Cinemas offer a platform for stories of resistance amid shrinking civic spaces in Africa
As civic space shrinks across Africa, one film festival is betting that cinema can do what reports and protests sometimes cannot, hold power to account.
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As civic space shrinks across Africa, one film festival is betting that cinema can do what reports and protests sometimes cannot, hold power to account.
Over 1,000 cases were filed in 10 days as Bangladesh launches an AI-powered traffic enforcement system for the first time, while the fate of unregistered battery-powered rickshaws stays unclear.
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 โข 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. โข 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. โข 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: Afghanistan Source: World Food Programme Please refer to the attached file. Highlights Exchange Rate and Trade Dynamics: During the fourth week of May, the Afghani exchange rate remained stable at AFN 63.8/USD, while remaining stronger than both last year and the three-year average, helping to moderate the impact of imported inflation on domestic markets. Market supply conditions remained generally stable, supported by ongoing domestic harvests and continued imports through regional trade corridors. However, transportation costs, regional trade uncertainties, and high import dependence continue to pose risks to market stability and contribute to localized price fluctuations. Food Items: Overall, national average food prices remained relatively stable during the fourth week of May, with moderate week-on-week declines across major food commodities. However, compared to last year, most key food commodities continue to remain above year-ago levels, particularly wheat grain (+14%), wheat flour (high-price +9%; low-price +12%), rice (high-quality +38%; low-quality +28%), cooking oil (+4%), sugar (+25%), and salt (+10%). Meanwhile, pulses (-12%) and bread (-4%), remain below their respective levels from the same period last year. The higher year-on-year prices reflect increases recorded between Oct-25 and Mar-26 following border closures with Pakistan and the rerouting of trade through Iran and Central Asia. Since then, improved trade flows and market availability have gradually contributed to declining price levels. Vegetables: Vegetable prices continued their seasonal decline, supported by increased domestic production and improved market availability. Tomato prices recorded a significant weekly decrease of 18.5%, while potato prices declined by 2.3%. In contrast, onion prices increased by 4.6%, partially reversing the declines observed in recent months and moving back toward more typical seasonal levels. Compared to last year, tomato prices remain 20% lower and onion prices 35% lower, while potato prices continue to remain substantially above last yearโs level (+24%). Increased arrivals of seasonal produce from several provinces, continued to improve market availability and support downward price movements across major markets. Non-Food Items: Diesel prices increased slightly during the week (+1.3%) and remained 14% above last year's level. Fertilizer prices remained broadly stable, with DAP increasing by 0.8% and urea by 0.3% compared to the previous week. Compared to last year, fertilizer prices continue to remain elevated, particularly for urea (+45%) and DAP (+16%), maintaining pressure on agricultural production costs. Improved seed and animal feed prices remained largely unchanged during the week. Livestock and Labour Market: The price of a one-year-old female sheep increased by 6.0%, driven by stronger demand ahead of Eid-ul-Adha, when livestock purchases typically increase across the country. Meanwhile, labour market conditions remained weak during the week, with labour availability declining slightly to 1.9 days per week, compared to the previous week. Labour availability remains substantially below both last year (-20%) and the three-year average (-16%), reflecting continued constraints in employment opportunities and increased competition among casual labourers.
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 worldโs human and livestock population, respectively, with just 4.25% and 2% of the worldโs 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 worldโs 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.
Country: Myanmar Sources: Health Cluster, World Health Organization Highlights Ongoing surge in deadly attacks on health care with 73 incidents reported by Insecurity Insight between 1 January and 31 May 2026, as compared to 38 verified attacks on health care recorded by WHOโs Surveillance System for Attacks on Health Care (SSA). Use of heavy weapons continues to be the highest reported type of incident, followed by obstruction, psychological violence and removal of assets. Health Cluster will conduct SSA awareness sessions to encourage partners to report any attack on health care directly in the online system. Intensification of airstrikes and drone attacks in Chin, Magway, Rakhine, and Sagaing as well as Kachin, Karenni and northern Shan, severely impeding access to health care and transport of medical supplies. Lack of vector control and bednets are triggering a malaria surge in Chin, Kachin, and Tanintharyi. Because of inadequate testing and treatment, malaria outbreaks are able to rapidly expand. Acute Watery Diarrhoea (AWD) outbreaks resulting from poor hygiene practices in Karen, Karenni, Mon, Sagaing, and Southern Shan. Lack of testing and awareness is leading to rapid spread of the disease. Joint Health-Nutrition-WASH Cluster AWD Action Planning at sub-national level ongoing as part of monsoon preparedness - Measles preparedness in Rakhine stepped up after continuing largescale measles outbreak in neighbouring Bangladesh: ongoing training of health workers on diagnosis and treatment of measles cases, and continuing advocacy for urgent, large-scale immunization, after 5 years of zero vaccination.
