Archive for October 9th, 2024

09/10/2024

Israel: New Law Blocking the UN Palestine Relief Agency ‘Would Be a Catastrophe’

Human Wrongs Watch

(UN News)* —Two bills before the Israeli parliament could put a halt to the lifesaving operations of UN Palestine relief agency, UNRWA, which has been indispensable and irreplaceable “more than ever” over the past year of war in Gaza, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said on Tuesday [].

.

UNRWA staff distribute food to displaced families in Deir Al-Balah, Gaza.
© UNRWA | UNRWA staff distribute food to displaced families in Deir Al-Balah, Gaza.
.

“That’s why I have written directly to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to express profound concern about draft legislation that could prevent UNRWA from continuing its essential work in the Occupied Palestinian Territory,” he said at the Security Council stakeout in New York.

09/10/2024

Gaza: Humanitarian Aid Organisations Warn of ‘Dramatic Escalation of Humanitarian Catastrophe’ Following Further ‘Mass Forced Displacement of Civilians’

Human Wrongs Watch

Israel’s new displacement orders in northern Gaza threaten to force civilians into ever-shrinking areas and endanger aid operations.

9 October 2024 (The Norwegian Refugee Council)* — On 6 October 2024, Israel issued new mass displacement orders targeting the remaining Palestinians of the northern Gaza Strip, ordering them to leave to the south.

09/10/2024

‘Families Ran for Their Lives’: Syria Receives 250,000 Refugees Fleeing Lebanon

Human Wrongs Watch

(UN News)* — The UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, has concluded an urgent visit to Syria, highlighting the plight of 250,000 people who have crossed into the country fleeing airstrikes in Lebanon.  

Families flee into Syria following airstrikes in Lebanon.
© UNHCR/Houssam Hariri | Families flee into Syria following airstrikes in Lebanon.
 
“Families I spoke with had run for their lives and have no idea what tomorrow may bring after an exhausting, dangerous journey to the border. They arrive with few means and in need of urgent relief,” UNHCR chief Mr. Grandi said, visiting the Jdeidet Yabous border crossing.
 
The exodus comes as the conflict between Israel and Lebanon escalates, forcing Lebanese refugees to seek safety across the border.
09/10/2024

‘Drought Is on Track to Hitting Three in Four People Globally by 2050’

Human Wrongs Watch

Five Drought Myths Experts Say Must Be Shattered

Stockholm, September 2024 (UNCCD)* — Drought is on track to hitting three in four people globally by 2050. Around the world, scientists and practitioners have amassed a wealth of knowledge on what it takes to anticipate, prepare for, respond and adapt to drought.

09/10/2024

‘2023, the Driest Year for World’s Rivers in over Three Decades’

Human Wrongs Watch

WMO report highlights growing shortfalls and stress in global water resources

7 October 2024 — (WMO)* — The year 2023 marked the driest year for global rivers in over three decades, according to a new report coordinated by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), which signaled critical changes in water availability in an era of growing demand. 
 

The last five consecutive years have recorded widespread below-normal conditions for river flows, with reservoir inflows following a similar pattern.

read more »