World news summary: Deaths and injuries rise in Ukraine, refugees from Sudan, Vanuatu earthquake response
According to the United Nations aid coordination office, in October and November alone, more than 2,180 civilians were killed and injured, while nearly 40,000 people had to flee their homes due to fighting in the areas. front lines in Donetsk and Kharkiv. OCHA.
the United Nations human rights monitoring mission Meanwhile, Ukraine has highlighted an increase in civilian casualties from aerial bombs in densely populated urban centers, including in Kharkiv, Sumy and Zaporizhzhia.
Deadly glide bombs
In an attack on November 7, glide bombs in Zaporizhzhia “killed at least nine civilians and injured 42, causing severe damage to a cancer center where cancer patients were undergoing treatment. through chemotherapy,” the delegation said.
It noted that the Odessa region in southern Ukraine has also seen increased Russian attacks since October, affecting port workers and ship crews.
In the Kherson region, drone strikes killed and injured civilians “almost daily, accounting for nearly half of the civilian casualties” there last month.
Earlier this week, the United Nations and aid partners delivered 13 tons of hygiene, medical and other supplies to people in frontline villages in the Donetsk region.
Human rights investigators hear heartbreaking testimonies from Sudanese refugees in Uganda
Sudanese refugees in Uganda have shared harrowing stories of the ongoing conflict in Sudan with the authorities. United Nations international fact-finding mission Investigate human rights violations in the country.
The delegation, which visited Uganda from 1 to 18 December, met approximately 200 refugees from various Sudanese countries, highlighting the severe impact of the conflict on civilians.
Mohamed Chande Othman, president of the Fact-Finding Mission, expressed concern about the dire conditions facing millions of Sudanese refugees trapped in camps.
“They have no means or jobs as they desperately wait to return to their homeland,” he said.
During a visit to Kiryandongo, Uganda, which hosts more than 50,000 refugees, experts met refugees from Khartoum, Blue Nile, Darfur, Gezira, Kordofan and White Nile.
Devastating impact
They document the devastating impacts of the conflict, including the siege of El Fasher in North Darfur, which resulted in widespread destruction, killing and sexual violence.
Refugee women recount increasing incidents of miscarriages and sexual harassment, often by individuals wearing the uniforms of the RSF militia, which has been fighting Government troops since when war broke out last April.
The delegation noted that nearly 26 million Sudanese needed humanitarian aid, including 3 million facing severe hunger. More than 11 million people are internally displaced and nearly 3 million have left the country, including 64,000 to Uganda since April 2023.
The Fact-Finding Mission calls for international support for Uganda and other host countries to ensure refugees have access to basic needs and can live with dignity.
Vanuatu’s earthquake emergency response force has been strengthened
Aid groups in Vanuatu have stepped up support for tens of thousands of people affected by Wednesday’s 7.3 magnitude earthquake and several major aftershocks.
According to United Nations satellite analysis, an estimated 116,000 people could be affected by the disaster. At least 14 deaths have been reported.
Immediate needs include health care support, shelter, access to clean water and restoring emergency communications. Emergency response efforts are underway and humanitarian partners are mobilizing to assist affected populations.
40,000 children need support
About 40,000 children in the South Pacific island nation need humanitarian assistance UNICEFUnited Nations Children’s Fund.
It has sent community first aid kits, medical kits and tents to support essential medical services. It has also provided safe water to medical facilities.
Many challenges remain across the island, where many buildings were damaged, including hospitals. Landslides have cut off roads, bridges connecting the airport and the main seaport are also said to be seriously damaged.
