Davos
The SG on climate - Guterres said of backtracking by financial institutions and industries, these moves are "short-sighted, and paradoxically, it is selfish and also self-defeating. You are on the wrong side of history. You are on the wrong side of science. And you are on the wrong side of consumers who are looking for more sustainability, not less.” (UN News, "At Davos SG slams back sliding on climate commitments")
Gaza
Hope but causes of conflict remain - The ceasefire agreement ar offers a brief hope for Palestinians in Gaza but faces significant challenges. The war has caused massive destruction and displacement, with critical infrastructure in ruins and humanitarian aid facing obstacles due to Israeli restrictions and control. The fundamental causes of the conflict—Israel’s occupation and control—remain unaddressed, making a sustainable peace unlikely. International pressure and activism may be the only sources of hope for justice and accountability. (TNH, "Gaza ceasefire: The sobering reality of a day after that may never come")
Record numbers of trucks - According to OCHA, a total of 915 trucks carrying aid entered Gaza as part of the surge on first day of the ceasefire. (Reuters, "UN says 915 trucks entered Gaza on Monday")
Hope but causes of conflict remain - The ceasefire agreement ar offers a brief hope for Palestinians in Gaza but faces significant challenges. The war has caused massive destruction and displacement, with critical infrastructure in ruins and humanitarian aid facing obstacles due to Israeli restrictions and control. The fundamental causes of the conflict—Israel’s occupation and control—remain unaddressed, making a sustainable peace unlikely. International pressure and activism may be the only sources of hope for justice and accountability. (TNH, "Gaza ceasefire: The sobering reality of a day after that may never come")
Record numbers of trucks - According to OCHA, a total of 915 trucks carrying aid entered Gaza as part of the surge on first day of the ceasefire. (Reuters, "UN says 915 trucks entered Gaza on Monday")
No looting - “These two first days of entry: there have been no records of looting or attacks against aid workers,” Jens Laerke, spokesman for the UN humanitarian agency OCHA, told reporters in Geneva. (Al Arabiya, "UN says no looting since ceasefire")
Long road ahead - Sam Rose, acting director of UNRWA in Gaza, says, "we have to get away from thinking of people's needs in Gaza as a function of the volume of aid. Every person in Gaza has been traumatized. Everyone has lost something. Most of those homes are now destroyed, most of the roads are now destroyed. It is going to be a long, long process of rehabilitation and rebuilding." (BBC "Gaza rebuild will take a lot of time")
Children targeted - Victoria Rose is a British senior plastic and reconstructive surgeon describes the devastating effect of the war on the healthcare system in Gaza, including severe lack of food, specialist doctors, medical supplies and difficulties in access for international aid groups. During her time in Gaza, Victoria Rose worked around the clock and close to 90% of her cases were children. She tells us about the extreme injuries she saw and the psychological effects of the war. Video shared by Niloufar Pourzand. (Al Jazeera, "Is Israel targeting children in Gaza?")
Long road ahead - Sam Rose, acting director of UNRWA in Gaza, says, "we have to get away from thinking of people's needs in Gaza as a function of the volume of aid. Every person in Gaza has been traumatized. Everyone has lost something. Most of those homes are now destroyed, most of the roads are now destroyed. It is going to be a long, long process of rehabilitation and rebuilding." (BBC "Gaza rebuild will take a lot of time")
Children targeted - Victoria Rose is a British senior plastic and reconstructive surgeon describes the devastating effect of the war on the healthcare system in Gaza, including severe lack of food, specialist doctors, medical supplies and difficulties in access for international aid groups. During her time in Gaza, Victoria Rose worked around the clock and close to 90% of her cases were children. She tells us about the extreme injuries she saw and the psychological effects of the war. Video shared by Niloufar Pourzand. (Al Jazeera, "Is Israel targeting children in Gaza?")
