Office Spokesperson

• UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher has allocated $5 million from the UN Central Emergency Response Fund to aid Colombia. • The funding is designated to support the humanitarian response following a devastating earthquake that struck the region. • To ensure targeted aid, the UN is deploying specialized teams to assess the specific needs of the most impacted areas.

• Air strikes, shelling, and shooting continued in Gaza over the weekend, resulting in dozens of casualties, including civilians, according to the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. • Gaza’s Ministry of Health reported over 150 fatalities during July, marking the highest monthly death toll recorded so far this year. • These escalating attacks highlight the worsening humanitarian crisis and the increasing loss of life within the region.

• A joint study by UNESCO and the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean reveals that the region will have 38.3 million fewer school-age children by 2050. • The report highlights a significant demographic shift and recommends integrating data on births, migration, enrollment, and location to better manage educational resources. • This decline matters as it threatens the efficiency of current education systems and requires a strategic reallocation of funding to avoid wasted investment.

• Recent attacks in Ukraine over the weekend resulted in at least 12 civilian deaths and numerous injuries across the country. • Infrastructure damage was reported at World Food Programme (WFP) warehouses in Dnipro and World Health Organization (WHO) facilities near Kyiv. • In response to the crisis, the UN and humanitarian partners successfully delivered 11 metric tons of essential aid to frontline communities in Kherson.

• The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reports that over 100 aid organizations have launched emergency responses in Venezuela. • These groups have conducted more than 2,200 activities across 14 states, providing hot meals and tents to those affected by earthquakes last month. • This large-scale intervention is critical for addressing both immediate disaster relief and preexisting humanitarian needs in the region.

• The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is scaling up containment efforts to combat an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. • The disease has expanded into two additional provinces, Haut-Uele and Tshopo, with specific cases reported in Kisangani. • This spread is critical because Kisangani serves as a major hub, increasing the risk of wider transmission along key transport corridors.

• The UN Secretary-General expressed concern over the reported detention of political and civic actors in Uganda, specifically highlighting cases where the whereabouts of some individuals remain unknown. • The Secretary-General emphasized that the rights to liberty, security of person, and freedom of expression—including media independence—are legally enshrined in Uganda’s own Constitution. • This intervention underscores the international community's focus on human rights violations and the erosion of democratic freedoms within the country.

• The humanitarian crisis in Haiti is worsening, with the International Organization for Migration reporting over 2,600 people displaced in Artibonite following clashes between armed groups last week. • UN Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized the urgent need to strengthen regional diplomacy and accelerate sustainable development to ensure global peace and dignity. • The Secretary-General announced the appointment of Mohamed Yahya of Somalia as the new Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator.

• UNICEF released a report revealing that 1.1 billion children—nearly half the global youth population—are exposed to at least three overlapping climate hazards. • These environmental threats are critically endangering the health, education, and overall survival of children worldwide. • Separately, Special Envoy Hans Grundberg briefed the Security Council on diplomatic efforts in cities including Riyadh, Muscat, and New York to resolve the conflict in Yemen.

• UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher has allocated $10 million from the Central Emergency Response Fund to combat food insecurity and famine risks in Somalia. • The funding arrives as humanitarian partners report that many newly displaced families have lost their belongings and tents, forcing them to rely on relatives and friends. • To address these urgent needs, humanitarian teams have activated a joint UN-run response mechanism designed to provide rapid support to families affected by sudden crises.

• The International Labour Organization (ILO) has adopted the Decent Work in the Platform Economy Convention, 2026. • This landmark agreement serves as the world’s first international labour standard specifically designed for work performed via digital labour platforms. • The convention establishes essential rights for all workers in the sector, focusing on fair remuneration and the provision of social protection.

• UN partners in Gaza reported a significant decline in food aid as of May 31, with 80 kitchens delivering 678,000 meals daily, down from 1.5 million meals provided by 170 kitchens in mid-March. • UN official DiCarlo urged parties to return to diplomacy and good-faith negotiations, reiterating the Secretary-General’s demand for an immediate, full, and unconditional ceasefire. • Acting Assistant Secretary-General Indrika Ratwatte briefed Council members on the ongoing situation in Ukraine, identifying it as one of the world's largest humanitarian crises.

• Cuba is facing a severe energy crisis triggered by U.S. sanctions and exacerbated by hurricanes and other natural disasters. • The crisis has disrupted critical infrastructure, including water, sanitation, and food production, leading to the postponement of over 100,000 surgeries. • This situation represents a humanitarian emergency as essential healthcare and basic services are failing across the country.

• UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed released a report detailing the impact of the UN development system's efforts through 2025. • Key achievements include providing food aid to 121 million people, measles vaccinations to 191 million children, and social protection to 84 million individuals. • The report highlights a significant long-term health impact, noting that 500 million additional people have accessed essential health services since 2018.