An IOM psychologist counsels women in Paktika province, Afghanistan. Top news of the day | Tuesday: Gaza, Afghanistan, Black Sea, NCD UN
The main news of the day in the UN and in the world: Security Council meeting on the Middle East, the threat of famine in Afghanistan, risks to shipping due to escalation in the Black Sea, declaration on non-communicable diseases and mental health.
Middle East
The United Nations warned on Tuesday that the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip remains fragile and the humanitarian situation is rapidly deteriorating as winter sets in, despite ongoing diplomatic efforts to prevent a new escalation. Speaking at a Security Council meeting, Deputy Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Ramiz Alakbarov noted that, despite the ceasefire, Israeli military strikes and armed attacks by Palestinian groups lead to the death of civilians and further destruction of infrastructure.
Famine in Afghanistan
C As winter sets in, millions of Afghans face acute risk of famine amid a lack of humanitarian funding. According to World Food Program (WFP) Afghanistan director John Ayliffe, child mortality in the country usually peaks in December and January, and this year the situation will be particularly critical. More than 17 million Afghans are food insecure and 4.9 million women and children need treatment for malnutrition, according to WFP. At the same time, assistance programs received only 12 percent of the required funding.
The situation in the Black Sea
The Secretary General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Arsenio Dominguez, issued a statement on Tuesday in connection with the worsening situation in the Black Sea. He called on all parties to refrain from attacks on civilian seafarers, port workers and merchant ships. Shipping should not suffer due to geopolitical conflicts, Dominguez said. He also warned that the attacks increased the risk of serious environmental damage. The head of the IMO said he is ready to support any negotiation efforts aimed at ensuring the continuation of international maritime trade in the interests of all parties.
Non-communicable diseases
World leaders have endorsed a political declaration focusing on non-communicable diseases and mental health issues. The World Health Organization reported this today. The document was developed as part of intergovernmental negotiations ahead of the fourth high-level meeting of the UN General Assembly on the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases in September this year. The Declaration includes the topic of mental health for the first time and proposes a number of specific global goals for 2030. The document focuses on regulating e-cigarettes and new tobacco products, marketing harmful products to children, labeling on packaging, and eliminating the use of trans fats.