Iraq
UNICEF ED cares more about Ukraine than Gaza ???? - Russia's UN envoy, Vassily Nebenzia, accused UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell of prioritizing Ukrainian children over those in Gaza after she failed to provide a briefing to the UN Security Council on the plight of children in the enclave. He criticized Russell for previously briefing the Council on the situation in Ukraine but neglecting Gaza, arguing that this demonstrated bias and political motivation. Nebenzia alleged that Russell was aligning with U.S. interests and failing to uphold the impartiality required by the UN Charter. He also condemned European countries for not holding Israel accountable for the deaths of children in Gaza while continuing to supply weapons. "The refusal of UNICEF's head to brief the Security Council about the horrific tragedy linked to the deaths of tens of thousands of children in Gaza is a flagrant step which deserves our most serious censure." (Reuters, "Russia accuses UNICEF head of caring more about kids in Ukraine than Gaza")
Syria
Ted Chaiban visit - UNICEF Deputy Executive Director Ted Chaiban called for increased donor support for education during his visit to Aleppo, Syria, where caravans are being used as makeshift classrooms for students. (Reuters, "UNICEF urges support to education in Syria")
Coming home - Tamara Alrifai's A Syrian Homecoming reflects on her return to Damascus after years of exile, exploring the emotional and physical remnants of her family's past while grappling with the profound changes brought by war. The fall of the Assad regime has sparked a wave of returns, igniting hope and discussions about rebuilding Syria. However, Alrifai emphasizes the divide between those who stayed and those who left, highlighting the resilience of those who endured years of hardship under oppressive conditions. She urges returning Syrians to listen with humility and compassion to those who never left, in order to truly reconnect with their homeland. "To return home also requires humility in the face of friends and family who stayed behind in Syria with so much dignity and strength, who have seen friends and loved ones leave or die. Those of us who are returning owe them compassion and a willingness to listen Article shared by Niloufar Pourzand (Aljumhuriya, "A Syrian Homecoming")
Thailand
Trump pauses all foreign development aid - Shortly after taking office, Trump issued an executive order pausing all foreign development assistance for 90 days. “The United States foreign aid industry and bureaucracy are not aligned with American interests and in many cases antithetical to American values. They serve to destabilize world peace by promoting ideas in foreign countries that are directly inverse to harmonious and stable relations internal to and among countries." See in the same article US withdraws from climate accords and can WHO survive the US withdrawal. (DEVEX, "No silver linings")
Child marriage okay? - Iraq’s parliament passed three controversial laws, including amendments that critics say could legalize child marriage by granting Islamic courts greater authority over family matters. The changes allow clerics to apply their interpretations of Islamic law, potentially permitting marriage for girls as young as nine. Supporters argue the amendments align with Islamic values, while activists warn they undermine women's rights and Iraq's existing legal framework. "The marriage of girls at an early age violates their right to life as children and will disrupt protection mechanisms for divorce, custody, and inheritance for women." – Intisar al-Mayali, human rights activist. Article shared by Niloufar Pourzand (AP News, "Iraqi lawmakers pass a bill that critics say legalizes child marriage")
Myanmar
Disease threat to region - Myanmar's healthcare system is collapsing, leading to a resurgence of infectious diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis (TB), and HIV/AIDS. Conflict and instability have severely hindered medical services, with hospitals shuttered and life-saving medications becoming scarce. The crisis threatens not only Myanmar but also neighboring countries, with rising TB and HIV cases reported along the Thai-Myanmar border. Experts warn that without urgent international intervention, Myanmar's health crisis could undo decades of progress in global disease control. “Myanmar alone could be responsible for reversing progress on malaria in Africa and globally.”“If drug-resistant malaria emerges in Myanmar due to the lack of effective control, and people take medications improperly, there will be no new drugs to combat it.” (TNH, "
Healthcare and disease prevention are neglected casualties of war in Myanmar")
OXFAM
New annual inequality report, “Takers Not Makers” explores how most billionaire wealth is taken, not earned - with 60% coming from either inheritance, cronyism or monopoly power. Furthermore, our deeply unequal world remains colonial in many ways. There is a long history of colonial domination which has largely benefited the richest people. This system still extracts wealth from the Global South to the super-rich 1% in the Global North at a rate of $30million an hour. This must be reversed. Article shared by Niloufar Pourzand. (OXFAM, "Takers Not Makers - The unjust poverty and unearned wealth of colonialism")
