News
New fires at Greek island refugee camp destroy last remaining shelters
Fresh fires at a Greek island centre for thousands of refugees and migrants, have destroyed all remaining accommodation for those affected by the initial blaze on Tuesday evening.
Nations of the South display spirit of ‘global solidarity’ – UN chief
“The spirit of South-South cooperation and global solidarity”, is alive and well across the hemisphere as the word grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic, said the UN chief in a message relayed to countries of the Global South on Thursday.
Distrust of public institutions, health inequities could push more countries into conflict, UN political affairs chief warns
The erosion of trust in public institutions, unequal access to health care and tensions around delicate peace negotiations, are among the risks amplified by COVID-19, which if not mitigated, could push more countries into violence, the UN politica
Science, solidarity and solutions needed against climate change: Guterres
Concentrations of greenhouse gases in atmosphere are at record levels, emissions that saw a temporary decline due to the pandemic are heading towards pre-COVID levels, and global temperatures continue to hit new highs, these are the findings of a
Greece: Devasting fire compounds overcrowding and COVID-19 challenges in refugee camp
UN agencies have offered support to Greek authorities on Wednesday after a major fire ripped through an overcrowded refugee camp overnight, destroying dwellings and forcing thousands to flee, many reportedly suffering from smoke inhalation.
Under ‘extraordinary circumstances’, General Assembly continues to serve the people
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the General Assembly has worked hard, under “extraordinary circumstances” to uphold its vital mandates, perform essential services, and ensure continuity in the name of the people the Organization serves, the pres
Finance Ministers meet to refine ‘single ambitious menu’ for COVID-19 recovery and beyond
The UN Deputy Secretary-General has reminded Finance Ministers from across the world of their duty to help countries emerge from the social and economic chaos brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Burkina Faso: Over 535,000 children under five ‘acutely’ malnourished
New data from UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has revealed worsening nutritional situation for children in Burkina Faso, with more than 535,000 children under the age of five suffering from acute malnutrition – an unprecedented level.
Build a better future with blue skies for all, UN urges, marking first International Day of Clean Air
The first International Day of Clean Air for blue skies is being commemorated around the world on Monday, following the recognition by the United Nations General Assembly of the importance of clean air for the health and day-to-day lives of people
Leveraging innovation, partnership to shore up food security in Asia and the Pacific
Transforming food systems in Asia and the Pacific to make them more sustainable, resilient and productive, is vital for countries to rebound from the impact of COVID-19 and address chronic undernourishment, a UN regional forum on food security has
Quiet corridors but a full programme at virtual UNGA75: five things you need to know
The 75th UN General Assembly (UNGA) session, begins on 15 September and this year, due to the ongoing global pandemic, it will be unlike any other in the organization’s three quarters of a century of existence.
COVID-19 impact on treatment for chronic illness revealed
The COVID-19 health crisis has caused massive disruption worldwide in diagnosing and treating people with deadly but preventable diseases, including more than one in two cancer patients, UN health experts said on Friday.
‘I don’t understand why Africa is still hungry’: UN envoy’s plan to transform food systems for all
Agnes Kalibata, the former Rwandan Minister for Agriculture, has been tasked with leading the first-ever UN Food Systems Summit.
UN agency for Palestinian refugees launches $95 million appeal to keep COVID at bay
The COVID-19 pandemic has sparked a health and socio-economic emergency across the occupied Palestinian territory, the UN agency for the region warned on Friday, noting a swell of coronavirus cases in recent weeks.
Women are key to response and recovery out of the COVID era: Deputy UN chief
Young women are fighting interconnected battles for “environmental, economic and racial justice”, the deputy UN chief said in a discussion on Thursday.
Make COVID recovery ‘a true turning point’ for people and planet, says UN chief
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has called on governments to incorporate “meaningful” climate action in all aspects of recovery from the global pandemic.
World’s richest nations must protect child well-being in COVID-19 fallout: UNICEF
Children in the world’s richest countries are grappling with mental health concerns, obesity and poor social and academic skills, according to a new study published on Thursday by the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
Beirut facing acute environmental crisis, warns UN energy specialist
Contamination from hazardous chemicals, landfill sites at capacity, and water pollution, are among the most urgent challenges faced by the Lebanese authorities and UN teams tackling the huge task of clearing up Beirut, following the massive explos
‘No hope’ of reaching climate, development goals, without youth optimism and know-how
Without harnessing the energy, tech savvy and optimism of young people, the world has no hope of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) or the Paris Agreement on climate change, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said on Tuesday.
UN agencies support flood response in Sudan but warn aid stocks ‘rapidly’ depleting
The UN and its partners are supporting the Sudanese Government as it responds to recent severe flooding, which has killed 90 people and affected 380,000 others, the UN humanitarian affairs office, OCHA, said on Tuesday.
From farm to fork: How food systems can power climate action
Taking specific steps to transform national food supply systems can help countries achieve climate goals and limit global warming to 1.5 degree Celsius, a new joint UN report on climate action has found.
Kickstarting economies without COVID-19 plan, ‘a recipe for disaster’: Tedros
Eight months into the COVID-19 pandemic, countries want to “get their economies going again”, the head of the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Monday, advising on the measures that governments, communities and individuals should take, to do
Urgent solution needed to address fuel woes in war-torn Yemen
The UN Special Envoy for Yemen has called on all parties to urgently work together with his Office and find a solution that ensures people in the strife-ridden country can access their basic needs of fuel, amid major shortages in Ansar Allah contr
‘Wisdom’ of Guatemala’s indigenous people needed for sustainable development: a UN Resident Coordinator blog
The wisdom and knowledge of indigenous people in Guatemala is central to the realization of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals or SDGs, targets agreed by countries around the world to end poverty, maintain peace and preserve the health of the pl
Complex security, environmental crises worsen conditions for over 360,000 in western Chad
More than 360,000 internally displaced persons in Chad’s Lake province are facing a “double” crisis, exposed to security and environmental risks, the UN International Organization for Migration (IOM) has reported, highlighting the need to strength
Hurricane Laura: Most dangerous hurricane to hit the US this season
Hurricane Laura is by far the most intense and dangerous hurricane to hit the United States this season, the UN weather agency said on Friday, the day after it made landfall on the US Gulf Coast.
UNICEF: Time is of the essence, as water shortages compound desperate situation in Beirut
Risk of water-borne diseases is rising in Beirut, in the aftermath of the devastating explosion in early August, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has warned, calling for urgent action to ensure families and responders have access to safe water and
India urged to lead global push for clean energy, climate action
India has a crucial role to play in promoting clean energy and climate action as the world looks to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said on Friday.
UNESCO launches Beirut recovery fund for culture, heritage and education
To support the rehabilitation of schools, historic heritage buildings, museums and the creative economy, which suffered extensive damage in the deadly explosions that shook Beirut earlier this month, the head of the UN cultural agency on Thursday
‘Widespread’ COVID-19 transmission, limited testing, deepen Syria’s humanitarian woes
COVID-19 is having a dramatic impact on health services in Syria, where limited testing is obscuring the real extent of the pandemic, the UN’s Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator said on Thursday.