“I am alarmed by reports that areas around villages and cultural sites are being struck by warplanes, drones and artillery,” he said.

“Under international humanitarian law, it is very clear that the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure is paramount. »

Resumption of fighting

Since fighting resumed on December 7, Cambodia has reported 18 civilian deaths, while Thailand has reported one civilian death.

Strikes are increasingly being reported further from the border and on each other’s territories.

This development comes after the intensification of border clashes between the two countries during the summer, which constitute the most serious escalation in a decade.

To date, some 750,000 people have fled their homes, Türk said.

Exposed to additional risks

Suspected casino resorts and scam hubs in Cambodia have reportedly been hit.

In O’smach, a town in northwestern Cambodia, an airstrike on December 8 killed one civilian and injured two others, according to a survivor.

Many foreign nationals trafficked and forced to work in such fraudulent operations are now at greater risk due to the fighting, the High Commissioner warned, calling for their evacuation.

“Ensuring the safety of civilians and enabling their safe return home is vital,” said Mr. Türk.

Return to peace

He urged the parties to end the fighting and resume dialogue.

“Thailand and Cambodia have built a solid foundation of cooperation over the years, rooted in shared history and values, including their commitment to human rights,” he noted.

“This conflict stands in stark contrast to this legacy of partnership. Both nations have the tools and connections necessary to chart a path back to dialogue and lasting peace.”

“The decision, which was communicated to the relevant authorities, follows a thorough assessment of the prevailing security situation in Kadugli, which has prevented the UN from functioning in the region,” the Mission said in its statement. a declaration THURSDAY.

UNISFA was established in 2011 in Abyei, the disputed oil region between Sudan and South Sudan. Its mandate includes monitoring and verifying the redeployment of forces in the region, facilitating the delivery of humanitarian aid and protecting civilians.

Last month, UN Assistant Secretary-General for Africa Martha Pobee told the Security Council that progress on the political track has been slow since the start of the war in Sudan in 2023 and the increasing political stability in South Sudan.

She also said the operating environment in Kadugli “has become untenable” and the fighting is endangering peacekeepers.

UNISFA emphasized its commitment to the implementation of the mandate of the Joint Border Verification and Monitoring Mechanism (JBVMM).

The Mission is “closely following developments on the ground” and “will reconsider the resumption of our activities in Kadugli when the situation allows”.

International Migrants Day: celebrating contributions and highlighting challenges

Venezuelans living in other Latin American and Caribbean countries contribute more than $10.6 billion to local economies each year, primarily through spending on food, education and health care.

This finding is contained in a report by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) published Thursday, International Migrants Day.

The analysis is based on research conducted since 2021 in Colombia, Panama, Ecuador, Chile, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Peru and Aruba.

Other findings show that Venezuelans make a valuable tax contribution, accounting for approximately just over 1 percent of these countries’ total tax revenues. In Colombia alone, this amount exceeded $529 million in a single year.

There are more than 300 million migrants worldwide, according to UN estimates.

Millions of people forced to move

While the International Day provides an opportunity to highlight their valuable contributions, it also highlights the increasingly complex environment in which migration takes place.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres noted that conflicts, climate-related disasters and economic pressures continue to push millions of people to seek safety or opportunities outside their countries.

“The last year has been marked by record levels of internal displacement, growing humanitarian needs amid ongoing and emerging crises, and, tragically, the highest number of migrant deaths in transit on record,” he said in his report. message to mark this day.

“By supporting regular migration pathways, we can provide opportunities for migrants, better protect their rights and contribute to greater prosperity in migrants’ countries of origin and those who host them. »

General Assembly marks first International Day Against Colonialism

Meanwhile, in New York, the United Nations General Assembly observed the first ever International day against colonialism in all its forms and manifestations which supports the implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, adopted 65 years ago.

Since then, the UN has helped more than 60 territories – home to more than 80 million people – pursue self-determination and become independent states.

However, “this legacy is unfinished” said Assistant Secretary-General for Peacebuilding Support Elizabeth Spehar.

Today, 17 non-governmental territories remain and “remnants of colonialism persist – not just on maps, but in the architecture of global power.”

Institutions like the Security Council and the international financial system “bear the imprint of a world that no longer exists – a world of empires, not equals,” she said.

Ms. Spehar, speaking on behalf of the Secretary-General, recalled that the United Nations was created 80 years ago to save future generations from war, defend human rights and promote progress toward greater freedom.

“Let us renew this promise – not only by ending colonialism in its traditional forms, but by dismantling its vestiges wherever they persist. »

Voters in what was previously known as French Togoland in West Africa celebrate the election of a new Chamber of Deputies in 1958, a step towards an independent Togoland.

Exploring evidence-based uses of traditional medicine, such as ginger to treat nausea, is one of the topics discussed at the second meeting of the World Health Organization (WHO) summit dedicated to traditional, complementary and integrative medicine (TCIM), which is taking place this week in India.

