A Syrian family who lost their home in the 2023 earthquake. Top news of the day | Monday: Gaza, KPJ, Ukraine, Syria UN
The main news of the day in the UN and in the world: the head of the UN called for a truce in Gaza during Ramadan, the opening of the 68th session of the Commission on the Status of Women, the population of Ukraine suffered from another series of attacks, the report of the UN Commission of Inquiry on Events in Syria.
Humanitarian situation in Gaza
The UN Secretary-General called on Monday to honor the spirit of the holy month of Ramadan by silencing the guns, releasing all hostages and organizing the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza. According to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), to date, at least 18 children have died from hunger and dehydration in the north of the sector. Meanwhile, the European Commission, the United Arab Emirates, the United States, the United Kingdom and several other countries, in close cooperation with the UN Senior Humanitarian Coordinator in the enclave, Sigrid Kaag, announced joint efforts to open a safe sea corridor to Gaza.
The status of women
Women and girls around the world suffer from wars waged by men. This statement was made by UN Head Antonio Guterres on March 11 at the opening of the 68th session of the Commission on the Status of Women in New York. He stressed that national authorities should set goals for involving women in peacebuilding. Despite the enormous progress that has been made in advancing women’s rights, patriarchy is far from defeated, the UN chief said. Moreover, Guterres noted, he is regaining his position: autocrats and populists are attacking women’s rights, including sexual and reproductive rights.
Series of attacks on Ukraine
Strikes on frontline areas of Ukraine over the weekend resulted in civilian casualties and damage to civilian infrastructure, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said, citing the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. In particular, as a result of two shellings on March 8 and 10 in the city of Mirnograd, Donetsk region, civilians were injured and houses inhabited by about 200 families were damaged. To restore housing, humanitarian organizations provide construction materials to the victims.
Conflict in Syria
Syria is experiencing its worst wave of violence since 2020. Parties to the conflict are likely to be committing war crimes, and the population is facing an unprecedented humanitarian crisis. The UN Commission of Inquiry on Syria warned about this in a report published on Monday. Currently, 16.7 million people in the country are in need of humanitarian assistance. According to the Commission, since the outbreak of hostilities in the Gaza Strip, tensions have increased among foreign armies operating in Syria, particularly between Israeli, Iranian and US forces, raising fears of a wider conflict.