The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) today released its first major global assessment of salt-affected soils in 50 years. It shows that nearly 1.4 billion hectares of land — which is about 10 per cent of the total global land area — are already impacted by salinity.
In progress at UNHQ
Yemen
In Haiti’s capital, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and its partners have distributed more than 900,000 litres of water to more than 60,000 [displaced] people in 26 sites over the last week. The World Food Programme (WFP) has provided more than 95,000 hot meals to some 24,000 displaced people across four sites.
Following consideration of a recommendation contained in the 2024 final report of the Panel of Experts on Yemen, submitted in accordance with paragraph 3 of resolution 2707 (2023), the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 2140 (2014) agreed to take a follow-up action in relation to the recommendation.
The Security Council today decided to renew for 12 months a travel ban and assets freeze imposed on certain designated individuals and entities in Yemen and to extend for 13 months the mandate of the Panel of Experts tasked with assisting the Council’s Yemen Sanctions Committee.
The Security Council received an update today from the Committee monitoring implementation of sanctions targeting individuals and entities involved in actions that threaten Yemen’s peace and stability.
On 17 October 2024, the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 2140 (2014) held informal consultations to hear a briefing by the Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in accordance with paragraph 5 of resolution 2664 (2022) on the delivery of humanitarian assistance in Yemen.
The latest report of the Secretary-General on women, peace and security says that the effects of war and conflict on women and girls are worsening. In 2023, the proportion of women killed in armed conflicts doubled compared to 2022 and four out of every 10 people who died because of conflict in 2023 were women.
The UN Development Programme (UNDP) says that one year into the Gaza war, the humanitarian crisis has reached a catastrophic level — with unprecedented casualties, widespread destruction and severe food insecurity.
Amid the ratcheting up of regional tensions and a worsening humanitarian situation, all stakeholders must put the interests of Yemen’s people first, to restore peace and stability to the country, the United Nations official charged with mediating a sustainable resolution to the conflict told the Security Council today.
In Lebanon, 12 UN trucks delivered bottled water, family hygiene kits and blankets, among other vital aid, to the Marjeyoun and Klayaa villages. This inter-agency mission is supported by the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, World Food Programme, UN refugee agency, UNICEF and the UN Population Fund.