Return to Transcripts main page

Connect the World

Biden Administration To Remove Houthis From Terror List; United Kingdom Relief Chief Makes Twitter Announcement On Decision To Leave; United Nations "Looking Into" Story Of Dubai Sheikha After The BBC Releases Video Allegedly Showing Her Being Held "Hostage"; 21 Million Plus In Texas Under Weather Alerts, 3 Million Plus Without Power; Britain's Prince Philip In Hospital Feeling Unwell. Aired 11a-12p ET

Aired February 17, 2021 - 11:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

[11:00:00]

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ANNOUNCER: Live from CNN Abu Dhabi. This is "Connect the World" with Becky Anderson.

BECKY ANDERSON, CNNI HOST: Hello, and welcome back to the program. There are right now more people displaced than at any other time in human

history. And it happens to one more person, every three seconds.

Those numbers according to the United Nations, we started last hour in the Sahel where some 2 million people have been displaced 2 million. Countries

like France, Spain, and America want to help stamp out the terrorism that people are fleeing in that part of Africa, they have said as much just in

the last 24 hours or so.

But it's difficult to do. In practical terms, the cost of not doing anything at all is extremely high. The cost of doing something can

sometimes be higher still. We are seeing massive displacements as well in Yemen as well that drags on and in Ethiopia, where the conflict in Tigray

still rumbles and in fact gets worse in some respects every day.

So I want to connect you this hour at the top of this show, with Mark Lowcock, the United Nations Under-Secretary General for Humanitarian

Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, effectively the UN's Chief on Humanitarian Affairs. He's the man to help us connect this world that we

live in.

Mark, thank you for joining us and there are several humanitarian crises that I would like to discuss with you this hour. I want to start with the

Sahel region. That G-5 Sahel Summit has just wrapped up it is drawing international attention on what is the growing threat of Islamist militants

in the region. Take a listen to what the U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ANTONY BLINKEN, U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE: The United States is committed to being a strong partner to you, like you were concerned about rising violent

extremism, governance challenges and humanitarian concerns in the region. As ISIS and Al-Qaeda affiliates seek to expand their reach across Africa,

the United States will continue to work closely with our African partners. We will build on existing efforts in West Africa and share lessons in the

global fight against violent extremism.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ANDERSON: That's the new U.S. Secretary of State very much reopening Washington's interest in what is this very, very, very unstable region.

French President Emmanuel Macron also addressing his country's military presence on the ground, they're saying he won't withdraw troops in a rushed

exit. Mark, what is needed on the ground?

MARK LOWCOCK, U.N. UNDER-SECRETARY GENERAL FOR HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS: Well, and let me just say, firstly, Becky, that you're exactly right, on the way

you teed all this up, which is that the world has got a bigger set of these problems now than any time in the last 35 years.

And the reason for that is because of the combination of conflict and climate change compounded by COVID. And this is a good example of it

because these Jihadists had a terrific year in 2020 but it's important to get below the reasons why that is?

And the reasons essentially are, that climate change and population growth and resource pressures, have meant that people have been fighting over

water resources to sustain their traditional livelihoods which are agriculture and looking after their cattle. And that's created grievances.

And that has led to conflict and that's opened up the space for the Jihadists.

Now, it's important to deal with the symptoms of this problem, which is displacement you talked about and last year, we raised $2 billion to deal

with the symptoms. But this just dealing with the symptoms is not going to make the problem go away or get better.

And that is why I think the new stance of the Biden Administration is so important because they are displaying an understanding of the need to deal

with the causes, as well as the symptoms.

ANDERSON: Antony Blinken made it very clear that he believes that more is needed than just a military fix here and he talks about governance in the

region.

[11:05:00]

ANDERSON: Just how big a concern is that to you and others in the world of humanitarian aid and support, when it comes to trying to affect a solution

here?

LOWCOCK: People are reduced to, you know extreme behaviors because of poverty and because they - their experience of their government at the

national level and local level is that it doesn't respond to their needs.

And there doesn't need to be a security response to deal with the Jihadists, but it needs to be done in a way which wins the hearts and minds

of ordinary people doesn't alienate them further, and, unfortunately, some of the things that have happened across this region over recent years have

added to the legitimate grievance that ordinary people hold because the National Armed Forces haven't displayed an appropriate measure of

protecting ordinary people and looking after their human rights so treated them too often as part of the problem, rather than the people who need to

be held.

