🌐 국제기구 · "TIMES" · 총 23건
필터 보기현재 지수
50.0
0 = 부정 우세
50 = 중립
100 = 긍정 우세
최근 7일 기준 5,638건을 분석한 결과, 뉴스 심리지수는 50.0(균형)입니다. 긍정 0건(0.0%)·중립 5,638건(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.
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: Ukraine, Belarus, Bulgaria, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Poland, Romania, Türkiye Source: UN Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Drone strike in Romania underscores growing risk of spillover of the war in Ukraine, Security Council hears Madam President, Excellencies, Only last week, the Secretary-General alerted this Council to the serious risk of further escalation of the war in Ukraine, including to the broader region. Last Friday, a dangerous incident crystallized our oft-stated warnings about potential spillover of the war. On the night of 28 to 29 May, an armed drone exploded on the top floor of a ten-story residential building in the eastern Romanian city of Galaţi, injuring two residents, a woman and a child. This was not the first reported breach of Romanian airspace by an armed drone since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. However, it was the first time such an incident resulted in casualties. The United Nations does not have any additional information on the strike in Galaţi. But Friday’s incident came on the heels of a worrying trend of drone incursions into the airspaces and territorial waters of countries bordering either Ukraine or the Russian Federation. Over the past 12 months, such incidents have been reported by the authorities in Moldova, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Finland, Poland, Kazakhstan, and Belarus, as well as in countries in the wider region - Bulgaria, Greece and Türkiye. Madam President, The United Nations strongly condemns all attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure. Such attacks, wherever they occur, violate international humanitarian law and must cease immediately. Civilians must be protected at all times. Madam President, The Galaţi incident comes amidst a sharp escalation of large-scale missile and drone attacks by the armed forces of the Russian Federation on Ukrainian towns and cities, resulting in ever worsening toll of civilian casualties and destruction of civilian infrastructure. There has also been a marked increase in Ukrainian attacks on military, energy and industrial infrastructure in the Russian Federation, which have reportedly resulted in a growing number of civilian casualties and damage to civilian infrastructure. As the Secretary-General stressed last week, the dangerous trajectory of escalation and intensification that we are witnessing today, risks getting out of control. The current course must change. Madam President, The risk of miscalculation is particularly dangerous for the safety of nuclear facilities. Such risk has only increased in recent days. On 30 May, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) was informed by the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant that a drone struck a turbine building at the site, reportedly causing a hole in its wall. This was the first such attack within the Plant’s perimeter since April 2024. Yesterday, the IAEA team at the site observed damage to the exterior of a turbine building, noting that it appeared consistent with the impact of a drone. We echo the deep concern expressed by the IAEA Director-General over this serious incident that endangered key nuclear safety principles. Attacks on nuclear sites are reckless and unacceptable. They must stop immediately to prevent any risk of a nuclear accident. Madam President, Amidst heightened tensions, it is incumbent on all concerned to act responsibly and to refrain from any action that could destabilize the situation further. As the Secretary-General emphasized last week, we urgently need immediate steps towards de-escalation, leading to a full and unconditional ceasefire. To that end, we urge dialogue and negotiations to resume at once. Diplomacy needs to be given a meaningful chance to create conditions for achieving peace in Ukraine. A peace that is just, lasting and comprehensive - in line with the Charter of the United Nations, international law, and relevant UN resolutions. A peace that contributes to a more stable regional and international environment. The United Nations will continue to fully support all meaningful efforts to that end. Thank you.
Countries: 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: Mali Source: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Please refer to the attached file. Synopsis (short abstract) This Data in Emergencies Monitoring (DIEM-Monitoring) publication presents an assessment of the agricultural livelihoods of internally displaced households in the Mopti and Ségou regions of Mali. DIEM-Monitoring conducted data collection in these regions in October and November 2025. The report provides humanitarian actors with a detailed analysis of the needs of displaced farming households to better target interventions aimed at supporting livelihoods, strengthening resilience to shocks and preserving food security. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) established DIEM-Monitoring in June 2020. Data are collected several times a year in food-insecure countries by DIEM enumerators through computer-assisted telephone interviews and face-to-face surveys. These data cover shocks, agricultural livelihoods, food security and household needs, and are regularly updated and easily accessible through the DIEM Hub. DIEM products include dashboards, maps, briefs and aggregated datasets, enabling partners and stakeholders to implement mitigation measures and better target vulnerable households.
Country: Ukraine Source: World Bank WASHINGTON, May 29, 2026—The World Bank Board of Executive Directors has approved a social protectionproject for Ukraine that will provide assistance to more than one million people. Specifically, the project will support Ukraine's government in implementing a comprehensive package of reforms to modernize social assistance through a new system that links cash beneficiaries to employment and social service support, helping them to have greater access to jobs. The project will help transform social services financing and delivery and introduce a modern disability support system aligned with European Union standards. Implemented by Ukraine's Ministry of Social Policy, Family, and Unity, the $880 million Social Protection Project for Inclusion, Resilience, Innovation, and Transformation (SPIRIT) project will finance several social assistance programs for low-income households, vulnerable families with children, persons with disabilities, older persons, and caregivers. The project will also advance structural reforms to help reshape Ukraine's social protection architecture for the long-term, while strengthening the capacity of social service providers at the national and local levels. The SPIRIT project is comprised of a $860 million World Bank loan, supported by a $360 million credit enhancement from the Advancing Needed Credit Enhancement for Ukraine (ADVANCE Ukraine Trust Fund, supported by the Government of Japan), and a $500 million bilateral guarantee from the Government of the United Kingdom. The project also anticipates co-financing from Germany and the UK through a $20 million grant from the Ukraine Relief, Recovery, Reconstruction, and Reform Trust Fund (URTF). The SPIRIT project is an integral part of the international support package for Ukraine and the project’s structural reforms will directly advance Ukraine's EU accession agenda by fulfilling critical alignment requirements in social policy, disability rights, and labor market inclusion. One reform consolidates the fragmented benefit programs into a single Basic Social Assistance program — creating a one-stop-shop for vulnerable families that connects income support to jobs and social services through an integrated case management system. Another reform aims to transform social services financing into a model by which the government will fund social services based on people’s needs, allowing clients to access services from a mix of community, nonprofit, and private providers. A third reform aims to transition disability support from a medical certification model to a person-centered system that assesses what people can do and what they need, and includes rehabilitation, assistive technologies, and employment support. “Ukraine continues to experience a severe humanitarian and economic toll. Vulnerable households, especially those whose livelihoods have been significantly affected, require adequate support to mitigate the crisis' impacts, meet basic needs, and avoid falling further into poverty. This project supports reforms designed to reduce poverty, improve access to benefits, and ensure that support reaches those who need it most, even in times of crisis,” said Bob Saum, World Bank Division Director for Eastern Europe. In the last four years, World Bank-mobilized support, which includes strong protections and oversight measures, including audits to help ensure financing reaches its intended recipients, has enabled the Government of Ukraine to provide essential services reaching more than 20 million Ukrainians — including operations for health, education, energy, housing, agriculture, and small and medium enterprises. PRESS RELEASE NO: 2026/ECA/055 Contacts **In Kyiv:**Viktor Zablotskyi vzablotskyi@worldbank.org **In Washington, DC:**World Bank Media Relations press@worldbank.org
Country: Lebanon Sources: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Lebanon Please refer to the attached files. Beirut, 29 May 2026 This Eid al-Adha, normally a time of reflection and family celebrations, civilians across Lebanon faced an appalling escalation of violence, displacement, and human loss. I am deeply alarmed by the intensification of hostilities and by the impact of displacement orders affecting communities across Lebanon, including in Tyre, Nabatieh, and other locations south of the Zahrani River. The vast scale and unclarity of displacement orders are creating disproportionate panic and distress, pushing countless families to make impossible choices in their search for safety. There have been shocking reports that airstrikes have harmed civilians as they attempted to leave areas under displacement orders. Ongoing hostilities have reportedly hindered efforts by first responders to assist the injured, including people trapped under rubble in the aftermath of Israeli airstrikes. The human costs are immense. According to the Ministry of Public Health, at least 31 people including women and children were killed and 40 injured in hostilities on 26 May alone. This includes 14 people who were reportedly killed in a single airstrike in Borj El Chmali near the city of Tyre. In the past week, 15 children have been killed and 62 injured. Health workers are facing death and injury on a horrific scale. Since 2 March, 182 attacks have resulted in 125 health care personnel killed and 311 injured, according to the WHO surveillance system for attacks on health care (SSA). International humanitarian law is clear. The protection of civilians, including health workers and first responders, must be ensured. The ceasefire announcement raised hopes for a return to normal life. However, instead of families going home, the displacement of civilians continues unabated. Men, women, and children continue to flee their homes for safety. Shelters are now overflowing. Schools continue to be displacement sites, robbing children from their right to education. It is distressing to see the unique historical heritage of Lebanon, including Tyre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a site inscribed under enhanced protection, being threatened by the hostilities. One week ago, I was in Tyre meeting with displaced people in a collective shelter. Some families told me they had been forced to move five times in the last two years. Their wishes were crystal clear: de-escalation, a true stop to hostilities, the possibility of rebuilding their lives, and hope for the futures of their children.
