© WFP/J. Badwan A bulldozer clears a road in Gaza from rubble. Top news of the day | Thursday: Ukraine, Gaza, Ebola, South Sudan UN
The main news of the day in the UN and in the world: the head of the UN condemned the massive Russian attack on Kiev, restrictions on the import of necessary goods remain in Gaza, almost 2,500 people have died from Ebola in the DR Congo, holding elections in South Sudan without security guarantees can lead to mass violence.
Strikes on Kyiv
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres strongly condemned the massive strikes carried out today by the armed forces of the Russian Federation on Kyiv and other cities of Ukraine. Dozens of civilians were reportedly killed or injured, and significant damage was caused to civilian infrastructure and residential buildings. The UN chief is concerned about the escalation, including the spread of hostilities into Russian territory. Attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure are a violation of international humanitarian law and must be stopped immediately, the Secretary General emphasized.
The situation in Gaza
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs continues to receive reports of civilians, including children, being killed and injured in Gaza as a result of Israeli airstrikes and shelling. The UN again called for the protection of the civilian population of the enclave. The remains of 50 people, including 19 children, who died more than two years ago were finally interred in Gaza today. Their bodies were recovered from the rubble in recent days. Capacity to clear debris remains limited due to import bans on heavy equipment, spare parts and other cargo, as well as limited access to large areas of the sector.
DRC Ebola Outbreak
An Ebola outbreak continues in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). As of August 18, more than 5,200 cases have been confirmed, including nearly 2,500 deaths. The World Health Organization today announced that 70,000 doses of the Erbevo vaccine, licensed for use against the Zaire strain, have been sent to the DRC. The doses are intended for health workers, as well as for a clinical trial that will assess the effectiveness of the vaccine against the Bundibugyo virus spreading in the DRC.
Violence in South Sudan
The risk of large-scale atrocities increases as renewed fighting in the African country expands, according to the UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan. South Sudan is preparing for its first national elections since independence, but the political situation is rapidly deteriorating. The commission warns that rushing through the vote without adequate security guarantees could intensify existing conflicts and increase the risk of mass crimes, including genocide and ethnic cleansing.