A “quantum leap” in funding is needed to keep pace with the many humanitarian crises confronting the world, the UN’s refugee chief said Wednesday.
António Guterres, who heads the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) said that the humanitarian community is being asked to do more than it has the means to confront in the face of countless protracted crises.
Nearly 400 children have been killed in Yemen since violence escalated in March, according to a report released on Wednesday by the UN children’s agency, UNICEF.
Fighting between government forces and rebel groups has created what the UN has described as one of the world’s most pressing humanitarian emergencies.
Some 21 million people in Yemen—roughly 80 per cent of the population—are in need of aid relief.
UNICEF says the conflict is “a particular tragedy” for children.
Australian singer-songwriter Cody Simpson is lending his voice—and social media reach—to get young people to support the work of the United Nations.
Mr Simpson, who’s 18, has used his Twitter account to share the story of a Syrian refugee as part of a campaign tied to World Humanitarian Day, observed 19 August.
He also took his message to the stage—alongside Malian singer Inna Modja and Latin music superstar Juanes—in a concert at UN Headquarters ahead of the day.
The personal struggle of an African singer has inspired her to advocate for the rights of women and girls.
Inna Modja was subjected to female genital mutilation (FGM), also known as cutting, when she was a small girl in Mali. The experience left her feeling worthless, but through music she found the power to be strong.
The UN human rights office, OHCHR, has expressed concern over recent events in a coastal city in Libya involving militants claiming allegiance to ISIL.
Fighting erupted in Sirte after a local iman known for his vocal opposition to ISIL was killed on 10 August while apparently resisting abduction by the terrorist group.
The district was reportedly shelled by ISIL forces during the fighting, killing several civilians.
Maria Carlino spoke with OHCHR spokesman Rupert Colville about the incidents.
Duration: 2’46”
The changing nature of conflict has led to greater cooperation between the United Nations and regional organizations such as the African Union and the European Union.
The Security Council on Tuesday looked at how this partnership is working to address challenges to global security ranging from terrorism and the spread of violent extremism, to massive displacement and urbanization.
Dianne Penn reports.
Duration: 2'14"
Survivors of a boat tragedy that claimed the lives of 49 migrants have given graphic accounts of fellow passengers dying one by one, migration experts said Tuesday.
UN partner the International Organization for Migration (IOM) said that it learned the details from migrants who had been rescued from a vessel that got into difficulty soon after leaving the Libyan coast at the weekend.
Countries need to shift their focus from international trade barriers to domestic reforms that will expand trade, innovation and business growth.
That’s according to Professor Douglas Irwin from the Department of Economics at Dartmouth College in the United States.
He says reforms, such as improving infrastructure, would help entrepreneurs get their goods to port cities for export.
Sierra Leone is down to its last chain of Ebola virus transmission, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported on Monday.
The UN health agency said for the first time the country has not had any new cases of the disease since the outbreak began more than a year ago.
Dr Margaret Harris is WHO Spokesperson on Ebola who is based in the capital, Freetown.
She tells Dianne Penn that strong community involvement has been behind this accomplishment.
Duration: 2’32”
Giving “a voice to the voiceless” is everyone’s responsibility and not just a task for the UN, NGOs and celebrities.
That’s the message connected to this year’s World Humanitarian Day, occurring on 19 August.
To raise awareness about humanitarian issues, the UN humanitarian affairs office, OCHA, is running a social media campaign which will disrupt people’s newsfeeds.