Country: Lebanon Sources: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Lebanon Please refer to the attached files. Beirut, 29 May 2026 This Eid al-Adha, normally a time of reflection and family celebrations, civilians across Lebanon faced an appalling escalation of violence, displacement, and human loss. I am deeply alarmed by the intensification of hostilities and by the impact of displacement orders affecting communities across Lebanon, including in Tyre, Nabatieh, and other locations south of the Zahrani River. The vast scale and unclarity of displacement orders are creating disproportionate panic and distress, pushing countless families to make impossible choices in their search for safety. There have been shocking reports that airstrikes have harmed civilians as they attempted to leave areas under displacement orders. Ongoing hostilities have reportedly hindered efforts by first responders to assist the injured, including people trapped under rubble in the aftermath of Israeli airstrikes. The human costs are immense. According to the Ministry of Public Health, at least 31 people including women and children were killed and 40 injured in hostilities on 26 May alone. This includes 14 people who were reportedly killed in a single airstrike in Borj El Chmali near the city of Tyre. In the past week, 15 children have been killed and 62 injured. Health workers are facing death and injury on a horrific scale. Since 2 March, 182 attacks have resulted in 125 health care personnel killed and 311 injured, according to the WHO surveillance system for attacks on health care (SSA). International humanitarian law is clear. The protection of civilians, including health workers and first responders, must be ensured. The ceasefire announcement raised hopes for a return to normal life. However, instead of families going home, the displacement of civilians continues unabated. Men, women, and children continue to flee their homes for safety. Shelters are now overflowing. Schools continue to be displacement sites, robbing children from their right to education. It is distressing to see the unique historical heritage of Lebanon, including Tyre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a site inscribed under enhanced protection, being threatened by the hostilities. One week ago, I was in Tyre meeting with displaced people in a collective shelter. Some families told me they had been forced to move five times in the last two years. Their wishes were crystal clear: de-escalation, a true stop to hostilities, the possibility of rebuilding their lives, and hope for the futures of their children.
Countries: World, United Republic of Tanzania Source: International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies At a school on the Unguja Island, part of the Tanzanian archipelago known as Zanzibar, volunteers from the Tanzania Red Cross Society explain to a classroom full of students how to protect themselves from the dangers of extreme heat. The volunteers’ efforts were part of a larger heatwave awareness campaign in early 2026, led by the Tanzanian Red Cross, that has reached more than 4,000 people in schools, madrasas, markets, and communities around the island. This is just one of many ways Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies around the world regularly work to protect people from the dangers of extreme heat – including the very particular dangers of indoor heat. Why focus on indoor heat? When thinking about or preparing for heatwaves, people often think of blistering days outside in the hot sun. But people living or working indoors, in uncooled or poorly ventilated spaces, can sometimes be at even greater risk of heat stroke, dehydration and other heat-related risks. Those most susceptible to rising body temperatures — children and the elderly — are particularly vulnerable and, often, they must spend long periods of the day inside. These are some of the reasons Heat Action Day 2026 focuses on ‘indoor heat’ — putting the spotlight on the health risks people face inside their homes, schools, workplaces, care facilities, transport hubs, prisons and even public vechiles such as busses and taxis. (Learn more about how to #BeatTheHeat and about how to take part in Heat Action Day 2026.) This threat is nothing new to Red Cross and Red Crescent volunteers who often go door-to-door during heatwaves, visiting people who live in densely populated urban neighborhoods, work in poorly insulated industrial areas, or live in camps for people displaced by emergencies. Very often, such facilities or temporary shelters lack insulation or access to energy or water sources that can help keep people cool. Building materials, design characteristics, and urban heat island all play a role in determining indoor temperatures. Rising risks Without respite and access to cooling, high day- and night-time indoor temperatures pose significant health risks, particularly for older people and those with pre-existing medical conditions. Beyond heat stroke, high temperatures can have a wide range of health effects. According to a 2020 study, for example, high indoor temperatures affect multiple aspects of human health, with the strongest evidence for respiratory health, diabetes management and core schizophrenia and dementia symptoms, according to one 2020 study. Other studies show that prolonged exposure to high indoor temperatures is also responsible for sleep disturbances, cognitive impairment of workers, reduced learning uptake in students, and domestic violence. More research needs to be done, however, so policy makers, urban planners and architects can better understand how to reduce extreme urban heat. At the same time, building standards and indoor heat policies need urgent updates. In many places, indoor heat standards do not exist, or they overlook vulnerable populations and climate projections. The good news is that it is possible to improve the way buildings and public spaces are designed and constructed to better protect people living and working indoors. Meanwhile, more governments, agencies and communities are taking action. For example: painting roofs white, keeping windows covered during the hottest times of day, and using passive cooling at night when temperatures outside cool down. There are also many low-cost actions one can take to cool the body: a cool shower, submerging feet in cool water, self-dousing with water, using an evaporative cooler or misting fan, ingesting cold water, wearing clothing made from natural fibres, and sleeping with a wet sheet, among other measures. As part of its 2026 Heat Action Day activation, the IFRC also encourages people to proactively reach out to support the elderly and chronically ill during times of extreme heat, especially those with limited mobility who may need help getting to a cooler space. How can you take part in Heat Action Day? As the organization that created Heat Action Day, the IFRC each year encourages more and more activities to raise awareness and encourage people to take concrete action to prevent heat related illness and death. Whether you're sharing life-saving tips on social media or organizing a community event, there are many ways to get involved and help #BeatTheHeat. Learn more here and register to participate and create your own Heat Action Day event or activity
Country: Somalia Source: Action Against Hunger Population: 19 million People in Need: 6 million People Facing Hunger: 9.8 million People Helped Last Year: 3,201,516 Our Team: 116 employees Program Start: 1992 In Somalia, birth is never a quiet, private thing. Grandmothers whisper blessings. Neighbors hold your hand. For as long as anyone can remember, mothers have brought babies into the world this way; guided by the women who came before them. That wisdom is real. It matters. But it is not always enough. In Somalia, fewer than one in three mothers give birth with a trained health worker by their side. Too many mothers and babies die from problems that good medical care can prevent. So, how do you keep the wisdom of grandmothers and add the safety of modern medicine? You build a place that families trust. That is exactly what happened at Makkah Hospital in Mogadishu, with support from the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), World Health Organization Somalia, and Action Against Hunger. And that is where two young mothers—strangers to each other—walked through the same door and changed the future of their families. Dahiro was 24 years old. She traveled a long way from her village in Jilib, a small town far from the capital. She had already given birth twice before, both times at home, and both times without a doctor or a nurse. “I always feared hospitals for delivery,” she said, holding her newborn daughter close. “In Jilib, you trust what your grandmother told you.” Dahiro holds her newborn baby at the Makkah Hospital, supported by Action Against Hunger Dahiro was a careful, loving mother. She breastfed her older children because her aunt told her it was the right thing to do. The practice also helped space out her pregnancies in a natural way. She followed the traditions and believed she was doing everything right. “But I didn’t know,” she says quietly, “that I was only doing half the job to protect them.” She had recently realized through conversation with the hospital staff that, while breastfeeding built her babies’ immune systems, they needed vaccines as an additional shield. Her older children, still back in the village, had never been vaccinated because she simply didn’t know they needed to be. Down the hall, 25-year-old Nafisa sat with her children gathered around her. She was a single mother, and life had not been easy. A bad drought pushed her family from their home and into a