Category: Pacific

In the past 24 hours, heavy snowfall and rain have impacted a number of areas, disrupting flights to and from Kabul Airport, according to the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). Heavy snowfall and rain have affected many parts of Afghanistan in the past 24 hours. The harsh winter is compounding the severe conditions that many people are… Read More

In the past 24 hours, heavy snowfall and rain have impacted a number of areas, disrupting flights to and from Kabul Airport, according to the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). Heavy snowfall and rain have affected many parts of Afghanistan in the past 24 hours. The harsh winter is compounding the severe conditions that many people are… Read More

The agency commended the Government of Pakistan for its country-wide campaign, the agency’s spokesperson, Babar Baloch, told journalists in Geneva. “Following a short pilot, the campaign, supported by UNHCR, began on 15 April 2021 and ended on 31 December 2021”, he said. Pakistan concludes ‘drive’ to issue smartcards to registered Afghan refugees. According to early provisional results, the data of 1.25… Read More

According to a UN Humanitarian Needs Overview published on Friday by OCHA, the turmoil is projected to have driven almost half the population into poverty heading into 2022, wiping out the impressive gains made since 2005.  The situation has been worsening since the beginning of the year, when the military took over the country, ousting the democratically elected Government. It is now estimated that 14… Read More

In a statement, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said that it was “deeply concerned for the safety and lives of those onboard”.  The boat was first sighted in the waters off Bireuen, a district in Aceh province, on Sunday.   Prevent lost lives  Based on photos and reports from local fishermen, the passengers on the packed… Read More

According to his statement, airstrikes on Sana’a have resulted in the loss of civilian lives, and damage to noncombatant infrastructure and residential areas.  A continued offensive on Ma’rib, where at least 35,000 people have been forced to flee since September, and unabated missile attacks on the governorate are causing civilian casualties, damage to civilian objects and mass displacement.   ‘Flagrant violation’  UN… Read More

The UN agency was “shocked and saddened” by the reported killing and burning of victims on 24 December, during a time when many prepared to celebrate Christmas.   Credible reports suggested that four children were killed, including two 17-year-old boys, a teenage girl and a child approximately five of age, whose gender was not mentioned.  UNICEF is shocked and saddened by… Read More

Mr. Griffiths said he was “horrified” by reports that at least 35 people, including at least one child, were killed in the attack, which occurred on Friday.  They reportedly were forced from their vehicles, killed and burned. I am horrified by reports that 35 civilians were killed in Kayah State, #Myanmar on 24 Dec. Two @save_children humanitarian workers also remain… Read More

To most people, fins, masks and neoprene wetsuits are recreational gear. But to the non-profit group, they are the tools of change. Clad in diving gear, the group’s 30-plus members chart the health of the fragile coral reefs that surround Melanesia. The Sea Women work in what’s known as the Coral Triangle, which covers some 5.7 million square kilometres between the… Read More

Martin Griffiths, who is also Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, described the Council’s passage of resolution 2615 (2021), tabled by the United States, as “evidence of how seriously Member States take the shocking levels of need and suffering in the country.” Today’s milestone Security Council decision to adopt an exception in UN sanctions applicable in #Afghanistan will save lives and livelihoods. Read my statement… Read More