World News Summary: Threat from arms trade, More aid to Haiti, global refugee and migrant survey
Commented in New York On behalf of the Secretary-General at a meeting aimed at eliminating the illegal trade in small arms, Izumi Nakamitsu, head of the United Nations Disarmament Office, warned on Tuesday that military spending continued increase globally.
New conflicts are putting millions of people at risk, and small arms and light weapons play a major role in these conflicts, she said.
Death merchant
In fact, “small arms are the leading cause of violent death globally and are the weapon of choice in nearly half of all homicides globally.”
She said the situation is only getting worse as new developments in small arms manufacturing, technology and design – including 3D printing – make their illegal production and trade increasingly common. variable.
The Secretary-General’s New Peace Agenda Policy Brief Recognizes the importance of small arms control in preventing conflict and building peace. It makes recommendations to strengthen regional, national and global control efforts on both the supply and demand sides.
Mr. Guterres is calling for bolder recommendations to strengthen the Agenda’s framework, especially on new and emerging technologies, arms diversion, gender and international cooperation and support.
“A peaceful and sustainable future depends on addressing the threat from small arms and light weapons,” Ms. Nakamitsu said.
Aid flights to Haiti
Two cargo flights were organized through the United Nations World Food Program (WFP) landed in Haiti’s capital Port-au-Prince carrying 55 tons of medicine, shelter and hygiene materials, United Nations Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq said Tuesday. Talking to reporters in New York, he said the relief goods will be used to support displaced people and prepare for the storm season.
A cargo plane chartered by WFP is unloading 15 tons of desperately needed medical supplies at Toussaint Louverture International Airport in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.
This Caribbean island nation is being rocked by gang-led violence and upheaval, leading to a socio-economic crisis and political vacuum, although the newly appointed Government is trying to stabilize the human situation. The project is supported by the United Nations and partners.
Million meals
Mr. Haq said that WFP’s school meals program has now distributed about 30 million meals across the country since the beginning of the current school year. Of these, nearly 17 million meals were provided through the local farmer support program.
“As we have said before, the education sector has been severely affected by recent violence, with more than 200,000 children and 4,000 teachers affected in the Ouest and Artibonite departments. Across the capital, 39 schools have also been converted into relocation sites and have therefore ceased to operate as schools.”
As of June 8, the United Nations children’s agency UNICEF and Haiti’s Ministry of Education has begun organizing classes and courses to make up for those closed over the past few months at 30 centers in Port-au-Prince.
Marked changes in attitudes towards migrants and asylum seekers: UNHCR
Attitudes towards refugees are hardening in some Western countries, but three in four people continue to believe that those fleeing war or persecution will be able to find safety in other countries.
That’s according to the United Nations refugee agency, UNHCRon Tuesday announced the results of a global survey on how asylum seekers and refugees are perceived in the global North and South.
UNHCR polling conducted with Ipsos found that 73% of people in 52 countries agree that people “should be able to seek refuge in other countries, including their own”.
But the data shows that support for providing shelter has fallen “in several countries” from highs in 2022, following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Those surveyed in countries with a long tradition of hosting vulnerable newcomers such as Uganda and Kenya were generally more optimistic about refugee integration – but some major host countries and Western countries are “less active” – the UN agency said.
UNHCR explains that while one in three people believe that refugees will contribute positively to their country’s labor market, economy and culture, the same number hold the opposite view again.
The UN agency’s survey also revealed concerns about the impact of refugees on national security and public services, especially in countries with large refugee populations, the agency said. United Nations agency said ahead of World Refugee Day on Thursday.