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 โ including health facilities, water systems, and transportation routes โ 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 Beirutโs 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 Lebanonโs 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 โ rising by approximately 84 percent between mid-February and mid-May โ 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 โ driven by the IDP influx, price inflation, depleting stocks, and overwhelming trader capacity โ and declining purchasing power are increasingly constraining food access. Income-earning opportunities remain well below average countrywide, with the collapse of the tourism industry โ an 80 percent drop compared to the same period in 2025 โ 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 โ expected to launch in early June โ 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 partnersโ 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 householdsโ 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 โ mainly in informal settlements around urban areas โ 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 householdsโ 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 Econรณmica (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 Comitรฉs Locales de Abastecimiento y Producciรณn (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 โ 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*. โIt will directly benefit more than 550,000 people โ 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.โ* 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 โ including maize, rice, yam, and cassava โ 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
Countries: Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of) Source: UN High Commissioner for Refugees Please refer to the attached file. Operational context Throughout April 2026, Ecuadorโs 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 JanuaryโApril, 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, Manabรญ, Guayas, and Sucumbรญos, 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 Sucumbรญos, 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.
Countries: Ukraine, Belarus, Bulgaria, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Poland, Romania, Tรผrkiye 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 Galaลฃi, injuring two residents, a woman and a child. This was not the first reported breach of Romanian airspace by an armed drone since Russiaโs 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 Galaลฃi. But Fridayโs 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 Tรผrkiye. 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 Galaลฃi 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 Plantโs 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: Honduras, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, Haiti, Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of) Source: UN High Commissioner for Refugees Please refer to the attached file. Operational Context & Analysis Honduras faces a multifaceted crisis stemming from a context of fragile law and order, pervasive organized crime, gang violence, widespread poverty and inequality, and high vulnerability to the impacts of extreme climate events. With one of the worldโs highest murder rates1, violence in Honduras is generalized, chronic, structural, and indiscriminate, making it a primary driver of displacement. Access to protection and assistance remains a significant challenge, particularly for those facing heightened risks due to their vulnerability. Certain groups are disproportionately affected, including children, women, indigenous people, people of diverse sexual orientation, political activists, schoolteachers, transportation workers, and human rights and environmental defenders. These populations often require urgent and tailored protection responses and alternatives to address their specific needs effectively. More than 247,000 people have been internally displaced in Honduras, with many more at risk of displacement. Internal displacement in the country stems from generalized violence and rights violations, including (i) social and territorial control by gangs, drug trafficking or organized crime groups, (ii) extortion, (iii) forced recruitment, use and association, particularly targeting youth; (iv) dispossession and destruction of housing, land, and property; (v) gender-based violence; and (vi) political violence. These multifaceted challenges faced by the Honduran population are starkly reflected in the significant number of Hondurans seeking asylum. During 2024, 27,888 Honduran nationals sought asylum in Mรฉxico, ranking as the first nationality of asylum requests to this country3 and in 2025 remain in the top five nationalities4. These figures underscore the life-threatening situations that force people to flee Honduras. Additionally, in 2024, 44,394 Hondurans were returned to their country of origin, and from January to December 2025, this figure reached 41,110 people, 7% of whom were identified as having protection needs in Honduras and 14% who had requested protection outside their country. Since 2022, Honduras has also been a transit country for an unprecedented number of refugees and migrants. However, the dynamics changed significantly in 2025. Unlike the unprecedented south to north flows observed in 2023 and 2024, 2025 saw a notable reduction of 89% in entries. According to the Honduran National Migration Institute (INM), between January and December 2025, 39,384 people entered the country irregularly, south to north route6. Meanwhile, according to UNHCR and partners, it is estimated that over 32,200 refugees and migrants have travelled from north to south.
