Afghanistan: Surge in synthetic drugs could threaten public health
The Mapping of Facilities for Treatment of Substance Use Disorders in Afghanistan report, conducted in collaboration with the UN Development Programme (UNDP), is the first comprehensive survey of the country’s treatment capacity. While services are operational in 32 of Afghanistan’s…
General Assembly President urges collective action on Sudan as crisis deepens
He was speaking at an Assembly meeting convened following the use of veto by Russia at the Security Council earlier this month. The negative vote by the permanent Council member prevented the adoption of a draft resolution that would have…
‘The UN is not leaving Haiti,’ spokesperson afffirms
In a briefing on Tuesday, UN Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq highlighted the deepening insecurity, noting that essential personnel from various UN agencies and the UN Mission in Haiti (BINUH) are remaining in Port-au-Prince to continue their critical activities. While the…
Beloved comic strip character Mafalda realizes her dream of being a UN interpreter
Mafalda, the inquisitive and sharp-witted creation of the late humorist Joaquín Salvador Lavado Tejón, known as Quino, also fulfilled a long-held dream on her birthday: “to learn languages to be a UN interpreter” and “to help people understand each other”….
UN welcomes ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon
In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Secretary-General António Guterres expressed hope that the agreement “can put an end to the violence, destruction and suffering the people of both countries have been experiencing.” “The Secretary-General urges the parties to fully…
Middle East crisis: Live updates for 26 November
With all eyes on a possible ceasefire deal between Israel and Hezbollah militants in Lebanon, UN humanitarians have condemned the ongoing violence in Lebanon, Gaza, and Israel. Meanwhile, at UN Headquarters in New York, a special meeting was held to…
UN report reveals widespread restrictions on media freedom in Afghanistan
The joint report by the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and the UN Human Rights Office, OHCHR, documented 336 cases of human rights violations against media professionals between August 2021 and September 2024. Threats to press freedom “Journalists and media…
Lebanon: UN rights chief adds voice to immediate ceasefire call
The development follows dire assessments from UN aid teams about the cost of “relentless” Israeli attacks on Beirut’s southern suburbs since the weekend, resulting in extensive damage and significant casualties, and forcing more people to flee their homes. “The High…
No end in sight to ‘horror’ in Gaza, UN official tells Security Council
Briefing Ambassadors on the Security Council, Muhannad Hadi, Deputy Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, outlined the impact of the conflict, which is now in its second year. “As winter approaches, the horror in Gaza continues to grind…
Russian strikes on Ukraine’s energy system risks nuclear disaster: rights experts
Their warning comes amid growing international concern about the vulnerability of Ukraine’s nuclear facilities which rely on a stable power grid to maintain critical safety systems. “The latest large-scale Russian missile attack on Ukraine’s electricity system has led to further…