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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최근 7일 기준 5,632건을 분석한 결과, 뉴스 심리지수는 50.0(균형)입니다. 긍정 0건(0.0%)·중립 5,632건(100.0%)·부정 0건(0.0%)이며, 중립 비중이 뚜렷하게 높습니다. 성향 지수는 종합 0.0(중도 균형)입니다.
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.
Countries: Lebanon, Syrian Arab Republic Source: Famine Early Warning System Network Please refer to the attached file. Key Messages Crisis (IPC Phase 3) outcomes are expected across South and El-Nabatieh governorates through September 2026, driven by sustained insecurity, collapsed market functionality, and severely constrained humanitarian access. From June through September, a deterioration from Stressed! (IPC Phase 2!) to Crisis (IPC Phase 3) is likely in Akkar, Baalbek-El Hermel, Beirut, and parts of Mount Lebanon, Bekaa, and North, reflecting mounting displacement pressures and declining income-earning opportunities alongside a reduction in humanitarian food assistance after May. Hostilities between Israeli forces and Hezbollah persist in May, with continued airstrikes and ground operations driving large-scale displacement, reducing market access, disrupting agricultural production, and constraining humanitarian operations. Despite a 45-day ceasefire extension announced on May 15, fighting intensified in mid- to late May, with attacks remaining concentrated in southern Lebanon, particularly in Tyre, Nabatieh, Bint Jbeil, and Marjayyoun districts. Israeli air and drone strikes are also increasing in frequency in the Bekaa Valley. Attacks targeting critical infrastructure — including health facilities, water systems, and transportation routes — continue to disrupt supply chains and constrain service delivery, while humanitarian access remains constrained across insecurity-affected areas, further isolating southern populations. Displacements continue to increase, placing additional strain on collective shelters and intensifying social tensions in host communities. Returns to southern Lebanon remain limited due to persisting insecurity, widespread infrastructure destruction, restricted access, and disruptions to markets and essential services. Expanded evacuation orders beyond southern Lebanon are constraining movement and access to assistance across southern Lebanon, the Bekaa Valley, and Beirut’s southern suburbs, with 90 percent of forced displacement orders concentrated in South, triggering further population movements. As of May 21, nearly 130,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) are residing in 635 collective shelters, while the majority of the estimated 1.3 million IDPs remain outside formal sites in Beirut, Mount Lebanon, and North. Within these governorates, large influxes are exacerbating overcrowding, straining local resources, and heightening tensions between displaced populations and host communities. Food and fuel prices remain key constraints on household food access amid Lebanon’s heavy reliance on imports and ongoing insecurity-related disruptions. Below-average 2025 wheat production, intermittent trade disruptions, and localized access constraints, particularly in the south and the Bekaa-Baalbek-Hermel corridor, are placing upward pressure on prices, with bread prices rising 12 percent from mid-February to mid-April and remaining elevated despite national wheat availability that is supported by sustained imports, especially in areas affected by insecurity and transport disruptions. Sharp increases in fuel prices — rising by approximately 84 percent between mid-February and mid-May — due to domestic price adjustments and regional fuel market pressures following the escalation are raising transportation and production costs. These price increases are further eroding household purchasing power, particularly for poor and displaced households. Market functionality and income-earning opportunities remain uneven across Lebanon, reflecting a geographic divide between insecurity-affected areas and areas not directly impacted by hostilities. In South and El-Nabatieh, market functionality remains severely degraded, with limited trader activity, supply chain breakdowns, and restricted physical access constraining food availability. In contrast, markets continue to operate in most displacement-affected areas, though growing strain on local markets — driven by the IDP influx, price inflation, depleting stocks, and overwhelming trader capacity — and declining purchasing power are increasingly constraining food access. Income-earning opportunities remain well below average countrywide, with the collapse of the tourism industry — an 80 percent drop compared to the same period in 2025 — and below-average activity in construction, services, and transport limiting urban labor demand. The increased labor supply from displaced populations is increasing competition and placing downward pressure on wages. In South, El-Nabatieh, and Baalbek-Hermel, agricultural labor opportunities, associated with the start of the typical wheat and barley harvest, are below average and compounded by displacement, land access constraints, and infrastructure damage, which are reducing a key source of seasonal income. Humanitarian food assistance remains ongoing but insufficient to meet rapidly rising needs. A revised extension of the Lebanon Flash Appeal through August — expected to launch in early June — will continue to target up to 1 million people, contingent on the availability of funding, including poor Lebanese, displaced Syrians, and Palestinian refugees. However, implementation remains highly dependent on securing additional funding, with substantial funding gaps limiting partners’ ability to sustain assistance delivery at scale. Since the start of the escalation, partners have delivered more than 10.3 million hot and cold meals, 129,852 ready-to-eat rations, and 37,256 bread bundles across Lebanon, and have supported 618,000 insecurity-affected people with cash assistance as of May 21. Operational effectiveness also continues to vary by area. In insecurity-affected areas, particularly South and El-Nabatieh, ongoing hostilities, movement restrictions, infrastructure damage, and localized market disruptions limit households’ ability to fully utilize cash assistance, while access constraints and convoy limitations continue to restrict the timely delivery of in-kind assistance to the most affected and isolated populations.
