UN humanitarian chief in Ukraine condemns 'brutal and relentless' pattern of port attacks

UN humanitarian chief in Ukraine condemns ‘brutal and relentless’ pattern of port attacks

“There has been almost one attack every other day hitting vital port and grain facilities in Ukraine,” said Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator Denise Brown, in a statement on Wednesday.  Assault on grain exports A Russian drone attack early on Wednesday damaged infrastructure at Ukrainian grain-exporting facilities on the Danube River. Ukrainian officials say buildings including grain…

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Libya floods: UN providing aid as disaster response team deploys

Libya floods: UN providing aid as disaster response team deploys

More than 5,000 people have reportedly died, many of them residents of Derna, which was struck by a torrent of water from two dams which burst, sweeping away whole neighbourhoods of the port city.  “Search and rescue operations are actively underway, led by national agencies, military, the Libyan Red Crescent and local volunteers”, said a statement…

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Sudan: UN ‘will never stay neutral’ amid war and human rights abuses

Sudan: UN ‘will never stay neutral’ amid war and human rights abuses

But he stressed the UN “will never stay neutral” when it comes to demanding accountability for war crimes and other human rights abuses. Final briefing Volker Perthes, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Sudan, was addressing the Security Council for the final time. He announced he will step down from the role, more than six…

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UN marks International Day to Protect Education with call to action

UN marks International Day to Protect Education with call to action

Growing concern over safety and security prompted UN Secretary-General António Guterres to address the global phenomenon on Wednesday – during his remarks at an event commemorating the International Day to Protect Education from Attack. “Children’s education is being snatched away by threats, violence and attacks.” Mr. Guterres said, during his remarks to a group of…

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US-Mexico border, ‘world’s deadliest’ overland migration route: IOM

US-Mexico border, ‘world’s deadliest’ overland migration route: IOM

Nearly half of the deaths on the border were linked to the hazardous crossing of the Sonoran and Chihuahuan Deserts. “These alarming figures are a stark reminder of the need for decisive action by States,” said Michele Klein Solomon, IOM’s Regional Director for Central and North America and the Caribbean. “Enhancing data collection is crucial….

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Afghanistan: Human rights ‘in a state of collapse’, warns Türk

Afghanistan: Human rights ‘in a state of collapse’, warns Türk

“Human rights in Afghanistan are in a state of collapse,” he told the Human Rights Council, before sounding the alarm over ongoing reports of extrajudicial killings, torture and ill-treatment and arbitrary arrests and detentions, as well as serious violations against former Government officials, as documented in a new human rights office (OHCHR) report. “Compounding all of this…

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Syria: Urgent response needed to uptick in fighting, economic crisis

Syria: Urgent response needed to uptick in fighting, economic crisis

In its latest report, the UN Human Rights Council (OHCHR) body found that attacks on civilians, escalating fighting, economic decline and human rights violations persist, despite the country’s re-admission to the League of Arab States. The continued war in Syria is a “monument to the failure of diplomacy” said Inquiry Chair, Paulo Pinheiro. Speaking in…

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Libya: Humanitarian response ramps up as floods of 'epic proportions' leave thousands dead

Libya: Humanitarian response ramps up as floods of ‘epic proportions’ leave thousands dead

An estimated 3,000 people have died and up to 10,000 people have been reported missing in the massive floods triggered by Hurricane Daniel, which overwhelmed the eastern parts of the country at the weekend, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) said. We stand in solidarity with Libya: Guterres In a…

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