Kazakhstan’s stray animal reforms reignite debate over public safety and humane policies
Stray dogs without owners must be held for at least five days, while dogs with potential owners can be held up to 60 days before euthanasia is allowed.
🌐 국제기구 · "CIE" · 총 131건
필터 보기현재 지수
52.2
0 = 부정 우세
50 = 중립
100 = 긍정 우세
최근 7일 기준 5,434건을 분석한 결과, 뉴스 심리지수는 52.2(약한 긍정)입니다. 긍정 1,432건(26.4%)·중립 3,453건(63.5%)·부정 549건(10.1%)이며, 중립 비중이 뚜렷하게 높습니다. 성향 지수는 종합 0.0(중도 균형)입니다.
Stray dogs without owners must be held for at least five days, while dogs with potential owners can be held up to 60 days before euthanasia is allowed.
Country: Sudan Sources: Emergency Telecommunications Cluster, World Food Programme Please refer to the attached file. The WFP-led Logistics and Telecommunications Cluster (LTC) was activated as the Emergency Telecommunications Cluster (ETC) on 25 May 2023 in response to the conflict crisis in Sudan. This Situation Report provides a monthly update on LTC telecoms activities. All references to the LTC in this report relate to the telecommunications area of the cluster. Summary Points • In May, LTC Telecoms sustained critical connectivity across seven hubs despite funding and access constraints, while expansion plans in Khartoum slowed due to renewed insecurity. UN agencies are preparing phased returns from Port Sudan to the capital. • LTC Telecoms is transitioning to an on-demand service model, managed by WFP, using cost-recovery and costsharing to sustain operations. Piloted in Al Gedaref, the model supports shared connectivity services and is expanding to more stable areas in eastern Sudan. • LTC Telecoms is finalizing a project to support community connectivity in Khartoum, in coordination with the Protection Working Group and partner Go Green, to strengthen digital services at community centres.
Country: Democratic Republic of the Congo Source: World Health Organization Bunia, République démocratique du Congo — Quatre infirmiers, qui étaient traités pour la maladie à virus Ebola causée par le virus Bundibugyo, ont été autorisés à quitter un hôpital de Bunia, capitale de la province de l’Ituri, après avoir guéri de la maladie. D’autres guérisons sont attendues, en particulier lorsque les personnes sont diagnostiquées précocement et peuvent accéder aux soins, ainsi qu’à mesure que la riposte à l’épidémie s’intensifie. Les agents de santé avaient auparavant pris en charge des patients atteints d’Ebola dans leur établissement au début du mois de mai. Au total, cinq personnes se sont désormais remises du virus. Un agent de laboratoire s’était également rétabli plus tôt, le 28 mai. « C’est une victoire qui mérite d’être célébrée. C’est un message fort montrant qu’il est possible de guérir d’Ebola lorsque l’on consulte tôt dans une structure de santé dédiée », a déclaré le Dr Dieudonné Mwamba Kazadi, Directeur général de l’Institut national de santé publique du pays. Pour contribuer à renforcer la prise en charge clinique, l’Organisation mondiale de la Santé (OMS) a remis aux autorités sanitaires un Centre de traitement Ebola réhabilité à Bunia. L’établissement dispose d’une capacité initiale de 24 lits, pouvant être portée à 60 lits. L’OMS met également en place une annexe à ce centre, avec jusqu’à 42 lits, qui devrait être opérationnelle dans les semaines à venir. Au 31 mai, 210 cas confirmés avaient été signalés dans le pays, dont 17 décès confirmés. Au total, 349 cas suspects sont en cours d’investigation. Seize agents de santé ont été signalés comme infectés par Ebola au cours de cette flambée. Le Directeur général de l’OMS, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, lors d’une visite à Bunia le 30 mai, a souligné que, bien qu’il n’existe actuellement aucun vaccin ou traitement homologué contre le virus Bundibugyo, « il n’y a pas lieu de perdre espoir. La maladie à virus Ebola causée par le virus Bundibugyo peut être surmontée grâce à de bons soins médicaux, et certaines personnes ici en Ituri se sont déjà rétablies. Consulter tôt fait réellement la différence. » Plus tôt dans la semaine, des groupes consultatifs de l’OMS ont annoncé que plusieurs traitements et vaccins candidats sont suffisamment prometteurs pour justifier leur priorisation en vue d’une évaluation dans des essais cliniques. L’OMS travaille actuellement en étroite collaboration avec la République démocratique du Congo et l’Ouganda pour faciliter la mise en œuvre de l’évaluation de ces produits dans le cadre de la recherche. Depuis la déclaration de l’épidémie d’Ebola le 15 mai, la République démocratique du Congo, avec l’appui de l’OMS et de ses partenaires, a mis en œuvre des mesures essentielles de riposte, allant du dépistage en laboratoire, à la surveillance de la maladie, en passant par la prévention et le contrôle des infections, l’engagement communautaire et la mobilisation des ressources. L’OMS s’engage à veiller à ce que les autres services de santé essentiels ainsi que l’assistance humanitaire continuent d’être fournis aux populations de l’Ituri et au-delà, et à ce que les actions mises en œuvre dans le cadre de cette riposte bénéficient aux communautés bien après la fin de l’épidémie. Pour plus d'informations ou pour demander des interviews, veuillez contacter : Eugene Kabambi Communications Officer WHO DRC Tel : +243 81 715 1697 Office : +47 241 39 027 Email: kabambie@who.int Collins Boakye-Agyemang Communications and marketing officer Tel: + 242 06 520 65 65 (WhatsApp) Email: boakyeagyemangc@who.int
Country: India Source: International Water Management Institute Please refer to the attached file. 1. Context India is the largest democracy in the world and supports 16% and 17% of the world’s human and livestock population, respectively, with just 4.25% and 2% of the world’s freshwater and land resources, respectively. Although India has become one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, there is a growing concern that water scarcity will become a binding constraint on its development. A 3.5-fold increase in population during the last six decades has made India one of the most water-scarce countries globally. Water availability is down from 5300 m3 in 1951 to about 1400 m3/ capita/year at present, barely sufficient to sustain economic growth and support human well-being. Water availability is projected to decline to 1340 m3 by 2025 and further still to 1140 m3 by 2050. In 2013, the World Resources Institute declared India among the world’s 50 most water-stressed countries (Luck et al. 2015). The increased water needs for drinking, domestic use, energy, and industrial sectors due to economic development and urbanization are contributing to this decline. However, the main use of freshwater in India is for irrigation, accounting for approximately 80% of the total (Figures 1 and 2). It is expected to further increase to meet the demands of a growing population, as assessed by the National Commission on Integrated Water Resources Development. Tackling the issue of water security in India will entail tackling the following key challenges for the country.
