News from the United Nations

• Extreme weather impacts cascading ‘from the Andes to the Amazon’ March 28, 2025
  Extreme weather and climate impacts had a damaging toll on Latin America and the Caribbean last year, resulting in dying glaciers, record-breaking hurricanes, debilitating drought and deadly floods, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said in a new report on Friday. 
• Despite renewed conflict in eastern DR Congo, protection for civilians is paramount: Keita March 28, 2025
  As the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has intensified in recent months, the UN peacekeeping mission, MONUSCO, has been working to protect civilians - including in areas under the control of the Rwandan-backed M23 armed group in North Kivu province.
• Tariffs: Job protectors or trade killers? March 28, 2025
  The word “tariff” has been catapulted from the business pages to the headlines over the last few months, as major economies impose or threaten them on other nations. But tariffs are not just a blunt weapon to be used in geopolitical brinkmanship: they can, if used effectively, help poorer countries develop their economies.
• Gaza: Acts of war bear hallmarks of atrocity crimes, warn UN humanitarians March 28, 2025
  Lifesaving supplies in Gaza continue to run dangerously low, nearly four weeks into the total aid blockade and deadly bombardment of the enclave by Israel, UN humanitarians said on Friday.
• UN teams ramp up response to deadly quake in Myanmar and Thailand March 28, 2025
  Amid reports of hundreds dead or missing following a 7.7 magnitude earthquake with its epicentre in central Myanmar, UN teams in the region are “responding fast”, said UN relief chief Tom Fletcher on Friday.
• 47 million health workers and advocates call for cleaner air to curb pollution deaths March 28, 2025
  Over 50 countries, cities, and organizations pledged new commitments on Thursday to tackle air pollution, protect public health, and help halve its deadly impacts by 2040 – a goal backed by a petition from 47 million health professionals, patients and advocates demanding clean air be made a public health priority. 
• ‘Perfect storm’ in South Sudan demands urgent action, says Guterres March 28, 2025
  Secretary-General António Guterres warned on Friday of a rapidly deteriorating crisis in South Sudan, calling for urgent dialogue, the immediate release of detained officials and renewed commitment to the 2018 peace agreement. 
• Tens of millions risk starvation as funding cuts deepen crises in DR Congo: WHO, WFP March 28, 2025
  Sharply declining aid could force tens of millions across the globe who rely on food aid into extreme hunger and starvation, the World Food Programme (WFP) warned on Friday.  
• Haiti reaches ‘yet another crisis point’ as gangs tighten their grip March 28, 2025
  The UN human rights chief sounded the alarm on Friday over the rapidly deteriorating situation in Haiti, calling it a “catastrophe” fuelled by gang violence, widespread impunity and a political process that is hanging by a thread.
• DR Congo: Record numbers face acute or emergency hunger March 27, 2025
  A record 27.7 million people are in the grip of acute hunger in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), amid ongoing conflict linked to massive displacement and rising food prices, global food security experts warned on Thursday.