While most WHO member states report that 40 to 90 percent of their populations use traditional medicine, a meager 1 percent of global health funding supports research in this area. Additionally, a WHO an investigation showed regional imbalances in the percentage of countries with a national CIMT policy.

Why have so few funds been allocated to traditional medicine? And is traditional medicine a treatment, a way of life or something else?

To find out, UN News spoke to Rabinarayan Acharya, director general of the Indian Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS). who collaborates with WHO to advance research in this area.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

© Courtesy of Rabinarayan Acharya

Rabinarayan Acharya is the Director General of the Indian Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS).

UN News: How did you get into the field of traditional medicine?

Rabinarayan Acharya: My entry into traditional medicine was formed very early at home. My father received formal training in Ayurveda and Sanskrit at a renowned Sanskrit institution in Puri, Odisha, and I grew up exposed to classical texts, philosophy and scholarly traditions. Odisha’s strong living heritage of Ayurveda has instilled in me a deep respect for Ayurveda as a system of knowledge, and not just as a treatment modality. This foundation, combined with my scientific background and botany specializations, naturally led me to pursue Ayurveda as a career focused on research, evidence generation, and teaching.

UN News: Is Ayurveda a lifestyle or a treatment?

Mr. Acharya: Ayurveda is both a way of life and a system of medicine, but its reach extends far beyond either in isolation. At its core, Ayurveda emphasizes healthy living through proper lifestyle practices (Vihara), dietetics (Ahara), and ethical conduct (Sadvritta). These principles are designed to maintain homeostasis, prevent disease, and promote long-term well-being rather than simply treating disease after it occurs. When illness occurs, Ayurveda offers well-structured therapeutic measures aimed not only at relieving symptoms but also at restoring systemic homeostasis.

This holistic focus aligns closely with conventional public health priorities, such as disease prevention, healthy aging, and management of chronic lifestyle disorders. The principles and practice of Ayurveda are particularly relevant in the context of the global shift towards non-communicable diseases, which are largely driven by modifiable risk factors such as poor diet, physical inactivity, stress and environmental exposures.

UN News: The WHO Global Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025-2034 aims, among other objectives, to strengthen the evidence base on traditional medicine. What role do national institutions play in achieving these goals?

Mr. Acharya:At CCRAS, our mandate directly addresses the need identified by WHO that although the use of traditional medicine is widespread, robust evidence on safety, effectiveness and appropriate use must be systematically generated.

We achieve this by designing and conducting methodologically rigorous clinical studies, observational research, and public health evaluations rooted in classical Ayurvedic principles, while adhering to contemporary scientific and ethical standards. These research initiatives focus on drug development, clinical research, pharmacology, medicinal plant research, epidemiology and health systems research, enabling the generation of evidence across the research continuum.

UN News: Currently, less than 1 percent of global health research funding is allocated to traditional medicine. Why do you think this is the case and what will it take to change?

Mr. Acharya:The limited share of global health research funding for traditional medicine is largely due to structural and methodological factors, not a lack of relevance or demand. Systems such as Ayurveda are complex, individualized and implemented as comprehensive interventions, which do not always fit neatly into the conventional biomedical research frameworks that dominate global funding priorities.

Changing this will require a strategic shift towards evidence-based integration, as outlined in the WHO Global Strategy for Traditional Medicine 2025-2034. This means sustained investment in high-quality, fit-for-purpose research that clearly demonstrates safety, effectiveness and public health value – from health promotion and prevention to treatment, rehabilitation and palliative care. It is equally crucial to integrate validated traditional medicine interventions into national health policies.

UN News: To what extent do you hope that more countries will integrate traditional medicine into their health systems?

Mr. Acharya: I am cautiously optimistic and the global dynamics are certainly encouraging. This is particularly relevant at a time when health systems are under pressure from increasing noncommunicable diseases, aging populations, and workforce and resource constraints.

It is important to note that integration does not imply the replacement of conventional care, but rather a complementary approach where safe and effective traditional medicine practices are aligned with national health priorities and public health goals.

UN News: Can you give us an example of evidence-based traditional medicine used to treat bodily or mental health illnesses?

Mr. Acharya:Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha), traditionally used as an adaptogen in Ayurveda, has been studied as a complementary treatment for mental health. Evidence suggests it may help reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, while being generally safe and well-tolerated, highlighting its potential as a therapy for mental disorders.

Briefing of ambassadors in the Security CouncilRosemary DiCarlo, the UN’s political affairs chief, and Joyce Msuya, deputy emergency relief coordinator, said Syrians had made tangible progress over the past year.

However, the country’s recovery – following the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024 – remains fragile and uneven, requiring sustained international support.

Millions return, millions more are in need

One of the clearest signs of change, UN officials say, has been the large-scale return of displaced Syrians. More than two million internally displaced people have returned to their areas of origin, while more than 1.3 million refugees have returned from neighboring countries.

“Two million displaced people in Syria have returned – most after years of living in camps in precarious conditions.“, Ms Msuya said.

But many returnees return to damaged or destroyed homes, with limited access to electricity, water, health care or jobs. Millions more remain displaced, and many families are reluctant to return due to lack of housing and services, particularly during the winter months.

