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Category: United Nations

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Japan and WFP partner to protect food security of communities against extreme weather in the Bangsamoro, Philippines

    Source: World Food Programme

    MANILA – The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and the Government of Japan signed an agreement to strengthen support to farmers and fishermen, protecting them from extreme weather shocks in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

    Japan’s contribution of Japanese Yen 757 million (approximately US$4.9 million) will directly benefit 36,000 individuals, including conflict-affected communities. This will also help strengthen the BARMM Government’s disaster management systems to integrate early warning and anticipatory action.   

    “We recognize that the peace process in Mindanao is crucial not only for the Philippines but for the entire Asian region. As a committed partner of the Philippines, Japan has made peace and development in Mindanao as one of the key pillars of our cooperation efforts. This project with WFP well aligns with the objectives of the normalization efforts for the region,” said Mr Kazuya Endo, Ambassador of Japan to the Philippines.

    The ceremony was attended by the Embassy of Japan First Secretary Hidenori Akasaka; WFP Philippines Representative and Country Director Regis Chapman; BARMM Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Agrarian Reform Minister Mohammad Shuaib Yacob; Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity Senior Undersecretary Isidro Purisima; and representatives of various national and BARMM government agencies.

     “Japan has consistently been a vital partner in fostering enduring peace in BARMM,” said WFP’s Regis Chapman.  “Through initiatives ranging from disaster relief to school meals, we continue our efforts to ensure that no one in BARMM is left behind. We thank the Government and the people of Japan for their support,” 

    In 2024, the partnership between Japan, the BARMM Government, and WFP provided food assistance and livelihood opportunities to 50,000 individuals. 

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    The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.

    Follow us on Twitter @wfp_media @wfp_philippines

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Japan helps boost food security for communities hit by extreme weather in Bangladesh

    Source: World Food Programme

    DHAKA– The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) welcomes a contribution of Japanese Yen 500 million (approx. US$ 3.2 million) from the Government of Japan to boost food security for communities impacted by Cyclone Remal and consecutive floods in 2024.

    An agreement was signed by Shinichi Saida, Ambassador of Japan to Bangladesh and Domenico Scalpelli, WFP Representative and Country Director in Bangladesh.

    “I’m hopeful that this project will rehabilitate infrastructure in the hardest-hit districts affected by floods and cyclones,” said Ambassador Saida. “This project is fundamental to scale up life-saving assistance and recovery efforts. Japan will continue to work towards sustainable solutions and will cooperate with international organizations such as WFP.”

    The contribution goes towards addressing immediate food needs, while at the same time rebuilding assets that improve long-term food security. This includes roads, embankments and small-scale bridges, badly damaged by Cyclone Remal and severe flooding in 2024, a year of unprecedented climate emergencies which affected nearly 18 million people across the country. 

    The contribution will benefit half a million people in the districts most affected – Khulna, Satkhira, Cumilla, Borguna, Moulavibazar and Kurigram.

    “Damaged infrastructure has hampered communities’ access to markets and essential services, slowing recovery and affecting people’s food security. By supporting their food security and building back critical infrastructure we will aid immediate recovery and help them withstand shocks better, ” said Domenico Scalpelli, WFP’s Country Director in Bangladesh.

    In the aftermath of Cyclone Remal and the floods in Sylhet, Jamuna basin and the eastern regions, WFP provided immediate assistance to nearly 150,000 households in the 12 flood-affected districts of Bangladesh.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: French support keeps UNHAS flying in Afghanistan

    Source: World Food Programme

    KABUL – A timely EUR 1 million contribution from the Government of France to WFP in Afghanistan in 2024 helped keep United Nations Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS) operational in the country, maintaining a vital lifeline for aid workers and relief supplies.

    The support allowed UNHAS to transport aid workers from UN agencies, non-governmental organizations and other partners as well as essential cargo like food, medical supplies and emergency shelter materials to remote locations across the country.

    “France is proud to support UNHAS, a crucial lifeline delivering humanitarian aid to the most vulnerable populations in Afghanistan and all over the world,” said H.E. Ms Céline Jurgensen, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of France to the United Nations in Rome.

    UNHAS currently flies aid workers to 25 destinations across the country, many of them remote and inaccessible. Earlier in 2024, UNHAS also operated an international airbridge connecting Kabul with Doha, Qatar and Dubai, United Arab Emirates, ensuring quick and reliable delivery of humanitarian assistance and safe transport for aid workers to sustain life-saving operations. After commercial airlines started serving these destinations reliably, these destinations were discontinued. UNHAS still flies to Islamabad, Pakistan and Dushanbe, Tajikistan, twice a week.

    “UNHAS enables humanitarian aid workers to reach and support vulnerable populations in remote, hard-to-access areas while also providing them with peace of mind, knowing that medical evacuations and security relocations are available in critical situations,” said Mutinta Chimuka, WFP’s acting Country Director in Afghanistan. “We are grateful for the generous support from our partners who help WFP keep UNHAS in the air.”

    The Government of France has been a dedicated supporter of WFP in Afghanistan, contributing nearly US$9 million in 2023 and over US$6.5 million in 2024. This unwavering commitment places France squarely among the top ten donors for WFP in Afghanistan. 

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    The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.

    Follow us on Twitter: @wfp_media @WFP_Afghanistan

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Secretary-General’s message on World Wildlife Day [scroll down for French version]

    Source: United Nations secretary general

    Humanity’s relationship with nature is at a tipping point.

    Our addiction to fossil fuels and unsustainable use of resources is driving ecosystems to collapse and species to extinction, while investments in biodiversity protection are dwindling.

    This is a recipe for disaster not only for nature, but for communities around the world counting on healthy ecosystems for their well-being and very survival.

    It’s time to choose another, smarter path.  

    This year, World Wildlife Day highlights the need for conservation finance.

    Investing in healthy ecosystems is vital to providing clean air and water, regulating our climate, and supporting livelihoods.

    This requires mobilizing public and private resources to conserve wildlife and habitats; honouring financial commitments and supporting vulnerable countries where biodiversity is most at risk; reducing financial pressure from debt distress and climate shocks; developing innovative solutions like green and blue bonds; applying the United Nations’ Multidimensional Vulnerability Index to steer affordable financing; and ensuring that Indigenous Peoples and local communities — the first line of defense for our ecosystems — have equitable access to funds.

    The recently adopted Pact for the Future includes a revitalized commitment to halt and reverse global biodiversity loss by 2030.

    Getting there requires financing.  Together, let’s invest in a future where nature and people thrive together.

    *****
    La relation que l’humanité entretient avec la nature atteint un point de rupture.

    Notre dépendance aux énergies fossiles et l’utilisation non durable des ressources entraînent un effondrement des écosystèmes et l’extinction des espèces, alors même que les investissements en faveur de la protection de la biodiversité diminuent.

    Si les choses continuent ainsi, c’est la catastrophe assurée – non seulement pour la nature, mais aussi pour les communautés du monde entier qui ont besoin d’écosystèmes sains pour vivre et pour survivre.

    Il est temps d’opter pour une voie plus sensée.

    Cette année, la Journée mondiale de la vie sauvage met l’accent sur la nécessité de financer les activités de conservation.

    Il est indispensable d’investir dans des écosystèmes sains pour bénéficier d’un air et d’une eau propres, réguler notre climat et assurer des moyens de subsistance.

    Pour cela, il faut mobiliser des ressources publiques et privées en faveur de la préservation des espèces sauvages et de leurs habitats ; honorer les engagements financiers pris et épauler les pays vulnérables dans lesquels la biodiversité est la plus menacée ; atténuer la pression financière due au surendettement et aux chocs climatiques, imaginer des solutions innovantes telles que les obligations vertes et bleues ; appliquer l’indice de vulnérabilité multidimensionnelle établi par l’ONU pour orienter des financements abordables ; et veiller à ce que les peuples autochtones et les communautés locales – qui constituent la première ligne de défense de nos écosystèmes – jouissent d’un accès équitable aux sources de financement.

    Le Pacte pour l’avenir, récemment adopté, comprend un engagement renouvelé à faire cesser et reculer la perte de biodiversité mondiale d’ici à 2030.

    Pour y parvenir, il faut des financements. Ensemble, investissons dans un avenir qui permette à la nature et à l’humanité de prospérer ensemble.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: US cuts mean ‘essential’ UN mental health teams in Ukraine risk closure

    Source: United Nations 2

    Humanitarian Aid

    Some 640,000 women and girls in Ukraine will be affected by cuts to psychosocial support, gender-based violence services, safe spaces, and economic empowerment programs following the confirmation from US authorities to end practically all financial contributions to the UN reproductive and sexual health agency (UNFPA).

    A young mother, five children in tow, steps off a train in the central Ukrainian city of Dnipro, holding a small bag. She is fleeing Russian attacks in the Zaporizhzhia region, she is also escaping a violent partner, a man who once beat her so severely she suffered a miscarriage.

    She needs urgent medical attention, legal assistance and a safe place for her children. “We met her at the train station,” says Tetiana, a psychologist with a mobile team since 2022. “We also organized a medical escort and lawyers to help with her documents and referrals.”

    Trauma, distress and surging domestic abuse

    Tetiana’s unit is one of 87 UNFPA psychosocial support teams, on call for emergency interventions. She can also refer survivors for longer-term assistance, job training and access to legal aid. These resources remain critical for survivors of abuse long after the initial danger has passed – especially in a country where three years of war have caused widespread trauma and deep psychological distress.

    Since Russia’s full-scale invasion three years ago, reports of intimate partner violence, domestic abuse, sexual violence and other forms of gender-based violence have surged more than threefold in Ukraine. An estimated 2.4 million people – mostly women and girls – are in urgent need of gender-based violence prevention and response services. “Even after finding some physical safety in Dnipro, many struggle with lingering panic attacks, nightmares and depressive symptoms,” says Tetiana.

    © UNFPA Ukraine

    UNFPA’s mobile psychosocial support teams are often the first to respond to cases of gender-based violence after the police.

    Almost two thirds of households in Ukraine report dealing with some form of anxiety, depression or extreme stress, thwarting people’s ability to find work or care for family members. Financial hardship, mass job losses, deaths of loved ones and fears of future attacks are only intensifying their distress. Without proper counselling and care, the cycle of trauma can also be passed down to future generations, risking long-term and wider-spread harm to the community

    Surviving is just the beginning

    Roman joined the team in Dnipro as a social worker in April 2022, arranging coordination with social services and public organizations. “We have built a response system for people’s safety and support,” he said, explaining that they are often the first to respond to cases of gender-based violence, after the police. “We are an ambulance of sorts for gender-based violence incidents.”

    These services are vital, especially for women without stable income or housing, as the war has put many at risk of economic exploitation or renewed violence.

    “Many people think surviving the initial threat is the end of the story,” added Tetiana. “But the real healing only starts once they are physically safe. Without psychosocial support, it’s difficult for them to recover from trauma or prevent further harm.”

    © UNFPA Ukraine

    Tetiana has worked as a psychologist with UNFPA’s mobile psychosocial support team in Dnipro since early 2022.

    In crisis settings, the risk of violence against women and girls escalates – including conflict-related sexual violence – and the demand for protection and response services spikes. Yet, as displaced women often lack social networks to turn to and are stigmatized if they report abuse, the police can request the mobile team’s support on-site to coordinate further interventions, such as safe housing or counselling.

    Health workers under fire

    It’s a situation fraught with danger, and response workers themselves can come under fire. “When we arrive at the sites of attacks or in cases of violence. We don’t have time to slow down,” explained Roman. “We switch on immediately and start providing services. It’s like our own reactions are on hold. Only later, when we look back and discuss it, do we realize how difficult it actually was.”

    Since February 2022, the World Health Organization has confirmed over 2,200 attacks on healthcare facilities, services and personnel in Ukraine by the Russian Federation. Last year, over 300 of these affected medical facilities – a threefold increase on 2023.

    While his work is critical, Roman said it takes a toll. “With each shelling, it builds up – one after the other. Depending on the severity of the damage, you feel it differently each time. But for the most part, we stay focused on what must be done, putting our feelings aside on the spot. Then, once the immediate crisis is handled, we turn to our own support networks and process it all.”

    Why these services must endure

    Since 2022, more than 50 of UNFPA’s mobile psychosocial teams have been funded by the US Government, and play an indispensable role in helping Ukraine’s most vulnerable. “The city services function, but they lack the same impact and reach. That’s why the mobile teams are essential, especially in times of war, as we navigate the wave of displaced people,” said Tetiana.

    Women are fundamental to the resilience of Ukraine’s families, workforce and larger community, but they have endured immense suffering over years of conflict. Ensuring they are supported throughout their personal recovery will be crucial to safeguarding Ukraine’s long-term recovery.

    With uncertainty now surrounding funding for humanitarian work around the world, the continuity of this vital work is under threat. 640,000 women and girls will be affected by cuts to psychosocial support, gender-based violence services, safe spaces, and economic empowerment programs. Protection for refugees and crisis-affected communities will be diminished.

