Today is the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict, highlighting a “survivor-centred approach”. The Secretary-General’s message stressed that survivors are mostly women and girls, but also men and boys, calling for support to access life-saving health services, justice and reparation.
In progress at UNHQ
Noon Briefings
Today is the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, and the 2019 theme is “Let’s Grow the Future Together”. In his message, the Secretary-General stressed that protecting and restoring land can reduce forced migration, improve food security, spur economic growth and help address the global climate emergency.
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.
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.