Countries: Lebanon, Syrian Arab Republic Source: Famine Early Warning System Network Please refer to the attached file. Key Messages Crisis (IPC Phase 3) outcomes are expected across South and El-Nabatieh governorates through September 2026, driven by sustained insecurity, collapsed market functionality, and severely constrained humanitarian access. From June through September, a deterioration from Stressed! (IPC Phase 2!) to Crisis (IPC Phase 3) is likely in Akkar, Baalbek-El Hermel, Beirut, and parts of Mount Lebanon, Bekaa, and North, reflecting mounting displacement pressures and declining income-earning opportunities alongside a reduction in humanitarian food assistance after May. Hostilities between Israeli forces and Hezbollah persist in May, with continued airstrikes and ground operations driving large-scale displacement, reducing market access, disrupting agricultural production, and constraining humanitarian operations. Despite a 45-day ceasefire extension announced on May 15, fighting intensified in mid- to late May, with attacks remaining concentrated in southern Lebanon, particularly in Tyre, Nabatieh, Bint Jbeil, and Marjayyoun districts. Israeli air and drone strikes are also increasing in frequency in the Bekaa Valley. Attacks targeting critical infrastructure — including health facilities, water systems, and transportation routes — continue to disrupt supply chains and constrain service delivery, while humanitarian access remains constrained across insecurity-affected areas, further isolating southern populations. Displacements continue to increase, placing additional strain on collective shelters and intensifying social tensions in host communities. Returns to southern Lebanon remain limited due to persisting insecurity, widespread infrastructure destruction, restricted access, and disruptions to markets and essential services. Expanded evacuation orders beyond southern Lebanon are constraining movement and access to assistance across southern Lebanon, the Bekaa Valley, and Beirut’s southern suburbs, with 90 percent of forced displacement orders concentrated in South, triggering further population movements. As of May 21, nearly 130,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) are residing in 635 collective shelters, while the majority of the estimated 1.3 million IDPs remain outside formal sites in Beirut, Mount Lebanon, and North. Within these governorates, large influxes are exacerbating overcrowding, straining local resources, and heightening tensions between displaced populations and host communities. Food and fuel prices remain key constraints on household food access amid Lebanon’s heavy reliance on imports and ongoing insecurity-related disruptions. Below-average 2025 wheat production, intermittent trade disruptions, and localized access constraints, particularly in the south and the Bekaa-Baalbek-Hermel corridor, are placing upward pressure on prices, with bread prices rising 12 percent from mid-February to mid-April and remaining elevated despite national wheat availability that is supported by sustained imports, especially in areas affected by insecurity and transport disruptions. Sharp increases in fuel prices — rising by approximately 84 percent between mid-February and mid-May — due to domestic price adjustments and regional fuel market pressures following the escalation are raising transportation and production costs. These price increases are further eroding household purchasing power, particularly for poor and displaced households. Market functionality and income-earning opportunities remain uneven across Lebanon, reflecting a geographic divide between insecurity-affected areas and areas not directly impacted by hostilities. In South and El-Nabatieh, market functionality remains severely degraded, with limited trader activity, supply chain breakdowns, and restricted physical access constraining food availability. In contrast, markets continue to operate in most displacement-affected areas, though growing strain on local markets — driven by the IDP influx, price inflation, depleting stocks, and overwhelming trader capacity — and declining purchasing power are increasingly constraining food access. Income-earning opportunities remain well below average countrywide, with the collapse of the tourism industry — an 80 percent drop compared to the same period in 2025 — and below-average activity in construction, services, and transport limiting urban labor demand. The increased labor supply from displaced populations is increasing competition and placing downward pressure on wages. In South, El-Nabatieh, and Baalbek-Hermel, agricultural labor opportunities, associated with the start of the typical wheat and barley harvest, are below average and compounded by displacement, land access constraints, and infrastructure damage, which are reducing a key source of seasonal income. Humanitarian food assistance remains ongoing but insufficient to meet rapidly rising needs. A revised extension of the Lebanon Flash Appeal through August — expected to launch in early June — will continue to target up to 1 million people, contingent on the availability of funding, including poor Lebanese, displaced Syrians, and Palestinian refugees. However, implementation remains highly dependent on securing additional funding, with substantial funding gaps limiting partners’ ability to sustain assistance delivery at scale. Since the start of the escalation, partners have delivered more than 10.3 million hot and cold meals, 129,852 ready-to-eat rations, and 37,256 bread bundles across Lebanon, and have supported 618,000 insecurity-affected people with cash assistance as of May 21. Operational effectiveness also continues to vary by area. In insecurity-affected areas, particularly South and El-Nabatieh, ongoing hostilities, movement restrictions, infrastructure damage, and localized market disruptions limit households’ ability to fully utilize cash assistance, while access constraints and convoy limitations continue to restrict the timely delivery of in-kind assistance to the most affected and isolated populations.
Country: Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of) Source: Famine Early Warning System Network Please refer to the attached file. Key Messages Stressed (IPC Phase 2) outcomes are expected to persist countrywide through September, despite gradual macroeconomic improvements. Most poor households remain able to meet their minimum food needs, but face difficulties meeting their essential non-food needs due to extremely high food inflation in local currency and limited purchasing power. However, pockets of poor households – mainly in informal settlements around urban areas – with limited to no sources of income in USD and/or limited to no access to social safety net programs are likely to experience Crisis (IPC Phase 3) outcomes. These households’ incomes in VED are insufficient to cover the rising cost of food, resulting in food consumption gaps or the use of negative coping strategies, without reaching the necessary threshold to change the area-level classification in any state. Macroeconomic conditions are stabilizing, but progress remains slow and incremental. Between March and April, the official exchange rate depreciated by 13.6 percent to 480.76 VED/USD while the parallel market exchange rate appreciated by 2 percent to 645.72 VED/USD. The gap between the official and parallel rates narrowed to 30 percent, declining 10 percentage points from March, supported by improved foreign currency availability throughout the Venezuelan economy. The monthly inflation rate slowed for the third consecutive month (to 10.6 percent), while the annual inflation rate was 611.9 percent (decreasing 37 percentage points from March). In April, the cost of the minimum survival ration (consisting of maize flour, rice, pasta, and oil) continued to increase in local currency at a pace similar to February and March, and increased by 11.5 percent in USD, reversing the downward trend reported last month. These increases reflect exchange rate pressures, high operational costs, increased consumer demand linked to increased social safety net benefits, speculation, and a perception of improving economic conditions, linked to stronger foreign currency inflows. Oil sector performance remained strong in April. Crude oil production exceeded 1 million barrels per day (bpd) in April, according to OPEC, marking the highest output since January 2019. Crude oil export volumes also remained above 1 million bpd, reaching levels not observed since 2018. International benchmark prices have continued to vary, but averaged 110 USD/barrel (Brent) and 104 USD/barrel (WTI) through May 18, supporting increased foreign currency inflows and government revenues, which continue to finance social safety net benefits. Increased foreign currency inflows are reducing the gap between the official and parallel market exchange rates as the Central Bank of Venezuela (BCV) interventions continue to add hard currency into circulation via sales to private banks. In April, weekly intervention amounts ranged between 180 and 450 million USD, sold at an exchange rate of 570.75 VED/USD. According to the BCV, total interventions in May are expected to reach 1.35 billion USD at an exchange rate of 611.00 VED/USD. For eligible households, recent increases in social safety net benefits are improving financial access to food. Although the minimum salary remains unchanged, the Ingreso Contra la Guerra Económica (ICGE) increased an additional 33.3 percent from 150 USD in April to 200 USD in May. Given the persistent gap between the official and parallel market exchange rates, the indexed value of 200 USD is equivalent to slightly less than 150 USD on the parallel market. This amount remains sufficient to cover the minimum survival ration estimated in April to cost 95.90 USD for a household of four and to also cover a portion of essential non-food expenditures. No Comités Locales de Abastecimiento y Producción (CLAP) in-kind food assistance distributions were reported in May.