ANDERSON: The UN Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict Virginia Gamba told Reuters that she is concerned about a surge in attacks

by Islamic militants in this region against children, including kidnappings, killings, and forced displacement. And she added that COVID-19

has altered armed groups, tactics. Can you just explain how?

LOWCOCK: Well, it is definitely the case that these armed groups have developed and expanded. And they've been inspired, in many cases, actually,

by the behavior of ISIS in Iraq and Syria. And so, some of the kidnappings, like this new one in Nigeria, we've just heard about in Northern Nigeria,

hundreds of teenage school boys kidnapped, sometimes that's by organized criminals for financial gain.

But a lot of the time it is for recruitment to force people to become the holders of the guns in the militant's campaign against sovereign

governments and people who have no other choices sometimes get drawn into that dilemma.

So, you know, really all the time, you have to come back to what are the underlying causes of this problem, you have to address the causes, as I

said earlier, as well as dealing with the symptoms like the displacement.

ANDERSON: This is a tinderbox as, as people have described it, to me, really not just waiting to happen, but happening in front of our eyes. This

is an under told story that we will continue to provide some platform for it is so important.

Today, Mark the UK, expected to call for United Nations resolution to help negotiate ceasefire so that people in conflict zones can be vaccinated

against COVID-19. This expected to come from the British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, who is chairing a virtual UN Security Council meeting, what

might that resolution look like?

And are you confident that wealthier countries will ensure that those countries can actually get access to vaccines?

LOWCOCK: Well, one of the things that Antonio Guterres, my bosses the Secretary General, and we have all been working on hard over the last year

is to try to calm down all these conflicts so that we can deal better with the pandemic.

And this renewed call for ceasefires from our point of view, which the Security Council discussing right this minute as you and I talk is very,

very welcome. Of course, the immediate problem in respect of the vaccines is simply the manufacturing capacity and the availability of enough vaccine

to reach these very poor countries.

But as time passes, the manufacturing capacity will grow. And there will be more available for these places in conflict. None of us will be safe until

they get the vaccine, as well. So creating the environment in which the vaccines can be deployed is extremely important.

ANDERSON: We're talking about conflict zones here and I want to talk about the Yemen conflict. It's one that sadly, you and I have had to speak about

so often, in the past, what six years now. Last time we spoke, the Trump Administration had just designated the Houthis as a foreign terrorist

organization and you told me that this move would result in a large scale famine.

Now the new Biden Administration has revoked that designation, have a listen as our viewers will now to what Ned Price State Department Spokesman

said on the issue yesterday.

[11:10:00]

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

NED PRICE, U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN: Do not have second thoughts about the profound humanitarian implications that were at play when it came

to the broad designation of - we can ensure that we are not worsening the humanitarian plight of Yemen's civilian population while continuing to put

pressure on the leaders of the - or the Houthi movement.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ANDERSON: Right, that's important, because I know you welcome the decision to take them off the list of terrorist organizations, but they're large

scale offensive in the central city of Marriott where more than 750,000 displaced people have sought shelter, as has had you, suggests that the

Houthis could actually worsen this humanitarian situation. I know this is complicated, but just explain what you believe, needs to happen next, at

this point?

LOWCOCK: Well, as you and I have discussed before, Becky, that situation for ordinary people in Yemen has been getting worse and worse and worse,

year after year after year through the conflict. And it's now worse than ever. I mean, there could be a huge famine this year with millions of

people living their lives in Yemen.

Now, what the Biden Administration have said, in my opinion, creates the best opportunity for years to deal with this, particularly, because also

the way it's been welcomed, for example, by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and I particularly obviously, welcome the focus on the humanitarian

dimension of this problem.

But an opportunity is only useful if it's taken. And it's really now incumbent on the Yemeni parties on all sides to decide whether, finally,

they've had enough of the bloodletting and they want to try and get around the table and find a resolution and probably they'll have to get into some

kind of power sharing government.

The humanitarian situation can be kept under control if we raise enough money, as we'll be trying to do on one march in an important fundraising

meeting. But keeping the situation under control only buys time to move forward with the political process.

So this is a very important moment, the best opportunity we've had for years, but that's only going to be helpful if people take the opportunity.

