Guterres warns against Red Sea escalation

The Red Sea shipping crisis is having a ‘dramatic’ impact, warns logistics chief

According to Jan Hoffmann, Chief of Trade Logistics at UNCTAD, the attacks are not only adding to geopolitical tensions but also raising costs and leading to increased greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions. “Maritime transport is really the lifeline of global trade,” he said, speaking to journalists at the UN Headquarters in New York via video link…

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Gaza crisis: Babies being born ‘into hell’ amid desperate aid shortages

Gaza crisis: Babies being born ‘into hell’ amid desperate aid shortages

Reiterating urgent international calls for a ceasefire, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) reported that there have been nearly 20,000 births since the start of widespread Israeli bombardment, in response to Hamas-led attacks in Israel that left some 1,200 dead and approximately 250 taken hostage. Chronic aid access problems have meant that Caesarean sections have been…

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Gaza crisis: UN chief calls for two-State solution, ‘once and for all’

Gaza crisis: UN chief calls for two-State solution, ‘once and for all’

Speaking at the annual World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, the UN chief condemned the “barbaric” Hamas-led attacks on 7 October in which approximately 1,200 people were butchered in southern Israel and some 250 taken as hostages. And amid reports of ongoing heavy Israeli bombardment which has left tens of thousands of civilians dead and…

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Gaza crisis: another hospital facing dire shortages, warns WHO

Gaza crisis: another hospital facing dire shortages, warns WHO

In central Gaza, the UN World Health Organization (WHO) warned on Sunday that medics at the only functioning hospital in Deir al Balah governorate “had been forced to cease lifesaving and other critical activities…and leave” after an evacuation order issued amid “increasing” Israeli military activity. Only five doctors reportedly remain at Al-Aqsa Hospital in the…

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Sudan: Health crisis intensifies, WHO's big demand from the international community

Sudan: Health crisis intensifies, WHO’s big demand from the international community

Geneva: The World Health Organization (WHO) has called on the international community to take urgent action to address the health and humanitarian crisis in Sudan. According to global media reports, the WHO has called on the international community to increase financial support for Sudan, where the health crisis is becoming serious. Tedros Adhanom, head of…

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UN rights chief warns of ‘dehumanization’ of Palestinians amid West Bank violence as Gaza crisis deepens

UN rights chief warns of ‘dehumanization’ of Palestinians amid West Bank violence as Gaza crisis deepens

Commenting on a new report on the West Bank released by his office, OHCHR, Mr. Türk expressed concern at the use of military means and weapons by law enforcement, movement restrictions affecting Palestinians and a sharp rise in settler violence resulting in the displacement of herding communities. “The dehumanization of Palestinians that characterizes many of the…

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Gaza crisis: southern areas ‘bursting at seams’ amid new wave of bombing and displacement

Gaza crisis: southern areas ‘bursting at seams’ amid new wave of bombing and displacement

Locations in the north and south of the enclave were hit as Israeli ground forces also reportedly pushed into central areas, along with the firing of rockets by Palestinian armed groups into Israel, prompting concerns from the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, about the safety of civilians uprooted time and again.  Rafah governorate in…

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Gaza crisis: Starvation must never be allowed to happen, says UN rights chief

Gaza crisis: Starvation must never be allowed to happen, says UN rights chief

“Starvation must never be a means or result of warfare,” UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Türk said, responding to an alarming food security report released on Thursday that confirmed repeated warnings of catastrophic hunger levels in the besieged enclave amid ongoing fighting.  In a tweet, Mr. Türk urged Israel to act immediately to ensure that all…

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