    Essential health services to prevent and respond to gender-based violence, support to women-led organizations, and programmes promoting women’s economic empowerment are all at risk of closure – gravely endangering the safety and well-being of millions of people.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Note to correspondents – in response to questions on Gaza

    Source: United Nations secretary general

    In response to questions about Gaza, the Spokesman said the following :

    The Secretary-General urges all parties to make every effort to prevent a return to hostilities in Gaza.

    He calls for humanitarian aid to flow back into Gaza immediately and for the release of all hostages.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Guterres urges parties to find a way forward on next phase of Gaza ceasefire

    Source: United Nations MIL OSI b

    Peace and Security

    As the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal concludes, UN Secretary-General António Guterres is closely following developments in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory. 

    “The past six weeks have provided a fragile but vital reprieve, offering a measure of relief to both Palestinians and Israelis,” said the UN chief in a statement issued by his Spokesperson.

    During the period of the truce, thousands of trucks carrying life-saving assistance entered Gaza, reaching nearly every person in the Strip.

    According to media reports, the six-week long ceasefire between Israel and Hamas ended earlier on Saturday with further negotiations between the sides still pending.

    The Secretary-General emphasized the importance of preventing a return to hostilities, which he described as potentially catastrophic. “It is imperative that all efforts be made to prevent a return to hostilities,” the statement urged.

    Mr. Guterres called on all parties to exercise maximum restraint and to find a way forward on the next phase of the ceasefire. He highlighted the necessity of a permanent ceasefire and the release of all hostages to prevent further escalation and protect civilians.

    “A permanent ceasefire and the release of all hostages are essential to preventing escalation and averting more devastating consequences for civilians,” the UN chief said in the statement.

    The statement also stressed the need for the humane treatment of all those held under power and the continuous flow of humanitarian aid. The Secretary-General called for the aid to be adequately funded and delivered in a safe environment for civilians and humanitarian workers.

    “Humanitarian aid must continue to flow, without impediment, ensuring the safety and security of civilians and humanitarian workers,” he added.

    As Ramadan, a time of peace and reflection, begins, Mr. Guterres called for an urgent de-escalation of the situation in the occupied West Bank and an end to all violence.

    “The United Nations stands ready to support all such endeavors,” he affirmed and through the statement underscored the commitment of the UN to supporting peace and stability in the region.

    Today’s statement comes as the Secretary-General heads to Cairo, Egypt, where he will attend on Tuesday summit-level talks convened by Arab leaders on Gaza’s reconstruction. 

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Statement attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General – on Gaza

    Source: United Nations secretary general

    The Secretary-General is closely following developments in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory as the first phase of the ceasefire and hostage release deal reaches its conclusion. The past six weeks have provided a fragile but vital reprieve, offering a measure of relief to both Palestinians and Israelis. Thousands of trucks carrying life-saving assistance entered Gaza, with aid having reached nearly every person in the Strip. It is imperative that all efforts be made to prevent a return to hostilities, which would be catastrophic.

    The Secretary-General urges all parties to exercise maximum restraint and find a way forward on the next phase. A permanent ceasefire and the release of all hostages are essential to preventing escalation and averting more devastating consequences for civilians. The Secretary-General continues to call for the dignified, immediate and unconditional release of all hostages. The parties must ensure humane treatment for all those held under their power. Humanitarian aid must continue to flow, without impediment, be adequately funded, and occur in an environment ensuring the safety and security of civilians and other protected persons, including humanitarian workers.

    The Secretary-General also calls for an urgent de-escalation of the alarming situation in the occupied West Bank.

    As Ramadan — a time of peace and reflection — begins, the Secretary-General calls on all sides to spare no efforts to end all violence. The United Nations stands ready to support all such endeavours.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: ‘This is our land’ – Building Gaza’s future from the wreckage of war

    Source: United Nations MIL OSI b

    Peace and Security

    At night he sleeps under a tarpaulin sheet on the ruins of his family home. Like others returning to northern Gaza after months of being displaced by war, Sufian Al-Majdalawi clings to whatever he can find.

    Using small tools and his bare hands, he sifts through mounds of twisted debris and dirt to try and unearth belongings and important paperwork such as property deeds to prove he is the legal owner.

    He dreams of one day being able to rebuild; in the short-term, he hopes that even the rubble might hold some value.

    The war in Gaza has left an unprecedented level of destruction, with an estimated 51 million tons of rubble blanket the landscape where bustling neighborhoods once thrived.  According to a new UN damage and needs assessment report, over 60 per cent of homes – amounting to some 292,000 – and 65 per cent of roads have been destroyed, across the approximately 360 square kilometre enclave.

    UN News

    Debris and rubble lines the streets of Gaza.

    As the international community ponders Gaza’s future and how to rebuild, Al-Majdalawi is sure of one thing: “We will not leave. That will not happen. This is our land.’’

    Moving cautiously through the rubble, Yasser Ahmed says: “I am looking for my papers.” His desperate search is made even more daunting because adjacent structures have collapsed in on each other. “Maybe while I am removing the rubble, I will find a human body, an explosive device,’’ he adds, underlining the huge emotional and physical risks of dislodging debris in a war zone.

    In collaboration with the Palestinian Ministry of Public Works and Housing, the UN Development Programme-led Programme of Assistance to the Palestinian People and the UN Environment Programme co-chair a debris management group that brings together more than 20 entities to support the response to this critical issue across the Gaza Strip.

    UN staff are drawing on similar experiences in Mosul, Iraq, and the Syrian cities of Aleppo and Latakia, all decimated by war. 
    UNOPS, a UN agency that provides infrastructure, procurement and project management services around the world, is part of Gaza’s ‘Debris Management Working Group.’

    UN News

    15 months of war in Gaza resulted in more than 50 million tons of debris.

    The agency, which has conducted threat and risk assessments throughout the Territory, has developed advanced GeoAI and remote sensing techniques, including 3D modeling technologies, to enhance explosive hazard evaluation and rubble removal strategies.

    UNOPS Executive Director Jorge Moreira da Silva, following a recent trip to Gaza, says explosive hazard education had been provided to 250,000 Palestinians and some 1,000 humanitarian workers, providing “critical knowledge to stay safe and navigate explosive hazards effectively.”

    UNDP, which helps countries reduce poverty, build resilience and achieve sustainable development, started removing rubble from Gaza in December 2024, weeks before a ceasefire began.

    UNDP’s Sarah Poole says about 28,500 tons of rubble were initially removed, and 290 tons of it used for roadworks to enhance humanitarian operations, restoring access to sites such as a hospital, a bakery and a critical water supply plant.

    Poole describes the issue of land and property ownership in Gaza as “very complex” – particularly when title deeds, inheritance records and other legal documents are lost or destroyed.

    Amjad Al-Shawa, Director of the network of NGOs in the Gaza Strip, says the issue of rubble represents a “major challenge.’’

    “We need a mechanism to dispose of the rubble which will take a long time, and which requires resources that are not available in the Gaza Strip,’’ he says.

    “Today, this rubble also represents the possessions of the residents. Many disputes may arise between families.’’

    Some $7 million has already been made available from various donors to aid the rubble removal – but Poole says an additional $40 million is needed “in this initial phase in order to significantly scale up the work.”

    “The issue of access and the ability to bring in some of the heavy equipment that is needed is also absolutely essential,” he adds.

    The challenge ahead looks daunting: Once-thriving neighborhoods have been leveled – very little remains. In this Territory where people turning 18 have already lived through five massive armed conflicts, the destruction this time is significantly worse.

    The cost of the damage to physical infrastructure has been estimated at some $30 billion, according to the UN. The housing sector was the hardest hit, with losses amounting to $15.8 billion. The costs of recovery and reconstruction are estimated at over $53 billion.

    UN News

    Yasser Ahmed stands in front of his destroyed home in Jabalia, in the north of the Gaza Strip.

    “There is no residential life here. I look around and see nothing but destruction,’’ says Ahmed, standing in front of the wreckage of his house. “The hard work of 59 years – the number of years of my life – was lost, and everything is gone.’’

    “Everything is under the rubble,’’ he says. “I miss my home … a person is only comfortable in his home and his own place.”

    Nearby, Ramadan Katkat sits on the remnants of his home. Living in tents precariously perched atop mounds of rubble, he echoes the despair felt by many: Beneath them could lie a perilous mix of unexploded devices and human remains.

    His wish? “We want to live.’’

    Al-Majdalawi is adamant, though: “We are capable of rebuilding the land.”

    UN News

    Ramadan Kutkut sits on the rubble of his house in Jabalia, in the northern Gaza Strip.

    With a fragile ceasefire holding for now, regional talks are underway to develop a plan for rebuilding Gaza after 16 months of brutal conflict. Next Tuesday, UN Secretary-General António Guterres will travel to Cairo for a summit with Arab leaders focused on reconstruction. He aims to advocate for sustainable rebuilding efforts and a cohesive, transparent, and principled political resolution.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Bahrain’s pearling legacy: Reviving a millennia-old culture

    Source: United Nations 2

    Culture and Education

    Bahrain, with its shallow waters and rich oyster beds, has long been synonymous with pearls, which formed the backbone of the island nation’s economy for thousands of years. Diving for pearls, otherwise known as pearling, remains part of the country’s cultural DNA.

    “I always say that all Bahrainis have pearl diving in their blood,” Mohamed Alslaise, a pearl diver and field researcher for the Bahrain Institute for Pearls and Gemstones (DANAT) tells UN News. “Almost all the families that moved from the Arabian Gulf or Iranian coast to Bahrain were divers.”

    Mr. Alslaise is passionate about preserving and reviving this age-old tradition, notes that many families in the Gulf nation have a member who was either a pearl diver or contributed in some way to the pearl diving industry.

    Pearling in the Persian Gulf shaped Bahrain’s economy for thousands of years but, following a peak around the turn of the 20th century, the perfection of cultured pearls by Japan in the 1930s caused a sharp and devastating decline in the industry.

    Khaled Salman, a diver since the 1970s, explains that while diving continues, it’s no longer done in the old way.

    UN Video/Hisae Kawamori

    Bahraini diver, Mohamed Alslaise extracting pearls from oysters.

    “Nowadays, larger quantities are extracted due to advancements in technology, allowing divers to stay underwater for longer periods. In the past, a diver would stay underwater for four minutes, but now scuba divers can remain underwater for an hour or more.”

    Due to lower pearl prices, Salman notes, “Many people don’t sell the pearls they extract; they store them until prices rise and then sell them to traders in Bahrain.”

    Some pearls are used in local industries, while others are marketed outside Bahrain. He also highlights three types of pearls: synthetic, cultured, and natural, adding that “distinguishing between these types requires experience and modern equipment.”

    The decline in pearling also affected Bahrain’s shipbuilding industry. Abdulla, a designer of wooden ships and boats for over 35 years, shares his perspective: “Bahrain is famous for its shipbuilding industry, which was integral to pearling. There are several types of ships, varying by design, but now smaller ships are used for pearling due to decreased demand.”

    The wood for shipbuilding is imported from Africa and Singapore, and, says Abdulla, the lifespan of a ship can extends beyond 100 years.

    UN Video/Hisae Kawamori

    Abdulla, a designer of wooden ships and boats for over 35 years.

    Folklore, songs and tradition

    “Most Bahraini traditions are connected to the pearl diving industry. For instance, the pearl diving songs,” says Mr. Alslaise. “The folklore of pearl diving has been passed down for generations. We still sing the same songs, which were originally sung to boost morale on the boats.”

    Bahrain’s historic pearling site, known as the Pearling Path, has been inscribed as a World Heritage Site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The site testifies to the pearling tradition and the wealth it generated in the Gulf region for millennia.

    According to UNESCO, the area consists of 17 buildings in Murharraq city, three offshore oyster beds, part of the seashore and the Qal’at Bu Mahir fortress on the southern tip of Muharraq Island, from where boats used to set off for the oyster beds.

    There are shops, storehouses, a mosque, and the homes of wealthy merchants in the area. According to UNESCO, the location is the only complete example of the pearling cultural tradition and the wealth it produced during the period when the Gulf economy was dominated by trade from the second century until Japan developed cultured pearls.

    It also constitutes an outstanding example of traditional utilization of the sea’s resources and human interaction with the environment, which shaped both the economy and cultural identity of the island’s society.

    UN News/ Abdelmonem Makki

    A band performing a pearl diving song in Bahrain. The folklore of pearl diving has been passed down for generations.

    Pearling is back 

    “I am one of the people who fell in love with pearl diving without any guidance from my parents or family,” Mr. Alslaise. “The generation before us was not allowed to dive when they were young because, after oil was discovered, all the jobs shifted to the oil industry.”

    According to Mr. Alslaise, since 2017, when Bahraini authorities introduced pearl diving licenses, many people who signed up had no prior knowledge of pearl diving.

