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Country: Democratic Republic of the Congo Source: World Health Organization To the people of DRC, especially to the people of Ituri Jambo kwenu wakahaji wa Ituri Mbote na bino, bato ya Ituri My name is Tedros, and I am the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO). But today, I am not writing to you as an official. I am writing to you as someone who knows your region, who has walked your streets, and who cares deeply about what happens to you and your families. I am writing because I want to be with you in these moments. And I want you to know that you are not alone. Ebola is not new to me personally. From 2018 to 2020, I came fourteen times to North Kivu, the epicentre of the outbreak at that time. Fourteen visits to Beni, Butembo, Katwa, Goma, and many other communities. During that outbreak, Ebola spread across North Kivu, South Kivu, and reached parts of Ituri as well. I was alongside families who had lost their loved ones. I met health workers risking their lives every day. I met community leaders, traditional healers, religious leaders and business leaders who refused to abandon their people. I saw men and women show extraordinary courage in the most difficult of circumstances. The people there, who saw me coming back again and again, wanted to give me a name that belonged to their community. They asked me whether I was the first, second, or third child of my parents. When I told them I was the firstborn, they gave me the name Dr. Paluku. I carry that name with pride. It is not just a name. It is a bond. It is a reminder that this work is not about titles or institutions. It is about people. It is about you. That outbreak was one of the most complex in history. It did not unfold in a stable, peaceful environment. It happened in the middle of armed conflict, with communities displaced, supply routes disrupted, and health workers operating under constant threat. People were fleeing violence while also trying to protect themselves and their families from a deadly disease. I remember being in Beni on more than one occasion while fighting was taking place on the outskirts of the city. We could hear it. And yet the health workers around me did not stop. They kept working. That kind of courage is something I will never forget. The challenges of that time are not so different from what you are facing today in Ituri. I understand that. I have seen it with my own eyes. Mistrust ran deep, and the security situation cost us precious time. Our health workers were attacked. Clinics were targeted. People who were only trying to save lives found themselves caught in the middle of a conflict they did not start. Lives were lost that we might have saved, and that weighs on me still. But I also witnessed something remarkable. When we listened, when communities felt respected and heard, things began to change. Trust grew slowly, then more quickly. People came forward. And together, we managed to contain the outbreak. We did it. The people of DRC did it. I will never forget that. Ebola is now back. This time, the outbreak is hitting Ituri province the hardest. More than 90% of all cases have been reported in Ituri province, with a small number of cases also reported in North Kivu and South Kivu. I know how frightening that is, and I know that the people of Ituri are bearing a burden that is not easy to carry. I know that many of you are exhausted. You are already carrying so much: malaria, hunger, insecurity, and the daily struggle to keep your families safe. And now Ebola. It is not fair, and I will not pretend otherwise. But I also want to say something else about Ituri, because this province deserves to be seen for more than its hardships. Ituri is a place of remarkable energy. It is a province of vibrant commerce, of entrepreneurial spirit, of communities that have refused to be defined by the conflicts around them. The markets of Bunia buzz with life. Traders, farmers, teachers, and young people building their futures against all odds. That spirit, that refusal to give up, is exactly what we need now. It is the foundation on which we will build our response. We do not come to Ituri with only medicine and expertise. We come to join a community that already knows how to fight for its survival. I want to say a special word to the young people of Ituri. You are growing up in circumstances that no young person should have to face. And yet what I see, again and again, is not despair but determination. You are the future of this province and this country. In this outbreak, you have a vital role to play. Talk to your friends and your families. Share what you know about Ebola. Help break the fear and the silence that allow this virus to spread. Your voice carries further than you know, and we need it now more than ever. And to the health workers of Ituri, I want to say this: you are seen, and you are not alone. Every day you go to work knowing the risks, and you go anyway. You do it for your patients, for your communities, for your families. You are the backbone of this response. Without you, none of this is possible. I know the conditions are hard. I know the resources are often not enough. I know that fear and exhaustion are real. Please know that WHO stands with you, that we are working to get you the support you need, and that your courage and dedication are known and deeply valued far beyond the borders of this province. I also know that the security situation in parts of this region remains very difficult. Conflict and displacement make everything harder, including reaching people who need care and keeping health workers safe. I want to be honest: this is one of our greatest challenges. We cannot do this work if those who are trying to help are prevented from doing so or put in danger. We are working closely with all relevant partners to ensure that the response can reach every community that needs it, and that no one is left behind because of where they live or what is happening around them. That is why today I am making a direct appeal to all warring parties in this region: please, declare a ceasefire. Even briefly. Even just enough to let health workers through. People are dying from Ebola who do not have to die. Children are sick. Families are suffering. No cause, no conflict, no grievance is worth condemning innocent people to death from a preventable disease. A ceasefire, even a temporary one, would save lives. I urge you, I implore you: give us the space to help the people who need it most. I also know that there is anger and mistrust in some communities, and I understand why. Trust must be earned, it cannot be assumed. We have not always done things correctly. But I promise you, we are here to learn as much as we are here to help. I need to be honest with you about something important. Most previous Ebola outbreaks in DRC were caused by a virus called Ebola Zaire, for which we have vaccines and treatments. This outbreak is caused by a different virus called Ebola Bundibugyo. There are currently no approved vaccines or treatments for it. This is serious, and you deserve to hear that plainly. But I also want you to know this: while there are no specific treatments for Bundibugyo, there is much we can do together to prevent the spread of this virus and save lives. Early supportive care in our treatment centers can make a real difference. If you or someone you know falls ill, please do not wait. Coming forward early can make the difference between life and death. And everything we do, we will do with you. We will listen to you, we will share information with you, and we are here to help. And for those we cannot save, we will mourn with you. We will help you grieve your lost loved ones with safe and dignified burials. We are working under the leadership of the Government of DRC, together with all relevant partners, united around one goal: to stop this outbreak and protect your communities. No one is working alone. No one is working at cross purposes. We are coordinated, we are committed, and we are here. That is why I am coming to Bunia. I will be there in person, alongside my colleagues, meeting your leaders, listening to your concerns, and doing everything in my power to help you. I will not be managing this from a comfortable office far away. This is the 17th Ebola outbreak in DRC. Together, you have overcome every single one before. That is not a small thing. That is a testament to the strength and resilience of your communities. I have seen that strength with my own eyes. My brothers and sisters of Ituri, I want you to know that the world is watching your courage. You are not forgotten. Together, we will overcome this outbreak, as you have overcome every challenge before. Your resilience is the light that guides us all. We will get through this one too. Not because of anyone, but because of you. Our teams are already on the ground, and they will stay for as long as necessary. And when this outbreak is over, we will not quietly disappear. We will not forget you. We will stay, and we will keep working with you to build health systems that protect every person in every community. I look forward to seeing you in Bunia soon. Until then, please know that you are in my thoughts. With respect and solidarity, Paluku Tedros Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus Director-General, World Health Organization

