Changes to typical climatic patterns in many parts of the world could mean that around two billion people will be battling hunger and malnutrition in the years ahead.
That’s according to the UN’s Special Rapporteur on the right to food, Hilal Elver, who says climate change remains a “serious threat” to food security.
A surge in wildlife crime, especially affecting elephants and rhinos, is being fueled by corruption according to the Secretary-General of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, also known as CITES.
The CITES agreement was drawn up in 1973 to ensure the trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival.
Syrian refugees in Lebanon are fearful that uncertainty about the future might drive their children to join radical groups or make the treacherous sea journey to Europe.
That’s according to UN Deputy Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Philippe Lazzarini, who is calling for more global support for the country.
Lebanon has a population of around five million and has taken in more than one million Syrian refugees.
Mr Lazzarini tells May Yaacoub how the ongoing crisis in Syria is putting a strain on Lebanon’s economy and infrastructure.
Duration: 4’32"
A quarter of a million children in South Sudan’s Warrap state are being screened for malnutrition through a campaign by the World Food Programme (WFP) and the UN children’s fund, UNICEF.
Although not directly affected by South Sudan’s ongoing conflict, Warrap state has one of the highest rates of acute malnutrition in the country, according to a recent report.
More than eight million Ethiopians need food aid following crop failures brought on by the climatic phenomenon known as El Niño.
The changing weather conditions caused by El Niño have led to reduced rainfall in large parts of Africa with Ethiopia being hit hard, according to the World Food Programme (WFP).
The UN agency says the country had already suffered erratic rains earlier this year which resulted in near total crop failure as well as high levels of livestock deaths among pastoral communities.
The world has been presented a unique opportunity to recognize the contributions and needs of people of African descent.
That’s according to actor and Goodwill Ambassador Danny Glover, who is taking an active role in promoting the UN’s International Decade for People of African Descent, which kicked off last December.
Daniel Dickinson spoke with Mr Glover and began by asking him why this international decade is of particular importance to him.
Duration: 4:08
Economic growth in sub-Saharan African has weakened in the last year, according to a newly released report from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
The strong growth momentum of recent years appears to have dissipated, according to the IMF’s Regional Economic Outlook for sub-Saharan Africa.
The report puts growth at less than 4 per cent, which is even lower than in 2009 in the aftermath of the global financial crisis.
Another xenophobic attack in South Africa and refugees on the move across the Malawi border are a major cause for concern, according to UN agencies in the region.
More than 100 refugees fled into Malawi from Mozambique in July following clashes between government forces and gunmen from the former rebel movement, RENAMO.
And further south, hundreds of immigrants in the South African city of Grahamstown fled their homes after coming under attack.
