January 18, 2022 No comments
COVID-19: WHO expresses hope worst of Omicron wave is over
INTERNATIONAL, 18 January 2022, Health - Omicron continues to sweep the world, but cases seem to have peaked in some countries, which gives the head of the World Health Organization (WHO) hope that the worst of this latest wave of COVID-19 is over. Briefing journalists in Geneva, Tedros Ghebreyesus said that more than 18 million cases were reported last week, and the pandemic itself is far from over, so no country is out of the woods yet. The number of deaths remains stable, but the agency is concerned about the impact the variant is having on already exhausted health workers and overburdened health systems. “I remain particularly concerned about many countries that have low vaccination rates, as people are many times more at risk of severe illness and death if they’re unvaccinated”, Tedros said. Omicron may be less severe,...
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January 18, 2022 No comments
UN celebrates 25 years of mandate to protect children caught in conflict
INTERNATIONAL, 18 January 2022, Peace and Security - Although international action over the past 25 years has led to the release of more than 170,000 boys and girls recruited to fight, more remains to be done, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said on Tuesday. Mr. Guterres was among senior officials, ambassadors and other members of the international community marking the 25th anniversary of the UN mandate on Children and Armed Conflict (CAAC). In harm’s way Besides the thousands of children freed by armed groups and forces during this time, hundreds of life-saving commitments and action plans have been signed and implemented by warring parties. “But, much more is needed,” Mr. Guterres said in a video message for the online commemoration. “Children are still in harm’s way. Peace is in...
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January 18, 2022 No comments
UNRWA seeks $1.6 billion to support Palestinian refugees in 2022
INTERNATIONAL, 18 January 2022, Migrants and Refugees - The UN agency that supports Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, on Tuesday appealed for $1.6 billion to support its lifesaving work this year amid acute regional crises and chronic funding shortfalls. UNRWA provides services and programmes, including education, health and food assistance, to more than five million Palestinians across the Middle East. The 2022 budget proposal includes additional emergency funding to address humanitarian needs arising from crises in Gaza, the West Bank, Syria, and Lebanon. ‘Indispensable’ to stability Philippe Lazzarini, the agency’s Commissioner-General, said budget shortfalls pose a serious threat to its ability to maintain operations. “The international community recognizes the lifesaving role of UNRWA and its indispensable contribution to stability in the Middle East. It also recognizes how cost-efficient and...
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January 18, 2022 No comments
UN rights office warns over violent escalation in Yemen and beyond
INTERNATIONAL, 18 January 2022, Human Rights - Escalating conflict in Yemen has seen an alarming number of air and drone strikes already this year, notably against civilians and non-military targets, the UN rights office, OHCHR, said on Tuesday. “We are deeply concerned by the continuing escalation of the conflict in Yemen. Overnight, air strikes by the Saudi-led coalition on the capital, Sana’a, are reported to have left at least five civilians dead,” said OHCHR spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani. “According to preliminary information, those killed were five members of the same family, including two women and a child, when a house was hit in Ma’in district of the city at around 9.25pm.” The air attacks on Yemen’s capital city followed missile and drone strikes on coalition partner the United Arab Emirates...
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January 18, 2022 No comments
Tonga volcano eruption: At least 3 dead, amid severe destruction
INTERNATIONAL, 18 January 2022, Humanitarian Aid - At least three people have died in Tonga following the massive volcanic eruption and subsequent tsunami wave that hit over the weekend. Homes and other buildings across the archipelago have suffered major damage. Islands covered in ash, dozens of homes destroyed According to a Tongan Government press release on Tuesday, the three fatalities are a British national, and two Tongan nationals. The UN World Health Organization, WHO, has reported that many people are still missing, whilst around 90 people headed to safety in evacuation centres on the island of Eua, and many others fled to the homes of friends and family. On the main island of Tongatapu, around 100 houses have been damaged, and 50 completely destroyed, according to the...
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