Country: Ghana Source: World Bank Washington, 28th May 2026 - The World Bank today approved $500 million in financing for the Ghana Market Access and Connectivity Project (GMACP), a major initiative to improve rural road connectivity, strengthen agricultural value chains, expand economic opportunities, and create short-term direct jobs for rural communities across Ghana. Poor road conditions and inadequate maintenance have long constrained rural livelihoods in Ghana — limiting market access, driving up transport costs, and contributing to significant post-harvest losses. The project directly addresses these challenges by rehabilitating and maintaining critical feeder roads in selected regions, improving all-season connectivity between rural production areas and urban markets, and enabling farmers to reach buyers more efficiently, transition into higher-value agricultural activities, and unlock local job and income opportunities along agricultural value chains. "This project will improve access to markets and opportunities for rural communities while strengthening Ghana's agricultural competitiveness and resilience," said Robert Taliercio, World Bank Division Director for Ghana, Liberia, and Sierra Leone*. “It will directly benefit more than 550,000 people — including approximately 350,000 farmers, 250,000 women, and 310,000 youth. It is also expected to generate some 25,000 short-term direct jobs through civil works and road maintenance activities.”* To be implemented over five years by the Ministry of Roads and Highways, the GMACP project will support the rehabilitation and maintenance of more than 1,000 kilometers of rural roads across four clusters spanning the Upper West, Northern, Savannah, Oti, Volta, Eastern, Ashanti, Bono, and Western regions. These areas are major producers of priority crops — including maize, rice, yam, and cassava — that are central to Ghana's food security but remain constrained by poor market connectivity. Improved all-season access aims to reduce transport costs, shorten travel times, increase supply reliability, and open larger markets to smallholder farmers, ultimately reducing post-harvest losses, strengthening agricultural value chains, and contributing to lower food prices and improved food security. The GMACP incorporates climate-resilient design to ensure roads and drainage systems can withstand climate risks over the long term. Sustainability is a central pillar of the project: it will operationalize the Road Maintenance Trust Fund (RMTF) and introduce Performance-Based Contracts for road maintenance, while providing technical assistance to strengthen institutional capacity and ensure that rehabilitated roads remain functional well beyond project completion. PRESS RELEASE NO: 2026/073/AFW Contacts In Accra: Kennedy Fosu, (233) 302-221 4142 kfosu@worldbank.org
Countries: Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of) Source: UN High Commissioner for Refugees Please refer to the attached file. Operational context Throughout April 2026, Ecuador’s operational environment remained marked by overlapping security, environmental, and socio-economic pressures affecting both host communities and displaced people. While official data indicates a reduction in homicide rates, field-level analysis suggests this reflects a partial containment of violence rather than structural improvement, with criminal dynamics increasingly shifting across territories. These trends suggest monitoring coastal and border regions will be increasingly important in the coming months. According to official data, 2,778 violent deaths were recorded between January–April, compared to 3,150 in the same period last year, an 11.8% decrease. Despite this reduction, the homicide rate remains high nationwide. Security responses continued under prolonged states of exception. Military and police operations intensified in several provinces, including Esmeraldas, Manabí, Guayas, and Sucumbíos, contributing to heightened fear among communities. In border areas such as Carchi, migration control operations prioritized verification of migration status and criminal records, where UNHCR and partners continued to deliver legal assistance to individuals with international protection needs. In Esmeraldas and San Lorenzo, security incidents directly affected communities and humanitarian operations, leading to temporary suspension or adaptation of activities and shifts to remote work modalities. Across Ecuador, UNHCR continues to accompany communities to identify risks and engage in localized responses to their needs. Mobility dynamics at borders remain complex. At Rumichaca, the arrival of displaced families continued, where UNHCR and partners remain committed to facilitating access to assistance and protection services. Environmental shocks further compounded vulnerabilities. Heavy rains and flooding affected the Amazon region, particularly in Orellana and Sucumbíos, leading to evacuations, disruption of basic services, and damage to infrastructure, while response capacity remained constrained. In parallel, coastal regions experienced extreme temperatures, and declining water levels in key hydroelectric reservoirs raised concerns over energy supply, which in the past years caused power cuts of over 14 hours daily. These internal pressures are compounded by regional developments. Escalating violence in southern Colombia continued to influence cross-border movements toward Ecuador. At the same time, shifts in regional migration policies and return intentions are reshaping mobility dynamics. A recent report issued by UNHCR revealed that among Venezuelan survey respondents in Ecuador, around 11% had intentions to return to their country of origin within the next 12 months, and over two thirds would not consider returns in the next five years. This reinforces the need to continue investing in durable solutions and integration in Ecuador.Overall, the context remains highly volatile, with continued reliance on emergency measures, localized violence, and climate-related shocks affecting access to protection, services, and livelihoods. This underlines the need for sustained protection monitoring, strengthened coordination with state and local actors, and continued humanitarian engagement to mitigate risks and support affected populations. In this line, UNHCR continues delivering protection, strengthening national protection systems, while expanding access to services to mitigate risks, uphold rights, and support sustainable integration of displaced populations and vulnerable host communities.
