This is the News in Brief from the United Nations.

Rare Ebola outbreak declared in Uganda

An outbreak of Ebola virus has been declared in Uganda after a case was confirmed in Mubende district, in the centre of the country.

The UN World Health Organization (WHO) said on Tuesday that a sample taken from a 24-year-old man was identified as the relatively rare Sudan strain.

It is the first time in more than a decade that the Sudan strain has been found in Uganda, which also saw an outbreak of the Zaire strain of Ebola virus in 2019.

The latest outbreak follows six suspicious deaths in Mubende district so far this month. There are also eight suspected cases who are receiving care in a health facility.

Dr Matshidiso Moeti, World Health Organization Regional Director for Africa, said that the UN agency was working closely with Ugandan authorities to investigate the source, and support efforts to control it.

Alarm over Iranian woman’s death after arrest for wearing ‘improper’ hijab

The acting High Commissioner for Human Rights Nada Al-Nashif expressed alarm on Tuesday at the death in custody in Iran of a woman after she was detained for wearing an “improper” hijab.

Mahsa Amini was arrested a week ago by Iran’s “morality police” in Teheran. The 22-year-old, whose Kurdish name is Jhina - fell into a coma shortly after collapsing at a detention centre, and died three days later, officially of a heart attack.

In Geneva, spokesperson for the UN rights office, Ravina Shamdasani, said that there was also deep concern at the violent response of Iran’s security forces to protests sparked by Ms. Amini’s death:

“Thousands have taken to the streets in a number of cities across the country, including in Tehran, Isfahan, Karaj, Mashhad, Rasht, Saqqes and Sanandaj, in protests against Amini’s death. Security forces have reportedly responded with live ammunition, pellet guns and teargas. At least two people have reportedly been killed and several injured, and a number have been arrested.”

Ms. Shamdasani also noted with concern that legislation had been passed in Iran allowing police to send text messages to women in their cars, telling them to not to take off their hijabs while driving.

Pakistan floods update: the waters will take six months to go, warn relief agencies

Millions of people in Pakistan are still deeply affected by catastrophic flooding which “is not going anywhere”, UN relief agencies said on Tuesday.

Close to eight million people have been displaced by the disaster, and the UN along with the authorities and partners are working together to reach affected populations.

Southern Sindh province is still in crisis, with many areas still under water. To date, more than 1,500 people have been killed in the disaster, including 552 children.

Here’s Gerida Birukila, UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Chief of Field Office in Balochistan, another of the worst-hit provinces.

“We don’t have enough food, we don’t have shelter, and still even the kind of health care that is required is not available…Roads and bridges are being washed away. I’ve just come from the field and the water is not going anywhere.”

As had been feared, life-threatening illness and disease have now spread among displaced communities, including cerebral malaria.
According to the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, nearly 600,000 now live in temporary relief shelters.

The UN agency has coordinated a plan to transport more than 1.2 million relief items to the most flood-affected areas. To date, it has delivered more than one million life-saving items to authorities for distribution.

Daniel Johnson, UN News.