And what's happening in Marriott right now is an alarming time.

ANDERSON: This new U.S. administration, led by the President Joe Biden, has confirmed it is looking to stop U.S. complicity in this Yemen conflict. But

let's be quite frank, you and I know that that will not stop the conflict.

What do you expect a U.S. administration which has put the Yemen crisis front and center? What do you expect to see from them next, so that people

in this region right here in the Gulf, don't just assume for this to be an administration similar to that in the past of Barack Obama, many of whom

believe that's where much of this sort of effort in Yemen kind of found an excuse. And what more can the U.S. do at this point to ensure that there is

a solution to this conflict?

LOWCOCK: I think the U.S. and others, frankly, have concluded that or haven't worked that there needs to be a diplomatic push, and there needs to

be sustaining the humanitarian situation. And you know, other people are going to have to come to this table as well, most importantly, of all the

Yemeni parties themselves, it's possible for the Yemenis leaders of all parts to have a brighter future.

I mean, do people really want to be skulking from safe house to cave worrying that, that tonight is the night where the missile or the bullet

finally gets them don't they want to have a different kind of future for them as the leaders but also for their people buys the opportunity?

I think there is a real chance because there's a lot of fatigue with the war in lots of quarters. But everybody needs to come to the table and those

who can bring pressure to bear on the various different Yemeni parties now are really the moment.

ANDERSON: The conflict, of course, sustains a war economy, a war economy that will be very familiar to you, in the work that you do. You have

dedicated your life to raising cash to ensure that humanitarian efforts can be funded and you put Yemen front and center at present.

[11:15:00]

ANDERSON: But you have been very vocal in the past about how that cash can quite frankly, get spent in nefarious ways and the Houthis have been part

of that nefarious activity Mark haven't they?

LOWCOCK: You know, people do many, many bad things in wars and conflicts, overall, the humanitarian agencies, the UN agencies, the Red Cross, the

NGOs, and others, basically do a very good job in reaching people.

Last year for the appeals I coordinate, we raised $20 billion, we reach more than 100 million people, millions of them were certainly have died,

but for the efforts of brave aid workers on the ground. But we are constantly fighting against what you described their attempts to, you know,

interfere with or hinder or sometimes pillage the aid system and we will never put up with that we will never put up with that.

And the reason is we know if once we did the people whose money we rely on wouldn't give us the money anymore. So everyone needs to understand that

you can try and interfere with and pillage the aid system, we will never put up with that because it would end the aid system.

ANDERSON: An ongoing concern and issue of course, a really terrible one. Look, I want to - I've got two other questions for you. Let's just turn to

Tigray, Ethiopia's Minister for Women, Children and Youth tweeted last week, and I quote we have received reports back from our task force team on

the ground in the Tigray region. They have unfortunately established rape has taken place conclusively and without doubt.

This is horrendous. What are you hearing from your teams on the ground? Are they confirming similar reports?

LOWCOCK: It really breaks my heart what's happening in Northern Ethiopia. My first job actually in 1985 was being involved in the response to and

recovery from the feminine within Ethiopia then and the story of Ethiopia over the last 35 years has been really magical, amazing story of progress

of development.

People have much, much better lives now than they used to. And seeing all that put at risk, I think is really a tragedy. I'm hearing reports of mass

atrocities of abductions, killings, rapes, and it's still going on.

I mean, in the last few days, there have been reports of an uptick in fighting. It's been difficult to get humanitarian assistance into people

that started to change. We have an agreement with the Ethiopian authorities just the other day to get a million people food and we've got dozens of

extra aid workers up there.

But at the moment, we're only able to take the edge off the problem we need more access and to get more supplies out there. If we're ready to reverse

the trajectory and the fighting needs to stop and all these militia groups and foreign troops who we know are out there they need to be moved out of

the way.

ANDERSON: Mark, you've announced that you are leaving your role. Writing on Twitter, "I'm soon returning to the UK to spend more time with my family.

It has been a privilege to work with the agency in support Antonio Guterres, all humanitarian agency do matters above all, for those we are

trying to help" Mark, looking back at your time in this role, what legacy do you hope to be leaving behind?

