Sierra Leone:
Since Sierra Leone had its first outbreak in May 2014, there have been approximately
12,000 cases and 3,800 deaths.x Similar to other countries that fight against Ebola,
Sierra Leone’s government established stricter regulations and guidelines for
transportation and travel in and out of Sierra Leone, and many who were suspected
9
to be infected by Ebola were placed under quarantine. Furthermore, restrictions were
increased in public areas and other areas of mass gatherings to prevent the spread
of Ebola. Akin to other Western African nations, public protests and resentment
against doctors were not different compared to Liberia and Guinea. Many Sierra
Leoneans were under fear of being kicked out from their society and villages; thus
many infected people are afraid to seek help after contacting the disease. In an
attempt to prevent the dispersion of the disease, Sierra Leones’ government decreed
a three day lockdown on September 19, 2014 where people were prohibited from
leaving their houses and volunteers visited houses as a part of a volunteer activity to
check for possible infection and to educate the communities about the danger of
Ebola. Despite such effort, it is difficult to guarantee that such lockdowns will prevent
the spreading of Ebola. With insufficient quantity of medical supplies and resources,
Sierra Leone still continues to struggle.
Nigeria:
The first case in Nigeria occurred when a Liberian- American man died in Nigeria five
days after his arrival. This man came into contact with Ebola when his sister had died
from Ebola. Shortly after his death, numbers of new Ebola cases were recorded. It is
most likely that the man had exposed others in Nigeria to Ebola including health
workers who subsequently became ill. Followed by the first case, Nigeria has
experienced twenty cases and eight deaths. In spite of the seriousness of the
disease, Nigeria has been able to maintain its population safe from the dangers of
Ebola as they have only recorded a small number of cases and deaths. The Nigerian
government was applauded for its effort to preserve its citizens from the disease
without any quarantines or travel restrictions being enforced; however, a number of
schools and other educational facilities were suspended while the government
attempted to control the virus. Finally on 22 September 2014, the Nigeria health
ministry confirmed that Nigeria is free of Ebola and that Ebola had been fully
contained. Followed by the announcement, WHO also confirmed the status of Ebola
free on 20 October as no new cases were reported. The case of Nigeria is unique
compared to the other nations struggling to control the epidemic as Nigeria was
successful to contain Ebola in a quick efficient manner. In spite of the success,
hopefully Nigeria may set a precedent for controlling Ebola in West Africa.xi
10
Mali:
The first case of Ebola in Mali was confirmed on 23 October 2014, when an infected
two year old girl arrived at Mali with her family. Prior to her arrival, her father was
infected by Ebola and died earlier in the month. She died soon after her arrival in
Mali, and it was confirmed that there was no further spreading of the disease.
However, a number of cases concerning Ebola were submitted in the following
month. Luckily, the number of cases were not high; overall, Mali’s only recorded eight
cases with only six deaths. Similar to Nigeria, Mali was declared Ebola free on 16
December.xii
Timeline
December 2013- In Guinea, a two year old boy infected with Ebola dies. His family
also dies after showing similar symptoms.
March 18- Guinea health official announces an outbreak of a mysterious hemorrhagic
fever. On March 22, the fever is confirmed as Ebola.
March 2014- WHO reports Ebola outbreak in Guinea, while Liberia identities its first
case
April 2014- WHO reveals 239 cases and 160 deaths overall
11
May 26, 2014- First cases and deaths are reported in Sierra Leone, in Kailahun
Discrict
June 11, 2014- Sierra Leone closes its borders with Liberia and Guinea
August 8th- “International health emergency” is declared by the WHO; the death toll
exceeds
August 12- A Spanish volunteer evacuated from Liberia dies at Madrid
August 28- World Food Program reveals that 70 million dollars are required to feed
people in Ebola- quarantined areas
October 17, 2014- Senegal is declared Ebola free
October 19, 2014- Nigeria is declared Ebola free
October 2014- WHO statistics reveal 13,540 cases and 4,941 deaths
November 13, 2014- Liberia ends its state of emergency
January 18, 2015- Mali is declared Ebola free
January 21, 2015- Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea experiences lowest weekly
infection rates since August 2014.
