The agency plans to obtain more than 1,200 tonnes of fortified cookies, which will provide 200,000 girls and boys of primary age for about three months.

“For many children, the daily snack they receive during the first break of the day is often their only nutritious meal, giving them energy to stay healthy, focused and ready to learn” Wfp in Afghanistan.

Food security

“PAM in Afghanistan has launched its school food program for more than two decades to connect food security and better nutrition with education,” said Chimuka.

School food activities have played a crucial role in improving attendance, retention and learning results.

Primary schools participating in the program have seen registrations increase by almost 11% in 2024 compared to 2023, while attendance also improved, reaching an average of 87% in class, at two percentage points greater than WFP.

Algae farming, a potential key engine of sustainable development in Latin America

Over the past decade, algae agriculture has increased by 66% in Latin America and the Caribbean, a new report of the organization of food and agriculture (Faofound it.

The practice of cultivation and harvesting algae or seaweed in the marine environment offers a relatively low carbon method to produce very nutritious foods while supporting rural livelihoods, according to international experts gathered during a regional workshop in Chile.

Algae agriculture is vital for sustainable coastal development in Latin America, according to experts, highlighting its nutritional value and the need for clearer and coordinated regulations.

Unexploited potential

The widening of algae culture has significant unexploited potential for sustainable development in Latin America and the Caribbean.

However, while countries like Brazil, Chile and Venezuela direct production, most initiatives in the region remain on a small scale.

However, with an increase of 66% in the last decade, experts have seen the main growth opportunities. Support emerging producers, diversify species and invest in research and technology – including AI and biotechnology – could offer economic and environmental advantages.

Strengthening the participation of the community, especially among women and young people, will also be essential. With coordinated action and inclusive policies, algae agriculture could become a key engine for resilient coastal development.

Hundreds of thousands affected by severe drought in Somalia

Hundreds of thousands of people were affected by severe drought in the central and northern Somalia regions, according to the UN humanitarian coordination office, Ochha.

With increasing food insecurity, the decrease in access to water and grazing and major disruptions of livelihoods, a joint assessment of United Nations agencies and partners is currently underway in Puntland and Somaliland to determine key needs.

The wells are dry

An analysis of the organization of food and agriculture (FAO) noted that more than 880,000 Somalians are currently living in severe areas affected by 16 districts, the humanitarian workers in the field reported that the water wells have dried and that more than 160 boreholes no longer work.

Although the unmanaged Somalia humanitarian fund is preparing to allocate resources for urgent help to save life, only 17% of the plan has been funded to date.

The truce of July 19 followed weeks of sectarian clashes, Israeli air strikes and serious human rights violations in the South governorate, also known as AS-Sweida.

Therefore, More than 190,000 people were moved there and in Dar’a and Rural Damascus Voisins Governors.

The fighting also caused serious damage to infrastructure and livelihoods. Electricity networks, water production assets, including wells and main public facilities, have been affected.

Volatility, surveillance and demonstrations

Between August 1 and 5, Sweida and the surrounding security situation has remained volatile, with clashes reported in three places, according to the Ochha Flash update.

“In addition, an air surveillance activity allocated to Israeli defense forces (FDI) has been observed on several locations in Dar’a and AS-Sweida, contributing to regional tension,” said the agency.

During the same period, public demonstrations occurred in several sites of Sweida, reiterating calls for better humanitarian access and protection.

Parallel demonstrations also took place in the governors of Dar’a and Damascus who stressed the importance of national unity.

Help efforts are continuing

Humanitarian access remains constrained, said OCHA, while the UN and the partners continue to support response efforts.

THE The main road between Sweida and the capital, Damascus, has been inaccessible since July 12 due to security problems.

In addition, the southern corridor via Busra Eshham in eastern Dar’a was temporarily closed for 24 hours, but reopened on Monday, affecting the delivery of aid.

“Humanitarian actors have increased response efforts, including fuel and food deliveries to AS-Swaida and Dar’a, facilitation of the commercial convoy and sheltered from the dwellings of the displaced populations,” said OCHA.

Inter-agencies mission

Since climbing hostilities, humanitarian workers have provided bread assistance to nearly 1.5 million people.

OCHA also led an inter-agencies mission to DAR’A to assess the shelter conditions and discuss medium-term housing options for displaced people.

Meanwhile, the restoration of essential services is underway in Sweida, with partial electricity restored by emergency repairs.

However Generalized telecommunications and internet breakdowns persist Through the governorate, and the maintenance of water and electricity networks continues in rural areas.