    “Now, seven years down the line, many Bahrainis have reconnected with this heritage. Over 1,000 divers are now registered and dive regularly to create an income for themselves.”

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Workshop on the utilisation and integration of new data sources for the Consumer Price Index

    Source: United Nations Economic Commission for Europe

    Report PDF
    Agenda PDF
    Session 1. New data sources and collection methods for CPI  
    From survey to multiple source-based CPI, Carsten Boldsen, UNECE PDF
    Development of the CPI in Norway, Randi Johannessen, Norway PDF
    Practices and experiences from the development of the CPI in Switzerland (data sources), Corinne Becker, Switzerland PDF
    Session 2. Scanner data  
    Scanner data, Corinne Becker, Switzerland PDF
    Country practices scanner data, Randi Johannessen, Norway PDF
    Ways of using scanner data for CPI, Randi Johannessen, Norway PDF
    Scanner data: challenges, Corinne Becker, Federal Statistical Office of Switzerland PDF
    Alternative data sources used in Türkiye’s CPI, Hasan ÇİĞ, Turkstat PDF
    Product relaunches, shrinkflation and quality adjustment in scanner data, Ken van Loon, Belgium PDF
    Multilateral Methods in the HICP, Vanda Guerreiro, Eurostat PDF
    Session 3. Web prices and web scraping  
    Web scraping for the CPI: ways of implementation and challenges, Corinne Becker, Switzerland PDF
    Session 4. Administrative data sources  
    Results of the survey on country practices on administrative data sources for CPI, Randi Johannessen, Norway PDF
    Practices and challenges in using administrative data sources for CPI, Randi Johannessen, Norway PDF
    Administrative data source, Corinne Becker, Switzerland PDF
    Session 5. Methodological issues  
    Treatment of seasonal products, Randi Johannessen, Norway PDF
    Aggregation of higher-level price indice, Carsten Boldsen, UNECE PDF
    Session 6. Classification of goods and services in the CPI – changeover to COICOP-18  
    Implementation of ECOICOP ver. 2 in the HICP, Vanda Guerreiro, Eurostat PDF
    Changes in the classification of goods and services in the CPI. Carsten Boldsen, UNECE PDF
    Classification of goods and services in the CPI. Practical part, Corinne Becker, Switzerland PDF
    Session 7. Communication of CPI  
    Disseminating the Consumer Price Index in Georgia, Giorgi Tetrauli, Georgia PDF
    Communication of the CPI in Kazakhstan, Tokbayeva Zhairan, Kazakhstan PDF
    Communication of the CPI, Randi Johannessen, Norway PDF

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Statement by UNFPA Executive Director on the United States Government funding cuts

    Source: United Nations Population Fund

    UNFPA, the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency, notes with deep regret the termination of all funding agreements by the United States Government. These 48 grants, totalling approximately $377 million, were awarded for UNFPA to provide critical maternal health care, protection from violence, rape treatment and other life-saving care in over 25 crisis-stricken countries, including Afghanistan, Chad, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gaza, Haiti, Mali, Sudan, Syria and Ukraine.

    The vast majority of US funding supported UNFPA’s work in emergency settings. The termination includes 16 grants for which UNFPA had received a humanitarian waiver.

    Over the last four years, these life-saving investments prevented more than 17,000 maternal deaths, 9 million unintended pregnancies and nearly 3 million unsafe abortions by expanding access to voluntary family planning. And we reached over 13 million women and young people with sexual and reproductive health services like cervical cancer screening, contraception counselling, and prenatal and safe childbirth care. 

    This devastating decision will force thousands of health clinics to close. Women in crisis zones will be forced to give birth without medicines, midwives or equipment, putting their lives and their babies’ lives in jeopardy. Rape survivors will be denied counselling and medical care. Midwives delivering babies in the world’s worst humanitarian crises will lose their ability to function. Shipments of life-saving medical supplies to refugee camps will be disrupted.

    UNFPA hopes that the US Government will reconsider its stance and retain its position as a global leader working in partnership with UNFPA to alleviate the suffering of women and their families, often as a result of catastrophes not of their own making.

    So much good has been achieved during our more than five decades of close collaboration with the USA, a founding partner. With US support, UNFPA has helped strengthen health systems, save the lives of women, adolescent girls and newborns, and improve the economic prospects of families, communities and countries. 

    Countless studies show that investments in voluntary family planning and reproductive health lead to hundreds of billions in economic returns as girls continue their education and women rise through the workforce. This, in turn, contributes to the peace and prosperity people in the United States and around the world depend on.

    As committed humanitarians and human rights defenders, we at UNFPA will continue to work tirelessly with Member States, UN agencies and local partners, including women and youth-led organizations, to ensure the safety, dignity and freedom of every woman and girl. While circumstances and funding decisions may vary, our mandate and mission remain.

    • You will find a full list of the projects supported by the USA that have been terminated here.
    • For interview requests please contact Eddie Wright (based in NYC): ewright@unfpa.org; +1 917 831 2074

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Activities of the Secretary-General in Switzerland, 23-24 February

    Source: United Nations 4

    On Sunday, 23 February, the Secretary-General arrived in Geneva to take part in the opening of the fifty-eighth session of the Human Rights Council, scheduled to begin on Monday morning.

    In his remarks to the Human Rights Council, the Secretary-General began by recalling that this year’s opening session was held under the weight of a grim milestone — the third anniversary of the Russian Federation’s invasion of Ukraine, in violation of the UN Charter.  The Secretary-General reiterated his call to the international community to spare no effort to bring an end to this conflict and to achieve a just and lasting peace in line with the UN Charter, international law and General Assembly resolutions.

    Turning to the work of the Council, the Secretary-General said that without respect for human rights, sustainable peace is a pipedream.

    Human rights are the oxygen of humanity, he added, but one by one, they are being suffocated.  But, as the recently adopted Pact for the Future reminds us, Mr. Guterres said, human rights are, in fact, a source of solutions — by advancing human rights through development, through climate action, through stronger, better governance of technology and by recognizing that the rule of law and human rights go hand-in-hand.  (See Press Release SG/SM/22562.)

    In the afternoon, the Secretary-General also spoke to a high-level session of the Conference on Disarmament.

    He reiterated that the nuclear option is not an option at all and reminded participants that, in the Pact for the Future, adopted in September, Member States recommitted to nuclear disarmament — and to the final objective of complete disarmament.  (See Press Release SG/SM/22563.)

    While in Geneva, the Secretary-General held a number of bilateral meetings.  He met Judith Suminwa Tuluka, Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of the Congo; Maka Botchorishvili, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Georgia; Seyed Abbas Araghchi, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran; Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the State of Kuwait; Ervin Ibrahimovic, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Montenegro; and Sergey Vershinin, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation.  He also spoke by phone with the Foreign Minister of Ukraine, Andrii Sybiha.

    The Secretary-General travelled back to New York on Monday evening.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Security Council Reauthorizes Maritime Indiction Provisions of Arms Embargo on Somalia, Unanimously Adopting Resolution 2775 (2025)

    Source: United Nations General Assembly and Security Council

    To enforce the arms embargo on Somalia, the Security Council decided today to reauthorize maritime interdiction of illicit weapons imports and charcoal exports, reiterating its determination that Al-Shabaab’s attempts to undermine peace and security in the region — including through acts of terrorism — constitute a threat to international peace and security.

    Unanimously adopting resolution 2775 (2025) (to be issued as document S/RES/2775(2025)), the 15-member Council — acting under Chapter VII of the UN Charter — decided to renew the provisions set out in paragraphs 15 and 17 of resolution 2182 (2014), and expanded by paragraph 5 of resolution 2607 (2021), as most recently renewed by paragraph 1 of resolution 2762 (2024), until 3 March 2025.

    It authorized Member States to inspect vessels in Somali territorial waters and on the high seas extending to and including the Arabian Sea and the Persian Gulf, which they had “reasonable grounds” to believe were carrying charcoal or weapons or military equipment, including improvised explosive devices components.

    Further, it authorized Member States to seize and dispose of any items identified in inspections pursuant to paragraph 15 of resolution 2182 (2014), the delivery, import or export of which is prohibited by the arms embargo on Somalia or the charcoal ban.  It decided that charcoal seized in accordance with this paragraph may be disposed of through resale, which shall be monitored by the Somalia and Eritrea Monitoring Group.

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  • MIL-OSI United Nations: ‘Ramadan Embodies Values of Compassion,’ Says Secretary-General at Start of Holy Month

    Source: United Nations 4

    Following is the text of UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ video message on the beginning of Ramadan, today:

    I send my warmest wishes as Muslims around the world begin observing the Holy Month of Ramadan.  Ramadan embodies the values of compassion, empathy and generosity.  It is an opportunity to reconnect with family and community.  A chance to remember those less fortunate.

    To all those who will spend this sacred time amid displacement and violence, I wish to express a special message of support.  I stand with all those who are suffering.  From Gaza and the wider region, to Sudan, the Sahel and beyond.

    And I join those observing Ramadan to call for peace and mutual respect.  Every Ramadan, I undertake a solidarity visit and fast with a Muslim community around the globe.  These missions remind the world of the true face of Islam.

    And I always come away even more inspired by the remarkable sense of peace that fills this season.  In this Holy Month, let us all be uplifted by these values and embrace our common humanity to build a more just and peaceful world for all.  Ramadan Kareem.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Senior UN aid officials sound alarm on Mozambique’s triple crisis

    Source: World Food Programme

    (New York/ Rome, 28 February 2025) Concluding a joint visit to Mozambique today, senior United Nations humanitarian officials are appealing for urgent global action to address a trio of crises – conflict, climate shocks, and a deteriorating socio-economic situation – confronting the country.

    The complex challenges have left millions of people in need of emergency food assistance. Continued fighting, the devastating impacts of recent tropical cyclones, and an El Niño-induced drought have also exacerbated the humanitarian situation, with women and girls being disproportionately affected.

    During their visit, Joyce Msuya, Assistant-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator, and Carl Skau, Deputy Executive Director of the World Food Programme (WFP), held talks with national and local Mozambican authorities, as well as with humanitarian partners, UN staff, donors and international financial institutions, to discuss the country’s urgent needs.

    They also traveled to the northern province of Cabo Delgado, meeting with people in the Macomia, Pemba and Mecufi districts, where conflict and climate shocks have devastated essential services, basic infrastructure and livelihoods.

    Escalating violence in northern Mozambique has displaced 715,000 people, while Cyclones Chido and Dikeledi having impacted 680,000 people.

    “Communities made it clear: Their main priorities are a lasting peace, durable housing solutions and education for their children,” said Ms. Msuya. “We look forward to continuing our partnership with the Government of Mozambique to help people in need who have been affected by conflict and climate disasters.”

    In Mecufi, Ms. Msuya and Mr. Skau visited a WFP-supported food distribution site which is run by local partners and is helping around 5,300 people struggling to recover from the destruction wrought by Tropical Cyclone Chido in December 2024.

    “The crisis in Mozambique requires more attention. We met families who had been devastated by conflict, only for Cyclone Chido to destroy what little they had left,” said Mr. Skau. “Humanitarian efforts to provide life-saving food and other assistance need more support. We also need to help people rebuild their lives to withstand these recurring crises.”

    Despite the surging humanitarian needs, just 3 per cent of the total amount of funding – US$619 million – needed to reach 2.4 million people in critical need of humanitarian aid this year has been received. Of this amount, WFP urgently requires $170 million to deliver life-saving assistance over the next six months to avert a full-scale hunger crisis.

    “Global humanitarian funding is under immense strain,” Ms. Msuya noted. “We cannot abandon Mozambicans at this critical juncture.”

    # # # 

    High resolution photos available here

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: ‘A litany of human suffering’ in Myanmar, warns UN rights chief

    Source: United Nations 2-b

    Human Rights

    Myanmar is mired in one of the world’s worst human rights crises, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk said on Friday, describing conditions there as “a litany of human suffering.”

    Addressing the Human Rights Council on Friday, he detailed the devastating toll of the ongoing conflict and economic collapse on civilians – many of whom have been displaced by the fighting.

    Earlier in the day the Council discussed the deteriorating situation in South Sudan, having heard a report from rights investigators serving on the Commission on Human Rights in the country.

    “Conflict, displacement and economic collapse have combined to cause pain and misery across Myanmar and civilians are paying a terrible price,” Mr. Türk said.

    The number killed in violence last year was the highest since the military coup in 2021. Over 1,800 civilians were killed in 2024, many in indiscriminate airstrikes and artillery shelling, with attacks on schools, places of worship and healthcare facilities having become routine.

    Mr. Türk condemned the military’s brutal tactics, including beheadings, burnings, mutilations, and the use of human shields. He also noted that nearly 2,000 people have died in custody since the coup, most due to summary executions and torture.

