Haiti
UN officials told the Security Council on Monday 19 October that gangs killed more than 1,000 people and abducted more than 100 in Haiti between July and September. The Gang Suppression Force has more than 2,000 personnel, just over a third of its authorised strength. El Salvador's delegate said four of its aviation technicians serving with the Force were ambushed outside Port-au-Prince the previous day, and that efforts to establish contact were continuing. Full story in today's lead.
Lebanon
The UN spokesperson said on Monday that UNIFIL recorded several Israeli air strikes from Friday to Sunday, in both of its sectors. On 16 October, he said, Israeli tanks blocked a UNIFIL logistics convoy near Al Bayyadah in Sector West, preventing delivery of supplies to UN positions, and roadblocks on several routes have forced the cancellation of planned patrols and logistics convoys.
Occupied Palestinian Territory
Also from the UN noon briefing: the UN says settler attacks linked to the olive harvest in the West Bank are exceeding those of previous years, and that olive pickers are being injured every day. The UN's shelter partners say about 66 per cent of the funding needed to help families prepare for the cold and rainy season remains unmet, a gap of 186 million dollars out of 283 million.
Mauritania
On 19 October the FCDO added information to its Safety and security page about the risks of travelling on the iron ore train. The page says it is illegal to travel on the train outside the designated passenger carriages, and that doing so carries a significant risk of serious injury with no adequate medical facilities in the region.
Tradecraft
Today's tradecraft piece sets out what the FCDO says it will and will not do in a kidnap or hostage situation abroad, including that it will not pay ransoms.