March 25, 2015- Statistics reveal 24,992 cases 10,365 deaths so far
Key Terms
Outbreak: An occurrence of epidemic or disease which affects group of people in a
specific area or region
Body Fluids: Any liquid that originates inside body of humans or animals e.g. body
water, blood, saliva, lymph, and feces. Body fluids may be vectors for infectious
diseases such as Ebola and blood- borne diseases.
Symptoms: An indication or evidence of sickness or presence of bodily disorder.
Transmission: The spreading or dispersion of disease. Diseases may be transmitted
by sexual contact, contaminated food or water, animal bites and contact with infected
humans and animals. There are two major categories of transmission which are
12
direct transmission, spread of disease from one host to another host, and indirect
transmission, the spread of disease from host to host through a vector.
Vaccination: The injection of antigenic material to stimulate an immune system to
develop immunity against pathogens and diseases. Vaccination has been proven to
be effective as it has been widely studied and verified. Up to this day, vaccines has
been also proven to be the most effective method of inhibiting infectious diseases.
However at this time, there are no vaccines to protect against Ebola. Many tests and
clinical trials sponsored by the World Health Organization are in various phases to
develop an effective vaccine by the end of 2015.xiii
Quarantine: It is the state of enforced isolation which is often used when a person
comes to contact to infectious disease or when showing symptoms of a fatal
sickness. It is used in order to prevent the ill from spreading disease to others. In the
case of Ebola, it is vital to determine the precise quarantine period of Ebola virus to
prevent further chains of infection. If a longer quarantine period is imposed, there are
less chance of infecting others. Ebola quarantine period generally lasts around 21
days as it is estimated that incubation period of Ebola lasts up to twenty one days.
World Health Organization (WHO): It is the official directing and coordinating
authority for health and wellbeing in the United Nations system. As a specialized
agency of UN, WHO is involved in providing access to essential care and defense
against epidemics. It was established on 7 April 1947, headquartered in Geneva,
Switzerland. Since its creation, it has led the role of eradicating epidemic and disease
all around the world especially in HIV/AIDS, malaria, and Ebola. For the past year,
WHO is heavily involved in eradicating Ebola in West Africa. WHO responded to the
Ebola virus by training doctors both local and international doctors. Furthermore
WHO has provided curricula for locals and doctors on training in the field on case
management, contract tracing, safe burials, and social mobilization.xiv
Relevant Past Resolutions
15 SEPTEMBER 2014
The Security Council expressed concern about
S/RES/2176
the extent of the outbreak of Ebola in West
Africa
13
18 SEPTEMBER 2014
The Security Council determined that Ebola
S/RES/2177
outbreak constituted a threat to international
peace and security
19 SEPTEMBER 2014
WHO adopts an resolution on “Ending current
A/RES/69/1
outbreak, strengthening global preparedness
and ensuring WHO capacity to prepare for and
respond to future large- scale outbreaks and
emergency with health consequences”
25 JANUARY 2015
WHO adopts an resolution on “Ending current
EBSS/3/CONF./1 REV.1
outbreak, strengthening global preparedness
and ensuring WHO capacity to prepare for and
respond to future large- scale outbreaks and
emergency with health consequences”xv
MEASURES ALREADY TAKEN TO TACKLE THE PROBLEM
BY THE COMMITTEE AND/OR ANOTHER RELEVANT
COMMITTEE AND ORGANIZATIONS
1. World Health Organization (WHO) - This United Nations organization has disp
atched large teams of doctors and volunteers to affected zones in West Africa
in order to prevent Ebola transmission as well as to prevent further outbreaks i
n countries that are unaffected. The specialist that have been sent to designat
ed affected areas were trained on how to safely dispose dead Ebola victims, u
tilizing safety equipment and medical supplies, and in addition studying the vir
us and trying to find a sustainable cure. WHO is also committed in raising awa
reness of Ebola’s dangers by educating locals about the means of transmissio
n, burying dead Ebola victims, and how to identify Ebola. Furthermore, also tr
ains local medical staffs on certain policies approaching an infected and quara
ntined areas.xvi
2. United Nation Mission for Ebola Emergency Response (UNMEER) - UNMEER
14
was established on 19 September 2014 after adoption. During October 2014,
WHO and UNMEER mutually announced a 90 day program to control the Ebo
la crisis. Its aims were to isolate 70 percent of Ebola cases and bury infected
patients who die from the disease. Many member states and NGOs cooperate
