Archive for ‘Migrants and Refugees’

12/07/2025

World Population Expected to Grow to 8.5 Billion in 2030; 9.7 Billion in 2050, and 10.9 Billion in 2100

Human Wrongs Watch

By the United Nations*

Global fertility rates are falling, prompting warnings about “population collapse.”

A Thai couple without children.

Young people who are optimistic about the future are more likely to pursue the lives they want for themselves and their families.PHOTO:© UNFPA Asia and the Pacific

But the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)’s State of World Population report shows the real issue is a lack of reproductive agency—many people, especially youth, are unable to have the children they want.

The World Population Day 2025 [11 July] highlights this challenge, focusing on the largest-ever generation of young people.

The theme, “Empowering young people to create the families they want in a fair and hopeful world,” calls for ensuring youth have the rights, tools, and opportunities to shape their futures.

Young people are already driving change, but face major obstacles: economic insecurity, gender inequality, limited healthcare and education, climate disruption, and conflict.

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11/07/2025

For the Aged, Their Sunset Years Will Be Bedeviled by Lethal Heatwaves

Human Wrongs Watch

NAIROBI & BHUBANESWAR, Jul 10 2025 (IPS)* The global population is aging at a time when heat exposure is rising due to climate change. Extreme heat can be deadly for older populations given their reduced ability to regulate body temperature.
Facing frequent climate hazards, resultantly offsprings having migrated out, this South Sikkimese elder in India battles depression, anxiety and early onset of dementia. Credit: Manipadma Jena/IPS

Facing frequent climate hazards, resultantly offsprings having migrated out, this South Sikkimese elder in India battles depression, anxiety and early onset of dementia. Credit: Manipadma Jena/IPS

Already there has been an 85 percent increase since 1990 in annual heat-related deaths of adults aged above 65, driven by both warming trends and fast-growing older populations.

If this were not heartbreakingly disastrous enough, heat-related deaths in older populations are projected to increase by 370 percent annually if global temperatures rise by 2˚ Centigrade mid-century.

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11/07/2025

The Demographic Struggle Over International Migration

Human Wrongs Watch

PORTLAND, USA, Jun 30 2025 (IPS)* Approximately 1.3 billion people, or 16% of the world’s population, wish to leave their country permanently, while over a billion people believe that fewer or no immigrants should be allowed into their countries.
The number of people desiring to emigrate permanently exceeds the number of immigrants countries are willing to admit, leading many individuals to migrate without authorization. Credit: Shutterstock.

The number of people desiring to emigrate permanently exceeds the number of immigrants countries are willing to admit, leading many individuals to migrate without authorization. Credit: Shutterstock.

This demographic struggle between the two sides over international migration is causing significant social, economic, and political repercussions for nations and their citizens.

The 1.3 billion individuals desiring to emigrate to another country is over four times the size of the estimated total number of immigrants worldwide in 2025, which is around 305 million.

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10/07/2025

“Do you want kids?”

Human Wrongs Watch

By the United Nations Population Fund*

The fertility fallacy: Five things you didn’t know about global fertility rates

A watercolour rendition of a couple in profile, in blue against a pale background; the woman on the right is pregnant
In this year’s flagship State of World Population report, UNFPA surveyed some 14,000 people across 14 countries, and found that around one in five said they won’t be able to have the number of children they would like. © Stina Persson

UNITED NATIONS, New York – “Do you want kids?” Every day, people around the world ask themselves, and others, this question. But it also begs another: “Do you feel able to have children?”

With over 8 billion people in the world, it’s a question that has become arguably more loaded.

For some, this number is unsustainable, unequally distributed and will cause the planet’s demise. Others worry we’re in a “population collapse” – that societies cannot sustain their ageing, slowing demographics.

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10/07/2025

Gaza: ‘Scores of People – Including Medical Staff and Their Families – Have Reportedly Been Killed in the Past Week…’

Human Wrongs Watch

United Nations warns of deepening health crisis in Gaza amid mass casualty incidents

People carry sacks of food in Netzarim in central Gaza.
© UNICEF/Eyad El Baba | People carry sacks of food in Netzarim in central Gaza.
 
(UN News)* — As scores of people – including medical staff and their families – have reportedly been killed in the past week, UN health partners in Gaza continue to provide emergency care despite very limited resources.

Across the Gaza Strip, as people desperately search for food, mass casualty incidents are reported almost daily, UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric, told reporters at his regular briefing in New York.

Hospitals, already under immense strain, are struggling to cope and lack of essential supplies – including fuel and medicines – is placing even greater pressure on overstretched teams.

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09/07/2025

South Sudan’s Worst and Longest Cholera Outbreak Enters Critical Stage

Human Wrongs Watch

 (UN News)* — On the eve of the fourteenth anniversary of its independence, South Sudan – the world’s youngest country – is experiencing its worst and longest cholera outbreak.  

The World Health Organization (WHO) is working with health authorities in South Sudan and partners to scale up cholera prevention efforts, including a vaccination campaign.
WHO/South Sudan | The World Health Organization (WHO) is working with health authorities in South Sudan and partners to scale up cholera prevention efforts, including a vaccination campaign.

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09/07/2025

‘The Catastrophic Conditions in Gaza, Worsening: Tents, Schools, Homes, Medical Facilities under Attack, Fuel Supplies Run Out’

Human Wrongs Watch

Gaza: Hospitals rationing critical supplies, ambulances stalling

Women look across a temporary camp near the Philadelphi Corridor in Rafah, Gaza.
© UNICEF/Eyad El Baba | Women look across a temporary camp near the Philadelphi Corridor in Rafah, Gaza.

(UN News)* — UN humanitarians have warned that the catastrophic conditions in Gaza are worsening, as tents, schools, homes and medical facilities come under attack, and fuel supplies run out.

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08/07/2025

One of the Most Intimidating Sights in Nature Are Rolling Dark Clouds of Sand and Dust Engulfing Everything in Their Path

Human Wrongs Watch

sandstorm with overbearing clouds billows over an orange-colored land that is slightly peppered with trees

Sandstorm in Kidal, Mali | PHOTO:©UN Photo/Blagoje Grujic

(United Nations)* — Some of the most intimidating sights in nature are rolling dark clouds of sand and dust that engulf everything in their path, a phenomenon that turns day into night and wreaks havoc everywhere from Northern China to sub-Saharan Africa.

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08/07/2025

Unusual and Record-Breaking Cold Spell in South America 

Human Wrongs Watch

By the World Meteorological Organization*

The southern part of South America is counting the societal and economic cost of an extreme cold spell which brought frost and freezing morning temperatures intensified from Patagonia to central regions of Chile and Argentina.

On 30 June, both Chile and Argentina ranked among the coldest places on Earth, excluding the polar regions.

It was due to the persistence of a powerful polar-origin anticyclone which extended into parts of Paraguay and Uruguay, causing unusually low temperatures for the season.

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08/07/2025

A ‘Silent Killer’: Extreme Heat Grips Europe

Human Wrongs Watch

By the World Meteorological Organization*

The World Meteorological Organization, its members and partners are ramping up action against extreme heat to protect lives from what is widely described as a silent killer. 

July is typically the warmest month of the year in the Northern hemisphere.  

Western Europe is currently under influence of a strong high-pressure system, trapping dry air from northern Africa over the region and leading to extreme heat which is having a major impact on all aspects of daily life, leading to spikes in air pollution and a big risk of wildfires.

This is coupled with a severe drought in some European countries.  

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