Full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine has sown ‘psychological terror’, warns top aid coordinator
Briefing from Ukrainian capital Kyiv after another night of “air sirens and more loud explosions”, Mr. Schmale noted that the crisis began in 2014, with Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea. “So, all children that were born since – all children…
Colombia: Fleeing the thunder of violence in Catatumbo
Miguel Ángel López, the director of a funeral home in Tibú, used to recover bodies that appeared along the roads of one of Colombia’s most violent regions, Catatumbo. On 15 January, he was murdered along with his wife and their…
Urgent appeal launched as DR Congo crisis fuels mass displacement to Burundi
As fighting escalates in eastern DRC, more than 40,000 Congolese refugees – primarily women and children – have crossed into Burundi since February, with over 9,000 arrivals recorded in a single day this week. Many are using makeshift boats to…
Gaza: Nearly 148,000 receive cash aid since ceasefire began
Since the ceasefire on 19 January, some 138,000 Palestinians have benefited from cash assistance, including people with disabilities and pregnant and breastfeeding women. The UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) reported that market conditions across Gaza have improved since the ceasefire took…
DR Congo crisis: Occupation blocks UN mission from protecting civilians
These operational challenges have been exacerbated by ongoing mis- and disinformation campaigns that are misinforming the public of the UN peacekeepers’ role, said the Secretary-General’s Special Representative in the DRC and head of the peacekeeping mission in the country, MONUSCO,…
UNDP calls for long-term investment to support recovery in Syria
Fourteen years of conflict have unravelled nearly four decades of economic, social and development progress. Today, nine out of 10 Syrians are living in poverty, and one in four is jobless. The report warns that at current growth rates, the…
UN chief condemns ‘abhorrent and appalling’ treatment of hostages’ remains by Hamas
Hamas militants said the bodies of the four people who were returned to Tel Aviv on Thursday morning were those of a mother and two children from the Bibas family, along with 84-year-old peace activist Oded Lifshitz. It is the…
New children’s book promotes the value of all languages
What Makes Us Human is the work of Brazilian linguist and writer Victor Santos, with illustrations by Italian artist Anna Forlati. The book uses the form of a riddle to introduce young readers to the concept of language while underscoring…
Interview: Young Palestinians in East Jerusalem shut out of UNRWA training centre
Agency chief Philippe Lazzarini said that Israeli forces and personnel from the Jerusalem local authority “forcefully entered” the Kalandia Training Centre and ordered its immediate evacuation. “At least 350 students and 30 staff were present and impacted. Tear gas and…
UN to continue Gaza vaccination campaign against polio
WHO said in a news release that more than 591,000 children under 10 years old will receive the vaccine to protect them from the highly infectious disease, beginning this weekend for an anticipated period of five days. The campaign follows…