d in this plan.xvii
3. World Food Programme- On, 18 August, both WFP and UN mutually announc
ed plans to assist people living in quarantined zone by distributing food. Accor
ding to reports, WFP was successful in delivering 3,000 metric tons of food to
West Africa, enough to feed approximately 150,000 people. Furthermore, WH
P launched programs to reach out to those in health centers and isolated area
s. The ultimate goal of WHP is to eradicate the Ebola disease providing logisti
cal services and infrastructure support to health partners.xviii
4. FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization)- Similar to WPF, FAO launched mult
iple programs to help stop the spread of Ebola by meeting imminent and longterm food and nutrition needs in affected regions. Additionally, FAO is leading
social mobilization campaigns in the three mainly affected countries- Guinea,
Liberia, and Sierra Leone.xix
5. UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund) - The UNICEF launched a 200 milli
on dollar program to combat the Ebola crisis. It is estimated that 8.5 million yo
uths and children live in areas affected by Ebola in West Africa. The aim of the
program is to stop the spreading of the disease and to address other needs. A
long with other relevant NGOs and organs of UN, UNICEF have also been su
pporting the training of locals and health workers on infection prevention and h
ow to protect children from the epidemic. Children have been receiving extens
ive supports such as physical and psychological care from the UNICEF.xx
6. African Union- African Union requested its member to send health care units t
o Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea. African Union support to Ebola Outbreak
in West Africa (ASEOWA) was initiated to eradicate the Ebola outbreak.xxi
7. World Bank Group- The World Bank Group promised 230 million dollar to help
Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leon to contain the dispersion of the Ebola epide
mic. The fund has and will be used to finance medical equipment, medicines,
and building medical infrastructures.xxii
15
8. Médecins Sans Frontières- A humanitarian- aid non NGO based on Geneva,
Switzerland has been a leading organization responding to the Ebola crisis. It
currently has total of 3,347 staffs working in West Africa to eradicate the disea
se. Furthermore, Médecins Sans Frontières works intensively to map areas th
at are affected by the outbreak.xxiii
9. Red Cross- Red Cross has deployed a Field Assessment Coordination Team
(FACT) to West Africa. Red Cross works with other partners to support the on
going relief efforts of the global Cross network with both financial and technica
l support.xxiv
POINTS A SATISFACTORY RESOLUTION SHOULD
ENCOMPASS/ Solutions
1. Education is one of the most powerful tools to curb the spread of Ebola. One o
f the primary reasons why the outbreak has been so dreadful is because of th
e public’s disbelief in the Western medical practices. Many still rely on the trad
itional treatments instead of modern medicine.xxv Many who are discouraged a
nd dissuaded from consulting a doctor are prone to follow spiritual and herbal
treatments that are ineffective. It is important that a resolution contains the me
ans of combating the distrust between patients and doctors. Measures such a
s extensive educational programs for locals are suggested to prevent unreport
ed cases of Ebola and genuinely change the locals’ opinions about foreign me
dical treatments. Local leaders should be highly encouraged to use opportuniti
es to communicate to their local populations about the harm that Ebola brings.
2. It is also important to encompass a solution that can help eradicate further out
breaks and future ones; the key to preventing Ebola is to respond immediately
to societal norms and traditional practices. For example, Ebola spreads drasti
cally during funeral rites, where the deceased are embalmed and direct conta
ct is certain.xxvi Those who participate in such event are prone to Ebola. It imp
ortant to make a clear distinction that traditional practices are not “wrong” but i
ts methods may cause further harms in West Africa. The locals have to realize
that their traditional methods are potentially dangerous and should be thoroug
hly reconsidered. Ultimately, educating people about Ebola is insufficient to ful
16
ly eradicate the disease, but neither is eliminating cultural practices. The key i
n solving this situation is by adapting a moderate lifestyle that is more open mi
nded.
3. It is also important to bear in mind that West Africa lacks medical infrastructur
es and other necessary facilities. It is vital to strengthen the WHO global alert
and response systems. The delegates must consider how WHO and other rel
evant organs of UN can develop the resources to combat further Ebola outbre
aks.