Country: Ghana Source: World Bank Washington, 28th May 2026 - The World Bank today approved $500 million in financing for the Ghana Market Access and Connectivity Project (GMACP), a major initiative to improve rural road connectivity, strengthen agricultural value chains, expand economic opportunities, and create short-term direct jobs for rural communities across Ghana. Poor road conditions and inadequate maintenance have long constrained rural livelihoods in Ghana — limiting market access, driving up transport costs, and contributing to significant post-harvest losses. The project directly addresses these challenges by rehabilitating and maintaining critical feeder roads in selected regions, improving all-season connectivity between rural production areas and urban markets, and enabling farmers to reach buyers more efficiently, transition into higher-value agricultural activities, and unlock local job and income opportunities along agricultural value chains. "This project will improve access to markets and opportunities for rural communities while strengthening Ghana's agricultural competitiveness and resilience," said Robert Taliercio, World Bank Division Director for Ghana, Liberia, and Sierra Leone*. “It will directly benefit more than 550,000 people — including approximately 350,000 farmers, 250,000 women, and 310,000 youth. It is also expected to generate some 25,000 short-term direct jobs through civil works and road maintenance activities.”* To be implemented over five years by the Ministry of Roads and Highways, the GMACP project will support the rehabilitation and maintenance of more than 1,000 kilometers of rural roads across four clusters spanning the Upper West, Northern, Savannah, Oti, Volta, Eastern, Ashanti, Bono, and Western regions. These areas are major producers of priority crops — including maize, rice, yam, and cassava — that are central to Ghana's food security but remain constrained by poor market connectivity. Improved all-season access aims to reduce transport costs, shorten travel times, increase supply reliability, and open larger markets to smallholder farmers, ultimately reducing post-harvest losses, strengthening agricultural value chains, and contributing to lower food prices and improved food security. The GMACP incorporates climate-resilient design to ensure roads and drainage systems can withstand climate risks over the long term. Sustainability is a central pillar of the project: it will operationalize the Road Maintenance Trust Fund (RMTF) and introduce Performance-Based Contracts for road maintenance, while providing technical assistance to strengthen institutional capacity and ensure that rehabilitated roads remain functional well beyond project completion. PRESS RELEASE NO: 2026/073/AFW Contacts In Accra: Kennedy Fosu, (233) 302-221 4142 kfosu@worldbank.org
Country: Sierra Leone Source: International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies Please refer to the attached file. Description of the Event Date when the trigger was met 13-05-2026 What happened, where and when? On 13 May 2026, the National Public Health Agency (NPHA), in collaboration with the Ministry of Health (MoH), officially declared a measles outbreak in Sierra Leone following confirmation of sustained transmission across multiple districts. On the same day, 41 confirmed cases were reported across eight districts: Western Area Urban (Freetown), Western Area Rural, Port Loko, Bombali, Tonkolili, Bo, Kenema, and Kono. Between 14 and 19 May 2026, an additional 8 confirmed cases were identified, bringing the total to 49 confirmed cases. The outbreak is characterized by a laboratory positivity rate of 75 per cent, indicating active community transmission and likely underdetection of cases through routine surveillance systems. The spread across both urban and rural districts, including densely populated communities in Freetown, significantly increases the risk of rapid nationwide propagation. The outbreak is occurring within a context of persistent immunity gaps linked to suboptimal routine immunization coverage, particularly in underserved and hard-to-reach communities. Children under five years of age remain the most vulnerable due to low vaccination uptake, malnutrition, and limited access to healthcare services. High population mobility, overcrowded settlements, schools, and marketplaces continue to facilitate rapid transmission. Health systems in affected districts are under increasing pressure due to rising demands for surveillance, case investigation, laboratory testing, community engagement, and case management. Existing response efforts are further constrained by weak community-level surveillance, limited outreach capacity for rapid vaccination scale-up, inadequate risk communication coverage, and shortages of operational resources in high-risk districts. In response, the MoH and NPHA activated the Incident Command Centre (ICC) and initiated coordination with humanitarian and development partners to scale up containment measures, including reactive vaccination, surveillance strengthening, community engagement, and case management support. NPHA has specifically requested urgent partner support to reinforce outbreak response efforts, warning that the outbreak risks escalating further, particularly in densely populated districts, if immediate action is not taken. Despite ongoing response measures, transmission continues to expand, highlighting the urgent need for coordinated humanitarian support to contain the outbreak, strengthen vaccination uptake, and reduce preventable morbidity and mortality among vulnerable populations.
Country: Chad Source: International Organization for Migration Please refer to the attached Infographic. The International Organization for Migration’s Emergency Tracking Tool aims to collect information on sudden and significant population movements, mainly triggered by security and climate-related emergencies. This information is collected through key informant interviews and direct observations. This dashboard provides an overview of confirmed movements in the Lac Province between 2 and 13 March 2026. In March 2026, the Lake Province experienced security incidents, leading to population movements. Three confirmed displacement alerts identified a total of 3,920 internally displaced persons across 867 households.
Countries: Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of) Source: UN High Commissioner for Refugees Please refer to the attached file. Contexto operacional Durante abril de 2026, el entorno operativo de Ecuador estuvo marcado por presiones de seguridad, ambientales y socioeconómicas que afectan tanto a comunidades de acogida como a personas desplazadas. Si bien los datos oficiales muestran una reducción en las tasas de homicidio, el análisis a nivel de terreno indica que esto refleja una contención parcial de la violencia más que una mejora estructural, con dinámicas criminales que se desplazan cada vez más entre territorios. Estas tendencias sugieren que el monitoreo de las zonas costeras y fronterizas será cada vez más importante en los próximos meses. Según datos oficiales, se registraron 2,778 muertes violentas entre enero y abril, en comparación con 3,150 en el mismo período del año pasado, lo que representa una disminución del 11.8%. A pesar de esto, la tasa de homicidios se mantiene elevada a nivel nacional. Las respuestas de seguridad continuaron bajo estados de excepción prolongados. Las operaciones militares y policiales se intensificaron en varias provincias, incluyendo Esmeraldas, Manabí, Guayas y Sucumbíos, contribuyendo a un mayor temor entre las comunidades. En zonas fronterizas como Carchi, las operaciones de control migratorio priorizaron la verificación del estatus migratorio y de antecedentes penales, mientras que ACNUR y sus socios continuaron brindando asistencia legal a personas con necesidades de protección internacional. En Esmeraldas y San Lorenzo, los incidentes de seguridad afectaron directamente a comunidades y operaciones humanitarias, lo que llevó a la suspensión temporal o adaptación de actividades, así como a la adopción de modalidades de trabajo remoto. En todo el país, ACNUR continúa acompañando a las comunidades para identificar riesgos y promover respuestas localizadas que atiendan sus necesidades. Las dinámicas de movilidad en las fronteras siguen siendo complejas. En Rumichaca, continuó la llegada de familias desplazadas, mientras ACNUR y sus socios mantienen su compromiso de facilitar el acceso a asistencia y servicios de protección. Los impactos ambientales agravaron aún más las vulnerabilidades existentes. Fuertes lluvias e inundaciones afectaron la región amazónica, particularmente en Orellana y Sucumbíos, provocando evacuaciones, interrupción de servicios básicos y daños a la infraestructura, mientras la capacidad de respuesta permaneció limitada. De manera paralela, las regiones costeras experimentaron temperaturas extremas, y la disminución de los niveles de agua en embalses hidroeléctricos clave generó preocupación sobre el suministro energético, situación que en años anteriores ocasionó cortes de energía de más de 14 horas diarias. Estas presiones internas se ven agravadas por desarrollos regionales. La escalada de violencia en el sur de Colombia continuó influyendo en los movimientos transfronterizos hacia Ecuador. Al mismo tiempo, los cambios en las políticas migratorias regionales y en las intenciones de retorno están reconfigurando las dinámicas de movilidad. Un informe reciente de ACNUR reveló que, entre personas venezolanas encuestadas en Ecuador, alrededor del 11% manifestó intención de regresar a su país de origen en los próximos 12 meses, mientras que más de dos tercios no considerarían retornar en los próximos cinco años, lo que refuerza la necesidad de seguir invirtiendo en soluciones duraderas e integración en Ecuador. En general, el contexto sigue siendo altamente volátil, con medidas de emergencia, violencia localizada y shocks climáticos que afectan el acceso a protección, servicios y medios de vida. Esto resalta la necesidad de monitoreo sostenido, una coordinación más sólida y la continuidad de la acción humanitaria. ACNUR continúa brindando protección, fortaleciendo sistemas nacionales y ampliando el acceso a servicios para apoyar la integración de poblaciones desplazadas y comunidades vulnerables.