LOWCOCK: OK. Well, I'm the 13th person to do this job. And in fact, when by the time I finished, which we when Antonio Guterres has decided he wants to

take over for me I will have done it longer than anyone except one other person, and I've done it, you know, along with my family, so I really want

to get back to them.

The world has a good humanitarian system as I said earlier, we save millions of lives a year, people work very hard doing that I've really

admired so much of what I've seen done. Unfortunately, though, things are worse now in terms of humanitarian crisis than they were in 2017 when I

started doing this, and really, that's because the causes have accumulated without being addressed, we've been dealing with the symptoms.

So what I would like to see is a more effective global response, the leading countries of the world have the biggest responsibility here to deal

with those underlying causes, prevent and resolve conflict, get faster progress on tackling climate change, be aware of these disease threats,

that would be what I would like to see as I move to the sidelines, hand the baton on and admire, you know how people keep going with this important

work.

ANDERSON: Well Mark, we wish you the best and the very best to your family. I'm sure they are absolutely delighted, personally that you will be

spending more time with them and when you said I will - I'm looking forward to spending more time with my family. I believed you that's normally a sort

of odd phrase, isn't it?

[11:20:00]

ANDERSON: When people kind of are pushed aside but this one I know is an honest it's a you're an honest broker and this one, this one it you meant

it when you said it and so we will. We do wish you and the family the best and stay in touch. The work you do and have been doing for the last 13

years is so important. Thank you, Mark.

LOWCOCK: Thank Becky.

ANDERSON: Well, the U.S. pressing a reset button on its relationship with Saudi Arabia. Still ahead, how the Kingdom's de facto ruler got snubbed in

the process? And the new U.S. President meets with some regular people during a CNN Town Hall we'll show you how the discussion unfolded heavy on

reassurance low on drama that's coming up?

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ANDERSON: Connecting you to the Middle East now and a big change of tag in U.S. policy towards Saudi Arabia. The White House says that from now on

President Biden will conduct state to state business directly with King Salman, which means not with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman seen here on

the left.

It's not only a snub at the Crown Prince who is Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler, but the move comes on the heels of other major policy changes which

the White House calls a recalibration of the relationship.

We're joined now by Nic Robertson, who has spent a lot of his career covering Saudi Arabia. He was recently there in the kingdom he speaks was

now from London, what do you make of this move by Washington?

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATIC EDITOR: I think there are a number of things here at stake, Becky. There are the specific Saudi issues

and the recalibration of that relationship. And let's face it, Mohammed bin Salman, the Crown Prince had a pretty cozy relationship with the Trump

Administration being able to go straight to the president's son in law, his senior Middle East policy adviser.

He was able to sort of cut out the State Department at times it led to friction at times, even with the Secretary of State under President Trump.

So this is a very clear signal, that's not going to be the future. It is a very public snub, in a way.

But I don't think the White House is fooled by thinking that if President Biden picks up the phone and speaks to King Salman rather than his son that

the son won't know what's being said or won't have an input on how the King will respond?

And Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has been given this power by his father to lead a new vision of the future of the country. But I think it

also tells us something very important about how President Biden intends to build allies around the world?

He has said this; he said in his big foreign policy speech that he was standing up for human rights was vital. And what gave the United States its

sort of power, its moral power and authority around the world.

And it's very clear, it seems and certainly there seems to be a concern of China, that when President Biden courses summit of democracies, one of the

things he'll set out to do is to make human rights central value of democracies, and China doesn't embody that.

So here you have President Biden being able to use a clear moral standing on human rights to call China route over abuses of Uyghurs that they deny.

[11:25:00]

ROBERTSON: But call them out over that and essentially, stand allies with him as you confront China's other moves around the world. So I think that's

part of a bigger picture here. And I'm just one other thing on this, Becky, I've spoken to a number of Saudis some of the senior positions recently,

and they feel that this was perhaps an expected downturn in the relationship with Saudi Arabia.

But they actually say that they feel that the conversations they're having now with the Biden Administration, but other levels are excellent. So now

that this may seem like a public put down, but behind the scenes, I think this is not as bad as it perhaps appears publicly.

ANDERSON: You know the optics on it is not great. I mean, interestingly, I was just wondering whether you would sort of entertain, you know, another

sort of China leg in is, to a certain extent, which is the following, you know, there is - we've seen a kind of pivot in this region towards China,

and indeed, the more opportunistic Russia and away from the U.S., when needs be, and when convenient.

