South Sudan: ‘All the conditions for a human catastrophe are present’

Briefing journalists based at UN Headquarters in New York on Friday, Anita Kiki Gbeho, Officer in Charge of the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), said Jonglei has become a ‘flashpoint’ for fighting, with civilians caught in the crossfire. With over 200,000 people displaced by the conflict this month, the senior official – who also […]

Gaza ceasefire improves aid access, but children still face deadly conditions

That’s the assessment of two senior officials from the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the World Food Programme (WFP), speaking on Monday to journalists in New York following a week-long visit to the enclave and the occupied West Bank. The two agencies have brought more than 10,000 trucks of aid into Gaza since the 10 October truce between Israel and Hamas, representing some 80 per cent […]

WHO sounds alarm as mental health conditions soar past one billion worldwide

WHO sounds alarm as mental health conditions soar past one billion worldwide

Disorders such as anxiety and depression are exacting a heavy toll on individuals, families and economies, yet most countries are failing to provide adequate support. Mental health problems are widespread across every society and age group and remain the second leading cause of long-term disability. They drive up healthcare costs for families and governments while […]

Gaza: Security Council meets on hostage crisis amid ‘unbearable’ conditions facing Palestinian civilians

Gaza: Security Council meets on hostage crisis amid ‘unbearable’ conditions facing Palestinian civilians

Assistant Secretary-General Miroslav Jenča briefed a Security Council meeting on Tuesday called by Israel to discuss the plight of hostages still being held in the war-ravaged enclave. It comes after Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad released images and videos of two emaciated hostages, Evaytar David and Rom Braslavsky, sparking outrage and condemnation.  ‘An affront to […]

Gaza: Guterres condemns killing of people seeking food as humanitarian conditions deteriorate

Gaza: Guterres condemns killing of people seeking food as humanitarian conditions deteriorate

Stéphane Dujarric was speaking to reporters at UN Headquarters in New York a day after dozens of Palestinians were killed seeking food aid. He said the Secretary-General deplored the growing reports of both children and adults suffering from malnutrition and strongly condemned the ongoing violence, including the shooting, killing and injuring of people attempting to […]

First Person: Myanmar aid workers brave conflict and harsh conditions to bring aid to earthquake victims

First Person: Myanmar aid workers brave conflict and harsh conditions to bring aid to earthquake victims

Thein Zaw Win, Communications and Advocacy Analyst in the Yangon Office of the UN sexual and reproductive health agency (UNFPA) saw the devastating consequences of the quake during a week-long visit to the Mandalay region, one of the regions most severely affected by the disaster. Thein Zaw Win, Communications and Advocacy Analy​st at UNFPA’s Yangon […]