Category Archives: Humanitarian Aid

Human Rights, Humanitarian Aid, Refugees and maigrents, Topics

UN Rights Expert Urges Universities to Respect Pro-Palestinian Protests

Posted on by mahmoud gaber
08
Oct

Universities must uphold the right to peaceful activism and review policies that target pro-Palestinian movements on their campuses, said Gina Romero, the UN Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of assembly and association, on Friday. Romero warned that the harsh repression of student-led protests is not only a direct threat to democratic institutions but also risks alienating an entire generation from civic engagement and democratic processes.

According to Romero, international solidarity movements supporting the Palestinian people have surged since the war in Gaza began nearly a year ago. University campuses have become focal points for mass demonstrations, sit-ins, and peaceful assemblies, led largely by students advocating for Palestinian rights and self-determination. However, she highlighted that many academic institutions have responded with repressive measures, creating hostile environments that hinder freedom of speech, peaceful assembly, and association.

Romero’s findings are based on extensive discussions with around 150 individuals from 30 countries, including students and faculty members. She concluded that many universities have failed to adequately protect these movements, fostering a climate of stigmatization and hostility that silences activists. “This is a profound failure of responsibility,” she said, “not only to safeguard democratic freedoms but also to prevent atrocity crimes and contribute to global peace.”

As universities worldwide reopen for the new academic year, student-led protests in support of Palestinian rights have resumed, joining a growing global movement. Romero stressed the importance of these peaceful assemblies and the valuable contributions of young people to human rights advocacy. She urged universities to recognize the significance of free and meaningful engagement from youth and to provide support for their activism.

Romero made six key recommendations for academic institutions, emphasizing the need to end the stigmatization and hostility that silence student voices. She called on universities to immediately cease any surveillance or punitive measures against students and faculty who participate in peaceful protests. Instead of resorting to law enforcement, she urged institutions to prioritize negotiation and mediation to resolve conflicts arising from peaceful assemblies.

Additionally, Romero called for independent investigations into human rights violations committed against student protesters, particularly in cases where sanctions were imposed for exercising fundamental freedoms. She emphasized that affected individuals must be granted effective remedies and that universities should revise their policies to align with international human rights standards.

Romero also highlighted the critical role universities play in shaping political discourse and civic education. “Their responsibility extends beyond campus borders,” she said. “The actions taken by universities have the power to shape the future of democracy, freedoms, and human rights globally.” She underscored that respecting dissent is essential to ensuring that universities remain spaces for free thought, academic freedom, and the exercise of fundamental rights.

The UN Special Rapporteur’s statement serves as a reminder of the need for academic institutions to act as defenders of democratic values and protectors of human rights, particularly in times of global unrest.

About UN Special Rapporteurs
Special Rapporteurs are independent experts appointed by the UN Human Rights Council to monitor and report on human rights issues. They do not receive compensation for their work and do not represent the UN or any government. Their role is to provide an impartial analysis of country-specific or thematic human rights concerns based on international law.
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Humanitarian Aid, Topics

#ActForHumanity: UN Calls for Action to End Violence Against Aid Workers on World Humanitarian Day

Posted on by mahmoud gaber
20
Aug

As the world marks World Humanitarian Day on August 19, the United Nations and its partners are sounding the alarm over the increasing violence against aid workers. The past year has been the deadliest on record, with 280 aid workers killed across 33 countries—a staggering 137% increase from 2022, when 118 were killed, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

UN Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the rising violence and the culture of impunity that allows perpetrators to evade justice. He urged governments to exert pressure on all parties involved in conflicts to protect civilians and humanitarian workers alike. “We must all do more to protect and safeguard our common humanity,” Guterres emphasized.

The death toll for aid workers in 2024 is on track to surpass last year’s grim figures. As of August 7, 172 humanitarian workers had already lost their lives, with many deaths occurring during the first three months of hostilities in Gaza. Airstrikes in Gaza alone have claimed the lives of more than 280 aid workers since October 2023, most of whom were staff members of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA). Additionally, violence in Sudan and South Sudan has significantly contributed to the rising death toll.

