Developing countries paid almost a trillion dollars in net interest on public debt last year, nearly three times what they paid in 2010, due to rising borrowing costs, leaving less for health, education and other priorities, UN Trade and Development warns.
In Kenya, the Government confirmed the country’s first imported case of Ebola. Kenyan authorities rapidly identified, isolated and tested the case, and the World Health Organization and its partners are supporting the authorities in preparedness for the response effort.
In Ethiopia’s Tigray region, a UN agency warehouse with aid supplies, and local and international non-governmental organizations’ facilities were looted on Sunday amid ongoing insecurity in the north of the country. Plans are under way to resume deliveries of food and health support.
In Ukraine, another wave of attacks killed 12 civilians and injured nearly 80, according to local authorities, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reports. Homes, energy infrastructure and a Kyiv bridge were damaged, with power disrupted in six regions. Humanitarian access is also worsening, with 86 access incidents recorded in July and August, up 26 per cent.
In southern Lebanon, the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) recorded its highest daily number of Israeli air strikes on Monday, while six Israeli naval vessels crossed into Lebanese territory. UNIFIL also facilitated five humanitarian missions between Monday and Wednesday, working with humanitarian partners.
In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) is protecting civilians amid escalating insecurity in Ituri Province, where more than 5,000 people sought temporary shelter at its bases. Peacekeepers also provided emergency medical care and continue robust patrols.
Nearly 8.3 million refugees and other forcibly displaced and stateless people are on the brink of losing access to vital assistance as severe funding cuts force the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to scale back core programmes. UNHCR’s available funding fell from $5.2 billion to $3.9 billion between 2024 and 2025.
In Honduras, the United Nations, humanitarian partners and the Government launched a $60 million appeal in response to severe drought. More than 700,000 people need assistance as crops fail and food and water shortages grow. The appeal aims to reach over half a million people with food, water and other essential services.
In Nepal, the World Food Programme (WFP) is delivering food and relief supplies to flood-affected communities in the north by truck, helicopter and humanitarian cargo drones. It has provided 127 metric tons of food to more than 15,000 people and is now delivering cash assistance to approximately 38,000 people.
The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan confirmed that at least three civilians were killed and four injured in apparent airstrikes in Kunar province in the early hours of 21 September. So far this year, UNAMA documented over 1,100 civilian deaths and injuries in Afghanistan from cross-border armed violence.
