Guterres ‘personally devastated’ over inability of UN to safeguard staff in Gaza, despite best efforts

Guterres ‘personally devastated’ over inability of UN to safeguard staff in Gaza, despite best efforts

Among them were 135 women and men who worked for the UN agency assisting Palestine refugees (UNRWA), killed during Israeli military operations in Gaza since 7 October. Many were killed along with their families and within the communities they served. “That is by far the highest number of our personnel killed in a single conflict…

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Health chief hails ‘historic milestone’ in race to avert next pandemic

At World Health Assembly, countries agree on efforts to boost pandemic preparedness

Member countries of the UN World Health Organization (WHO), on the final day of the seventy-seventh World Health Assembly, adopted important amendments to the International Health Regulations (IHR), including defining a “pandemic emergency” as well as pledging improved access to medical products and financing. These steps will help ensure comprehensive, robust systems are in place…

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Calls for sustained peace efforts in Yemen as cholera outbreak worsens

Calls for sustained peace efforts in Yemen as cholera outbreak worsens

Martin Griffiths, UN Emergency Relief Coordinator, stressed the critical need for sustained peace efforts during a briefing to Security Council ambassadors. “The conflict in Yemen has been the key driver of humanitarian needs. It has deeply undercut the country’s economy, decimated half of its health facilities, displaced millions of people, and allowed hunger and disease…

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Mixed efforts to achieve energy goals highlighted at the end of Sustainability Week

Mixed efforts to achieve energy goals highlighted at the end of Sustainability Week

The unanimous declaration of the Decade of Sustainable Energy for All in 2012 aimed to hone on the importance of improving “access to reliable, affordable, economically viable, socially acceptable and environmentally sound energy services and resources for sustainable development.”  Dennis Francis said there have been both achievements and shortcomings in meeting the goal throughout the…

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Haiti: Aid efforts continue amid violence and volatility

Haiti: Aid efforts continue amid violence and volatility

The UN said on Tuesday that its children’s agency UNICEF and partners have delivered over 242,000 gallons of water since early March, while the World Food Programme (WFP) and partners have provided over 146,000 hot meals. People traumatized by the recent violence are also receiving psychosocial support.  Infrastructure attacked The UN humanitarian affairs office, OCHA,…

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A big blow to anti-polio efforts in Balochistan, two cases of polio were reported in 24 hours

A big blow to anti-polio efforts in Balochistan, two cases of polio were reported in 24 hours

Anti-polio efforts in Balochistan suffered a major setback, with the second case of polio reported from the province in the last 24 hours. According to Balochistan Health Department sources, the second case of polio in Balochistan was reported from Chaman district, where polio virus was confirmed in a 4-year-old child. This is the first polio…

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

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

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…

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