UN News - Global perspective Human stories

UPDATING LIVE: UN Security Council meeting again on Gaza crisis

October 30, 2023

UN News - Global perspective Human stories

Following four failed efforts to reach consensus on a Gaza resolution, the UN Security Council met in emergency session again on Monday afternoon (New York time) to discuss the ongoing crisis, amid continuing Israeli bombardment and reported ground inc...

Immediate de-escalation ‘only antidote’ to conflict in Syria

October 30, 2023

UN News - Global perspective Human stories

The UN Special Envoy for Syria on Monday warned that civilians there are facing the “terrifying” prospect of a potential wider escalation given the uptick in violence in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

Tackling climate mis/disinformation: ‘An urgent frontier for action’

October 30, 2023

UN News - Global perspective Human stories

Climate impacts are accelerating with every fraction of a degree of global warming, yet denial, distortion and falsehoods about well-established scientific facts are flooding the internet and media landscape, according to the participants of a panel di...

Upcoming COP28 summit must ‘respond decisively’ to gaps in global climate action

October 30, 2023

UN News - Global perspective Human stories

Next month’s UN climate summit in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) must respond decisively to the gaps in the intranational community’s response climate crisis, Deputy-Secretary-General Amina Mohamed said on Monday.

Gaza hospitals hanging on by a thread: UN humanitarians

October 30, 2023

UN News - Global perspective Human stories

UPDATED: With the Israel-Palestine crisis in its fourth week, UN aid teams on Monday highlighted the mounting pressure on north Gaza hospitals where patients and health workers remain, amid reports of expanded Israeli ground operations.

Israel-Palestine crisis has ‘reached an unprecedented level of dehumanisation’: Independent rights expert

October 29, 2023

UN News - Global perspective Human stories

The crisis sparked by the Hamas terrorist attack and ongoing Israeli assault on the Gaza Strip is a "political and humanitarian catastrophe of epic proportions” said the UN’s independent human rights expert for the Occupied Palestinian Territory this w...

Situation in Gaza ‘growing more desperate by the hour’, says UN chief Guterres

October 29, 2023

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UN Secretary-General António Guterres began his official visit to Nepal by extending deep condolences to the families of the 10 Nepalese students killed in the terror attacks by Hamas in Israel, and once again called for the protection of all civilians...

Thousands in Gaza storm UN warehouses; a sign of desperation after weeks-long ‘siege’

October 29, 2023

UN News - Global perspective Human stories

Relief agencies warned on Sunday that civil order is starting to break down in Gaza after thousands of desperate people stormed UN-operated warehouses and other aid distribution centres in the ravaged enclave, taking wheat flour, hygiene supplies and o...

UN seeks end to ‘colossal’ humanitarian tragedy as Sudan’s military factions resume Saudi-hosted talks

October 29, 2023

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The United Nations has welcomed the resumption of talks in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, to end the months-long conflict between the Sudanese army and its rival paramilitary force which lefts scores dead and sent the northeast African country spiraling into hu...

Türkiye: Rebuilding lives in quake-affected communities

October 28, 2023

UN News - Global perspective Human stories

The ancient city of Antakya, in Türkiye’s southeastern province of Hatay, was once a hub of history, culture and diversity. Today, it bears the scars of a series of catastrophic earthquakes that struck in February and an emergence of scattered signs of...

Amid ‘unprecedented escalation’ in Gaza, UN calls for immediate humanitarian ceasefire

October 28, 2023

UN News - Global perspective Human stories

The United Nations on Saturday ramped up appeals for a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza after another night of ground incursions and intense bombardment by Israeli forces left healthcare facilities without electricity and civilians across the ravaged enc...

Gaza crisis: General Assembly adopts resolution calling for ‘humanitarian truce’, civilian protection

October 27, 2023

UN News - Global perspective Human stories

The United Nations General Assembly on Friday adopted a major resolution on the Gaza crisis, calling for an “immediate, durable and sustained humanitarian truce leading to a cessation of hostilities.”

