Ceremony commemorating the Genocide of the Tutsi in Kigali, Rwanda. Top news of the day | Tuesday: Gaza, hepatitis, DRC, Rwanda UN
The main news of the day in the UN and in the world: difficulties in delivering UN aid to Gaza, thousands of people die daily from hepatitis, peacekeepers from China leave the DRC, the anniversary of the genocide of the Tutsi in Rwanda.
Humanitarian operations in Gaza
UN food convoys are three times more likely to be denied access to northern Gaza than other humanitarian supplies, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said on Tuesday. OCHA released a report this week saying restrictions and denials of planned movements by Israeli authorities continue to prevent vital aid from reaching the devastated enclave. During March, more than half of UN-coordinated food missions to high-risk areas requiring approval from Israeli authorities were either not allowed to travel or encountered obstacles.
Hepatitis Report
Viral hepatitis is claiming an increasing number of lives, according to a new Global Report from the World Health Organization (WHO). Ten countries, including Russia, account for nearly two-thirds of the global burden of hepatitis B and C. The report, presented Tuesday at the World Hepatitis Summit, highlights that despite improvements in diagnostics and treatment, the number of deaths from viral hepatitis has increased from 1.1 million in 2019 to 1.3 million in 2022. Thus, every day in the world 3,500 people died from hepatitis B and C. However, only 13 percent of people living with chronic hepatitis B infection were diagnosed, and about 3 percent of those affected received antiviral therapy.
Peacekeepers from the People’s Republic of China
After more than 20 years of service, UN peacekeepers from the People’s Republic of China are leaving the Democratic Republic of the Congo. A ceremony was organized on Tuesday to honor their contribution to promoting peace and security in South Kivu province, where the Chinese contingent was stationed.
Genocide in Rwanda
UN Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide Alice Wairimu Nderitu issued a statement on the 30th anniversary of the Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda in 1994. During her visit to the country, she also highlighted Rwanda’s history of reconstruction and reconciliation over the past 30 years, while highlighting the dangers posed by the rise of genocide denial. April 7 marked the International Day of Remembrance of the Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.