Latest news with #HumanitarianResponsePlan
Scoop
12 hours ago
- Business
- Scoop
World News In Brief: Global Investment Plunges, Hurricane Season In Haiti, Rising Cholera And Hunger In South Sudan
19 June 2025 Their latest data shows that the outlook for international investment this year 'is negative', a sharp course correction from January, when 'modest' growth seemed possible. The reasons for this range from trade tensions and tariffs whose main effect has been a 'dramatic increase in investor uncertainty', said UNCTAD Secretary-General Rebeca Grynspan. She said that investment in renewable energy, water and sanitation fell by some 30 per cent and that agriculture saw a 19 per cent drop in investor confidence. Only the health sector saw an increase of nearly 20 per cent, Ms. Grynspan said, although that only accounts for 'less than $15 billion globally'. 'Very real consequences' 'Behind those numbers are very real consequences. Jobs not created,' she said. 'Infrastructure not built, sustainable development delayed. What we see here is not just a downturn. It is a pattern.' Ms. Grynspan also cited 'growing geopolitical tensions' in addition to rising trade barriers around the world as reasons for the fall in global investment for development. In critical sectors as hi-tech industries and rare earth minerals, governments are also tightening screening measures on proposed foreign investment, the UN agency noted. Supplies to limit hurricane impact in Haiti critically low The Humanitarian Country Team in Haiti warned Wednesday that funding and pre-positioned contingency supplies are critically low ahead of what is forecast to be an above-average hurricane season. Haiti is highly vulnerable to extreme weather, with 96 per cent of the population at risk. Forecasts project 12 to 19 tropical storms and up to five major hurricanes this year. The alert comes as the fragile island nation grapples with a worsening humanitarian crisis. Armed gangs control much of the country, the collapse of essential services and growing displacement have left 5.7 million people food insecure, 1.3 million displaced and 230,000 living in makeshift shelters ill-equipped to withstand severe weather. Limited preparations Humanitarian actors have pre-positioned limited stocks of essential items, but they are at a record low for a hurricane season posing such high risk. For the first time, Haiti will begin the hurricane season without pre-positioned food supplies or the financial resources necessary to initiate a rapid response. Meanwhile, UN Humanitarian Office (OCHA) is coordinating missions with UN agencies and partners to assess how to safely resume aid operations in high-need areas, following their suspension on 26 May due to insecurity. 'I am deeply concerned for communities, families, and vulnerable groups who have already been affected by violence and are living in precarious conditions,' said Ulrika Richardson, Humanitarian Coordinator in Haiti, calling for immediate support. As of mid-June, the $908 million Humanitarian Response Plan for Haiti is just 8 per cent funded. Worsening cholera and hunger in South Sudan OCHA raised the alarm on Thursday over rising malnutrition and cholera cases in war-torn South Sudan. An estimated 2.3 million children under five urgently need treatment for acute malnutrition, a 10 per cent increase since last July. This crisis is unfolding amid the world's most severe cholera outbreak this year, with almost 74,000 cases and at least 1,362 deaths reported as of 16 June. The start of the rainy season and waning immunity risk a significant surge in infections. UN response The 2025 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan for South Sudan is only 20 per cent funded. Despite limited resources and many challenges, the UN and partners have scaled up efforts, delivering vaccines and life-saving aid to contain the disease and protect the most vulnerable. 'This dire situation is a stark reminder that we need funding urgently to expand food assistance, to expand nutrition and expand health services to those who need it the most,' said UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric at the daily briefing in New York.