There is every, every chance that the Crown Prince, with his vision, 2030, and the and the spin that will be associated with that could be pivoted

towards Chinese companies, Russian companies, Ukrainian companies, and less towards the U.S. going forward, which could be quite damaging for

Washington.

ROBERTSON: And this is something certainly that Washington would be aware of. And I think that's where we hear the Biden Administration saying, you

know, while we're sort of not going to support the war in Yemen, we are going to support the defense of Saudi Arabia, making it clear to the

Kingdom that they're a big ally, that the historic sort of generations long leading of Kings and, and former presidents, that's not something that's

going to change.

That's the message, but you're absolutely right. I mean, there's a big economic and much bigger a growing economic interest between China and

Saudi Arabia. And certainly, the President Putin has had very close ties with King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

So I think if you're the - if you're the United States, looking over your shoulder, who else might take your place in that relationship, there are

certainly others waiting there and Saudi Arabia, speaking to somebody close to the country's significant investment fund recently.

And they made it very clear the investments that the Kingdom makes are for national interest that these will be sound investments. And if they think

this isn't how it was said to me, but if they think the implication is if they will think that they're going to have sound investments in Asia,

they'll pursue that.

And this, of course, is something that that President Biden wants to head off did thoroughbred democracies from doing which is investing in China

when it has so many human rights abuses. And it's been interesting to look at what's happened in Saudi Arabia in terms of human rights in recent

weeks, the releasing or partial releasing of some high profile activists who've been in detention for some period of time.

That message that part of the message has also taken root in Saudi for how long are they just bending and Biden's human rights breeze here? It's not

clear.

ANDERSON: There's a saying in this region, the U.S. has been fighting wars in the Middle East for 20 years and losing China has been doing business

for 20 years and winning in the Gulf region. And certainly that sort of pivot towards Asia that we heard the Obama Administration of course talks

about back in 2015, absolutely.

That's the issue, isn't it? Whether the military strategic story from China becomes a wider narrative here, perhaps and then in the past.

All right, thank you for that. I want to get you an update folks on an ongoing story now a member of Dubai's ruling family, Sheikha Latifa claims

that she is being held prisoner by her father, the Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, in what is sad, apparently secretly

recorded video clip that was handed to the BBC Princess Latifa, a 35-year- old daughter of Sheikh Mohammed said this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SHEIKHA LATIFA, PRINCESS: I'm a hostage and this villa has been converted into a jail. All the windows are barred short, I can't open any window.

I've been by myself solitary confinement, no access to medical help. No trial no charge, nothing.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ANDERSON: Well, the BBC says Princess Latifa secretly recorded videos on her mobile phone while hiding in a bathroom. The UN's Working Group on

Enforced Disappearances says it is looking into it the UK's Foreign Minister Dominic Raab describing the recordings are very distressing.

Back in March of 2018 she made headlines when she unsuccessfully tried to flee this country. She hasn't been seen publicly since CNN has contacted

the Dubai government for comment; we have not been given a response as yet. We'll be back after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[11:30:00]

ANDERSON: Here is President Joe Biden took questions directly from the American people on Tuesday in CNN's first Town Hall with him since he took

office in January and as you would imagine the Coronavirus pandemic and its economic destruction took up most of the conversation. There was a bold

promise on vaccines. And as Jeremy diamond reports; Mr. Biden tried to bring it reassuring tone to the crowd in Wisconsin.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JEREMY DIAMOND, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): President Biden pitching his $1.9 trillion dollar Coronavirus relief package during a CNN Town Hall

giving Americans a new timeline for a return to normal with a dose of cautious optimism.

JOE BIDEN, PRESIDENT, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: As my mother would say, with the grace of God and the goodwill of the neighbors, that by next

Christmas, I think we'll be in a very different circumstance God willing, then we are today. But we don't know. So I don't want to over promise

anything here.

DIAMOND (voice over): Biden pledging there will be enough vaccines for all Americans within five months.

BIDEN: By the end of July, we'll have over 600 million doses enough to vaccinate every single American.

DIAMOND (voice over): Even as he warned it would take longer to get those shots in arms.

ANDERSON COOPER, CNN HOST: When you say by the end of July do you mean that they will be available or that people will have been able to actually get

them because Dr. Fauci--

BIDEN: It will be available.