    Deepening humanitarian crisis

    Fighting between the junta forces and opposition armed groups has fuelled a humanitarian catastrophe, with more than 3.5 million people displaced and 15 million facing hunger – two million of whom are at risk of famine.

    In Rakhine state, clashes between the military and the Arakan Army have intensified, with thousands of civilians killed and Rohingya communities caught in the crossfire.  

    Tens of thousands of Rohingya fled to Bangladesh in 2024, despite border restrictions. More than 8,000 fled by sea – an 80 per cent increase over 2023 – but at least 650 people, nearly half of them children, perished on the dangerous journey.

    Economic collapse

    Myanmar’s economic collapse has fuelled corruption and crime, with one global tracker ranking it the world’s biggest nexus of organized crime. It remains the top producer of opium and a major manufacturer of synthetic drugs.

    Furthermore, scam centres in eastern Myanmar have become notorious for human trafficking, where victims are coerced into cybercrime and subjected to torture, sexual violence, and forced labour.

    Military conscription

    Mr. Türk also condemned the junta’s activation of military conscription laws, which have led to arbitrary arrests and forced recruitment, particularly targeting young men and women. Fear of conscription has driven many to flee the country, exposing them to trafficking and exploitation.

    “Given the humanitarian, political and economic impacts fuelling instability across the region, the international community must do more,” Mr. Türk underscored.

    He reiterated his call for an arms embargo, coupled with targeted sanctions – including on jet fuel and dual-use goods – to better protect the people of Myanmar.

    He also stressed the need for accountability, citing efforts at the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to hold Myanmar’s military leaders accountable for atrocities.

    © WFP/Eulalia Berlanga

    Displaced South Sudanese people arrive at a camp in Upper Nile State. (file)

    South Sudan: Leaders failing their own people

    The UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan presented its latest report to the Human Rights Council earlier in Geneva, detailing widespread violations, including extrajudicial killings, forced recruitment of children and systematic sexual violence.

    Despite South Sudan winning independence over a decade ago and repeated commitments to peace during years of civil war, the Commission found that the same patterns of abuses persist, often implicating high-ranking officials.

    “It is unconscionable that so many years after its independence, political leaders continue their violent contestations across the country and are abjectly failing the people of South Sudan,” said Yasmin Sooka, Chair of the Commission.

    Extreme ethnic violence

    The report described the situation in Tambura, where armed forces and militias inflicted extreme violence along ethnic lines in 2024, reigniting tensions from the 2021 conflict.

    Political elites at both local and national levels have actively fuelled this violence while remaining in power despite past crimes.

    The Commission also raised alarms over the “Green Book” law introduced in Warrap State in 2024, which authorizes extrajudicial executions for suspected cattle raiding and communal violence.

    Address corruption

    South Sudan’s leaders agreed in September 2024 to extend the transitional political arrangements by two years, citing funding constraints.

    The Commission’s report noted that the government generated $3.5 billion in revenue between September 2022 and August 2024, while essential institutions – such as courts, schools, and hospitals – remain underfunded and civil servants go unpaid.

    “Financing essential services and rule of law institutions requires an end to the corruption. The theft of national wealth robs citizens of justice, education, and healthcare,” said Commissioner Carlos Castresana Fernández.

    “Without addressing this systemic looting, no peace agreement will ever translate into meaningful change,” he added.

    The Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan is an independent body mandated by the UN Human Rights Council. First established in March 2016, it has been renewed annually since. Its three Commissioners are not UN staff, they are not paid for their work and serve in an independent capacity.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Global biodiversity agreement mobilises $200 billion boost for nature

    Source: United Nations 2

    Climate and Environment

    Governments on Friday reached agreement on a strategy to raise an additional $200 billion each year to better protect the world’s flora and fauna by 2030.

    Delegates met in Rome this week for the resumption of the UN Biodiversity Conference to hammer out an agreement at COP16.2 after attempts to reach a deal on financing at COP16 in Cali, Colombia, fell short last November.

    It is hoped that the hard-won decisions made by parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity will shore up biodiversity and fragile ecosystems which are bearing the brunt of increased conflict, deforestation, mining, toxic waste dumping and other environmental impacts worldwide.

    “We very much welcome this announcement,” the UN Secretary-General’s Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said on Friday. “We need to mobilise at least $200 billion dollars a year by 2030 to close the global biodiversity finance gap.”

    However, discussions on who pays to protect the Earth’s biodiversity have long been a point of contention, while more than a million plant and animal species are now threatened with extinction.

    © Gregoire Dubois

    Hammering out an agreement

    “These days of work in Rome have demonstrated the commitment of the parties to advance the implementation of the [Kunming-Montreal] Global Biodiversity Framework,” said COP16 president Susana Muhamad, referring to the landmark 2022 agreement and underscoring “the collective effort to reach consensus of key issues that were left pending in Cali”.

    Why is biodiversity important? Read our explainer here.

    Delegates worked through Friday morning following days of intense negotiation and reached decisions on outstanding issues including biodiversity finance, planning, monitoring, reporting and review.

    Negotiators also agreed on a set of indicators to measure global and national progress towards implementing the Global Biodiversity Framework.

    The framework was finalised a little over two years ago – a historic UN-driven agreement to guide global action on nature through to 2030, which was hashed out at meetings in Kunming, China, and Montreal, Canada, in 2022.

    Keeping promises made in Canada and China

    The Global Biodiversity Framework aims to address biodiversity loss, restore ecosystems and protect the rights of Indigenous Peoples, who suffer disproportionately from biodiversity loss and environmental degradation.

    The global framework also contains concrete measures to halt and reverse nature loss, including protection measures covering 30 per cent of the planet and 30 per cent of degraded ecosystems by 2030.

    Currently only 17 per cent of land and around eight per cent of marine areas are protected.

    “Only by working together can we make peace with nature a reality,” said Ms. Muhamad.

    ‘Multilateralism works’

    Astrid Schomaker, Executive Secretary of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity, said the positive outcome in Rome shows that “multilateralism works” and is “the vehicle to build the partnerships needed to protect biodiversity and move us towards peace with nature”.

    After intense negotiations, parties to the convention agreed on a way forward in terms of resource mobilisation with a view to close the global biodiversity finance gap and achieve the target of at least $200 billion a year by 2030.

    This includes working to improve existing financial tools, especially to provide resources for developing countries, under the temporary leadership of UN agencies and partners.

    “We now have a clear mandate” for implementation, Ms. Schomaker said. “As we do this and implement the other supporting elements for resource mobilisation, the world will have given itself the means to close the biodiversity finance gap.”

    Call for pioneering investors

    On the margins of COP16.2, the Cali Fund, which was created in Colombia in late 2024, was officially launched, ushering in a new era for biodiversity financing.

    “Today’s launch is the culmination of multilateralism that delivers,” said Elizabeth Mrema, Deputy Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP).

    “The ball is now in the court of businesses around the world. Those who pay into the fund will go down in history as pioneers and will reap the benefits as the public increasingly recognises the importance of giving back to nature.”

    Here’s how the Cali Fund will benefit biodiversity:

    • Companies making commercial use of data from genetic resources in nature in a range of lucrative industries will be expected to contribute a portion of their revenue to the fund
    • Contributions to the Cali Fund will be used to implement the UN Biodiversity Convention, including by supporting the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework
    • At least 50 per cent of the Cali Fund resources will be allocated to Indigenous Peoples and local communities, recognising their role as custodians of biodiversity

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Concludes Seventy-Seventh Session after Adopting Concluding Observations on Reports of Croatia, Peru, Philippines, Rwanda and the United Kingdom

    Source: United Nations – Geneva

    The Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights this afternoon concluded its seventy-seventhsession after adopting concluding observationson the reports of Croatia, Peru, Philippines, Rwanda and the United Kingdom under the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights .

    The concluding observations will be transmitted to the States concerned and made available on the webpage of the session   on the afternoon of Monday, 3 March.

    Laura-MariaCraciunean-Tatu, Committee Chair, said that during the intense session, in addition to engaging with five States parties, the Committee had considered two follow-up reports; adopted three lists of issues on Cabo Verde, North Macedonia and Turkmenistan; conducted work on communications under the Optional Protocol; and discussed one draft and two future general comments and one statement.

    Ms. Craciunean-Tatu said that this session, the Committee had welcomed four new members, and would formally welcome its fifth, Peijie Chen (China), in its next session. Despite the discontinuance of formal hybrid meetings, the Committee continued to engage with a wide range of stakeholders in person and remotely outside of formal meeting time. Ms. Craciunean-Tatu expressed thanks to all those who worked to promote and protect the rights enshrined in the Covenant.

    During the session, she said, the Committee adopted assessments on the follow-up reports to concluding observations for Serbia and Uzbekistan. The assessments would be transmitted to the States concerned and made available publicly in the weeks to come. The Committee urged other States to submit follow-up reports which were overdue or due.

    Under the Optional Protocol, the Committee adopted decisions relating to 48 individual communications. It found violations of the Covenant in three cases concerning the right to housing; declared admissible one case on alleged violation of the right to work of a human rights defender; and declared inadmissible two cases on alleged unequal pay for overtime in teaching-related activities and alleged wage discrimination. The Committee further discontinued the consideration of 42 cases concerning the right to housing. Finally, it adopted a follow-up progress report on individual communications.

    Ms. Craciunean-Tatu saidthe Committee had adopted a Statement on Tax Policy and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. It hoped that this statement would guide States parties, both domestically and in the context of international tax cooperation, to observe increasingly inclusive and transparent tax policy-making processes, thus encouraging the implementation of tax systems that supported the enjoyment of the rights enshrined in the Covenant, with a focus on disadvantaged and marginalised groups.

    Regarding general comments, the Committee completed a second reading of the draft general comment on the environmental dimension of sustainable development, and continued discussing the scope of two general comments on drug policy and on armed conflict as they related to the enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights. These discussions would continue at the next session.

    During the session, Ms. Craciunean-Tatu said, the Committee held an informal meeting with States on 20 February and engaged in discussion on all aspects of its work. In addition to the numerous contacts the Committee had with civil society organizations, it also held this morning its annual meeting with non-governmental organizations, in which it heard their views on several important topics, including strategic litigation and the right to a clean and healthy environment.

    Ms. Craciunean-Tatu also said that the Committee had held informal meetings with other stakeholders, including with treaty body members, United Nations agencies and the Special Rapporteurs on climate change and in the field of cultural rights. The engagement of all concerned was deeply appreciated.

    In its next session, she said, in addition to reviewing the reports of seven States parties, the Committee would adopt lists of issues on the reports of Eswatini, Germany, Guinea-Bissau, Mauritius, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova and Tunisia. It would also adopt assessments on the follow-up reports of El Salvador and Luxembourg.

    This session, the Committee reaffirmed its decision to implement a simplified reporting procedure and had requested the Secretariat to prepare a structured implementation plan, Ms. Craciunean-Tatu said. However, until such a plan was operationalised, she encouraged States parties to submit reports under the regular reporting procedure, including long overdue reports.

    The Committee had not yet held dialogues with 24 States parties that had not submitted their initial reports, of which five were overdue for more than 10 years. In total, 51 States’ periodic reports were also overdue, at least 16 of which for more than 10 years. The capacity building programme established pursuant to the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 68/268 (2014) was available to offer support to States requiring technical assistance in this regard, including with respect to the establishment of national mechanisms for reporting implementation and follow-up.

    Ms. Craciunean-Tatu invited all States to ratify the Covenant and encouraged States that were parties to the Covenant but had not acceded to or ratified the Optional Protocol to do so, and to enter the declarations for its articles 10 and 11. She welcomed the accession, two weeks ago, of Albania to the Optional Protocol.

    In closing, Ms. Craciunean-Tatu thanked the Committee and all who had contributed to the busy session. The Committee looked forward to, in its next session, holding dialogues with States, pursuing other work, and engaging with a wide variety of stakeholders to achieve the effective promotion and protection of all the rights enshrined in the Covenant.

    In its seventy-eighth session, to be held from 8 September to 3 October 2025, the Committee will review the reports of Australia, Chile, Colombia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Netherlands, Russian Federation and Zimbabwe.

    ___________

    Produced by the United Nations Information Service in Geneva for use of the media; 
    not an official record. English and French versions of our releases are different as they are the product of two separate coverage teams that work independently.

     

    CESCR25.007E

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Children already dying in Sudan’s stricken Zamzam camp: WFP

    Source: United Nations 2

    Humanitarian Aid

    UN humanitarians on Friday warned again that thousands of families could starve in the coming weeks inside the Zamzam displacement camp in North Darfur.

    The UN World Food Programme (WFP) confirmed that it has had to pause the distribution of life saving food and nutrition assistance, due to escalating violence.

    WFP spokesperson Leni Kinzli said the UN agency’s partners in the camp had no choice but to evacuate their staff to safety.

    “The recent violence in Zamzam has also left the central market destroyed…residents of the camp, which is around half a million people, are even further away from accessing food and essential food.

