October 17, 2019 No comments
Ongoing insecurity in Darfur, despite ‘remarkable developments’ in Sudan: UN peacekeeping chief
INTERNATIONAL, 17 October 2019, Peace and Security - Despite major political developments at a national level, which have led to the establishment of a civilian-led government, the security situation in the Darfur region of Sudan remains unstable, UN peace chief Jean-Pierre Lacroix briefed the Security Council on Thursday. from a visit to the country, the Under-Secretary-General said that the effects of talks between armed groups and the Sudanese government have yet to be witnessed on the ground, and that with the shift of attention by the authorities towards security challenges in the capital, Khartoum, incidents of criminality in Darfur have increased. Camps for internally displaced persons (IDPs) have been particularly affected, and there has been an increase in the number of farms destroyed, and...
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October 17, 2019 No comments
Concerned over Haiti’s political crisis, Guterres promises ‘continuous commitment’
INTERNATIONAL, 17 October 2019, Peace and Security - In the light of on-going instability across Haiti and this week’s transition away from fully-fledged peacekeeping operations, the UN chief on Thursday promised “the continuous commitment” of the Organization “to support the Haitian people on their path to peace and development”. This would be in the form of “a new partnership” said Secretary-General António Guterres, recognizing the substantial contribution made to the Caribbean island nation, through 15 years of UN Stabilization Mission, MINUSTAH, and the UN Mission for Justice Support in Haiti (MINUJUSTH). In a statement, Mr. Guterres said that the new UN Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH), which started operations on Wednesday, and the UN country team that has operated continuously in Haiti, “will integrate their activities...
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October 17, 2019 No comments
Yemen conflict: 'Fragile’ hopes rise, as violence decreases and life-saving humanitarian funding surges
INTERNATIONAL, 17 October 2019, Peace and Security - There are “small signs” of hope for Yemeni civilians caught up in fighting, following a reduction in violence, coupled with a 20 per cent increase in funding for the UN’s humanitarian response, the Security Council heard on Thursday. The UN Special Envoy for Yemen, Martin Griffiths, together with relief chief Mark Lowcock, told members there was “cause for optimism” but still a long way to go, to decisively end more than four years of fighting between the Saudi-led coalition supporting the southern-based, internationally-recognized Government, and Houthi rebels who control the capital, Sana’a, and other key areas. Mr. Griffiths said the signs are “fragile, and in need of our diligent care and attention”. He highlighted the initiative from the Houthis,...
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October 17, 2019 No comments
Record-high number of civilian casualties in Afghanistan: UN Report
INTERNATIONAL, 17 October 2019, Peace and Security - Afghanistan has seen record-high levels of civilian casualties in the third quarter of 2019, stemming mainly from the violence between rival political party supporters, the UN Assistance Mission in the country (UNAMA) revealed in a report published Thursday, which concluded that more must be done to protect the country’s people. In just the first nine months of 2019 overall, UNAMA counted more than 8,200 civilian casualties - 2,563 killed and 5,676 injured - similar to figures in the corresponding nine-month periods from 2014 onwards. But the last three months, has seen an “unprecedented number of civilian casualties”, UNAMA said. UNAMA News@UNAMAnews United Nations figures released today show record-high levels of civilian casualties in #Afghanistan and indicate an urgent need for all...
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October 17, 2019 No comments
Tuberculosis infections declining, but not fast enough among poor, marginalised: UN health agency
INTERNATIONAL, 17 October 2019, Health - A staggering 1.5 million people died from tuberculosis (TB) last year, the UN health agency said on Thursday, in an appeal for far greater funding and political support to eradicate the curable and preventable disease. Caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis, TB commonly causes persistent coughing, fatigue and weight loss. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) and its latest Global TB Report, around 10 million people developed TB in 2018 and three million sufferers “are not getting the care they need”. Countries where people suffer most are China, India, Indonesia, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines, and South Africa. Highlighting some good news, WHO also pointed out that Brazil, China, the Russian Federation and Zimbabwe - all of which have...
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