Joyce Msuya, UN Acting Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, called the normalization of violence against aid workers “unacceptable and unconscionable.” She stressed the need for greater accountability, stating, “We reiterate our demand that people in power act to end violations against civilians and the impunity with which these heinous attacks are committed.”

This year’s World Humanitarian Day campaign, #ActForHumanity, aims to rally public support to pressure warring parties and world leaders to better protect civilians and aid workers caught in conflict zones. The observance also commemorates the 2003 bombing of the UN headquarters in Baghdad, which killed 22 humanitarian workers, including Sergio Vieira de Mello, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Iraq.

Humanitarian organizations have collectively urged UN Member States to enforce greater protections for aid workers, their premises, and their assets, as outlined in UN Security Council resolution 2730, adopted in May 2024. They stressed that those who violate international humanitarian law must be held accountable, ensuring that justice is served for these atrocities.

The letter from humanitarian organizations affirmed their commitment to continue providing aid in crisis zones but highlighted the urgent need for a united stand to safeguard their staff, volunteers, and the civilians they serve.

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Economic Development, Humanitarian Aid, Refugees and maigrents, Topics

Global Hunger Setback by 15 Years: UN Report Warns of Growing Crisis

Posted on by mahmoud gaber
02
Aug

Published on July 24, 2024

The fight against global hunger has been significantly set back, with around 733 million people experiencing hunger in 2023—equivalent to one in eleven people globally and one in five in Africa, according to the latest UN State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI) report. This alarming trend suggests that progress toward the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) of Zero Hunger by 2030 is severely off track.

Key Findings:

  • Hunger Statistics: Between 713 million and 757 million people were undernourished in 2023, an increase of about 152 million since 2019.
  • Regional Disparities: Africa is the hardest hit, with 20.4% of its population facing hunger, while Asia remains stable at 8.1%. Latin America has seen slight improvements but still faces significant challenges.
  • Drivers of Hunger: Conflict, climate extremes, and economic downturns are the primary drivers of hunger, particularly in Africa.
  • Food Insecurity: In 2023, approximately 2.33 billion people globally were moderately or severely food insecure, nearly matching the numbers seen during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Economic Barriers: A staggering 2.8 billion people could not afford a healthy diet in 2022, with stark contrasts between high-income and low-income countries.

Progress and Challenges:

Despite some advances, such as increased exclusive breastfeeding rates and a slight reduction in stunting among children under five, global hunger levels have remained static for three consecutive years. Moreover, adult obesity continues to rise, projected to affect over 1.2 billion adults by 2030.

COVID-19 Impact:

The pandemic has exacerbated food insecurity, particularly in low-income countries. By 2022, the number of people unable to afford a healthy diet reached its highest level since 2017 in these regions, highlighting the widening inequality caused by COVID-19.

Call to Action:

The report emphasizes the need for increased, cost-effective financing and a standardized approach to food security and nutrition. Transforming agrifood systems, addressing inequalities, and making healthy diets affordable and accessible are critical to achieving SDG 2: Zero Hunger. UN agency heads stress that substantial investment is necessary to close the financing gap and enhance global food security efforts.

FAO Chief Economist Maximo Torero highlights the urgency: “We need to understand that our agri-food systems are under increasing risk and uncertainty due to climate change…donors must adopt greater risk tolerance to activate effective finance.”

For more detailed insights, visit the original report on the United Nations website

Humanitarian Aid, Topics

South Sudan Faces Growing Humanitarian Crisis, Warns WHO

Posted on by mahmoud gaber
19
Jul

July 15, 2024 – Humanitarian Aid

The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a stark warning about the worsening humanitarian crisis in South Sudan, now compounded by the conflict in neighboring Sudan. Twelve years after gaining independence, South Sudan’s ongoing challenges have been intensified by an influx of refugees fleeing the war between rival militaries in Sudan, with over 650,000 new arrivals since April 2023.

Currently, nearly six million people—46 percent of South Sudan’s population—are experiencing crisis levels of food insecurity, a figure projected to rise to approximately 7.1 million during the current lean season.

El Niño and Flooding Impact

The WHO report highlighted the severe impact of the 2023-24 El Niño weather phenomenon, which brought dry conditions, erratic rainfall, and poor harvests. Additionally, the 2020-23 La Niña event caused unprecedented year-round flooding, affecting new areas previously untouched by such disasters.