    Government troops have been battling their former allies turned adversaries, the Rapid Support Forces militia, for nearly two years. The RSF now controls virtually all of Darfur but has been laying siege to the city of El Fasher for months, close to ZamZam.

    RSF Militia stormed the camp on 11 February triggering several days of clashes with army troops and allied forces, according to news reports.

    Deadly consequences

    “People, particularly children, are already dying of hunger in Zamzam. And the fact that we are forced to suspend operations will make that even worse,” she added.

    WFP and partners provided 60,000 people with food vouchers before heavy shelling forced the UN agency to pause aid operations in Zamzam.

    The food vouchers allow families to purchase essential food supplies such as cereals, pulses, oil and salt, directly from local markets which are stocked by the private sector.

    “As WFP, we’ve been trying every possible way to get vital aid into the hands of people whose lives hang in the balance,” Ms. Kinzli said. She explained that the UN agency is “continuously having to overcome barriers and obstacles” caused by the ongoing violence and insecurity.

    Illustrating the need to find alternative ways of providing support to communities who are cut off by conflict such as in Zamzam, WFP has launched an online self-registration aid platform which is now active and provides cash-based assistance in remote Sudanese locations.

    “We have done it in other parts of Sudan, like Khartoum, and we have received an overwhelming response from communities,” Ms. Kinzli said. “It does work well despite the patchy communications networks.”

    Once registered, recipients can expect to receive digital transfers via a mobile money app which provides them with critical assistance until conditions permit the safe passage of humanitarian personnel and convoys, the WFP officer explained.

    Aid delivery must resume

    “We must resume the delivery of life-saving aid in and around Zamzam safely, quickly and at scale,” she insisted. For that the fighting must stop, and humanitarian organizations must be granted security guarantees.”

    In 2024, two out of every three people in famine or risk of famine areas in Sudan received WFP assistance. But this is not enough, humanitarians warn.

    “Regular, monthly deliveries to starving communities are the only way to push back the famine in Sudan,” WFP said, warning that access to famine and famine-risk areas is “sporadic and inconsistent”.

    Today, two million people in 27 locations across Sudan are now experiencing famine or on the brink of it.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Alarming trends in nuclear material trafficking highlight urgent security gaps

    Source: United Nations 2

    Peace and Security

    There were just under 150 incidents of illegal or unauthorised activity involving nuclear and other radioactive material reported last year, according to the international nuclear energy watchdog’s monitoring database tracking these incidents.  

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    New data released on Friday from the UN-backed International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reveals that while the overall number remains consistent with previous years, the continued incidents of trafficking and radioactive contamination cases raises concerns over nuclear security.

    Three of the reported cases were directly linked to trafficking or malicious intent, while in 21 incidents, authorities could not determine whether criminal activity was involved.

    Most incidents did not involve organised crime, but experts warn that even a single case of nuclear material falling into the wrong hands could pose serious global risks.

    Radioactive goods

    A troubling trend in 2024 has been the rise in contaminated industrial materials, such as used pipes and metal parts that unknowingly entered supply chains.

    “This indicates the challenge for some countries to prevent the unauthorised disposal of radioactive sources, and at the same time, it confirms the efficiency of the detection infrastructure,” said Elena Buglova, Director of the IAEA’s Division of Nuclear Security.

    Danger on the move

    The transportation of radioactive materials remains one of the most vulnerable areas of nuclear security. Over the past decade, 65 percent of all reported thefts have occurred while materials were in transit.

    Nuclear and radioactive substances are regularly transported for use in medicine, industry and scientific research, making them a potential target for theft. With so many different handlers involved during shipping, security gaps persist.

    Experts emphasise the need for stronger safety measures while goods are on the move to prevent radioactive material from being lost or stolen.

    Enhanced international cooperation is also essential to ensure proper security along supply chains.

    Calls for stronger security

    The IAEA plays a key role in monitoring and preventing nuclear material from falling out of regulatory control.

    In 2024, 32 of the 145 participating states submitted reports, reflecting a continued global effort to strengthen nuclear security.

    “Incident reports submitted by participating countries to the ITDB [IAEA database] over the past 30 years have strengthened global efforts to combat illicit trafficking and other unauthorised activities involving nuclear and other radioactive material out of regulatory control,” Ms. Buglova said.

    With nuclear threats constantly evolving, the IAEA urges all states to tighten their security measures – particularly in the transportation, industrial use and disposal of radioactive materials.

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  • MIL-OSI United Nations: 28 February 2025 Departmental update WHO consultation on addressing asymptomatic TB in the TB response

    Source: World Health Organisation

    Many people with tuberculosis (TB) do not feel unwell and do not present to health services with symptoms. People with such asymptomatic forms of TB (aTB) may only be identified during screening with so-called symptom-agnostic tools like chest X-ray or during TB prevalence surveys. Recent reviews found that about one half of people with TB detected by prevalence surveys had bacteriologically confirmed disease but reported no typical TB symptoms upon inquiry. More research is now ongoing to better characterize the full spectrum of TB, from infection to disease. 

    Interest in aTB has increased in recent years as more emphasis is being placed on screening and earlier diagnosis. The World Health Organization’s End TB Strategy stresses the importance of TB screening and active case-finding for TB in the first component of its first pillar. In 2021, WHO released updated evidence-based recommendations for systematic TB screening, alongside an operational handbook and new tools to facilitate implementation.  

    “We urge national programmes, technical agencies, funding partners, civil society and other stakeholders to work collectively to ensure that all people with TB, including asymptomatic TB, are detected early and receive appropriate treatment. Systematic screening will be critical for countries to achieve global targets on TB,” said Dr Tereza Kasaeva, Director of the WHO Global Programme on Tuberculosis and Lung Health. 

    WHO convened a technical consultation on 14–15 October 2024 in Geneva to agree on a framework and definition of aTB relevant for TB programmes and research, and to identify research gaps on aTB and set priorities that are critical for WHO guidance. The results of this consultation are summarized in the report being released. 

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: US aid cuts will make world ‘less healthy, less safe and less prosperous’: Guterres

    Source: United Nations 2

    Humanitarian Aid

    UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned on Friday that severe cuts to humanitarian and development funding by the United States will have devastating consequences for millions of vulnerable people worldwide.

    “These cuts impact a wide range of critical programmes,” he told reporters at the UN Headquarters in New York, highlighting the potential disruption to lifesaving humanitarian work, development projects, counterterrorism efforts and initiatives to combat drug trafficking.

    He expressed the UN’s gratitude “for the leading role” the US has played over decades providing overseas aid, highlighting that thanks to US taxpayers’ dollars and other donors, over 100 million people each year receive humanitarian support through UN programmes.

    However, the cuts come at a time when global crises are intensifying, leaving millions at risk of hunger, disease and displacement, he said.

    “The consequences will be especially devastating for vulnerable people around the world,” Mr. Guterres said.

    Millions at risk

    In Afghanistan, more than nine million people could lose access to health and protection services, as hundreds of mobile health teams and other critical programmes face suspension. 

    In northeast Syria, where 2.5 million people require humanitarian assistance, the absence of US funding will have a major impact.

    The cuts have been felt already in Ukraine, where cash-based aid that supported one million people in 2024 has been suspended. In South Sudan, funding has run out for programmes assisting refugees fleeing conflict in neighbouring Sudan, creating overcrowded and unsanitary conditions at border areas.

    Beyond direct humanitarian relief, the cuts will also severely affect global health and security efforts.

    The UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) will be forced to halt many counter-narcotics operations, including those targeting the fentanyl crisis and dramatically scale back its activities against human trafficking.

    “And funding for many programmes combatting HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and cholera have stopped,” Mr. Guterres said.

    A vital partnership

    Mr. Guterres emphasized that US support has long been central to global humanitarian efforts.

    “The generosity and compassion of the American people have not only saved lives, built peace and improved the state of the world. They have contributed to the stability and prosperity that Americans depend on,” he added.

    Think again

    The Secretary-General urged the US Government to reconsider the funding cuts, warning that reducing America’s humanitarian role would have far-reaching consequences, not only for those in need but also for global stability.

    “Going through with these cuts will make the world less healthy, less safe, and less prosperous,” he said, stating that UN agencies stand ready to provide the necessary information and justification for its projects.

    “We look forward to working with the United States in this regard,” he added.

    Mr. Guterres said the UN would continue to do everything possible to provide lifesaving assistance and diversify funding sources.

    “Our absolute priority remains clear. We will do everything we can to provide life-saving aid to those in urgent need,” he said.

    “We remain committed to making the global humanitarian effort as efficient, accountable and innovative as possible while continuing to save lives.”

    Soundcloud

    Full audio of Secretary-General Guterres remarks to the press.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Haiti: Massive surge in child armed group recruitment, warns UNICEF

    Source: United Nations 2-b

    Peace and Security

    The ongoing emergency in Haiti is crushing children’s chances of an education and a better future as scores of youngsters are recruited by heavily armed and violent gangs, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) warned on Friday.

    UNICEF’s representative in Haiti, Geetanjali Narayan, told journalists that just last month, armed groups destroyed 47 schools in Haiti’s capital Port-au-Prince, adding to the 284 schools destroyed in 2024.

    “The relentless attacks on education are accelerating, leaving hundreds of thousands of children without a place to learn,” she said.

    Speaking in Geneva, Ms. Narayan described reports of “yet another attack” on Thursday. “Videos capture piercing screams of children lying on the floor, motionless with fear,” she said, calling the scene a “chilling reminder that these attacks do damage far beyond the classroom walls”.

    “A child out of school is a child at risk,” she warned.

    UNICEF previously reported a 1,000 per cent increase in sexual violence involving children between 2023 and 2024 in the country. Children also comprise half of the record one million-plus displaced to date by the violence in Haiti.

    Eight-year-old recruits

    After sharing the latest displacement data, Ulrika Richardson, the UN’s top aid official in Haiti, insisted on Thursday that youngsters continue to bear the brunt of the crisis.

    UNICEF’s Ms. Narayan stressed that last year, child recruitment into armed groups “surged by 70 per cent”.

    “Right now, we estimate that up to half of all armed group members are children, some as young as eight years old,” she said.

    The UNICEF representative described the different roles played by children within armed groups, depending on their age and gender. Eight to 10-year-olds are “used as messengers or informants” while younger girls are tasked with domestic chores.

    “As they get older, the children are playing more and more active roles in terms of participating in acts of violence,” Ms. Narayan said.

    Asked about the impact of being recruited into a gang at an early age, she spoke of “indescribable” damage.

    “At that age, the child’s brain is still forming. They haven’t developed their understanding of the world. And so, to be to be part of an armed group where you are surrounded by violence at all times and where you yourself may be forced to commit acts of violence, has a profound effect on the child,” she said.

    Ms. Narayan stressed that UNICEF is “working actively” to support the release, demobilization and reintegration of child armed group members.

    Soundcloud

    Saving young lives

    This includes a “handover protocol” signed in 2024 between the United Nations, including UNICEF, and the Government of Haiti, based on the following questions: “What do you do when you encounter a child coming out of the armed groups? What are the steps? Who is involved? What are the procedures that need to be in place to ensure that this child is treated first and foremost as a child and not as a criminal?”

    The initiative has proved successful, with more than 100 children demobilized and reintegrated last year and plans to continue the work in 2025, Ms. Narayan said.

    The UNICEF official highlighted the fact that Haiti’s children’s chances of a better future are restricted by the armed violence surrounding them and the lack of funding for stop-gap measures that would allow youngsters to continue their education “despite the crisis”.

    Funding freeze impacts

    Such measures include establishing temporary learning spaces in displacement sites, rehabilitating schools and providing children with the necessary school supplies. The UN agency needs $38 million for these “critical interventions” but funding is at just five per cent.

    Peace and stability are desperately needed in Haiti “but so are funds”, Ms. Narayan insisted. “More than half a million children are not getting the education support that they need and that UNICEF and our partners can provide, not only due to armed groups, but due to a lack of donor support.”

    Cuts in humanitarian assistance from the United States have already had a “devastating impact” on children in Haiti, Ms. Narayan said, with some of UNICEF’s services reduced.

    In 2024, the humanitarian community launched a $600 million plan for Haiti, receiving just over 40 per cent of the funding. Around 60 per cent came from the United States alone.

    US grants terminated

    UNICEF spokesperson James Elder added that on a global scale, following the US humanitarian aid freeze, the agency “received termination notices” for grants, affecting humanitarian and development programming.

    “We continue to assess the impact of those termination notices on our programmes for children. But we already know that the initial pause has impacted programming for millions of children in roughly half the countries that we work,” he said.

    For decades, UNICEF staff have witnessed how “those most at risk”, have found ways “to adapt, to rebuild, to push forward, despite unimaginable hardships”, Mr. Elder said.

    “But even the strongest can’t do it alone…Without urgent action, without funding, more children are going to suffer malnutrition, fewer will have access to education, and preventable illnesses will claim more lives.”

