Myanmar crisis: Civilians killed in airstrikes as Rohingya risk dangerous journeys
Between 15 and 17 January, airstrikes and clashes in the southeast reportedly resulted in nine deaths and left 31 others injured. In Rakhine state, three airstrikes in Mrauk-U Township on 18 January reportedly killed 28 people and injured a…
Lebanon: Food insecurity deepens following conflict, new report reveals
Developed by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the World Food Programme (WFP) and the Ministry of Agriculture, the report reveals that the impact of hostilities on agriculture and the economy will likely slow recovery. Some 1.65 million people are now…
In Syria, top UN envoy highlights international backing for political transition
Special Envoy Geir Pedersen is on his second visit to Syria since 8 December and told reporters in Damascus he had engaged with a broad spectrum of Syrians, including the caretaker authorities. He conveyed optimism about the international community’s commitment…
Security Council debates growing terrorism threat in Africa
Amina Mohammed was speaking at a meeting focused on strengthening counter-terrorism on the continent, convened by Algeria, the Council president for January. She emphasized that the Council has a critical role in supporting African Union (AU) counter-terrorism initiatives, grounded in…
Ceasefire in Gaza brings hope, but West Bank faces escalating violence
The ceasefire and hostage release agreement, which took effect on Sunday allowed some displaced residents to return, but hundreds of thousands across the Gaza Strip remain dependent on humanitarian aid, UN spokesperson Farhan Haq told journalists at the regular press…
Aid surging into Gaza ‘at scale’ but massive needs remain: OCHA, WHO
On day three of the ceasefire which entered into force on Sunday 19 January, the UN aid coordination office, OCHA, welcomed the “surge” in lifesaving humanitarian assistance into the enclave, after 15 months of devastating Israeli bombardment. Aid trucks began…
UN rights expert calls for end to Russia’s crackdown on lawyers
Mariana Katzarova, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Russian Federation, urged Russian authorities to release lawyers Vadim Kobzev, Alexei Liptser and Igor Sergunin, who were sentenced on 17 January to prison terms on “extremism” charges. Their…
Guterres urges support for the Middle East amid current ‘turbulent period’
António Guterres addressed the Council’s first quarterly debate on the Middle East for the year, held against the backdrop of Sunday’s temporary ceasefire in Gaza, the end of hostilities in Lebanon sparked by the war, and the fall of the…
Middle East crisis: Updates for 20 January; Guterres calls for ‘immediate action’ to protect civilians, release of all hostages
Following the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners on Sunday, the UN Security Council is meeting in New York to hear from the Secretary-General and foreign ministers from the Middle East and beyond. UN chief António Guterres told the…
Guterres welcomes start of ceasefire in Gaza as UN ramps up food deliveries
“We stand ready to support this implementation and scale up the delivery of sustained humanitarian relief to the countless Palestinians who continue to suffer,” the UN chief said in a social media post. He added: “It is imperative that…