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World: Humanitarian Diplomacy Re-Imagined | Towards a community-driven and justice-oriented approach to protect civilians

Country: World Source: Oxfam Please refer to the attached file. Humanitarian diplomacy is gaining renewed prominence within the European Union (EU) and among its Member States, with new policy initiatives and strategies aimed at strengthening the protection of civilians and promoting compliance with International Humanitarian Law (IHL). However, this momentum risks remaining largely rhetorical unless it is fundamentally reoriented toward tangible protection outcomes, meaningful engagement with conflict-affected communities, and accountability for violations. Today’s conflicts - characterised by rising geopolitical tensions, weakened multilateralism, and persistent impunity - underscore the urgent need to rethink humanitarian diplomacy. Across contexts such as Sudan, Gaza, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Lebanon, and Ukraine, civilians continue to face grave violations of IHL with limited consequences for perpetrators. This has eroded trust in international tools and mechanisms, while at the EU level it has raised serious questions about the credibility and consistency of its action and that of its Member States. This briefing argues that humanitarian diplomacy must be re-imagined as community-driven and justice-oriented. Rather than focusing primarily on access negotiations or diplomatic processes, it should prioritise the rights, safety and dignity of people affected by conflict and guarantee their protection. This requires a shift from top-down, state-centric approaches to models that recognise and empower local actors as central agents of diplomacy. Community leaders, civil society organisations, and local networks already play a critical role in negotiating access, mediating tensions, and protecting civilians - often with greater legitimacy and effectiveness than international actors. matic efforts are informed by realities on the ground. The report concludes with key recommendations to the EU and EU Member States.

World: UN warns civilian protection in war failing, citing AOAV’s data on how explosive violence continues to devastate cities