4. The transparency between the affected nation’s government and its citizen is i
mportant. In many cases, it is the distrust in the governments’ analysis and da
ta that dissuade locals from receiving treatments.
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Yan, Holly, and Esprit Smith. "Ebola: Patient Zero Was a Toddler in Guinea CNN.com." CNN. January 21, 2015. Accessed March 31, 2015.
http://edition.cnn.com/2014/10/28/health/ebola-patient-zero/index.html
18
Topic B: The Humanitarian situation in South Sudan:
Promoting the Well-being of the People Affected by
Armed Conflict and Displacement
‘’Displacement remains arguably the most significant humanitarian challenge that we
face.”
-Ban Ki-moon
Historical Background
As one of the least developed and the newest
countries in the world, South Sudan endures
from years of disagreement and combat,
linked with common natural disasters and
ailment uprisings. Partially 1.6 million citizens
have been internally displaced (IDPs) mainly
as a result of extensive assault against
noncombatants. Likewise, over 500.000 South
Sudanese have fled in Ethiopia, Kenya, Sudan
and Uganda. The humane sources in those
countries stay demanding and the catastrophe
has a weakening impact on the area. Inside
South Sudan, over 110,000 IDPs have refuged
the brutality by looking for protection in overcrowded protection-of-civilian (PoC) areas in
UN bases. Furthermore, South Sudan
accommodates more than 250,000 refugees
from bordering countries like Sudan. In
general, the demand for clean water health care, sanitation, food, shelter, an addition
to guardianship had rose. The deadlock is a "children's crisis" too. Inside South
Sudan, approximately 230,000 children under 6 years are harshly starving. 70% of
the South Sudanese displaced people in the area are children. As reported by
UNICEF, over 10,000 children are taught to be child soldiers by armed groups in the
country which is a serious contravention of international law. The strife and repetitive
19
natural disasters are a bad effect on the already unsteady economy of the country
too. As a result of flooding, droughts and displacement, crops are disorganized and
food management is diminished. The UN predicts that 2.7 million people encounter
food uncertainty and the status may depreciate as of April when the season of lean
commences. Humanitarian support is handed over in utterly imposing conditions.
Aggressions and raids against humanitarian workers vigorously restrain admission to
people who need help. The commandeering of services and other illegal obstacles
further restrain the work of aid organizations.
Current Situation
The rivalry which began in December 2013 in South Sudan endures to influence the
lives of millions of people. It has been marked by barbarous rampage against
civilians and expanding anguish across the country. Uncertainty and operating
hostilities inhibit civilians’ freedom of movement. The large-scale humanitarian results
are extensive displacement due to the cruelty; high rates of death, disease, and
injuries, relentless food insecurity and rattled livelihoods, and a sizable malnutrition
crisis.
Some 5.9 million people are predicted to be in some degree of food hesitancy as of
October 2014. This number is calculated to rise to 6.5 million during the first quarter
of 2015. These numbers are established by the Integrated Phase Classification
scrutiny regulated by a specialized working team that includes the Government of
The Republic of South Sudan.
The people in need for the coming year include an expected 1.85 million internally
displaced people and an estimated 292,000 refugees. Moreover, around 280,000
more people will probably have sought refuge in bordering countries by the end of
2015, including those who departed in 2014. Inside South Sudan most intense
urgencies are found in the three states that have seen the most active enmity:
Jonglei, Unity and Upper Nile.
20
The confrontation has rattled an
already frail service delivery
system, especially in those three
states most affected by conflict.
Lakes State has endorsed endless
inter-communal fighting. Most of the
1,500 schools in Jonglei, Unity and
Upper Nile are closed due to the
catastrophe. Water supply in towns,
including major center such as Bentiu and Malakal, is no longer working or available
to civilians. A supposed 183 health facilities in the three conflict states have been
either wrecked, are occupied, or are no longer working.
While political compromise remain, and are needed to finish the anguish, they are
unlikely to yield hasty enhancement on the ground. As of the writing of this report, the
Cessation of Hostilities concession in January, a pledge to the Cessation in May, the
intra-SPLM dialogue of 20 November, and the allegiance to the January agreement
on 9 November have yet to pause fighting on the ground. Even when fighting does
pause, the humanitarian effect of what has already occurred will remain to be felt
throughout 2015 and beyond.
