World news summary: Death toll rises in Darfur, Cyclone Chido latest, São Tomé and Príncipe make progress

According to news reports citing local sources, paramilitary forces from the so-called Rapid Support Forces, who have been fighting the junta’s forces for 18 months, launched an attack. Rocket attacks over the weekend left more than 30 people dead in the city, while another attack occurred over the weekend. Friday’s drone strike reportedly killed nine people and injured 20 at the Saudi Hospital in El Fasher.

UN spokesman Stéphane Dujarric said the attacks included continuous shelling of the Zamzam displacement camp since early this month.

“The camp has hundreds of thousands of people and famine was confirmed there earlier this year.”

In response to the deaths in the city in recent days, Mr. Dujarric condemned all killings of civilians “wherever they occur.”

‘Deplorable’ attacks

WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said of the attack on the main hospital that it was no longer operational, describing all attacks on healthcare facilities as “vile,” in a post on X. The hospital is no longer in operation. (repeat)

“This is part of a wider escalation of attacks across Darfur and other regions of Sudan,” the Spokesperson added, reiterating calls from the offices of United Nations humanitarian issues: OCHAto cease fire immediately

“We reiterate that international humanitarian law must be respected. Civilians and civilian infrastructure, including hospitals, are not targets,” he added.

Cyclone Chido: Humanitarian rush to provide aid to affected areas

After Hurricane Chido made landfall on the French island territory of Mayotte at the weekend, leaving behind countless deaths and widespread destruction, United Nations teams began distributing aid in the province of Cabo Delgado, northern Mozambique – after a deadly storm hit there .

Around two million people are at risk of the disease in Mozambique, of whom 627,000 are identified as being at “high risk”.

In a warning, the United Nations World Food Program (WFP) said the voluntary evacuation plan began to be disseminated from December 8, reaching more than 400,000 people.

The United Nations agency reported that in less than 24 hours, emergency food assistance reached about 500 cyclone-affected families in temporary accommodation centers in Pemba district alone.

Humanitarian activists have been on high alert since the French Indian Ocean territory of Mayotte experienced its worst storm in nearly a century on Saturday. Media reports showed trees uprooted and homes destroyed, while communities faced power outages and concerns about lack of drinking water.

Close cooperation

The United Nations is working closely with the Government of Mozambique to assess the damage and humanitarian impact.

For its part, the United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEFand partners are providing water and sanitation supplies to minimize disease risks as the region grapples with a cholera outbreak.

United Nations spokesman Stéphane Dujarric said preliminary figures showed 140,000 people had been affected across Cabo Delgado province, where more than a million people are in need of assistance due to the ongoing conflict.

He added: “Our humanitarian colleagues tell us that in the worst affected districts – including Mecufi and Metuge – people desperately need shelter, they need water, they need protection support. birth, health and protection”.

Emergency relief coordinator, Tom Fletcher, allocated $4 million from Central emergency response fund to support early response efforts.

São Tomé and Príncipe have made great progress

The United Nations has congratulated São Tomé and Príncipe on officially graduating from the Least Developed Countries (LDC) category.

The Office of the High Representative of the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (UNOHRLLS) said the milestone “marks an important achievement in the journey development of the country and reflects the country’s sustained efforts to achieve strong economic growth and enhanced human development. and improve resilience to vulnerabilities.”

OHRLLS added that the graduation ceremony also highlights the international community’s collective efforts to support LDCs in general and is “the result of many years of strategic planning, effective policymaking and partnership international cooperation”.

The United Nations Development Policy Committee recommends that the country graduate after meeting the necessary criteria based on per capita income, human assets and economic vulnerability indicators and environment.

Notable achievements include an increase in universal health coverage from 47% in 2010 to 59% in 2021 and being ranked 11th out of 54 African countries in the Africa Governance Index Ibrahim 2021.

“The graduation ceremony of São Tomé and Príncipe is a historic milestone that emphasizes the resilience, vision and determination of its government and people,” said Rabab Fatima, OHRLLS Senior Representative.

“This achievement is a powerful testament to the impact of effective partnerships and multilateral cooperation, providing both a model and inspiration for other LDCs working to overcome structural challenges and achieve achieve sustainable development.”