Countries: Ukraine, Belarus, Bulgaria, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Poland, Romania, Türkiye Source: UN Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Drone strike in Romania underscores growing risk of spillover of the war in Ukraine, Security Council hears Madam President, Excellencies, Only last week, the Secretary-General alerted this Council to the serious risk of further escalation of the war in Ukraine, including to the broader region. Last Friday, a dangerous incident crystallized our oft-stated warnings about potential spillover of the war. On the night of 28 to 29 May, an armed drone exploded on the top floor of a ten-story residential building in the eastern Romanian city of Galaţi, injuring two residents, a woman and a child. This was not the first reported breach of Romanian airspace by an armed drone since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. However, it was the first time such an incident resulted in casualties. The United Nations does not have any additional information on the strike in Galaţi. But Friday’s incident came on the heels of a worrying trend of drone incursions into the airspaces and territorial waters of countries bordering either Ukraine or the Russian Federation. Over the past 12 months, such incidents have been reported by the authorities in Moldova, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Finland, Poland, Kazakhstan, and Belarus, as well as in countries in the wider region - Bulgaria, Greece and Türkiye. Madam President, The United Nations strongly condemns all attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure. Such attacks, wherever they occur, violate international humanitarian law and must cease immediately. Civilians must be protected at all times. Madam President, The Galaţi incident comes amidst a sharp escalation of large-scale missile and drone attacks by the armed forces of the Russian Federation on Ukrainian towns and cities, resulting in ever worsening toll of civilian casualties and destruction of civilian infrastructure. There has also been a marked increase in Ukrainian attacks on military, energy and industrial infrastructure in the Russian Federation, which have reportedly resulted in a growing number of civilian casualties and damage to civilian infrastructure. As the Secretary-General stressed last week, the dangerous trajectory of escalation and intensification that we are witnessing today, risks getting out of control. The current course must change. Madam President, The risk of miscalculation is particularly dangerous for the safety of nuclear facilities. Such risk has only increased in recent days. On 30 May, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) was informed by the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant that a drone struck a turbine building at the site, reportedly causing a hole in its wall. This was the first such attack within the Plant’s perimeter since April 2024. Yesterday, the IAEA team at the site observed damage to the exterior of a turbine building, noting that it appeared consistent with the impact of a drone. We echo the deep concern expressed by the IAEA Director-General over this serious incident that endangered key nuclear safety principles. Attacks on nuclear sites are reckless and unacceptable. They must stop immediately to prevent any risk of a nuclear accident. Madam President, Amidst heightened tensions, it is incumbent on all concerned to act responsibly and to refrain from any action that could destabilize the situation further. As the Secretary-General emphasized last week, we urgently need immediate steps towards de-escalation, leading to a full and unconditional ceasefire. To that end, we urge dialogue and negotiations to resume at once. Diplomacy needs to be given a meaningful chance to create conditions for achieving peace in Ukraine. A peace that is just, lasting and comprehensive - in line with the Charter of the United Nations, international law, and relevant UN resolutions. A peace that contributes to a more stable regional and international environment. The United Nations will continue to fully support all meaningful efforts to that end. Thank you.
Country: Democratic Republic of the Congo Source: Action Against Hunger Democratic Republic of Congo Population: 109.3 million People in Need: 21.2 million People Facing Hunger: 40.7 million Our Impact People Helped Last Year: 1,166,711 Our Team: 440 employees Program Start: 1997 The toll of the Ebola outbreak, officially declared on May 15, continues to rise. To date, more than 120 confirmed cases, over 900 suspected cases, and more than 220 deaths have been recorded in Ituri province and North Kivu. Present in both regions, Action Against Hunger is adapting its operations to respond to this large-scale crisis. Supporting Frontline Health Facilities The current outbreak is disrupting already fragile health services in this remote area. “We are present in the Mongbwalu health zone, the most affected by the outbreak, and in three other health zones in Ituri where we fear new infections in the coming days. We are working in close coordination with health and administrative authorities in the area. Our teams are highly mobilized to support health facilities as effectively as possible, in order to protect healthcare workers, who are particularly exposed to the risk of infection,” explains Julie Drouet, Country Director of Action Against Hunger in the DRC. In 12 health facilities in Mongbwalu, Action Against Hunger is providing protective equipment for medical staff, as well as infection prevention and control supplies (chlorine, sprayers for disinfection, cleaning equipment, etc.). In the DRC, only 37% of the population has access to a safe water source, and only 30% of health facilities have access to a reliable water supply. “In this context, infection prevention measures such as handwashing are difficult to implement,” adds Ms. Drouet. “That is why we are also supporting health facilities through the rehabilitation of water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) infrastructure,” she continues. A Health Challenge Against a Backdrop of Structural Crisis The northeast of the DRC is one of the most fragile and conflict-affected regions in the world. The insecurity situation has led to the displacement of more than 920,000 people in Ituri province. The Congolese population faces structural vulnerabilities that make epidemics in eastern DRC particularly dangerous. “In the Ituri region, 1.5 million people are facing food insecurity, and one in three people needs humanitarian assistance. The population in this region relies heavily on local markets to feed their families. Movement restrictions will therefore have a direct impact on their livelihoods and their ability to meet their basic needs,” warns Julie Drouet. As the situation evolves rapidly, it is a real race against time to contain the outbreak. Humanitarian NGOs on the ground are facing major logistical challenges. “For the moment, even humanitarian flights to and from Ebola-affected areas are suspended, which complicates team movements. Funding also remains very limited, making activity planning difficult.” Moreover, the region was already experiencing a humanitarian crisis prior to the Ebola outbreak, further worsening an already complex situation: “We cannot afford to stop our existing emergency projects. Our teams must adapt how activities are implemented to protect communities and our staff in order to break the chain of virus transmission, but our emergency actions must continue,” concludes Julie Drouet.
