UN chief at Rafah crossing says aid convoy ‘the difference between life and death’ — Global Issues

UN chief at Rafah crossing says aid convoy ‘the difference between life and death’ — Global Issues

In a passionate speech standing just a few metres from the Egyptian side of the crossing, he pointed behind him and spoke of the two million trapped without sufficient supplies now for nearly two weeks. “We are witnessing a paradox: behind these walls we have two million people that are…

‘Staggering’ health consequences — Global Issues

‘Staggering’ health consequences — Global Issues

Temperatures have already started to drop into single figures. With about two-thirds of the affected areas assessed, more than 21,500 homes are confirmed destroyed and a further 17,000 severely damaged, according to the UN humanitarian affairs coordination office (OCHA). Over 154,000 people have been impacted. Critical psychosocial support That number…

From Cairo, Guterres appeals for ‘sustained’ humanitarian access to Gaza — Global Issues

From Cairo, Guterres appeals for ‘sustained’ humanitarian access to Gaza — Global Issues

“For nearly two weeks the people of Gaza have gone without any shipments of fuel, food, water, medicine, and other essentials. Disease is spreading. Supplies are dwindling. People are dying,” he said at a press conference in Cairo alongside Egypt’s Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry. Mr. Guterres is in the Middle…

UN chief urges ceasefire, region ‘on the precipice’ — Global Issues

UN chief urges ceasefire, region ‘on the precipice’ — Global Issues

Speaking in Beijing, Mr. Guterres said that a ceasefire would “provide sufficient time and space” to realize two essential appeals which he made earlier this week: to Hamas, for the immediate and unconditional release of the hostages held in Gaza, and to Israel, to immediately allow aid to enter the…

Israel-Gaza crisis; US vetoes Security Council resolution — Global Issues

Israel-Gaza crisis; US vetoes Security Council resolution — Global Issues

While 12 of the Council’s 15 members voted in favour of the Brazilian-led text, one (United States) voted against, and two (Russia, and the United Kingdom) abstained. A ‘no’ vote from any one of the five permanent members of the Council stops action on any measure put before it. The…

Funds dry up for Afghan quake survivors, child deaths alert in Sudan, diphtheria outbreak in Guinea — Global Issues

Funds dry up for Afghan quake survivors, child deaths alert in Sudan, diphtheria outbreak in Guinea — Global Issues

That’s the message from the UN World Food Programme (WFP), which appealed on Wednesday for $19 million to provide emergency food assistance to those “in desperate need” in the country’s western Herat province. The agency’s deputy director in Afghanistan Ana Maria Salhuana stressed that to assist earthquake survivors WFP “is…

‘Very real risk’ of conflict expanding warns top envoy — Global Issues

‘Very real risk’ of conflict expanding warns top envoy — Global Issues

Mr. Wennesland told the Security Council that he “watched in horror and in real time” as reports of mass casualties emerged from Al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza City on Tuesday. “The circumstances of this catastrophe and responsibility remains and still needs to be clarified. And we will need a fact-based, full…

‘History is watching’ warns UN relief chief, saying aid access is key priority — Global Issues

‘History is watching’ warns UN relief chief, saying aid access is key priority — Global Issues

“History is watching,” Emergency Relief Coordinator Martin Griffiths told UN News in Geneva, highlighting the desperate situation facing around one million Gazans uprooted in the last week, after the Israeli military warned of an imminent offensive following the deadly 7 October attacks on Israel by militant group Hamas, which has…