© UNICEF/A. Pinedo Temporary shelter for earthquake-affected families in Chocó, Colombia. Top news of the day | Tuesday: Ukraine, Middle East, Colombia, Chad UN
The main news of the day in the UN and in the world: the Deputy Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs visits Ukraine, Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia threaten further escalation in Yemen and the region, the aftermath of the earthquake in Colombia increases the risk of human trafficking, a million dollars is allocated to fight cholera in Chad.
UN Deputy Head visits Ukraine
UN Deputy Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs Tom Fletcher today visited the Nikolaev and Kherson regions of Ukraine. He arrived in the country the day before. The UN emergency relief coordinator met with families who had fled their homes and hospital patients who told him of the physical and psychological consequences of war. Meanwhile, UN humanitarian agencies report that Ukrainian civilians were again killed and injured as a result of attacks yesterday and today. Despite the risks, humanitarian organizations continue to provide assistance throughout the country.
Houthi strikes
The UN expressed deep concern over reports of Houthi attacks on targets in Saudi Arabia. Such attacks could further drag Yemen into the broader regional conflict. The UN also stressed that attacks on shipping must stop and freedom of movement in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden must be respected. The UN once again calls on parties to fulfill their obligations to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure.
Earthquake relief in Colombia
The UN continues to increase humanitarian assistance to people affected by the earthquake in western Colombia. According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the disaster affected more than 186 thousand people. Almost 30 thousand houses were destroyed and cannot be restored. The World Food Program has called on donors to provide $23 million to feed 100,000 people over the next three months. The International Organization for Migration, meanwhile, warns that family separation, as well as loss of housing and income, could increase the risk of human trafficking. cholera in Chad. In Lac province, the infection is spreading among people fleeing violence due to the population’s lack of access to clean water, sanitation, medical care and other vital services. Earlier this month, Fletcher already committed $3 million from the fund to help thousands of people displaced by violence in this region of Chad.