The top award for reporters who have born witness to the destruction of much of their homeland under Israel’s relentless bombardment came at the recommendation of an international jury of media professionals. “In these times of darkness and hopelessness we wish to share a strong message of solidarity and recognition to those Palestinian journalists who…
Approximately 4.3 million people, over half of them children, have been affected by a multifaceted crisis characterized by conflict, climate-induced disasters, hunger and epidemics. A military coup in July 2023 and the ensuing political instability has further exacerbated their plight. Edem Wosornu, Operations Director at the UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA),…
OCHA spokesperson Jens Laerke told reporters in Geneva that out of 71 aid worker deaths recorded so far this year, 22 had been working in South Sudan and 19 in Sudan. The victims are overwhelmingly local humanitarians working on the front lines of the response, Mr. Laerke said. He stressed that attacks on aid workers…
IOM Regional Director Christopher Gascon told reporters in Geneva that 4,800 migrants were hosted by IOM at seven transit centres in the country, awaiting voluntary return. They were primarily from western Africa: Mali, Guinea, Senegal and Nigeria, he said. Charter flights Mr. Gascon said airport access was crucial to “organise charter flights in order to…
UNHCR’s representative in Niger, Emmanuel Gignac, said that sanctions imposed on the country by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) following last month’s military takeover do not include any exemptions for humanitarian aid. Mr. Gignac observed that food and commodity prices, already climbing before this crisis, jumped after sanctions were introduced. If humanitarians…
Right: French Ambassador Sylvain Atay, Left: French President Emile Macron French President Emmanuel Macron says that the ambassador stationed in Niger will remain there despite the junta’s ultimatum. On Friday, French ambassador Sylvain Itte was ordered by Niger’s military junta to leave the country within 48 hours. The French ambassador refused to meet with the…
The UN rights chief expressed grave concerns for the people of Niger. “The people have already been through so much hardship over the years. Now, the very people who they elected to build a pathway to end their destitution have been removed by force,” he said. The message comes as the UN International Organization for…
President Mohamed Bazoum remains in detention and the military junta that has in effect seized power said on Monday it plans to prosecute the elected leader for alleged “high treason”, according to media reports. He was seized by members of his own guard on 26 July. Vital work WFP’s Acting Regional Director for Western Africa,…
Agencies continue to reach people despite the challenges, including the ongoing rainy season, UN Spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric, told journalists in New York on Monday. Roughly 4.3 million people in the West African country rely on humanitarian aid. Last week, 22,000 people in the Maradi region, located in the centre, received cash assistance and food items….
President Mohamed Bazoum and his family are believed to be living without electricity, water, food or medicine, according to media reports. Release detained leader The democratically elected leader has been detained since soldiers seized power on 26 July. “The Secretary-General reiterates his concern for the health and safety of the President and his family and…
