Myanmar earthquake latest: Entire communities flattened, aid teams say
Speaking to journalists from Yangon on Tuesday, Julia Rees, Deputy Representative of the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in the country described seeing massive needs rising by the hour, after a 7.7 magnitude quake. “Entire communities have been flattened,” she said,…
Myanmar earthquake tragedy ‘compounds already dire crisis’
Humanitarian and Resident Coordinator Marcoluigi Corsi expressed the UN’s profound sorry at the immense loss of life stemming from Friday’s 7.7 and 6.4 magnitude quakes with the death toll rising to around 2,000, according to the country’s military junta. “The…
Myanmar earthquake: Search and rescue efforts continue in race against time
According to news reports citing Myanmar’s military leader, around 1,700 are confirmed dead from Friday’s 7.7 magnitude quake, with some 3,400 injured and hundreds still missing. In the Thai capital Bangkok which was also rocked by the seismic event, 76…
Myanmar quake: More than 1,600 reported killed, as UN aid operation supports rescue efforts
The earthquakes of 7.7 and 6.4 magnitude struck Myanmar in the centre of the country northwest of Sagaing. The UN aid coordination office, OCHA, reported on Saturday that hospitals in the area are overwhelmed with extensive damage to health infrastructure….
UN teams ramp up response to deadly quake in Myanmar and Thailand
The Emergency Relief Coordinator tweeted that UN teams are being “supported by expertise across our global network”. News reports quoting sources in the Burmese city of Mandalay, close to the epicentre of the quake, indicate that hundreds have died. In…
Migrant deaths in Asia hit record high in 2024, UN data reveals
This represents a staggering 59 per cent increase from the 1,584 deaths recorded in 2023, highlighting the worsening dangers faced by people on the move. “No one should lose their life in pursuit of safety or a better future,” said…
‘Don’t cut the aid’: Insecurity worsens for stateless Rohingya, says UNHCR’s Grandi
In a joint appeal, the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, and the UN International Organization for Migration (IOM) urged all countries to step up to support the displaced Rohingya – the world’s largest stateless population. A ‘frightening’ place The humanitarian situation…
Free societies are good for business says UN rights chief, wrapping up visit to Kyrgyzstan
Speaking in the capital Bishkek, Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights acknowledged the country’s recent economic growth but cautioned that narrowing space for civil society and press freedom could undermine progress. “For societies to thrive, they need to…
Afghanistan: Security Council renews UN mission as WHO warns of health catastrophe
Unanimously adopting resolution 2777 (2025), the 15-member council stressed the “critical importance” of a continued presence of UNAMA and other UN agencies across Afghanistan. The council also expressed appreciation for the UN’s long-term commitment to the country and its people,…
UN chief affirms solidarity with Bangladesh amid political transition
Speaking to the media on Saturday, the Secretary-General praised Bangladesh’s progress and highlighted the role of the international community in supporting the country’s future. “I am particularly pleased to be in Bangladesh at this important moment in your national journey,”…