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 โ 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 โ 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 Niรฑo 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 โ 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
Country: Democratic Republic of the Congo Source: International Rescue Committee Delayed detection and slow contact tracing suggest virus has likely spread undetected for months Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, June 1, 2026 โ The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is likely significantly larger and more advanced than official figures suggest, as response efforts struggle with delayed detection and dangerously low levels of contact tracing, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) warned today. With only 20% of contacts currently being traced, health authorities are struggling to identify and isolate new chains of transmission. The virus may have been spreading undetected since before March, potentially as long as three months before the first official case was identified, allowing multiple chains of transmission to establish across communities and provinces. The combination of these factors dramatically increases the likelihood that the true scale of infections is far higher than reported, the IRC warned. Rachel Howard, Senior Technical Emergency Health advisor at the IRC, said: โThe true scale of this Ebola outbreak is likely far worse than official figures suggest. When four out of five contacts are not being traced, it becomes incredibly difficult to contain the outbreak or even understand its true scale. Weโre especially concerned about the virus spreading to other countries like Burundi or South Sudan.โ IRC teams warn that shortages of diagnostic cartridges and testing backlogs are slowing confirmation of cases, further obscuring the true spread of the outbreak. Seven confirmed Ebola patients have reportedly left treatment centers in the DRC, while more than six healthcare workers have died, including two doctors in recent days. The incidents underscore the deep fear and mistrust some communities continue to have toward Ebola prevention and treatment efforts. People are avoiding health facilities, raising fears that those affected are remaining within communities rather than seeking treatment. As a result, transmission is spreading across multiple areas, and communities are losing trust in the response. Strengthening local, community-based prevention and infection control should be the immediate priority to control the outbreak at the source. Without urgent funding, the situation could deteriorate rapidly. This outbreak is increasingly resembling the 2018โ2020 North Kivu Ebola crisis, which infected thousands of people and was complicated by insecurity, population movement, and community resistance. However, unlike previous outbreaks, there is currently no approved vaccine available for this Ebola strain. The IRC is calling for urgent international support to scale up contact tracing, surveillance, laboratory testing, treatment capacity, and community engagement efforts before the outbreak escalates further. It is also critical to build trust with affected communities, including through survivor-led awareness and risk awareness activities. In response to the current escalating outbreak, whilst working in close coordination with the government health authorities who are leading the response, IRC has launched prevention and control activities, including distribution of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as well as awareness raising activities amidst communities at risk, rehabilitation of triage areas and rehabilitation/construction of showers, latrines and waste disposal areas. In Uganda, IRC is working with the Ministry of Health on the border to support infection, prevention and control activities including screening people coming across the border. IRC is also supporting response coordination in Uganda. Media contacts Madiha Raza International Rescue Committee madiha.raza@rescue.org Kim Winkler International Rescue Committee Kim.Winkler@rescue.org IRC Global Communications communications@rescue.org
Country: Myanmar Source: Karen Human Rights Group Please refer to the attached file. This Short Update describes events occurring in Daw Hpah Hkoh (Thandaungyi) Township, Taw Oo (Toungoo) District. On 13 February 2026, the Burma Army dropped two bombs from a drone into Ab--- village, Way Htoo village tract, damaging six villagersโ houses. Then, on 28 March 2026, the Burma Army dropped two bombs from a fighter jet into Ad--- village, Way Htoo village tract, injuring a 16-year-old girl. The girl was sent to Af--- clinic in Way Htoo village tract, believed to be administered by the Karen Department of Health and Welfare (KDHW), where she received treatment for her injury.[1] On 13 February 2026, at 2 pm, a drone of the SAC [State Administration Council,[2] also known as the Burma Army[3]] dropped two bombs into Aa--- (also known as Ab---) village, Way Htoo village tract,[4] Daw Hpah Hkoh (Thandaungyi) Township, Taw Oo (Toungoo) District. [At the time of the incident, no fighting was occurring in the village.] The first bomb landed outside of the village [and caused no injuries or damage]. The second bomb landed and exploded in the upper part of the village, damaging six villagersโ houses. Following the first bombโs explosion, villagers displaced to a riverbank located near the village. So, when the second bomb landed in the upper part of the village, villagers witnessed lots of smoke coming out of that area [the upper part of the village]. After the second bomb exploded, villagers returned to the village and checked what had been damaged. Villagers found out that an elderly villager named Daw[5] A---, 91 years old, did not manage to flee in time, as she was old and could not run. She was hiding under a house. The second bomb had landed and exploded [on a citrus tree] near where she was