Latest news with #UN-supported
Yahoo
25-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
EU says all options on table if Israel does not deliver on improving Gaza aid
The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire despite Israel's efforts to improve the delivery of humanitarian aid, a European Commission spokesperson said on Thursday. Israel has made some efforts towards improving the delivery of humanitarian aid to the population in Gaza, but the situation remains dire, a European Commission spokesperson said on Thursday. He added that the EU is currently assessing the situation and that all options remain on the table if Israel does not deliver on an agreement made with the EU earlier this month about improving the humanitarian situation in Gaza. This agreement includes a substantial increase in the number of daily trucks for food and non-food items to enter Gaza, the opening of several other crossing points in both the northern and southern areas, and the reopening of the Jordanian and Egyptian aid routes. This comes amid worldwide media coverage, based on Hamas's Health Ministry reports, claiming that troves of Palestinians have died in the last 24 hours and that 600,000 people in Gaza – nearly one third of the population – are suffering from malnutrition. Israel has pointed at the United Nations and Hamas for withholding aid to Gaza, with claims amped up in recent days. The United Nations claims that over 1,000 people have been killed at the hands of the IDF while seeking aid at different Gaza Humanitarian Fund (GHF) distribution centers. GHF's purpose GHF was created in February 2025 to replace UN-supported efforts to distribute aid. The organization, which is backed by both Israel and the United States, has come under scrutiny for distribution tactics by the international community, including over 150 NGOs such as Save the Children and Oxfam. The IDF has countered criticism of aid distribution and blamed the UN and other aid groups, claiming that a record 950 aid trucks are sitting on the Gaza side of the border, failing to bring aid to the Gazans. A top IDF official met with leading UN bureaucrats regarding the issue on Tuesday, demanding to know how they could accuse Israel of causing famine in Gaza, which, again, has not happened yet but might shortly should the UN continue to abandon its trucks – while simultaneously leaving the aid trucks to sit there without distributing the food. According to the senior IDF official, the UN bureaucrats sat quietly for at least 20 seconds, struggling to come up with a response. Eventually, one of them said that they would make more of an effort to get the trucks moving again, the IDF reported. Yonah Jeremy Bob and Reuters contributed to this report. Solve the daily Crossword
Yemen Online
22-07-2025
- Politics
- Yemen Online
UN Operations in Houthi-Controlled Yemen Face Mounting Threats Amid Staff Detentions
The United Nations has suspended all official movements of its personnel in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen following a wave of detentions targeting UN staff and aid workers. The decision comes amid growing concerns over the safety of humanitarian personnel operating in regions under the control of the Houthi group, also known as Ansar Allah. According to UN officials, more than 60 employees from UN agencies, international NGOs, and local civil society organizations have been arbitrarily detained since mid-2024. Many have been held incommunicado, without access to legal representation or contact with their families, raising fears of enforced disappearances. Julien Harneis, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Yemen, announced the suspension of staff movements as a precautionary measure, stating: 'To ensure the security and safety of all its staff, the United Nations has suspended all official movements into and within areas under the de facto authorities' control… this measure will remain in place until further notice'. The detentions have sparked international condemnation, with the UN Security Council and humanitarian organizations demanding the immediate and unconditional release of all detainees. The Houthis have reportedly accused some of the detained workers of espionage and referred them to a state security prosecution in Sanaa, prompting fears of politically motivated trials and possible death sentences. Human rights groups warn that the crackdown on aid workers could severely disrupt humanitarian operations in northern Yemen, where millions rely on UN-supported food, health, and shelter programs. The situation has also led to an exodus of local staff, with many fleeing to government-controlled areas or seeking asylum abroad. The UN and its partners continue to engage with Houthi authorities through diplomatic channels, urging respect for international humanitarian law and the protection of aid personnel. However, the escalating risks have forced several organizations to scale back operations or relocate offices to safer regions.
