Resilience in the face of thirst: Trucking water in war-ravaged Gaza

Resilience in the face of thirst: Trucking water in war-ravaged Gaza

Every day, he drives his water truck through the Strip, filling up empty tanks and vessels. Our camera accompanied Alloush on a recent arduous mission to provide a little water to the residents of Jabalia. UN News’ correspondent met Alloush in Jabalia’s desalination plant, where he spends hours waiting for water. Like everywhere else in Gaza, […]

Myanmar quake: More than 1,600 reported killed, as UN aid operation supports rescue efforts

Myanmar quake: More than 1,600 reported killed, as UN aid operation supports rescue efforts

The earthquakes of 7.7 and 6.4 magnitude struck Myanmar in the centre of the country northwest of Sagaing. The UN aid coordination office, OCHA, reported on Saturday that hospitals in the area are overwhelmed with extensive damage to health infrastructure. The areas affected are Bago, Magway, Mandalay, Nay Pyi Taw, Northeastern Shan and Sagaing. Internet […]

WHO warns of severe disruptions to health services amid funding cuts

WHO warns of severe disruptions to health services amid funding cuts

Speaking on Thursday at a press conference in Geneva, Tedros said that in around 25 per cent of countries, some health facilities have had to close completely due to cuts, according to figures from more than 100 countries compiled by WHO. Severe disruptions Out-of-pocket payments for health services have led to disruptions to the supply of […]

Israeli attack puts Gaza City hospital out of service

Israeli attack puts Gaza City hospital out of service

“Al Ahli Hospital is out of service,” WHO spokesperson Dr Margaret Harris told UN News, after the airstrike early on Sunday morning. “The pharmacy was destroyed, many of the different buildings and services were destroyed.” Some 40 patients whose condition is too critical to be moved from the health facility are continuing to receive care, while the […]

Myanmar earthquake: Search and rescue efforts continue in race against time

Myanmar earthquake: Search and rescue efforts continue in race against time

According to news reports citing Myanmar’s military leader, around 1,700 are confirmed dead from Friday’s 7.7 magnitude quake, with some 3,400 injured and hundreds still missing. In the Thai capital Bangkok which was also rocked by the seismic event, 76 construction workers are reportedly still missing following the collapse of an unfinished skyscraper. The death […]

Preventable ‘meningitis belt’ deaths targeted in health agency action plan

Preventable ‘meningitis belt’ deaths targeted in health agency action plan

People anywhere, at any age can be infected with meningitis, which is transmitted through respiratory secretions or droplets in close human contact. Low and middle-income nations are worst-affected.   The so-called “meningitis belt” in sub-Saharan Africa sees most cases and outbreaks. It stretches from Senegal and The Gambia in the west of the continent all […]

Myanmar earthquake tragedy ‘compounds already dire crisis’

Myanmar earthquake tragedy ‘compounds already dire crisis’

Humanitarian and Resident Coordinator Marcoluigi Corsi expressed the UN’s profound sorry at the immense loss of life stemming from Friday’s 7.7 and 6.4 magnitude quakes with the death toll rising to around 2,000, according to the country’s military junta. “The latest reports indicate significant loss of life, widespread injuries, and many still unaccounted for as […]

Millions displaced, health system in ruins as Sudan war fuels famine

Millions displaced, health system in ruins as Sudan war fuels famine

With fighting showing no sign of abating and humanitarian access extremely limited, the crisis in Sudan has become one of the world’s largest emergencies, the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) warned on Monday. “This is a very, very sad milestone,” Mamadou Dian Balde, UNHCR Regional Director for East Africa said, marking […]

Gaza faces deepening crisis as aid stocks dwindle

Gaza faces deepening crisis as aid stocks dwindle

More than 500,000 people are reported to have been newly displaced since 18 March, many of them uprooted multiple times due to ongoing military operations across the Gaza Strip. Conditions on the ground are deteriorating rapidly, with critical shortages in basic supplies and growing malnutrition, especially among children. “Tents are no longer available for distribution,” […]