In spite of seasonal food danger, South Sudanese communities are volatile and used
to directing seasonal changes in food access and availability, and many civilians
move in line with the seasons. Nevertheless, after nearly a year of struggle many
people are eradicated from their homes – or are receiving displaced people
themselves – and are under strict stress in terms of food access and availability,
access to markets and subsistence, basic services, and social mechanisms that they
would otherwise depend. Additionally, oil production and profit, the backbone of the
formal South Sudanese economy, has been disturbed by the confrontation.
South Sudan was already weak before the ongoing crisis, and other units of the
country advance to be afflicted by food insecurity, disease uprisings, malnutrition and
other menace to lives, subsistence and well-being. Central and Eastern Equatoria
states, for example, have been densely affected by an unrivaled cholera epidemic.
21
Women, young boys and girls and elderly men and women are notably unsafe, as
are people who have had to evacuate their homes due to the battle.
Many South Sudanese depend on herd and agriculture for their subsistence. Those
who have been displaced from their land have been less able to plant or care for their
animals. Most of those whose income sources are unreliable or unsustainable are
women.
Infrastructure is acutely undeveloped. About 65% of roads are impenetrable in the
rainy season, which lasts about 6-7 months. Additionally, basic assistances such as
social welfare, health, water and sanitation, nourishment, and education, have low
insurance. Moreover, fiery fragments of the combat injure roads, towns, and
agricultural areas.
An adequate peace agreement and cessation of hostilities are a critical first step to
prevent the situation from worsening further. In times of peace, states have wellestablished resilience mechanisms to manage seasonal changes, such as preserving
different settlements for the dry and rainy seasons. Though broadly exhausted by the
conflict, these coping systems – supported by aid programs – would support
communities which begin to recover if people could use them viably. This could then
supply a first step towards more permanent solutions, including for societies
displaced by violence to come back to their homes, restructure their lives and care for
their households. Rule of law and the justice system must be toughened, including by
focusing on issues around loss of housing, land and property. Yet, peace remains
subtle and, as a result, suffering continues nonstop.
Conflict Affected Civilians
Citizens have borne the brunt of the combat in South Sudan. Thousands of people
have been killed or wounded; many more have lost their homes and subsistence.
Since November 2013, some 1.8 million people have been displaced from their
homes, 1.3 million inside the country, and the rest as refugees to bordering countries.
The dilemma also impacts the 240,000 refugees presently staying South Sudan.
Over 120,000 people have needed to flee from attacks in Protection of Civilians
(PoC) sites inside UN bases. Most of them have lived in the bases for months,
scared of returning home or moving on. Their ability to move independently is harshly
22
limited – many are unable to even leave for brief periods for dread of attack.
Overcrowding and the disruption of traditional social arrangements make the sites
hotbeds for abuse of women and girls, petty atrocity, and, in some cases, strain
among communities and against aid workers. The great majority of displaced people
are accommodated by communities. While they have individual security, they have
lost their subsistence. Likewise, their dependence on their hosts’ over-stretched
resources, containing food and shelter, makes them susceptible and threatens the
growth of host community livelihoods.
Women and girls are especially defenseless to sexual and gender-based
disturbance; while many boys and young men have been forcibly contrived into
armed groups – or encouraged to enter them in order to obtain a livelihood. Access
to justice is finite. Many families have been detached, with children and elderly
generally left alone and defenseless. Some 7,000 separated or unattended children
were recognized this year.
Active hostilities and insecurity necessitates people’s freedom of movement,
especially in Unity State, causing it to be hard for them to safely access
compensation, move to or stay in protected areas. Explosive residue of war and land
mines also pose probable danger.
Death, Injury and Disease
The struggle has descended an already powerless health system deeper into trouble.
Before October 2013, South Sudan used to have the world’s highest maternal and
child mortality rates. Since violence appeared, already firmly insufficient primary
health care services have been largely disrupted. As of June 2014, only 43 per cent
of health facilities in Unity were working, and 59 per cent in Upper Nile and 65 per
cent in Jonglei. This limits deterrent healthcare – including vaccination campaigns,
starvation screenings and ante-natal care – and lessens health partners’ ability to
observe outbreaks. Routine vaccinations have roughly ceased in Jonglei, Unity, and
Upper Nile, and assistance for people living with chronic illnesses, like HIV-AIDS, has
started to kill many people in the region. Water and sanitation services have in many
places been ruined or become unreachable due to fighting; or are overloaded by new
demand.
