Humanitarian Aid

UN Photo/Marco Dormino

Haiti earthquake victims honoured at UN, with pledge to safeguard the nation’s future

17 January 2020
Americas

More than 200,000 Haitians who perished in the devastating earthquake which struck the island nation ten years ago, were honoured in a solemn ceremony of remembrance at UN Headquarters in New York on Friday, along with 102 staffers who died – the single greatest loss of life in the Organization’s history. 

OCHA/Themba Linden

Aid to vulnerable Iraqis may ‘come to a complete halt within weeks’

16 January 2020
Middle East

Aid to vulnerable people in Iraq risks being completely blocked within weeks, warned the UN’s humanitarian chief in Iraq, Marta Ruedas, on Tuesday, as a result of the suspension of government documents allowing humanitarians to carry out critical missions.

© UNICEF/Alessio Romenzi

Yemen resilient and ‘unscathed’ in face of latest Gulf crisis

16 January 2020
Middle East

Despite the threat posed by recent tensions in the Gulf, Yemen was able to weather the crisis thanks in part to restraint exercised by its political leaders, the UN Special Envoy for the country said on Thursday. 

OCHA/Karen Perrin

UN peacekeepers protecting hundreds displaced by Central African Republic fighting

15 January 2020
Africa

Fresh clashes in the Central African Republic’s southeast have driven some 400 people to seek shelter at a UN base there, the United Nations Spokesperson said on Wednesday.

Philippine Red Cross

Philippines volcano: UN stands ready with support, as thousands told to flee

15 January 2020
Asia Pacific

The UN is concerned over warnings issued by Philippines’ authorities that volcanic eruptions on the country’s most populous island could last “days, months or even years”. 

OCHA/David Swanson

Security Council beats midnight deadline, renews Syria cross-border aid in contentious vote

10 January 2020
Middle East

The Security Council on Friday evening renewed a UN operation delivering humanitarian aid across the Syrian border to millions of civilians, but some of the body’s members expressed disappointment that the “watered down” measure cut in half the number of crossing points and duration of the authorization.

MONUSCO

Killings and violence targeting ethnic group in DR Congo ‘may amount to crimes against humanity’

10 January 2020
Africa

The targeting of the Hema community in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) with violence, including killings and rape, may amount to crimes against humanity, said the UN on Friday. 

UN-Habitat/Julius Mwelu

Security Council calls for dialogue in Haiti

9 January 2020
Americas

The UN Security Council has stressed the need to resolve the ongoing political impasse in Haiti between President Jovenel Moïse and a surging opposition movement. 

© UNICEF/Shehzad Noorani

Sudan: Intercommunal clashes displace tens of thousands in volatile Darfur region

7 January 2020
Africa

Around 40,000 have been displaced in Sudan’s West Darfur state in recent days, following intercommunal clashes, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said on Tuesday, citing Sudanese Government data.

© UNICEF

Syria: Civilians face ‘daily nightmare’ in Idlib, says top UN official

7 January 2020

Following a sharp escalation of hostilities in southern Idlib, “at least 300,000 civilians have fled their homes” since mid-December, the UN Deputy Regional Humanitarian Coordinator for the Syria crisis said on Tuesday, voicing concern for their well-being.