Disease threat to region - Myanmar's healthcare system is collapsing, leading to a resurgence of infectious diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis (TB), and HIV/AIDS. Conflict and instability have severely hindered medical services, with hospitals shuttered and life-saving medications becoming scarce. The crisis threatens not only Myanmar but also neighboring countries, with rising TB and HIV cases reported along the Thai-Myanmar border. Experts warn that without urgent international intervention, Myanmar's health crisis could undo decades of progress in global disease control. “Myanmar alone could be responsible for reversing progress on malaria in Africa and globally.”“If drug-resistant malaria emerges in Myanmar due to the lack of effective control, and people take medications improperly, there will be no new drugs to combat it.” (TNH, "
Healthcare and disease prevention are neglected casualties of war in Myanmar")
OXFAM
New annual inequality report, “Takers Not Makers” explores how most billionaire wealth is taken, not earned - with 60% coming from either inheritance, cronyism or monopoly power. Furthermore, our deeply unequal world remains colonial in many ways. There is a long history of colonial domination which has largely benefited the richest people. This system still extracts wealth from the Global South to the super-rich 1% in the Global North at a rate of $30million an hour. This must be reversed. Article shared by Niloufar Pourzand. (OXFAM, "Takers Not Makers - The unjust poverty and unearned wealth of colonialism")
Russia
UNICEF ED cares more about Ukraine than Gaza ???? - Russia's UN envoy, Vassily Nebenzia, accused UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell of prioritizing Ukrainian children over those in Gaza after she failed to provide a briefing to the UN Security Council on the plight of children in the enclave. He criticized Russell for previously briefing the Council on the situation in Ukraine but neglecting Gaza, arguing that this demonstrated bias and political motivation. Nebenzia alleged that Russell was aligning with U.S. interests and failing to uphold the impartiality required by the UN Charter. He also condemned European countries for not holding Israel accountable for the deaths of children in Gaza while continuing to supply weapons. "The refusal of UNICEF's head to brief the Security Council about the horrific tragedy linked to the deaths of tens of thousands of children in Gaza is a flagrant step which deserves our most serious censure." (Reuters, "Russia accuses UNICEF head of caring more about kids in Ukraine than Gaza")
Ted Chaiban visit - UNICEF Deputy Executive Director Ted Chaiban called for increased donor support for education during his visit to Aleppo, Syria, where caravans are being used as makeshift classrooms for students. (Reuters, "UNICEF urges support to education in Syria")
Thailand
UNHCR under fire - Thailand is under pressure to stop the deportation of 48 Uyghur asylum seekers to China, raising concerns about UNHCR's handling of their cases. The men have been detained for over a decade, facing harsh conditions and health issues. Rights groups criticize UNHCR for not granting them refugee status, which could prevent deportation. Recent pressure from Thai authorities to sign repatriation consent forms has sparked international outcry. Advocates call for stronger UNHCR intervention, while detainees stage a hunger strike demanding protection. (TNH, "Questions grow over UNHCR inaction as Uyghurs in Thailand face deportation threat")
USA
Leveraging the UN - While Trump’s administration sees strategic value in the UN, leveraging it as a counterweight to China, it continues to target agencies such as UNRWA and possibly UNFPA. Elise Stefanik, the new U.S. ambassador to the UN, acknowledged the importance of select agencies like WFP, UNICEF, and UNHCR but offered vague assurances about future funding. Trump's approach remains highly transactional, using financial leverage to influence international organizations. A 90-day pause on new foreign aid commitments has left humanitarians uncertain about the future. Note the charts at the end of the article showing the US financial participation in each agency (TNH, "Inklings")
Shifts in UN participation - Donald Trump's return to the presidency is expected to bring major shifts in U.S. engagement with the United Nations, using funding as leverage to push for targeted reforms. His administration is likely to withdraw from organizations such as the WHO, UNESCO, and UNRWA, while continuing to support UN bodies aligned with U.S. interests, such as WFP and UNICEF. Unlike previous administrations, Trump's approach involves aggressive, widespread reform efforts rather than selective engagement. Oxfam has criticized this trend, highlighting the growing influence of billionaires like Elon Musk in shaping global policies. Calls for higher taxation on the wealthy and breaking up monopolies have intensified as wealth inequality continues to grow. UN member states may seek compromises to retain U.S. involvement while addressing American concerns. (GiS, "What does Trump 2.0 mean for the United Nations?")