displacement camp. Nafisa has a consultation at Makkah Hospital, supported by Action Against Hunger. Nafisa first came to Makkah Hospital in June 2025 because her two young children were dangerously thin. They were malnourished and needed special milk and therapeutic food to survive. While the medical team treated her children, they noticed Nafisa was pregnant and signed her up for check-ups right away. In September 2025, she returned to the hospital and delivered her baby safely. But even then, she could not stop worrying. A measles outbreak was spreading near her camp. “I feared my children might get sick from Jadeeco [the Somali word for measles],” she said . Her voice was steady, but her eyes showed fear. The team at Makkah Hospital did not treat Dahiro’s and Nafisa’s appointments as time to address isolated issues. They treated them as an opportunity for holistic care. This is the “one-stop-shop” approach: when a mother walks through the door for any reason—a birth, a sick child, or hunger—the team checks on everything. Every child. Every need. Dahiro is helped by a midwife in the postnatal room in Makkah Hospital, supported by Action Against Hunger. Action Against Hunger and WHO Somalia have built a healthcare system that sees the whole family. When Makkah Hospital brings vaccines, nutrition, and maternal care under one roof, they are turning Somalia’s National Transformation Plan (NTP) – the country’s roadmap for rebuilding and modernizing the country through 2029 – into a reality that mothers can actually feel. One ordinary morning at Makkah Hospital, something small and powerful happened. Dahiro and Nafisa were both in the ward at the same time. Dahiro’s newborn daughter received her very first vaccine. Nafisa’s children got their life-saving shots and were checked to make sure they were growing well. Two families, side by side, stepping into safety at the same time. Nafisa in the Makkah Hospital This is how big goals like Universal Health Coverage and the Sustainable Development Goals (particularly SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being) stop being words on paper and start becoming real life. Every visit becomes a chance to catch what might otherwise be missed. Dahiro and Nafisa headed home, carrying their children and a new shield of knowledge. “I will go back home with what I know now,” Dahiro says with new confidence. “I will speak to other mothers. My aunts gave me their wisdom, and now I will give other mothers the wisdom I have found here.” She is not rejecting what her grandmother taught her; she is adding to it. Nafisa does not say much as she leaves. She just breathes with relief and holds her children a little tighter, knowing they are finally safe. These two women walked into Makkah Hospital as strangers, each carrying her own fears. They are walking out as proof of what becomes possible when the right support meets a mother’s love. When you give a mother the tools, she protects the family. And family by family, they are rewriting the future of a nation.
Country: South Sudan Source: World Food Programme AKOBO, South Sudan - The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has scaled-up its emergency response in Akobo East, South Sudan, delivering vital food and nutrition assistance to hundreds of thousands of people facing catastrophic hunger and malnutrition, even as insecurity, infrastructure damage and the onset of the rainy season continue to hamper operations. “The situation is critical and demands immediate attention to save lives of people who desperately need assistance,” said Mutinta Chimuka, WFP Country Director in South Sudan. “Our hope is to continue to reach people in need. Sustained safety and security of humanitarians and humanitarian cargo is therefore crucial to allow us to ramp up assistance and effectively reach all those in need.” Here are the latest updates on food security and WFP operations in Akobo, South Sudan: Food Security Situation in Akobo: According to the latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) update, parts of Akobo County are experiencing IPC Phase 5 (Catastrophe) – one of four counties at risk of famine if conditions deteriorate. An estimated 97,000 people are projected to face IPC Phase 3 (Crisis), 85,000 Phase 4 (Emergency), and 12,000 Phase 5 (Catastrophe) through July The malnutrition crisis has worsened to IPC Acute Malnutrition Phase 5 (Extremely Critical), driven by displacement, loss of livelihoods, disruption to health and nutrition services, and increased disease risks due to overcrowding. Severe malnutrition among children under five and breastfeeding mothers is rising sharply, fuelling fears of famine-like conditions developing in the region. Ongoing conflict has already displaced approximately 142,000 individuals from Akobo County and surrounding areas, with 100,000 having crossed into neighbouring Ethiopia. The collapse of local markets due to conflict and looting has severely restricted access to food supplies. WFP Operations in Akobo: Since launching its emergency response three weeks ago, WFP has reached more than 60,000 vulnerable people in Akobo including: More than 15,000 people with emergency food assistance Close to 6,000 pregnant and breastfeeding women with nutrition commodities and Over 30,000 people with High Energy Biscuits (HEB), a vital source of nutrition for people on the move. More than 6,000 children and pregnant and breastfeeding women with specialized nutritious foods – part of a blanket supplementary feeding programme. WFP and partners have also conducted nutrition screenings for 15,000 children and admitted 3,000 children with moderate acute malnutrition (MAM). WFP’s supply chain coordination and delivery continues to enable the scale up, including: Delivery of 25 metric tons of fortified biscuits and specialised nutritious foods, including airlifting 14.5 metric tons to frontline warehouses. Transport of 300 metric tons of mixed commodities for General food assistance and Nutrition to Akobo by air. A 33-truck convoy from WFP and the Logistics Cluster to deliver over 200 metric tons of food assistance, nutrition supplies, and 100 metric tons of relief items by this week. This may be the final road convoy before heavy rains render key roads impassable. More than 60 flights by WFP Aviation including airdrops, airlifts, and UN Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS) passenger flights transporting 430 MT of critical assistance. UNHAS has also transported more than 200 aid workers into and out of the area. Increasing WFP-managed UNHAS flights to three times per week. During the rainy season, when overland transport becomes unfeasible, WFP will continue supporting Akobo through air deliveries to ensure uninterrupted food assistance. Challenges and Funding requirements While access in Akobo has recently improved, delivering life-saving assistance has relied heavily on costly air operations due to persistent insecurity. The risk of renewed fighting is real. We need hostilities to end and humanitarians must have continued secure access to ensure civilians can safely receive vital assistance. The sustained and consistent delivery of critical services and support to communities is paramount for recovery and rebuilding livelihoods. WFP is deeply concerned about the many vulnerable people trapped in inaccessible regions, where hunger and malnutrition is likely to worsen during the fast-approaching lean season. WFP urgently requires USD 266 million to continue life-saving food, nutrition assistance, as well as support to the humanitarian community in South Sudan in 2026. # # # Note to editors: Broadcast quality footage available, please contact wfp.media@wfp.org. 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 @wfp_Africa @wfp_SouthSudan For more information please contact (email address: firstname.lastname@wfp.org): Tomson Phiri, WFP/Juba, +211 928 008 037 Azfar Deen, WFP/Nairobi +39 345 846 6425 Julian Miglierini, WFP/ Rome, Mob. +39 348 2316793 Martin Rentsch, WFP/Berlin, Mob +49 160 99 26 17 30 Shaza Moghraby, WFP/New York, Mob. + 1 929 289 9867 Rene McGuffin, WFP/ Washington Mob. +1 771 245 4268 Nicola Kelly, WFP/London, Mob +44 (0)796 8008 474
Countries: Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Sudan, Uganda Source: World Bank How is the World Bank Group responding to the Ebola Outbreak The World Bank Group is responding swiftly to the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda. We are drawing on our investments in health preparedness — and the financing tools built specifically for moments like this — to help countries contain the outbreak and protect vulnerable communities. Our focus is on the people most at risk: the communities facing the outbreak, the health workers responding to it, and the governments working to contain it. Mobilizing financing and technical support Our immediate priority is to help ensure that financing and technical support can be mobilized rapidly to support frontline response efforts, reinforce health systems, and strengthen surveillance and cross-border preparedness. Frontline response support - Getting resources to the people responding to the outbreak, including for health workers, surveillance systems, and community engagement teams doing the hard work of containment on the ground. Health system reinforcement - Strengthening the local and national health systems that communities depend on — including laboratory capacity, referral pathways, and supply chains. Surveillance and cross-border preparedness - Supporting fast case detection and public health interventions that are the foundation of containment, including reinforcing preparedness in neighboring countries at risk of spread. Private sector capacity The World Bank Group