Source: UN News |

More than 50 million in West and Central Africa at risk of hunger

The UN World Food Programme (WFP) has warned that millions of people in West and Central Africa are facing record hunger as conflict, displacement, economic hardship and repeated extreme weather push the region towards a major crisis

More than 36 million are struggling to meet their basic food needs, which is projected to rise to over 52 million during the lean season from June to August, latest analysis reveals. This includes almost three million people facing emergency conditions, and 2,600 people in Mali who are at risk…

Source: UN News |

Port Sudan: No let-up in drone attacks as United Nations (UN) chief urges peace

The UN chief warned that any further escalation of the conflict could result in massive civilian casualties and worsen the already catastrophic humanitarian situation across the country

Amid reports that renewed drone strikes on a key Sudanese aid hub were thwarted late Wednesday, UN Secretary-General António Guterres added his voice to increasingly urgent calls for serious peace negotiations to end more than two years of war in Sudan. The UN chief warned that any further escalation of…

Source: UN News |

Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) aid operation reaches Beni with food supplies for thousands

A UN food convoy has successfully delivered vital supplies to support tens of thousands of displaced people affected by escalating violence in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), according to humanitarian teams on the ground

The UN World Food Programme (WFP) said that trucks packed with cereals, beans and cooking oil reached the city of Beni in North Kivu province from neighbouring Uganda, amid clashes between Rwanda-backed M23 rebel fighters and Congolese forces. Aid for 140,000 WFP said that it intends to use the thousands…

Source: UN News |

Exhausted Sudanese flee into Chad as fighting escalates

Thousands of exhausted Sudanese refugees continue to flee fighting in search of safety in neighbouring Chad, aid teams said on Tuesday, as a third day of drone strikes ripped into the city of Port Sudan

Nearly 20,000 people – mainly traumatized women and children – have reached Chad in the past two weeks, according to the UN refugee agency, UNCHR. “Most arrived in Chad with nothing – no food, money or identification,” said Magatte Guisse, UNHCR Representative in Chad. “Several wounded individuals, including children and elderly women, reportedly fell…

Source: UN News |

Anthrax outbreak compounds security crisis in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)

The escalating crisis is also widening critical gaps in healthcare and protection, amid a broader surge in infectious diseases

An anthrax outbreak is compounding the worsening security situation in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), driving up humanitarian needs and further limiting access to basic services. The escalating crisis is also widening critical gaps in healthcare and protection, amid a broader surge in infectious diseases. And with nearly…

Source: UN News |

Sudan: United Nations (UN) rights chief appeals for greater protection of civilians in besieged El Fasher

The RSF launched coordinated attacks from multiple directions on the North Darfur capital El Fasher and nearby Abu Shouk camp, killing at least 40 civilians

More than 500 civilians have been killed in North Darfur state, Sudan, over the past three weeks, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said on Thursday.  “The horror unfolding in Sudan knows no bounds,” Volker Türk said in a statement calling for an end to the war between the Sudanese Armed…

Source: UN News |

United Nations (UN) alert over deepening crisis in Sudan as famine spreads and violence escalates

More than 400,000 people have fled Zamzam camp alone, with the majority now seeking safety in Tawila, west of El Fasher

The United Nations has warned that Sudan is sliding deeper into catastrophe, with growing famine and surging violence – particularly in North Darfur – driving mass displacement and an alarming rise in civilian deaths. In a statement issued by his Spokesperson on Wednesday, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said he was “appalled” by the deteriorating…

Source: UN News |

Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) crisis forces refugees to swim for their lives to Burundi

Since January, more than 71,000 people have crossed into Burundi, fleeing ongoing violence in eastern DRC, UNHCR data shows

The number of desperate refugees fleeing conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and seeking safety in Burundi continues to rise, placing immense pressure on aid agencies struggling to cope with an escalating crisis amid dwindling resources. “We’re pushed to our limits,” said Ayaki Ito, Director for Emergencies…

Source: UN News |

Sexual violence systematically used as a weapon of war in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)

The ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) continues to have devastating consequences, particularly for women and children, who face an increased risk of conflict-related sexual violence

Senior UN officials warned on Wednesday that all parties involved in the conflict are systematically using sexual violence as a tactic of war against civilians. Worsening conditions in the east Escalating attacks by non-State armed groups in eastern DRC have led to a significant surge in sexual violence, predominantly targeting…

Source: UN News |

Hunger stalks Ethiopia as United Nation (UN) aid agency halts support amid funding cuts

More than four million pregnant women, breastfeeding women and young children need treatment for malnutrition in Ethiopia

Funding and supply shortfalls for the UN World Food Programme's relief work in Ethiopia will halt lifesaving treatment for 650,000 malnourished women and children at the end of the month. “We are at the breaking point,” the agency said on Tuesday.  In total, 3.6 million “most vulnerable” people in Ethiopia stand to…