World Refugee Day: telling their stories
While hotspots include Sudan, Syria, Afghanistan, Ukraine and Palestine, displacement affects every region of the world. In the lead-up to World Refugee Day, Friday, the UN is spotlighting the importance…
‘We are at a point of no return’: Grave violations against children surge for third year
This number represents a 25 per cent increase from 2023, marking the third consecutive year that violations have increased. 22,495 violations were committed against children themselves while the remaining targeted…
Civilian deaths in conflict are surging, warns UN human rights office
At least 48,384 individuals – mostly civilians – were killed in 2024, based on casualties recorded by OHCHR. “Behind every statistic is a story. Behind every data point, a person,”…
Iran-Israel crisis: UN rights office appeals for urgent de-escalation
Israel began targeting nuclear and military sites across Iran last Friday, prompting a barrage of retaliatory strikes on Israeli cities. “The UN human rights office urges de-escalation and urgent diplomatic…
UN relief chief calls for solidarity, with humanitarians ‘literally under attack’
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,…
More Gazans killed trying to get food, healthcare near to ‘full disaster’
“We are walking the fine grey line between operational capacity and full disaster, every day,” said Dr Thanos Gargavanis, WHO trauma surgeon and emergency officer, speaking from the enclave. The…
‘Syria simply cannot withstand another wave of instability,’ Security Council hears
“Syria simply cannot withstand another wave of instability,” UN Deputy Special Envoy Najat Rochdi said on Tuesday in a briefing to the Security Council in New York. “The risks of…
UNHCR forced to make deep cuts, despite rising needs worldwide
This will entail cutting just under half of all senior positions at the agency’s Geneva headquarters and regional bureaux. Around 3,500 permanent staff posts have been discontinued, hundreds of temporary…
Brutal cuts mean brutal choices warns UN relief chief, launching ‘survival appeal’
“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…
‘Behind each crisis, people are suffering,’ Türk tells Human Rights Council
“We are on an indefensible path of escalating conflict and open disregard for international human rights and humanitarian law,” said Volker Türk, addressing the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.…