World News in Brief: UN rights chief condemns attacks in Nigeria, WFP supplies looted in Sudan, non-discrimination protections in the US

PNP DeskDecember 28, 2023September 18, 202409 mins

Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights called on the authorities to conduct prompt, thorough and independent investigations into the attacks that took place on Christmas Eve and to hold those responsible to account in fair trials. The violence occurred in the Plateau state, an ethnically and religiously diverse region, where inter-communal conflict has…

UN’s Türk urges probe into alleged sexual violence during Hamas terror attacks

PNP DeskDecember 6, 2023September 17, 202409 mins

The High Commissioner also rejected allegations of double standards regarding the UN’s position on the crisis in Gaza, noting that he had been made aware of allegations of sexual violence during the Hamas attack on communities in southern Israel. It was “painfully clear” that the “atrocious” attacks should be fully investigated independently “because that is…

Nearly 14 million children in Sudan need humanitarian support: UNICEF

World News in Brief: Engagement with Sudan, Red Sea vessel attacks, SDGs disabilities promise

PNP DeskDecember 2, 2023September 17, 202406 mins

On Friday, the Security Council adopted a resolution to close the UN Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS) following a request last month from the authorities. UNITAMS was established in June 2020 to provide support to Sudan for an initial 12-month period during its transition to democratic rule following the overthrow of President Omar…

Restricted fuel deliveries curtail aid efforts in Gaza amid fresh attacks on schools

PNP DeskNovember 18, 2023September 17, 202407 mins

Fuel restrictions are curtailing aid efforts, the UN agency for Palestine refugees (UNRWA) said amid reports of fresh attacks on schools and other civilian infrastructure and rising needs among more than 1.5 million displaced Gazans. Fuel deliveries for aid operations have been largely prohibited since Hamas’ attack on Israel on 7 October left at least…

‘Six days of terror’ in West Darfur: Ethnically-based attacks on the rise

PNP DeskNovember 17, 2023September 17, 202405 mins

Hundreds of ethnic Masalit civilians were reportedly killed earlier this month in Ardamata town, West Darfur, by the RSF and their allied Arab militia. The RSF has its roots in the Janjaweed militias which fought on the Government side against a rebel coalition in the Darfur war two decades ago. Some of its leaders face…

Gaza: UN agencies make plea for international action to end hospital attacks

PNP DeskNovember 12, 2023September 17, 202406 mins

The regional directors of the UN sexual and reproductive health agency (UNFPA), children’s agency UNICEF and health agency WHO, said they were “horrified” at latest reports which indicate many have been killed – including children – in facilities across Gaza city and other northern areas of the Strip. The Palestinian Red Crescent Society is reporting…

Attacks on or near Gaza hospitals ‘unconscionable, reprehensible and must stop’: Relief chief

PNP DeskNovember 11, 2023September 17, 202405 mins

In a statement, the Israeli military denied that it had targeted Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, which they claim is above a Hamas command post, but have acknowledged that fighting is happening “around” the facility. UN relief chief Martin Griffiths, tweeted that in light of “horrific reports of attacks”, there could be “no justification for…

Ukraine: Near-daily attacks deepen suffering

PNP DeskNovember 8, 2023September 17, 202403 mins

Miroslav Jenča, UN Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs, voiced concern over the “continued, near-daily attacks” on civilians and civilian infrastructure throughout Ukraine. “Thousands of civilians have been killed or injured and millions have been displaced,” he told ambassadors, adding that nearly half of the population – an estimated 17.6 million people – need life-saving assistance….

Ukraine: UN condemns latest wave of Russian attacks

PNP DeskNovember 3, 2023September 17, 202403 mins

UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric strongly condemned “the latest wave of attacks against critical infrastructure in various parts of the country, which reportedly resulted in injuries among the civilian population, including children, and caused damage to civilian residential and commercial buildings.” He told reporters in New York on Friday that the UN was concerned about escalation…

World News in Brief: Ukraine aid convoy, attacks in South Sudan, radioactive discharge update

PNP DeskOctober 27, 2023September 17, 202405 mins

A UN inter-agency convoy reached the front-line community of Huliaipole, located in the Zaporizhzhia region, bringing medicine, shelter kits, hygiene items and other assistance to support some 2,000 people. The town has suffered large-scale destruction and remains without power, water and gas, said UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric, speaking from New York. “Today’s humanitarian convoy was…