is following up with private sector clients to assess the impact of the outbreak on operations, including access to routine healthcare and products, as well as the private sector’s capacity to scale up production and delivery of high-demand products such as Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), diagnostics, and specific treatment options. Supporting Impacted Countries Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) The World Bank Group has been a long-term partner in building health emergency infrastructure in the country. A current project in DRC, the Health Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Resilience (HEPRR) Project, is financing the deployment of Ministry of Health specialists to the field, including epidemiologists, infection prevention and control experts, and risk communication teams. It is also supporting the deployment of diagnostic equipment and laboratory experts to expand testing capacity in Bunia. At the same time, a separate $555 million nutrition and health project is protecting the delivery of maternal, newborn and immunization services during the emergency across over 3,500 health facilities in the DRC. Through the Regional Disease Surveillance Systems Enhancement (REDISSE) project, we helped establish the largest biosafety-level laboratory in Eastern DRC—now the central testing hub in the heart of the outbreak zone. The lab is fully operational and actively testing for Ebola. We are currently financing critical laboratory equipment in DRC to keep the lab fully operational through an existing health investment in the country. DRC's national response is being coordinated from the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) in Kinshasa, which was rehabilitated four years ago with World Bank funding through REDISSE. A warehouse in the same building holds stockpiles of emergency supplies — pre-positioned for exactly this kind of crisis. Uganda The World Bank Group has supported Uganda through previous major outbreaks and is mobilizing funding to help contain this one. We are in close coordination with national authorities and partners to assess evolving needs on the ground and are discussing additional options to support the country’s response. Regional and cross-border preparedness Cross-border transmission is a serious concern given the movement of people, goods, and trade across this region. In South Sudan, the Ministry of Health has deployed surveillance teams to border areas and is working with WHO — contracted under an ongoing World Bank project — to strengthen preparedness and ramp up Ebola response activities. Other neighboring countries are also activating preparedness measures, and the WBG is supporting these efforts alongside governments and development partners. WBG Health Emergency Response Tools Crisis Response Toolkit and Crisis Response Window These mechanisms allow countries to reallocate and access emergency financing more quickly in times of crisis. This outbreak underscores the importance of having these options pre-positioned. The Crisis Response Toolkit includes the Rapid Response Option, which allows countries to repurpose existing portfolio funds without new approvals; pre-arranged contingent financing; and catastrophe insurance mechanisms that mobilize private capital. The Crisis Response Window provides additional concessional financing for countries responding to major emergencies. We are actively exploring options under both mechanisms to support a robust response. The Pandemic Fund The Pandemic Fund, hosted by the World Bank, is the first multilateral financing mechanism dedicated specifically to strengthening pandemic preparedness and response capacity in low- and middle-income countries. The Fund is coordinating closely with countries as well as regional and international partners to support the rapid scale-up of surveillance, diagnostics, risk communications and community engagement, and other emergency response measures in affected regions of the DRC and Uganda, as well as neighboring countries, including Burundi and South Sudan. The Pandemic Fund has active projects in all affected countries and stands ready to scale up efforts to contain the outbreak and strengthen core health systems. An extraordinary meeting of the Fund’s Governing Board will be held this week to determine concrete measures, including the reprogramming of available resources to meet urgent needs. Commitment to Resilient Health Systems This outbreak is also a reminder of why resilient health systems matter. The World Bank Group is committed to reaching 1.5 billion people with quality, affordable health services by 2030 by mobilizing public and private sectors together—strengthening health financing, expanding the health workforce, scaling primary care, and boosting local manufacturing of medicines and supplies. That ambition requires resilient health systems that are strong enough to prevent, detect, and respond to health emergencies. One key initiative supporting this goal is the Africa Initiative for Medical Access and Manufacturing (AIM2030), a partnership led by the World Bank Group, the African Union Commission, governments, and partners to expand access to essential medicines and health products while building sustainable regional manufacturing capacity across Africa. Partners We are coordinating closely with governments across the region and with partners, including WHO, the Africa Centres for Disease Control (Africa CDC), Gavi, CEPI, and other partners. The Africa CDC, supported in part by World Bank funding, has been central to strengthening African countries' capacity to detect and respond to outbreaks, including this one. Stay Updated The situation is actively evolving. We are monitoring it closely and will continue to update this page as our response develops.
Country: Ukraine Source: UN Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Delayed diplomacy in Ukraine deepens the threat to regional and international peace and security, ASG Khiari warns | United Nations Peace Operations Mr. President, As the Secretary-General just stated, today’s meeting takes place against the backdrop of an alarming escalation of the war in Ukraine. On the night of 23 to 24 May, the armed forces of the Russian Federation launched a massive strike across Ukraine, reportedly deploying as many as 90 long-range missiles and 600 drones. Among the weapons used was the so-called “Oreshnik” intermediate-range ballistic missile, which targeted the city of Bila Tserkva in central Ukraine. This marks the third known instance of the use of this weapon by the Russian Federation in Ukraine. At least five people were reported killed and at least 112 others injured across Ukraine, with the heaviest toll in Kyiv. The city’s more than two million residents endured over seven hours of explosions, impacting dozens of residential buildings. According to UNESCO, more than 30 cultural sites were reportedly damaged in this latest wave of attacks. The diplomatic residence of the Albanian Ambassador, and a compound housing the United Nations Resident Coordinator and several UN agencies, were impacted by falling debris from strikes in central Kyiv. Fortunately, no UN staff members were injured. Attacks continued into this week, impacting civilians across southern and eastern Ukraine. Russian Federation authorities have also reported rising civilian casualties from alleged Ukrainian strikes. On 25 May, two civilians were reportedly killed in the Belgorod and Bryansk regions. Mr. President, We remain deeply concerned over the recent announcement by the Russian Federation of plans to conduct, and I quote, “consistent and systemic strikes against Ukrainian defense enterprises in Kyiv – as well as against decision-making centres and command posts”, end of quote. This announcement followed reports of a Ukrainian drone attack on a college building and dormitory in the Ukrainian city of Starobilsk that is presently occupied by the Russian Federation. We strongly condemn all attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure. Such attacks, wherever they occur, violate international humanitarian law. They must cease immediately. Civilians must be protected. Mr. President, The United Nations and our humanitarian partners continue to operate under extremely dangerous conditions to reach civilians in need. In the past two weeks, United Nations humanitarian personnel, humanitarian partners, and assets, have come under attack on five occasions. This is unacceptable. Humanitarian personnel and clearly marked humanitarian missions must be protected at all times in accordance with international humanitarian law. The United Nations stands ready to work with both sides to ensure safe, sustained and unimpeded humanitarian access to communities in need, wherever they may be. Despite the challenging conditions, the United Nations continues to support recovery and reconstruction efforts, as well as human rights monitoring and advocacy. The United Nations is also focused on efforts to facilitate the safe return of deported and forcibly transferred Ukrainian children, including through the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Children in Armed Conflict. Mr. President, In its fifth year, Russian Federation’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine continues to exact a profound toll – disrupting global trade and economy, deepening regional and international divisions, and eroding trust in the multilateral system. With each passing day diplomacy is delayed, the threat to regional and international peace and security deepens. An urgent return to dialogue and negotiations remains imperative. The United Nations will continue to fully support all meaningful efforts to that end. Thank you.