DIAMOND (voice over): And Meantime, Biden wants to prioritize teacher vaccinations even as you warned, it's up to states to decide who gets

access when?

BIDEN: I think the teachers and the folks who work in the school the cafeteria workers and other should be on the list of preferred to get a

vaccination. But I can't tell the state you must move such and such a group of people up.

DIAMOND (voice over): The president also clearing up comments made by the White House Press Secretary last week, when she suggested hitting school

reopening goals could mean only one day of in person learning a week.

BIDEN: It was a mistake in the communication. But what I'm talking about, as I said opening the majority of schools in K through eighth grade,

because they're the easiest to open. The most needed to be opened in terms of the impact on children and families having to stay home.

COOPER: So when do you think that would be K through eight - five days a week possible?

BIDEN: I think we'll be close to that at the end of the first 100 days we'd have a significant percentage of them being able to be opened. My guess is

they're going to probably be pushing to open all for all summer.

[11:35:00]

DIAMOND (voice over): As Congressional Republicans push for a smaller relief package Biden standing firm.

BIDEN: We can't spend too much now's the time we should be spending, now's the time to go big.

DIAMOND (voice over): But the president's more moderate politics on this play on other issues like police funding and immigration reform. Biden

again rejecting a proposal introduced by a group of top Congressional Democrats aimed at canceling up to $50,000 in federal student loan debt per

borrower, saying he has other priorities.

BIDEN: I will not make that happen. But I do think that in this moment of economic pain and strain, that we should be eliminating interest on the

debts that are accumulated number one, and number two, I'm prepared to write off a $10,000 in debt, but not 50.

DIAMOND (voice over): And with his predecessor's second impeachment trial now in the past, Biden eager to move forward.

BIDEN: For four years all that's been in the news is Trump the next four years, I want to make sure all the news is the American people. I'm tired.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ANDERSON: Well, an Arctic blast that's pummeling the U.S. - most of the country in its icy grip is expected to cause widespread delays in COVID-19

vaccine distribution that the U.S. President was just referring to there.

The CDC says the severe weather could hold shipments and deliveries over the next few days. Now in some of the hardest hit states like Texas, many

woke up to images like this. Look at that. More than 20 million people there are under winter weather alerts more than 3 million of them are

without power.

Well, our Camila Bernal has been out there braving the cold for hours now she joins us live from Dallas. What's the situation where you are at this

point?

CAMILA BERNAL, CNN U.S. CORRESPONDENT: Hey, Becky. So this is really not normal for people here in Texas. What you're seeing here, behind me is not

the normal this time of year or ever in the State of Texas. And the problem is not just the snow, or the low temperatures.

It's the fact that it's not only been one day, not two days, but now almost three days, and people are having to deal with no power, no electricity, no

heater, essentially and some of them even having to deal with no water. And so people are frustrated.

They're upset trying to figure out why this is happening and why their power has not been restored? At the moment, they still don't have answers.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BERNAL (voice over): Arctic temperatures and rolling blackouts hammering Texas as the country sees record lows throughout the south and plains

states more than 3 million homes and businesses without power and heat, including more than 1 million residents in the Houston area city officials

slamming the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, the private company that runs about 90 percent of Texas's electric grid.

JUDGE LINA HIDALGO, HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS: We've been hit hard by nature this week. But we can't deny that some of this is a manmade disaster as

well. And the 5 million residents of this county and really this region in the state will deserve answers from ERCOT and the state once this is over.

BERNAL (voice over): ERCOT Seals saying the company is dealing with more outages because of frozen wind turbines and limited natural gas supplies.

BILL MAGNESS, CEO, THE ELECTRIC RELIABILITY COUNCIL OF TEXAS: I think what has happened here is a response that kept the grid from collapsing. That

kept us from going into a blackout condition. And certainly we need to look at what has happened here once we get everybody back online, which is the

number one priority.

BERNAL (voice over): Texas Governor Greg Abbott placing the blame squarely on Urquhart and has called for a review of the electricity system in the

state.

GREG ABBOTT, TEXAS GOVERNOR: The power generators froze up in their equipment was incapable of generating power. And then on top of that, the

natural gas that flows into those power generators that is frozen up also what ERCOT should have been able to do is to have backup systems in place

they have provided zero explanation why they do not have backup systems in place.