hiding. [She did not sustain any injuries.] Villagers offered comforting words to her. The second drone strike [bomb] landed and exploded on a citrus tree. The shrapnel also hit other plantations and six villagersโ houses. Mostly, roofs of villagersโ houses were hit and damaged. The owners of the six houses are: Saw[6] B--- (62 years old), U[7] C--- (53 years old), Saw D--- (41 years old), U E--- (58 years old), U F--- (51 years old), and G--- (49 years old). When asked, a former village tract administrator named Saw H--- said that he believes that the drone strike was conducted by the Aung Chan Tar army camp, which is based in Yay Thar Pyu place (in Way Htoo village tract). He continued and provided the information that on 13 February 2026, a graduation ceremony of the Peopleโs Defence Force (PDF)[8] was held at a place 1.5 miles (2.4 km) away from the village. Thus, he hypothesised that the drone strike was targeted at the PDFโs graduation ceremony [and not at the village]; however, it [the drone] mistook the village with the PDFโs graduation place. On 28 March 2026, at around 12:30 pm, a fighter jet of the SAC dropped two 250-pound bombs into Ad--- (also known as Ae---) village, Way Htoo village tract, injuring a villager [child]. The incident happened when Ma[9] I---, 16 years old, was foraging for vegetables, ferns and amaranth green leaves [a type of spinach], and catching fish in a stream [near a church compound]. Two 250-pound bombs dropped from a fighter jet of the SAC and landed behind a Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) churchโs compound, at Ad--- village. The first bomb landed on the ground [and remained unexploded; KHRG does not know what happened to the unexploded bomb]. The second bomb landed and exploded on a tree, scattering the shrapnel around the area, and Ma I--- sustained an injury to the left shoulder blade, as she was foraging for leaves and fish. PDF [soldiers] carried the injured Ma I--- on a motorbike and sent her to Af--- clinic, Way Htoo village tract, where she received treatment, as a nurse applied medicine on her wound. In an interview, she expressed that she believes that the clinic was administered by the KDHW [Karen Department of Health and Welfare][10]. She did not have to pay for the treatment; however, she offered a voluntary contribution as suggested.
Country: Ukraine Source: REACH Initiative Please refer to the attached file. KEY MESSAGES โข Air attacks and damage to energy infrastructure from 2022 to 2025 had a significant and multifaceted impact on the functioning of the economy, financial infrastructure, and local markets. In particular, they limited the operating hours of local shops and financial service providers. Damage to infrastructure also contributed to rising prices for agricultural products. โข Agricultural yields were among the most important longterm factors influencing inflationary processes in Ukraine. Poor weather conditions and the loss of agricultural territories led to lower harvests, creating substantial inflationary pressure which disproportionately affecting vulnerable population groups. โข Financial factors appeared to have a much stronger impact on access to goods than physical barriers. Older customers (i.e., persons 60 years old or older) were among the most vulnerable groups, with 80 to 90% typically reporting the impact of financial barriers on their access to goods. โข Local markets demonstrated a high level of resilience and adaptability, continuing to meet the needs of residents. The greatest difficulties in market functionality were observed in frontline hromadas, where conditions remained particularly severe and complex.
Country: Pakistan Source: International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies Please refer to the attached file. Description of the Event Date of event 16-08-2025 What happened, where and when? Heavy monsoon rains were triggered in June 2025 with severe flash flooding across Pakistan, initially affecting Gilgit Baltistan (GB), Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), and parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). The situation escalated rapidly in August as intense cloudbursts, flash floods, riverine overflows, landslides, and Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) struck northern Pakistan.1 The most severe impacts were recorded on 14โ15 August 2025, when extreme cloudburstsโreaching up to 150 mm per hour in Bunerโ caused catastrophic flooding and landslides. KP emerged as the epicenter, with districts such as Buner, Swat, Shangla, Mansehra, Swabi, Bajaur, and Battagram experiencing major loss of life and infrastructure collapse.2 Entire villages including Golkada (Swat), Shahi Dand and Kuz Palaw (Shangla), and areas in Bajaur, Swabi, and Mansehra reported destruction of homes, roads, bridges, water systems, and livelihoods. In response to the evolving humanitarian situation, an IFRC Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF) operation was approved on 23 August 2025 to support immediate emergency response and relief activities, with an operational timeframe until 28 February 2026. As the scale and severity of the floods expanded across multiple provinces, including Punjab where riverine flooding along the Sutlej, Ravi, and Chenab rivers caused widespread inundation of settlements and agricultural land, the response was further scaled up through an Emergency Appeal (EA) approved on 30 August 2025. The Emergency Appeal, which will conclude on 31 December 2026, encompasses the DREF operation and supports longer-term recovery and resilience interventions. As the monsoon system persisted into late August, impacts expanded into Punjab, where riverine flooding along the Sutlej, Ravi, and Chenab rivers caused widespread inundation of settlements and agricultural land.3 Floodwaters gradually receded by late 2025, however secondary impactsโincluding waterlogging, infrastructure damage, and disrupted essential servicesโcontinued to delay recovery in many areas.
