critical Archives - Page 2 of 4

1,000 days into Ukraine war, winter poses critical challenge to aid effort

·November 15, 2024·2 min read

Speaking in Geneva, Matthias Schmale described the anguish felt by Ukrainians as the war grinds on: “As we are not only approaching winter but also the sad 1,000-day mark since the Russian Federation’s full-scale invasion in 2022, we are of course thinking of the more than 12,000 people who have...

Lebanon conflict at ‘critical point’ with more than 3,000 confirmed dead

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·November 6, 2024·4 min read

According to the UN aid coordination office, OCHA, the updated death toll – which includes fatalities recorded since 8 October 2023 – is 58 per cent higher than the 1,900 people killed during the 34-day conflict in 2006 between Israel and Hezbollah. “Across the country, at least 71 people were...

Early warning systems critical as world marks Tsunami Awareness Day

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·November 5, 2024·2 min read

“This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Indian Ocean Tsunami – one of the deadliest disasters in recent history. More than 230,000 people lost their lives,” Mr. Guterres said in his message for the day. The Secretary General highlighted that approximately 700 million people worldwide remain at risk from tsunamis,...

Gaza at a ‘critical juncture’ as top UN officials call for a ceasefire now

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·October 20, 2024·4 min read

“Although he does not comment on events of this nature, the Secretary-General is interested that this now leads to an immediate ceasefire, the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages and unrestricted humanitarian access to Gaza,” Farhan Haq told the daily press briefing at UN Headquarters. Increasingly dire in the...

Summit of the Future: ‘Critical’ opportunity for safer, more sustainable and equitable world

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·September 16, 2024·2 min read

“We need greater global solidarity today and with future generations, better management of critical issues of global concern and an upgraded United Nations that can meet the challenges of a new era,” he said at the Summit of the Future Global Call event, emphasising that current institutions can not keep...

‘Genuine prospect of Palestinian statehood is critical’, UNRWA chief tells emergency summit in Saudi Arabia

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·November 12, 2023·2 min read

Philippe Lazzarini was addressing an emergency summit convened by the League of Arab States and Organisation of Islamic Cooperation where he called for urgent support for civilians in the Occupied Palestinian Territory on three fronts. He called on leaders at the Arab-Islamic summit to “act now to change the trajectory”...

Humanitarian ceasefires critical to meet immense needs in Gaza

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·November 4, 2023·8 min read

Their humanitarian update opened with a moment of silence for all those who have lost their lives since the start of the conflict on 7 October, and for the 240 Israeli men, women and children still being held hostage by Hamas. “What we’ve seen unfold over the last 26 days...

International support critical to forge lasting peace in Central African Republic

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·October 27, 2023·3 min read

Ms. Rugwabiza, who also heads the UN Mission in the country, MINUSCA, presented its latest report covering developments in the wake of the 31 July constitutional referendum. She said MINUSCA continues to support Government efforts to “decentralize” the peace process with armed groups, including recent initiatives to extend state presence...

Haiti: UN envoy upholds critical role of elections amid rising gang violence

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·October 24, 2023·4 min read

“Elections are the only path and the only imperative to restore democratic institutions in Haiti. Only democracy and the rule of law can form the basis from which Haiti can progress towards development and growth,” she said. The envoy, who also heads the UN Office in Haiti, BINUH, underlined the...

At critical moment for peacekeeping in Africa, Ghana steps up to host key summit

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·September 23, 2023·1 min read

The gathering of defence ministers and others committed to peacekeeping efforts will focus on civilian protection, addressing misinformation and disinformation, promoting safety and security, protecting mental health, and boosting the pivotal role of women in UN missions. Ghana’s Foreign Minister Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, together with senior UN officials, said the...

HIV a ‘critical health concern’ amongst people who use drugs in Thailand

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·July 22, 2023·6 min read

The Thai authorities are working alongside UN agencies to not just improve the availability of services following the change in the way people are sentenced for drugs crimes, but also reduce the stigmatization of people who use drugs and ensure they have access to services where they feel comfortable. UN...

UN remains focused on ‘critical needs’ of Ukraine’s people

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·June 26, 2023·2 min read

Achim Steiner, head of the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and Vice-Chair of the UN Sustainable Development Group told delegates he had just returned from the war-torn country, noting civilians’ “extraordinary determination to adapt, to recover and to rebuild.” “The UN had developed a clear picture to inform a targeted recovery...