© OCHA/R. Moussa Maz Local community members prepare to bury a man who died of Ebola in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Top news of the day | Monday: Ukraine, Ebola, Gaza, Myanmar UN
The main news of the day in the UN and in the world: as a result of attacks on Ukraine, civilians were again killed and wounded, a new center was opened in DR Congo to combat the Ebola outbreak, attacks on civilian infrastructure continue in Gaza, a representative of the Red Cross visited State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi, who is detained in Myanmar.
Strikes on Ukraine
Acting UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Ukraine Auke Lotsma warned of increasing threats to the country’s civilian population. Large-scale attacks on Ukrainian cities and frontline areas killed and injured civilians over the weekend, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. The premises of a local humanitarian organization were also hit. Supplies were destroyed, including aid provided with the support of UN agencies. Despite the threats, UN agencies and their partners continue to provide assistance to the affected people in Ukraine.
Ebola outbreak in the DRC
With UN support, new centers are opening in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo to combat the Ebola outbreak, which continues to spread rapidly. As of August 1, 3,748 cases of the disease were confirmed in five provinces of the country. As noted by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, a new transit center in a camp for displaced people in Ituri province will allow potential cases of the disease to be more quickly identified and patients quickly referred to specialized facilities. Attacks continued in the Gaza Strip. On Saturday, one of the strikes hit the Al-Aqsa Hospital area, damaging a nearby warehouse for medical supplies. According to the World Health Organization, vital medical supplies were destroyed, including some supplies delivered by WHO. The UN reminded that medical facilities should not be attacked or used for military purposes.
Prisoners in Myanmar
The UN press service noted the message of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) that its representative today visited State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi, who is detained in Myanmar. It is noted that the visit took place in accordance with the standards and procedures of the ICRC. The UN welcomed this step and again called for the speedy and unconditional release of all persons arbitrarily detained in the country.