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Business Standard
15-07-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
World Youth Skills Day 2025: History, theme, significance, wishes and more
World Youth Skills Day, observed annually on July 15, raises awareness of the value of equipping youth with the skills necessary to thrive in a world that is always changing. This UN-supported program has been promoting discussions about employment, entrepreneurship, and personal development since its launch in 2014. The first World Youth Skills Day was celebrated on July 15, 2015. This year, it falls on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, marking the 10th anniversary of the global observance. World Youth Skills Day 2025: Theme The theme of the World Youth Skills Day 2025 is 'Youth Empowerment Through AI and Digital Skills', highlighting how crucial it is to give young people AI and future-ready skills in order to solve today's problems and create a more inclusive, sustainable, and prosperous future. Around 450 million young people (7 out of 10) are economically disengaged, according to UN data, since they lack the skills needed to succeed in the labour market. Unquestionably, artificial intelligence is changing the way we work, study, and live, but it can also present significant concerns of repercussions. In order to address the issues of underemployment and unemployment that young people confront globally, World Youth Skills Day seeks to increase knowledge and appreciation of the significance of youth skill development. What is the history of the World Youth Skills Day? On November 11, 2014, the United Nations General Assembly declared July 15 to be 'World Youth Skills Day' in a resolution proposed by Sri Lanka and backed by a number of nations. On July 15, 2015, the inaugural celebration was held in alignment with the introduction of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which places a strong emphasis on decent work and high-quality education for all. The realisation that underemployment and youth unemployment are worldwide issues served as the impetus for the effort. Access to education and training is severely restricted in underdeveloped countries. In order to close the skills gap, World Youth Skills Day has been a forum for promoting technical and vocational education and training (TVET) since its beginnings. It has also encouraged communication between youth, educators, policymakers, and industry. What is the significance of the World Youth Skills Day? Since young people make up a significant portion of the world's population, this global day serves as a call to action to unleash their potential. Youth are a key driver of social and economic advancement in nations like India, where more than half of the population is under 25. The day emphasizes how crucial it is to give young people real-world skills in order to improve their employability, encourage entrepreneurship, and advance sustainable development. It also tackles issues like unequal access to education, gender differences in digital skills, and the demand for competencies related to the Fourth Industrial Revolution, which includes digital technology and artificial intelligence. 5 effective ways to encourage youngsters on World Youth Skills Day • Digital Platforms- Use social media hashtags like #WorldYouthSkillsDay and #YouthLead to highlight opportunities, resources, and success stories. Encourage young people to take part in international surveys, like the one on AI and digital skills conducted by UNESCO. • Skill-Building Workshops- To offer practical learning possibilities, conduct seminars on artificial intelligence (AI), coding, digital marketing, or trades like graphic design and carpentry. • Skills Competitions- Organise or encourage job fairs and skills competitions so that young people can network with companies and display their talents. • Awareness- Organise talks, debates, or cultural gatherings that emphasise the value of digital skills and youth empowerment. These occasions have the power to provoke discussion and motivate action. • Entrepreneurship- Encourage programs that equip young people with the entrepreneurial skills they need to generate their own opportunities, such as company planning and creativity. Happy World Youth Skills Day: Wishes and greetings • Happy World Youth Skills Day! May you embrace AI and digital skills to unlock endless opportunities and shape a brighter future. • Wishing all young minds a day filled with curiosity and growth. May your skills pave the way for success and positive impact! • Wishing you the courage to break barriers and the skills to build a sustainable future. Happy World Youth Skills Day 2025! • May World Youth Skills Day inspire you to harness technology and creativity to make a difference in the world. Keep shining! • To the youth of today: Your skills are the key to tomorrow's progress. Happy World Youth Skills Day! • On this World Youth Skills Day, may you discover your passions, hone your talents, and become the architect of your destiny. • Happy World Youth Skills Day! Let's empower you with the tools to innovate, create, and lead in a digital world. World Youth Skills Day 2025: Quotes • 'Skills are bridges that connect dreams to reality, and today we honour the youth as master bridge builders." • 'Investing in youth skills development can transform young lives and entire communities." • 'We may be young, but our voices are powerful. Together, we can create a movement that demands sustainable change." • 'Skills empower youth to turn their dreams into reality and shape a better future." • 'The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you." • 'Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world."