Country: Democratic Republic of the Congo Source: World Health Organization To the people of DRC, especially to the people of Ituri Jambo kwenu wakahaji wa Ituri Mbote na bino, bato ya Ituri My name is Tedros, and I am the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO). But today, I am not writing to you as an official. I am writing to you as someone who knows your region, who has walked your streets, and who cares deeply about what happens to you and your families. I am writing because I want to be with you in these moments. And I want you to know that you are not alone. Ebola is not new to me personally. From 2018 to 2020, I came fourteen times to North Kivu, the epicentre of the outbreak at that time. Fourteen visits to Beni, Butembo, Katwa, Goma, and many other communities. During that outbreak, Ebola spread across North Kivu, South Kivu, and reached parts of Ituri as well. I was alongside families who had lost their loved ones. I met health workers risking their lives every day. I met community leaders, traditional healers, religious leaders and business leaders who refused to abandon their people. I saw men and women show extraordinary courage in the most difficult of circumstances. The people there, who saw me coming back again and again, wanted to give me a name that belonged to their community. They asked me whether I was the first, second, or third child of my parents. When I told them I was the firstborn, they gave me the name Dr. Paluku. I carry that name with pride. It is not just a name. It is a bond. It is a reminder that this work is not about titles or institutions. It is about people. It is about you. That outbreak was one of the most complex in history. It did not unfold in a stable, peaceful environment. It happened in the middle of armed conflict, with communities displaced, supply routes disrupted, and health workers operating under constant threat. People were fleeing violence while also trying to protect themselves and their families from a deadly disease. I remember being in Beni on more than one occasion while fighting was taking place on the outskirts of the city. We could hear it. And yet the health workers around me did not stop. They kept working. That kind of courage is something I will never forget. The challenges of that time are not so different from what you are facing today in Ituri. I understand that. I have seen it with my own eyes. Mistrust ran deep, and the security situation cost us precious time. Our health workers were attacked. Clinics were targeted. People who were only trying to save lives found themselves caught in the middle of a conflict they did not start. Lives were lost that we might have saved, and that weighs on me still. But I also witnessed something remarkable. When we listened, when communities felt respected and heard, things began to change. Trust grew slowly, then more quickly. People came forward. And together, we managed to contain the outbreak. We did it. The people of DRC did it. I will never forget that. Ebola is now back. This time, the outbreak is hitting Ituri province the hardest. More than 90% of all cases have been reported in Ituri province, with a small number of cases also reported in North Kivu and South Kivu. I know how frightening that is, and I know that the people of Ituri are bearing a burden that is not easy to carry. I know that many of you are exhausted. You are already carrying so much: malaria, hunger, insecurity, and the daily struggle to keep your families safe. And now Ebola. It is not fair, and I will not pretend otherwise. But I also want to say something else about Ituri, because this province deserves to be seen for more than its hardships. Ituri is a place of remarkable energy. It is a province of vibrant commerce, of entrepreneurial spirit, of communities that have refused to be defined by the conflicts around them. The markets of Bunia buzz with life. Traders, farmers, teachers, and young people building their futures against all odds. That spirit, that refusal to give up, is exactly what we need now. It is the foundation on which we will build our response. We do not come to Ituri with only medicine and expertise. We come to join a community that already knows how to fight for its survival. I want to say a special word to the young people of Ituri. You are growing up in circumstances that no young person should have to face. And yet what I see, again and again, is not despair but determination. You are the future of this province and this country. In this outbreak, you have a vital role to play. Talk to your friends and your families. Share what you know about Ebola. Help break the fear and the silence that allow this virus to spread. Your voice carries further than you know, and we need it now more than ever. And to the health workers of Ituri, I want to say this: you are seen, and you are not alone. Every day you go to work knowing the risks, and you go anyway. You do it for your patients, for your communities, for your families. You are the backbone of this response. Without you, none of this is possible. I know the conditions are hard. I know the resources are often not enough. I know that fear and exhaustion are real. Please know that WHO stands with you, that we are working to get you the support you need, and that your courage and dedication are known and deeply valued far beyond the borders of this province. I also know that the security situation in parts of this region remains very difficult. Conflict and displacement make everything harder, including reaching people who need care and keeping health workers safe. I want to be honest: this is one of our greatest challenges. We cannot do this work if those who are trying to help are prevented from doing so or put in danger. We are working closely with all relevant partners to ensure that the response can reach every community that needs it, and that no one is left behind because of where they live or what is happening around them. That is why today I am making a direct appeal to all warring parties in this region: please, declare a ceasefire. Even briefly. Even just enough to let health workers through. People are dying from Ebola who do not have to die. Children are sick. Families are suffering. No cause, no conflict, no grievance is worth condemning innocent people to death from a preventable disease. A ceasefire, even a temporary one, would save lives. I urge you, I implore you: give us the space to help the people who need it most. I also know that there is anger and mistrust in some communities, and I understand why. Trust must be earned, it cannot be assumed. We have not always done things correctly. But I promise you, we are here to learn as much as we are here to help. I need to be honest with you about something important. Most previous Ebola outbreaks in DRC were caused by a virus called Ebola Zaire, for which we have vaccines and treatments. This outbreak is caused by a different virus called Ebola Bundibugyo. There are currently no approved vaccines or treatments for it. This is serious, and you deserve to hear that plainly. But I also want you to know this: while there are no specific treatments for Bundibugyo, there is much we can do together to prevent the spread of this virus and save lives. Early supportive care in our treatment centers can make a real difference. If you or someone you know falls ill, please do not wait. Coming forward early can make the difference between life and death. And everything we do, we will do with you. We will listen to you, we will share information with you, and we are here to help. And for those we cannot save, we will mourn with you. We will help you grieve your lost loved ones with safe and dignified burials. We are working under the leadership of the Government of DRC, together with all relevant partners, united around one goal: to stop this outbreak and protect your communities. No one is working alone. No one is working at cross purposes. We are coordinated, we are committed, and we are here. That is why I am coming to Bunia. I will be there in person, alongside my colleagues, meeting your leaders, listening to your concerns, and doing everything in my power to help you. I will not be managing this from a comfortable office far away. This is the 17th Ebola outbreak in DRC. Together, you have overcome every single one before. That is not a small thing. That is a testament to the strength and resilience of your communities. I have seen that strength with my own eyes. My brothers and sisters of Ituri, I want you to know that the world is watching your courage. You are not forgotten. Together, we will overcome this outbreak, as you have overcome every challenge before. Your resilience is the light that guides us all. We will get through this one too. Not because of anyone, but because of you. Our teams are already on the ground, and they will stay for as long as necessary. And when this outbreak is over, we will not quietly disappear. We will not forget you. We will stay, and we will keep working with you to build health systems that protect every person in every community. I look forward to seeing you in Bunia soon. Until then, please know that you are in my thoughts. With respect and solidarity, Paluku Tedros Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus Director-General, World Health Organization
