This is the News in Brief from the United Nations. 

UNHCR steps up aid for displaced in Myanmar as conflict intensifies 

The UN refugee agency (UNHCR) is stepping up its response to assist hundreds of thousands of internally displaced people (IDPs) in Myanmar.  

According to the agency, the number of IDPs has now grown to 800,000 - doubling since February last year. 

Across the country, security is rapidly getting worse, as fighting, and armed conflict intensifies. 

Forecasting more displacement in the coming weeks and months, UNHCR is now working with partners to scale up operations.  

Most internally displaced people are dependent on humanitarian support for survival. The 600,000 stateless Rohingya living in Rakhine State also require more help. 

Madagascar: Emergency teams deploy to areas hit hard by deadly cyclone 

UN humanitarians are also hard at work in Madagascar, where last weekend a massive storm has now left 92 people dead, and affected another 112,000.  

Cyclone Batsirai struck the island nation only two weeks after another deadly storm, Cyclone Ana. 

UN agencies, including the World Food Programme (WFP), have been ramping-up response in close coordination with Government agencies.  

In addition to hot meal distributions the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the UN sexual and reproductive health fund (UNFPA) have been boosting protection services.  

Health partners have sent essential medicine, emergency health and first aid kits, mosquito nets, and COVID-19 prevention materials.  

They have also set up emergency medical posts. 

International group asks Lebanon to ‘intensify’ preparations for 15 May election 

In Lebanon, a general election which could end months of gridlock and crisis, are due to take place in mid-May. 

On Friday, the International Support Group (ISG) for the country, met in Beirut to review the preparations and issued a strong call for free, fair, transparent and inclusive process.  

The group noted that the international community is deeply committed and has provided significant financial, technical and political support, but it’s down to national authorities to manage the election properly. 

The ISG asked them to intensify preparations, to ensure the timeliness and integrity of the process. 

They also stressed the need to allocate funds and the importance of allowing the full diaspora to vote.  

Lastly, the group called on all political stakeholders to take every possible step to encourage and ensure the inclusion of women candidates.  

Alexandre Soares, UN News.