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Gaza: Unified Arab position will ‘help guide the way forward’

    Source: United Nations 4

    Peace and Security

    UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Friday stressed that the fragile ceasefire in Gaza must hold, urging all parties to honour their commitments and prevent a breakdown of the agreement.

    Addressing journalists at UN Headquarters in New York, he announced that he will be travelling to the Egyptian capital, Cairo, next week, for the Extraordinary Summit of the League of Arab States.

    The emergency Summit is set to discuss the reconstruction of Gaza, which had been at the centre of an intense Israeli military operation following the brutal 7 October terror attacks by Hamas and other terrorist groups against communities in southern Israel.

    More than 1,200 Israeli civilians were killed and more than 250 taken hostage.

    Peace and stability

    The UN chief said that Tuesday’s Summit provides an opportunity for leaders from across the Arab world “to come together and discuss the elements required to deliver peace and stability” in the enclave.

    “Their unified position will help guide the way forward,” he stressed.

    Until the ceasefire took effect on 19 January, more than 47,000 Palestinians were killed in the fighting and tens of thousands more injured tens of thousands, according to Gazan health authorities. Over 90 per cent of the enclave’s housing units have been damaged or destroyed.

    Ceasefire must be extended

    “The ceasefire and hostage release deal must hold. The coming days are critical. The parties must spare no effort to avoid a breakdown of this deal,” Mr. Guterres told reporters.

    “I urge them to uphold their commitments and implement all of it in full.”

    He reiterated his call for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, with humane treatment guaranteed for those in captivity, while also underscoring the need to maintain humanitarian aid to the enclave.

    “Each moment the ceasefire holds means more people reached and more lives saved,” the UN chief added.

    Political framework for Gaza’s future

    While ending the immediate crisis is essential, Mr. Guterres also underscored that a long-term political framework was needed for Gaza’s recovery, reconstruction and lasting stability.

    “This framework must be based on clear principles. This means staying true to the bedrock of international law,” he said.

    He insisted the need to prevent any form of ethnic cleansing, ensuring no long-term Israeli military presence in Gaza, addressing Israel’s legitimate security concerns, and accountability for violations of international law.

    “And it means Gaza remaining an integral part of an independent, democratic and sovereign Palestinian State, with no reductions in its territory or forced transfer of its population,” he added.

    Any transitional arrangements, he stated, should have a clear and limited timeframe leading to a unified Palestinian administration.

    Escalation in West Bank must end

    Mr. Guterres also voiced concern over rising violence in the West Bank, where Israeli military operations and settler attacks have led to deaths, displacement, and destruction.

    “Unilateral actions, including settlement expansion and threats of annexation, must stop,” he said, calling for an end to attacks on civilians and their property.

    Two-State solution the only path

    The only path to lasting peace is a two-State solution, said Mr. Guterres, where Israel and Palestine live side by side, in peace and security and in line with international law and UN resolutions, with Jerusalem as the capital of both states.

    “The Palestinian people must have the right to govern themselves, to chart their own future, and to live on their land in freedom and security,” he said.

    At next week’s Summit in Cairo, Mr. Guterres said he would call for sustainable reconstruction and a “unified, clear and principled” political solution.

    “Palestinians deserve lasting stability and a just and principled peace. And the people of Israel deserve to live in peace and security,” he said.

    “At this fragile moment, we must avoid a resumption of hostilities that would deepen the suffering and further destabilize a region that is already perched on a knife’s edge.”

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Secretary-General’s remarks to the press [please scroll down for Arabic]

    Source: United Nations secretary general

    Ladies and gentlemen of the media,  

    I want to start by expressing my deep concern about information received in the last 48 hours by UN agencies — as well as many humanitarian and development NGOs — regarding severe cuts in funding by the United States. 

    These cuts impact a wide range of critical programmes.

    From lifesaving humanitarian aid, to support for vulnerable communities recovering from war or natural disaster.

    From development, to the fight against terrorism and illicit drug trafficking.  

    The consequences will be especially devastating for vulnerable people around the world. 

    In Afghanistan, more than 9 million people will miss out on health and protection services, with hundreds of mobile health teams and other services suspended. 

    In north-east Syria, where 2.5 million people need assistance, the absence of US funding means programmes are leaving large populations even more vulnerable.

    In Ukraine, cash-based programming — a key feature of the humanitarian response, reaching 1 million people in 2024 — has been suspended in key regions.

    In South Sudan, funding has run out for programmes to support people who have fled the conflict in neighbouring Sudan, leaving border areas dangerously overcrowded.

    Meanwhile, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime will be forced to stop many of its counter-narcotics programmes, including the one fighting the fentanyl crisis, and dramatically reduce activities against human trafficking. 

    And funding for many programmes combatting HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and cholera have stopped. 

    We have been extremely grateful for the leading role the United States has provided over the decades. 

    For example, thanks to the generosity of donors — led by the United States — the UN assists and protects more than 100 million people every year through our humanitarian programming.

    From Gaza to Sudan, Afghanistan, Syria, Ukraine and beyond. 

    American funding directly supports people living through wars, famines and disasters, providing essential health care, shelter, water, food and education — the list goes on. 

    The message is clear. 

    The generosity and compassion of the American people have not only saved lives, built peace and improved the state of the world. 

    They have contributed to the stability and prosperity that Americans depend on.  

    United Nations staff members around the world are deeply proud of what we’ve accomplished together — as partners. 

    Now going through with these cuts will make the world less healthy, less safe and less prosperous. 

    The reduction of America’s humanitarian role and influence will run counter to American interests globally. 

    I can only hope that these decisions can be reversed based on more careful reviews, and the same applies to other countries that have recently announced reductions in humanitarian and development aid. 

    In the meantime, every United Nations agency stands ready to provide the necessary information and justification for its projects.

    And we look forward to working with the United States in this regard.  

    All humanitarian coordinators in the field are urgently updating strategies on how to protect as much lifesaving work as possible. 

    The Inter-Agency Standing Committee, which brings together UN humanitarian agencies and our partners, has agreed on an ambitious plan for efficiency and prioritization.

    Our absolute priority remains clear. 

    We will do everything we can to provide life-saving aid to those in urgent need.

    And we will continue our efforts to diversify the pool of generous donors who support our work.  

    We remain committed to making the global humanitarian effort as efficient, accountable and innovative as possible while continuing to save lives. 

    Dear ladies and gentlemen of the media, 

    Next Tuesday, I will be in Cairo to join the Extraordinary Summit of the League of Arab States to discuss the reconstruction of Gaza. 

    Since the horrific attacks of terror by Hamas in Israel on October 7, the ensuing hostilities have unleashed an unprecedented level of death and destruction in Gaza. 

    Gaza has become a nexus of death, displacement, hunger and disease. 

    Hospitals, schools and water facilities have been destroyed and reduced to rubble.  

    And the risk of further destruction looms over the population. 

    Tuesday’s Summit is an opportunity for leaders across the Arab world to come together and discuss the elements required to deliver peace and stability in Gaza. 

    Their unified position will help guide the way forward. 

    I will outline key priorities. 
     
    First — the ceasefire and hostage release deal must hold. 

    The coming days are critical. 

    The parties must spare no effort to avoid a breakdown of this deal. 

    I urge them to uphold their commitments and implement all of them in full. 

    All hostages must be released immediately, unconditionally and in a dignified manner.

    The parties must ensure humane treatment for all those held under their power. 

    All transfers must be carried out in a dignified way and as per the terms of the deal. 

    Humanitarian aid must be maintained, protected and funded, flowing without impediment to reach people in desperate need. 

    Each moment the ceasefire holds means more people reached and more lives saved.  

    Time and again, we’ve shown what we can deliver. 

    Since the ceasefire, humanitarians have been able to scale-up and expand operations in Gaza, including to areas that were unreachable during the fighting. 

    Together with our partners, we’ve reached hundreds of thousands of people…

    Providing food to nearly everyone in Gaza.

    Delivering shelter kits, clothing and other essential items to tens of thousands of displaced people.

    And doubling the amount of clean water available to people in Gaza.  

    Meanwhile, our partners have distributed medical supplies reaching some 1.8 million people, helping health facilities continue their lifesaving work. 

    The message is clear. 

    With the right conditions and access, we can do far more.  

    The ceasefire must hold. We must keep the humanitarian lifeline open. 

    As part of this, I will once again appeal for the urgent and full support of UNRWA’s work.

    UNRWA’s unique role must be maintained. 

    Second — ending the immediate crisis is only a first step.  

    There must be a clear political framework that lays the groundwork for Gaza’s recovery, reconstruction and lasting stability. 

    This framework must be based on clear principles. 

    This means staying true to the bedrock of international law. 

    It means preventing any form of ethnic cleansing. 

    It means there should be no long-term Israeli military presence in Gaza. 

    It means addressing Israel’s legitimate security concerns. 

    It means accountability for violations of international law. 

    And it means Gaza remains an integral part of an independent, democratic and sovereign Palestinian state, with no reductions in its territory or forced transfer of its population. 

    Both Gaza and the occupied West Bank — including East Jerusalem — must be treated as one — politically, economically and administratively.

    And governed by a Palestinian government that is accepted and supported by the Palestinian people.  

    And any transitional arrangements must be designed to achieve a unified Palestinian government within a precise and limited timeframe.

    I will also call for an urgent de-escalation of the alarming situation in the West Bank.   

    Unilateral actions, including settlement expansion and threats of annexation, must stop.

    I call for an end to attacks on civilians and their property. 

    Finally, we must take tangible steps — now — towards the realization of a two-State solution.

    The Palestinian people must have the right to govern themselves, to chart their own future, and to live on their land in freedom and security. 

    The only path to lasting peace is one where two states — Israel and Palestine — live side by side in peace and security, in line with international law and relevant UN resolutions, with Jerusalem as the capital of both states.

    Palestinians deserve lasting stability and a just and principled peace. 

    And the people of Israel deserve to live in peace and security. 

    At this fragile moment, we must avoid a resumption of hostilities that would deepen the suffering and further destabilize a region that is already perched on a knife’s edge. 

    We need sustainable reconstruction and a unified, clear and principled political solution. 

    That’s what I will call for in Cairo next week. 

    Thank you.
    ******************

    حضرات السيدات والسادة الإعلاميين،

    أود أن أبدأ بالإعراب عن قلقي العميق إزاء المعلومات التي وردت في الساعات الـ 48 الماضية من قبل وكالات الأمم المتحدة – وكذلك العديد من المنظمات غير الحكومية الإنسانية والمعنية بالتنمية – بشأن التخفيضات الحادة في التمويل من قبل الولايات المتحدة.

    وتؤثر هذه التخفيضات على مجموعة واسعة من البرامج الحاسمة…

    من المساعدات الإنسانية المنقذة للحياة، إلى دعم المجتمعات الهشة التي تتعافى من الحروب أو الكوارث الطبيعية…

    ومن التنمية إلى مكافحة الإرهاب والاتجار غير المشروع بالمخدرات.

    ستكون العواقب مدمرة بشكل خاص على الفئات الضعيفة في جميع أنحاء العالم.

    ففي أفغانستان، سيُحرم أكثر من تسعة ملايين شخص من الخدمات الصحية وخدمات الحماية، مع تعليق الخدمات التي تقدمها مئات الفرق الصحية المتنقلة.

    أما في شمال شرق سوريا، حيث يحتاج 2.5 مليون شخص إلى المساعدة، فإن غياب التمويل الأمريكي يعني أن البرامج ستترك أعدادا كبيرة من السكان أكثر عرضة للخطر.

    في أوكرانيا، تم تعليق البرامج القائمة على النقد في مناطق رئيسية – وهذه البرامج تُعدّ سمة رئيسية للاستجابة الإنسانية وقد وصلت إلى مليون شخص في عام 2024.

    أما في جنوب السودان، فقد نفد التمويل المخصص لبرامج دعم الأشخاص الذين فروا بسبب النزاع في السودان المجاور، مما ترك المناطق الحدودية مكتظة بشكل خطير.

    وفي الوقت نفسه، سوف يضطر مكتب الأمم المتحدة المعني بالمخدرات والجريمة إلى وقف العديد من برامجه لمكافحة المخدرات، بما في ذلك برنامج مكافحة أزمة الفنتانيل، وتقليص أنشطة مكافحة الاتجار بالبشر بشكل كبير.

    وتوقف تمويل العديد من برامج مكافحة فيروس نقص المناعة البشرية/الإيدز والسل والملاريا والكوليرا.

    وأعربنا عن امتناننا للغاية للدور الرائد الذي قدمته الولايات المتحدة على مدى عقود.

    فعلى سبيل المثال، وبفضل سخاء المانحين – وعلى رأسهم الولايات المتحدة – تساعد الأمم المتحدة وتحمي أكثر من 100 مليون شخص كل عام من خلال برامجنا الإنسانية…

    من غزة إلى السودان وأفغانستان وسوريا وأوكرانيا وغيرها.