Countries: Afghanistan, Pakistan Source: UN Women Earthquake survivors in Afghanistan have been forced to flee again due to Pakistan-Afghanistan border conflict. It was during an air attack in eastern Afghanistan that 30-year-old Najeeba* felt her labour pains begin. Around her, families were already on the move, fleeing renewed hostilities along the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan. But her baby wasn’t going to wait. Just six months earlier, the ground had shaken beneath her feet when a massive earthquake devastated the region. Now, it was the skies that she feared. “There was no safe place”, she recalled, as the conflict reached the camp where she had been living with other families displaced by the earthquake. “Aircraft were flying overhead, and my children were extremely frightened; whenever they heard the sound, they would cry and scream.” With her husband, she packed up their tent and few remaining belongings. Najeeba gave birth in a Red Crescent clinic, then climbed into a rented mini truck with her newborn daughter, six other children aged two to 11, and her husband, and escaped to a new camp in the Maza Dara Valley, in Nurgal district. What is happening on the Pakistan-Afghanistan border and how does the conflict affect displaced women? More than 100,000 people have been displaced by the latest cross-border air strikes, shelling, drone attacks, and ground clashes in eastern Afghanistan, following the escalation of renewed hostilities along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. Women and girls – who are already living under increasing restrictions on their freedoms and movement under the Taliban – and those struggling to survive the aftermath of last year’s earthquake in eastern Afghanistan have been hit hardest by the increased insecurity. An estimated 50,000 people in the affected areas are at increased risk of gender-based violence. And women have further reduced access to health and essential services. For pregnant women, the risks are even higher, as many face hunger and limited healthcare. Women displaced by border fighting in eastern Afghanistan face growing health risks; pregnant women struggle to access care For Najeeba and her family, the journey was expensive, forcing them to sell already scarce resources – precious blankets, flour, and cooking oil – just to pay for the trip to the new camp in the Maza Dara Valley. About 40 minutes away, along a steep dirt road in the mountains, another new mother reflected on the impact of the ongoing hostilities along the border. Seventeen-year-old Fahima* had given birth to her son just before the latest escalation began in late February. When the fighting started, her three other children, aged five and under, were terrified by the sound of aircraft and missiles. She and her husband – who had also been living in a camp with families displaced by the earthquake – decided to leave, selling flour and borrowing money to pay for transport. Less than a year ago, they were farmers, growing sorghum, wheat, and kidney beans to feed their family or sell for income. Now, forced to move for the second time in six months, they are running out of food. “Our land was destroyed [in the earthquake] and there is no work here”, Fahima said. “We give more food to our children and eat less ourselves.” More than two-thirds of women in ten impacted provinces have lost income, according to the Afghanistan Gender Coordination Group. Three-quarters report finding it harder to find food and more than four-in-ten report greater difficulty accessing healthcare. Women are also more likely to experience psychological distress. What is UN Women doing to support women and girls in eastern Afghanistan? With funding from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, and through a local partner, UN Women has been supporting women-only safe spaces in camps for families displaced by the earthquake. Counsellors provide much-needed mental health support, while the spaces also offer a rare opportunity for women to connect with each other in privacy, despite the crowded camp conditions. Two of the four safe spaces have now been relocated due to the conflict. Each tent is run by a team of two, a manager and a counsellor, who provide support to women during the day, and cook and sleep in the same space at night. Many have toddlers with them, and return home to their older children, one day a week. Supporting Afghan women affected by trauma and displacement “We stay together and eat together – we are like a mother and daughter”, said Zaland,* 25, a counsellor who moved to a new location with her colleague after the hostilities escalated. Inside their newly re-erected safe space, bright balloons hang from the roof and multicoloured cardboard signs carry messages of mental health support along the walls. “Some of the women have suffered a great deal”, added Zaland. “Some have lost family members, some have lost their homes, some have lost livestock, and some have hungry children.” After counselling, she says, some women leave to collect wild plants to eat. Her colleague, Mastoora,* 36, explains the impact of their work. “The happiness I feel comes from knowing that, even if I cannot do much for a woman, I can at least say something that helps her”, she said. “When I go home, I explain [to my daughters] that I am working for women – they are happy when they see their mother going somewhere to serve other women.” For 17-year-old Fahima, the service helps her cope better, despite the daily struggle she faces to feed her four children. “When we come [for counselling], we feel relieved and our mood improves”, she says. “We would not come if they were male counsellors; the female counsellors are like our sisters, and we can speak openly with them.” Sustained humanitarian support is critical for women and girls in Afghanistan As families continue to endure double displacement following the 2025 earthquake, and now the on-going hostilities, women and girls are affected distinctly and immensely. Sustained support is essential to ensure that women’s civil society organizations can maintain vital women-only safe spaces and other community-based services, providing protection, mental health support, and dignity for those most at risk. * Names have been changed to protect identities.