Country: Philippines Source: International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies Please refer to the attached file. A. SITUATION ANALYSIS Description of the crisis In late 2025, the Philippines faced a series of overlapping disasters that significantly escalated the humanitarian needs on the ground. A powerful earthquake in Cebu province marked the onset of the humanitarian crisis, followed by Typhoons Tino (Kalmaegi) and Uwan (Fung-wong) in quick succession. The compounding nature of these disasters left a trail of massive destruction across various regions displacing thousands of families, severely disrupting livelihoods, and access to essential services. As a result, the cumulative impacts of these disasters further intensified the vulnerabilities of affected communities, indicating that recovery will be a prolonged process. On 30 September 2025, a magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck off the coast of Bogo City in northern Cebu. The shallow depth of the quake resulted in intense ground shaking, leading to the collapse of homes, damage to roads and bridges, and widespread power outages. Several municipalities in the Cebu province, including Daanbantayan, Medellin, San Remigio, Borbon, and parts of Cebu City, were among the hardest hit. Based on Situational report no. 30 issued by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC)2, more than 217,910 families were affected in Cebu Province alone houses either destroyed or partially damaged. Critical infrastructure such as schools, government buildings, health facilities, and transport networks also sustained significant damage, disrupting access to basic services. Many families were forced to seek temporary shelter in evacuation centres, while others remain in unsafe living conditions due to limited housing options. As communities were just beginning to mobilise relief following the aftermath of the earthquake, Typhoon Tino (Kalmaegi) entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on 02 November 2025. The storm rapidly intensified and made multiple landfalls across Visayas region and Palawan, brought strong winds, heavy rainfall, flooding, and landslides. Multiple areas in Central Cebu, Mimaropa, the Negros Islands Region, and parts of Caraga experienced severe flooding, further damaging homes, livelihoods, and infrastructure. A total of 1,526,203 families were affected - 263,712 people were displaced, and agricultural lands were inundated, affecting food security and income sources for many households3. Shortly after, Super Typhoon Uwan swept through Luzon and nearby coastal provinces, unleashing destructive winds, torrential rains, and causing storm surges. This resulted in additional destruction in some of the repeatedly affected areas. The typhoon led to widespread flooding in low-lying and coastal areas, damaged hundreds of thousands of houses, and disrupted power, water, transport, and communication services. Pre-emptive evacuations helped reduce casualties, but prolonged displacement and slow restoration of essential services continued to place pressure on affected communities. According to the NDRRMC Sitrep no. 24, STY Uwan affected approximately 2,242,319 families across various regions, while 355,992 individuals remained displaced4. As a result of these compounded disasters, an estimated 13 million people were left in need of humanitarian assistance. The scale of the needs on the grounds remains immense, as affected communities continue to face urgent needs in shelter, water and sanitation, health care, food security, and livelihood recovery. The complexity of this humanitarian crisis underscores the importance of sustained and coordinated assistance to enable families recover safely, rebuild disrupted livelihoods, and strengthen community resilience. For a current overview or 6th month update of the current humanitarian situation, please refer to the needs analysis section. This section highlights the status of affected and displaced populations affected by typhoon and earthquake, alongside evolving needs identified through the PRCโs recent multi-sectoral assessments. These findings ensure that our shelter, livelihood, WASH and other recovery interventions remain targeted and relevant to the priority provinces under this appeal.