Explainer: What is a UN General Assembly emergency special session and why it matters

October 27, 2023

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As the UN’s 193 Member States meet on how to address the ongoing Israel-Palestine crisis, we took a look at how the current rarely convened General Assembly emergency special session came about, what it means and why it matters.

Explainer: Fighting for facts amid crisis in Israel and Gaza

October 27, 2023

UN News - Global perspective Human stories

As much needed aid starts to trickle into besieged Gaza, a war over facts is ratcheting up as conflicting narratives about the situation on the ground are being fuelled by social media.

‘History is judging us all,’ Guterres says in fresh appeal for Gaza aid access

October 27, 2023

UN News - Global perspective Human stories

With the humanitarian system in Gaza on the verge of "total collapse", UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Friday again appealed for greater aid access to the besieged enclave, where “misery is growing by the minute.”

Pakistan urged to halt Afghan deportations to avoid ‘human rights catastrophe’

October 27, 2023

UN News - Global perspective Human stories

Pakistan’s plan to deport “undocumented” foreign nationals will disproportionately affect more than 1.4 million Afghans in the country, the UN human rights office, OHCHR, said on Friday, expressing alarm.

Syrian war at ‘worst point’ in four years, says Commission of Inquiry head

October 27, 2023

UN News - Global perspective Human stories

The world cannot forget about Syria, the Head of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the country has said, while also highlighting how the war there is connected to the conflict raging in the Middle East.

World News in Brief: Ukraine aid convoy, attacks in South Sudan, radioactive discharge update

October 27, 2023

UN News - Global perspective Human stories

Humanitarian operations continue to deliver life-saving assistance in Ukraine, amid ongoing attacks across the country, the UN said on Friday. 

Gaza: Testimonies highlight grim plight of civilians expecting to die

October 27, 2023

UN News - Global perspective Human stories

The UN’s top human rights official issued a new appeal on Friday for an end to the Israel-Palestine crisis and the release of all hostages, amid rising civilian deaths and reports that children's names have been written on their arms so that they can b...

UN General Assembly adopts Gaza resolution calling for immediate and sustained ‘humanitarian truce’

October 26, 2023

UN News - Global perspective Human stories

The United Nations General Assembly on Friday adopted a resolution calling for an “immediate, durable and sustained humanitarian truce” between Israeli forces and Hamas militants in Gaza. It also demands “continuous, sufficient and unhindered” provisio...

New UN Advisory Body aims to harness AI for the common good

October 26, 2023

UN News - Global perspective Human stories

Experts with deep experience across government, the private sector, technology, civil society, and academia have been tasked with supporting UN efforts to ensure Artificial Intelligence (AI) is used for the greater good of humanity.

World News in Brief: Ukraine dam disaster update, childcare investment, healthcare under fire in Sudan

October 26, 2023

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Much of the damage caused by the destruction of Ukraine’s Kakhovka dam in June is “irreversible”, with likely changes to the environment that impact ecosystems and human health.

Israel-Palestine: Gazans ‘left with nothing but impossible choices’

October 26, 2023

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Day 19 of the Gaza conflict comes on the heels of the deadliest 24 hours so far amid hospitals shutting down, while UN humanitarians reiterated urgent calls on Thursday for all civilians to be protected and hostages released.

International support critical to forge lasting peace in Central African Republic

October 26, 2023

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Progress has been made in advancing a 2019 peace agreement in the Central African Republic (CAR) but the support of the international community is still vital, the UN Special Representative Valentine Rugwabiza told the Security Council on Thursday.

UN chief hits back at ‘false’ claim he justified Hamas terror attacks

October 25, 2023

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The UN Secretary-General on Wednesday firmly rebuked what he described as the “false” claim by top Israeli diplomats that he had sought to justify the terror attacks of 7 October by Hamas in a speech he delivered to the Security Council.

