This is the NIB from the UN
Needs still ‘critical’ for Cyclone Idai survivors, says UNICEF chief
The world needs to “step up support” for the survivors of Tropical Cyclone Idai, the UN Secretary-General said on Friday, in a strong personal appeal.
Describing how we was “deeply saddened by the loss of life and heart-wrenching images of human suffering” in Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe, António Guterres also praised rescue teams “who have been working around the clock to save thousands of lives”.
“These heroes have not only rescued families off roofs, but are also delivering food, water purification tablets and other life-saving humanitarian assistance to survivors after communities have literally been washed away,” Mr. Guterres said in a statement.
The UN has already released $20 million from its emergency fund, but “far greater international support is needed,” he insisted.
One week after the storm swept through Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe claiming hundreds of lives, vast areas remain under water and search and rescue missions are ongoing.
So far 11 helicopters are involved in operations from the UN and other nations, and more are on the way.
Thirty boats are also involved in the rescue effort, funded by the World Food Programme (WFP), which has underlined the critical need for funding from countries and concerned individuals.
In Mozambique alone, it needs more than $121 million to help 1.7 million people affected through the next three months.
Additional 15,000 people expected at Syria’s Al Hol camp after fleeing ISIL fighters
Thousands of people fleeing fighting in north-eastern Syria continue to arrive at a camp which is already overcrowded, according to UN humanitarian coordinating agency OCHA.
Al Hol camp is home to more than 70,000 people and 90 per cent are women and children.
Most new arrivals are distressed and suffer from malnutrition, fatigue and injuries caused by months of hostilities, OCHA spokesperson Jens Laerke said:
“The camp has significantly exceeded its capacity and there’s an urgent need for additional plots those currently being hosted in communal spaces and big size tents and expand the camp for the new arrivals. In fact, humanitarian partners are revising their planning figures, and now estimate the arrival of an additional 15,000 people to this already crowded camp.”
The UN is negotiating to use additional land around the camp and agencies are appealing for an additional $27 million to meet current needs.
Human Rights Council resolutions wrap
And finally, to the UN Human Rights Council, where its latest session has just ended with no less than 29 resolutions passed on a multitude of countries including Sri Lanka, Nicaragua, DPR Korea and Myanmar.
Over the course of the last four weeks, the Council heard High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet express concerns about alleged abuses in numerous nations, from Venezuela to Yemen.
The Geneva-based body also heard from 33 independent experts, including four commissions of inquiries or fact-finding missions into South Sudan, Syria, Burundi and the 2018 protests in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
The Council extended eight thematic and country mandates including on Syria, Iran, South Sudan, DPRK, Mali and Myanmar, where a European Union-sponsored resolution was successful.
It expressed “grave concern” at reports of ongoing sexual and gender-based violence and abuses against children, in particular in Rakhine, Kachin and Shan States.
The Council next meets in June.
Daniel Johnson, UN News.
