In progress at UNHQ

Sudan


More than 3 million doses arrived in Venezuela on 4 January, bringing the total received through the COVAX facility to nearly 9 million, while Bolivia recently received nearly 2 million doses through COVAX.  Thanks to a massive logistical effort led by the Pan-American Health Organization, nearly 90 million doses have landed in 33 countries in Latin America.

World Braille Day, on 4 January, aims to raise awareness of the importance of Braille as a means of communication in the full realization of the human rights for blind and partially sighted people.  COVID-19 has revealed how critically important it is to produce essential information in accessible formats.

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees said it is stepping up its aid delivery to help a growing number of Venezuelan refugees and migrants crossing by foot across Chile’s northern border with Bolivia.  Local authorities report that 400-500 people from Venezuela have crossed into Chile daily since November.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) says at least 54 migrants died in a truck crash in Chiapas, Mexico, on 9 December, marking the country’s deadliest single incident for migrants.  Some 651 people have died in 2021 attempting to cross Mexico’s northern border, the highest number since 2014.