Peace and Security

Worsening conflict in northern Afghanistan has forced thousands of people to flee their homes and live in temporary camps.
© UNHCR/Edris Lutfi

Afghanistan: 270,000 newly displaced this year, warns UNHCR

13 July 2021
Asia Pacific

The worsening security situation across Afghanistan in the wake of foreign troop withdrawal and Taliban advances, has forced an estimated 270,000 from their homes since January, the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) reported on Tuesday, bringing the total internally displaced to more than 3.5 million.

The World Food Programme (WFP) resumed its operations in the Tigray region of Ethiopia after fighting had halted its emergency response.
WFP/Rein Skullerud

‘Free, unfettered access’ needed to assist millions in war-torn Tigray

2 July 2021
Africa

The World Food Programme (WFP) has resumed operations in Ethiopia’s Tigray region, after fighting halted the emergency response last week, although the agency warned on Friday that “serious challenges” continue to threaten the entire humanitarian response.
 

Mother and daughter injured during a terrorist attack. (file)
UN News

Terrorists become increasingly ‘innovative’, in a world shaken by COVID-19

30 June 2021
Global

Despite “significant progress” in the fight against terrorism, the UN counter-terrorism chief warned on Wednesday that amidst new and more diverse threats, COVID-19 has triggered increased activity throughout many countries.

The UN Mission in South Sudan, known as UNMISS, works with the South Sudanese to protect civilians and build durable peace.
UNMISS/Isaac Billy

‘Highest standards of conduct’ required for successful UN peacekeeping 

29 June 2021
Global

Successful peacekeeping requires the “highest standards of conduct” by civilian and uniformed peacekeepers, the UN chief told a High-Level Meeting this week on Strengthening the Conduct of Peacekeeping Personnel. 

In today's digital era, governments are increasingly relying on digital surveillance technology to support national security.
© UNICEF/Elias

‘Remain vigilant’ against malicious technologies that could imperil future generations

29 June 2021
Global

With over 4.6 billion internet users around the world, digital advances continue to revolutionize human life, but “we must remain vigilant” in the face of malicious technologies that “could imperil the security of future generations”, the head of the UN Office for Disarmament Affairs (ODA) told the Security Council on Tuesday. 

Member States must prioritize human rights, gender equality and civil society engagement when countering terrorism.
UNODC

Despite advances, terrorist threats continues to persist and diversify

28 June 2021
Global

Although the fight against terrorism has made important advances in thwarting attacks across the world, the UN chief said on Monday that threats continue to persist and diversify.

A destroyed building in Gaza City following a series of Israeli air attacks on the controlled Gaza Strip.
© UNRWA

UN pushes for lasting ceasefire, more humanitarian deliveries in Gaza

24 June 2021
Middle East

The cessation of hostilities negotiated last month between Israel and Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, remains “very fragile”, the UN envoy there told the Security Council on Thursday. 
 

Women carry bundles through a neighbourhood of Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan.
World Bank/Ghullam Abbas Farzami

Time running out to prevent ‘worst case scenario’ arising in Afghanistan

22 June 2021
Asia Pacific

With all the major indicators for Afghanistan’s security and development looking “negative or stagnant” as international troops withdraw, the threats that lie ahead cannot be overstated, the top UN official in the country told the Security Council on Tuesday. 

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet speaks to the Congolese press during a visit to Ituri, DRC (file photo).
MONUSCO

Human Rights Council urged to support UN chief’s call for a ‘new social contract’ after COVID-19

21 June 2021

UN rights chief Michelle Bachelet on Monday urged UN Member States to promote a more inclusive post-pandemic recovery to help the world’s most vulnerable recover from the impact of COVID.

Two children, who recently returned home after they and their family fled fighting in 2017, look out over the Al Gamalia neighborhood of Taiz City.
UNOCHA/Giles Clarke

Grave violations against children in conflict ‘alarmingly high’, latest UN report reveals

21 June 2021
Global

More than 19,300 boys and girls affected by war last year were victims of grave violations such as recruitment or rape, and the COVID-19 pandemic made it difficult for experts to reach them, the UN said in its annual report on Children and Armed Conflict (CAAC), published on Monday.