Countries: Lithuania, Ukraine Sources: International Organization for Migration, UN High Commissioner for Refugees Please refer to the attached file. Background Between 24 February 2022 and October 2025, over 5.7 million individuals are estimated to have fled Ukraine due to the ongoing war.¹ Of these, more than 101,000 have entered the Republic of Lithuania (hereafter referred to as Lithuania). At the time of writing of this report, more than 51,000 individuals held valid temporary residence permits pursuant to the temporary protection mechanism.² This remains the largest arrival of refugees recorded in Lithuania's history. The population that has settled in the country primarily consists of women (47%) and children (31%), along with elderly individuals (13%) and persons with disabilities (6%)—groups that often face heightened risks and require targeted support and services.³ Given the continued instability in Ukraine, it is anticipated that displacement will continue in 2026, with new arrivals seeking refuge in Lithuania and joining those already residing in the country. Lithuania has demonstrated a strong and sustained commitment to welcoming and assisting refugees fleeing Ukraine since 2022. The Ministry of Social Security and Labour leads the national coordination of the refugee response, while municipalities and civil society organizations play active roles in providing direct support and services. This collective effort— driven by government institutions, civil society, and local communities—reflects a comprehensive whole- of-society strategy aimed at ensuring protection and inclusion. Despite these coordinated efforts and the availability of tailored support for individuals with specific needs, many refugees continue to face barriers that limit their ability to fully sustain themselves and support their families. The 2025-2026 Regional Refugee Response Plan (RRP) builds on previous iterations by providing targeted, practical support to host countries. It further aims to ensure groups such as older people, children, people with disabilities and survivors of gender-based violence are receiving specialized assistance to address their needs, and that they are not left behind as the response shifts towards sustainability. To support a coordinated and effective response, access to comprehensive data is crucial for the design, delivery, and assessment of assistance programmes. In this regard, UNHCR Lithuania, working in collaboration with IOM and Lithuanian Red Cross, as well as other key actors engaged in the refugee response within Lithuania, carried out the 2025 Lithuania Socio-Economic Insights Survey (SEIS). The SEIS is a collaborative, inter-agency initiative designed to identify the most urgent needs of refugees coming from Ukraine across key sectors, including protection, health, education, accommodation, and livelihoods. It aligns with the objectives of the Regional Refugee Response Plan (RRP) for the Ukrainian refugee situation5 and specifically supports Lithuania's inter-agency RRP, led by UNHCR. SEIS serves as a source of important and comprehensive data for service providers. The 2025 SEIS in Lithuania was coordinated by UNHCR and developed through a collaborative effort, including with focal points from government, humanitarian actors and civil society, to ensure the survey maintained a multi-sectoral and inter-agency approach. Drawing on their specific expertise, each actor contributed to the design phase of the 2025 SEIS. The process included consultations at a round table event bringing together the key stakeholders involved in the refugee response. This final report serves as a strategic tool to guide humanitarian interventions in Lithuania throughout 2026 and beyond, informing the work of partners and stakeholders. It supports a more targeted and prioritized response and reflects the Grand Bargain commitments6 to improved harmonization and coordination of assessment efforts.
Countries: World, Argentina, Barbados, Brazil, Chile, Cuba, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Panama, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Uruguay Source: International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies Panama City, 1 June 2026 — Although forecasts point to a below-average hurricane season in the Atlantic Ocean, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) today recalled that high cyclonic activity is expected in the eastern Pacific. The organization called for sustained investment in preparedness, anticipatory action and early warning systems across more than 25 countries1 in Central America, North America and the Caribbean that are exposed to tropical cyclones. For the 2026 season in the Atlantic basin, which runs from 1 June to 30 November, the United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) forecasts, with a 55 per cent probability, below-average cyclonic activity relative to the historical average of 14 named storms and seven hurricanes. This year, NOAA notes, there would be between eight and 14 named storms. Of these, three to six would become hurricanes, including one to three major hurricanes — that is, Category 3 or higher. By contrast, the agency forecasts, with a 70 per cent probability, a more active season in the eastern Pacific Ocean, where it predicts between 15 and 22 named storms, of which nine to 14 would become hurricanes and five to nine of those would reach major hurricane strength. "We will say it again and again: a single storm is enough to destroy communities, overwhelm public services, and displace and endanger hundreds of thousands of people," said Cristian Torres, Deputy Regional Director of the IFRC for the Americas. "Forecasts are critical so that we can act before disasters strike, but beyond knowing how many storms there will be, it is essential to reduce people's vulnerability, expand the coverage of early warning systems, and develop, fund and test inter-agency protocols that protect them from the multiple hazards they face," he added. As part of its commitment to preparedness, the IFRC has already prepositioned in Panama, Santo Domingo and other strategic locations across the region enough relief supplies to provide immediate assistance to up to 60,000 people affected by a large-scale emergency. The stock includes hygiene and kitchen kits, mosquito nets, tarpaulins, cleaning and construction tools, solar lamps, water treatment units and water purification supplies, among other items. Aware that mobilizing humanitarian aid in record time requires the participation, knowledge and collaboration of multiple actors, the IFRC also relies on simulation exercises as a critical tool to test crisis and disaster response mechanisms and protocols. The most recent, held this past May, aimed to measure and improve mobilization times, customs procedures and the inter-agency response capacity of El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras in the face of potential flooding caused by hurricanes. The exercise involved mobilizing Red Cross water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) specialist teams and equipment across these three countries. The initiative brought together civil protection, customs and foreign affairs authorities, along with the National Red Cross Societies. It was supported by European Union humanitarian funding and the German Red Cross, and was carried out within the framework of the Regional Mechanism for International Humanitarian Assistance, the instrument of the Central American Integration System (SICA) for organizing, facilitating and coordinating humanitarian assistance among its member countries. Another of the preparedness measures driven by the IFRC ahead of the hurricane season is the adoption of early action protocols. These protocols bring together measures agreed in advance among communities, authorities, and the Red Cross, which are triggered when certain risk thresholds are reached. Depending on the context, these actions may