Over 5,000 civilians killed since Myanmar military coup
At least 5,350 civilians have been killed, and more than 3.3 million displaced, since the military seized power on 1 February 2021, and over half the population is living below the poverty line mainly due to violence perpetrated by the…
Viet Nam mobilises massive response as Typhoon Yagi leaves a trail of catastrophe
The storm made landfall on Saturday in the country’s north with wind speeds reaching 213 kilometres (133 miles) per hour, causing severe flooding and landslides, and forcing the evacuation of over 50,000 people. As of Wednesday, at least 179 people…
UN investigators warn of widespread abuses in Myanmar conflict
Addressing the Geneva-based Human Rights Council, Nicholas Koumjian, the head of the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar (IIMM), said that in many instances, civilians were “not just collateral damage but rather the target of attacks”. “Just last week, airstrikes near…
Millions impacted by ‘catastrophic and massive floods’ in Bangladesh
The destruction has prompted the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) to rush humanitarian relief items from its stockpiles in the country to help those in need. Over 18 million people in Bangladesh have been affected by these severe monsoon conditions, with more…
Asia-Pacific nations commit to ‘visionary blueprint’ for inclusive digital world
The Astana Ministerial Declaration, named after the conference host city in Kazakhstan, is particularly significant for the region marked by stark disparities in digital access and usage. While an estimated 96 per cent of the population in Asia and the…
Yemen: UN appeals for immediate release of staff held by de facto authorities
Issuing the appeal in Geneva on his behalf, Chief Spokesperson for his Office OHCHR, Ravina Shamdasani, “unequivocally” rejected the “false allegations” for which one staff member appeared to have been made to confess under duress. “These are completely made-up allegations,”…
Afghanistan: UN will ‘continue to engage’ with Taliban, following threat to withdraw cooperation
According to media reports, the Taliban “morality police” said earlier in the day that they would no longer cooperate with the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) because of criticism of the law adopted last week. UNAMA – alongside other…
In battle for development ‘you can count on us’, Guterres tells Timor-Leste, marking 25 years of self-determination
In a surprise move, legislators made the UN chief an honorary citizen of their southeast Asian island nation during the celebrations in the capital Dili, prompting the UN chief to declare he was proud to now be part of such…
Guterres highlights Timor-Leste’s ‘growing international influence’
António Guterres is there to take part in celebrations to mark 25 years on Friday since the country’s vote for independence, which was organised by the UN mission in what was then East Timor. Independence duly came in 2002 following…
Floods, landslides wreak havoc across South Asia
The worst affected regions are Chattogram and Sylhet, where major rivers are “flowing well above danger levels”, further aggravating the situation, according to the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF). Initial estimates suggest that around five million people – including two million…