South Sudan: Conflict and hunger push millions to the brink
The situation is especially dire for returnees fleeing violence in Sudan, who now account for nearly half of those experiencing catastrophic hunger levels. The influx of over 1.1 million displaced people into already fragile communities has overwhelmed resources and relief…
Fear and uncertainty are daily staples for Gaza’s most vulnerable
That’s the message from the UN World Health Organization, WHO, which said on Wednesday that mothers are going into labour amid dire conditions, putting their health and their babies’ lives at risk. It is now five weeks since Israeli authorities…
March proves deadly month for civilians in Ukraine
“The near daily barrage of long-range drones killed and injured scores of civilians across the country last month, and disrupted life for millions more,” said the head of the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (HRMMU), Danielle Bell, in…
Northern Thai communities put nature before profit
The Indigenous Karen people and the Thai Lanna community of Thailand are concerned about plans to divert and dam the Yuam river and its branches, which could undo years of careful stewardship. Members of both communities spoke to a team…
Gaza: Guterres calls on Israel to ensure life-saving aid reaches civilians
Speaking to journalists at UN Headquarters, António Guterres also repeated his call for a renewed ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, and the release of all hostages still being held inside the shattered enclave. No food, fuel, medicine and commercial items…
Kosovo’s inclusive and peaceful election marks progress, but challenges remain
Briefing ambassadors in the Security Council, Caroline Ziadeh, Special Representative of the Secretary-General, highlighted that women secured more seats in the 120-member Assembly – exceeding the 30 per cent gender quota mandated by law. “I congratulate the people of Kosovo…
DR Congo crisis: 41,700 refugees have fled violence to Uganda
Every day since the end of last month, around 600 Congolese have been crossing the border into Uganda – which hosts the largest number of refugees in Africa – bringing the total sheltering there to nearly 600,000, out of a…
Dangers grow for Myanmar quake survivors, health system ‘overwhelmed’
Ten days after a 7.7 magnitude quake levelled buildings and buckled bridges across central Myanmar, the latest death toll has passed 3,500 and is “likely to rise”, said Titon Mitra, UN Development Programme (UNDP) Regional Representative in the country, speaking…
Ukraine crisis: ‘Even wars have rules,’ UN relief chief tells Security Council
Briefing the Security Council, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Tom Fletcher called on the international community to step up support and do more to protect civilians under fire. In recent weeks, continued Russian strikes on cities have seen civilian casualties rise…
With aid blockade into its second month, misery deepens for Gazans
In a joint statement, the heads of the UN’s aid agencies warned that “we are witnessing acts of war in Gaza that show an utter disregard for human life,” with Israeli displacement orders forcing hundreds of thousands to flee – with…