Countries: Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of) Source: UN High Commissioner for Refugees Please refer to the attached file. Operational context Throughout April 2026, Ecuador’s operational environment remained marked by overlapping security, environmental, and socio-economic pressures affecting both host communities and displaced people. While official data indicates a reduction in homicide rates, field-level analysis suggests this reflects a partial containment of violence rather than structural improvement, with criminal dynamics increasingly shifting across territories. These trends suggest monitoring coastal and border regions will be increasingly important in the coming months. According to official data, 2,778 violent deaths were recorded between January–April, compared to 3,150 in the same period last year, an 11.8% decrease. Despite this reduction, the homicide rate remains high nationwide. Security responses continued under prolonged states of exception. Military and police operations intensified in several provinces, including Esmeraldas, Manabí, Guayas, and Sucumbíos, contributing to heightened fear among communities. In border areas such as Carchi, migration control operations prioritized verification of migration status and criminal records, where UNHCR and partners continued to deliver legal assistance to individuals with international protection needs. In Esmeraldas and San Lorenzo, security incidents directly affected communities and humanitarian operations, leading to temporary suspension or adaptation of activities and shifts to remote work modalities. Across Ecuador, UNHCR continues to accompany communities to identify risks and engage in localized responses to their needs. Mobility dynamics at borders remain complex. At Rumichaca, the arrival of displaced families continued, where UNHCR and partners remain committed to facilitating access to assistance and protection services. Environmental shocks further compounded vulnerabilities. Heavy rains and flooding affected the Amazon region, particularly in Orellana and Sucumbíos, leading to evacuations, disruption of basic services, and damage to infrastructure, while response capacity remained constrained. In parallel, coastal regions experienced extreme temperatures, and declining water levels in key hydroelectric reservoirs raised concerns over energy supply, which in the past years caused power cuts of over 14 hours daily. These internal pressures are compounded by regional developments. Escalating violence in southern Colombia continued to influence cross-border movements toward Ecuador. At the same time, shifts in regional migration policies and return intentions are reshaping mobility dynamics. A recent report issued by UNHCR revealed that among Venezuelan survey respondents in Ecuador, around 11% had intentions to return to their country of origin within the next 12 months, and over two thirds would not consider returns in the next five years. This reinforces the need to continue investing in durable solutions and integration in Ecuador.Overall, the context remains highly volatile, with continued reliance on emergency measures, localized violence, and climate-related shocks affecting access to protection, services, and livelihoods. This underlines the need for sustained protection monitoring, strengthened coordination with state and local actors, and continued humanitarian engagement to mitigate risks and support affected populations. In this line, UNHCR continues delivering protection, strengthening national protection systems, while expanding access to services to mitigate risks, uphold rights, and support sustainable integration of displaced populations and vulnerable host communities.
Country: Colombia Sources: El Equipo Humanitario País Colombia, UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs Please refer to the attached file. Mensajes Claves En 2025 el agravamiento de la situación humanitaria en el departamento del Valle del Cauca se evidenció por el aumento del número de personas desplazadas tanto en movimientos masivos como individuales. Así mismo, se identificó un crecimiento en el número de personas confinadas en varias zonas del departamento, en especial en Buenaventura, cuarto municipio a nivel nacional con mayor población víctima por confinamiento en el año (13.000 personas afectadas), y municipios del norte y sur del departamento. La afectación se concentró en comunidades étnicas tanto afrodescendientes como indígenas de manera desproporcionada. Sumado a ello, cinco territorios fueron impactados por la segunda temporada de lluvias, generando doble afectación en alrededor de 6.000 personas. 2025 fue un año crítico por el uso extendido de armas no convencionales, los ataques con explosivos en Cali y el uso de drones para el transporte de explosivos improvisados en zonas rurales de Jamundí y Buenaventura, agravó la percepción de inseguridad y dificultó el acceso humanitario de socios para la atención, por la suspensión de misiones humanitarias, limitando también el monitoreo de protección y las labores de desminado o verificación. El Valle del Cauca es el cuarto departamento del país con mayor concentración de población refugiada y migrante venezolana, con 201.550 habitantes. Las ciudades de Cali, Palmira, Yumbo y Jamundí concentran el 81% de esa población, aunque está presente en los 42 municipios del departamento, enfrentando riesgos de protección relacionados con la discriminación y estigmatización, denegación del acceso a recursos y oportunidades, trata de personas, empleo informal principalmente en relación con las limitaciones a la regularización del status, y el desconocimiento de los derechos.
Countries: Ukraine, Belarus, Bulgaria, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Poland, Romania, Türkiye Source: UN Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Drone strike in Romania underscores growing risk of spillover of the war in Ukraine, Security Council hears Madam President, Excellencies, Only last week, the Secretary-General alerted this Council to the serious risk of further escalation of the war in Ukraine, including to the broader region. Last Friday, a dangerous incident crystallized our oft-stated warnings about potential spillover of the war. On the night of 28 to 29 May, an armed drone exploded on the top floor of a ten-story residential building in the eastern Romanian city of Galaţi, injuring two residents, a woman and a child. This was not the first reported breach of Romanian airspace by an armed drone since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. However, it was the first time such an incident resulted in casualties. The United Nations does not have any additional information on the strike in Galaţi. But Friday’s incident came on the heels of a worrying trend of drone incursions into the airspaces and territorial waters of countries bordering either Ukraine or the Russian Federation. Over the past 12 months, such incidents have been reported by the authorities in Moldova, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Finland, Poland, Kazakhstan, and Belarus, as well as in countries in the wider region - Bulgaria, Greece and Türkiye. Madam President, The United Nations strongly condemns all attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure. Such attacks, wherever they occur, violate international humanitarian law and must cease immediately. Civilians must be protected at all times. Madam President, The Galaţi incident comes amidst a sharp escalation of large-scale missile and drone attacks by the armed forces of the Russian Federation on Ukrainian towns and cities, resulting in ever worsening toll of civilian casualties and destruction of civilian infrastructure. There has also been a marked increase in Ukrainian attacks on military, energy and industrial infrastructure in the Russian Federation, which have reportedly resulted in a growing number of civilian casualties and damage to civilian infrastructure. As the Secretary-General stressed last week, the dangerous trajectory of escalation and intensification that we are witnessing today, risks getting out of control. The current course must change. Madam President, The risk of miscalculation is particularly dangerous for the safety of nuclear facilities. Such risk has only increased in recent days. On 30 May, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) was informed by the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant that a drone struck a turbine building at the site, reportedly causing a hole in its wall. This was the first such attack within the Plant’s perimeter since April 2024. Yesterday, the IAEA team at the site observed damage to the exterior of a turbine building, noting that it appeared consistent with the impact of a drone. We echo the deep concern expressed by the IAEA Director-General over this serious incident that endangered key nuclear safety principles. Attacks on nuclear sites are reckless and unacceptable. They must stop immediately to prevent any risk of a nuclear accident. Madam President, Amidst heightened tensions, it is incumbent on all concerned to act responsibly and to refrain from any action that could destabilize the situation further. As the Secretary-General emphasized last week, we urgently need immediate steps towards de-escalation, leading to a full and unconditional ceasefire. To that end, we urge dialogue and negotiations to resume at once. Diplomacy needs to be given a meaningful chance to create conditions for achieving peace in Ukraine. A peace that is just, lasting and comprehensive - in line with the Charter of the United Nations, international law, and relevant UN resolutions. A peace that contributes to a more stable regional and international environment. The United Nations will continue to fully support all meaningful efforts to that end. Thank you.