Country: Lebanon Source: Human Rights Watch Cette décision en période de conflit renforce l’opposition mondiale aux mines antipersonnel (Beyrouth, 27 mai 2026) – L’adhésion récente du Liban à la Convention sur l’interdiction des mines antipersonnel, alors même que ce pays traverse une période de conflit armé, met en evidence l’importance vitale de ce traité pour sauver des vies et reconstruire les communautés, a déclaré aujourd’hui Human Rights Watch. La décision du gouvernement libanais, devrait inciter d’autres pays, en particulier au Moyen-Orient et en Afrique du Nord, à soutenir également les normes mondiales contre les mines antipersonnel. « L’adhésion du Liban à la Convention sur l’interdiction des mines antipersonnel, alors même que des combats destructeurs ravagent le pays et la région, constitue une étape importante pour protéger la vie des civils, soutenir les victimes des mines et décontaminer les terres de communautés », a déclaré Verity Coyle, directrice adjointe de la division Crises, conflits et armes à Human Rights Watch. « Les États qui n’ont pas encore adhéré a la Convention devraient d’urgence suivre cet exemple. » Les mines antipersonnel tuent et blessent des personnes de manière indiscriminée. Elles sont généralement posées manuellement, mais peuvent également être dispersées par des avions, des roquettes, des tirs d'artillerie, des drones ou des véhicules spécialisés. Les mines terrestres non déminées restent dangereuses jusqu'à ce qu'elles soient localisées et détruites. La présence de mines dans des terres est susceptible de provoquer le déplacement de civils, d’entraver l'acheminement d'aide humanitaire et d’empêcher les activités agricoles. La Convention sur l’interdiction des mines antipersonnel de 1997 (« Convention d’Ottawa ») interdit totalement l’utilisation des mines antipersonnel et exige des pays qu’ils détruisent leurs stocks, déminent les zones minées et viennent en aide aux victimes. Le Liban est fortement contaminé par des mines terrestres antipersonnel. Malgré les efforts de déminage en cours qui permettent de retirer des milliers de mines chaque année, à la fin de 2024, au moins 15,79 kilomètres carrés de terres restaient contaminés par des mines terrestres et 4,67 kilomètres carrés supplémentaires étaient contaminés par des armes à sous-munitions, qui agissent en fait comme des mines terrestres. En 2023, la Force intérimaire des Nations Unies au Liban (FINUL) a estimé que cette contamination touchait au moins 200 000 personnes au Liban. Entre 2015 et 2024, les mines ou les restes explosifs de guerre ont tué au moins 167 personnes au Liban. Le gouvernement libanais a manifesté son intérêt pour une adhésion à la Convention depuis le début des années 2000, mais a invoqué la situation sécuritaire du pays comme un obstacle. En décembre 2009, le directeur du Centre libanais d'action contre les mines (CLAM) a affirmé que le Liban n’avait « jamais produit ni exporté de mines antipersonnel ». En janvier 2026, le Conseil des ministres libanais a publié un décret approuvant l’adhésion du pays à la Convention d’Ottawa. Le 1er mai, le Liban a déposé son instrument d’adhésion à la Convention auprès des Nations Unies à New York devenant ainsi le 162ème pays à y adhérer. Le traité entrera en vigueur pour le Liban le 1er novembre 2026. L'adhésion du Liban intervient à un moment critique pour la Convention, dont cinq États européens – l’Estonie, la Finlande la Lettonie et la Lituanie et la Pologne – ont annoncé leur retrait en 2025 ; l'Ukraine a tenté de suspendre ses obligations. Tous ces pays ont invoqué des préoccupations de sécurité comme principale raison de leurs décisions. Le Liban est désormais tenu de soumettre un rapport de transparence initial à l’ONU et de commencer à mettre en œuvre les dispositions de la Convention sur tout territoire relevant de sa juridiction ou de son contrôle, en toutes circonstances. D'autres États devraient suivre l'exemple du Liban et adhérer immédiatement à la Convention. Il s’agit notamment des pays suivants, dans la région du Moyen-Orient et de l'Afrique du Nord : l'Arabie saoudite, Bahreïn, l'Égypte, les Émirats arabes unis, l'Iran, Israël, la Libye, le Maroc et la Syrie. « L’adhésion du Liban à au traité interdisant les mines antipersonnel renforce l’opposition mondiale à ces armes horribles, et devrait encourager d’autres États à faire de même », a conclu Verity Coyle. « Le fait que le Liban ait pris cet engagement juridique en pleine crise devrait rappeler aux autres pays pourquoi les traités internationaux protégeant les civils sont si essentiels. »
Countries: World, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Haiti, Lebanon, Libya, occupied Palestinian territory, South Sudan, Sudan, Ukraine Source: Insecurity Insight Please refer to the attached file. Aid in Danger incidents affecting aid agencies and their staff and impact on programmes Incidents of threats and violence affecting aid workers, aid delivery and aid impact supporting aid agencies in risk mitigation and safety and security measures when implementing programmes. The incidents reported are not a complete nor a representative list of all events that affected the provision of aid delivery. Insecurity Insight continues to update data and figures may change. Updated data includes new and historic reports identified in open-sources and verified security incidents submitted by Aid in Danger partner agencies. Africa Democratic Republic of the Congo 01 May 2026: In Mwenga territory, South Kivu province, an INGO team travelling between Mwenga, Kamituga and Kitutu on a humanitarian and medical needs assessment mission was reportedly stopped at a checkpoint by Wazalendo, despite prior coordination with authorities and health actors. Wazalendo members disagreed about the team’s identity and whether to let them proceed, causing them to open fire on each other, with the INGO team caught in the crossfire. The team were unharmed and continued their mission to Mwenga. Source: Actualité 03 May 2026: In Kalimoto rural locality, Lwindi chiefdom, Mwenga territory, South Kivu province, an INGO convoy travelling to Mwenga, Kamituga and Kitutu to assess humanitarian needs was reportedly attacked and robbed by Wazalendo militiamen during a humanitarian mission. Source: Actualité Sudan 02 May 2026: In Nyala city, South Darfur state, buildings near the offices of humanitarian organisations were damaged, and at least five people were injured, after a drone attack from an unidentified perpetrator**. Source:** UN News 04 May 2026: In Khartoum city and state, at an airport vital to humanitarian access, a drone from an unidentified perpetrator was shot down, leading to flights being cancelled. Source: UN News South Sudan 29 April 2026: In Walgak town, Akobo county of Jonglei state, food distributions were disrupted by renewed clashes in the area by South Sudan People's Defence Forces (SSPDF), and opposition groups, including the Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO). Source: OCHA, Humanitarian Access Snapshot As reported 12 May 2026: In an undisclosed location, the RSF-controlled Tasis Alliance coalition government stipulated that international humanitarian organisations must register with it and open their headquarters in Nyala within 30 days, to operate under its control or else lose the ability to carry out any further activities in the RSF-controlled areas. The SAF rejected the proposal. Source: Ayin Network 12 May 2026: In Dilling city, South Kordofan, an unspecified number of volunteers and humanitarian workers preparing food for displaced people were killed or injured when alleged RSF and SPLM–North artillery shelling hit the vicinity of a market and bus station. Source: Sudan Doctors Network Europe Ukraine 30 April 2026: In Dnipro city and raion, Dnipropetrovsk oblast, a vaccination bus of the Dnipropetrovsk Regional Center for Disease Control and Prevention, donated by the WHO, was destroyed while on its way to provide vaccination services by a Russian aerial strike. Sources: Public Health Centre of Ukraine and UN News 04 May 2026: In Dnipropetrovsk oblast, a humanitarian vehicle was damaged by a Russian forces strike. Sources: UN News 12 May 2026: In Dnipropetrovsk oblast, a WFP truck traveling in a convoy alongside two WFP armoured passenger vehicles, carrying a total of seven staff members, was struck by a Russian drone strike after successfully offloading food commodities in Zoriane and Slovianka villages. The truck driver was injured and taken to hospital. While immobilised, the truck was hit again multiple times by separate drones. All vehicles were clearly marked as UN WFP vehicles. Source: United Nations Middle East and North Africa Lebanon As reported on 12 May 2026: In Nabatieh city, district and governorate, two Lebanese Civil Defence paramedics were killed by a sequential Israeli drone strike whilst responding to a man who was killed after an Israeli drone hit his rickshaw near the Civil Defence centre. Sources: CBC, Middle East Eye and Quds News Network Libya On 11 May 2026: In international waters approximately 55 nautical miles north of Libya, the Sea-Watch 5 NGO vessel was fired at approximately 16 times by the Libyan coast guard after rescuing around 90 people. They gave no warnings prior to the shots and threatened to take the boat and the crew back to Libya. Source: EU Observer Occupied Palestinian Territory As reported 05 May 2026: In an undisclosed location, humanitarian facilities came under fire by unidentified perpetrators in two separate incidents. Source: UN News As reported 05 May 2026: In an undisclosed location, a UN warehouse was struck by an Israeli airstrike. Source: UN News As reported 05 May 2026: In an undisclosed location, relief vehicles were damaged when an unidentified perpetrator threw stones. Source: UN News Gaza Strip 29 April 2026: In international waters, about 1,111 km from Gaza, the Global Sumud Flotilla carrying food and supplies from Barcelona to Gaza was intercepted by Israeli naval forces at around 2100, using speedboats to encircle the humanitarian convoy and military lasers and weapons to subdue activists on board. Overnight and into the morning of 30 April, Israeli forces seized at least 15 of the 58 vessels and reportedly disabled the engines of several boats and abandoned them, leaving hundreds of people stranded. Source: Quds News Network 12 May 2026: In Beit Lahia city, North Gaza governorate, the area near an MSF team struck by two shells from an Israeli tank, injuring at least 12 people. The impact occurred around 400m from Al Tayeb Clinic. Source: MSF East Africa The Americas Haiti 10 May 2026: In Cité Soleil and Croix-des-Bouquets, West department, a security guard at an MSF hospital was injured by gunfire during armed clashes involving multiple unidentified armed groups. More than 40 people with gunshot wounds were treated there and over 800 displaced people sought refuge around the hospital. MSF suspended operations and evacuated its hospital following the violence. Source: MSF
