In a week that’s seen the UN chief push for peace and justice in Ukraine with visits to Moscow and Kyiv, the Security Council has also been hearing that fighting in Syria is still raging – and that we mustn’t forget it. We’ll also highlight the UN’s work to help stop a new Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, while in Afghanistan, it’s never been more urgent to unblock billions of dollars of assets, top rights experts say. And, we hear from Sri Lankan pop star and advocate for children’s rights Ridma Weerawardena.

Seven weeks since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the global food and energy crisis that’s followed, the UN Secretary-General has explained what needs to happen to get help to the most vulnerable. Climate shocks and chronic violence have also created famine-like conditions and desperate scenes in Somalia and South Sudan, humanitarians tell us, while in Brazil, activists, women journalists and others, face appalling violence, a top rights expert has said. In more positive news, we hear how a small town in Italy played its part in the global “slow food” movement.

The UN’s rights chief tells us Russian forces have used cluster bombs in built-up areas in Ukraine – and that Ukrainian forces, may have used them too. Meanwhile in Afghanistan, Martin Griffiths tells us millions of lives are hanging by a thread. In South Sudan, UNHCR has put the spotlight on the communities who’re using mud and anything else they can find, to keep floodwaters at bay. We’ll hear the latest research on migrant journeys, plus a more positive initiative from the WHO, to beat mosquito-borne sickness.

Did you know that food grown in Ukraine feeds 400 million people around the world?

Since Russia invaded its neighbour three weeks ago, Ukrainians need outside help to keep from going hungry, and that’s where the UN World Food Programme comes in, as we’ll hear.

Away from Europe, earlier this week, we heard UN Secretary-General António Guterres implore donors for funds to help Yemen, where two in three people need aid just to survive.

Myanmar’s been in the spotlight too, one year since Tatmadaw generals staged their coup, with chilling results, as we’ll hear from UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet.

And stay with us for comments from Solange BC, who’s taking us on a literary Odyssey at the end of the show.