Business Insider
16-06-2025
- Politics
- Business Insider
Brutal UN budget cuts threaten humanitarian aid across crisis-ridden regions in Africa
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN-OCHA) has announced a drastic reduction in its global aid operations, citing what it described as "brutal" budget cuts. The United Nations' OCHA has announced a significant reduction in humanitarian aid efforts due to funding shortages. This adjustment follows a revised global humanitarian appeal of $29 billion, drastically lower than initial forecasts. The funding crisis mainly affects operations in Africa, where critical aid programs are being scaled back or suspended. The UN agency, which oversees emergency response in conflict and disaster-affected areas, now seeks $29 billion in a revised humanitarian appeal reflecting significant budget cuts from earlier projections. Posting on its official X page, OCHA stated, " We have been forced to re-prioritize our work. Brutal 2025 funding cuts mean humanitarians must do more with less, and millions will go without humanitarian assistance. This is just the tip of the iceberg." The announcement comes amid sweeping aid reductions prompted by U.S. President Donald Trump following his return to office. Since taking office, Trump has scaled back the role of USAID and ordered cuts across several major donor agencies, triggering a global ripple effect in humanitarian financing. UNICEF, OCHA, and other UN bodies have already initiated budget cuts that will affect roughly 20 percent of their staff and programming capacity. The World Food Program (WFP), which relied on the United States for nearly half of its funding in 2024, is expected to reduce its workforce by as much as 30 percent. A senior WFP official described the funding collapse as " the most massive the agency has seen in 25 years," warning that without urgent financial support, key operations in hunger-stricken regions will either shrink drastically or vanish entirely. This budget shock, exacerbated by donor fatigue, rising geopolitical tensions, and competing global emergencies, has already forced the UN to scale back critical aid in some of the most fragile regions of the world, particularly in parts of Africa where humanitarian needs are escalating. Crisis-torn Africa regions most hit The impact of the UN's funding crisis is felt most acutely in parts of Africa, where millions are already grappling with the combined effects of armed conflict, climate shocks, food insecurity, and large-scale displacement. In countries such as Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia, and across the Sahel, UN-supported programs that deliver food, shelter, medical assistance, and protection for vulnerable populations are being scaled back or suspended entirely due to financial constraints. Aid flows to Africa have been declining steadily since 2021—a trend that should have alerted the continent's leaders to the looming humanitarian crisis. According to data from Development Aid, African countries received US$64.8 billion in assistance from donor nations in 2021. That figure dropped to US$60 billion in 2023, with less than US$20 billion coming from the United States. In 2024, U.S. foreign aid to Africa fell even further, plummeting to just US$12.7 billion. This sharp decline comes at a time when the continent is confronting a convergence of poverty, disease outbreaks, climate shocks, and political instability.
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First Post
12-06-2025
- Politics
- First Post
Hamas killed 5 workers, potentially 'abducted' some others, says Gaza aid group
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation said the attack happened when the bus was carrying the staffers to one of its aid distribution sites near the southern Gaza Strip's Khan Younis read more Local Palestinian staffers of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation in blue vests form a human chain to protect female aid recipients at one of GHF's distribution sites on June 9, 2025. (Source: GNF) A Gaza aid group said in a statement on Wednesday (June 11) that Hamas operatives staged an attack on a bus carrying its Gazan staffers, killing some of them and potentially abducting others. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) said five of its members were killed in the attack. The statement added that the attack happened when the bus was carrying the staffers to one of GHF's aid distribution sites near the southern Gaza Strip's Khan Younis at around 10 pm local time. The group said it was still gathering information from ground zero. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD It also vowed not to stop future efforts to provide aid to Palestinians in Gaza. 'This attack did not happen in a vacuum. For days, Hamas has openly threatened our team, our aid workers, and the civilians who receive aid from us. These threats were met with silence,' the GHF statement read. Tussle over Gaza aid channels Hamas has advocated for resuming aid distribution via UN-supported channels, which Israel and the US claim enabled the group to siphon off significant portions of aid. The UN has refuted these allegations, asserting that the GHF model jeopardises Palestinians by requiring them to travel long distances through IDF-controlled areas to collect food supplies. Since the GHF began operations on May 26, 2025, the Red Cross and Hamas-affiliated health officials have reported frequent mass-casualty incidents involving Palestinians en route to aid distribution sites. The IDF has admitted to firing 'warning shots' on at least eight occasions, targeting individuals who deviated from designated routes, contributing to the casualties. Meanwhile, the GHF reported on Wednesday that it has distributed approximately 271,200 boxes of aid, primarily containing dry food products requiring preparation elsewhere. Since Israel partially lifted its blockade on May 19, 2025, an average of 65 aid trucks have entered Gaza daily. However, the World Food Programme indicates that about 300 trucks per day are necessary to adequately meet the needs of Gaza's population, which IDF officials admitted was nearing starvation before aid resumed following a 78-day blockade. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
