World News in Brief: Water crisis for children, hunger in East Africa, new Yazidi memorial

World News in Brief: Water crisis for children, hunger in East Africa, new Yazidi memorial

The double burden of dwindling availability – and inadequate water for drinking and sanitation services – is compounding the challenge, putting children at even greater risk. The Climate Changed Child – released ahead of the COP28 UN climate change summit later this month in Dubai – throws a spotlight on the threat facing vulnerable children. It…

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Fuel shortage could put the brakes on trucks delivering aid to Gaza

Fuel shortage could put the brakes on trucks delivering aid to Gaza

The situation is unfolding as “lives are hanging by a thread”, including those of babies in incubators at hospitals that depend on fuel for electricity, Andrea De Domenico, Head of OCHA’s office in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, told journalists in New York on Monday. “Humanitarian ceasefire, fuel supplies – all of these should be happening now. We are running out…

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New round of plastics pollution treaty talks underway in Nairobi

New round of plastics pollution treaty talks underway in Nairobi

The urgency of this effort is underscored by the ongoing global plastic pollution crisis, where approximately 430 million tonnes of plastic are produced annually.  Around two-thirds of it is just thrown away, harming both the environment and the food chain. Convening for its third session, the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-3) will focus on the so-called zero draft…

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Gaza: UN agencies make plea for international action to end hospital attacks

Gaza: UN agencies make plea for international action to end hospital attacks

The regional directors of the UN sexual and reproductive health agency (UNFPA), children’s agency UNICEF and health agency WHO, said they were “horrified” at latest reports which indicate many have been killed – including children – in facilities across Gaza city and other northern areas of the Strip. The Palestinian Red Crescent Society is reporting…

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Attacks on or near Gaza hospitals ‘unconscionable, reprehensible and must stop’: Relief chief

Attacks on or near Gaza hospitals ‘unconscionable, reprehensible and must stop’: Relief chief

In a statement, the Israeli military denied that it had targeted Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, which they claim is above a Hamas command post, but have acknowledged that fighting is happening “around” the facility. UN relief chief Martin Griffiths, tweeted that in light of “horrific reports of attacks”, there could be “no justification for…

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‘Genuine prospect of Palestinian statehood is critical’, UNRWA chief tells emergency summit in Saudi Arabia

‘Genuine prospect of Palestinian statehood is critical’, UNRWA chief tells emergency summit in Saudi Arabia

Philippe Lazzarini was addressing an emergency summit convened by the League of Arab States and Organisation of Islamic Cooperation where he called for urgent support for civilians in the Occupied Palestinian Territory on three fronts. He called on leaders at the Arab-Islamic summit to “act now to change the trajectory” of the crisis that began…

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Israel-Palestine crisis: Amid war crimes fears, UN rights chief renews calls to stop violence, free hostages 

Israel-Palestine crisis: Amid war crimes fears, UN rights chief renews calls to stop violence, free hostages 

“Water is scarce and fear is pervasive” in Gaza, Mr. Türk told journalists in Amman, recounting a conversation he had minutes earlier with a colleague in Gaza who had to flee Israeli bombardments with his family. “His children, aged nine and seven, are asking him questions he does not know how to answer: ‘Why is…

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