Countries: Afghanistan, Pakistan Source: UN Women Earthquake survivors in Afghanistan have been forced to flee again due to Pakistan-Afghanistan border conflict. It was during an air attack in eastern Afghanistan that 30-year-old Najeeba* felt her labour pains begin. Around her, families were already on the move, fleeing renewed hostilities along the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan. But her baby wasn’t going to wait. Just six months earlier, the ground had shaken beneath her feet when a massive earthquake devastated the region. Now, it was the skies that she feared. “There was no safe place”, she recalled, as the conflict reached the camp where she had been living with other families displaced by the earthquake. “Aircraft were flying overhead, and my children were extremely frightened; whenever they heard the sound, they would cry and scream.” With her husband, she packed up their tent and few remaining belongings. Najeeba gave birth in a Red Crescent clinic, then climbed into a rented mini truck with her newborn daughter, six other children aged two to 11, and her husband, and escaped to a new camp in the Maza Dara Valley, in Nurgal district. What is happening on the Pakistan-Afghanistan border and how does the conflict affect displaced women? More than 100,000 people have been displaced by the latest cross-border air strikes, shelling, drone attacks, and ground clashes in eastern Afghanistan, following the escalation of renewed hostilities along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. Women and girls – who are already living under increasing restrictions on their freedoms and movement under the Taliban – and those struggling to survive the aftermath of last year’s earthquake in eastern Afghanistan have been hit hardest by the increased insecurity. An estimated 50,000 people in the affected areas are at increased risk of gender-based violence. And women have further reduced access to health and essential services. For pregnant women, the risks are even higher, as many face hunger and limited healthcare. Women displaced by border fighting in eastern Afghanistan face growing health risks; pregnant women struggle to access care For Najeeba and her family, the journey was expensive, forcing them to sell already scarce resources – precious blankets, flour, and cooking oil – just to pay for the trip to the new camp in the Maza Dara Valley. About 40 minutes away, along a steep dirt road in the mountains, another new mother reflected on the impact of the ongoing hostilities along the border. Seventeen-year-old Fahima* had given birth to her son just before the latest escalation began in late February. When the fighting started, her three other children, aged five and under, were terrified by the sound of aircraft and missiles. She and her husband – who had also been living in a camp with families displaced by the earthquake – decided to leave, selling flour and borrowing money to pay for transport. Less than a year ago, they were farmers, growing sorghum, wheat, and kidney beans to feed their family or sell for income. Now, forced to move for the second time in six months, they are running out of food. “Our land was destroyed [in the earthquake] and there is no work here”, Fahima said. “We give more food to our children and eat less ourselves.” More than two-thirds of women in ten impacted provinces have lost income, according to the Afghanistan Gender Coordination Group. Three-quarters report finding it harder to find food and more than four-in-ten report greater difficulty accessing healthcare. Women are also more likely to experience psychological distress. What is UN Women doing to support women and girls in eastern Afghanistan? With funding from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, and through a local partner, UN Women has been supporting women-only safe spaces in camps for families displaced by the earthquake. Counsellors provide much-needed mental health support, while the spaces also offer a rare opportunity for women to connect with each other in privacy, despite the crowded camp conditions. Two of the four safe spaces have now been relocated due to the conflict. Each tent is run by a team of two, a manager and a counsellor, who provide support to women during the day, and cook and sleep in the same space at night. Many have toddlers with them, and return home to their older children, one day a week. Supporting Afghan women affected by trauma and displacement “We stay together and eat together – we are like a mother and daughter”, said Zaland,* 25, a counsellor who moved to a new location with her colleague after the hostilities escalated. Inside their newly re-erected safe space, bright balloons hang from the roof and multicoloured cardboard signs carry messages of mental health support along the walls. “Some of the women have suffered a great deal”, added Zaland. “Some have lost family members, some have lost their homes, some have lost livestock, and some have hungry children.” After counselling, she says, some women leave to collect wild plants to eat. Her colleague, Mastoora,* 36, explains the impact of their work. “The happiness I feel comes from knowing that, even if I cannot do much for a woman, I can at least say something that helps her”, she said. “When I go home, I explain [to my daughters] that I am working for women – they are happy when they see their mother going somewhere to serve other women.” For 17-year-old Fahima, the service helps her cope better, despite the daily struggle she faces to feed her four children. “When we come [for counselling], we feel relieved and our mood improves”, she says. “We would not come if they were male counsellors; the female counsellors are like our sisters, and we can speak openly with them.” Sustained humanitarian support is critical for women and girls in Afghanistan As families continue to endure double displacement following the 2025 earthquake, and now the on-going hostilities, women and girls are affected distinctly and immensely. Sustained support is essential to ensure that women’s civil society organizations can maintain vital women-only safe spaces and other community-based services, providing protection, mental health support, and dignity for those most at risk. * Names have been changed to protect identities.
Countries: Ecuador, Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of) Sources: Grupo de Trabajo sobre Personas Refugiadas y Migrantes, R4V Please refer to the attached file. 1. INTRODUCCIÓN Desde 2020, la Plataforma de Coordinación Interagencial para Refugiados y Migrantes de Venezuela (R4V) en Ecuador, conocida como el Grupo de Trabajo para Refugiados y Migrantes (GTRM), anualmente ha efectuado una Evaluación Conjunta de Necesidades (JNA, por sus siglas en inglés) dirigida a los hogares venezolanos con vocación de permanencia y tránsito. Este ejercicio tiene como objetivo identificar y analizar las principales necesidades de la población, sirviendo como base para orientar una respuesta humanitaria coordinada y basada en evidencia. Según el Plan de Respuesta para Refugiados y Migrantes (RMRP) 2025-2026, se estima que para diciembre de 2025 la población en tránsito en Ecuador ascenderá a 325.200 personas, de las cuales aproximadamente 299.300 requerirán asistencia humanitaria (Plataforma Regional de Coordinación Interagencial para Refugiados y Migrantes de Venezuela, 2024). Esta proyección reafirma la importancia de contar con información actualizada y específica sobre las condiciones de esta población en movimientos mixtos. En este contexto, entre abril y mayo de 2025, se llevó a cabo una nueva ronda del JNA centrada en la población migrante y refugiada en tránsito de distintas nacionalidades. Los resultados revelan patrones de movilidad heterogéneos y complejos, entre los cuales se destacan: •Los flujos mixtos registrados variaron desde desplazamientos circulares hasta rutas extensas hacia el sur del continente, siendo la más recurrente la que conecta Venezuela con Perú (20,9 %). •El 87 % de los grupos familiares enfrentan inseguridad alimentaria moderada o severa, reflejada en la baja diversidad dietética de niñas y niños entre 6 meses y menores a 5 años, quienes a su vez tienen una escasa atención nutricional. El 40% de este grupo no recibió una intervención en salud nutricional en los últimos 3 meses. •El 59% de los refugiados y migrantes reportan que solicitan dinero (limosna) y donaciones en la calle para acceder a alimentos. •La educación de niñas, niños y adolescentes presentó interrupciones críticas, el 51,7 % estuvo matriculado para el período escolar 2024–2025 y el 61,1 % no accedió a ningún tipo de asistencia educativa desde su salida del país de residencia previa. •El 95,7 % de las personas en tránsito se encontraba en situación migratoria irregular en Ecuador. Esta tendencia fue más común en las personas de nacionalidad venezolana (98,3%). •El 49,5% de los grupos familiares enfrentaron situaciones de riesgo durante el viaje. En el 35,5% de los casos, algún integrante fue víctima de vulneraciones de derechos en el ámbito laboral, y en el 5,5% alguno de sus miembros fue retenido contra su voluntad por una persona ajena a la autoridad.
