WFP chief calls for action now, as hunger soars to 12 year high — Global Issues

WFP chief calls for action now, as hunger soars to 12 year high — Global Issues

WFP Executive Director, David Beasley, said that if we don’t address this humanitarian crisis, “things are going to get worse than we can possibly imagine”. Following 12 years of brutal conflict, an economy crippled by runaway inflation, a currency that has collapsed to a record low and soaring food prices,…

Guterres strongly condemns attack at Jerusalem synagogue which left at least seven Israelis dead — Global Issues

Guterres strongly condemns attack at Jerusalem synagogue which left at least seven Israelis dead — Global Issues

According to news reports, the incident happened in the Neve Yaakov district in the middle of the evening local time. Israeli police said the attacker, identified as a Palestinian from the Shu’fat refugee camp in occupied East Jerusalem, had been “neutralized” at the scene. In a statement issued by his…

12 years of war, leaves 70 per cent of Syrians needing aid — Global Issues

12 years of war, leaves 70 per cent of Syrians needing aid — Global Issues

“As we move into 2023, the Syrian people remain trapped in a profound humanitarian, political, military, security, economic and human rights crisis of great complexity and almost unimaginable scale,” said Geir Pedersen, UN Special Envoy for Syria. Outlining recent developments, he reiterated his previous calls for calm on the ground, good faith engagement…

Two-thirds of Yemenis need humanitarian support and protection — Global Issues

Two-thirds of Yemenis need humanitarian support and protection — Global Issues

The UN humanitarian affairs office OCHA is calling for $4.3 billion to reach the 17.3 million most vulnerable people in need, whose lives have been turned upside down because of protracted war, displacement and economic collapse, compounded by recurrent natural disasters. Yemen’s civil war began in 2014 when Houthi rebels…

Palestinian refugees face hitting ‘rock bottom’, warns UNRWA in $1.6 billion appeal — Global Issues

Palestinian refugees face hitting ‘rock bottom’, warns UNRWA in $1.6 billion appeal — Global Issues

Head of UNRWA, Philippe Lazzarini, told journalists in Geneva that competing global crises, and skyrocketing levels of poverty and unemployment among Palestine refugees, have put immense strain on them – and the agency – which started the year some $70 million in arrears. “On the one hand we are asked…

Around 2 million facing food insecurity across Lebanon — Global Issues

Around 2 million facing food insecurity across Lebanon — Global Issues

Lebanon’s first ever Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) Acute Food Insecurity Analysis predicts that the situation will deteriorate between January and April this year, with 2.26 million people – 1.46 million Lebanese residents and around 800,000 refugees – expected to be in the “crisis” phase or worse, needing urgent assistance. The…

Security Council unanimously agrees to extend Syria cross-border aid lifeline — Global Issues

Security Council unanimously agrees to extend Syria cross-border aid lifeline — Global Issues

Ambassadors unanimously adopted a resolution authorizing the renewal of the cross-border mechanism, a day before it was set to expire.  UN Secretary-General António Guterres has taken note of the development, his Spokesperson said in a statement, which described the humanitarian operation as an “indispensable lifeline” for some 4.1 million people…

UN working to reduce tensions following Israel minister’s holy site visit — Global Issues

UN working to reduce tensions following Israel minister’s holy site visit — Global Issues

Ambassadors were briefed by Khalid Khiari, a UN Assistant Secretary-General, who expressed concern over the developments and the broader ongoing tensions and violence in the occupied West Bank. On Monday, Israel’s new National Security Minister, far-right party leader Itamar Ben-Gvir, visited the hilltop compound in Jerusalem’s old city that is…

Rights experts call for renewal of cross-border aid resolution — Global Issues

Rights experts call for renewal of cross-border aid resolution — Global Issues

They warned of the dire consequences of not renewing Resolution 2642, which is set to expire on 10 January.  “If the cross-border resolution is not renewed, the already desperate humanitarian situation in northwest Syria will be further aggravated at a time when people in the country need the international community’s…