Director of Operations of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) Edem Wosornu at a briefing on Yemen at the Security Council. Top news of the day | Monday: Sudan, Kazakhstan, Yemen, Ukraine UN
The main news of the day in the UN and in the world: the anniversary of the start of the war in Sudan, the criminalization of domestic violence in Kazakhstan, the Security Council on the situation in Yemen, WFP supports Ukrainian institutions.
War in Sudan
April 15 marks exactly one year since the start of hostilities between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Reaction Force. An international conference to raise funds to help Sudan, organized by France, Germany and the European Union, took place in Paris today. More than 8 million Sudanese have fled their homes in search of safety, and 1.8 million have fled to neighboring countries, UN chief Antonio Guterres emphasized. He recalled the danger of the conflict spreading beyond Sudan. At the same time, the war in Sudan remains in the shadow of other conflicts, such as the conflict in the Middle East, which has attracted the attention of the entire world community in recent days, the Secretary General noted.
Domestic Violence Law
The UN commends Kazakhstan for passing a law protecting victims of domestic violence. “This is a step forward towards eradicating gender-based violence,” says UN Resident Coordinator in Kazakhstan Michaela Friberg-Story. According to the law, there is now criminal liability for beatings and intentional infliction of light, medium and severe harm to health. If violence and abuse were directed at minors, then the possibility of reconciliation between the parties is excluded. By introducing criminal liability for domestic violence, Kazakhstan makes it clear that such behavior is unacceptable, and those responsible will be held accountable according to the law, the UN Resident Coordinator emphasized.
Security Council on Yemen
UN Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg stressed to the Security Council the urgent need for de-escalation and warned of the dangerous consequences of ignoring the situation in Yemen amid the regional crisis. Also speaking at the briefing for Security Council members, Director of Operations at the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), Edem Wosornu, stressed that Yemen’s most vulnerable people, including women, girls, displaced people and marginalized groups, remain dependent on humanitarian assistance. The humanitarian plan for Yemen is only 10 percent funded, she added, calling for urgent action to overcome the shortfall.
Feeding vulnerable Ukrainians
The UN World Food Program (WFP) will provide daily hot meals in 1,200 public and private institutions for vulnerable residents of Ukraine. This was made possible thanks to $10 million in funding provided by the King Salman Center for Humanitarian Relief from Saudi Arabia. This amount will provide 50 million meals in hospitals, shelters for displaced people, orphanages, psychiatric institutions, nursing homes and other organizations that help the most vulnerable Ukrainians. Many of these institutions faced increased workloads and budget shortfalls due to the war.