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Concern over aid freeze.

The UN Secretary-General on Monday called on the US Government to consider “additional exemptions” to a directive which pauses nearly all foreign aid for 90 days.

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Preserving human dignity in armed conflict: promoting compliance with international humanitarian law - Informal interactive dialogue, General Assembly, 79th session.

The objective of the dialogue will be to raise awareness of the importance of compliance with international humanitarian law in preserving human dignity during armed conflict.

Opening statement

Interactive panel discussion

The informal interactive dialogue aims to raise awareness about the importance of strengthening compliance with international humanitarian law in preserving human dignity during armed conflicts and to identify challenges and gaps in its implementation as well as to promote multilateral and national efforts to enhance compliance with international humanitarian law.

With armed conflicts wreaking devastating humanitarian consequences on civilians, the President of the UN General Assembly, Philemon Yang, with the support of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), will convene a signature event on Tuesday 28 January 2025 to highlight the urgent need for compliance with international humanitarian law to preserve human dignity and reduce civilians' suffering in conflict zones globally. The Geneva Conventions, at the core of international humanitarian law, protect victims of armed conflict. In the Pact for the Future, Member States also reaffirmed their commitment to international humanitarian law and to protect all civilians in armed conflicts. Widespread violations of international humanitarian law and their devastating impact on human lives urgently demand our attention. As one of the priorities of the President of the United Nations General Assembly, this dialogue will be an opportunity for all Member States to reaffirm their commitment to strengthening compliance with international humanitarian law, safeguarding civilians, and preserving human dignity in times of armed conflict.

Watch Preserving human dignity in armed conflict: promoting compliance with international humanitarian law - Informal interactive dialogue, General Assembly, 79th session!

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OCHA Briefing on the Humanitarian Situation in Ukraine.

Watch the OCHA Briefing on the Humanitarian Situation in Ukraine!

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The Cost of Inaction -Urgent and Collective Support to Scale Up the Humanitarian Response in Sudan and the Region.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, The United States of America, The European Union and the United Nations will convene a high-level Ministerial side event on the margins of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly in support of the humanitarian response in Sudan and the region.

Watch The Cost of Inaction: Urgent and Collective Support to Scale Up the Humanitarian Response in Sudan and the Region!

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Aid Effectiveness in Afghanistan: Centering Women and Girls in the Fight Against Food Insecurity.

Focus on enhancing aid effectiveness in Afghanistan amid rising food insecurity, emphasizing gender-sensitive strategies and economic stability for vulnerable populations, especially women and children.

Watch the Aid Effectiveness in Afghanistan: Centering Women and Girls in the Fight Against Food Insecurity!

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75 Years of Geneva Conventions: A Renewed Commitment to Upholding International Humanitarian Law - Panel Discussion.

Panel Discussion organized by Switzerland and Sierra Leone on the occasion of Security Council Members visit to Geneva - "75 Years of Geneva Conventions: A Renewed Commitment to Upholding International Humanitarian Law "

Watch the Panel Discussion on 75 Years of Geneva Conventions: A Renewed Commitment to Upholding International Humanitarian Law!

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The Humanitarian situation in Lebanon.

Mr Imran Riza, the United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon briefed UN correspondants about the impact of the exchanges of fire between Israel and the Hezbollah is having on civilians in south Lebanon.

UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon Imran Riza, told reporters Tuesday 20 August in New York that "nearly 200,000 people have been displaced by the exchange of fire across the Blue Line between Lebanon and Israel. He added that more than 110,000 people remain within ten kilometers of the blue line in areas of South Lebanon that are impacted daily by shelling and air strands. "At least 130 civilians have been killed in Lebanon, including the ten Syrian nationals this past weekend, 21 paramedics and at least three journalists have also been killed," Riza stated. The Humanitarian Coordinator also said, "Lebanon was already facing a grim situation of protracted political, financial, socioeconomic crisis before October last year. Now in 2024 those in need have reached 3.7 million people."

Watch the Humanitarian situation in Lebanon!

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WFP food aid arrived in Sudan from Chad.

The first World Food Programme (WFP) food supplies arrived in Darfur, Sudan, through the newly-opened Adre border from Chad.  WFP has food and nutrition supplies for around 500,000 people ready to move swiftly through this route.

Watch WFP food aid arrived in Sudan from Chad!

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Commemorate the tragic bomb attack of the UN headquarters in Baghdad.

August 19th marks World Humanitarian Day. The Day commemorates the tragic bomb attack of the UN headquarters in Baghdad in 2003, which killed 22 humanitarian aid workers.

Watch the observance of the World Humanitarian Day 2024!

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United Nations Mine Action Service in Iraq Statement on World Humanitarian Day 2024.

World Humanitarian Day honours the brave humanitarian workers who risk their lives to serve others. It commemorates the 2003 bombing of the UN headquarters in Baghdad, a tragedy that underscored the dangers faced by those in the field and highlighted the urgent need to protect and support humanitarian workers operating in conflict zones and disaster areas.

On World Humanitarian Day 2024, we commemorate the unwavering dedication of the courageous women and men working in mine action in Iraq. Their diligent work, often in silence and unnoticed, is critical for the safety of humanitarians, IDPs and refugees as well, and effectively contributes to the stabilization, recovery, and reconstruction of communities affected by conflict.

