Today is World Blood Donor Day. The Day serves to thank voluntary, unpaid blood donors for their life-saving gifts of blood, and to raise awareness about the universal need for safe blood in the delivery of health care. The World Health Organization encourages more people all over the world to become blood donors.
In progress at UNHQ
Noon Briefings
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres and World Economic Forum founder Klaus Schwab witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding on a strategic partnership, which outlines areas of cooperation to deepen engagement and accelerate implementation of the 2030 Agenda.
More than 1 in 5 people living in conflict zones suffer from mental health disorders, a higher percentage than previously thought, according to a study released today by the World Health Organization and published by the Lancet.
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said at least 19 children have been killed and dozens injured in Sudan since 3 June, amid reports that they are being detained, recruited to join the fighting and sexually abused. Many parents are far too scared to let their children leave the house, fearful of violence.
The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan condemned the deliberate targeting of civilians by anti-Government elements throughout the holy month of Ramadan, citing more than 100 civilian casualties in Kabul alone. The Secretary-General’s Special Representative said that by definition these are war crimes.
An estimated 115 million boys around the world were married off as children, with one in five wed before they turned 15, according to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) first in-depth analysis of child grooms. The Central African Republic had the highest prevalence, followed by Nicaragua and Madagascar.
Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator Ursula Mueller, wrapping up a three-day visit to Madagascar, called for urgent action to tackle climate change, with increased investment to help address acute humanitarian needs, as well as their causes. Some 1.3 million people in Madagascar are severely food insecure.
Two people have died, 2,000 people are displaced and an estimated 20,000 others are affected following recent heavy rains and flooding in south-western Libya, United Nations humanitarian officials report. The floods have caused houses to collapse, closed roads and interrupted communications and electricity networks.
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) today said that more than 5 million families across Africa, Asia, and Latin America and the Caribbean spend over 40 per cent of their non-food household expenses on maternal health services. The costs of prenatal care and delivery services can deter women from seeking medical attention.
The United Nations is supporting the Government of Mozambique, which beginning today is convening a pledging conference for recovery and reconstruction in the wake of the devastation caused by Tropical Cyclones Idai and Kenneth.