In a warning over dangerously low vaccination levels and large outbreaks in several countries – spurred on by social media “misinformation campaigns” – the UN health agency insisted that anything less than 95 per cent coverage risked sparking an outbreak. Samoa epidemic In the Pacific island nation of Samoa, just 31 per cent of the island’s people have immunity against… Read More

“We’re seeing encouraging signs, but the burden of suffering and death caused by malaria is unacceptable, because it is largely preventable”, said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), the agency behind the World malaria report 2019. Progress stalled The report notes a significant increase in the number of pregnant women and children in sub-Saharan Africa… Read More

Only one in five countries has a healthcare strategy to deal with climate change Protecting people’s health from climate change dangers such as heat stress, storms and tsunamis has never been more important, yet most countries are doing too little about it, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Tuesday. In its first global review of more than 100 countries,… Read More

In its first global review of more than 100 countries, the UN agency found that while around half of them have developed a strategy on the issue, fewer than one in five is spending enough to implement all of their commitments. “Climate change is not only racking up a bill for future generations to pay, it’s a price that people… Read More

More people than ever rely on fisheries and aquaculture for food, and income, but the seafood industry is facing a “dangerous” sustainability divide when comparing trends in the developed world versus those in poorer regions, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) revealed on Monday. Read More

COP25: Guterres calls for ‘path of resolve, sustainable solutions’ Resolve, sustainable solutions and zero carbon emissions by 2050, are essential to stop the world “sleepwalking past the point of no return”, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said on Monday in Madrid. Speaking at the opening of the UN Climate Summit in Madrid, the UN chief warned that failing to act risked… Read More

The violence killed four workers responding to the Ebola outbreak and injured five others, at a camp in Biakato Mines, and an Ebola response coordination office, WHO said in a statement.  For the UN agency, which appealed for the “constant” attacks to stop, the development risks reversing significant progress made against the epidemic, with  infections falling to just a handful… Read More

UN Mission in Afghanistan supports child sex abuse allegations The UN Mission in Afghanistan is calling for an investigation into allegations of sexual abuse committed against children. International media have published claims that a paedophile ring has been operating in schools in Logar province, allegedly involving more than 500 boys. Reportedly, the two civil society activists who exposed the abuse,… Read More

Power to the people, released ahead of World AIDS Day on Sunday, illustrates that when people have the power to choose and work together, lives can be saved, injustices prevented and dignity restored. “When people and communities have power and agency, change happens,” said UNAIDS Executive Director, Winnie Byanyima. “The solidarity of women, young people, gay men and other men who… Read More

New DRC Ebola virus transmission chain risks reversing major gains: WHO Amid multiple deadly attacks on civilians by armed groups in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), an Ebola death “unlinked to any chain of transmission”, risks reversing major gains against the epidemic, a top UN medic said on Friday. Dr Mike Ryan, Executive Director for the World… Read More