Country: World Source: UN Women Crises are not gender-neutral. Women and girls are disproportionately affected due to pre-existing gender inequalities and discriminatory social norms, which limit their access to humanitarian aid, services, resources, and decision-making power. It is not surprising that the 30-year review of progress on the landmark Beijing Declaration and Platform of Action found that progress for women and girls is slowest in conflict and crisis-affected countries. The review raised the alarm about how ongoing trends may further thwart progress. The data is stark: Women and girls in extremely fragile contexts are 7.7 times more likely to live in households below the poverty line of USD 2.15 per day than those in non-fragile contexts. Under a worst-case climate scenario, up to 158.3 million additional women and girls could be pushed into poverty by 2050 as a direct result of climate change, surpassing the number of men and boys by 16 million. The number of food-insecure women and girls could rise by as much as 236 million, compared with an additional 131 million men and boys. The average incidence of child marriage in conflict-affected countries is 14.4 percentage points higher than in non-conflict settings. More than a third of maternal deaths occurred in 48 fragile and conflict-affected countries. Sexual violence in conflict zones has risen sharply in recent years, while impunity for these violations has remained the norm. Girls’ educational attainment continues to lag in conflict-affected countries. Behind these numbers are women and girls who have lost their lives, had their safety and health shattered, their rights eroded, their dignity compromised, and their potential squandered. From Gaza and Sudan to Haiti, Lebanon, and elsewhere, the gendered impacts are both immediate and long term, affecting individuals and societies. They are also not contained within borders. For example, according to a UN Women gender alert on the military escalation in the Middle East, rising food and fuel prices and supply disruptions risk deepening food insecurity and livelihood erosion and increasing unpaid care burdens for women and girls across the Arab region, Asia-Pacific, Africa, and beyond. A humanitarian system under pressure The unfolding tragedy of escalating and protracted conflicts and crises and growing humanitarian needs is taking place against a backdrop of several important global trends. First, recent years have seen a rising backlash against gender equality taking place within the wider context of democratic erosion and shrinking civic space in various countries and regions. This is influencing government policies as well as mainstream opinions and attitudes – and threatening hard-won gains for women and girls. Second, the world is experiencing a severe contraction of international aid precisely when it is needed the most. Recent data from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development shows that international aid fell in 2025 by 23.1 per cent in real terms compared with 2024, representing the largest annual drop in the history of official development assistance. This brings aid back to 2015 levels – the year the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development began. As the Global Humanitarian Overview 2025 lays bare, the massive cuts to aid have forced the humanitarian system to do the “cruel math of doing less with less” and “hyper-prioritize” assistance toward those assessed to be in the direst need. The Humanitarian Reset, launched through the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) in March 2025, aims to make the system faster, lighter, more accountable, and more impactful. Against this backdrop, the international community needs to take bold and urgent action based on ample evidence of what works and rooted in existing commitments to gender equality and women’s rights. Put gender equality at the center of the reset First, gender equality needs to be a cornerstone of the ongoing Humanitarian Reset and not seen as a peripheral issue. In the drive for efficiency, simplification, and focus on strictly defined and hyper-prioritized life-saving assistance, there is a risk that implementation of the IASC’s commitments to gender equality may fall short. As funding contracts and established universal norms are under attack, now is the time to double down and prioritize interventions led by women and in support of their lives, dignity, and rights. Under the reset, there is a commitment that the humanitarian system will “defend” norms and principles, including on gender equality. The reset’s outcomes will depend on how consistently and concretely this is done at different levels – globally and in countries. A critical pillar is to recognize women’s vital and rich contributions in crisis-affected settings and enable their full and equal participation and leadership in decision-making processes. Women and girls are not passive victims or mere recipients of aid – they are responders on the front lines and are shaping the outcomes of crises, as community leaders and organizers, primary caregivers, educators, economic contributors, and peacebuilders. There is plenty of evidence that their leadership is a precondition for effective humanitarian responses, as well as for addressing the root causes of conflicts and for building sustainable recovery and peace. And yet we are far from achieving longstanding commitments to women’s participation and leadership as per the Sustainable Development Goals and the Women, Peace and Security agenda. All too often, participation remains tokenistic and women may have seats but no real influence over decisions made. Whether in internationally led mediation processes, in country-level humanitarian teams and cluster coordination groups, in funding allocation advisory boards, or in other decision-making forums – women need to be equally present and heard, and their perspectives recognized and heeded. They need to be able to exercise this fundamental right safely and without negative repercussions. Fund women-led and women’s rights organizations Second, women-led and women’s rights organizations working in conflict and crisis-affected countries need urgent funding. They were already underfunded and overstretched prior to recent funding cuts. UN Women’s report, At a breaking point, warns that these cuts have placed enormous additional strain on their vital work and even their very existence. Both the quantity and the quality of funding matter. Funding needs to be flexible, multi-year, and reflective of the holistic and transformative nature of their work, which is not only life-saving and life-sustaining but also often encompasses longer-term development, peace, democracy building, human rights, and gender-equality objectives. Both funding and broader political support need to take into account the significant, often overlooked, risks faced in crisis settings by women, girls, gender-diverse leaders, and human rights defenders. Work across the humanitarian–development–peace nexus Finally, it is critical that humanitarian, development, and peace actors work more closely and effectively together to address the complex challenges of today’s protracted and multifaceted crises. Meeting immediate needs should go hand in hand with building community resilience to disasters, strengthening governance systems, and addressing the root causes of conflict. Gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls need to be embedded throughout this nexus and its various components – from defining collective gender outcomes, to conducting joint gender analysis and assessments, to harmonizing funding streams with gender markers and ambitious targets for funding projects and interventions that address women’s specific needs, advance gender equality, or empower women. The stakes could not be higher. As the international community navigates an era of shrinking resources, eroding norms, and multiplying crises, the choices made now will determine whether women and girls are left further behind or emerge as the architects of more just and resilient societies. Delivering on commitments to gender equality in crisis settings is not a matter of idealism – it is a prerequisite for effective, sustainable, and principled responses. The evidence is clear and the commitments exist. The world cannot afford the cost of inaction. This article is reprinted with permission from SDG Action. About the author Asya Varbanova has 20 years of experience advancing sustainable development and gender equality in complex political, post-conflict and crisis contexts, across Europe, Central and South Asia, and the Middle East. Currently serving as Head of Humanitarian Section/Deputy Chief. She has led Country Offices of UN Women in Turkiye, Moldova, Serbia and North Macedonia. She has managed development programmes and humanitarian responses in diverse settings, translating normative commitments on women’s rights and empowerment into operational results and spearheading multi-stakeholder partnerships across the UN, government institutions, civil society and private sector to advance impact at scale and institutional and systemic change.