Countries: World, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Lebanon, Myanmar, Nigeria, occupied Palestinian territory, Sudan, Ukraine, Yemen Source: Action on Armed Violence The United Nations has issued a dark warning about the state of civilian protection in modern conflict, declaring that the gap between international commitments and the reality faced by civilians “widened further” during 2025. In a major report released by Secretary-General António Guterres ahead of the annual Security Council debate on the protection of civilians, the UN paints a picture of warfare that is increasingly characterised by urban destruction, displacement, hunger and attacks on critical infrastructure. Although the UN recorded more than 37,000 civilian deaths across 20 armed conflicts in 2025, a slight decline after three years of increases, the report stresses that the overall level of suffering remains severe. “Approximately one recorded civilian death every 14 minutes” occurred during the year, the report notes. It also noted that the true toll is likely much higher because many casualties cannot be verified or documented. How many dead lie under the ruins of Gaza or Mariupol is unknown, for instance. Most importantly, perhaps, the report clearly identifies the use of explosive weapons in towns and cities as one of the principal drivers of civilian harm. “The use of missiles, bombs and other explosive weapons in cities and populated areas remained a leading cause of civilian harm,” the Secretary-General writes, highlighting the growing use of drones carrying explosive payloads in urban environments. In documenting this trend, the UN used data gathered by Action on Armed Violence (AOAV). The report specifically cites AOAV’s Explosive Weapons Monitor 2025 in its assessment of civilian fatalities caused by explosive weapons across conflict zones. AOAV’s monitoring has for over a decade tracked the human impact of explosive violence worldwide. Our data consistently shows that when explosive weapons are used in populated areas, around 90% of those killed and injured are civilians. The UN report points to particularly high levels of civilian casualties linked to explosive weapons in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Lebanon, Myanmar, Nigeria, Sudan, Ukraine, Yemen and the Occupied Palestinian Territory. It also documents the widespread destruction of hospitals, schools, places of worship, water systems, electricity grids and telecommunications infrastructure. Three conflicts stand out for the scale of devastation they inflicted during 2025: Sudan, Ukraine and the Occupied Palestinian Territory. In Sudan, the UN recorded more than 11,000 civilian deaths, while attacks on power stations, water facilities and dams left large parts of the country without essential services. In Ukraine, civilian deaths rose significantly compared with previous years, with more than 2,500 civilians killed and 12,000 injured. Meanwhile, in Gaza, the report states that at least 20,000 Palestinians were killed or their remains recovered during 2025 alone. The report also highlights the growing role of emerging technologies in warfare. Drone attacks have increased dramatically in recent years, while artificial intelligence is increasingly being used to support military decision-making and target identification. According to the UN, drone attacks in conflict settings increased by at least 4,000% between 2020 and 2024. The Secretary-General warns that such technologies risk expanding the reach of violence and increasing civilian exposure to harm if safeguards are not established. Humanitarian agencies are also facing unprecedented dangers. More than 325 aid workers were reported killed in conflict settings during 2025, marking the third consecutive year of record fatalities. Journalists, too, faced escalating risks, with 60 of the 96 journalist killings recorded globally occurring in conflict zones. “Legal protections and norms are being disregarded, distorted or abandoned altogether,” the Secretary-General warns in the report. He argues that military advantage is increasingly being prioritised over the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure. Among the report’s recommendations are stronger restrictions on the use of explosive weapons in populated areas, greater accountability for violations of international humanitarian law, and wider implementation of the Political Declaration on Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas. The Secretary-General also calls on states to improve civilian harm tracking and assessment, arguing that understanding both direct and indirect impacts of warfare is essential to reducing future suffering. Dr Iain Overton, Executive Director of Action on Armed Violence (AOAV), said: “The Secretary-General’s report darkly confirms what AOAV’s data has been showing now for years: when explosive weapons are used in populated areas, civilians bear the burden. Behind every data point casts the long shadow of a shattered family or a future stalked by violence. The evidence is clear. Stop bombing cities. The challenge now is whether governments have the political will not to do so.”

