Yemen

There have been unprecedented wildfires in the Arctic since the beginning of June, according to the World Meteorological Organization.  In June alone, they emitted 50 megatons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, an amount equivalent to Sweden’s annual carbon dioxide emissions.

A new Food and Agriculture Organization report finds that 41 countries — 31 of which are in Africa — require food assistance, as cyclone damage and rainfall deficits in 2019 caused significant agricultural production shortfalls in Southern Africa, and severe dryness in East Africa negatively affected harvests.

The cholera outbreak in Yemen has reached more than 460,000 suspected cases in 2019, exceeding the 380,000 total suspected cases in all of 2018.  While the United Nations and partners operate 1,200 treatment facilities, funding remains an urgent issue, with only 32 per cent of the $4.2 billion response plan met.

The World Meteorological Organization said today the Earth is set to experience its five warmest years on record from 2015-2019. Increasing greenhouse gas concentrations will fuel the global heat – and accompanying ice melt, glacier retreat, sea level rise, ocean heat and extreme weather for generations to come.

The International Organization for Migration says intercommunal violence and floods in the Mopti region of Mali are aggravating a fragile humanitarian situation for 50,000 internally displaced people while 210,000 others are food insecure and only 2 per cent of communities can access safe drinking water.

Today is the Day of the Seafarer.  This year’s theme, “I Am on Board with Gender Equality”, focuses on the importance and value of women within the professional ranks of the maritime world.  The theme is also in line with this year’s theme for World Maritime Day:  “Empowering Women in the Maritime Community”.

More than 1.3 million people in north-west and south-west Cameroon need humanitarian assistance, up from 160,000 in 2018.  Non-State armed groups banned education, 80 per cent of schools are closed and 74 schools were destroyed.  The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) says half of those in need are children.

The “unwinnable” conflict in Yemen is worsening, with 20 million Yemenis lacking enough food and only marginal changes in power dynamics since fighting broke out in 2015, top United Nations officials warned the Security Council today, amid calls for parties to fully implement the Stockholm and Hodeidah Agreements designed to end the acute humanitarian crisis.

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.

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.