Countries: Lithuania, Ukraine Sources: International Organization for Migration, UN High Commissioner for Refugees Please refer to the attached file. Background Between 24 February 2022 and October 2025, over 5.7 million individuals are estimated to have fled Ukraine due to the ongoing war.¹ Of these, more than 101,000 have entered the Republic of Lithuania (hereafter referred to as Lithuania). At the time of writing of this report, more than 51,000 individuals held valid temporary residence permits pursuant to the temporary protection mechanism.² This remains the largest arrival of refugees recorded in Lithuania's history. The population that has settled in the country primarily consists of women (47%) and children (31%), along with elderly individuals (13%) and persons with disabilities (6%)—groups that often face heightened risks and require targeted support and services.³ Given the continued instability in Ukraine, it is anticipated that displacement will continue in 2026, with new arrivals seeking refuge in Lithuania and joining those already residing in the country. Lithuania has demonstrated a strong and sustained commitment to welcoming and assisting refugees fleeing Ukraine since 2022. The Ministry of Social Security and Labour leads the national coordination of the refugee response, while municipalities and civil society organizations play active roles in providing direct support and services. This collective effort— driven by government institutions, civil society, and local communities—reflects a comprehensive whole- of-society strategy aimed at ensuring protection and inclusion. Despite these coordinated efforts and the availability of tailored support for individuals with specific needs, many refugees continue to face barriers that limit their ability to fully sustain themselves and support their families. The 2025-2026 Regional Refugee Response Plan (RRP) builds on previous iterations by providing targeted, practical support to host countries. It further aims to ensure groups such as older people, children, people with disabilities and survivors of gender-based violence are receiving specialized assistance to address their needs, and that they are not left behind as the response shifts towards sustainability. To support a coordinated and effective response, access to comprehensive data is crucial for the design, delivery, and assessment of assistance programmes. In this regard, UNHCR Lithuania, working in collaboration with IOM and Lithuanian Red Cross, as well as other key actors engaged in the refugee response within Lithuania, carried out the 2025 Lithuania Socio-Economic Insights Survey (SEIS). The SEIS is a collaborative, inter-agency initiative designed to identify the most urgent needs of refugees coming from Ukraine across key sectors, including protection, health, education, accommodation, and livelihoods. It aligns with the objectives of the Regional Refugee Response Plan (RRP) for the Ukrainian refugee situation5 and specifically supports Lithuania's inter-agency RRP, led by UNHCR. SEIS serves as a source of important and comprehensive data for service providers. The 2025 SEIS in Lithuania was coordinated by UNHCR and developed through a collaborative effort, including with focal points from government, humanitarian actors and civil society, to ensure the survey maintained a multi-sectoral and inter-agency approach. Drawing on their specific expertise, each actor contributed to the design phase of the 2025 SEIS. The process included consultations at a round table event bringing together the key stakeholders involved in the refugee response. This final report serves as a strategic tool to guide humanitarian interventions in Lithuania throughout 2026 and beyond, informing the work of partners and stakeholders. It supports a more targeted and prioritized response and reflects the Grand Bargain commitments6 to improved harmonization and coordination of assessment efforts.
Countries: World, Argentina, Barbados, Brazil, Chile, Cuba, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Panama, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Uruguay Source: International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies Panama City, 1 June 2026 — Although forecasts point to a below-average hurricane season in the Atlantic Ocean, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) today recalled that high cyclonic activity is expected in the eastern Pacific. The organization called for sustained investment in preparedness, anticipatory action and early warning systems across more than 25 countries1 in Central America, North America and the Caribbean that are exposed to tropical cyclones. For the 2026 season in the Atlantic basin, which runs from 1 June to 30 November, the United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) forecasts, with a 55 per cent probability, below-average cyclonic activity relative to the historical average of 14 named storms and seven hurricanes. This year, NOAA notes, there would be between eight and 14 named storms. Of these, three to six would become hurricanes, including one to three major hurricanes — that is, Category 3 or higher. By contrast, the agency forecasts, with a 70 per cent probability, a more active season in the eastern Pacific Ocean, where it predicts between 15 and 22 named storms, of which nine to 14 would become hurricanes and five to nine of those would reach major hurricane strength. "We will say it again and again: a single storm is enough to destroy communities, overwhelm public services, and displace and endanger hundreds of thousands of people," said Cristian Torres, Deputy Regional Director of the IFRC for the Americas. "Forecasts are critical so that we can act before disasters strike, but beyond knowing how many storms there will be, it is essential to reduce people's vulnerability, expand the coverage of early warning systems, and develop, fund and test inter-agency protocols that protect them from the multiple hazards they face," he added. As part of its commitment to preparedness, the IFRC has already prepositioned in Panama, Santo Domingo and other strategic locations across the region enough relief supplies to provide immediate assistance to up to 60,000 people affected by a large-scale emergency. The stock includes hygiene and kitchen kits, mosquito nets, tarpaulins, cleaning and construction tools, solar lamps, water treatment units and water purification supplies, among other items. Aware that mobilizing humanitarian aid in record time requires the participation, knowledge and collaboration of multiple actors, the IFRC also relies on simulation exercises as a critical tool to test crisis and disaster response mechanisms and protocols. The most recent, held this past May, aimed to measure and improve mobilization times, customs procedures and the inter-agency response capacity of El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras in the face of potential flooding caused by hurricanes. The exercise involved mobilizing Red Cross water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) specialist teams and equipment across these three countries. The initiative brought together civil protection, customs and foreign affairs authorities, along with the National Red Cross Societies. It was supported by European Union humanitarian funding and the German Red Cross, and was carried out within the framework of the Regional Mechanism for International Humanitarian Assistance, the instrument of the Central American Integration System (SICA) for organizing, facilitating and coordinating humanitarian assistance among its member countries. Another of the preparedness measures driven by the IFRC ahead of the hurricane season is the adoption of early action protocols. These protocols bring together measures agreed in advance among communities, authorities, and the Red Cross, which are triggered when certain risk thresholds are reached. Depending on the context, these actions may include cash transfers ahead of an emergency to protect homes and livelihoods, the relocation of essential goods, the reinforcement of critical infrastructure, or the evacuation of people in situations of greater vulnerability. When these systems work, communities receive timely alerts, authorities have more time to coordinate evacuations, and humanitarian teams can mobilize aid before the impact occurs. In Central America alone, the IFRC currently has five early action protocols for floods and tropical storms, financially supported by its Disaster Response Emergency Fund (IFRC-DREF). "Prepositioning relief items, simulation exercises and early action protocols make it possible to protect lives, reduce economic losses and speed up recovery after a disaster," Torres explained. "But rules can also save lives and build community resilience, which is why we call on all