OCHA/J. Moreno Consequences of earthquakes in Venezuela. Top news of the day | Tuesday: Ukraine, Afghanistan, Ebola, Lebanon UN
The main news of the day in the UN and in the world: the death of children as a result of attacks on Russia and Ukraine, acute food shortages in Afghanistan, support for the humanitarian response in Venezuela, the anniversary of the explosion in the port of Beirut.
Death of children
Over the past few days, children have again been killed and injured as a result of attacks in the Russian Federation and Ukraine. This was announced on Tuesday by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). The UN agency again called on all parties to fulfill their obligations under international humanitarian law, including the protection of children and civilian infrastructure. “Attacks that kill and injure children must stop,” UNICEF stressed.
Crisis in Afghanistan
One in three people in Afghanistan—14 million people—are experiencing severe food shortages. This is stated in a statement released on Tuesday by the World Food Program. Today, according to WFP, 12 provinces in Afghanistan have critical levels of acute child malnutrition – the highest rate ever recorded in the country. The crisis is fueled by localized conflicts, widespread unemployment, rising food prices, dwindling humanitarian funding, and disruptions in supply routes.
Aid for Venezuela
Humanitarian organizations continue to ramp up their efforts in Venezuela more than five weeks after the devastating earthquakes. According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, thanks to the joint work of the UN, partner agencies, local communities and authorities, 200 thousand people in the country received assistance and basic services. A needs assessment is currently underway to help determine priorities for future activities. In this regard, international support is extremely important. The humanitarian response plan has received only 42 percent of the funding it needs.
Anniversary of the Beirut Explosion
Today marks the sixth anniversary of the devastating explosion at the port of Beirut. Jean Arnault, Acting Head of the Office of the UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon, today expressed solidarity with all those affected and commended their tireless efforts to establish the truth and bring those responsible to justice. He expressed the need to redouble efforts to advance the trial and called on all parties to take the necessary steps to do so. Arnault also stressed the importance of implementing structural reforms aimed at strengthening and protecting the independence of the judiciary in Lebanon.