World: Empowering women during humanitarian crises

Country: World Source: UN Women Crises are not gender-neutral. Women and girls are disproportionately affected due to pre-existing gender inequalities and discriminatory social norms, which limit their access to humanitarian aid, services, resources, and decision-making power. It is not surprising that the 30-year review of progress on the landmark Beijing Declaration and Platform of Action found that progress for women and girls is slowest in conflict and crisis-affected countries. The review raised the alarm about how ongoing trends may further thwart progress. The data is stark: Women and girls in extremely fragile contexts are 7.7 times more likely to live in households below the poverty line of USD 2.15 per day than those in non-fragile contexts. Under a worst-case climate scenario, up to 158.3 million additional women and girls could be pushed into poverty by 2050 as a direct result of climate change, surpassing the number of men and boys by 16 million. The number of food-insecure women and girls could rise by as much as 236 million, compared with an additional 131 million men and boys. The average incidence of child marriage in conflict-affected countries is 14.4 percentage points higher than in non-conflict settings. More than a third of maternal deaths occurred in 48 fragile and conflict-affected countries. Sexual violence in conflict zones has risen sharply in recent years, while impunity for these violations has remained the norm. Girls’ educational attainment continues to lag in conflict-affected countries. Behind these numbers are women and girls who have lost their lives, had their safety and health shattered, their rights eroded, their dignity compromised, and their potential squandered. From Gaza and Sudan to Haiti, Lebanon, and elsewhere, the gendered impacts are both immediate and long term, affecting individuals and societies. They are also not contained within borders. For example, according to a UN Women gender alert on the military escalation in the Middle East, rising food and fuel prices and supply disruptions risk deepening food insecurity and livelihood erosion and increasing unpaid care burdens for women and girls across the Arab region, Asia-Pacific, Africa, and beyond. A humanitarian system under pressure The unfolding tragedy of escalating and protracted conflicts and crises and growing humanitarian needs is taking place against a backdrop of several important global trends. First, recent years have seen a rising backlash against gender equality taking place within the wider context of democratic erosion and shrinking civic space in various countries and regions. This is influencing government policies as well as mainstream opinions and attitudes – and threatening hard-won gains for women and girls. Second, the world is experiencing a severe contraction of international aid precisely when it is needed the most. Recent data from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development shows that international aid fell in 2025 by 23.1 per cent in real terms compared with 2024, representing the largest annual drop in the history of official development assistance. This brings aid back to 2015 levels – the year the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development began. As the Global Humanitarian Overview 2025 lays bare, the massive cuts to aid have forced the humanitarian system to do the “cruel math of doing less with less” and “hyper-prioritize” assistance toward those assessed to be in the direst need. The Humanitarian Reset, launched through the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) in March 2025, aims to make the system faster, lighter, more accountable, and more impactful. Against this backdrop, the international community needs to take bold and urgent action based on ample evidence of what works and rooted in existing commitments to gender equality and women’s rights. Put gender equality at the center of the reset First, gender equality needs to be a cornerstone of the ongoing Humanitarian Reset and not seen as a peripheral issue. In the drive for efficiency, simplification, and focus on strictly defined and hyper-prioritized life-saving assistance, there is a risk that implementation of the IASC’s commitments to gender equality may fall short. As funding contracts and established universal norms are under attack, now is the time to double down and prioritize interventions led by women and in support of their lives, dignity, and rights. Under the reset, there is a commitment that the humanitarian system will “defend” norms and principles, including on gender equality. The reset’s outcomes will depend on how consistently and concretely this is done at different levels – globally and in countries. A critical pillar is to recognize women’s vital and rich contributions in crisis-affected settings and enable their full and equal participation and leadership in decision-making processes. Women and girls are not passive victims or mere recipients of aid – they are responders on the front lines and are shaping the outcomes of crises, as community leaders and organizers, primary caregivers, educators, economic contributors, and peacebuilders. There is plenty of evidence that their leadership is a precondition for effective humanitarian responses, as well as for addressing the root causes of conflicts and for building sustainable recovery and peace. And yet we are far from achieving longstanding commitments to women’s participation and leadership as per the Sustainable Development Goals and the Women, Peace and Security agenda. All too often, participation remains tokenistic and women may have seats but no real influence over decisions made. Whether in internationally led mediation processes, in country-level humanitarian teams and cluster coordination groups, in funding allocation advisory boards, or in other decision-making forums – women need to be equally present and heard, and their perspectives recognized and heeded. They need to be able to exercise this fundamental right safely and without negative repercussions. Fund women-led and women’s rights organizations Second, women-led and women’s rights organizations working in conflict and crisis-affected countries need urgent funding. They were already underfunded and overstretched prior to recent funding cuts. UN Women’s report, At a breaking point, warns that these cuts have placed enormous additional strain on their vital work and even their very existence. Both the quantity and the quality of funding matter. Funding needs to be flexible, multi-year, and reflective of the holistic and transformative nature of their work, which is not only life-saving and life-sustaining but also often encompasses longer-term development, peace, democracy building, human rights, and gender-equality objectives. Both funding and broader political support need to take into account the significant, often overlooked, risks faced in crisis settings by women, girls, gender-diverse leaders, and human rights defenders. Work across the humanitarian–development–peace nexus Finally, it is critical that humanitarian, development, and peace actors work more closely and effectively together to address the complex challenges of today’s protracted and multifaceted crises. Meeting immediate needs should go hand in hand with building community resilience to disasters, strengthening governance systems, and addressing the root causes of conflict. Gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls need to be embedded throughout this nexus and its various components – from defining collective gender outcomes, to conducting joint gender analysis and assessments, to harmonizing funding streams with gender markers and ambitious targets for funding projects and interventions that address women’s specific needs, advance gender equality, or empower women. The stakes could not be higher. As the international community navigates an era of shrinking resources, eroding norms, and multiplying crises, the choices made now will determine whether women and girls are left further behind or emerge as the architects of more just and resilient societies. Delivering on commitments to gender equality in crisis settings is not a matter of idealism – it is a prerequisite for effective, sustainable, and principled responses. The evidence is clear and the commitments exist. The world cannot afford the cost of inaction. This article is reprinted with permission from SDG Action. About the author Asya Varbanova has 20 years of experience advancing sustainable development and gender equality in complex political, post-conflict and crisis contexts, across Europe, Central and South Asia, and the Middle East. Currently serving as Head of Humanitarian Section/Deputy Chief. She has led Country Offices of UN Women in Turkiye, Moldova, Serbia and North Macedonia. She has managed development programmes and humanitarian responses in diverse settings, translating normative commitments on women’s rights and empowerment into operational results and spearheading multi-stakeholder partnerships across the UN, government institutions, civil society and private sector to advance impact at scale and institutional and systemic change.

