WHO Reports Bundibugyo Virus Outbreak Has Expanded to 60 Health Zones in DR Congo
The World Health Organization says the Bundibugyo virus disease outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has continued to spread, expanding from 54 to 60 health zones since the previous Disease Outbreak News update in August. WHO says sustained transmission is continuing to challenge the public-health response. Health authorities and partners are strengthening surveillance,…
UNICEF Says More Than 17,000 Children in Nepal Need Urgent Mental Health Support After Floods
More than 17,000 children affected by recent devastating floods in Nepal need urgent mental health and psychosocial support, UNICEF said on 15 September. The agency said many children witnessed the loss of loved ones, destruction of homes and schools and other traumatic events during the floods. UNICEF is working with partners to provide psychosocial assistance…
UNICEF Warns Yemen Escalation Is Driving New Displacement and Child Protection Risks
UNICEF is warning of worsening humanitarian conditions in Yemen following a new escalation of violence that is driving additional displacement and increasing risks for children and families. The renewed fighting is creating fresh humanitarian needs in communities already affected by years of conflict, economic hardship and limited access to essential services. UNICEF and other humanitarian…
Israeli Human Rights Group B’Tselem Accuses Israel of Systematically Undermining Palestinian Life in West Bank
JERUSALEM, ISRAEL (HRNW) — Israeli human-rights organization B’Tselem has released a major new report accusing Israeli authorities of systematically undermining Palestinian life in the occupied West Bank through restrictions on movement, economic pressure, settlement expansion, displacement and other policies. The report, titled The Elimination Project, argues that these measures should not be viewed as isolated…
Aid Cuts Force Clinic Closures Across Sudan, Leaving Millions at Risk, MSF Warns
KHARTOUM, SUDAN (HRNW) — Médecins Sans Frontières has warned that severe humanitarian funding cuts are forcing clinics and health facilities across Sudan to close or operate with inadequate medicines and resources, leaving millions of people at increased risk. In a September 8 update, MSF said the withdrawal of international aid organizations is leaving local clinics…
MSF Keeps Hospital Operating as Conflict Intensifies Around Yemen’s Mocha
MOCHA, YEMEN (HRNW) — Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) says health workers are continuing to operate a hospital in Mocha as conflict and insecurity place additional pressure on civilians and medical services in Yemen. In a September 11 field report, MSF described how medical workers are maintaining essential hospital services in a city that has been…
EU Forced-Labor Rules Gain Human Rights Support but Civil Society Seeks Stronger Enforcement
BRUSSELS, BELGIUM (HRNW) — Human Rights Watch and 12 civil-society organizations and trade unions have welcomed new European Union guidance aimed at eliminating forced labor from supply chains while urging the European Commission to strengthen implementation. The EU Forced Labour Regulation was adopted in May 2024 and is scheduled to apply from December 2027. The…
Human Rights Watch Warns of Organized Gang Violence Ahead of Kenya’s 2027 Elections
NAIROBI, KENYA (HRNW) — Human Rights Watch has warned that organized gang attacks targeting civil society activities and opposition political gatherings are creating a growing climate of fear in Kenya ahead of the country’s 2027 elections. The organization said unidentified armed groups have attacked a civil society event and several opposition gatherings in recent months,…
WHO Issues New Malaria Guidelines as Global Health Systems Face Growing Pressure
The World Health Organization has released updated global malaria guidelines, bringing together its latest recommendations for preventing, diagnosing and treating one of the world’s major infectious diseases. WHO said the updated guidance is intended to provide countries and health professionals with a more accessible set of recommendations as governments work to strengthen malaria prevention and…
WFP Warns El Niño Could Push Tens of Millions Into Acute Hunger
The UN World Food Programme (WFP) is stepping up preparedness as El Niño-related climate shocks threaten to worsen hunger across dozens of countries. WFP says drought, heavy rainfall and flooding linked to the climate phenomenon could significantly worsen food insecurity in 45 countries, particularly in communities already affected by conflict, poverty and weak food systems….