Humanitarians launch $674 million appeal urging ‘increased solidarity’ with Haiti

Humanitarians launch $674 million appeal urging ‘increased solidarity’ with Haiti

Ulrika Richardson, UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Haiti, was speaking from the capital, Port-au-Prince, a day after the Government and partners launched the plan to provide food, shelter, health, education and protection services for 3.6 million people this year.  “This is a call for increased solidarity, and Haiti needs it,” she said, noting that the country…

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World News in Brief: Air travel boom erases COVID dip, ‘disturbing’ new anti-LGBT bill in Ghana, rights abuses in Crimea

World News in Brief: Air travel boom erases COVID dip, ‘disturbing’ new anti-LGBT bill in Ghana, rights abuses in Crimea

Civil aviation organization ICAO said that the numbers for the first quarter of 2024 indicate that airlines will sustain the return to profitability recorded in 2023. “The commitment of Member States to aligning their pandemic responses with the guidance developed by the ICAO Council has been crucial to the recovery of their air services,” said…

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Gaza: Frustration mounts as UN convoy is blocked outside stricken hospital

Gaza: Frustration mounts as UN convoy is blocked outside stricken hospital

“This is not an isolated incident. Aid convoys have come under fire and are systematically denied access to people in need,” said the UN Humanitarian Country Team in Palestine, after the mission to evacuate 24 patients from Al Amal Hospital in Khan Younis.  The development came amid continued intense fighting across the enclave, sparked by Hamas-led…

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UPDATING LIVE: Security Council meets on Gaza as risk of famine grows by the day

UPDATING LIVE: Security Council meets on Gaza as risk of famine grows by the day

4:08 PM ‘Stop fighting immediately’: UK proposes 3-step plan United Kingdom Ambassador Barbara Woodward said to address the desperate situation in Gaza, three things need to happen, beginning with a call for all parties to the conflict to stop fighting immediately. “This is crucial to get aid in and hostages out,” she said, adding that…

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Universal connectivity gets a $9 billion private sector boost

Universal connectivity gets a $9 billion private sector boost

“Universal meaningful connectivity is within our grasp,” said ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin. “Thanks to these new commitments, millions of people will benefit from accessible and affordable connectivity across the world.” Fresh investments from e&, China Telecom, Ooredoo and VEON build on strong industry support for the UN digital agency’s efforts to “connect the world”, she…

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UN Syria envoy appeals for urgent de-escalation across the Middle East

UN Syria envoy appeals for urgent de-escalation across the Middle East

“Regional spillover is only the latest accelerant to a conflict that is growing in complexity and with each passing year. The situation is worsening on almost all indicators and the status quo is unsustainable and unmanageable,” he said. Airstrikes and casualties Multiple airstrikes attributed to Israel were carried out this month in Syria, including on…

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Deadlock over disarmament ‘not acceptable’: Guterres

Deadlock over disarmament ‘not acceptable’: Guterres

The Conference, which was established with the primary goal of fostering cooperation for mutual disarmament, has faced significant challenges in recent times. “Something looks wrong if a disarmament conference leads to no meaningful disarmament, year after year,” Secretary-General António Guterres said. “Humanity needs the Conference on Disarmament to work successfully. The paralysis and deadlock that…

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