Treaties Live On - President Donald Trump has once again withdrawn the U.S. from the Paris climate accord, angering environmental activists. The U.S. has a history of signing but not ratifying key international agreements, often citing concerns over sovereignty, economic interests, or existing national legislation. Despite not ratifying treaties, the U.S. continues to exert significant influence in global policy discussions.
Key treaties the U.S. has failed to ratify include:
Shifting fire to the WB - Soon after the ceasefire began in Gaza, Israel opened a new military assault in the West Bank, focussed on Jenin. So far 10 Palestinians have been killed. Israeli forces Israeli forces have besieged a Palestinian government hospital in Jenin and a nearby refugee camp in the heart of the city, as the Israeli defence minister, Israel Katz, said the assault marked 'a shift in … security strategy' in the West Bank. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said on Wednesday they had carried out airstrikes in Jenin as well as detonating roadside explosive devices. The Palestinian health ministry said at least 10 people had been killed in Jenin, and more than 40 wounded. Footage from social media appeared to show Israeli forces using bulldozers to tear up roads leading to the Khalil Suleiman governmental hospital, restricting ambulances from accessing those wounded in the raid. (The Guardian, "Israeli forces restrict access to Jenin hospital")
Key treaties the U.S. has failed to ratify include:
*The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, which the U.S. signed in 1995 but has not ratified, citing concerns over UN authority on American family policies.
* The Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women, signed in 1980 but never ratified, with critics questioning its effectiveness.
* The Rome Statute, which established the International Criminal Court (ICC), was rejected by the U.S. along with Russia and Israel, opposing ICC jurisdiction over its citizens.
* The UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, signed in 1994 but blocked by the Senate due to concerns over deep-sea mining regulations.
* The Convention on Cluster Munitions, ratified by 112 countries but not signed by the U.S., which continues to use such weapons in conflicts like Ukraine and Russia.
Despite these refusals, the U.S. maintains influence through observer status and diplomatic power in shaping global policies. (AFP, "The global treaties that live on without the US")
* The Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women, signed in 1980 but never ratified, with critics questioning its effectiveness.
* The Rome Statute, which established the International Criminal Court (ICC), was rejected by the U.S. along with Russia and Israel, opposing ICC jurisdiction over its citizens.
* The UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, signed in 1994 but blocked by the Senate due to concerns over deep-sea mining regulations.
* The Convention on Cluster Munitions, ratified by 112 countries but not signed by the U.S., which continues to use such weapons in conflicts like Ukraine and Russia.
Despite these refusals, the U.S. maintains influence through observer status and diplomatic power in shaping global policies. (AFP, "The global treaties that live on without the US")
West Bank
WHO
Memo by Gordon Brown, former PM UK. Recent outbreaks of infectious diseases and Marburg virus make clear the crucial role of the World Health Organization (WHO) in coordinating global health responses. President Trump's should reconsider his decision to withdraw from the WHO. WHO has a vital role in combating global health threats and wealthier nations should contribute more to ensure its sustainability. Brown urges a collaborative effort to sustain WHO funding and strengthen global health security."Without a properly funded World Health Organization, we leave ourselves unprepared." Article shared by Viviane Sakkal. (The Guardian, "Memo to President Trump: you are wrong to leave WHO. You should think again.")
Comments
Post a Comment
If you are a member of XUNICEF, you can comment directly on a post. Or, send your comments to us at xunicef.news.views@gmail.com and we will publish them for you.