News

More than 500 civilians have been killed in North Darfur state, Sudan, over the past three weeks, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said on Thursday. 

An anthrax outbreak is compounding the worsening security situation in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), driving up humanitarian needs and further limiting access to basic services. The escalating crisis is also widening critical gaps in healthcare and protection, amid a broader surge in infectious diseases.

UN relief chief Tom Fletcher warned on Thursday that the global aid system must undergo a “humanitarian reset”, becoming significantly more efficient and exploring new sources of funding, as major donors – including the United States – sharply reduce their contributions.

The UN’s top humanitarian official on Thursday issued a stark warning over the continuing blockade of aid into Gaza, calling on Israel to lift restrictions that have left civilians without food, medical care, and hope.

Chicago has been named host city for the 2026 International Jazz Day festivities – coinciding with the 15th anniversary of the event and the 250th anniversary of the United States.

Marked by mass killings, abductions, and sexual violence, the first quarter of 2025, the human rights situation in Haiti remained extremely concerning, the UN deplored in a report published on Wednesday.

The UN Special Envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, voiced deep concern on Tuesday over the recent surge in violence across Syria, particularly in the suburbs of Damascus and in Homs. 

In the aftermath of the huge 7.7 magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar on 28 March, life-saving aid efforts led by the UN are being hampered by damaged infrastructure, ongoing armed conflict and global aid funding cuts.

The United Nations has warned that Sudan is sliding deeper into catastrophe, with growing famine and surging violence – particularly in North Darfur – driving mass displacement and an alarming rise in civilian deaths.

The education of 800 students in occupied East Jerusalem is at risk as Israel moves to close their schools next week, a senior official with the UN agency for Palestine refugees, UNRWA, said on Wednesday. 

The UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon has called for greater support to people in the south of the country working to rebuild their lives in the aftermath of last year’s hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah.

Lifesaving operations everywhere continue to be shut down by sweeping funding cutbacks which will result in millions of people dying, the UN’s top aid official said on Wednesday.