Zawya
05-05-2025
- Health
- Zawya
Shortage of essential medical supplies in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) jeopardizes the survival of the most vulnerable amidst a fragile peace process, warns International Rescue Committee (IRC)
Over 72,000 people reached by the IRC's humanitarian programming in eastern DRC are now at risk due to dwindling supplies and funding. Health facilities are overwhelmed, with many unable to provide basic services like nutrition, primary care, and reproductive health. Medical supplies are running low, leaving survivors of sexual violence and thousands of children without critical care. Stockouts of therapeutic milk have been reported in several health zones, compromising treatment for children with severe acute malnutrition. Humanitarian response is critically underfunded: Only 9% of the Humanitarian Response Plan has been funded as of April 2025. As talks advance towards a potential peace agreement in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the International Rescue Committee (IRC) warns of critical medical shortages, leaving thousands who are already vulnerable without access to essential assistance, especially in services addressing acute malnutrition and support for survivors of sexual violence. The IRC's response to the latest humanitarian crisis has to date reached over 72,000 people. Lack of essential medicines, limited humanitarian access, and dwindling funding puts the continuity of this response, and the lives of displaced populations, at serious risk. Health facilities across North and South Kivu are overwhelmed and running out of supplies, with many no longer able to provide essential services, including primary health care, nutrition support, and sexual and reproductive health care. At Hebron Health Center in the Karisimbi Health Zone, for example, IRC staff report having to turn away survivors of sexual violence due to a shortage of medicines that are taken after a possible exposure to prevent HIV infection and unwanted pregnancy. Referrals to other clinics are futile given stocks across the entire country are dangerously low. Therapeutic milk stocks to treat children with the deadliest form of malnutrition have run out in several health zones, seriously compromising the treatment of children suffering from severe acute malnutrition. Dr. Lievin Bangali, IRC's Senior Health Coordinator in DRC, said: "The situation is heartbreaking. This breakdown comes at a time when the number of cases of sexual-based violence is rising dramatically, despite many cases going unreported . Every time supplies run out or aid provision is delayed, children's lives are put at risk, survivors of sexual violence are left without support, and public health worsens. Our health centers in Goma are dangerously short of vaccines for children and our current stocks of essential medicines are already running low. For example, we have no more anti-malaria drugs or antibiotic syrups. Thousands of children are therefore at risk of dying without appropriate treatment. The IRC remains committed to continuing its efforts in supporting vulnerable communities in the DRC. We urge the removal of barriers to humanitarian access to restore vital supply chains, and call on partners to provide immediate funding for nutrition, primary health, vaccination, and protection efforts to prevent further loss of life.' The collapse of the medical infrastructure is driven by security constraints in health zones where access to humanitarian aid is limited, compounded by ongoing airport closures and a sharp decline in already insufficient humanitarian funding. The disruption of vaccine supplies further hinders the recovery of children who are out of sync with the vaccination schedule or under-vaccinated, leading to a rise in preventable deaths. Despite these escalating needs, the humanitarian response remains critically underfunded. As of April 2025, the Humanitarian Response Plan is only 9% funded. The IRC calls on public donors to prioritize funding for the response plan to be able to support thousands of people in need of humanitarian assistance. DRC is one of the most vulnerable countries to the global reduction in aid budgets due to the level of humanitarian need, reliance on grant-based funding, level of debt distress, and exposure to the climate crisis. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of International Rescue Committee (IRC) .
See - Sada Elbalad
15-02-2025
- Politics
- See - Sada Elbalad
UN Unveils New Plans to Support Refugees in Sudan
The United Nations has announced new initiatives to support refugees in Sudan, emphasizing the need for immediate international solidarity to address the ongoing humanitarian crisis. UN Secretary-General António Guterres stressed that now is the time for the global community to stand with the Sudanese people, who have historically extended generosity to their neighbors during times of hardship. Speaking at the High-Level Humanitarian Conference in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Guterres highlighted Sudan's role in sheltering displaced individuals from neighboring countries, including Eritrea, Chad, South Sudan, and Ethiopia. He commended the Sudanese people's resilience and hospitality, stating that the pledges made at the conference reflect a strong commitment to humanitarian support. $6 Billion Response Plans for 2025 Guterres revealed that the UN will launch two major response plans for Sudan in 2025: A Humanitarian Response Plan A Refugee Assistance Plan These initiatives require $6 billion in funding to support approximately 26 million people inside and outside Sudan. The scale of these emergency aid requests surpasses all previous UN appeals, underscoring the unprecedented needs of the Sudanese people. The Escalating Sudanese Crisis Describing the Sudanese crisis as "immense and brutal," Guterres warned that the conflict is spreading across the region, necessitating urgent intervention from the African Union and the international community. He emphasized the importance of: Protecting civilians and humanitarian workers Ensuring safe and sustainable aid access Halting external military support and arms flows Push for Ceasefire and Peace Initiatives The Secretary-General reiterated that Sudanese citizens demand an immediate ceasefire and civilian protection. He confirmed that his personal envoy, Ramtane Lamamra, is actively engaging with warring parties to explore concrete steps for peace, including the full implementation of the Jeddah Declaration. As the holy month of Ramadan approaches, Guterres made a global appeal: "Ramadan is a time for peace, mercy, and giving. I urge you all to use your influence for good—support humanitarian aid, uphold international law, stop hostilities, and work towards the lasting peace that the Sudanese people desperately need."
