relief Archives - Career Meaning

UN relief chief calls for solidarity, with humanitarians ‘literally under attack’

·June 19, 2025·2 min read

Tom Fletcher was speaking at the annual stock-take of his sector known as the ECOSOC Humanitarian Affairs Segment, which brings together UN Member States and organizations, humanitarian and development partners, as well as the private sector and affected communities. He said this year’s theme – renew global solidarity for humanity...

Brutal cuts mean brutal choices warns UN relief chief, launching ‘survival appeal’

Uncategorized

·June 17, 2025·1 min read

“We have been forced into a triage of human survival,” said Mr. Fletcher. “The math is cruel, and the consequences are heartbreaking. Too many people will not get the support they need, but we will save as many lives as we can with the resources we are given.” New priorities...

All eyes on Gaza as aid teams retrieve first lifesaving relief in months

Uncategorized

·May 22, 2025·2 min read

“Today will be crucial. Truckloads of lifesaving aid finally on move again,” said top UN aid relief coordinator Tom Fletcher. Hours earlier and in a major development, 198 trucks entered Gaza via the Kerem Shalom crossing in the south of the enclave, carrying nutrition supplies, medicines and wheat flour. Announcing...

UN relief chief welcomes limited Gaza aid resumption – but it’s a ‘drop in the ocean’

Uncategorized

·May 20, 2025·2 min read

Tom Fletcher said in a statement on Monday that nine UN trucks were cleared to enter the southern Kerem Shalom crossing earlier in the day. “But it is a drop in the ocean of what is urgently needed…We have been reassured that our work will be facilitated through existing, proven...

World News in Brief: ‘Massive’ needs in Sudan, DR Congo aid shortfall, support for Congolese refugees and Angola cholera relief

Uncategorized

·May 9, 2025·3 min read

The UN estimates that in the past few weeks, over 330,000 people have fled into Tawila after the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) launched violent attacks in the Zamzam and Abu Shouk displacement camps and in El Fasher, the regional capital. Over 100,000 people also remain trapped in El Fasher. ‘Massive’...

Israel must end ‘cruel collective punishment’ in Gaza, urges UN relief chief

Uncategorized

·May 4, 2025·2 min read

In a powerful statement on Thursday, Tom Fletcher, the UN Emergency Relief Coordinator, condemned Israel’s decision to halt humanitarian assistance as a “cruel collective punishment” of the Palestinian population. “Two months ago, the Israeli authorities took a deliberate decision to block all aid to Gaza and halt our efforts to...

Ukraine crisis: ‘Even wars have rules,’ UN relief chief tells Security Council

Uncategorized

·April 9, 2025·4 min read

Briefing the Security Council, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Tom Fletcher called on the international community to step up support and do more to protect civilians under fire. In recent weeks, continued Russian strikes on cities have seen civilian casualties rise – including children – and damaged critical infrastructure including healthcare...

Gaza: UN relief chief demands ‘answers and justice’ following killings of first responders

Uncategorized

·March 31, 2025·2 min read

The clearly identified humanitarian workers from the Palestine Red Crescent Society, Palestinian Civil Defence and the UN had been despatched to collect injured people on 23 March in the Rafah area of southern Gaza, when they came under fire from Israeli forces who were advancing in the area, said the...

Post-war order facing ‘greatest test since its creation’: UN relief chief

Uncategorized

·February 21, 2025·2 min read

Tom Fletcher was addressing the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) which was set up by the UN General Assembly in the early 1990s as a coordination forum for humanitarian aid worldwide. “The humanitarian community confronts a massive funding, morale, and legitimacy crisis,” he said, framing his remarks as personal reflections based...

‘We must be there for them now,’ says UN relief chief, highlighting plight of Gaza’s children

Uncategorized

·January 27, 2025·3 min read

“Today marks one of the rare times we are able to highlight positive developments, albeit amid catastrophic humanitarian needs in Gaza,” Mr. Fletcher began. He noted that the recent ceasefire has provided a much-needed reprieve from relentless hostilities, allowing for a surge in life-saving humanitarian aid. Mr. Fletcher expressed gratitude...

Middle East crisis: Updates for 23 January, UN relief chief says ‘we can save more lives’ if Gaza ceasefire holds

Uncategorized

·January 24, 2025·1 min read

Following the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners on Sunday, the UN Security Council is meeting in New York to hear from the Secretary-General and foreign ministers from the Middle East and beyond. UN chief António Guterres told the meeting there must be “irreversible action” to realise the two-State...

New UN relief chief takes office

Uncategorized

·November 18, 2024·1 min read

Mr. Fletcher, a former UK Ambassador and policy adviser to three British Prime Ministers, was appointed UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator by Secretary-General António Guterres last month. In his new role, he will also head the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). He succeeds...