UN officials call for Security Council’s support for post-quake Syria

WHO chief underscores need for ‘peace for health’ in landmark visit to northwest Syria

“I have rarely been so disturbed and heartbroken,” said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, speaking later at a media briefing.  “The earthquake that struck more than three weeks ago adds unimaginable suffering to people who have already suffered so much over 12 years of war, economic collapse, the COVID-19 pandemic and an ongoing cholera outbreak.” …

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WFP chief describes ‘apocalyptic’ post-quake landscape in Syria, Türkiye

WFP chief describes ‘apocalyptic’ post-quake landscape in Syria, Türkiye

“While the world has quickly mobilized in support of people here, the impact of this quake will be felt for months and years to come,” said WFP Executive Director David Beasley. During a visit to the Hatay region in southern Türkiye, he described “incomprehensible” devastation and an “apocalyptic” landscape. With some 18 million people affected…

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‘Time is working against us’, UN chief says, calling for action to end clashes, restore credible Israeli-Palestinian political horizon

‘Time is working against us’, UN chief says, calling for action to end clashes, restore credible Israeli-Palestinian political horizon

“Our immediate priority must be to prevent further escalation, reduce tensions, and restore calm,” UN Secretary-General António Guterres said at a meeting of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People. Against a backdrop of deadly accelerating surges of violence, “sky high” tensions, and a stalled peace process, the Secretary-General…

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Israel’s new legal proposals pose 'serious risks', UN rights chief warns

Israel’s new legal proposals pose ‘serious risks’, UN rights chief warns

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk raised a range of concerns that several sets of proposed legislative changes that Israel’s parliament is considering would pose serious risks to the effectiveness of the judiciary to defend the rule of law, human rights, and judicial independence. Human rights at risk “If passed, these changes risk…

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Rising humanitarian needs require political will, increased funding: UN relief chief

Rising humanitarian needs require political will, increased funding: UN relief chief

The world is facing the largest food crisis in modern history and famine is looming, while human rights – especially women’s rights – are under attack and tensions are high in places where injustice is rife, UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Martin Griffiths said in remarks to the Riyadh Humanitarian Forum in Saudi Arabia, delivered on…

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On World Day of Social Justice, deeper dialogue across ‘real economy’ can drive progress, UN deputy chief says

On World Day of Social Justice, deeper dialogue across ‘real economy’ can drive progress, UN deputy chief says

“We must develop fairer, more balanced policies that generate the political buy-in to drive change,” Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed said in a video message. “What is also needed is a deeper social dialogue with actors across the real economy.” The day’s theme focuses on strengthening global solidarity and re-building trust in government by overcoming barriers…

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