BERNAL (voice over): The state's water supply is now in jeopardy. In Galveston, Texas, the water supply is critically low and in Houston the

Mayor warning its residents to conserve water.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BERNAL: And I did talk to a family in Houston they told me that once their water pressure started getting low, they tried to go out and find water. It

is sold out in all of the stores around their neighborhood and it's not just water.

Supermarkets are running out of certain foods because they're not getting deliveries so you're not getting any sort of Amazon, you're not getting

food deliveries. You're not getting COVID vaccine deliveries and so officials are telling people to be patient, but they're also telling people

to be very careful.

[11:40:00]

BERNAL: There are already been a number of people that have died as a result of this storm. And there's been an uptick in carbon monoxide

poisoning people that are being taken to the hospital, because they're bringing in grills or barbecues, or using their cars in the garage.

This may seem like common sense, but because this doesn't happen here in Texas, officials are warning people and telling them to be extra careful

over the next couple of days, Becky?

ANDERSON: Well, stay safe and warm yourself. Thank you very much indeed for those tough times. I want to show you these incredible pictures now from

Mount Etna in Italy.

Europe's most active volcanoes spewing lava and ash this iridescent plume of orange smoke, covering the town of Pet Daniel (ph), aside from some ash

covered streets eruption, is old show, thankfully no reports of any injuries or damage or their friends of mine from Sicily have been sending

me photographs of pieces of molten lava. The size is bigger than the size of very big Sicilian lemons which are big at the best of times. I mean

unbelievable stuff. Isn't it remarkable?

Well still ahead Britain's Prince Philip is in a hospital after feeling unwell overnight. The latest from the UK is coming up for you. What's the

health impact of social distancing? I'm going to speak with the Head of the Touch Research Institute in Miami about how going so long without physical

touch affects us, both mentally and physically?

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ANDERSON: Well, there is no doubt these images will be remembered for sometimes come plastic COVID safe hug walls an innovative way to stay

together while staying apart quite frankly during the Coronavirus pandemic.

As you are well aware, the pandemic has deprived so many of us from one of the most simple and taken for granted aspects of human behavior, touch. It

was one of the first things we lost this time last year, handshakes turned into elbow bumps and the space between us only grew from there six feet

apart, stay at home orders lock downs the list goes on with such perpetual limbo around when we can hug or be close to loved ones.

Again, this is having a huge strain on people's mental and physical health. So I wanted to get you some expert advice this hour. I want to bring in

Tiffany Field; she's the Director of the Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami.

[11:45:00]

ANDERSON: And firstly, Tiffany, I just want you to describe if you will, the impact mentally and physically on us all when we simply can't touch

people.

TIFFANY FIELD, DIRECTOR, TOUCH RESEARCH INSTITUTE, UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI: Yes. Well, our COVID-19 lockdown survey suggests that at least 60 percent

were reporting being touched deprived. And although 20 percent of those folks were young and living alone, 40 percent were living with other

people.

So it wasn't just the lack of sort of social touch when we're physically distancing, but also affectionate touch with new families, which was very

distressing to us, because those people have anxiety, depression, sleep problems, they also expressed that they were bored, and that they were

lonely.

And we're worried not only about the psychological effects, but the physical effects because of the absence of charge or even just a reduction

in touch can lead to depressed immune function, and physical illness.

ANDERSON: Look, nobody can forecast the end of the line when it comes to this pandemic. And we all live in such limbo. And many people are finding

incredibly difficult. How does one cope with touch deprivation? And what does?

FIELD: Yes, what we've been telling folks is that they really need to engage in exercise, because exercise provides stimulation to the pressure

receptors under the skin just as hugging, or massaging does and in, if they can't do exercise, they should brush themselves in the shower, just washing

their hands and stimulating and pressure receptors in our hands. And walking around stimulates pressure receptors in your feet.

So in a sense, although that's lacking the emotional significance of touching and being touched, it does provide the physical stimulation that's

needed to keep the immune systems functioning. It's ironic that our immune compromised time and we can't be touching.

ANDERSON: Yes, and look, I mean, you know, there are certain cultures where people, you know, embrace more, they touch more, and there are others,

where people perhaps are less, sort of tactile. But, you know, when people physically can't physically touch people at all, and you've explained how

that affects us. And that's, that's really important.

