Global

Displaced women prepare food at an informal camp in Bagoundié, Mali.
© UNOCHA/Michele Cattani

FROM THE FIELD: Humanitarian crises of concern in 2021

27 February 2021
Humanitarian Aid

The COVID-19 pandemic has dominated much of the world’s attention over the last 12 months, but many other crises will continue to require the urgent attention of the UN and the international community in 2021.

The UN Secretary-General António Guterres receives his second COVID-19 vaccine dose in New York.
UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe

UN chief returns to the Bronx for second coronavirus shot

26 February 2021
Health

UN Secretary-General António Guterres  received his second COVID-19 vaccine shot at the Morris Academy for Collaborative Studies in the Bronx,  New York, on Friday. 

UNICEF-supplied oxygen machines helped a 58-year-old woman in Ukraine fight COVID-19.
UNICEF

UN Security Council demands COVID-19 vaccine ceasefires; WHO pushes for more action to speed up inoculations

26 February 2021
Health

The UN Security Council on Friday unanimously passed a resolution calling on all Member States to support a “sustained humanitarian pause” to local conflicts, in order to allow for COVID-19 vaccinations. Briefing journalists afterwards, World Health Organization (WHO) chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus argued that more could be done. 

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet. (file)
UN News/Daniel Johnson

Pandemic pushing people ‘even further behind’, UN rights chief warns

26 February 2021
Human Rights

As the COVID-19 pandemic gathers pace, people worldwide are “being left behind – or pushed even further behind”, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights warned on Friday. 

Global temperature rise could lead to more frequent and more intense extreme weather events, such as prolonged droughts or devastating floods.
WFP/Matteo Cosorich

UN climate report a ‘red alert’ for the planet: Guterres

26 February 2021
Climate and Environment

Nations are “nowhere close” to the level of action needed to fight global warming, a UN climate action report said on Friday, urging countries to adopt stronger and more ambitious plans to reach the Paris Agreement goals, and limit the temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius, by the end of the century. 

A man wears a face mask and gloves while sitting in a cafe in Glasgow, Scotland.
Unsplash/Ross Sneddon

WHO-backed policy brief calls for action to address ‘long COVID’

25 February 2021
Health

With one in 10 people still feeling ill 12 weeks after having COVID-19, authorities must do more to support them, a UN-backed policy brief issued on Thursday argues. 

Ecuador advocates for greater control of money laundering from illicit activities. (file)
UNODC

Financial transparency, 'sound governance and accountability’ essential to reach Global Goals

25 February 2021
SDGs

Financial integrity is “paramount to the success of the 2030 Agenda”, the President of the UN General Assembly said on Thursday, launching a new report that offers a blueprint to address a range of obstacles, particularly surrounding illicit finance flows. 

Latifa Ibn Ziaten received the Zayed Prize for Human Fraternity 2021
IMAD Association

Mother of terrorism victim works to ‘turn the page’ on violent extremism

25 February 2021
Peace and Security

A Moroccan-French woman whose son was killed in a terrorist attack nearly a decade ago, has been commended for her powerful activism countering youth radicalization, and her efforts to replace the desolation of loss with ‘a prayer of love’. 

British actor, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, who has been named as a UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador visited Uganda in 2019.
© UNHCR/Caroline Irby

British actor Gugu Mbatha-Raw named latest UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador

24 February 2021
Migrants and Refugees

British actor Gugu Mbatha-Raw was on Wednesday appointed a global Goodwill Ambassador with the UN refugee agency, UNHCR. 

The Comuna 13 neighbourhood in Medellin, Colombia.
IMF/Joaquin Sarmiento

Pandemic recovery presents historic opportunity to ensure human rights for all: Guterres

24 February 2021
Human Rights

Human rights have been battered in the COVID-19 pandemic but recovery represents a chance to improve on the status quo and finally ensure dignity for all, UN Secretary-General António Guterres told the General Assembly on Wednesday.