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DR Congo: République démocratique du Congo Cluster Éducation : Aperçu de la réponse en éducation et appel à financement - Bulletin de suivi de la réponse de janvier-mars 2026

Country: Democratic Republic of the Congo Sources: Education Cluster, Save the Children, UN Children's Fund Please refer to the attached Infographic. Objectifs stratégiques OS1 : Sauver des vies et alléger les sourances des personnes touchées par des chocs récurrents liés notamment aux conflicts, aux catastrophes naturelles et épidémies, à travers une réponse multisectorielle sûre, équitable, inclusive et fondée sur des principes humanitaires. OS2 : Améliorer l’accès sûr, équitable et digne aux services de base de qualité des personnes aectées par les chocs récurrents, selon les droits fondamentaux et les standards, afin d'éviter une érosion accrue de leurs capacités d'adaptation. Objectifs sectoriels: Un accès inclusif et équitable dans des environnements d’apprentissages protecteurs qui allègent les traumatismes sera assuré pour 472 176 enfants (48% lles) dont 47 217 enfants en situation de handicap de 5 à 17 ans (10%) touchés par des chocs récurrents liés notamment aux conflicts, aux catastrophes naturelles et épidémies (déplacés, retournés, expulsés ou hôtes) 8 585 enseignants (hommes et femmes) seront formés sur les thématiques clés de l’éducation en urgence pour améliorer l’accès, la qualité et la protection dans les espaces d’apprentissage en 2026

DR Congo: Concern responds to Ebola outbreak in DRC -- public appeal launched | Concern Worldwide

Country: Democratic Republic of the Congo Source: Concern Worldwide Concern Worldwide is responding to help protect communities and prevent the current outbreak of Ebola in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) from spreading. The Ebola outbreak, confirmed on May 15, is estimated to have resulted in 129 deaths, 101 confirmed cases and 904 suspected cases in DRC up to yesterday (May 24). In addition, there has been one death, five confirmed cases and three suspected cases in neighbouring Uganda, and fears it is already widespread regionally. The World Health Organisation has determined the outbreak to be a public health emergency of international concern and upgraded the risk in DRC to “very high.” The epicentre of the outbreak is Ituri province, in the northeast of the country. Concern Worldwide has 100 staff in neighbouring North Kivu where cases have also been confirmed. “In North Kivu, people are scared but deeply resilient. They have seen what this disease is capable of before and are calling for an immediate response to protect them and their families,” Concern’s Country Director in DRC, David Jones, said. “We are mobilising our emergency response capabilities, using the expertise taken from responding to previous outbreaks - whether Ebola, cholera, or COVID19 - and will work tirelessly to ensure that people are informed, protected, and prepared.” Conflict The challenges are considerable. Ituri and North Kivu are part of a major cross border commercial corridor, with many people moving through the region. The region has also been impacted by multiple on-going conflicts, such as that between the government and the M23 armed group, which seized control of the major eastern cities, Goma and Bukavu, in January 2025, and has since governed them and surrounding areas. Fighting has damaged local services and driven people from their homes, sometimes forcing them to move hundreds of kilometres to find somewhere safe to rebuild their lives. Most of those who have been displaced are being hosted by other families or housed in camps in areas where resources, such as access to clean water and basic health services, were already scarce. Local health facilities are under-resourced and under-equipped to respond to such a crisis, especially as there is no approved drug or vaccine for this strain of Ebola. “The lack of clean water to maintain basic hygiene and sanitation in densely populated urban areas adds to the challenge of responding to a crisis of this sort, and limiting the spread of the disease,” Mr Jones said. “Ebola can be transmitted through physical contact with someone who is already infected. Goma is a city of two million people – bigger than Dublin – and is extremely crowded, making it very difficult to avoid physical contact with other people.” Concern is Responding Concern is responding by supporting 70,000 recently-displaced people based outside Goma. “We know from past experience that we can help prevent the spread of Ebola by informing people about the disease, the importance of hand washing and good hygiene practices, and providing them with access to clean water, soap, and the means to keep latrines clean,” he said. Concern is increasing access to clean water through rehabilitating and constructing water points, and delivering safer sanitation through new latrines. Local health centres will also be supported to respond through staff training, the provision of essential equipment, and minor refurbishment works based on identified needs. Cuts in international aid have heavily impacted NGOs in the region, and while humanitarian donors are mobilising to support the emergency response, the needs are huge, diverse, and require massive and prolonged support. Funding Appeal “We will face multiple challenges in the weeks and months ahead. We are starting to see the numbers of confirmed and suspected cases increase, and we expect to see more of them. Having sufficient supplies and access to areas will become increasingly difficult as the situation deteriorates.” “Currently, we have access and we have relatively free movement, but the worse the situation gets, the more severe the needs will become, and the harder it will be to serve them. It’s only going to become more difficult to respond. We must act now, and we must act strongly to avoid the unnecessary loss of life.” To support Concern’s Ebola Emergency Appeal click here For media queries and to organise media interviews contact Eamon Timmins, Media Relations Manager, Concern Worldwide at eamon.timmins@concern.net or 00 353 87 9880524

