New $1.4 billion plan to support South Sudanese refugees

New $1.4 billion plan to support South Sudanese refugees

Since the start of the conflict in South Sudan over 10 years ago, growing humanitarian needs compounded by dire food shortages, continued insecurity, and the impacts of climate change, have kept refugees in exile and prompted new displacement. Four consecutive years of flooding have also destroyed homes and livelihoods, sparking further cross-border movements.  Scattered across…

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Russia: Rights experts condemn continued imprisonment of Evan Gershkovich

Russia: Rights experts condemn continued imprisonment of Evan Gershkovich

The 32-year-old Wall Street Journal reporter was arrested last March in Yekatarinburg on espionage charges and is being held at the infamous Lefortovo prison in Moscow.  Mariana Katzarova, UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Russian Federation, and Irene Khan, Special Rapporteur on the right to freedom of opinion and expression,…

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Gaza war: ‘Direct hits’ on more than 200 schools since Israeli bombing began   

Gaza war: ‘Direct hits’ on more than 200 schools since Israeli bombing began   

Satellite imagery pointed to at least 53 schools “totally destroyed” since conflict erupted on 7 October 2023 and a near nine per cent increase in attacks on school premises since mid-February, according to a report by the UN Children’s Fund, (UNICEF) and NGOs the Education Cluster and Save The Children.  The “high trend of attacks…

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DR Congo mission chief says humanitarian disaster ‘unfolding before our very eyes’

DR Congo mission chief says humanitarian disaster ‘unfolding before our very eyes’

Ms. Keita, who also heads the UN peacekeeping mission in the country, MONUSCO, sounded the alarm over the humanitarian disaster “unfolding before our very eyes”. More than seven million people in the country are displaced, particularly due to the operations of armed groups such as the M23 and the Allied Defense Forces (ADF) across the…

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World News in Brief: Civilian deaths in Ukraine, refugees in Cameroon at risk, older women facing abuse, cholera in Somalia

World News in Brief: Civilian deaths in Ukraine, refugees in Cameroon at risk, older women facing abuse, cholera in Somalia

News reports said that residential buildings in the northern city of Kharkiv had been hit, killing one and injuring 16, quoting the city’s mayor.  Four children were wounded, with images posted to social media showing extensive damage and a body visible lying on the floor. The UN’s Denise Brown said that international law must be…

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General Assembly approves $3.59 billion UN budget for 2024

UN says 758 allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse reported in 2023

The findings published on Tuesday state that although progress has been made since 2017 through the establishment of new frameworks, policies and procedures, sexual exploitation and abuse continues to occur across the UN system. Rising crises, rising risks  Risks increased significantly last year, with the unprecedented rise in humanitarian crises along with significant reductions in…

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UN envoy backs demand for immediate Gaza ceasefire amid ‘cataclysmic suffering’

UN envoy backs demand for immediate Gaza ceasefire amid ‘cataclysmic suffering’

The call by Special Coordinator Tor Wennesland followed Monday’s adoption by the Security Council of a resolution “demanding” an immediate ceasefire in the enclave for the remainder of Ramadan, and the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages. However, intense hostilities have continued between Israeli forces and Hamas fighters, with reports of many killed overnight,…

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