Country: Philippines Source: International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies Please refer to the attached file. Description of the Event Date of event 30-09-2025 What happened, where and when? On the 30 of September 2025, at precisely 9:59 PM, a strong 6.9-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Bogo City, marking it as the strongest recorded earthquake in Cebu province to date. The epicentre was located near Bogo City in northern Cebu, with an estimated shallow depth of about five kilometres, where intense ground shaking led to the collapse of buildings, destruction of roads, and power outages. Neighbouring municipalities, including Daanbantayan, Medellin, San Remigio, and even parts of Cebu City also felt the severe impact of the earthquake. The eventโs aftermath affected two regions, Central Visayas (Region VII) and Eastern Visayas (Region VIII), with Northern Cebu in Region VII bearing the brunt of the impact and damages. According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), the quake was tectonic and was caused by an offshore fault that had remained dormant for over 400 years, which has now been identified as the Bogo Bay Fault. PHIVOLCS issued a tsunami advisory for coastal communities exposed to the risks of abnormal sea level disturbances following the main shock, but this was later lifted after monitoring confirmed that no significant tsunami threat remained. Within the first 48 hours of the event, PHIVOLCS recorded over 7,000 aftershocks, and at the time of reporting, aftershocks continue to be recorded, with the strongest recent aftershock measuring 5.1-magnitude on 06 April 2026.
Country: Honduras Source: Famine Early Warning System Network Please refer to the attached file. Key Messages Stressed (IPC Phase 2) outcomes remain widespread across Honduras, with Crisis (IPC Phase 3) outcomes emerging in the Dry Corridor between June and September as above-average prices, below-average labor demand, and previous harvest losses exacerbate seasonal trends. While many households continue to meet minimum food needs through market purchases, they are struggling to cover essential non-food expenditures amid below-average seasonal agricultural labor opportunities and are increasingly relying on coping strategies such as selling small livestock and borrowing. In the Dry Corridor, households negatively impacted by multiple poor agricultural seasons are likely to resort to more severe coping strategies at the height of the lean season. The rest of the country will experience Stressed (IPC Phase 2), while urban centers including Tegucigalpa (Francisco Morazรกn), La Esperanza (Intibucรก), and the Bay Islands remain in Minimal (IPC Phase 1) due to more stable formal and informal income sources. Above-average fuel and fertilizer prices continue to drive high production and transportation costs for a second consecutive month. In April,diesel prices remained nearly 34 percent higher than March, 64 percent higher than last year, and 49 percent higher than the five-year average. Fertilizer prices have also remained elevated, with DAP (18-46-0) and urea rising to 7.2 and 50 percent higher than March, respectively, and 21.2 and 45.1 percent above the five-year average, respectively. These rising input costs contributed to inflation surpassing the 5 percent threshold in April. Staple food costs persist above last year and the five-year average despite relatively stable month-on-month prices, driven by weak domestic production. In April, wholesale white maize prices were 49.2 and 39.8 percent higher than last year and the five-year average, respectively, reflecting increased demand and lingering effects of below-average import volumes in 2025. Wholesale red bean prices are 10 percent above the five-year average but remained stable month-on-month and year-on-year, partly supported by increased bean availability due to crop substitution of maize for beans during primera 2025and improved import volumes. While increased remittance inflows in early 2026 are helping receiving households partially offset higher food costs, most poor households do not receive remittances and remain vulnerable to price increases. Recent rainfall estimates through mid-May indicate widespread below-average precipitation across Honduras, negatively impacting primera land preparation and planting in localized areas. While some localized rainfall has met thresholds for planting requirements, much of this precipitation has been concentrated within short periods (2-3 days), limiting soil moisture adequacy and leading many farmers to postpone planting until more consistent rainfall is established. As a result, smallholders are not expected to initiate primera planting until mid-May. At the same time, elevated input costs are constraining fertilizer use by smallholder farmers, likely contributing to expected below-average primera crop yields by August. The Secretariat of Agriculture and Livestock (SAG), in coordination with agroclimatology boards and with support from the Centro de Estudios Atmosfรฉricos, Oceanogrรกficos y Sรญsmicos (CENAOS)/Comisiรณn Permanente de Contingencias (COPECO), is monitoring and guiding planting decisions across the country. The forecast transition to El Niรฑo is expected to result in rainfall deficits and above-average temperatures through September, particularly in the Dry Corridor, reducing vegetation health and soil moisture and disrupting crop development throughout the primera season. While the magnitude of the El Niรฑo event remains uncertain, CENAOS has issued region-specific guidance for farmers, recommending early planting (before May 10) in the Dry Corridor areas bordering El Salvador, and slightly later planting (after May 15) in central and eastern departments. Drought-prone areas, including southern Francisco Morazรกn, El Paraรญso, Valle, Choluteca, and southern Comayagua, are likely to experience larger rainfall deficits. SAG is advising some farmers to prioritize planting red beans instead of white maize due to its short production cycle and lower water requirements, improving crop resilience under uncertain rainfall conditions.