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© UNHCR/Will Swanson

UN refugee agency appeals for $147 million to support thousands of Ethiopians fleeing to Sudan

30 November 2020
Humanitarian Aid

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi has launched an appeal for $147 million to support as many as 100,000 people fleeing Ethiopia’s Tigray region into neighbouring Sudan, the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, said on Monday.

UNDP/Fahad Kaizer

UN chief calls for greater inclusion of persons with disabilities

30 November 2020
Human Rights

Achieving a world where all people have equal access to opportunities is a goal worth fighting for, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said on Monday in a speech calling for greater inclusion of persons with disabilities in society, including in COVID-19 response and recovery.  

© UNICEF/Noorani

The pandemic is fuelling slavery and sexual exploitation, UN experts warn

30 November 2020
Human Rights

The COVID-19 pandemic has played into the hands of slavers and traffickers and requires stronger government measures to prevent exploitation of vulnerable people, more than 50 independent UN human rights experts said in a statement on Monday. 

UN Women/Pichit Phromkade

FROM THE FIELD: Answering the call for help in Thailand

30 November 2020
Women

Violence against women and girls at home affects millions globally. The problem is particularly pervasive as it occurs in a space women and girls should feel most secure. 

Photo: OPCW

Consign chemical weapons to history, UN chief urges, honouring victims

30 November 2020
Peace and Security

The United Nations Secretary-General has called for “renewed determination” to eliminate chemical weapons from the world. 

UNICEF/Colfs

COVID-19 threatens global progress against malaria, warns UN health agency

30 November 2020
Health

Gaps in life-saving interventions are undermining efforts to curb malaria, amid fears that the coronavirus pandemic could set back the fight against the disease even further, the UN World Health Organization (WHO) has said. 

OCHA/Leni Kinzli

UN condemns ‘brutal and callous’ attack on civilians in north-east Nigeria

29 November 2020
Humanitarian Aid

The United Nations has strongly condemned an attack, on Saturday, against civilians in Nigeria’s restive Borno state, and underlined the need to bring the perpetrators to justice. 

ILO Photo/John Isaac

First Person: ‘people with disabilities are the greatest untapped resource on the planet’

29 November 2020
Economic Development

Worldwide, persons with disabilities experience higher levels of unemployment and economic inactivity than non-disabled persons. Ahead of International Day of Persons with Disabilities, Mike Hess, US-based entrepreneur and founder of the Blind Institute of Technology, spoke to UN News as part of the International Labour Organization (ILO) photography project "Dignity at Work: The American Experience".

UNRWA/Khalil Adwan

Renew commitment to Palestinian people, UN chief urges, marking International Day

29 November 2020
Peace and Security

Commemorating the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, UN Secretary-General António Guterres urged Israeli and Palestinian leaders to explore every opening to “restore hope” for a two-State solution. 

© UNDP Turkey/Levent Kulu

COVID-19: Testing still vital even as vaccines roll out

27 November 2020
Health

Testing will still be a critical tool against COVID-19, even as vaccines are deployed against the disease, the head of the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Friday during his regular briefing on the crisis.