UN Humanitarian Affairs spokesperson Edem Wosornu briefed the Security Council on the situation in Sudan. Daily Top Stories | Tuesday: Sudan, Gaza, COVID-19, Hiroshima UN
The main news of the day in the UN and in the world: the humanitarian situation in Sudan, attacks on schools in Gaza, the rise in COVID-19 cases, the 79th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima.
Security Council on Sudan
The Security Council held a briefing on the situation in Sudan. UN Humanitarian Affairs spokesperson Edem Wosornu told the Security Council that humanitarian supplies were ready to be sent to areas of Darfur, where a mass famine was confirmed a few days ago. She added that it was critical to quickly secure the necessary clearances and security guarantees. For his part, World Food Programme (WFP) Assistant Executive Director Stephen Omollo said that WFP was significantly expanding its operations across the country. Both UN agency representatives stressed that only a ceasefire would prevent the famine from spreading further.
Gaza War
Last month, attacks on 17 schools in Gaza reportedly killed at least 163 Palestinians, including children. The UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR) said the nature of the attacks showed a failure by Israeli forces to respect the principles of distinction, proportionality and precaution. At least seven schools have been hit in the past eight days, the OHCHR said. The schools were reportedly being used as shelters for internally displaced people, while one also served as a field hospital.
COVID-19 cases on the rise
COVID-19 cases are on the rise worldwide, including at the Paris Olympics, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The WHO warns that the number of cases of the virus is likely to continue to rise, and that more severe variants may soon emerge. New waves of infection have been reported in the Americas, Europe and the Western Pacific. Although the number of COVID-19 hospitalizations remains much lower than at the peak of the pandemic, the WHO is calling on governments to step up their vaccination campaigns, ensuring that high-risk groups are immunized every 12 months.
The Bombing of Nagasaki
Nuclear weapons and the threat of their use still pose a real danger. This is stated in a statement by the UN Secretary-General, timed to coincide with the 79th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. At a ceremony to mark the tragic date, the UN chief’s message was read by UN High Representative for Disarmament Affairs Izumi Nakamitsu. On Thursday, Nakamitsu will deliver a message on behalf of the Secretary-General on the anniversary of the Nagasaki bombing.