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World Drug Day report highlights spike in drug use, increased trafficking

The UN agency tackling crime and drug abuse (UNODC) released its annual World Drug Report on Wednesday warning that there are now nearly 300 million users globally, alongside an increase in trafficking.…

From banana bread to pineapple pizzas: Women in the Philippines bake a better future

Banana bread, coconut buns and Spanish-style filled rolls are providing a cooperative of women bakers on the island of Mindanao in the Philippines with the promise of a more secure future, thanks to support from the UN Development Programme, (UNDP…

We’ll never abandon Gaza, pledges top UN aid official

UN aid teams and partner organizations remain deeply committed to delivering lifesaving supplies to Gazans in need despite the increasing dangers of working there, the Organization’s top aid official said on Wednesday…

Rights expert urges banks to stop financing Myanmar junta weapons trade

Foreign banks are allegedly helping Myanmar’s military junta acquire weapons and military supplies, facilitating a “campaign of violence and brutality” as the civil war there continues, according to an independent UN human rights expert on Wednesday…

Security Council: Regional crisis deepens as Gaza war grinds on

While the situation in Gaza remains catastrophic, ongoing Israeli settlement expansion and escalating violence in the occupied West Bank is ratcheting up tension across the whole region, the UN’s Middle East envoy said on Tuesday…

World News in Brief: UN expert welcomes Assange release, more ICC warrants issued over Ukraine, Human Rights Council updates

The release of Julian Assange “is a very good outcome” to the long-running case, the UN independent expert on torture said on Tuesday after reports that the WikiLeaks founder had struck a plea deal with the United States.…

Syria: Security Council highlights escalating crisis and civilian suffering

Syria continues in a state of “grave crisis” with civilian suffering on the rise, the UN Security Council heard during a briefing on Tuesday. Najat Rochdi, UN Deputy Special Envoy for Syria, told council…

Humanitarians are beacon of hope amidst global turmoil: Guterres

Human suffering continues to worsen against a backdrop of conflict and runaway climate change the UN chief said on Tuesday, calling on countries to step up support for those in need and protect the humanitarians who aid them…

Feeling ‘90 per cent stronger’: Families in the Philippines help prevent drug abuse

A mother in the Philippines has explained how she feels “90 per cent stronger” after participating in a UN-supported programme which aims to build parenting skills and help children communicate more openly about difficult issues such as drugs…

New famine alert for Gaza where families go days without food

Gaza remains on famine alert after food security experts warned on Tuesday that more than one in five households “go entire days without eating”. According to the latest UN-partnered IPC report on hunger…