World News Summary: ‘Dire consequences’ possible for Yemen after strikes, attacks on Ukrainian hospitals, human rights in Algeria
Aid Coordination Office, OCHAsaid it was assessing priority areas for response in Yemen as the war-torn population depends on fuel and food imports through both Hudaydah and the nearby port of Ras Issa.
Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said the United Nations noted with concern claims by the Houthis – who control the ports along with the capital Sana’a and much of the rest of the country – that they had launched missiles fires and drone attacks in Tel Aviv and Ashkelon recently. day.
Rain causes more suffering in Gaza
OCHA also warned that without unhindered access, aid agencies will not be able to fully prepare for the rainy season in Gaza, as Israel continues its bombing and ground war against Hamas.
Mr. Dujarric, speaking to journalists in New York, the agency said rain and flooding “will only worsen the already poor living conditions in Gaza, increasing the risk of health hazards and possibly causing hundreds of thousands of more people to be displaced.”
Many of the 215 temporary learning spaces serving nearly 34,000 children in Gaza were severely affected by the floods.
“We, along with our humanitarian partners, have developed the Winterization Plan to address the most critical needs of more than 2.1 million people in Gaza during the rainy season, which will be the second rainy season of the year. them, because we are almost at the first year mark of the rainy season. conflict,” the United Nations Spokesperson continued.
“The plan targets more than 850,000 people across nearly 50 neighborhoods in flood-prone areas.”
Approximately $242 million is needed to improve shelter conditions, provide warm clothing and blankets, and divert floodwaters away from critical infrastructure and landfills.
The attack on the Ukrainian hospital was condemned
United Nations Humanitarian Affairs on Monday condemned Russian attacks on the city of Sumy in the northeast of the country over the weekend damaged a hospital.
Matthias Schmale, the top United Nations aid official in Ukraine, said Russian military attacks had killed and injured many people. He emphasized that medical centers should not be allowed to become targets.
Local officials reported that nine people were killed in dual drone strikes on the northeastern city near the Russian border, with 12 injured and more than 120 evacuated for safety. all their own.
According to the Ukrainian military, Mr. Schmale’s comments came as violence continued on Monday, including a wave of drone attacks on Kyiv and protective air defense drills being announced. move to respond.
Outside the capital, media reported explosions as Russia launched a drone and guided bomb attack on Zaporizhzhia, damaging railways and buildings, while in Russia , Ukrainian armed forces reportedly shelled the Belgorod region.
Algerian court calls for ‘abuse sentence’ against poet to be annulled
Authorities in Algeria were urged on Monday by leading independent human rights experts to overturn the prison sentence of a poet for supporting widespread protests against the Government.
Djamila Bentouis received a two-year prison sentence and a fine of 100,000 Algerian dinars (worth about $750) for participating in the Hirak social protest movement through her songs and poetry recitations.
The initial charges against Ms Bentouis accused her of belonging to a terrorist organisation.
Call for reform
The Hirak protests began in February 2019 – initially against President Abdelaziz Bouteflika – but evolved into demands for political reform and other freedoms.
Independent experts including Alexandra Xanthaki, Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights, said that the criminal charges against Ms Bentouis appeared to be “directly linked” to the desire to exercise freedom her speech.
The experts – who are not UN employees and do not receive a salary for their work – also expressed hope that Algeria “will comply with its international obligations to ensure freedom of expression” when The appeals court considers the case on Wednesday.