countries in the region to advance the international treaty for the protection of persons in disaster situations, currently under consultation at the United Nations." This treaty seeks to ensure that the protection of people exposed to or affected by disasters does not depend on chance, but on clear commitments and coordinated action. Its adoption, expected in 2027, would facilitate international cooperation and reduce the obstacles that can delay the arrival of aid. It would also improve the conditions for Red Cross Societies, as auxiliary to the public powers, to continue assisting the most vulnerable people: women, girls, older people, people on the move or with disabilities, and communities affected by violence and poverty. This season, shaped by the influence of the coming El Niño phenomenon, illustrates how risk can shift and take different forms across the continent. While Grenada, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Barbados, Jamaica, Cuba, Haiti and the Dominican Republic continue to recover from hurricanes Beryl, Oscar, Rafael and Melissa, other areas face different threats. The Central American Dry Corridor, parts of Chile and areas of the Andean region are bracing for possible droughts, while Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay anticipate heavy rains and flooding. In all of them, Red Cross teams are already working with communities to get ready. Against this backdrop, where climate, health and social risks accumulate and overlap with growing frequency, the IFRC calls for investing without delay in measures that enable States, communities and the Red Cross itself to better protect people in the face of multi-hazard scenarios. Because, as underscored at IFRC's recent XXXIII Pre-Hurricane and Recurrent Hazards Conference, when risks pile up, the difference between a hazard and a humanitarian crisis is usually decided before the impact — in the level of preparedness already in place, and in the capacity to act before the disaster occurs. For more information: [email protected] In Panama: Susana Arroyo +50769993199 In Geneva: Paolo Cravero +41 79 894 83 96
Countries: World, Argentina, Barbados, Brazil, Chile, Cuba, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Panama, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Uruguay Source: International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies Ciudad de Panamá, 1 de junio — Aunque los pronósticos apuntan a una temporada de huracanes por debajo del promedio en el océano Atlántico, la Federación Internacional de Sociedades de la Cruz Roja y de la Media Luna Roja (IFRC) recordó hoy que se prevé una alta actividad ciclónica en el Pacífico oriental. La organización llamó a mantener la inversión en preparación, acción anticipatoria y sistemas de alerta temprana en más de 25 países2 de América Central, América del Norte y el Caribe expuestos a ciclones tropicales. Para la temporada 2026 en la cuenca atlántica, que va del 1 de junio al 30 de noviembre, la Administración Nacional Oceánica y Atmosférica de Estados Unidos (NOAA) prevé, con 55 por ciento de probabilidad, una actividad ciclónica por debajo del promedio histórico de 14 tormentas con nombre y siete huracanes. Este año, apunta NOAA, habría entre ocho y 14 tormentas nombradas. De estas, entre tres y seis se convertirían en huracanes, incluyendo entre uno y tres huracanes mayores, es decir, de categoría tres o superior. En contraste, la agencia prevé, con un 70 por ciento de probabilidad, una temporada más activa en el océano Pacífico oriental, donde pronostica entre 15 y 22 tormentas con nombre, de las cuales entre nueve y 14 se convertirían en huracanes, y entre cinco y nueve de ellos en huracanes mayores. “Lo repetiremos una y otra vez: una tormenta basta para destruir comunidades, colapsar servicios públicos y desplazar y poner en peligro a cientos de miles de personas”, afirmó Cristian Torres, director regional adjunto de la IFRC para las Américas. “Los pronósticos son críticos para que actuemos antes de que los desastres sucedan, pero además de saber cuántas tormentas habrá, es indispensable reducir la vulnerabilidad de las personas, ampliar la cobertura de los sistemas de alerta temprana, y desarrollar, financiar y probar protocolos interinstitucionales que las protejan de las múltiples amenazas a las que están expuestas”, añadió. Como parte de su compromiso con la preparación, la IFRC ya tiene almacenada en Panamá, Santo Domingo y otros puntos estratégicos de la región suficiente ayuda humanitaria para asistir de forma inmediata a hasta 60.000 personas afectadas por una emergencia de gran magnitud. El stock incluye kits de higiene y de cocina, mosquiteros, lonas, herramientas de limpieza y construcción, lámparas solares, plantas potabilizadoras e insumos para la purificación de agua, entre otros. Consciente de que movilizar la ayuda humanitaria en tiempo récord requiere la participación, el conocimiento y la colaboración de múltiples actores, la IFRC apuesta también por los simulacros como una herramienta crítica para poner a prueba los mecanismos y protocolos de respuesta a crisis y desastres. El más reciente, celebrado en mayo pasado, tuvo como objetivo medir y mejorar los tiempos de movilización, los procesos aduaneros y la capacidad de respuesta interinstitucional de El Salvador, Guatemala y Honduras ante posibles inundaciones provocadas por huracanes. El ejercicio de simulación consistió en movilizar, a través de esos tres países, equipos especializados en agua, saneamiento e higiene (WASH) de la Cruz Roja. En esta iniciativa participaron los entes rectores de protección civil, las autoridades de aduanas y relaciones exteriores y las Sociedades Nacionales de la Cruz Roja. Apoyado por la Cruz Roja Alemana y fondos humanitarios de la Unión Europea, el simulacro se enmarcó en el Mecanismo Regional de Asistencia Humanitaria Internacional, el instrumento del Sistema de la Integración Centroamericana para organizar, facilitar y articular la asistencia humanitaria en sus países miembros. Otra de las acciones de preparación impulsadas por la IFRC ante la temporada de huracanes es la adopción de protocolos de acción anticipatoria. Estos protocolos agrupan medidas previamente acordadas entre las comunidades, las autoridades y la Cruz Roja, que se activan cuando se alcanzan determinados umbrales de riesgo. Dependiendo del contexto, estas acciones pueden incluir transferencias de efectivo antes de la emergencia para proteger viviendas y medios de vida, el traslado de bienes esenciales, el refuerzo de infraestructuras críticas o la evacuación de personas en situación de mayor vulnerabilidad. Cuando estos sistemas funcionan, las comunidades reciben alertas oportunas, las autoridades cuentan con más tiempo para coordinar evacuaciones y los equipos humanitarios pueden movilizar ayuda antes de que ocurra el impacto. Actualmente, la IFRC tiene, sólo en Centroamérica, cinco protocolos de acción temprana ante inundaciones y tormentas tropicales que cuentan con apoyo financiero de su Fondo de Emergencia para la Respuesta a Desastres (IFRC-DREF). “El preposicionamiento de ayuda humanitaria, los simulacros y los protocolos de acción anticipatoria permiten proteger vidas, reducir pérdidas económicas y acelerar la recuperación tras el desastre”, explicó Torres. “Pero las normas también pueden salvar vidas y construir resiliencia comunitaria, por eso hacemos un llamado a todos los países de la región a impulsar el tratado internacional para la protección de las personas en situaciones de desastre, que se encuentra en consulta en las Naciones Unidas”. Este tratado busca que la protección de las personas expuestas a desastres o afectadas por ellos no dependa del azar, sino de compromisos claros y acciones coordinadas. Su aprobación, prevista para 2027, facilitaría la cooperación internacional y reduciría los obstáculos que pueden retrasar la llegada de la ayuda. Además, mejoraría las condiciones para que las Sociedades de la Cruz Roja, como auxiliares de los Estados, sigan asistiendo a las personas en mayor vulnerabilidad: mujeres, niñas, personas mayores, personas en situación de movilidad o con discapacidad y comunidades afectadas por la violencia y la pobreza. Esta temporada, marcada por la influencia del fenómeno de El Niño, ilustra cómo el riesgo puede desplazarse y adoptar distintas formas a lo largo del continente. Mientras Granada, San Vicente y las Granadinas, Barbados, Jamaica, Cuba, Haití y República Dominicana continúan recuperándose de los huracanes Beryl, Óscar, Rafael y Melissa, otras regiones enfrentan amenazas diferentes. El corredor seco centroamericano, parte de Chile y zonas de la región andina se preparan para posibles sequías, mientras que Argentina, Brasil y Uruguay anticipan lluvias intensas e inundaciones. En estos países los equipos locales de la Cruz Roja ya están preparando a las comunidades. En este marco, donde los riesgos climáticos, sanitarios y sociales se acumulan y se superponen con creciente frecuencia, la IFRC hace un llamado a invertir sin dilación en medidas que permitan a los Estados, las comunidades y a la propia Cruz Roja proteger mejor a la población frente a escenarios multiamenaza. Porque, como se recalcó en la XXIII Conferencia Pre-Huracanes y de Amanezas Recurrentes de la IFRC, cuando los riesgos se acumulan, la diferencia entre una amenaza y una crisis humanitaria suele definirse antes del impacto. Está en el nivel de preparación existente y en la capacidad de actuar antes de que ocurra el desastre. Para más información: [email protected] En Panamá: Susana Arroyo +50769993199 En Ginebra: Paolo Cravero +41 79 894 83 96