A new report organization of food and agriculture (Fao) And the United Nations Satellite Center (Unosat) reveals that only 8.6% of the land cultivated in Gaza are still accessible, while Only 1.5% of cultivated land is both accessible and in good conditionFrom July 28.

More than 86% of cultivated land is damaged, while 12.4% are in good condition but out of reach, because the fighting between Israeli forces and Hamas activists and other armed groups continue.

Famine in progress

This report occurs while Israel’s offensive inside Gaza continues to restrict the distribution of aid – and deaths linked to famine increase.

The local ministry of health reported Five new deaths related to malnutrition in the past 24 hours Wednesday, bringing the Total to nearly 200 deaths related to faminehalf of which are children.

Collaboration of health care

According to the United Nations Coordination Office (Ochha), hospitals are upgraded with many reduced patients to bed on the ground or in the streets.

This mass suffering is due to the lack of beds, medical supplies and equipment. However, emergency medical teams refused again on Tuesday in Gaza.

The World Health Organization (WHO)) also indicated that more than 100 health professionals, such as surgeons and other specialized medical staff, have been prohibited from entering the enclave since March.

Meanwhile, the limited availability of fuel continues to restrict vital operations. The UN has collected around 300,000 liters from the passage to Kerem Shalom in the last two days, but it is much less than what is necessary.

Due to the lack of fuel, the UN Health Partners reports that more than 100 premature babies are in imminent danger.

Renewed travel controls

In addition, the Israeli army renewed two travel orders covering five districts to the governors of Gaza and Khan Younis on Wednesday.

The shelter equipment has not been authorized to enter Gaza since March 2, when Israel has retired from the ceasefire agreement, and the few materials available on the local market are extremely expensive and limited in quantity, which makes them inaccessible to most families.

Commercial products entry

On Tuesday, the Israeli authorities would have authorized the entry of a limited number of trucks carrying commercial products, including rice, sugar and vegetable oil – but the UN is always looking for more clarity on the situation.

Sugar remains one of the most expensive items on the market, a bag of two ounces costs some $ 170. Eggs, poultry and meat have completely disappeared from the markets, forcing families to count on legumes and bread to survive.

During the daily briefing on Wednesday in New York, the deputy spokesman of the UN, Farhan Haq, stressed that “The market aggravation situation highlights the urgent need for the entry of humanitarian aid and large -scale commercial goods – and in a coherent manner. »»

The United Nations Human Rights Office (Ohchr) said he received first -hand accounts that at least 319 civilians had been killed by M23 fighters, helped by Rwanda Defense Force, between July 9 and 21 in the northern Kivu province.

Most of the victims, including at least 48 women and 19 children, were local farmers camping in their fields during the planting season.

Stop the attacks immediately

Volker Türk, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, condemned “the rise of deadly violence”.

“I am dismayed by attacks on civilians by M23 and other armed groups in the east of the DRC in the middle of fighting, despite the ceasefire that was recently signed in Doha,” he said in a press release on Wednesday.

“” All attacks on civilians must stop immediately and all those responsible must be held to account.“”

The latest massacre marks one of the highest civil death tolls documented since the M23 – a group largely made up of Congolese Tutsi fighters created over 15 years ago – reappeared as a major military threat in 2022.

The peace agreement vacillates

The peak of violence occurs only a few weeks after two high -level peace initiatives seemed to offer a path to go.

On June 27, Rwanda and the DRC signed a Bilateral peace agreement In Washington, followed by the so -called Doha declaration between the DRC government and the rebel leaders of M23 on July 19, which has engaged both parties to a ceasefire and other negotiations.

However, humanitarian NGOs say that little has changed on the ground.

“I urge the signatories and facilitators of the Doha and Washington agreements Ensure that they quickly translate into security, security and real progress for civilians“Said Mr. Türk.

Attacks on all sides

Meanwhile, other armed groups continue to terrorize civilians in eastern Congo. Just in July, the UN documented the deadly attacks of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), cooperate the development of Congo (Codeco) and Raia Mutomboki / Wazalendo Militias in Ituri, South Kivu and North Kivu.

July 27, ADF fighters attacked a Christian congregation in the village of Komanda of IturiKilling at least 40 worshipers – including 13 children – and houses, stores and burned vehicles. Earlier in the month, the same group killed at least 70 civilians in a single attack on the village of Pikamaibo.

Women and girls also endure systematic sexual violence as a war. On July 27, eight women were raped by Raia Mutomboki / Wazalendo Fighters in the village of Busolo in southern Kivu.

Worsen the humanitarian crisis

Increasing insecurity fuels what humanitarian workers describe as one of the most acute humanitarian crises in the world.

