The United Nations refugee agency said today it is deeply shocked and saddened at reports of deaths and injuries suffered by internally displaced people in an aerial attack on embattled Mawza District in Yemen’s Taizz Governorate. Civilian casualties are still being verified, but initial reports indicate at least 20 people killed, including women and children.
In progress at UNHQ
Noon Briefings
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) is deeply concerned that, after recent fighting in Benghazi, people taken prisoner by members of the Libyan National Army may be at imminent risk of torture and even summary execution.
The United Nations and the humanitarian community remain deeply concerned for the safety and protection of tens of thousands of men, women and children trapped in Raqqa City in Syria. Heavy fighting continues to affect civilians, resulting in the displacement of thousands and scores of deaths and injuries.
The United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) said today that they are stepping up their response to the situation in Venezuela as asylum applications soar. So far in 2017, over 52,000 people have applied for asylum, which is already two times more than the total number for 2016.
In Ethiopia, the World Food Programme (WFP) said today that their funding — and food stocks — are quickly running out. The country is struggling with the effects of devastating back-to-back droughts. Some 7.8 million people need food assistance right now, and that number is expected to rise in the coming months after another failed rainy season.
The Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Yemen told the Security Council today that the situation in the country remains extremely grave, with the conflict intensifying daily and the tragic humanitarian situation continuing to worsen.
The Secretary-General welcomed the establishment of the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia. The Mission is tasked with verifying the peace agreement commitments relating to reintegration of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia-People’s Army (FARC-EP) and implementation of security guarantees for the group and conflict-affected communities.
In Afghanistan, the World Food Programme (WFP) said it will be able to provide food assistance to more than 577,000 people in need thanks to a $20 million contribution by the United States. The money will be spent to buy local wheat flour, salt, yellow peas and cooking oil, among other supplies.
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) warned today that funding shortfalls are threatening education for millions of children caught up in conflicts or disasters. Of the $932 million needed this year for its education programmes in emergency countries, it has so far received recorded voluntary contributions of less than $115 million.
The United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) condemns continuing ceasefire violations by two signatories of the Peace and Reconciliation Agreement — the CMA and the Plateforme. The Head of MINUSMA urged the leadership of both groups to put an end to the violations immediately.