Myanmar earthquake latest: Entire communities flattened, aid teams say

Myanmar earthquake latest: Entire communities flattened, aid teams say

Speaking to journalists from Yangon on Tuesday, Julia Rees, Deputy Representative of the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in the country described seeing massive needs rising by the hour, after a 7.7 magnitude quake. “Entire communities have been flattened,” she said, with children and families sleeping out in the open with no homes to return to. […]

Thousands of Gaza patients waiting for urgent medical evacuation

Thousands of Gaza patients waiting for urgent medical evacuation

On Monday, World Health Organisation (WHO) Representative Rik Peeperkorn told UN News about the desperate conditions he had seen at Al-Ahli before the attack, and the severe restriction on movement that is preventing thousands being evacuated for medical treatment outside of Gaza. “I was in Gaza several weeks ago and I came out in early […]

Gaza: Alongside conflict, an information war is still happening, warns UNRWA chief

Gaza: Alongside conflict, an information war is still happening, warns UNRWA chief

“Palestinian journalists continue to do heroic work, paying a heavy price; 170 have been killed to date,” said UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini. “The free flow of information and independent reporting are key to facts and accountability during conflicts.” In his appeal, Mr. Lazzarini noted that in the more than 18 months since war in Gaza began, […]

Countries reach historic deal to cut shipping emissions

Countries reach historic deal to cut shipping emissions

The framework – agreed during the just-concluded meeting of the UN International Maritime Organization (IMO) Marine Environment Protection Committee – aims for net-zero emissions from the sector by 2050 and will be formally adopted in October before coming into force in 2027. They will apply to large ocean-going vessels over 5,000 gross tonnage, which collectively […]

UN chief urges ‘utmost restraint’ amid escalating violence in Yemen

UN chief urges ‘utmost restraint’ amid escalating violence in Yemen

At least five humanitarian workers were said to be among those injured, and significant damage was reported to port infrastructure. There are also fears of oil leaks into the Red Sea, raising environmental concerns. In a statement issued on Saturday by his spokesperson, António Guterres emphasised that international law, including international humanitarian law, “must be […]

Partnerships, increased climate investment crucial for sustainable transition, says UN deputy chief

Partnerships, increased climate investment crucial for sustainable transition, says UN deputy chief

Marking the tenth anniversary of both the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the landmark Paris Agreement, Ms. Mohammed highlighted the significant progress made over the past decade, while also acknowledging the substantial challenges that remain. A decade of progress and challenges In her remarks to the Partnership for growth Summit, known by the shorthand […]

Countries finalize historic pandemic agreement after three years of negotiations

Countries finalize historic pandemic agreement after three years of negotiations

Developed after over three years of negotiations under the auspices of the World Health Organization (WHO), the draft outlines a framework for strengthening international collaboration, equity and resilience in the face of future global health threats. “The nations of the world made history in Geneva today,” said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. “In reaching consensus […]

Myanmar: 'The pain of earthquake-affected women and girls has shocked me'

Myanmar: 'The pain of earthquake-affected women and girls has shocked me'

On March 28, a magnitude 7.7 earthquake in Myanmar brought a terrible destruction with them. Many states and regions of the country including Mandale, Sagaiing, Magway, Bago have lost mass and property, and huge human needs are steeped. The United Nations Agency (UNFPA) for sexual and reproductive health, along with its partners organizations in this […]

Pope Francis Dies Aged 88, World Leaders Mourn

Pope Francis Dies Aged 88, World Leaders Mourn

Pope Francis, leader of the Roman Catholic Church, has passed away at 88 due to respiratory ailments. World leaders, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, have expressed their condolences. The world is in mourning as Pope Francis, the leader of the Roman Catholic Church, has passed away at the age of 88. The Vatican announced his death, […]