The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) launched a new crisis response initiative in Afghanistan, known as ABADEI, as part of efforts to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe. Among other things, it provides grants to small businesses, cash-for-work projects and support to marginalized individuals.
Global foreign direct investment flows in the first half of 2021 reached approximately $852 billion, showing stronger than expected rebound momentum, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development said today (UNCTAD). Developed economies saw the biggest rise at an estimated $424 billion, UNCTAD noted.
In Afghanistan, the World Health Organization and United Nations Children’s Fund today announced house-to-house polio vaccinations will resume 8 November across the country for the first time in three years, targeting more than 3.3 million children who were previously out of reach.
The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General António Guterres:
In Nigeria, the World Food Programme today warned that it might cut food aid as early as next month to more than 500,000 people in the north‑east unless it receives at least $55 million in urgent funding. The cuts come as severe hunger reaches a five-year high due to years of conflict and worsened by COVID-19.
The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President Martin Kimani (Kenya):
Responding to the violent clashes in Beirut today, Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Joanna Wronecka, condemned the use of armed violence outside of State authority and underscored the need for restraint, maintaining calm and stability and ensuring the protection of civilians.
United Nations humanitarian personnel in Yemen report escalating clashes in recent weeks, with more than 10,000 people displaced in Marib Governorate in September. They warned of devastating impacts on civilians and expressed particular concern over the situation in Al Abdiyah district, home to an estimated 35,000 people.
United Nations officials in Mali welcomed the Government’s pledge to reintegrate 13,000 former combatants by the end of 2021 and additional 13,000 within the next three years. They also praised willingness of the Malian parties to proceed with the socioeconomic reintegration of ex-combatants that are already registered.
The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President Martin Kimani (Kenya):
The following statement was issued today by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary‑General António Guterres:
The World Health Organization (WHO) released the latest edition of its Mental Health Atlas, which cites a worldwide failure to provide people with the services they need. It comes as the COVID-19 pandemic and its impacts continue to spotlight a growing need for mental health support in countries across the globe.
In Afghanistan, the World Health Organization reports that since 30 August, nine flights have arrived with health‑care supplies for 2.5 million people. The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees is also scaling up emergency aid due to the conflict, supporting nearly 4,500 internally displaced people.
Matthew Hollingworth, Humanitarian Coordinator ad interim in South Sudan condemned a letter, reportedly from a youth group in Pibor, demanding that at least 30 humanitarian workers leave the area within 72 hours. More than 80 humanitarian workers were relocated and non-life-saving aid activities suspended for 48 hours.
In northern Syria, a reported 5 million people lack reliable access to and suffer from insufficient levels of safe water due to low water levels and disruptions to water systems. The United Nations and aid partners have released a plan to target 3.4 million of those most affected by the water crisis in the next six months.
The United Nations team and its partners in Haiti are responding to the needs of some 500,000 people affected by the August earthquake. Despite constraints, 13 emergency medical teams have been established, over 35 metric tons of supplies have been deployed and $330,000 in emergency cash has been transferred.
In Afghanistan, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) reports that its first aircraft carrying life‑saving medical supplies arrived yesterday in Kabul through the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations Airbridge. It will cover the needs of 100,000 children and women for the next three months.
The humanitarian crisis in Tigray, Ethiopia is spiralling out of control, with 5.3 million people requiring food aid and 400,000 in famine-like conditions, according to United Nations Emergency Relief Coordinator Martin Griffiths. In the past week, 79 trucks carrying aid arrived in Tigray, but 100 truckloads are needed daily.
The Office for Children and Armed Conflict have released a new report covering 2019 and 2020 which documents grave violations committed against 3,500 children in Yemen, the most prevalent being the denial of humanitarian access, killing and maiming, and the recruitment and use of children.
The Secretary-General told the High‑level Dialogue on Energy that the double imperative of ending energy poverty and limiting climate change could be accomplished by investing in clean, affordable and sustainable energy for all, and by shifting to decarbonizing energy systems and mobilizing finance, to name a few.