Israel-Palestine: Blockade puts Gaza aid on the line, WHO spotlights soaring mental health needs in Israel

October 25, 2023

UN News - Global perspective Human stories

Humanitarian operations in Gaza risked grinding to a halt on Wednesday due to the ongoing fuel blockade, while Israel continued to deal with a protracted hostage crisis amid the horrific aftermath of Hamas’ 7 October attacks.

First Person: Farmers running out of water in Punjab, India

October 25, 2023

UN News - Global perspective Human stories

For farmers in the Punjab region of India, water shortages are a harsh reality, and ahead of the publication of a UN report Interconnected Disaster Risks, three rice cultivators have been talking about the challenges they face due to the scarcity of wa...

Gaza crisis: Deadlock deepens as Security Council rejects competing resolutions by US and Russia

October 25, 2023

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China and Russia on Wednesday vetoed a draft resolution sponsored by the United States, while a second Russian-backed resolution failed to secure sufficient votes in favour, deepening the Security Council’s deadlock over any unified response to address...

Over 114 million displaced by war, violence worldwide

October 25, 2023

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More than 114 million people worldwide have been forced to flee their homes by the end of September 2023, due to conflict, persecution and human rights violations, UN refugee agency UNHCR said on Wednesday.

More action needed to advance women’s role in global peace and security

October 25, 2023

UN News - Global perspective Human stories

Twenty-three years after the adoption of a landmark UN Security Council resolution on women, peace and security, their presence is still woefully lacking at negotiation tables, Secretary-General António Guterres said on Wednesday.

First Person: Israel’s health system responds to October attacks

October 25, 2023

UN News - Global perspective Human stories

Healthcare providers in Israel are working around the clock following the 7 October Hamas attacks that killed 1,400 people and injured more than 4,600, according to Michel Thieren, the World Health Organization (WHO) Special Representative in Israel.

‘Tipping points’ of risk pose new threats, UN report warns

October 25, 2023

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No ground water available? No access to satellite data because of where you live or home insurance due to recent natural disasters? A new UN report launched on Wednesday has some useful insights on the “risk tipping points” which are becoming an increa...

Explainer: Why women’s role in sustaining peace is more critical than ever

October 24, 2023

UN News - Global perspective Human stories

Twenty-three years after a landmark UN Security Council agreement focusing on women, peace and security, women and girls continue to bear the brunt of conflicts and remain under-represented in decisions concerning their needs and rights.

Nigeria to vaccinate 7.7 million girls against leading cause of cervical cancer

October 24, 2023

UN News - Global perspective Human stories

Nigeria introduced the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine into its routine immunisation system on Tuesday, aiming to reach 7.7 million girls in the largest single round of HPV vaccinations across Africa.

World News in Brief, Afghanistan rights abuses, Sudan crisis deepens, Australia votes no

October 24, 2023

UN News - Global perspective Human stories

Afghanistan is facing a deteriorating human rights situation due to the Taliban's repressive policies, a culture of impunity and an ongoing humanitarian and economic crisis, the UN’s independent expert on the country said on Tuesday.

Israel-Palestine: Gaza buckles under fuel shortage, healthcare in crisis

October 24, 2023

UN News - Global perspective Human stories

On day 17 of the Gaza-Israel crisis, UN humanitarians on Tuesday pleaded for desperately needed fuel deliveries and other relief items to prevent the already dire situation in the enclave from worsening further.

Israel-Palestine: Protection of civilians ‘must be paramount’ in war Guterres tells Security Council

October 24, 2023

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The UN Security Council met on Tuesday at UN Headquarters in New York for a scheduled quarterly open debate on the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine, now given greater urgency by the Hamas attacks of 7 October and the deepening humanitarian...

Kosovo: Dialogue and building trust, key to defusing tensions

October 23, 2023

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Recent developments in Kosovo highlight ongoing security challenges and political tensions in the region, highlighting the need for effective dialogue and cooperation, the UN envoy for Kosovo said on Monday.