23
Breathing infection, intense watery
diarrhea, cholera, malaria, hunger, and
measles are the major disease hazards.
Poor sanitation and shelter, and
overcrowding in displacement sites
exposed more people to disease, with
young children and the elderly especially
inclined. Outbreaks of cholera and kalaazar have affected 7,000 and 3,700
people subsequently as of November 2014.
Women and girls deficiency to access to reproductive health care, as well as an
applicable health services for survivors of sexual violence.
Even though mortality rates are below emergency levels in displacement areas
where health organizations exist, the people at highest risk are the ones who have
been affected by the conflict living in remote areas lacking health facilities.
The health condition will extend to decay in 2015 unless the security condition
improves considerably.
Food Insecurity and Livelihoods
While South Sudanese communities historically have dealt with seasonal changes in
resources, the months of conflict and displacement have devastated coping capacity.
Between October and December 2014, at a time when food stocks are at the annual
high following the main harvest, 1.5 million people are projected to remain severely
food insecure and requiring urgent assistance. This is over 500,000 people more
than at the same time in 2013, despite a major aid operation which helped prevent
the situation from deteriorating further.
The situation is expected to worsen in the first quarter of 2015, with 2.5 million people
facing severe food insecurity between January and March. This number is likely to
increase further in the lean season from April to July, before people are able to
harvest the year’s first crops. However, the impact of continued conflict on livelihoods
24
and access to markets could lead to
an earlier start of the hunger gap in
many parts of the country.
The high levels of food insecurity are
driven by several factors stemming
from or accelerated by the conflict.
Due to violence and the resulting
displacement, some people have
planted less or been unable to care for their animals. Loss of assets, either as a
direct result of conflict or due to depletion of household assets during the rainy
season, or due to hosting displaced people,has dramatically reduced people’s ability
to cope with additional shocks.
Across the three conflict-affected states, markets in 23 locations are significantly
disrupted - particularly important given the region's trade linkages to Sudan. Reduced
market activity is reported in 10 other locations. The conflict has disrupted normal
trade routes between states and with bordering countries, affecting the supply of
goods and service into the conflict-affected areas.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARIES OF PAST RELEVANT
RESOLUTIONS
26 FEBRUARY
This resolution renewed the mandate of
2015S/RES/2205
UNISFA until 15 July 2015.
14 OCTOBER
This was a resolution extending UNISFA’s
2014S/RES/2179
mandate until 28 February 2015.
29 MAY 2014S/RES/2156
This renewed the mandate of UNISFA until 15
October.
25 NOVEMBER
This resolution renewed the mandate of
2013S/RES/2126
UNISFA.
25
29 MAY 2013S/RES/2104
This resolution extended UNISFA’s mandate
until 30 November 2013 and authorised a troop
ceiling of 5,326 troops.
16 NOVEMBER
This resolution renewed UNISFA’s mandate.
2012S/RES/2075
17 MAY 2012S/RES/2047
This resolution renewed UNISFA’s mandate.
2 MAY 2012S/RES/2046
This resolution was on Sudan-South Sudan
relations and provided a roadmap for Sudan,
South Sudan and the SPLM-N to resolve
outstanding issues and threatened Article 41
measures.
22 DECEMBER
This resolution renewed UNISFA’s mandate.
2011S/RES/2032
14 DECEMBER
This resolution added a border-monitoring
2011S/RES/2024
support role to UNISFA’s mandate.
11 JULY 2011S/RES/1997 This resolution authorised the withdrawal of
UNMIS.