include cash transfers ahead of an emergency to protect homes and livelihoods, the relocation of essential goods, the reinforcement of critical infrastructure, or the evacuation of people in situations of greater vulnerability. When these systems work, communities receive timely alerts, authorities have more time to coordinate evacuations, and humanitarian teams can mobilize aid before the impact occurs. In Central America alone, the IFRC currently has five early action protocols for floods and tropical storms, financially supported by its Disaster Response Emergency Fund (IFRC-DREF). "Prepositioning relief items, simulation exercises and early action protocols make it possible to protect lives, reduce economic losses and speed up recovery after a disaster," Torres explained. "But rules can also save lives and build community resilience, which is why we call on all countries in the region to advance the international treaty for the protection of persons in disaster situations, currently under consultation at the United Nations." This treaty seeks to ensure that the protection of people exposed to or affected by disasters does not depend on chance, but on clear commitments and coordinated action. Its adoption, expected in 2027, would facilitate international cooperation and reduce the obstacles that can delay the arrival of aid. It would also improve the conditions for Red Cross Societies, as auxiliary to the public powers, to continue assisting the most vulnerable people: women, girls, older people, people on the move or with disabilities, and communities affected by violence and poverty. This season, shaped by the influence of the coming El Niño phenomenon, illustrates how risk can shift and take different forms across the continent. While Grenada, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Barbados, Jamaica, Cuba, Haiti and the Dominican Republic continue to recover from hurricanes Beryl, Oscar, Rafael and Melissa, other areas face different threats. The Central American Dry Corridor, parts of Chile and areas of the Andean region are bracing for possible droughts, while Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay anticipate heavy rains and flooding. In all of them, Red Cross teams are already working with communities to get ready. Against this backdrop, where climate, health and social risks accumulate and overlap with growing frequency, the IFRC calls for investing without delay in measures that enable States, communities and the Red Cross itself to better protect people in the face of multi-hazard scenarios. Because, as underscored at IFRC's recent XXXIII Pre-Hurricane and Recurrent Hazards Conference, when risks pile up, the difference between a hazard and a humanitarian crisis is usually decided before the impact — in the level of preparedness already in place, and in the capacity to act before the disaster occurs. For more information: [email protected] In Panama: Susana Arroyo +50769993199 In Geneva: Paolo Cravero +41 79 894 83 96
Country: World Source: International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies Please refer to the attached file. Message from the IFRC Secretary General Small and medium-sized disasters may not dominate global headlines, but for communities affected they are just as devastating. The IFRC’s Disaster Response Emergency Fund (IFRC-DREF) ensures that these crises are met with speed, dignity and locally-led action. Money is made available fast, without the need to wait for a specific appeal. The DREF 2026 Plan is firmly anchored in the IFRC’s Renewal. In the context of significant global funding constraints, humanitarians must be more focused, disciplined and accountable than ever. The IFRC-DREF is central to this shift - enabling early, flexible financing while reinforcing strong stewardship and clear evidence of results. It is also innovative both in the way it is financed (our world-first indemnity insurance policy was triggered for the first time in 2024) and in how its funds are allocated; funding anticipatory action, before hazards hit, is a growing priority. Our 2026–2030 DREF Ambition involves strengthening not only what we fund, but how we deliver. In 2026, we will continue to streamline processes, improve sequencing between DREF grants and Emergency Appeals and reinforce compliance and operational quality. This ensures that speed is matched by sound decision-making, transparency and impact. Localization remains at the heart of IFRC-DREF. By channeling resources directly to National Societies, we enable action that is timely, context-driven and sustainable. At a time when humanitarian needs are rising and financing is under pressure, this agile and principled mechanism is more essential than ever. The DREF 2026 Plan reflects our commitment to work smarter, better demonstrate impact and ensure that no community facing disaster is ignored. I urge you to read it. Jagan Chapagain Context and rationale for the 2026 plan What is the IFRC-DREF? The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies’ Disaster Response Emergency Fund (IFRC-DREF) is an efficient, fast, transparent, and localized way of getting funding directly to local humanitarian actors – both before and after a crisis. It enables National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies to respond rapidly to emergencies and act ahead of predictable hazards through two complementary pillars: • Response • Anticipatory Action The fund combines speed, flexibility, transparency and localization to support community-led humanitarian action. Context and rationale for the 2026 plan The IFRC’s Disaster Response Emergency Fund (IFRC-DREF) enters 2026 at a pivotal moment, marking the conclusion of its Strategic Ambition 2020–2025 and the release of the IFRC-DREF Strategic Ambition 2026–2030, with 2026 serving as the first year of its operationalization. This transition builds on a period of significant reform, as the revision of procedures introduced in 2025 strengthened accountability, clarified operational and financial rules, and reinforced minimum readiness requirements, including for anticipatory action, while safeguarding IFRC-DREF’s core strengths of speed, flexibility, and reliability. These developments take place within the broader context of the IFRC Renewal, which seeks to strengthen a collective approach by reinforcing localization, quality, accountability, and proximity to communities across the IFRC network (the IFRC secretariat and its 191 member National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies). At the same time, National Societies continue to operate in increasingly complex environments shaped by: · climate-related disasters, · epidemics, · displacement, · economic pressures, · and shrinking humanitarian funding. These realities reinforce the importance of a fast, agile and locally led humanitarian financing mechanism. Global operational realities In 2025, IFRC-DREF allocated CHF 77.4 million across 170 operations in 83 National Societies, supporting 14.5 million people affected by crises worldwide. While most allocations remained under the Response Pillar (CHF 64.9 million), anticipatory action reached a record CHF 12.7 million, representing 16% of total funding. This growth was supported by the approval of 11 new simplified EAPs and 21 new EAPs. Despite a decline from 2024, allocations in 2025 remained 75% higher than in 2021, while operations increased by 27% over the same period. At the same time, the number of countries supported remained relatively stable, reflecting growing concentration of IFRC-DREF usage in highly crisis-affected contexts. Anticipatory action expanded significantly faster than the overall fund between 2021 and 2025, increasing by approximately 150%. This trend is expected to continue in 2026 through simplified procedures and expanded early action mechanisms. Despite growing pressure on humanitarian financing systems, IFRC-DREF allocations in 2025 remained 75% higher than in 2021.