As a result, humanitarian aid remains essential, even as the UN seeks to wind down one of its largest aid operations in the world.

Humanitarian operations under pressure

Msuya said the UN has been able to streamline its humanitarian response over the past year, reaching around 3.4 million people per month – 25 percent more than last year – despite less funding.

However, she warned that the 2025 humanitarian appeal is only about 30 percent funded, forcing difficult prioritization decisions and leaving millions of people without assistance.

“Given the scale of needs and the time needed for development efforts to take effect, we also need support to maintain and expand humanitarian assistance in the short term.” she said.

She noted that the easing of sanctions by several countries has helped facilitate procurement and financial transactions for aid operations and could support Syria’s long-term recovery if it continues.

Deputy Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo briefs the Security Council on the situation in Syria.

Political progress, but fragile security

On the political front, DiCarlo said Syria had taken important steps, including restoring state institutions, forming a new cabinet, issuing a constitutional declaration and holding indirect parliamentary elections in October.

Levels of violence have declined significantly, she said, while warning that intercommunal tensions remain high after years of conflict and repression.

“Tragically, these tensions have increased over the past year,“, she said, citing deadly violence in coastal areas in March, a terrorist attack on a church in Damascus in June and clashes in Druze-majority Soueida in July that displaced more than 155,000 people.

Israeli airstrikes and incursions into southern Syria have further worsened the security situation, U.N. officials said, including an operation in late November that killed 13 people and forced families to flee.

DiCarlo reiterated the UN Secretary-General’s call for Israel to respect Syria’s sovereignty and urged all parties to respect the 1974 disengagement agreement.

Justice, reconciliation and the road ahead

Both officials stressed that long-term stability would depend on accountability, reconciliation and inclusive governance.

“The shadows of the past continue to haunt the Syrian people,DiCarlo said, calling for a full accounting of past abuses, including addressing the plight of missing people and ensuring those responsible for serious crimes are held accountable.

She stressed that inclusive dialogue – including the meaningful participation of women – alongside sanctions relief and sustained international engagement, will be key to rebuilding trust, restoring investor confidence and laying the foundations for reconstruction.

Ms. Msuya echoed this message through the story of Rawaa, a single mother who returned from Turkey to her village of Hama with her two children, hoping to start a small business.

“We owe it to them to give them this chance,” she said, urging the international community to seize what she described as a rare moment to help Syria transform hope into lasting recovery.

Published by the United Nations Human Rights Office, OHCHRThe report describes how civilians – many from besieged El Fasher – endured torture and kidnapping during a three-day offensive by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) against the nearby Zamzam camp for displaced people in April this year.

Highlighting the report’s findings, UN human rights chief Volker Türk noted that more than 1,000 civilians had been killed in the Zamzam offensive alone, including 319 who were at risk of summary execution in their homes, the main market or in schools, health facilities and mosques.

“Such deliberate killings of civilians or people or combat may constitute a war crime of murder… The world must not stand idly by and watch such cruelty take root,” Mr. Türk insisted.

A camp full of terrified people

At the time of the RSF paramilitary attack, the Zamzam camp housed around 500,000 people uprooted by Sudan’s war, which began in April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the RSF, following a failed transition to civilian rule.

According to the OHCHR report, the RSF attack “supported by allied Arab militias” lasted from April 11 to 13; this involved “heavy artillery bombardments and ground incursions” which caused large numbers of civilian deaths and displacement. “Incessant attacks” against El Fasher and surrounding camps had taken place since May 2024, prompting High Commissioner Türk to issue an alert for residents of the Abou Shouk and Zamzam camps in September 2024.

“At least 104 people, including 75 women, 26 girls and three boys, mostly from the Zaghawa ethnic tribe, were subjected to horrific sexual violence, including rape, gang rape and sexual slavery,” Türk said in an online video message on Thursday. “Sexual violence appears to have been deliberately used to sow terror in the community,” he added.

A dark testimony

Testimonies presented in the report detailing the summary execution of displaced people describe how RSF fighters targeted civilians, including seven elderly men at a mosque and 16 others at a religious school.

“A surviving community leader recounted how two RSF fighters inserted their rifles into small holes in the window of the room where he was hiding with 10 other men and opened fire, randomly killing eight of them,” OHCHR said in a statement. “A woman who returned to the camp the day after the deadly attack, looking for her missing 15-year-old son, said: ‘The camp was empty. I saw dead bodies scattered on the roads. Only chickens, donkeys and sheep wandered around.’ She did not find her son that day.

The report’s findings are based on UN human rights monitoring, including a field mission to eastern Chad in July this year. Interviews were also conducted with 155 victims and witnesses – including 114 women, three girls and six boys – who had fled the Zamzam camp during and after the RSF paramilitary offensive.

UN rights chief Türk called for an “impartial, thorough and effective investigation into the attack” on the Zamzam camp; all those responsible for serious violations of international law must be punished through fair procedures, he stressed.