Iraqi mine action professionals work tirelessly to clear explosive remnants of war, protect civilians, and restore safe access to land, infrastructure and resources while enabling safe and dignified returns for those displaced. Their efforts embody the very essence of humanitarianism: saving and protecting lives, providing the foundation for recovery, and empowering communities to rebuild their futures.

On 19 August, we honour the courage and resilience of those on the front lines of mine action. Despite the risks, they continue to operate in hazardous areas, striving to create a safer Iraq. Their work is not just about removing physical threats; it is about restoring hope to communities devastated by conflict.

Since the programme inception in 2015, UNMAS Iraq has together with its implementing partners, surveyed close to 380 million square metres (sqm) and cleared over 25 million sqm of contaminated land. In doing so 700,000 items of explosive ordnance have been detected and removed, including a total of 2,600 improvised explosive devices (IEDs). Explosive ordnance risk education (EORE), providing vulnerable communities with crucial life-saving messages, has been delivered to close to 1.5 million Iraqis, including 200,206 women, 493,767 girls, 564,614 boys and 198,574 men, through over 73,000 EORE sessions across Iraq. UNMAS has also provided mine action related police training for 5,000 Iraqi police including 1,000 policewomen, and technical support and numerous training courses and workshops for Iraqi National Mine Action Authorities.

Today on this occasion, and every day, we reaffirm our commitment to the people of Iraq and to all who are affected by conflict. No matter the danger, the hardship, or the obstacles, we stand united in our mission to create a world where every person can live free from the fear of mines and explosive remnants of war. #ActForHumanity.

Contact

Pehr Lodhammar, UNMAS Chief Mine Action Programme, Iraq lodhammar@un.org

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Wreath-laying ceremony to honour colleagues who lost their lives at the Canal Hotel, Baghdad.

The 21st anniversary of the bombing of the United Nations headquarters in Baghdad (Iraq) will be observed on Monday, 19 August 2024 with a brief ceremony organized by the UN Staff Union.

Watch the Observance of the 21st anniversary of the bombing of the United Nations headquarters in Baghdad (Iraq)!

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Ensure that aid can be delivered, lives can be saved, and hope can prevail—even in the darkest of times.

This World Humanitarian Day 2024 dedication ensures that aid can be delivered, lives can be saved, and hope can prevail—even in the darkest of times, where the normalization of violence and impunity threatens to undermine the very fabric of humanitarian work.

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Enabling humanitarian action is more critical than ever.

The challenges of 2024 remind us that enabling humanitarian action is more critical than ever. As attacks on humanitarians increase, the role of UN Security becomes even more vital.

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It's time for those in power to act for humanity.

2023 marked the deadliest year on record for humanitarian workers and 2024 could be even worse. Despite 75 years of international law to protect civilians and aid workers, violations continue. Civilians and humanitarian workers are paying the price with their lives, while those responsible escape justice.

On World Humanitarian Day, August 19, join our call to end these violations and the impunity that allows them.

IT'S TIME FOR THOSE IN POWER TO #ACTFORHUMANITY.

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Reaffirm that civilians and aid workers caught in conflicts are not a target.

At UN Geneva; On August 19th at 4:00 pm CET a commemorative event will be held at the Palais des Nations, Building E, 3rd Floor; Outside the Human Rights and Alliance of Civilizations Room (Room XX). The Humanitarian partners are coming together to reaffirm that civilians and aid workers caught in conflicts are not a target and to honor humanitarians who strive to meet ever-growing global needs. Register to participate to the event!

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Commemorative ceremony at UN geneva - agenda programme.

World Humanitarian Day 2024 – Commemoration Ceremony. Monday, 19 August 2024, 4 p.m. Palais des Nations, Building E, 3rd Floor Outside the Human Rights and Alliance of Civilizations Room (Room XX)

4 p.m. Opening of the event:

Master of ceremony: Mr. Michele Zaccheo, OiC, United Nations Information Service

Wreath laying and candle lightning ceremony by the United Nations

Laying of flowers by the survivors and families of the victims of the attack against the United Nations Offices in Baghdad of 19 August 2003, and other UN Offices

Laying of flowers by the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Iraq to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva

Remarks by Ms. Tatiana Valovaya, Director-General, United Nations Office at Geneva

Minute of silence

Remarks by H.E. Mr. Abdul-Karim Hashim Mostafa, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Iraq to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva

Remarks by Mr. Ben Majekodunmi, Chief of Staff, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA)

Remarks by Ms. Laura Johnson, Executive Secretary, UNOG Staff Union

Remarks by Mr. Ramesh Rajasingham, Head and Representative of United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Geneva and Director of the Coordination Division, Geneva

5 p.m. Conclusion of the event

The event will be webcast at http://webtv.un.org

Register to participate here: https://indico.un.org/event/1012645/

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Commemoration of the World Humanitarian Day 2024 at UN Geneva.

Annual observance of World Humanitarian Day 2024 at the Palais des Nations, UN Geneva, Switzerland.

Watch the World Humanitarian Day 2024 - UN Geneva commemoration!