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A Ray of Hope in a Divided World - GPEI - A guest commentary by Judith Diment, Vice-Chair, International PolioPlus Committee, Rotary International, reflecting on the outcomes of the recent World Health Assembly

Country: World Source: Global Polio Eradication Initiative At this year’s World Health Assembly in Geneva, delegates debated some of the world’s most difficult and divisive issues. Discussions touched on conflict, humanitarian crises, geopolitical tensions and the growing pressures facing global health systems. At times, the debates reflected a world that feels increasingly fragmented. And yet, amid all these differences, one thing stood out with remarkable clarity: every Member State remained united behind one common goal — the eradication of polio. Countries that disagree profoundly on many political issues nevertheless continue to stand shoulder to shoulder when it comes to protecting children from lifelong paralysis. Iran and Israel. Russia and Ukraine. Countries from every region, every political system and every level of development all reaffirmed their commitment to achieving and sustaining a polio-free world. One colleague observing the Assembly discussions described this as a “Lichtblick” — a German word meaning a “ray of hope”. It is a fitting description. Because in today’s world, polio eradication represents something much greater than a disease programme alone. It is one of the few remaining examples of a truly universal humanitarian cause — one capable of uniting governments, civil society, health workers and communities around a shared human objective. That unity matters. And perhaps there are lessons in it for the broader future of global cooperation. Throughout the Assembly, delegates also repeatedly returned to another important question: what should the future global health architecture look like in an increasingly complex and fragmented world? One message emerged particularly clearly from those discussions: global health cannot be driven by governments alone. Member States repeatedly emphasized that civil society, communities and local actors must remain central to both decision-making and implementation. In many ways, the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) already represents one of the strongest examples of this model in practice. For more than three decades, governments, multilateral organizations, scientists, frontline health workers and civil society partners such as Rotary International have worked side by side toward a shared humanitarian goal. The result has been not only extraordinary progress toward eradication, but also the creation of one of the largest and most effective public-private partnerships in global health history. At a time when the world is actively reflecting on how to strengthen multilateral cooperation and global health systems, there may be important lessons to learn from the GPEI experience — particularly the recognition that lasting progress depends not only on institutions, but also on communities, trust and shared ownership. This spirit of cooperation was also reflected in broader Assembly discussions on climate change, air pollution and energy poverty, where Member States and partners emphasized the need for coordinated global action and stronger community-centred health systems. While these challenges differ in nature, they share an important lesson with polio eradication: no country can solve them alone, and lasting progress depends on trust, partnership and collective responsibility. Together, GPEI partners have reduced wild poliovirus cases globally by more than 99.9%. In doing so, they have also built something much larger: surveillance systems, laboratories, emergency operations centres, community trust networks and outbreak response capacities that today support broader health security efforts worldwide. But perhaps most importantly, they have built trust and common ground. History has shown repeatedly that polio eradication efforts can create space for dialogue even in the most difficult environments. During the civil conflict in Côte d’Ivoire in the early 2000s, local Rotary members helped bring together government and opposition forces to negotiate temporary ceasefires so vaccination teams could safely respond to a polio outbreak in the north of the country. Those humanitarian discussions later helped open channels for broader peace negotiations. More recently, synchronized vaccination campaigns have continued across parts of Afghanistan and Pakistan despite periods of heightened political tension. In Gaza, extraordinary humanitarian coordination helped enable vaccination campaigns that successfully interrupted outbreak transmission. Again and again, the effort to protect children from polio has demonstrated that even where politics divides, humanity can still unite. Of course, the world faces many urgent challenges. Financing pressures, conflicts, competing priorities and humanitarian crises all place strain on global health systems and international cooperation alike. But perhaps that is precisely why polio eradication matters so much today. Because it reminds us that multilateralism can still work. That collective action remains possible. And that even in a divided world, there are still causes capable of bringing humanity together around a shared purpose. The world is now closer than ever to eradicating polio forever. But the final phase matters precisely because every remaining case is not simply a statistic — it is a child whose life will be permanently affected by paralysis. That is why this effort continues to matter so deeply. If we succeed, the achievement will not belong to one country, one organization or one generation alone. It will belong to all of humanity.

