العربية
Ukraine: Aid Trucks Reach Kherson Despite Heavy Bombardment
Humanitarian agencies continue to provide aid to communities trapped on Ukraine’s frontlines. On Wednesday, an inter-agency convoy delivered three trucks of relief supplies to Beryslav, a town in the Kherson region, marking the ninth successful delivery of aid this year. Despite ongoing shelling, nearly 2,000 residents, including 70 children and 90 individuals with limited mobility, remain in the town, which is without electricity, gas, or water due to damaged infrastructure, according to UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric.
The convoy brought essential items such as a portable power station, hygiene products, blankets, bedding, and warm clothing to support residents facing harsh conditions. In addition, increasing missile strikes by Russian forces have caused nearly 30 civilian casualties in the Donetsk and Sumy regions. The Ukrainian government has launched mandatory evacuations for children and caregivers in 40 towns across the Donetsk region.
West and Central Africa: School Closures Due to Escalating Violence
More than 14,300 schools across West and Central Africa have been forced to close due to rising insecurity, leaving 2.8 million children without access to education, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). From Mali to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, violent incidents affecting education increased by 103% from March to June this year. The lack of funding continues to hamper humanitarian efforts, with only a quarter of children in affected areas having access to education during the most recent period under review, compared to half at the start of the year.
Georgia: UN Expert Calls for End to Repression of Human Rights Defenders
In Georgia, human rights defenders have faced an intensified “wave of repression” throughout 2024, according to UN Special Rapporteur Mary Lawlor. The situation has worsened following the adoption of the Law on Transparency of Foreign Influence in May, which violates Georgia’s obligations to uphold freedom of association and expression.
Lawlor highlighted that human rights defenders have been subjected to physical attacks, harassment, and threats, often with no consequences for the perpetrators. Government officials have publicly smeared these defenders, further inflaming hostilities and legitimizing attacks. Lawlor called for an immediate end to the targeted repression and urged the Georgian government to protect the rights of those standing up for human dignity.
These issues underscore the ongoing challenges faced by vulnerable populations worldwide and the critical need for international support and advocacy.
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