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

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

The UN Emergency Coordinator and the Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Syria called for robust support for ongoing emergency efforts and a “bold” plan for paving a political path towards lasting recovery and reconciliation. Race against time Briefing the 15-member body on the severity of humanitarian needs, Rasha Muhrez, Response Director at the international non-governmental organization…

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Libya: Bathily proposes election support body, as public frustration mounts

Libya: Bathily proposes election support body, as public frustration mounts

“The political process remains protracted and falls short of the aspirations of Libyans, who seek to elect their leaders and reinvigorate their political institutions,” said Abdoulaye Bathily, Special Representative for Libya and head of the UN’s political mission in the country, known as UNSMIL. “In short, Libyans are impatient,” he stressed, noting that they are…

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UNICEF appeals for support for children affected by Türkiye earthquakes

UNICEF appeals for support for children affected by Türkiye earthquakes

Afshan Khan, UNICEF Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia, briefed journalists in Geneva on her recent visit to the region, where she saw first-hand some of the destruction.  “Children in Türkiye are at risk of developing anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder; they need to be able to resume their education, and they urgently…

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Horn of Africa: $84 million appeal to support migrants along risky route to Yemen

Horn of Africa: $84 million appeal to support migrants along risky route to Yemen

The Regional Migrant Response Plan, launched this week, will address the dire needs and protection risks facing people along the treacherous Eastern Route towards the Arabian Peninsula.  Other objectives include scaling-up delivery of lifesaving and resilience-building initiatives and implementing long-term sustainable solutions for both migrants and host communities.  Dangerous journeys  The Eastern Route is one…

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Somalia: $2.6 billion appeal to support millions amid historic drought and famine fears

Somalia: $2.6 billion appeal to support millions amid historic drought and famine fears

Somalia is in the midst of the longest and most severe drought in its history, following five consecutive poor rainy seasons, which has devastated the country.  Roughly 8.25 million people, nearly half the population, require immediate lifesaving aid and protection.  Lives on the line  They warn that famine is a strong possibility from April to…

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Saudi Arabia a strategic partner in UN support for Palestine refugees, amid concern over escalating violence

Saudi Arabia a strategic partner in UN support for Palestine refugees, amid concern over escalating violence

In a first since 2020, UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini visited Saudi Arabia on 28 and 29 January at the invitation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.   Longtime Saudi solidarity with Palestine refugees topped the agenda of his talks with the Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, Waleed ElKhereji, and the Supervisor-General of the King Salman Humanitarian…

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Two-thirds of Yemenis need humanitarian support and protection

Two-thirds of Yemenis need humanitarian support and protection

The UN humanitarian affairs office OCHA is calling for $4.3 billion to reach the 17.3 million most vulnerable people in need, whose lives have been turned upside down because of protracted war, displacement and economic collapse, compounded by recurrent natural disasters. Yemen’s civil war began in 2014 when Houthi rebels took the capital, Sana’a, forcing…

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