According to UN figures, more than 7.8 million people are now in -house (PDI) in eastern DRC – the highest figure ever recorded – while 28 million people are faced with food insecurity, including almost four million in emergency levels.

Adding to tension, more than 30,000 refugees from South Sudan have fled in the province of Ituri since April, escaping a wave of murders and active hostilities in the central state of Equatoria.

The world gastronomic program (Wfp) warned that the financing of deficits could soon force him to suspend rescue aid for hundreds of thousands.

Health services also collapse under pressure. In the first half of 2025, 33 attacks were recorded against health workers and establishments – an increase of 276% compared to the previous six months, according to the United Nations Reproductive Health Agency, Unfpa.

And more and more, climate change aggravates the problem – damaging the roads, disturbing supply chains and threatening already fragile infrastructure with floods, droughts and extreme weather conditions.

But as global discussions are intensifying, a United Nations conference in progress in Turkmenistan aims to return the script – to help transform Lldcs Liaison linked to the connection linked to a more intelligent and more resilient infrastructure, to rationalized logistics and to stronger regional links.

Like the second day of the third United Nations Conference on developing countries without coast (LLDC3) started on Wednesday, the atmosphere of the center of the Awaza congress changed.

The presidents and the heads of government having left after the opening ceremony on Tuesday, the security measures relaxed, which allows the delegates to move more easily on the site.

But the pace of the conference has not slowed down. The meeting rooms have remained crowded, the exhibition is held burst of activity and the participants sailed on long corridors in white carpets to attend consecutive events. A large team of young multilingual volunteers helped guide participants through the sprawling complex, keeping high energy and soft logistics.

Commercial problems and “geographic gap”

The day’s discussions focused on Overcome the disadvantages of geography. The main thematic round table has been devoted to trade, which is an urgent problem for the 32 LLDC in the world, which lack direct access to sea ports. Consequently, they must count on longer and more complex routes to reach international markets, increase costs and reduce competitiveness.

And geography is not the only obstacle. Many LLDCs have trouble with obsolete infrastructure and limited use of digital tools that could speed up slow transport times.

These roadblocks do not only delay trade – they retain economic growth and widen the gap between the LLDC and other developing countries.

Tuesday, a Secretary General António Guterres Tell to journalists In Awaza, “developing countries without ancestry need intelligent logistics, rationalized systems and stronger partnerships with transit countries”, adding: “We must reduce administrative formalities, digitize border operations and modernize transport networks to reduce delays and costs.”

The figures tell the story

The impact of geography is clearly manifested in the figures.

Local developing countries represent more than seven% of the world’s population, but in 2024, they only represented 1.2% of the world’s trade in goods. It is a brutal reminder of the way in which physical barriers can result in physical barriers.

The Awaza action program for 2024-2034, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly last year, aims to change this reality. But transforming ambition into results will take daring and coordinated efforts between borders and sectors.

A sentence echoing in the corridors of the center of the Awaza congress is “of the linked connection” – a rallying call to transform geographic disadvantage into opportunity.

The state of mind counts

Umberto de Pretto, secretary general of the International Road Transport Union (IRU), said UN News: “There is evidence that if you put the right policies in place … you can be lineage … I think that the biggest obstacle for landlocked countries is the state of mind. »»

The IRU, founded in 1947, supports sustainable mobility and logistics worldwide and represents more than 3.5 million transport operators in more than 100 countries.

As M. de Preto points out, only 11 of the 32 developing countries without coastline in the world have joined the shooting system supported by the UN, which allows goods to move from origin to destination in compartments sealed in a mutually recognized customs procedure.

“The largest user of the system we are directing, the United Nations Convention called Tir, is Uzbekistan, one of the only two double hiding places. It is therefore proven that if you put good policies in place, your country will be linked, not landlocked, “he said.

Digital tools for smoother transit

New technologies offer additional means of simplifying the freight movement.

“How do you go from paper to digitally transfer of information to government authorities?” We need things like “only one window”, where you have a single admission point for electronic information so that the government can analyze this information and make decisions earlier, “said Ian Saunders, Secretary General of the World Customs Organization.

He shared examples of successful initiatives, such as monitoring cargoes in East and West Africa and the use of electronic shooting notebooks – sometimes called “goods passport” – by private companies in Central Asia. These unique documents guarantee the payment of rights and taxes suspended while the goods are in transit.

Climatic risks and smarter infrastructure

Another example came from Dmitry Maryasin, deputy executive secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE).

