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WHO chief declares end to COVID-19 as a global health emergency

The head of the UN World Health Organization (WHO) has declared “with great hope” an end to COVID-19 as a public health emergency, stressing that it does not mean the disease is no longer a global threat…

In Burundi, Guterres outlines challenges facing the region

Armed groups – both local and foreign – must lay down their arms in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and efforts must be redoubled to advance a lasting, sustainable peace in the region, the UN chief said in Burundi on Friday, during his first visit to the African nation as Secretary-…

DR Congo: Desperate situation facing millions displaced by armed violence

Recurring attacks by armed groups in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) continue to drive forced displacement and extreme hardship for millions of Congolese, the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) said on Friday…

Keep Sudan borders open UNHCR urges, amid alarming rise in child deaths

The UN refugee agency (UNHCR) on Friday urged States to keep borders open to people fleeing military infighting across Sudan and suspend "negative asylum decisions" for Sudanese nationals outside the country, who cannot return because of the conflict…

USA: Slavery has left a deep and long-lasting legacy on the country, UN experts say

The UN International Independent Expert Mechanism to Advance Racial Justice in policing, ended a 12-day visit to the United States on Friday, calling on Washington to boost efforts to promote accountability for past and future violations…

Afghanistan: Women tell UN rights experts ‘we’re alive, but not living’

Following a systematic crackdown on the rights of Afghan women and girls by the Taliban – from attending school to working at the UN – “the stage may be set for multiple preventable deaths that could amount to femicide” unless restrictions are reversed rapidly, independent UN human rights experts…

WFP pauses food distribution in Ethiopia following ‘significant diversion’ of aid

The UN World Food Programme (WFP) in Ethiopia has said it’s “deeply concerned” over reports that significant amounts of food aid has been diverted away from those in desperate need in the post-conflict region of Tigray…

Escaping Sudan: Home alone, with warplanes overhead

When fighting erupted in Sudan’s capital Khartoum, 25-year-old Arafa was at home alone with her two young children. “I spent the night in fear, unable to go out of my house, as people were…

UN in Ukraine ‘appalled and saddened’ at deadly airstrikes and attacks

The UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Ukraine issued a statement on Thursday saying he and colleagues were “appalled and saddened” at the series of airstrikes and attacks, which have killed and injured dozens of civilians there…

UN and partners launch $445 million plan to ease Sudan crisis

With 860,000 people projected to flee the fighting in Sudan for neighbouring countries, the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, and partners on Thursday appealed for $445 million to assist the displaced through October.…