Latest UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs News & Updates

United Nations, May 23 (IANS) Millions of people across Nigeria are bracing for one of the worst lean seasons on record amid conflict, violence and insecurity, UN humanitarians have said. In a news release on Friday (Local time), the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said that economic pressures and unprecedented funding constraints are pushing Nigerian families to the brink.The UN Humanitarian Country Team in Nigeria reported that nearly one in seven people, or 35 mi…

United Nations, May 22 (IANS) The aid community in Sudan, amid insecurity and access challenges, is fighting to contain outbreaks of dengue fever, mpox and suspected cholera cases, UN humanitarians said.The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said that in the El Nuhud area of West Kordofan state, the World Health Organization (WHO) and its partners are responding to a suspected outbreak of acute watery diarrhea, commonly associated with cholera. More than 100 suspected …

United Nations, May 21 (IANS) One civilian was killed every 14 minutes in armed conflicts around the world last year, the chief of the UN global humanitarian response unit has said. Edem Wosornu, director of operations and advocacy of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, on Wednesday (local time) revealed the figures to the Security Council during an open debate on the protection of civilians in armed conflict.”We know the real toll is far higher, in the Democratic Republi…

Kinshasa, May 14 (IANS) The Convention for the Popular Revolution (CRP), an armed group active in the northeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), said Thursday it would observe a unilateral ceasefire ahead of what it described as preliminary talks with the Congolese government under Ugandan facilitation.In a statement released Thursday and signed by its leader, Thomas Lubanga Dyilo, the CRP said the ceasefire would take effect at midnight on Thursday to “give an optimal chance of succes…

United Nations, May 14 (IANS) UN humanitarians have said that aid is being distributed in war-torn southwestern Sudan, while an amount of 12 million US dollars is targeted for famine relief in the neighbouring country of South Sudan. “The UN and its humanitarian partners continue to respond to humanitarian needs across Sudan,” said the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).The office said that in the Kordofan region, aid organisations are providing life-saving support to …

Gaza, May 5 (IANS) Humanitarians are warning of the lack of prosthetic and rehabilitation care in Gaza for amputees, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has said. The OCHA on Monday (local time) said its partners reported that more than 6,600 amputees, one in five a child, need prosthetic and rehabilitation care, including thousands newly amputated since October 2023. Yet only eight prosthetic technicians are available to respond.”With severe shortages of specialist…

United Nations, April 30 (IANS) Israeli strikes across the Gaza Strip continue to hit residential areas and disrupt basic services, UN humanitarians have said.The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) on Wednesday (Local time) said that a recent airstrike reportedly hit non-governmental organisation workers at a water well in Gaza City. One of them was killed, and four were injured.The well was heavily damaged, and on-site work has been suspended, OCHA quoted its partners…

United Nations, April 18 (IANS) Following the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire, thousands of the 1.2 million people displaced in southern Lebanon are returning home despite warnings of unexploded ordnance, UN humanitarians said. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) on Friday (local time) said its partners reported that displaced families are starting to return to Beirut’s southern suburbs and southern Lebanon, including parts of Nabatieh and Tyre.However, OCHA warned that ri…

Brasilia, April 2 (IANS) Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva told the press that the United States has fabricated a lie as a pretext to launch an “unnecessary war” against Iran. “The United States got involved in an unnecessary war in Iran, claiming that Iran had nuclear weapons or that they were trying to make nuclear weapons. That’s a lie!” Lula said during an interview in Brazil’s northeastern state of Ceara on Wednesday (local time).He said the United States has repeatedly waged wa…

United Nations, April 2 (IANS) Strikes across Iran hit civilian infrastructure, compounding relief needs as Middle East aid workers struggle with access constraints, UN humanitarians said.The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said the airstrikes in Iran have severely affected essential services. Iran’s Ministry of Health reported that 309 health facilities and 42 ambulances have been damaged, with seven hospitals evacuated since the attacks began on February 28.OCHA a…