Speak with UN NewsHe noted the adoption in 2023 of a roadmap for the digitization of the transcaspian corridor. Using United Nations tools and harmonized regulations, the corridor operates both land and sea transport – including rail and shipping through the Caspian Sea – to move goods between Asia and Europe.

Climate change also makes freight transport more difficult. “We see flooding of recurring roads, a vulnerability to landslides, mud flows, avalanches and droughts – all of this is now a reality in Central Asia,” said Maryasin.

In response, the one has developed a test of transport infrastructure stress test that facilitates climate risks. An online platform based on satellite data has also been launched, allowing users to superimpose commercial routes and climatic risks on a card to make more smart investment decisions.

“Countries are already using it,” said Maryasin. Efforts are underway to integrate this platform with the same developed by the United Nations Escape Office, covering South and Southeast Asia.

A day for LLDC

On Wednesday also marked the first celebration of the International Day for the dissemination of information on the special needs of developing countries without coast. Although each LLDC is faced with unique development challenges, they also share common priorities. And with nearly 600 million people living in these countries, finding shared solutions is essential.

Awaza’s message is clear: isolation is not fate. With good state of mind, effective policies and significant partnerships, landlocked countries can become linked to the affair – and prosper.

LLDC3 continues tomorrow, Thursday August 7, with round tables and events on a range of subjects, as well as a female forum. Find all our cover here.

While the city has been rebuilt, the nuclear conflict remains a global threat, said Izumi Nakamitsu, a high UN representative for disarmament affairs Remarks at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial.

It was the only structure left standing near the bomb hypochent, which marked the first use of an atomic weapon at war.

Survivors, family members and representatives of international organizations and 120 countries were among around 55,000 people who attended the ceremony, according to the office of the Japanese Prime Minister.

Remember the dead, honoring the survivors

“On this 80th anniversary, we remember those who perished. We stick to families who carry their memory“Said Ms. Nakattisu, transmitting a message on behalf of the UN Secretary General António Guterres.

She paid tribute to hibakusha – The term for those who survived Hiroshima and atomic bombing of Nagasaki three days later – “whose voices became a Moral for peace. “”

“While their number becomes smaller each year, their testimony-and their eternal message of peace-will never leave us,” she said.

Rebuild hope, share vision

At a single instant on August 6, 1945, Hiroshima was reduced to ruins, tens of thousands of people were killed, “and humanity crossed a threshold from which he could not have returned”.

The next day, many thought that the city would never recover and that nothing would grow, she said, but the population has proven the opposite.

“You, the inhabitants of Hiroshima, have not simply rebuilt a city,” she said. “You have rebuilt hope. You have fed a vision of a world without nuclear weapons. And you have shared this vision with the world.

Listen to our podcast with the American Japanese author Kathleen Burkinhaw whose novel about a young Hibakusha “The Last Cherry Blossom” was inspired by the experience of his mother.

Duty to protect

Ms. Nakamitsu noted that 2025 also marks 80 years since the UN Foundation. In May, plants from the seeds of a kakis that survived the attack were planted at the New York headquarters.

“These are more than symbols of survival,” she said. “These are living will to the strength of the human mind – and our common duty to protect future generations against horrors of nuclear annihilation.”

In addition, the anniversary of the UN is a reminder of the reason why it was created in the first place – to prevent war, maintain human dignity and ensure that the tragedies of the past are never repeated.

“However, today, the risk of nuclear conflict increases,” she warned. “Confidence is crumbling. The geopolitical divisions widen. And the very weapons that brought such devastation to Hiroshima and Nagasaki are again treated as coercion tools. ”

During the ceremony, the mayor of Hiroshima, Kazumi Matsui, warned against the growing acceptance of nuclear weapons, according to the media. He cited conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East as examples.

However, signs of hope have emerged, according to the head of the United Nations disarmament.

Abolish nuclear weapons

Last October, the Japanese anti-nuclear group Nihon Hidankyo-which represents the survivors of the attacks-received the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize. It came only a few weeks after the meeting of countries at the UN adopted the Pact for the futureRecommending a world without nuclear weapons.

Ms. Nakamitsu insisted that “Commitments must lead to real change by strengthening the global disarmament regime -in particular, the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, supplemented by the momentum created by the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. »»

She urged countries to draw the strength from both the resilience of Hiroshima and the wisdom of thehibakusha.

“Let’s work to eradicate the threat of nuclear weapons by eradicating the weapons themselves,” she said.

“And keep our commitment to thehibakushaAnd make sure that their testimony and their message of peace are postponed. Remembering the past is to protect and build peace today – and in the future. »»