Country: Guinea-Bissau Source: World Food Programme BISSAU, Guinea-Bissau — Children and vulnerable families in Guinea-Bissau are being pushed further into hunger and malnutrition as funding shortfalls force cuts to critical programmes during the June to August lean season, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) warned today. The cuts come at a critical time for Guinea-Bissau with almost 130,000 people expected to face crisis levels of hunger in the coming months, more than one in five people unable to meet their basic food needs, and 73 percent of the population lacking essential nutrients. The impact of supply chain disruptions and cost increases linked to the Middle East crisis, and declining funding is placing significant strain on WFP operations. The number of schoolchildren receiving school meals has already been drastically reduced from 283,400 to around 152,000, leaving more than 130,000 school children without this critical daily assistance. “School meals are more than just a meal, for a lot of students it’s the only nutritious food they receive each day,” said Mahamane Badamassi, WFP a.i Country Director in Guinea-Bissau. “These children are now left on their own, with no guarantee of regular meals or adequate nutrition.” In addition, WFP has been forced to suspend the distribution of specialized nutritious foods for children under the age of two, leaving approximately 56,000 children without access to essential nutrition during a critical stage of development. This disruption raises serious concerns about a potential rise in malnutrition and increased vulnerability to disease among young children. “Children, as we know, are particularly vulnerable to diseases during the first two years of life,” added M. Badamassi. “There is a risk that they may fall into malnutrition and become more exposed to illness.” Despite these challenges, WFP continues to deliver life-saving assistance but urgently requires USD 6.4 million to sustain essential food and nutrition assistance for vulnerable people in Guinea-Bissau. # # # The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change. Follow us on X, formerly Twitter, via @wfp_media Contact For more information please contact (email address: firstname.lastname@wfp.org): Charlotte Alves, WFP/ Bissau, Mob. +245 95 546 22 27
Country: World Source: Regional Technical Group on Anticipatory Action in Latin America and the Caribbean Please refer to the attached file. The Technical Working Group on Anticipatory Action for Latin America and the Caribbean (GTAA LAC) publishes this briefing note in light of the forecast of an El Niño episode for the second half of 2026, with increasing probabilities of reaching strong to very strong intensity towards the end of the year. The document analyses current ENSO conditions, the differentiated impacts projected by subregion, and the compound effect of the fertilizer crisis stemming from the conflict in the Strait of Hormuz on regional agrifood systems. As of March 2026, the region has active or developing anticipatory action frameworks in 22 countries, with pre-arranged financing of USD 37.8 million. The note documents the ongoing inter-agency activations in the Central American Dry Corridor, funded by CERF with USD 10.5 million to protect up to 145,000 people in Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador, as well as complementary WFP activations in Nicaragua and Belize, IFRC Early Action Protocols, and ongoing actions in South America. The document presents the activation time windows by subregion and includes recommendations for governments, humanitarian actors and donors aimed at scaling up anticipatory action before the impacts of El Niño materialize on the most vulnerable populations in the region.
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 villagers’ 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 villagers’ houses. Following the first bomb’s 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 villagers’ houses. Mostly, roofs of villagers’ 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 People’s 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 PDF’s graduation ceremony [and not at the village]; however, it [the drone] mistook the village with the PDF’s 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) church’s 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: Democratic Republic of the Congo Sources: Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, World Health Organization The Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) reaffirm their strong partnership and shared commitment to protect the health and well-being of the people of Ituri Province and the nation at large, following the joint mission to Bunia led by Dr Samuel Roger Kamba, Minister of Health, Mr. Patrick Muyaya Katembwe, Minister of Communication and Medias, and the visit of WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. This high-level visit comes at a challenging time, as the country responds to an outbreak of Ebola disease caused by the Bundibugyo virus. The Ministry of Health reports a rapidly evolving situation, with cases and deaths notified in several health zones of Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu. The Government, with support from WHO and partners, is intensifying surveillance, laboratory testing and patient care to interrupt transmission as quickly as possible The Government of the DRC is firmly leading a comprehensive national response, working closely with provincial authorities in Ituri and neighbouring provinces. WHO, alongside the broader United Nations system and health and humanitarian partners, is fully committed to supporting these efforts. Together, DRC authorities, WHO and partners are working to strengthen coordination, mobilize additional resources, and ensure that life-saving interventions reach affected communities quickly and equitably Central to this response is the recognition that communities are at the heart of the solution. Success will depend on the trust, engagement and leadership of local communities. National and provincial authorities, with support from WHO and partners, are intensifying dialogue with community leaders, women's groups, youth representatives, religious leaders and the private sector to better understand local concerns and co-develop solutions that are culturally appropriate and effective. While the Bundibugyo strain presents additional challenges, including the absence of a licensed vaccine or specific treatment, proven public health measures remain effective in slowing transmission and potential full recovery. The Ministry of Health, WHO and partners are working to rapidly undertake randomized control trials on candidate vaccines and treatments. Persistent challenges include early detection and isolation of cases, contact tracing, safe and dignified burials, robust infection prevention and control in health facilities, and strong community awareness. The Government and WHO call on all communities to continue adopting protective behaviours, including regular hand hygiene, early care seeking in health facilities, and sharing accurate information. The DRC brings unparalleled experience