Country: World Source: Pan American Health Organization Please refer to the attached file. Regional situation: In EW 19 of 2026, respiratory virus activity in the Region of the Americas deepens the pattern of inter-hemispheric seasonal transition observed in previous weeks, with an increasingly marked divergence between hemispheres. North America, the Caribbean, and Central America are consolidating the end of the 2025–2026 season, with influenza positivity at low levels close to the interseasonal baseline. In contrast, Brazil and the Southern Cone establish themselves as the subregion of greatest epidemiological relevance for this reporting period, intensifying an accelerated upward trend of the start of the austral winter season, led by Argentina. The Andean Subregion maintains a mixed pattern, with an aggregate decline in influenza but divergent trajectories between countries and with RSV cases that continue to rise. The inter-hemispheric predominance of subtypes persists: influenza B, which has characterized the end of the Northern Hemisphere season, and influenza A, mainly A(H3N2), in the subregions of the Southern Hemisphere. Likewise, RSV shows opposite patterns according to hemisphere: declining in North America and rising in the Andean Region and in Brazil and the Southern Cone, consistent with the start of the austral season. SARS-CoV-2 maintains its generalized decline in all subregions, with no sign of resurgence. The burden of SARI and ILI is declining in the Northern Hemisphere, while the indicators are beginning to reflect an increase in the Southern Cone. Situación regional: En la SE 19 de 2026, la actividad de virus respiratorios en la Región de las Américas profundiza el patrón de transición estacional inter-hemisférica observado en las semanas previas, con una divergencia cada vez más marcada entre hemisferios. América del Norte, el Caribe y Centroamérica consolidan el fin de la temporada 2025–2026, con positividades de influenza en niveles bajos próximos a la línea de base interestacional. En contraste, Brasil y el Cono Sur se afirman como la subregión de mayor relevancia epidemiológica para este periodo de reporte, intensificando una tendencia ascendente y acelerada de inicio de temporada invernal austral, liderada por Argentina. La Subregión Andina mantiene un patrón mixto, con descenso agregado de influenza, pero trayectorias divergentes entre países y con casos de VRS que continúan en ascenso. Persiste el predominio inter-hemisférico de subtipos: influenza B que ha caracterizado el cierre de temporada del hemisferio norte e influenza A, principalmente A(H3N2), en las subregiones del hemisferio sur. Igualmente, el VRS muestra patrones opuestos según hemisferio: en descenso en América del Norte y en ascenso en la Región Andina y en Brasil y el Cono Sur, consistente con el inicio de la temporada austral. El SARS-CoV-2 mantiene su descenso generalizado en todas las subregiones, sin señal de resurgimiento. La carga de IRAG y ETI desciende en el hemisferio norte, mientras los indicadores comienzan a reflejar un incremento en el Cono Sur.
Country: World Source: International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies Please refer to the attached file. Message from the IFRC Secretary General Small and medium-sized disasters may not dominate global headlines, but for communities affected they are just as devastating. The IFRC’s Disaster Response Emergency Fund (IFRC-DREF) ensures that these crises are met with speed, dignity and locally-led action. Money is made available fast, without the need to wait for a specific appeal. The DREF 2026 Plan is firmly anchored in the IFRC’s Renewal. In the context of significant global funding constraints, humanitarians must be more focused, disciplined and accountable than ever. The IFRC-DREF is central to this shift - enabling early, flexible financing while reinforcing strong stewardship and clear evidence of results. It is also innovative both in the way it is financed (our world-first indemnity insurance policy was triggered for the first time in 2024) and in how its funds are allocated; funding anticipatory action, before hazards hit, is a growing priority. Our 2026–2030 DREF Ambition involves strengthening not only what we fund, but how we deliver. In 2026, we will continue to streamline processes, improve sequencing between DREF grants and Emergency Appeals and reinforce compliance and operational quality. This ensures that speed is matched by sound decision-making, transparency and impact. Localization remains at the heart of IFRC-DREF. By channeling resources directly to National Societies, we enable action that is timely, context-driven and sustainable. At a time when humanitarian needs are rising and financing is under pressure, this agile and principled mechanism is more essential than ever. The DREF 2026 Plan reflects our commitment to work smarter, better demonstrate impact and ensure that no community facing disaster is ignored. I urge you to read it. Jagan Chapagain Context and rationale for the 2026 plan What is the IFRC-DREF? The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies’ Disaster Response Emergency Fund (IFRC-DREF) is an efficient, fast, transparent, and localized way of getting funding directly to local humanitarian actors – both before and after a crisis. It enables National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies to respond rapidly to emergencies and act ahead of predictable hazards through two complementary pillars: • Response • Anticipatory Action The fund combines speed, flexibility, transparency and localization to support community-led humanitarian action. Context and rationale for the 2026 plan The IFRC’s Disaster Response Emergency Fund (IFRC-DREF) enters 2026 at a pivotal moment, marking the conclusion of its Strategic Ambition 2020–2025 and the release of the IFRC-DREF Strategic Ambition 2026–2030, with 2026 serving as the first year of its operationalization. This transition builds on a period of significant reform, as the revision of procedures introduced in 2025 strengthened accountability, clarified operational and financial rules, and reinforced minimum readiness requirements, including for anticipatory action, while safeguarding IFRC-DREF’s core strengths of speed, flexibility, and reliability. These developments take place within the broader context of the IFRC Renewal, which seeks to strengthen a collective approach by reinforcing localization, quality, accountability, and proximity to communities across the IFRC network (the IFRC secretariat and its 191 member National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies). At the same time, National Societies continue to operate in increasingly complex environments shaped by: · climate-related disasters, · epidemics, · displacement, · economic pressures, · and shrinking humanitarian funding. These realities reinforce the importance of a fast, agile and locally led humanitarian financing mechanism. Global operational realities In 2025, IFRC-DREF allocated CHF 77.4 million across 170 operations in 83 National Societies, supporting 14.5 million people affected by crises worldwide. While most allocations remained under the Response Pillar (CHF 64.9 million), anticipatory action reached a record CHF 12.7 million, representing 16% of total funding. This growth was supported by the approval of 11 new simplified EAPs and 21 new EAPs. Despite a decline from 2024, allocations in 2025 remained 75% higher than in 2021, while operations increased by 27% over the same period. At the same time, the number of countries supported remained relatively stable, reflecting growing concentration of IFRC-DREF usage in highly crisis-affected contexts. Anticipatory action expanded significantly faster than the overall fund between 2021 and 2025, increasing by approximately 150%. This trend is expected to continue in 2026 through simplified procedures and expanded early action mechanisms. Despite growing pressure on humanitarian financing systems, IFRC-DREF allocations in 2025 remained 75% higher than in 2021.