These climatic challenges, combined with ongoing violence, weak governance, poverty, and inadequate infrastructure, have created a complex humanitarian crisis, significantly hindering South Sudan’s development. An estimated 8.9 million people, particularly in flood and conflict-affected areas, have been impacted, with women, children, the elderly, and people with disabilities being the most vulnerable.

UNHCR’s Forced Displacement Survey

The UN refugee agency (UNHCR) released findings from its first-ever Forced Displacement Survey (FDS), conducted from April to December 2023, which covered around 3,100 households in South Sudan. The survey revealed dire conditions for both refugee and host communities, including limited access to services, high unemployment, lack of education, poor infrastructure, and overcrowded shelters.

Widespread Hunger and Economic Strain

Food insecurity is a significant issue, with 74 percent of households, both refugee and host, experiencing hunger in the past month. Over 40 percent reported a decline in income compared to the previous year. The influx of refugees from Sudan has exacerbated the strain on already volatile areas and overstretched services. Furthermore, the conflict has disrupted South Sudan’s economy by shutting down the main oil pipeline.

Marie-Helene Verney, UNHCR Representative in South Sudan, emphasized the need to link humanitarian aid with stabilization and development programs. “Substantive long-term investments are crucial to improving the wellbeing of refugees and the communities hosting them,” she said.

South Sudan currently hosts over 460,000 refugees from Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and Ethiopia. The ongoing conflict in Sudan is resulting in an additional 1,600 people arriving daily, including refugees and returnees. The FDS provides essential socioeconomic data on refugees and host communities to guide effective programming and policy, ensuring targeted assistance and bridging the humanitarian-development gap.

For more details, visit the original announcement.

Humanitarian Aid, Topics

New Support Amid Preparations for Ukraine’s Third Wartime Winter

Posted on by mahmoud gaber
19
Jul

July 18, 2024 – Humanitarian Aid

In preparation for Ukraine’s third winter amid ongoing conflict, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has announced a significant $100 million financial contribution to support displaced and war-affected individuals. This announcement was made by UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, during his third visit to the wartime city of Kharkiv.

“Kharkiv is central to our support efforts for the people of Ukraine. I’ve seen the devastating impact of continuous attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure and the resulting hardships for millions of civilians. Yet, I’ve also witnessed the unwavering reconstruction efforts, a testament to the resilience and strength of the Ukrainian government and its people,” Grandi remarked.

Kharkiv remains a refuge for approximately 200,000 internally displaced persons. The situation in the city intensified in May when a renewed ground offensive by Russian forces forced over 10,000 people from frontline communities to seek safety in Kharkiv.

In his role as head of UNHCR, Grandi is urging the international community to increase support to meet the pressing needs and to show unwavering solidarity with the people of Ukraine.

Comprehensive Winter Response Plan

UNHCR is particularly concerned about the harsh winter conditions in Kharkiv, which could exacerbate the already difficult living conditions, potentially causing more people to seek protection elsewhere. To mitigate this, UNHCR has launched an extensive winter response plan. This initiative, part of a broader UN appeal, aims to provide financial aid, assist with home repairs and insulation before the cold sets in, and cover energy bills.

As an initial measure, Grandi, in coordination with Ukraine’s Ministry of Energy, has provided 10 generators to ensure critical services remain operational during power outages. Oleh Syniehubov, Head of Kharkiv’s oblast state administration, expressed gratitude for the generators, emphasizing their importance for critical infrastructure in towns and villages. Svitlana Hrynchuk, Deputy Minister of Energy, highlighted that this support is crucial in strengthening the energy system to withstand the winter months.

‘Ukraine is Home’ Digital Platform

Additionally, UNHCR has launched the ‘Ukraine is Home’ digital information platform. This innovative tool is designed to help Ukrainian refugees and internally displaced individuals make informed decisions about returning home or continuing to stay in host communities by providing timely and impartial information.

“We must continue to support Ukrainian refugees, and also be ready to assist them in returning home when they deem it safe and appropriate,” Grandi emphasized.

For more details, visit the report