to this response, having successfully contained multiple previous Ebola outbreaks. This experience, combined with strong political leadership at the highest level of the State and renewed international solidarity, provides a firm foundation for bringing the current outbreak under control. Both parties emphasize that outbreak response must maintain primary health care and essential services and strengthen long-term health system resilience. Investments made today in laboratories, health workers, surveillance systems and essential services will leave a legacy for the people of Ituri and the DRC as a whole. We sincerely thank our international partners for the support already provided to response operations, and we encourage sustained solidarity to bring this outbreak under control. Cooperation between countries must also ensure that borders remain open, and that entry controls do not obstruct the flow of desperately needed medical supplies and personnel. Together, DRC authorities, WHO, Africa CDC and partners are working to strengthen coordination, mobilize additional resources, and ensure that life-saving interventions reach affected communities quickly and equitably. Media Contacts WHO Media Team World Health Organization Email: mediainquiries@who.int
Country: Democratic Republic of the Congo Source: Médecins Sans Frontières Statement Of Dr Alan Gonzalez, Deputy Director Of Operations For Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) on the occasion of The High-Level Visit To Bunia, Ituri Province, Democratic Republic Of Congo, of the Director-General Of The World Health Organization Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus “Two weeks after the declaration of the Ebola disease outbreak in Ituri Province, the situation is deeply alarming and a legitimate source of anxiety for communities and frontline health workers alike. Never before has an Ebola outbreak recorded so many cases so soon after its declaration. Like everyone in the affected areas, Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders / MSF) teams are witnessing a response that has not yet caught up to the rapid spread of the epidemic. Unlike most previous Ebola disease outbreaks, this one involves the Bundibugyo virus, for which there are no approved vaccines or specific treatments, and which is particularly difficult to diagnose due to limited testing capacity. The reality today is that nobody knows the true scale and severity of this outbreak. New suspected cases are being reported daily, yet hundreds of samples remain untested. At the same time, major constraints, including border and airport closures, continue to delay the arrival of critical medical supplies, humanitarian aid, and specialized personnel. We know from experience that these measures severely hinder outbreak response, and isolate countries that urgently need international support. This outbreak is making those consequences painfully clear. The number of expert medical organizations responding on the ground is still far too limited, and the level of support being provided - including our own - falls far short of what is needed. People urgently need a response that matches the scale of the crisis they are facing. To bring the situation under even partial control, there must be an immediate expansion of testing capacity. This must be accompanied by a rapid, coordinated and tailored scale-up of the overall response, supported by experienced medical and humanitarian organizations, alongside guaranteed and sustained access for the swift entry of medical supplies and humanitarian staff into affected areas. This outbreak is unfolding in a context where medical needs are already acute, and we are now at real risk of a silent escalation of other critical health problems people face every day. So many health facilities are overwhelmed, and access to regular, non-Ebola care is affected while many people remain at home, too afraid to seek care. The response cannot succeed if it is imposed on communities rather than built with them. Every aspect of the response must be rooted in continuous engagement with communities — listening to concerns, addressing fear and misinformation, and building trust so that people feel safe seeking care. Trust and active community participation are essential to controlling the spread of the disease and saving lives. And the effectiveness of the response will ultimately depend on whether people believe in it.”
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 14–15 August 2025, when extreme cloudbursts—reaching up to 150 mm per hour in Buner— 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 impacts—including waterlogging, infrastructure damage, and disrupted essential services—continued to delay recovery in many areas.
Countries: Kenya, Ethiopia Source: International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies Please refer to the attached file. Description of the Event Date of event 15-11-2025 What happened, where and when? On 15 November 2025, the Ethiopia Public Health Institute (EPHI) confirmed an outbreak of Marburg virus disease (MVD) following laboratory testing of samples collected from a cluster of suspected viral hemorrhagic fever cases in Jinka Town, located in the southwestern part of Ethiopia. This marked the first recorded occurrence of MVD in the country. Genetic analysis conducted by EPHI indicated that the virus strain was consistent with those reported in recent outbreaks in other countries within the East African region. A total of nine cases had been reported at the time. Jinka Town was located approximately 170 km and 203 km from the Kenya–Ethiopia border points of Kibish and Todonyang, respectively (both in Turkana County), and approximately 230 km from Ileret and 465 km from Moyale Town (both in Marsabit County). Turkana and Marsabit counties were identified as being at high risk due to their shared border with Ethiopia. These areas, along with surrounding regions, have numerous informal and non-designated border crossing points that were not monitored by security or health officials. The geographical proximity of these entry points underscored the heightened risk of cross-border transmission driven by frequent social and economic interactions. In addition, frequent travel between Addis Ababa Bole International Airport and Jomo Kenyatta International Airport increased the vulnerability of Nairobi, the capital city. This situation necessitated the implementation of immediate preparedness and readiness measures to mitigate the risk of importation and potential spread of Marburg virus disease in Kenya.
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 event’s 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 Morazán), La Esperanza (Intibucá), 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 Atmosféricos, Oceanográficos y Sísmicos (CENAOS)/Comisión Permanente de Contingencias (COPECO), is monitoring and guiding planting decisions across the country. The forecast transition to El Niño 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 Niño 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 Morazán, El Paraíso, 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.