Africa 

Sudan: Emergency seed distribution campaign underway as fighting continues

The agency plans to reach and assist over one million vulnerable farmers and their families, estimated at around five million people. Combatting the crisis The fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and powerful Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia, originates from the collapse of a 2022 power-sharing agreement between the two, that has impacted millions of civilians and triggered a… Read More
Africa 

Darfur: International Criminal Court launches investigation into surging violence

Briefing the Security Council, Prosecutor Karim Khan, said that the mandate of his office, pursuant to resolution 1593 referring the situation in Darfur to the Court in 2005, was clear. “ ongoing with respect to crimes within our jurisdiction, the crimes of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes; and any individual who is found to be committing… Read More
Africa 

Sudan: UN rights chief calls for probe after 87 bodies found in mass grave

The victims, who included members of the Masalit ethnic community, were allegedly killed last month by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and allied militia, the UN human rights office, OHCHR, said, citing credible information. Local people were forced to dispose of the bodies in a mass grave outside the regional capital, El-Geneina , denying those killed a decent burial in… Read More
Africa 

UN chief condemns deadly attack on peacekeepers in Central African Republic

The attack by unknown assailants on the patrol from the MINUSCA mission occurred just a few kilometres from the town of Sam Ouandia. The mission has immediately opened an investigation into the exact circumstances, said a statement issued by the UN Spokesperson for António Guterres on Tuesday. “The Secretary-General expresses his deepest condolences to the family of the fallen peacekeeper and to the people and government of… Read More
Africa 

Sudan crisis: You don’t dare ask refugees where the men have gone, say UN aid teams

From the World Food Programme (WFP), Chad Country Director Pierre Honnorat said that 20,000 people crossed into Chad just last week. Speaking to journalists via Zoom from the Zabout refugee camp in Goz Beida, Mr. Honnorat described desperate scenes: “We can see that they have suffered, many lost family members, and we don’t even dare ask them, ‘Where are the… Read More
Africa 

Building resilience in Mozambique: A UN Resident Coordinator blog

Leading efforts by 25 UN entities and several partners for the last four years, she has been reflecting on efforts to achieve national sustainable development priorities that tap into Mozambique’s immense resources and potential. © UNCDF/Arete/Lisa Murray Myrta Kaulard, United Nations Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator for Mozambique from July 2019 to June 2023. “Mozambique and the Mozambican people are… Read More
Africa 

UN chief condemns air strike that killed at least 22 people in Sudan

Mr. Guterres offered his condolences to the families of the victims and expressed hopes for a speedy recovery to the dozens who were injured, UN Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq said in a statement issued that day. The Sudanese army and rival military group, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), have been battling since mid-April. Hundreds of people have been killed and… Read More
Africa 

WFP funding crisis leaves millions stranded without aid in West Africa

The agency’s emergency food and nutrition assistance operation in the Sahel began in June, focussing on refugees, newly displaced people, malnourished children under five, pregnant women and breastfeeding women and girls. © WFP/Cheick Omar Bandaogo A mother gives her 10-month-old daughter porridge in Burkina Faso in the Sahel region, where WFP is providing assistance to prevent malnutrition. Record-breaking famine  Food… Read More
Africa 

UN voices ‘shock and condemnation’ as gender-based violence soars across Sudan

The violations include conflict-related sexual violence against internally displaced and refugee women and girls forced to flee for their lives. Agency chiefs from humanitarian coordination office OCHA, the human rights office (OHCHR), the UN refugee agency (UNHCR), the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the UN sexual and reproductive health agency (UNFPA), UN Women and the World Health Organization (WHO), called for… Read More
Africa 

From seeds to solar power in Madagascar: A UN Resident Coordinator blog

“Since my arrival in Madagascar as the UN Resident Coordinator at the end of 2020, the country has been hit by unprecedented cyclones and experienced the most severe drought in 40 years. Coupled with other extreme weather events, the drought caused widespread hunger and pushed thousands into near famine-like conditions. In the south of the country, where the land is… Read More