Jul42017

Residents’ safety and peace of mind is my priority, says Carl Sargeant

Welsh Government

Updating Assembly Members on actions the Welsh Government has taken since the Grenfell Tower tragedy the Cabinet Secretary said he was keen to deal with the understandable concerns of tenants as quickly as possible. 

He outlined a range of measures that had been implemented in Swansea since the failed test results on ACM cladding in four of its tower blocks. These include checking fire risk, ensuring residents fully understand emergency fire procedures and providing fire wardens on-site to reassure tenants.

The Cabinet Secretary visited residents in Swansea yesterday in order to understand the experience and views of those living in the affected properties.
Carl Sargeant said:

“I had some very positive and insightful discussions with residents yesterday which will be helpful in shaping our activity as we move forward. I heard from tenants first hand what their concerns are surrounding the safety of cladding material. I was able to explain the steps being taken to ensure that high rise tower blocks are safe. Residents were very clear that they appreciated the advice provided by the council.

“Clearly this situation demands close cooperation by a range of agencies and services. Resident safety and peace of mind is the very highest priority for all organisations involved with this issue and I am pleased to say that all are working together effectively. Along with others, the Welsh Government is absolutely committed to taking a measured and proportionate response which recognises the importance of tenants’ safety and peace of mind.”

The Cabinet Secretary said it is essential that Government action should be based on the best possible professional advice.

“Our excellent Fire and Rescue Services remain closely involved in supporting landlords and in ensuring that all proper and reasonable steps are  taken to safeguard tenants. Their professional and measured approach to risk management and fire safety is crucial,” he said.

Jul42017

UN agency condemns attack on staff in Central African Republic town

United Nations

4 July 2017 – Strongly condemning an attack against its staff and premises in a northern town of the Central African Republic (CAR), the United Nations refugee agency has underscored the importance of safety of aid workers for them to be able to help civilian populations in desperate need.

At about 5 PM on 1 July, unidentified armed men entered the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) premises in Kaga Bandoro town, threatened staff at gun point, and looted all goods and money on site, Andrej Mahecic, a spokesperson for the UN agency told the media at a regular news briefing in Geneva today.

There were six UN staff members (four from UNHCR and two from the UN Development Programme) at the premises and they were also robbed of their belongings, including personal items and passports.

“Since the attack, UNHCR has temporarily relocated staff to the MINUSCA (the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the CAR) base in Kaga Bandoro, and we will be moving some to [the capital,] Bangui,” added Mr. Mahecic.

Also in the town, on the night of 28 June, unidentified armed men tried to break into a UNHCR accommodation, with the intention of attacking staff and looting belongings. That attack was thwarted by MINUSCA forces.

Frequent violence in Kaga Bandoro – located about 350 kilometers (220 miles) north of Bangui – has had a significant impact on the local population, displacing many and leaving them in need of humanitarian assistance.

In CAR, UNHCR has been providing protection and relief support to more than 8,600 refugees and 503,000 internally displaced persons.

Clashes between the mainly Muslim Séléka rebel coalition and anti-Balaka militia, which are mostly Christian, have plunged the country of about 4.5 million people into civil conflict since 2013. In addition to those displaced within the CAR, more than 484,000 people from the country have been forced to seek refuge in neighboring nations.