The World Food Program (WFP) said on Monday that aid is being delivered to the city via aid trucks for the first time in over a year, but it must be done safely. In the last days of 2023, the civil war in Sudan was heating up.
Recently, the Sudanese Armed Forces demanded the liberation of Wad Madani from the control of the Paramilitary Forces (RSF). RSF forces have been fighting the army since April 2023 to establish their hegemony over Sudan.
Heavy artillery, warplanes and drones are being used in violent clashes. At least 29,000 people have lost their lives so far and it has emerged as the world’s largest displacement crisis.
1.15 crore people have been internally displaced and 3.2 lakh refugees have taken refuge in other countries. Famine has been declared in parts of northeastern Sudan.
A building is being assessed for damage in the attack in the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv. (file)
Serial attacks in Ukraine
The United Nations Humanitarian Office (OCHA) reported civilian casualties in attacks in Ukraine’s Kyiv, Zaporizhia and other densely populated cities this weekend.
According to the local administration, the violent clashes disrupted basic services and damaged civilian infrastructure.
United Nations Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haque gave this information at a regular press conference in New York. Several other casualties were reported on the front lines of fighting in Donetsk, Kharkiv and Sumy regions.
The UN spokesperson said, keeping in mind the security situation, humanitarian aid workers are providing assistance to the needy people as far as possible.
Ukraine’s humanitarian aid coordinator Matthias Schmele last Friday allocated $70 million from the Ukraine Humanitarian Fund for relief plans through 2025.
It said the money would help newly displaced people, provide much-needed services to frontline areas and strengthen local organizations working on women’s rights, the disabled and marginalized communities.
A health worker checks people’s temperatures in the Kagera region of Tanzania.
Marburg virus alert in Tanzania
World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has advised against imposing travel restrictions in the wake of the Marburg virus outbreak in Tanzania.
He said the global risk of the virus is low and the Tanzanian government has a strong health capacity. From this point of view, he advised not to impose restrictions on trade and travel to Tanzania.
It is worth noting that Marburg disease is spreading in the Kagera region in the northwest of Tanzania. So far, at least 9 cases of infection are suspected and eight people have died.
Health workers are also among the affected. High fever, back pain, vomiting of blood among other symptoms were observed among the affected. This is the second time in two years that the disease has broken out in Kagera region. Earlier, in March 2023, there were a total of 9 infections and six deaths.
The World Health Organization released $3 million from its emergency fund to help Tanzania.