UN coordinator calls for urgent ‘humanitarian pauses’ in Sudan, as death toll mounts

UN coordinator calls for urgent ‘humanitarian pauses’ in Sudan, as death toll mounts

“I am horrified by the toll the clashes are having on civilians”, said Abdou Dieng. “At least 331 people have been killed nationwide, including five aid workers, and nearly 3,200 have been injured.” The fighting between troops from the national army and a powerful rival militia known as the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) erupted six days ago, and…

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First Person: Aboriginal Australians suffer from ‘violent history’ and ongoing ‘institutional racism’

First Person: Aboriginal Australians suffer from ‘violent history’ and ongoing ‘institutional racism’

Hannah McGlade represents the Kurin Minang Noongar people, at the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. Ms. McGlade spoke to UN News at UN Headquarters, during the 2023 session of the Forum, which takes place between 17 and 28 April. “I’ve been an activist in my community sine I was young. I decided to study law…

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Current climate polices ‘a death sentence’ for the world, warns Guterres

Current climate polices ‘a death sentence’ for the world, warns Guterres

Antonio Guterres was addressing via videolink, the fourth meeting of the Major Economies Forum, convened by the United States President Joe Biden, which is designed to galvanize efforts to keep the global temperature rise of 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, within reach – in line with the Paris Agreement. Biggest coffers, biggest emitters “You are the…

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WHO mission to Syria quake zone boosts protection from disease outbreaks

WHO mission to Syria quake zone boosts protection from disease outbreaks

“The focus of the mission was to enhance the capacity of the early warning alert and response network (EWARN) and ensure rapid detection, verification and response to communicable diseases alerts and outbreaks”, the WHO office for the Eastern Mediterranean said in a statement issued on Thursday. They identified areas in preparedness and response that needed strengthening, said…

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Boost for developing nations as mRNA technology hub moves to the next phase in South Africa

Boost for developing nations as mRNA technology hub moves to the next phase in South Africa

Over 200 international participants working with the mRNA Technology Transfer Programme had their first face-to-face meeting, in a bid to make one of the most revolutionary medical technologies which led the field in vaccine development against COVID-19, more widely and fairly available, in the places where it is most needed. ‘Lifesaving’ breakthrough: Tedros “I am delighted to…

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Millions of children deprived of life-saving vaccinations amid COVID pandemic, misinformation surge

Millions of children deprived of life-saving vaccinations amid COVID pandemic, misinformation surge

In its State of the World’s Children 2023 report, UNICEF says that vaccination coverage levels decreased in 112 countries during the pandemic, “the largest sustained backslide in childhood immunization in 30 years”. According to the agency, a rise in misleading information on vaccines is one of the factors at play. UNICEF’s Executive Director Catherine Russell…

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End ‘alarmist narratives’ on population growth and recognize women’s rights: UNFPA

End ‘alarmist narratives’ on population growth and recognize women’s rights: UNFPA

In its 2023 State of World Population report, UNFPA said that while reaching the milestone of eight billion people on Earth was a reminder of “our unprecedented gains”, concerns over the number were “causing anxiety, and driving more governments to try to influence fertility rates.” However, the agency notes that thriving and inclusive societies can…

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