27 JUNE 2011S/RES/1990 This resolution established the UN Interim
Security Force in Abyei (UNISFA), comprised of
4,200 Ethiopian troops, for six months.xxvii
MEASURES ALREADY TAKEN TO TACKLE THE PROBLEM
BY THE COMMITTEE AND/OR ANOTHER RELEVANT
COMMITTEE AND ORGANIZATIONS
1. CARE (Cooperative for Assistance and Relief Everywhere) is a major
international humanitarian agency delivering broad-spectrum emergency relief
and long-term international development projects. Founded in 1945, CARE is
26
nonsectarian, impartial, and non-governmental. It is one of the largest and
oldest humanitarian aid organizations focused on fighting global poverty. In
2014, CARE reported working in 90 countries, supporting 880 poverty-fighting
projects and humanitarian aid projects, and reaching over 72 million people.
xxviii
2. The SSACC is an autonomous and impartial body corporate established under
Section 147 of the Interim Constitution of Southern Sudan, 2005 as read with
Section 6 of the Southern Sudan Anti-Corruption Act, 2009.The Commission
has a mandate, inter alia, to protect public property and investigate cases of
corruption with a view to protecting public property as well as in the private
sector and combating administrative malpractices in public institutions.xxix
3. The European Union's Humanitarian Response the European Commission is
making available more than €173 million since 2014 to respond to the
unfolding and intensifying humanitarian crisis inside the country and an
additional €50 million for the urgent needs of refugees in the Horn of Africa,
including South Sudanese refugees. The support covers the provision of food
aid, basic health care, clean water, sanitation, emergency non-food items,
shelter, protection, etc. for the most vulnerable people. The funds also support
the response to epidemics such as cholera and Hepatitis E. A team of the
European Commission's humanitarian experts is permanently based in the
country, working with partner relief organizations, coordinating response
efforts with both EU and non-EU donors, closely monitoring developments and
the efficient use of EU humanitarian funds. In 2015 the European Commission
already provided €57 million in humanitarian aid to the ongoing crisis in South
Sudan.xxx
4. OCHA is the part of the United Nations Secretariat responsible for bringing
together humanitarian actors to ensure a coherent response to emergencies.
OCHA also ensures there is a framework within which each actor can
contribute to the overall response effort. xxxi
5. The HumanitarianResponse.info platform is provided to the humanitarian
community by OCHA as a mean to help responders coordinate their work on
the ground. xxxii
27
6. UNICEF has operated in Sudan since 1952 and is the largest UN agency
dedicated to supporting women and children in Sudan. Its first permanent
office opened in Khartoum in 1974 - today it employs about 300 staff across
Sudan, most of whom are Sudanese nationals.xxxiii
7. Sudan Human Rights
Amnesty International has warned of increasing human rights violations in
Sudan ahead of the country's referendum on southern independence on
January 9, 2011. xxxiv
8. Human Rights Watch defends the rights of people worldwide. We scrupulously
investigate abuses, expose the facts widely, and pressure those with power to
respect rights and secure justice. Human Rights Watch is an independent,
international organization that works as part of a vibrant movement to uphold
human dignity and advance the cause of human rights for all.xxxv
9. The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) is the newest United
Nations peacekeeping mission for the recently independent Republic of South
Sudan, which became independent on 9 July 2011. UNMISS was established
on 8 July 2011 by United Nations Security Council Resolution 1996 (2011).
UNMISS is since 2014 headed by Special Representative of the SecretaryGeneral Ellen Margrethe Løj who succeeded Hilde Frafjord Johnson. As of
December 2013, it was composed of 5,884 civilian, 5,508 military, and 376
police personnel. It is headquartered in the South Sudanese capital Juba.xxxvi
POINTS A SATISFACTORY RESOLUTION SHOULD
ENCOMPASS
Enhancing territorial and global cooperation and coordination in order to
smoothly transport and deliver essential humanitarian helps to civilians who
are in need, particularly internally displaced people (IDPs). Help offices could
endeavor for greater transparency in methods with the attendance of
recipients in the construction and assessment of programs. Further usage of
technology and framework in order to detect new paths to disseminate aid
thoroughly is compulsory, particularly in LEDCs.
Transparency between the government and its civilians is a necessity for
political and social balance. With the cooperation of organizations such as but
28
lont limited to Transparency International (TI) and Omidyar Network, the
relation between citizens and governments could be intensified by monitoring
the performance of public services such as education and health programs,
tracking legislative efficiency, and tracking public profit, and monitor budget
expenses in an effort to combat fraud.
Promoting the exchange of information with Information and Communication
Technology (ICT) and with willing nations and NGOs to analyze risk
determinants and problems of the national government in order to
acknowledge both political and economic crises happening in the nation is a
necessity in order to solve the problem.
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30