    يدعم التمويل الأمريكي بشكل مباشر الناس الذين يعيشون في الحروب والمجاعات والكوارث، ويوفر لهم الرعاية الصحية الأساسية والمأوى والمياه والغذاء والتعليم – والقائمة تطول.

    الرسالة واضحة.

    إن سخاء الشعب الأمريكي وتعاطفه لم ينقذ الأرواح ويبني السلام ويحسّن حالة العالم فحسب.

    لقد ساهم في تحقيق الاستقرار والازدهار الذي يعتمد عليه الأمريكيون.

    إن موظفي الأمم المتحدة حول العالم فخورون للغاية بما أنجزناه معا – كشركاء.

    إن المضي قدماً في هذه الاقتطاعات سيجعل العالم أقل صحة وأقل أمناً وأقل ازدهاراً.

    وسيتعارض تقليص دور أمريكا الإنساني ونفوذها مع المصالح الأمريكية على الصعيد العالمي.

    لا يسعني إلا أن آمل في أن يتم التراجع عن هذه القرارات بناء على مراجعات أكثر دقة، وينطبق الأمر نفسه على الدول الأخرى التي أعلنت مؤخرا عن تخفيضات في المساعدات الإنسانية والإنمائية.

    وفي غضون ذلك، تقف كل وكالة من وكالات الأمم المتحدة على أهبة الاستعداد لتقديم المعلومات والمبررات اللازمة لمشاريعها.

    ونحن نتطلع إلى العمل مع الولايات المتحدة في هذا الصدد.

    يقوم جميع منسقي الشؤون الإنسانية في الميدان بتحديث الاستراتيجيات على وجه السرعة حول كيفية توفير حماية بأكبر قدر ممكن من العمل المنقذ للحياة.

    وقد اتفقت اللجنة الدائمة المشتركة بين الوكالات، التي تجمع بين وكالات الأمم المتحدة الإنسانية وشركائنا، على خطة طموحة لتحقيق الكفاءة وتحديد الأولويات.

    وتبقى أولويتنا المطلقة واضحة.

    سنبذل كل ما في وسعنا لتقديم المساعدات المنقذة للحياة لمن هم في حاجة ماسة إليها.

    وسنواصل جهودنا لتنويع مجموعة المانحين الأسخياء الذين يدعمون عملنا.

    وسنظل ملتزمين بجعل الجهود الإنسانية العالمية فعالة وخاضعة للمساءلة ومبتكرة قدر الإمكان مع الاستمرار في إنقاذ الأرواح.

    حضرات السيدات والسادة الإعلاميين،

    سأكون يوم الثلاثاء المقبل في القاهرة للمشاركة في مؤتمر القمة الاستثنائي لجامعة الدول العربية لمناقشة إعادة إعمار غزة.

    ومنذ الهجمات الإرهابية المروعة التي شنتها حماس في إسرائيل في 7 تشرين الأول/أكتوبر، جرّت الأعمال العدائية التي أعقبت ذلك مستويات غير مسبوقة من الموت والدمار في غزة.

    فأصبحت غزة بؤرة للموت والنزوح والجوع والمرض.

    ودُمّرت المستشفيات والمدارس ومرافق المياه وتحولت إلى أنقاض.

    ويحدق بالسكان خطر التعرض للمزيد من الدمار.

    ويمثل مؤتمر القمة الذي سيُعقد الثلاثاء فرصة ليجتمع قادة العالم العربي ويناقشوا العناصر المطلوبة لتحقيق السلام والاستقرار في غزة.

    وسيساعد موقفهم الموحد في توجيه سُبل المضي قدما.

    وسأحدد فيما يلي الأولويات الرئيسية.

    أولا – يجب أن يصمد اتفاق وقف إطلاق النار وإطلاق سراح الرهائن.

    الأيام القادمة حاسمة.

    ولا يجب على الطرفين ادّخار أي جهد لتجنب انهيار هذا الاتفاق.

    وأحثهما على الوفاء بالتزاماتهما وتنفيذها بالكامل.

    ويجب إطلاق سراح جميع الرهائن فورا ودون شروط وبطريقة تصون كرامتهم.

    ويجب على الطرفين ضمان المعاملة الإنسانية لجميع المحتجزين تحت سلطتهم.

    ويجب الاستمرار في تقديم المساعدات الإنسانية وحمايتها وتمويلها والسماح بإيصالها دون عوائق إلى الأشخاص الذين هم في أمس الحاجة إليها.

    وكل لحظة يصمد فيها وقف إطلاق النار تعني الوصول إلى عدد أكبر من الأشخاص وإنقاذ المزيد من الأرواح.

    لقد بيّنا مرارا وتكرارا ما يمكننا تقديمه.

    ومنذ وقف إطلاق النار، تمكّن العاملون في المجال الإنساني من تكثيف عملياتهم في غزة وتوسيع نطاقها، بما في ذلك إلى المناطق التي تعذّر الوصول إليها أثناء القتال.

    وبالتعاون مع شركائنا، وصلنا إلى مئات الآلاف من الأشخاص…

    ووفّرنا الغذاء لجميع السكان في غزة تقريبا…

    وأوصلنا مستلزمات الإيواء والملابس وغيرها من المواد الأساسية لعشرات الآلاف من النازحين…

    وضاعفنا كمية المياه النظيفة المتاحة للناس في غزة.

    وفي الوقت نفسه، قام شركاؤنا بتوزيع الإمدادات الطبية لتصل إلى حوالي 1,8 مليون شخص، مما ساعد المرافق الصحية على مواصلة عملها المنقذ للحياة.

    رسالتنا واضحة.

    إذا ما توفرت لنا الظروف المناسبة وأُتيح لنا الوصول، يمكننا القيام بأكثر من ذلك بكثير.

    ويجب أن يصمد وقف إطلاق النار. ويجب أن نُبقي شريان الحياة الإنساني مفتوحا.

    وفي هذا الإطار، إنني أناشد مرة أخرى من أجل تقديم الدعم العاجل والكامل لعمل الأونروا.

    ويجب الحفاظ على دور الأونروا الفريد من نوعه.

    ثانيا – إنهاء الأزمة الآنية ليس سوى الخطوة الأولى.

    يجب أن يكون هناك إطار سياسي واضح يُرسي الأسس اللازمة للتعافي وإعادة الإعمار وتحقيق الاستقرار الدائم في غزة.

    ويجب أن يستند هذا الإطار إلى مبادئ واضحة.

    وهذا يعني الالتزام بأسس القانون الدولي.

    وهذا يعني منع أي شكل من أشكال التطهير العرقي.

    وهذا يعني أنه ينبغي ألا يكون هناك وجود عسكري إسرائيلي طويل الأمد في غزة.

    وهذا يعني معالجة الشواغل الأمنية المشروعة لإسرائيل.

    وهذا يعني المساءلة عن انتهاكات القانون الدولي.

    وهذا يعني بقاء غزة جزءا لا يتجزأ من دولة فلسطينية مستقلة وديمقراطية وذات سيادة، دون أي انتقاص من أراضيها أو نقل قسري لسكانها.

    ويجب التعامل مع قطاع غزة والضفة الغربية المحتلة – بما في ذلك القدس الشرقية – ككيان واحد – سياسيا واقتصاديا وإداريا…

    تحكمهما حكومة فلسطينية يقبلها الشعب الفلسطيني ويدعمها.

    ويجب أن تصمم أي ترتيبات انتقالية بهدف التوصّل إلى حكومة فلسطينية موحدة في إطار زمني دقيق ومحدود.

    وسأدعو كذلك إلى تهدئة عاجلة للوضع المثير للجزع في الضفة الغربية.

    فالمنازل والبنية التحتية المدنية تُدمّر.

    والمدنيون يُقتلون.

    والمجتمعات المحلية تُهجّر وتُمنع من العودة.

    ويُمنع الوصول إلى الرعاية الصحية.

    ويجب أن تتوقف الأعمال أحادية الجانب، بما في ذلك التوسع الاستيطاني والتهديدات بالضم.

    وأدعو إلى وضع حد للهجمات على المدنيين وممتلكاتهم.

    وأخيرا، يجب أن نتخذ خطوات ملموسة – الآن – نحو تحقيق حل الدولتين.

    يجب أن يتمتع الشعب الفلسطيني بالحق في أن يحكم نفسه بنفسه، وأن يرسم مستقبله بنفسه، وأن يعيش على أرضه في حرية وأمان.

    والطريق الوحيد لتحقيق السلام الدائم هو الطريق الذي تعيش فيه دولتان – إسرائيل وفلسطين – جنبا إلى جنب في سلام وأمن، بما يتماشى مع القانون الدولي وقرارات الأمم المتحدة ذات الصلة، وتكون القدس عاصمة للدولتين.

    يستحق الفلسطينيون الاستقرار الدائم والسلام العادل والقائم على المبادئ.

    ويستحق شعب إسرائيل أن يعيش في سلام وأمن.

    وفي هذه اللحظة الهشة، يجب أن نتجنب استئناف الأعمال العدائية التي من شأنها أن تعمّق المعاناة وتزيد من زعزعة الاستقرار في منطقة هي أصلا على شفا هاوية.

    نحن بحاجة إلى إعادة إعمار مستدامة وحل سياسي موحد وواضح وقائم على المبادئ.

    هذا ما سأدعو إليه في القاهرة الأسبوع المقبل.

    شكرا لكم.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: WFP and the Malagasy Red Cross join forces to strengthen rapid cyclone response capacities in Madagascar

    Source: World Food Programme

    ANTANANARIVO – The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and the Malagasy Red Cross have signed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen their capacity to plan for, prepare and respond to cyclones and floods in Madagascar.

    Madagascar’s geographical location in the southwest Indian Ocean makes it one of the countries in the world, most vulnerable to extreme weather events. To address these challenges, it is crucial to put in place anticipatory measures and rapid response strategies to mitigate the impact of tropical storms and cyclones. 

    WFP’s partnership with the Madagascar Red Cross ensures an integrated package of activities to anticipate, prepare for and respond to violent and destructive storms: 

    • Anticipatory actions: distribution of food before the cyclone makes landfall
    • Pre-positioning of food stocks in cyclone/flood-prone areas for rapid response
    • Emergency response within 72 hours of a cyclone: distribution of hot meals or high-energy biscuits
    • Three-month post-cyclone assistance to address immediate and critical needs  

    “The choice of the Malagasy Red Cross as a strategic partner is justified by its network of volunteers working close to the communities in regions prone to natural hazards, enabling the organisation to play a key role in the rapid delivery of humanitarian assistance to affected populations,” said WFP Representative and acting Country Director in Madagascar Mamadou Mbaye. “The partnership complements WFP’s technical and operational expertise in food security, logistics and humanitarian assistance.”

    This integrated approach to emergency anticipation, preparedness and response covers six cyclone and flood prone regions of Madagascar: Sava, Diana, Sofia, Ambatosoa, Analanjirofo and Atsinanana.

    #                #                #

    The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.

    Follow us on:

    Twitter @wfp_media; @PAM_Madagascar 

    Facebook: Programme Alimentaire Mondial Madagascar 

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: UN Secretary-General meets with the Joint Inspection Unit

    Source: United Nations – Geneva

    The JIU Chairperson, Carolina Fernandez Opazo and JIU Executive Secretary, Uren Pillay met with the UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres on Wednesday, 26 February 2025. 

    The Secretary-General expressed his appreciation for the work of the JIU and committed the organization to the implementation of the Unit’s recommendations.

    He commended the JIU for its attention to topics that are relevant and timely and made special note of the report on mutual recognition and the report on mental health and wellbeing.   

    Inspector Fernandez Opazo emphasized the Unit’s dedication to improving system-wide efficiency and effectiveness.

    Note to Editors

    The Joint Inspection Unit is the only independent external oversight body of the United Nations system mandated to conduct system-wide evaluations, inspections and investigations. It seeks to ensure the optimum use of available resources by the United Nations system, and to enhance the efficiency of its administrative and financial functioning. The Unit also seeks to identify best practices, propose benchmarks, and facilitate information-sharing across the system.

    The curricula vitae of all JIU Inspectors are available on the JIU website (www.unjiu.org). The website also contains information on the statute of the Unit, its mandate, reports, notes and management letters issued by the Unit and other relevant material.

    To learn more, go to http://www.unjiu.org

    Contact

    For questions relating to this press release, please contact

    The Joint Inspection Unit of the United Nations system

    Tel: (+41) 22 917 30 70

    Email: jiucommunications@un.org 

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: 28 February 2025 Donors making a difference: community engagement to promote, provide and protect the health and well-being of all

    Source: World Health Organisation

    WHO defines community engagement as “a process of developing relationships that enable stakeholders to work together to address health-related issues and promote well-being to achieve positive health impact and outcomes”.

