“We are deeply concerned by these developments and we are actively seeking clarification from the actual Houthi authorities on the circumstances of these detentions and, most importantly, to ensure immediate access to those UN personnel,” said Mr. Dujarric .
Of those arrested, two are women and nine are men. Six work for the UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR), while another five work for various UN agencies and the Office of the UN Special Envoy in Yemen, Mr Dujarric said.
Militants from the Houthi movement control most of Yemen, including the capital, and have attacked ships in the Red Sea in recent months in response to Israel’s military offensive in Gaza.
Mr Dujarric assured that the UN is “using all available channels to ensure the safe and unconditional release of all of them as soon as possible.”
A tornado strike in Haiti could signal a ‘devastating’ cyclone season, UNICEF warns
Thousands of children and their families could be pushed into poverty in Haiti, adding to the chaos due to gang violence and a collapsing healthcare system, the UN Children’s Fund said.UNICEF) warned on Friday.
The National Emergency Operations Center has announced a “hyperactive” cyclone season, with 23 events, 11 of which could develop into hurricanes, forecast between June and the end of November.
The first tornado of the season hit Bassin Bleu, in the northwest of the country, on May 21, marking the start of a potentially devastating few months ahead.
According to Haitian authorities, 112 people, including 29 children, were injured in the disaster. About 4,350 people, including 650 children, lost their homes.
“With every cyclone, every tornado, every flood, children will lose their homes, their livelihoods, their lives, and the season has barely started,” said Bruno Maes, UNICEF representative in Haiti.
“We support children after every disaster, but support from the international community is essential for us to increase our preparedness and response to the worst-case scenarios.”
UNICEF and partners are supporting affected families in Bassin Bleu to recover. The agency and national partners are distributing cash assistance to the 300 most vulnerable affected families.
First ever visit by a UN human rights chief to the Lao People’s Democratic Republic
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk visited the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR) on Friday, the first ever visit by a UN rights chief to the Southeast Asian country.
While there, he discussed the progress Laos has made in promoting the human rights of their citizens.
Mr. Türk stated that by ratifying seven of the nine core international human rights treaties, “the country has demonstrated its commitment to acceding to a human rights roadmap.”
However, Mr Türk will also be sure to highlight some key challenges facing the country, especially the rising national debt.
“One of the main challenges facing the Lao People’s Democratic Republic is public debt. Let me be clear: debt is a human rights issue,” he stated.
Human rights lens
With more than half of the world’s poorest countries in or near full-blown debt crisis, Mr Türk urged international financial institutions to work through a human rights lens, calling it an “urgent priority”.
He stressed the dangers of declining public spending on social services and the need for human rights to play a role in budget allocations.
“If a country does not invest enough in education, healthcare, equality and other essential issues, it will result in a cascade of problems in society,” the UN human rights chief said.
The high rate of child marriage and low female participation in decision-making were also cited as areas for improvement in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic.
In light of these challenges, Mr. Türk expressed hope that his visit “will herald the deepening of our cooperation in the promotion and protection of human rights for all people in the country, as well as in the region.”
© UNICEF/Fani Llaurado
Climate change is exacerbating the intensity and frequency of droughts.
The effects of climate change on the health of pregnant women, children and the elderly: WHO
The climate crisis is a global health crisis, according to the UN World Health Organization (WHO) said Friday, calling on governments around the world to consider how to protect people from the worst impacts of our warming planet.
To convince health authorities that the climate crisis cannot be ignored, the WHO has released new data on the impact of climate change at key life stages.
This included threats from air pollution, forest fires, flooding and extreme heat.
Using extreme heat as an example, the WHO said premature births increase during heat waves, while older people are more likely to suffer heart attacks or breathing problems.
Indirect factors
The indirect impacts of climate change on human health include reduced crop yields and food shortages, an increase in vector-borne diseases and increased stress impacting mental health, the UN health agency also noted.
Among the solutions to help mitigate the threat of our warming world, the WHO proposed flexible working hours and adapting buildings for childcare, education and health care, with a focus also on reducing emissions.
Governments should also focus on working with communities and sharing knowledge on what to do during heat waves or other climate emergencies, the UN health agency added, including issuing public health messages during air pollution spikes, so that people can protect themselves, or training health workers. recognize heat stress.