Look, I wonder if you've got any advice for those who might be struggling, like you say, you sort of think about the elderly and those who are living

alone and single people, you know, you tend to think of, of those sort of that profile of person first, when we're discussing an issue like this.

But as you rightly point out, you know, you could be living with people, and still not having that same sort of, you know, warmth as you might

otherwise have. What's your advice to people who are struggling?

FIELD: Well, I'm suggesting people who are living with each other to get off social media as much as they are, and to spend more time giving back

rubs and exercising together. For people alone, I'm suggesting really, that you need to do self massage.

And that's easy enough, we can all reach every part of our body basically and walk around and just move around as much as you can. Because that,

again, that stimulation of the pressure receptors is what's key to the physical health and key to keeping us from being aggressive.

When we stimulate pressure receptors, we're slowing the nervous system, and we're slowing production stress hormones and that saves the natural killer

cells that kill the viral cells and the bacterial cells and the cancer cells. So there's a very awful reason why we absolutely need--

ANDERSON: Finally, look, I know, single people who, who are really concerned about how they may have lost - largely lost the ability to sort

of build and have intimate relationships, whether those are serious or casual relationships. I wonder how concerned you are about the long term

impacts of this pandemic on people's ability to build intimacy going forward.

FIELD: Yes, that's a very serious problem that relationships need physical affection and when that's absent, then you'll have to seek other sources of

that.

[11:50:00]

FIELD: Sound - for example, that the cuddling groups are coming to be very popular. Cuddle shops and massage therapists and so forth. Those can be

temporary solutions for the problem. But mostly what was happening during our survey was that people were compensating by exercising, and people can,

no matter your age, you can exercise on this pandemic, and while we have to socially distance exercise - buffer for that, the problems of deprivation.

ANDERSON: With that, we'll leave it there. We thank you very much, indeed for joining us. And look, folks, if you know someone who's struggling,

please do head cnn.com/impact. We've got a range of resources that are listed there and available, seen here on the left hand side of the screen.

So do reach out or encourage others to reach out we're going to be back after this?

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ANDERSON: Britain's Prince Philip husband to Queen Elizabeth the Second has been taken to a London hospital. And these are live pictures. Buckingham

Palace releasing a statement saying the 99-year-old was admitted Tuesday after feeling unwell. Officials say it is just a precautionary measure and

not COVID related. CNN's Anna Stewart is live for us in London, Anna?

ANNA STEWART, CNN REPORTER: Hi Becky. Yes, Prince Philip admitted into this hospital last night. But as you say the message really we're getting from

the Palace is one trying to relay concern I'd say. First of all, they've said that he's been feeling unwell for a short period. It isn't

Coronavirus. We know what it isn't.

And actually Prince Philip and her Majesty the Queen were both vaccinated last month. They've said this wasn't an emergency admission. This was

recommended by the palace doctor that Prince Philip should go in and he was able to get that by car and he actually walked into the hospital unaided,

which frankly, is quite extraordinary for any 99-year-old, particularly one who's only a few months shy of his 100th birthday.

We know that Her Majesty the Queen remains at Windsor Castle, where they have been bubbling now for many, many months. I think that's again a

message perhaps on the Palace suggesting that we shouldn't be too concerned at this stage given Her Majesty the Queen hasn't decided to come down to

London and be at his bedside.

Prince Philip has had a few health challenges in recent years bladder infections, blocked coronary artery at one stage he's had surgery on his

hip. He's had surgery on his abdomen. And you may remember back he was admitted into the same hospital just a little over a year ago was right

before Christmas and 2019.

At that time, the Palace said he was there for observation and treatment for a pre existing condition. We've got slightly different language coming

out today. So perhaps it's something different. But at this stage we're pretty thin on details. All we know from the Palace is that we do expect

him to be there for treatment and rest for a few days but we'll keep across it Becky.

ANDERSON: Anna Stewart in London for you. And with that it is time to go when we are not doing this to our show for you. You can always find me and

the material produced by the team @beckycnn on Twitter and beckycnn on Instagram. Do stay safe. Stay well and wherever you are watching do look

after one another a very good evening from Abu Dhabi.

[11:55:00]

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

END