World: Protection of civilians in armed conflict - Report of the Secretary-General (S/2026/390)

Country: World Source: UN Security Council Please refer to the attached file. I. Introduction 1. The present report is submitted pursuant to the request in the statement by the President of the Security Council of 21 September 2018 (S/PRST/2018/18) and responds to the Council’s requests for reporting on specific themes in resolutions 2286 (2016), 2417 (2018), 2474 (2019), 2475 (2019), 2573 (2021) and 2730 (2024). The report covers the period from 1 January to 31 December 2025 and highlights key trends regarding the protection of civilians in armed conflicts; country examples used are illustrative and not exhaustive. 2. In 2025, the gap between global commitments to protect civilians in armed conflict and the reality faced by civilians widened further. Across conflicts, the same pattern was repeated: civilians bore the brunt of hostilities, were killed and injured, and were subjected to sexual violence, repeated displacement, hunger and terror. Critical infrastructure was destroyed or damaged, whether through direct attacks or incidental harm. Essential services including food, healthcare, water, electricity, sanitation and shelter were disrupted, obstructed and rendered inaccessible, pushing already fragile populations towards catastrophe. This unfolded amid legal and political impunity. 3. The tenth anniversary, in May 2026, of the adoption of Security Council resolution 2286 (2016) is marked by rising attacks on medical personnel and facilities. The report examines key challenges facing medical care in conflict since 2016. Conflict-induced hunger deepened, with two simultaneous famines. Humanitarian workers were impeded in their work, kidnapped and killed. Climate shocks and environmental degradation further eroded the resilience of conflict-affected people. 4. Technologies, including artificial intelligence, drones and information and communications technology, reshaped battlefields in ways that increased risks to civilians and challenged established normative frameworks. 5. The conflicts in the Sudan, Ukraine and in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, 1 reflected a number of these patterns and trends and stood out for their scale of destruction. These trends, however stark, cannot capture the full human toll. Families searching for food and water under bombardment, children pulled from rubble and communities uprooted repeatedly remind us that harm is not abstract; it is intimate, immediate and devastating. 6. Of utmost concern is that the scale – and in some instances, the stated intent –of civilian harm appears to far outweigh the political will and investment to prevent or stop it. The question for the Security Council and Member States is how they will choose to respond. Protecting civilians requires more than expressing concern – it demands leadership, renewed political resolve and decisive and consistent action to limit the devastation of conflict in cities, stop the transfer of arms when violations of relevant rules of international law are likely to occur, and hold perpetrators accountable, to name only these. It requires Member States to defend the Charter of the United Nations and the norms that safeguard our shared humanity in both words and deeds. When force replaces law, brutality prevails and civilians pay the price.

