UN Interviews

Myanmar’s earthquake catastrophe is now known to have killed more than 3,600 people and injured more than 5,000.The toll is still rising, says the UN Children’s Fund, UNICEF, which is on the ground providing vital assistance to the most vulnerable individuals who’ve lost everything. UN News's Daniel Johnson has been speaking to the UN agency’s Chief of Social Policy, Bjorn Gelders. He says that about 6.3 million people need help urgently - before the monsoon rains come – and for a long time afterwards, too. 

As the war in Sudan nears its third devastating year the situation for children has reached a critical point, with an estimated 825,000 children trapped in and around the besieged Darfuri city of Al-Fasher alone, according to the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF).The ongoing conflict between rival militaries continues to displace thousands, while the collapse of essential services has left children vulnerable to death, disease, and malnutrition.Speaking to UN News’s Abdelmonem Makki from Port Sudan, Eva Hinds, advocacy and communications chief for UNICEF Sudan, delivered a stark assessment of the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding.

As the war in Sudan enters a third year, the UN and partners continue to use every possible means to distribute lifesaving food, medicines and other supplies to millions across the country. That’s the message from the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan, Clementine Nkweta-Salami. She told UN News’s Dianne Penn that amid cuts to aid budgets worldwide this year, the international community must not forget about Sudan. Ms. Nkweta-Salami began by outlining the immense needs. 

Nearly two years after the beginning of the Sudanese civil war, displaced populations returning to urban areas are facing the remnants of heavy fighting: unexploded ordnance.The UN demining body (UNMAS) is warning of the risks faced by displaced people returning to areas contaminated by mines and other ordnance, which can explode with the lightest touch.Active in Sudan since 2002, UNMAS has been severely impacted by both the war and a lack of funding.Sidiq Rashid, Head of UNMAS in Sudan told UN News’s Abdelmonem Makki that the country currently faces the largest displacement crisis in the world, and everyone, from the warring parties to aid workers and the international community, needs to work together to integrate mine action into humanitarian, early recovery, and reconstruction work. Abdelmonem started by asking Mr. Rashid to describe the effect that unexploded munitions are having on the civilian population. 

Rebeca Grynspan, the head of the UN trade agency UNCTAD, shares her insights on the current global trade landscape. She highlights the adverse effects of U.S. tariffs on developing countries, calling for their exemption to mitigate economic pain. Grynspan emphasizes the necessity of rational decision-making amidst trade uncertainty and advocates for greater regional cooperation among poorer nations to enhance their negotiating power. Her vision underscores the potential of international trade to empower vulnerable economies amid challenging times.

After nearly two years of intense fighting in Sudan – which has displaced nine million people and left around 50,000 missing, say human rights organizations – a negotiated peace deal recognized by the international community is the only way forward.That’s according to Radhouane Noucier, designated Sudan expert for the UN human rights office, OHCHR. He told UN News’s Abdelmonem Makki that enforced disappearances are just one of the many violations being carried out against the Sudanese people.

Daniel Feakes, the Head of the Biological Weapons Convention unit at the UN Office for Disarmament Affairs, discusses the significance of the Biological Weapons Convention, which celebrated its 50th anniversary. He highlights its role in banning biological arms and the challenges it faces, such as the absence of an enforcement mechanism. Feakes also explores the treaty's historical roots, noting the Cold War collaboration that led to its inception, and emphasizes the ongoing need for international cooperation to address contemporary biological threats.

Elena Vuolo, the WHO Deputy Representative in Myanmar, shares critical insights into the aftermath of a devastating earthquake that has crippled the country's health system. Hospitals are overwhelmed, with over 5,000 people needing urgent trauma care. She discusses the urgent appeals for medical supplies and the prevention of disease outbreaks like cholera. Vuolo highlights the resilience of local health workers amid immense pressure and the need for international support to address Myanmar's escalating healthcare crisis.

Civilians continue to bear the brunt of violent clashes between rival forces in Sudan, UN human rights chief Volker Türk said on Thursday, after “credible” videos surfaced of killings in cold blood, linked to the recapture of Khartoum by the Sudanese Armed Forces.“There is likely an ethnic element” to the killings too, said Seif Magango, spokesperson for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).He told UN News’ Daniel Johnson that sexual violence remains widespread in the war-torn country, before calling for UN Member States to intervene to stop almost two years of heavy fighting that has uprooted nine million people across Sudan and left an estimated 24.6 million facing acute hunger.Specific measures that could bring the rival forces to the negotiating table include an extended arms embargo for Sudan that encompasses the whole country and not just Darfur, and a wider mandate for the International Criminal Court (ICC) to cover all of Sudan, he said.

Following last Friday’s massive earthquake in Myanmar, UN humanitarians are on the ground to support survivors and affected communities.The World Food Programme (WFP) started its first distributions in the capital, Nay Pyi Taw, within 48 hours of the quake. It is also on the ground at the epicentre in Sagiang – and in Myanmar’s second city of Mandalay - assisting thousands of families in desperate need.But the UN needs much more funding from the international community to address the enormous needs, as WFP’s Country Director Michael Dunford tells UN News’s Vibhu Mishra.Click here to read the text story.