UNICEF: One in Five Children Surveyed Experienced Technology-Facilitated Sexual Abuse
UNICEF has warned of a major online child-protection crisis after a new study estimated that 20 million children aged 12–17 — almost one in five surveyed children — experienced at least one form of technology-facilitated sexual exploitation or abuse across 21 countries in a single year. The UNICEF report found that more than 15 million…
WHO: Bhutan Becomes First South-East Asian Country to Eliminate Dog-Transmitted Human Rabies
The World Health Organization (WHO) has validated Bhutan’s elimination of dog-transmitted human rabies as a public-health problem, making it the first country in the WHO South-East Asia Region to achieve this milestone. WHO said Bhutan has recorded zero human deaths from dog-mediated rabies since June 2023. The achievement follows more than a decade of investment…
UN General Assembly Prepares for 81st Session as Global Leaders Head Toward High-Level Week
New York, United States (HRNW) – Preparations are intensifying at United Nations Headquarters ahead of the opening of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly on 8 September 2026. The upcoming session will bring Member States together for high-level diplomatic discussions on international peace and security, development, humanitarian crises and global cooperation. The September…
WHO Moves to Expand Access to Lifesaving Sickle Cell Treatment for Children
Geneva, Switzerland (HRNW) – The World Health Organization (WHO) is moving to expand access to lifesaving treatment and care for children living with sickle cell disease. The initiative forms part of WHO’s latest global health work aimed at addressing major health inequalities and improving access to essential treatment, particularly for children and populations in countries…
WHO Strengthens Ebola Response as New Guidance Targets Bundibugyo Virus Outbreaks
Geneva, Switzerland (HRNW) – The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued updated emergency guidance on the use of the licensed Ervebo Ebola vaccine during outbreaks caused by the Bundibugyo virus. The move comes as health authorities continue responding to the serious outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. WHO is also holding a technical…
UNICEF Warns El Niño Threatens More Than 162 Million Children in Eastern and Southern Africa
Nairobi, Kenya (HRNW) – UNICEF has warned that more than 162 million children, representing over two-thirds of children across Eastern and Southern Africa, live in areas threatened by the effects of El Niño. The climate phenomenon could intensify droughts, floods, food insecurity, disease risks and disruption to essential services. UNICEF is urging governments and humanitarian…
Human Rights NGOs Mobilize Ahead of UN Human Rights Council’s 63rd Session
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND (HRNW) — Human rights organizations are intensifying advocacy efforts ahead of the 63rd session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, with civil-society groups preparing to push governments and UN mechanisms to address urgent human-rights crises around the world. The International Service for Human Rights (ISHR) has published its assessment of key issues…
MSF Expands Ebola Response as Deadly Outbreak Intensifies in Democratic Republic of Congo
KINSHASA, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO (HRNW) — Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is continuing and scaling up its medical response to the rapidly expanding Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, as humanitarian and health organizations confront major challenges in containing the disease. MSF published an updated account of its 2026 Ebola response on September…
Human Rights Watch Warns Tunisia’s Crackdown on Civil Society Is Deepening
TUNIS, TUNISIA (HRNW) — Human Rights Watch (HRW) has warned that Tunisia’s authorities are intensifying their repression of local and international civil society organizations, human rights defenders and humanitarian actors, raising fresh concerns over shrinking civic space and the ability of independent organizations to operate. In a new 49-page report released on September 2, Human…
Human Rights NGOs Prepare for Major UN Human Rights Council Session as Civic-Space Issues Take Centre Stage
Geneva, Switzerland (HRNW): International and local human-rights organizations are preparing for the 63rd regular session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, which is scheduled to begin in Geneva on 7 September 2026 and continue through October. NGOs are preparing submissions, advocacy campaigns and side events on issues ranging from civic space and environmental rights…