Organization matters

The United Nations Independent Audit Advisory Committee held its seventieth session from 14 to 16 April at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) in Addis Ababa.

In Haiti, the humanitarian situation in the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area continues to deteriorate as armed groups enact violence. This year’s Humanitarian Response Plan requires more than $900 million to support 3.9 million people, but is funded only at 5 per cent or just $46 million.

In Ecuador, a UN team arrived on 24 March to support authorities to respond to the environmental emergency caused by a major oil spill. The spill in the Esmeraldas Province, in the country’s north-west, has contaminated key water sources, leaving half a million people without access to safe water and sanitation.

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) released a report today stating that human-induced climate change reached new heights in 2024, with some consequences irreversible over hundreds — if not thousands — of years. The report also noted that 2024 was the warmest year in the 175-year observational record.

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General António Guterres:

Following is UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ message for the International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff Members, observed on 25 March:

Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence against Children Najat Maalla M’jid presented her annual report to the Human Rights Council today, which highlights an alarming rise in child trafficking. According to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), children now represent 38 per cent of detected victims.

Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) delegates today urged the Secretariat to ramp up efforts to boost managerial accountability and internal controls, emphasizing the tone-setting role of top leaders in fostering a more effective United Nations.

In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the UN, its humanitarian partners and the Congolese Government today launched in Kinshasa, the 2025 Humanitarian Response Plan seeking $2.5 billion to provide life-saving assistance and protection for more than 11 million people, including 7.8 million internally displaced.

At least five United Nations personnel — four military peacekeeping personnel and one civilian UN security coordination officer — were killed in deliberate attacks in 2024, the United Nations Staff Union Standing Committee on the Security and Independence of the International Civil Service said today. By nationality, the UN personnel who died in 2024 were from Cameroon (1), Ghana (1), India (1) Pakistan (1) and Uganda (1).