Middle East

A five year-old boy carries an empty water jerry in Al-hol camp in north-eastern Syria, hosting over 4,600 Iraqi refugees. Like most children there, he bears the brunt of carrying water for his family. UNICEF/Souliman

'The time to act is now;' end children's suffering in Iraq and across the Middle East – UNICEF

22 July 2017
Calling for “immediate care and protection” for children caught up in violence in Iraq's war torn Mosul and other Middle East conflicts, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) today warned that the lives and futures of some 27 million across the region and parts of Africa are at risk.
Much of Taiz, Yemen, has been destroyed by two years of fierce fighting.
ICRC/Khalid al-Saeed

Three displaced families killed in airstrike in south-west Yemen – UN rights wing

21 July 2017
Three displaced families have been killed when their makeshift shelter was hit in an airstrike in Yemen's Taiz governorate earlier this week, the United Nations human rights wing said.
At the Alsonainah Health Centre in Sana’a, Yemen, children with acute watery diarrhoea/suspected cholera are treated with oral rehydration solution. A UNICEF team visits the centre to make sure it has enough supplies. UNICEF/Fuad

Rainy season worsens cholera crisis in Yemen; UN agencies deliver clean water, food

21 July 2017
Yemen is facing the world's largest cholera outbreak, the United Nations health agency today warned, with 5,000 Yemenis falling sick every day – the majority of them children and the elderly.
A bird’s eye view of Jerusalem.
UN Photo/Rick Bajornas

UN chief concerned about unfolding violence in Jerusalem's Old City

21 July 2017
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres today expressed concern about the situation in the Old City of Jerusalem, which has been the scene of escalating violence in recent days.
The Damascus Gate, one of the main entrances to the Old City of Jerusalem.
UN Photo/John Isaac

UN envoy calls for de-escalation of tensions and violence in Jerusalem

20 July 2017
Expressing deep concern over a surge in tensions and violence around the holy esplanade of Jerusalem's Old City, the United Nations envoy on Middle East peace today called for de-escalation of the situation.
Yemeni family in their destroyed home.
OCHA/Eman

UN refugee agency 'shocked' by reported airstrike and casualties in Yemen

19 July 2017
The United Nations refugee agency today said that it is “deeply shocked and saddened” at reports of the deaths and injuries of internally displaced persons in an aerial attack on the embattled Mawza district in Yemen's Taizz governorate.
A bird’s eye view of Jerusalem.
UN Photo/Rick Bajornas

UN chief calls tolerance, understanding and compassion 'catalysts for peace'

19 July 2017
Religion is being distorted to increase differences, Secretary-General António Guterres said, urging the international community to counter such narratives.
A mother, displaced with her family, feeds her 18-month-old daughter at a shelter in a village rural Damascus. (file)
WFP/Abeer Etefa

Despite some improvements, food security remains dire in Syria – UN agencies

18 July 2017
In spite of improvements in wheat production in war-torn Syria – about 12 per cent more than last year's record low – the overall food security situation remains far worse than before the conflict, the United Nations food security and emergency food relief agencies have said.
On 20 April 2016 in Gaza, Occupied Palestinian Territories, a student looks inside of one of the classrooms that was destroyed during the 2014 hostilities.
UNICEF/El Baba

UN rights group concludes evaluation of Palestinians living under occupation

17 July 2017
A committee of United Nations experts has completed its annual evaluation of the situation of people in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, hearing serious concerns about Israel’s human rights record, including the deteriorating situation in Gaza, inadequate protection for detained children and increasing obstacles being faced by human rights defenders and journalists.
In East Mosul, 4,000 workers are helping clean up the city.
UNDP/ Ahmed Swadi

After Mosul victory, senior UN officials detail Iraq’s political and humanitarian needs

17 July 2017
Senior United Nations officials today called for regional and international support to stabilize newly liberated Mosul and to create conditions for peace and development throughout Iraq.