Country: Democratic Republic of the Congo Source: Concern Worldwide Concern Worldwide is responding to help protect communities and prevent the current outbreak of Ebola in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) from spreading. The Ebola outbreak, confirmed on May 15, is estimated to have resulted in 129 deaths, 101 confirmed cases and 904 suspected cases in DRC up to yesterday (May 24). In addition, there has been one death, five confirmed cases and three suspected cases in neighbouring Uganda, and fears it is already widespread regionally. The World Health Organisation has determined the outbreak to be a public health emergency of international concern and upgraded the risk in DRC to “very high.” The epicentre of the outbreak is Ituri province, in the northeast of the country. Concern Worldwide has 100 staff in neighbouring North Kivu where cases have also been confirmed. “In North Kivu, people are scared but deeply resilient. They have seen what this disease is capable of before and are calling for an immediate response to protect them and their families,” Concern’s Country Director in DRC, David Jones, said. “We are mobilising our emergency response capabilities, using the expertise taken from responding to previous outbreaks - whether Ebola, cholera, or COVID19 - and will work tirelessly to ensure that people are informed, protected, and prepared.” Conflict The challenges are considerable. Ituri and North Kivu are part of a major cross border commercial corridor, with many people moving through the region. The region has also been impacted by multiple on-going conflicts, such as that between the government and the M23 armed group, which seized control of the major eastern cities, Goma and Bukavu, in January 2025, and has since governed them and surrounding areas. Fighting has damaged local services and driven people from their homes, sometimes forcing them to move hundreds of kilometres to find somewhere safe to rebuild their lives. Most of those who have been displaced are being hosted by other families or housed in camps in areas where resources, such as access to clean water and basic health services, were already scarce. Local health facilities are under-resourced and under-equipped to respond to such a crisis, especially as there is no approved drug or vaccine for this strain of Ebola. “The lack of clean water to maintain basic hygiene and sanitation in densely populated urban areas adds to the challenge of responding to a crisis of this sort, and limiting the spread of the disease,” Mr Jones said. “Ebola can be transmitted through physical contact with someone who is already infected. Goma is a city of two million people – bigger than Dublin – and is extremely crowded, making it very difficult to avoid physical contact with other people.” Concern is Responding Concern is responding by supporting 70,000 recently-displaced people based outside Goma. “We know from past experience that we can help prevent the spread of Ebola by informing people about the disease, the importance of hand washing and good hygiene practices, and providing them with access to clean water, soap, and the means to keep latrines clean,” he said. Concern is increasing access to clean water through rehabilitating and constructing water points, and delivering safer sanitation through new latrines. Local health centres will also be supported to respond through staff training, the provision of essential equipment, and minor refurbishment works based on identified needs. Cuts in international aid have heavily impacted NGOs in the region, and while humanitarian donors are mobilising to support the emergency response, the needs are huge, diverse, and require massive and prolonged support. Funding Appeal “We will face multiple challenges in the weeks and months ahead. We are starting to see the numbers of confirmed and suspected cases increase, and we expect to see more of them. Having sufficient supplies and access to areas will become increasingly difficult as the situation deteriorates.” “Currently, we have access and we have relatively free movement, but the worse the situation gets, the more severe the needs will become, and the harder it will be to serve them. It’s only going to become more difficult to respond. We must act now, and we must act strongly to avoid the unnecessary loss of life.” To support Concern’s Ebola Emergency Appeal click here For media queries and to organise media interviews contact Eamon Timmins, Media Relations Manager, Concern Worldwide at eamon.timmins@concern.net or 00 353 87 9880524
Country: World Source: Global Polio Eradication Initiative At this year’s World Health Assembly in Geneva, delegates debated some of the world’s most difficult and divisive issues. Discussions touched on conflict, humanitarian crises, geopolitical tensions and the growing pressures facing global health systems. At times, the debates reflected a world that feels increasingly fragmented. And yet, amid all these differences, one thing stood out with remarkable clarity: every Member State remained united behind one common goal — the eradication of polio. Countries that disagree profoundly on many political issues nevertheless continue to stand shoulder to shoulder when it comes to protecting children from lifelong paralysis. Iran and Israel. Russia and Ukraine. Countries from every region, every political system and every level of development all reaffirmed their commitment to achieving and sustaining a polio-free world. One colleague observing the Assembly discussions described this as a “Lichtblick” — a German word meaning a “ray of hope”. It is a fitting description. Because in today’s world, polio eradication represents something much greater than a disease programme alone. It is one of the few remaining examples of a truly universal humanitarian cause — one capable of uniting governments, civil society, health workers and communities around a shared human objective. That unity matters. And perhaps there are lessons in it for the broader future of global cooperation. Throughout the Assembly, delegates also repeatedly returned to another important question: what should the future global health architecture look like in an increasingly complex and fragmented world? One message emerged particularly clearly from those discussions: global health cannot be driven by governments alone. Member States repeatedly emphasized that civil society, communities and local actors must remain central to both decision-making and implementation. In many ways, the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) already represents one of the strongest examples of this model in practice. For more than three decades, governments, multilateral organizations, scientists, frontline health workers and civil society partners such as Rotary International have worked side by side toward a shared humanitarian goal. The result has been not only extraordinary progress toward eradication, but also the creation of one of the largest and most effective public-private partnerships in global health history. At a time when the world is actively reflecting on how to strengthen multilateral cooperation and global health systems, there may be important lessons to learn from the GPEI experience — particularly the recognition that lasting progress depends not only on institutions, but also on communities, trust and shared ownership. This spirit of cooperation was also reflected in broader Assembly discussions on climate change, air pollution and energy poverty, where Member States and partners emphasized the need for coordinated global action and stronger community-centred health systems. While these challenges differ in nature, they share an important lesson with polio eradication: no country can solve them alone, and lasting progress depends on trust, partnership and collective responsibility. Together, GPEI partners have reduced wild poliovirus cases globally by more than 99.9%. In doing so, they have also built something much larger: surveillance systems, laboratories, emergency operations centres, community trust networks and outbreak response capacities that today support broader health security efforts worldwide. But perhaps most importantly, they have built trust and common ground. History has shown repeatedly that polio eradication efforts can create space for dialogue even in the most difficult environments. During the civil conflict in Côte d’Ivoire in the early 2000s, local Rotary members helped bring together government and opposition forces to negotiate temporary ceasefires so vaccination teams could safely respond to a polio outbreak in the north of the country. Those humanitarian discussions later helped open channels for broader peace negotiations. More recently, synchronized vaccination campaigns have continued across parts of Afghanistan and Pakistan despite periods of heightened political tension. In Gaza, extraordinary humanitarian coordination helped enable vaccination campaigns that successfully interrupted outbreak transmission. Again and again, the effort to protect children from polio has demonstrated that even where politics divides, humanity can still unite. Of course, the world faces many urgent challenges. Financing pressures, conflicts, competing priorities and humanitarian crises all place strain on global health systems and international cooperation alike. But perhaps that is precisely why polio eradication matters so much today. Because it reminds us that multilateralism can still work. That collective action remains possible. And that even in a divided world, there are still causes capable of bringing humanity together around a shared purpose. The world is now closer than ever to eradicating polio forever. But the final phase matters precisely because every remaining case is not simply a statistic — it is a child whose life will be permanently affected by paralysis. That is why this effort continues to matter so deeply. If we succeed, the achievement will not belong to one country, one organization or one generation alone. It will belong to all of humanity.
Country: Sudan Source: Qatar Charity Please refer to the attached file. Qatar Charity (QC) has implemented a project aimed at strengthening the resilience of vulnerable communities and supporting them through livelihood assistance, food security, and healthcare interventions across four Sudanese states: River Nile, Sennar, Al Jazirah, and the Red Sea. The initiative is funded by generous donations from benefactors in Qatar. During his participation in distributing food baskets to the visually impaired, physically disabled, and the elderly in the Singa locality of Sennar State, Musa Mohammed Mohammed Ahmed, Representative of the Humanitarian Aid Commission (HAC) in the state, expressed the appreciation of Sennar's executive and humanitarian authorities to the government and people of Qatar for their continuous support in health, water, and food sectors. Launching the aid convoy, he called for the continuation of this support in the coming period. Vulnerable Groups For his part, Mr. Al-Rashid Mohammed Hussein Ayad, Head of the Blind Union in Singa Locality, stated that Qatar has never stopped supporting them during difficult times, highlighting its recent food aid aimed at boosting the resilience of the most vulnerable social segments, particularly persons with disabilities and the visually impaired. Meanwhile, Mr. Majdi Al-Tayeb, Director of the Al-Noor Center, expressed his gratitude to Qatar Charity for providing 100 food baskets to the visually impaired in coordination with the Humanitarian Aid Commission in Sennar State, adding, "We thank them all for their efforts, and may Allah reward the benefactors. Dr. Tariq Osman, Acting Country Director of Qatar Charity's Sudan Branch, stated that the distribution of baskets containing essential food items to the most vulnerable groups will continue. He noted that the project includes 3,130 food baskets, with 700 baskets allocated to Sennar State. Each basket contains 10 kg of sugar, 10 kg of rice, 10 kg of flour, 16 packs of vermicelli, 16 packs of pasta, 5 liters of cooking oil, and tea. The launch of the food baskets in Sennar State comes days after Qatar Charity’s teams distributed aid in River Nile and Red Sea states. This is part of a larger project to enhance the resilience of vulnerable groups across several Sudanese states, benefiting approximately 18,780 individuals across the four states of Red Sea, River Nile, Sennar, and Al Jazirah.