Haiti: Latin America and the Caribbean: When seeking medical care is dangerous

Countries: Haiti, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico Source: International Committee of the Red Cross In places where armed violence is rife, health-care workers may be harassed or subjected to physical or verbal abuse. Ambulances face even greater risks when transporting patients, struggling to do so safely. Health-care facilities are often damaged during clashes and their operations frequently disrupted. Meanwhile, patients are unable to access health care, either out of fear or because of security risks or difficulties in reaching health-care facilities, or simply because services have been shut down. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and other members of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement have observed that these issues are becoming increasingly common in many of the affected communities across Latin American and the Caribbean. “While acts of violence against health-care services are widespread, it is in Colombia, Mexico, Haiti and Ecuador where serious incidents linked to armed violence are most frequently reported. It is communities that suffer when health-care workers and the health system are jeopardized. Safeguarding their proper functioning is essential to ensure people can access health-care services,” explains Gabriel Mayorga, regional adviser for the ICRC on protection issues and respect for health care. Far from being isolated incidents, these events reflect a worrying pattern of violence that is affecting the provision of health-care services in places across the region where armed conflict and other situations of violence are widespread. According to figures from the National Medical Mission Board,* a total of 282 acts of violence against health-care services related to non-international armed conflicts were recorded in Colombia in 2025, indicating breaches of international humanitarian law. Incidents include threats and murders, with health-care workers and wounded people who are no longer taking part in the hostilities targeted, either in ambulances or in health-care facilities. Furthermore, in the areas most affected by armed conflict, communities are having their movements restricted, limiting their ability to access health-care services in a timely way. In some cases, the consequences are deadly. “I remember the case of a woman from an indigenous community who suffered pregnancy complications. The dynamics of the armed conflict resulted in movement restrictions. Unable to get to the nearest health centre, both she and her baby died,” says a member of the ICRC’s health team in Colombia. In these situations, the ICRC maintains a bilateral and confidential dialogue with all parties to the conflict to remind them of their obligation under international humanitarian law to respect and protect health care. Even in countries not experiencing armed conflict, health-care services still suffer the consequences of violence. In Mexico, the ICRC documented more than 190 serious incidents affecting health-care services and patient care between 2024 and 2025, based on primary and publicly available information. These incidents include attacks against – and sometimes the murder of – health-care staff, patients and their families, armed raids on health-care facilities, and the theft of data and supplies, among others. Beyond the statistics, these incidents have a profound impact on the lives of health-care workers. Fernanda,* a psychologist from southern Mexico, went from being a provider of mental-health care for health-care workers affected by violence to being a victim of violence herself. “Being a mental-health professional does not protect us from violence and its consequences. We have received threats and our lives have been in danger. In my case, I had to move away. I left behind my home and my support network, and the health centre where I worked had to close for more than a year. I still have nightmares and feel very anxious whenever I think about the centre reopening at some point and having to go back. I’ve had to have psychotherapy and medical treatment to be able to cope with it,” she recounts. * Name has been changed to protect the person’s identity. The ICRC is also very concerned about the situation in Haiti. The escalation of armed violence since 2024 has put out of action more than 70 per cent of health services in the capital, Port-au-Prince. Most health-care facilities have been affected, preventing people from accessing them safely. Emergency services, care for pregnant and breastfeeding women, and other medical specialisms have collapsed. Furthermore, many patients with chronic conditions have no access to medical care at all. In Haiti, the ICRC uses various channels to remind people of their obligation to respect health-care workers. This banner in Haitian Creole reads: “Hospitals, health-care workers and ambulances must not be targeted. Every life counts!” Against this backdrop of violence, which is significantly affecting and restricting people’s access to health-care services, the La Paix University Hospital is now the only major state-run hospital still operating in Port-au-Prince. But it faces a whole host of challenges. “We don’t have enough beds for all the patients coming to the hospital – we have to treat and resuscitate some patients on the floor,” says Dr Myriam Gousse, head of the hospital’s emergency department. Staff are also under pressure. “Sometimes patients come in who are armed; they pull out their weapons to force the staff to treat them. We are seeing more incidents like this,” adds Dr Gousse. Ecuador is another country facing a worrying escalation in armed violence, and it is having an impact on its health services, particularly in the most conflict-affected areas. The situation has created significant challenges in managing health facilities in these areas, leading to the temporary suspension of certain services and making it more difficult for people to access health care. “In light of this situation, the Ecuadorian Red Cross, together with members of the Movement, has stepped up its efforts to promote respect for health services and to provide support to the Ministry of Health, medical units and health-care staff, as well as affected communities. Our actions uphold the right of health-care professionals to carry out their work in an environment free from pressure and threats,” explains Jhonny García, security coordinator for the Ecuadorian Red Cross. How do we address this issue? Dialogue with weapon bearers and strengthening legal frameworks In Port-au-Prince, Haiti, the ICRC talks with weapon bearers about their obligation to respect the work of health-care staff and humanitarian principles. . During our bilateral and confidential dialogue with armed actors, we remind them of their obligation to respect health-care staff and facilities, as well as humanitarian workers. We use these talks to stress that health services must always be protected from attack. Together with public health authorities and other organizations, we promote prevention and we help to strengthen the response to violence against health-care services. We also provide technical support to the authorities to help them formalize and strengthen regulatory frameworks that effectively recognize and address the threat of violence against health-care facilities, while establishing the rights of and protections for health-care staff and patients in situations of violence. Capacity-building in the health-care sector We support health-care systems at different levels to prevent, mitigate and manage the effects of violence. In Haiti, throughout 2026, fierce armed clashes have been affecting people in the capital, Port-au-Prince. For months, the ICRC has been providing medical supplies and first-aid training to community health workers. In the areas most affected by violence, we provide training and workshops to ensure that health-care staff and facilities are better prepared and more resilient when it comes to responding to and recovering from violence. In addition, we work collaboratively to promote safety protocols and contingency plans for health-care teams working in high-risk environments. Regional cooperation Since 2024, the ICRC – together with the region’s National Red Cross Societies, partner National Societies and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) – has stepped up its regional cooperation to ensure a coordinated response to address the issue of violence. We provide technical support to other Movement teams in the region, as well as training, events and knowledge-sharing for those most affected.

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