Tag: civilians
How is the UN helping civilians in Gaza?
Despite the immense dangers and obstacles, the UN continues to deliver desperately needed humanitarian aid in Gaza. Here is an overview of the humanitarian efforts in the occupied territory.
Read MoreMyanmar: Intense fighting spreads to cities, as civilians seek shelter
In the fighting so far, about 70 civilians – and combatants who are out of action – have reportedly been killed and over 90 wounded, according to the UN human rights office (OHCHR). The fighting has also fuelled a fresh wave of displacement, driving over 200,000 people from their homes since 27 October. In all,…
Read MoreIsrael-Palestine crisis: ‘It’s the innocent civilians who are losing’
Briefing reporters in Geneva on Friday UN health agency (WHO) spokesperson Christian Lindmeier said that in Israel, where 1,400 people have been killed so far, and in Gaza, where over 9,000 have been killed according to Hamas run authorities, 70 per cent of the victims are women and children. “It’s the innocent civilians that are…
Read MoreGuterres blasts ‘completely inadequate’ levels of aid for Gaza civilians
Secretary-General António Guterres also reiterated his call for an “immediate humanitarian ceasefire” between Israeli forces and militants from Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, and other militant groups. Consistent flow of aid essential In a statement, Mr. Guterres said depriving Gaza’s people of basic supplies was only “compounding the human tragedy” of the conflict, calling…
Read MoreGaza: Testimonies highlight grim plight of civilians expecting to die
Volker Türk’s appeal came as UN humanitarians continued to issue dire warnings about the full scale of the humanitarian crisis in the enclave. ‘Crumbs’ of aid The head of the UN agency for Palestine refugees (UNRWA), said that the “few (aid) trucks” which have come in from Egypt since 21 October are “nothing more than…
Read MoreIsrael-Palestine: Protection of civilians ‘must be paramount’ in war Guterres tells Security Council
UN News is winding down our live coverage of today’s events in the Council. For full blow by blow coverage of the debate so far and the dozens of speakers to come on the Israel-Palestine crisis, you can visit our special UN Meetings Coverage Section, here. Indonesia Retno Marsudi, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Indonesia,…
Read MoreGaza: UNRWA chief underscores duty to protect civilians at all times
“Let me be clear: protecting civilians in times of conflict is not an aspiration or an ideal; it is an obligation and a commitment to our shared humanity,” UNRWA Commissioner General Philippe Lazzarini said in a statement. Relentless air strikes and bombardments, coupled with evacuation orders from Israel, have displaced nearly one million people in…
Read MoreSomalia: Insecurity worsens, civilians pay the price
Briefing Ambassadors in New York, UN Special Representative for Somalia Catriona Laing, described the country as being at a critical juncture. “Last year, we saw the largest increase in civilian casualties since 2017. Sadly, early data indicate a similar trend in 2023, with 1,289 civilian casualties recorded so far,” she said. The military campaign against…
Read MoreGaza-Israel conflict: deepening concern for civilians amid ongoing strikes
The past 10 days of conflict have claimed the lives of 4,200 people, forced more than one million individuals to flee their homes following an order from the Israeli authorities and left large areas in the Gaza Strip “reduced to rubble”, according to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). “We have…
Read MoreGaza: UNRWA issues urgent call for civilians to be protected
The statement came as the Israeli-imposed deadline for some 1.1 million civilians to leave the northern part of the enclave, ahead of what is expected to be a major advance into Gaza by Israeli ground forces, expired. “UNRWA shelters in Gaza and northern Gaza are no longer safe. This is unprecedented,” said the statement. The…
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