    WHO’s partners and donors support the Organization to work in this area as there are undeniable benefits to engaging communities in promoting health and well-being. At its core, community engagement enables changes in behaviour, environments, policies, programmes and practices within communities.

    Below are some country stories that demonstrate the breadth of community engagement work that WHO conducts, resulting in more positive health outcomes for the people in these communities than before.

    Uganda trains district health workers on community-based approach to Ebola

    Uganda trains Community Health workers from Kole, Mukono and Wakiso districts on community-based approach to Ebola. Photo by: WHO/Sadat Kamugisha 

    Uganda’s Ministry of Health conducted a training on Ebola disease detection and management for Community Health Workers representatives from Kole, Wakiso, and Mukono districts. Participants focused on multi-sectoral action to safeguard communities from emerging zoonotic diseases with pandemic potential such as Ebola.

    Communities play an integral role in raising awareness, supporting case identification, tracing contacts, and maintaining essential health services. The emphasis on collaboration with local leaders, volunteers, and health workers is vital for effective responses to public health emergencies. Building on lessons learned from past health crises, Uganda has already made substantial advancements in emergency preparedness.

    The three-day event was supported by WHO, and the UK Public Health Rapid Support Team (UK-PHRST), which is a UK aid project funded by the Department of Health and Social care. The community protection approach is a central component of WHO’s new Health emergency prevention, preparedness, response, and resilience framework.

    Visit the WHO/Uganda web page to read the full story.

    Community engagement for access to health services in Lao PDR

    CONNECT team members discuss community health priorities in Khammouane Province, Lao PDR. Photo by: WHO/Enric Catala

    Developed by the Lao Ministry of Health and Ministry of Home Affairs in response to COVID-19 with the support of WHO and partners, the CONNECT initiative enhances local governance and community engagement for equitable access to public services, particularly health.

    Supported by USAID, the Australian Government and Luxembourg, as of July 2024, CONNECT reached over 230 villages across 10 provinces (including Vientiane Capital) and support already in-place for expansion to all provinces.

    An external evaluation of implementation in 12 villages found an increase in essential service uptake for maternal health and improved attitudes towards using primary care; increased trust in health providers; increased sense of ownership of health at community level; and increased vaccination uptake and confidence, especially among ethnic groups and previously unreached communities.

    Visit the WHO/WPRO web page to read the full story.

    Côte d’Ivoire community radios boost public awareness on mpox outbreak

    Community radios, pillar of the fight against mpox. Photo by: WHO/Toiherou De Marfere Sidibe

    A network of community radio stations, known as Radio Santé, comprises 350 stations in West African, with over half based in Côte d’Ivoire. Launched in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic with major support from WHO, Radio Santé has become a preferred channel for disseminating reliable, verified health information. It brings together nearly 1000 journalists and communications specialists.

    Radio Santé is an interactive and accessible tool for mobilizing communities around health issues, throughout Côte d’Ivoire and across borders. Health authorities use Radio Santé to counter rumours and misinformation, and to strengthen community engagement, which is crucial to curbing the spread of diseases such as mpox.

    After WHO declared mpox as a public health emergency of international concern in August 2024, Radio Santé devoted its health talk show to mpox. 185 Ivorian community radio stations have since broadcasted messages on mpox. Over 50 programmes have been produced and broadcast in eight countries: Benin, Burkina Faso, Chad, Guinea, Mali, Niger, Senegal and Togo.

    Visit the WHO/Côte d’Ivoire web page to read the full story.

    Bolivia strengthens social participation in health for indigenous population

    Indigenous organizations are clear about their requests. They want free and equitable access to health care, an improved indigenous health network, incorporation of traditional medicine, and the consideration of the indigenous population’s culture, customs, and practices. Photo by: WHO/PAHO

    The Ministry of Health and Sports of Bolivia is engaging indigenous populations in community participation processes, creating space for them to discuss health topics, share concerns, and contribute to a health improvement plan.

    The meaningful inclusion and engagement of indigenous populations in health policy planning, taking into account the social determinants of health, is critical to ensure context-specific interventions, uptake of guidance and services, and positive health outcomes for all.

    PAHO/WHO, through the Universal Health Coverage Partnership, has supported the Ministry of Health and Sports of Bolivia in this endeavour since 2021. The UHC Partnership operates in over 125 countries, representing over 3 billion people. It is supported and funded by Belgium, Canada, the European Union, France, Germany, Ireland, Luxembourg, Japan, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and WHO

    Visit the PAHO/AMRO web page to read the full story.

    Weaving hope in Honduras: the community wisdom that saves lives

    Maternal health in Honduras Hermelinda shares her experience. Photo by: WHO/Honduras

    In Honduras, high rates of maternal and neonatal mortality are often the result of multiple factors, including socioeconomic barriers, lack of access to adequate healthcare services, gaps in education and awareness about maternal and child health, and cultural differences.

    Hermelinda Hernández, who is familiar with the local practices and beliefs of her community and also recognizes the value of professional medical interventions, participated in the “Knowledge Dialogues Methodology” workshop organized by the Honduran Ministry of Health with the support of PAHO/WHO and funded by Global Affairs Canada.

    The workshop aimed to promote mutual understanding between midwives and healthcare providers to reach agreements that improve the health of women, and adolescent girls in situations of vulnerability within the community.

    Visit the PAHO/AMRO web page to read the full story.

    Grassroots heroes in Cambodia

    Mrs Say Sa with her Baby in Cambodia’s Principal of Health Centre Kok Chuk. Photo by: Aforative media

    In Cambodia, village chiefs stepped up to create a healthier future for their communities. In villages across 25 provinces, 2000 village chiefs and nearly 5400 village health support groups received trainings, organised by the Ministry of Heath with support from WHO and the EU.

    This equipped the chiefs with knowledge and skills necessary to control transmission of COVID-19, influenza, and other respiratory diseases, and collaborate with authorities more closely on health issues facing their communities.

    The chiefs then shared their newfound knowledge during community dialogues, which then transformed how community members adopted healthier practices. Empowered with accurate information, communities embraced protective measures during times of high COVID-19 transmission.

    Visit the WHO/WPRO web page to read the full story, and more on EU’s support to WHO in ASEAN region.

    Bolstering public awareness to help curb mpox spread in Uganda

    Dr Kenneth Kabali, WHO Field Coordinator for Busoga Sub-region sensitizes the community on mpox in Mayuge district, Eastern Uganda. Photo by: WHO/Abdu Mutwalibu Seguya

    Uganda witnessed an upsurge in mpox cases, with laboratory-confirmed cases increasing from 24 as of 21 September to 413 as of 7 November 2024. Health authorities, with support from WHO and partners, worked closely with communities to raise awareness about the dangers of the disease and how to stay safe, and address misinformation and stigma.

    The risk communication and community engagement team reached more than 100 fishmongers, fisherfolk, boda boda (motorbike taxi) riders, 8000 school children and 30 sex workers. In addition, 500 teachers in the district have been oriented on mpox.

    WHO is also using mass media to expand the reach of mpox response communication. With funding from USAID, WHO has contracted 10 regional radio stations and 2 national TV stations to raise awareness and promote preventative behaviour.

    Visit the WHO/AFRO web page to read the full story.

    Combating measles: a comprehensive community-centred approach in Ethiopia

    Combating measles, a comprehensive community-centred approach in Ethiopia. Photo by: WHO/Hassen Ali

    In the districts of Sidama, Central, and South Ethiopia, access to healthcare is often challenging, exacerbated by various health emergencies. A community-led initiative made remarkable progress in combating measles, malaria, and malnutrition through collaborative efforts between local health facilities, community health workers, and government agencies.

    The initiative received significant financial support from the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO) bolstering community-based intervention efforts.

    By leveraging collaboration between healthcare facilities, community health workers, and local communities, this initiative represents a beacon of hope in improving healthcare access and outcomes in regions of Ethiopia.

    Visit the WHO/Ethiopia web page to read the full story.

    WHO races to contain malaria resurgence in southeastern Iran

    Malaria resurgence in Iran. Photo by: WHO/Iran

    A race against time is underway in southeastern Iran, where the resurgence of malaria threatens to undo years of progress. The dramatic rise in cases has been attributed to the devastating floods in neighbouring Pakistan in September 2022 which led to an expansion of malaria breeding sites.

    WHO, with crucial support from the Government of Japan, is on the ground in Sistan and Baluchestan Province, battling this public health emergency and working to protect vulnerable communities. Japan’s generous contribution provided 4902 mosquito dome tents offering families protection from infected mosquitos, 50 000 malaria rapid diagnostic tests enabling health care workers to quickly identify and treat infected individuals, and 1655 kg of insecticides, deployed to contain mosquito populations at their source. The combined resources are estimated to benefit 77 400 people in the province.

    In December 2024, a WHO mission observed a proactive approach to malaria control demonstrated by local health workers as they conducted house-to-house screenings, distributed mosquito nets and educated communities on how to use them.

    Visit the WHO/Iran web page to read the full story.

    Mali: screening for malnutrition in affected children to avoid complications

    Screening for malnutrition in affected children to avoid complications, Mali. Photo by: WHO/Razzack Saizonou

    Malnutrition among children is one of the main health problems that the affected populations of Ségou had to face after severe floods hit Mali between July and October 2024. Having lost everything including their food reserves and their means of subsistence, people found themselves in a very precarious situation.

    Among the more than 370,000 people affected by these floods, children, who represent 45% of the affected population, are particularly vulnerable. To enable access to health care, WHO, with thanks to the Central Emergency Response Fund, supported the deployment of mobile clinics on relocation sites.

    In the Ségou region, three sites were set up and equipped with medical tents. Medical staff go there five times a month. Between July and October 2024, nearly 700 children suffering from malnutrition were identified in the three health districts of the Ségou region.

    Visit the WHO/Mali web page to read the full story in French.

    Effective community engagement saving lives in Tanzania during cholera outbreak

    Abdul Zachari, a young man is washing his hands. Photo by: WHO/Clemence Eliah

    The recurrence of Cholera outbreaks has been a threat to many lives in the United Republic of Tanzania for decades now. In mid-2024, situation reports from the Ministry of Health indicated that, the outbreak have been reported in 19 regions of Tanzania Mainland. Thanks to flexible funding available for responding to outbreaks such as this, WHO has been able to support the Government’s efforts to control cholera outbreaks. Risk Communications and Community Engagement (RCCE) Experts worked on the ground delivering an intensive community sensitization in over 92 households and 32 villages . The joint and community-based action plan against Cholera outbreak was built jointly, this way enhancing 54 community members and local authorities from the affected wards and districts. The community engagement strategies adopted generate local solutions tailored to control and prevent further transmissions in these areas. In addition, WHO applied behavioral science approaches to guide tailored interventions to community protection and resilience – and as a result, enhancing many lives in Tanzania.

    Visit the WHO/Tanzania web page to read the full story.

    * * * *

    Read more about the WHO’s community engagement work.

    The donors and partners acknowledged in this story are (in alphabetical order) Australia, Belgium, Canada, the European Union (ECHO), France, Germany, Ireland, Luxembourg, Japan, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund, and the USA Agency for International Development.

    WHO’s work is made possible through all contributions of our Member States and partners. WHO thanks all donor countries, governments, organizations and individuals who are contributing to the Organization’s work, with special appreciation for those who provide fully flexible contributions to maintain a strong, independent WHO.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: 28 February 2025 Departmental update WHO, WIPO, and WTO hold first joint briefing for Geneva-based officials

    Source: World Health Organisation

    The World Health Organization (WHO), the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the World Trade Organization (WTO) organized on 26 February the first in a series of Trilateral Cooperation briefings for health, trade, and intellectual property (IP) diplomats based in Geneva. Held as a closed meeting at WHO Headquarters, Members of the three organizations shared experiences on supporting sustainable innovation ecosystems through health, trade and IP.  

    The imperative to adopt an integrated approach to issues at the crossroads of health, IP and trade has been at the heart of the longstanding collaboration among the three Geneva-based organizations.

    Governments and policymakers are faced with the challenging task of identifying the right mix of policy options to best advance domestic policy objectives to facilitate sustainable innovation. Participants discussed how to facilitate ongoing domestic and regional policy discussions through a more coherent and comprehensive approach.

    Members with diverse levels of development and from different regions of the world shared valuable experiences about the implementation of laws and policies in support of sustainable innovation ecosystems and access to the outcomes. This was followed by a roundtable discussion and further complemented by information provided by the three organizations on trilateral and other relevant work.

    The WHO-WIPO-WTO Technical Assistance virtual Platform was also briefly introduced at the meeting. It allows Members to easily request joint technical assistance from the three organizations to access the full range of expertise at the intersection of health, trade, and IP in a coordinated manner.

    The Trilateral Briefing series is a set of closed meetings for Members.

    The next briefing session for Geneva-based health, IP and trade attachés is tentatively scheduled to take place in September 2025, after the summer break.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –