'Unseen' News and Views
Copenhagen, Denmark (UN Environment)* – As global temperatures rise and the growing energy demands of air conditioning threaten to emit more greenhouse gases, over 20 leaders today [3 April 2019] committed to a new global effort on clean and efficient cooling, which can make a huge positive impact on climate change, help achieve sustainable development and save money.
In the first assessment of its kind, the WASH (Water sanitation hygiene) in Health Care Facilities report, from the World Health Organization (WHO) and UN Children’s Fund UNICEF, also finds that one in five health care facilities has no toilet or latrine – a problem that affects at least 1.5 billion people, and likely reflects a lack of facilities in the wider community.
From killing and maiming, to recruitment, sexual abuse and abduction, “violence against children in armed conflict can take many forms”, said Secretary-General António Guterres, in a special message delivered at the launch of a new UN advocacy campaign on Tuesday [2 April 2019] – Act to Protect Children Affected by Conflict.
Alfàs del Pi: “The rain in Spain falls mainly in the plains.” (Pygmalion). And in mountainous Southeast Spain; “unspanish activity” with no McCarthy. Fortunately: the air is fresh, drinkable; and the clouds promise more.
Johan Galtung
There are millions of such places of local beauty in the world. But we tend to focus on the more global and often less beautiful; right now there seem to be four of them. US with a UK appendix make Anglo-America; EU in the process of that appendix Brexiting or not; SCO–Russia-China-India-some Islam; and all of Islam (1.650 million).
Is a four-power world stable, or will it tend to bipolarize? Probably, and in that case, who will line up with whom?
Berlin/Stockholm, March 2019 (Stockholm International Peace Research Institute)* — Advances in additive manufacturing, artificial intelligence and robotics could increase the possibilities for the development, production and use of biological weapons. The existing biological arms control and non-proliferation governance framework needs to be adapted to address these security risks, according to a new report from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). | French | German
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In 2015, Burundi had an estimated 10.7 per cent forest cover and the growing demand for fuelwood has translated into hastened soil erosion and imperiled food security. And it could get worse. The country’s consumption needs require the production of about 180,000 ha of fuelwood, higher than its current 174,000 ha coverage.
In a world defined by “competition over cooperation, and the acquisition of arms, prioritized over the pursuit of diplomacy”, the threat of a nuclear weapon being used is “higher than it has been in generations,” the Security Council heard on Tuesday [2 April 2019].
2 April 2019, Brussels (FAO)* — A report presented today jointly by the European Union, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and the UN World Food Programme (WFP) finds that around 113 million people in 53 countries experienced acute food insecurity in 2018, compared to 124 million in 2017.
‘Millions more are forced to choose between health care and daily expenses such as food, clothing and even a home’.
Universal Health Coverage: Everyone, Everywhere
Universal health coverage (UHC) is about ensuring all people and communities have access to quality health services where and when they need them, without suffering financial hardship.*
It includes the full spectrum of services needed throughout life—from health promotion to prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, and palliative care—and is best based on a strong primary health care system.
Over the past decade, countries in the WHO Western Pacific Region have made significant health gains and increased commitments to advance UHC.
HUMAN WRONGS WATCH 