Evacuations have become an almost daily occurrence for Gazans. Top stories of the day | Monday: Ukraine, Gaza, bird flu, Golan Heights UN
Top stories of the day in the UN and around the world: a safe and green future for Ukrainian children, evacuation orders in Gaza, a new initiative to develop vaccines against bird flu, rocket fire on Majal Shams in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.
Restoration of Ukraine
Ahead of the upcoming UN Climate Change Conference, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources of Ukraine have joined forces to ensure sustainable post-war recovery by protecting children’s environmental rights and fostering dialogue with youth on climate issues. The partnership with UNICEF is in line with Ukraine’s commitments under the intergovernmental declaration “Children, Youth and Climate Action” and the Paris Agreement. UNICEF, in particular, helps make the country’s water networks energy efficient and provides support to municipalities and heating companies.
Evacuation in Gaza
Evacuations have become an almost daily occurrence for Gazans, according to the UN Refugee Agency (UNRWA). Tens of thousands of people have fled Nuseirat and Bureij after the Israeli army issued new evacuation orders. Only 14 percent of Gaza has been spared such orders, with residents “exhausted” by the constant displacement, many having been resettled several times. The UN says the enclave’s education system has suffered catastrophic damage. Direct attacks on schools are on the rise, with attacks on UNRWA schools increasing significantly in the past two months. Nearly 93 percent of schools in Gaza have sustained some degree of damage.
Bird Flu Vaccines
A new project aimed at accelerating the development and availability of messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine candidates against human avian influenza to manufacturers in low- and middle-income countries was launched today, the World Health Organization (WHO) said. This initiative complements WHO’s ongoing work under the Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Framework to improve and strengthen data sharing and expand equitable access to vaccines.
Golan Heights Strike
The UN has called the rocket attack on the Golan Heights “abhorrent” and the consequences of the attack “heartbreaking.” According to the Israeli military, a football pitch in the Majdal Shams area was hit. Twelve people were reported killed, most of them children. The UN chief expresses his deepest condolences to the families of the victims and wishes a speedy recovery to the injured. He recalls that civilians, and especially children, should not bear the brunt of the violence that is plaguing the region. The Secretary-General calls on all parties to exercise maximum restraint and reiterates his call to avoid further escalation.