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	Humanitarian actors must be able to deliver aid to people in need in conflict zones by UN News, ICRC, Oxfam, CARE, agencies   Conflict and protracted crises in the Near East and North Africa undermining efforts to eradicate hunger.   “When countries in the region are suffering from an escalation of conflicts, the aim to tackle the region’s deepest concerns of malnutrition, water scarcity and climate change becomes more urgent,” says Abdessalam Ould Ahmed, Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).   The 2017 edition of the Regional Overview of Food Security and Nutrition in the Near East and North Africa (NENA) highlights in particular how an ongoing intensification of violence is opening a wide “hunger gap” between countries being affected by conflicts and those that are not.   In the region’s countries directly impacted by conflict, 27.2 per cent of all people were chronically hungry, or undernourished, during the 2014-16 period. That’s six times higher than the share of the population that was undernourished in countries not affected by strife.   Meanwhile, “severe food insecurity,” another metric used by FAO to measure hunger, in conflict-affected countries is now double that in non-conflict countries.   In Syria, violence has provoked a 67 per cent reduction in the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) and severely undermined food security. About 70 to 80 per cent of Syrians now need humanitarian assistance, while 50 per cent require food assistance.   In Iraq, where violence has led to for 58 per cent decline in GDP, 30 per cent of the population needs humanitarian assistance while nine per cent requires food assistance.   Yemen is also being wracked by conflict, leading to a situation in which 70 to 80 per cent of the population are in need humanitarian assistance and 50 per cent require food assistance. Libya is another hot spot where conflict is undermining food security: http://bit.ly/2D0FWWc   Feb. 2018   Senior United Nations officials in Syria warned this week of the dire humanitarian crisis in several parts of the country, calling on warring parties to immediately stop fighting so aid and basic services can reach those in need, and the sick and critically wounded can evacuate.   “The United Nations humanitarian team in Syria warns of the dire consequences of the compounded humanitarian crisis in several parts of the country,” said a statement issued by the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator and the UN Representatives in Syria.   “In this extreme situation,” the officials called for “an immediate cessation of hostilities lasting for at least one month throughout Syria to enable the delivery of humanitarian aid and services, evacuation of the critically sick and wounded, and alleviation of people’s suffering, to the extent possible, wherever they are.”   The UN-mandated Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Syria expressed deep concern over the further escalation of violence in Idlib governorate and in eastern Ghouta.   Over the last 48 hours, the scale and ferocity of attacks has increased dramatically resulting in multiple reports of civilian casualties and airstrikes that have reportedly hit at least three hospitals, including in Ma’aret al Nu’man, Kafr Nabl and Mardikh.   Since the beginning of the year, the increase in violence in Idlib has resulted in another upsurge of internal displacement with over a quarter of a million civilians reportedly fleeing the fighting, according to reports received by the Commission.   “These reports are extremely troubling, and make a mockery of the so-called ‘de-escalation zones’ intended to protect civilians from such bombardment,” said Commission Chair Paulo Pinheiro.   “The parties to this conflict are failing in their obligations under international humanitarian law, including their absolute obligation to refrain from attacks against medical facilities and personnel,” Mr. Pinheiro added.   Most alarmingly, the Commission has received multiple reports – which it is now investigating – that bombs allegedly containing weaponised chlorine have been used in the town of Saraqeb in Idlib and in Douma in eastern Ghouta.   Mounting attacks in Idlib come at a time when the escalation of violence in eastern Ghouta has also magnified the longstanding humanitarian crisis in that besieged pocket on the north-eastern outskirts of Damascus.   Airstrikes and shelling of areas held by anti-government armed groups has compounded a three-year siege in which nearly 400,000 civilians – including children – have had little access to basic assistance, including food, medicines and life-saving health assistance.   “What is happening in eastern Ghouta is not simply a humanitarian crisis because aid is denied, these sieges involve the crimes of indiscriminate bombardment and deliberate starvation of the civilian population,” stated Mr. Pinheiro.   http://bit.ly/2E7XWmB http://bit.ly/2sfYDVq http://bit.ly/1e8gHgH http://bit.ly/2BdGgTK http://bit.ly/2H6vUWc http://reliefweb.int/report/syrian-arab-republic/dangerous-ground-syria-s-refugees-face-uncertain-future   Dec. 2017   Aid has not reached 3.4 million people in Syria’s besieged areas in December, writes Jan Egeland.   “In many months we reached only 10 or maximum 20 per cent of people in besieged areas. In December, we haven’t reached a single soul,” Jan Egeland, Special Advisor to the UN Special Envoy, told journalists in Geneva after meeting with countries that have influence on the warring parties inside Syria, where war has raged for nearly seven years.   Mr. Egeland said that inside “what is left of Syria,” nearly 14 million people need humanitarian assistance and well over half of them get help every month. Things are much more complicated for the 3.4 million people surviving in besieged areas and so-called “hard-to-reach” places, including Eastern Ghouta, Foah, Kafraya and Yarmuk.   The international humanitarian task force has helped “dozens and dozens” of aid convoys reach previously inaccessible areas, but many other places still remain out of bounds, he said, calling for improved aid access to the country’s most vulnerable communities in 2018.   Mr. Egeland said although the number of people living in these front-line areas has fallen by nearly a half since 2016, humanitarian access has not improved.   He expressed hope that upcoming ceasefire talks in Astana with Russia, Turkey and Iran, would improve access for aid workers, before calling for a political solution to the “quagmire” that Syria has become.   Just outside Damascus, conditions remain dire in Eastern Ghouta, an opposition-held area where 400,000 people are still under siege, amid ongoing mortar attacks by rebels into the Syrian capital.   Food is now only available “to the most affluent,” Mr. Egeland said, warning that the list of people requiring life-saving medical help is getting shorter all the time – “not because we are evacuating them, but because they are dying.” http://bit.ly/2perkjV   Nov. 2017   WFP appeals for humanitarian access to Besieged Syrians amid reports of Severe Hunger. (WFP)   The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is extremely concerned by reports emerging from Eastern Ghouta, a besieged area not far from the Syrian capital. These reports signal extreme cases of hunger and malnutrition among conflict-affected families.   Humanitarian access to the Eastern Ghouta enclave in Rural Damascus has decreased drastically this year compared to the previous year, leaving tens of thousands of people cut off from assistance.   The last time WFP reached Eastern Ghouta was in September, but so far this year only 70,000 people have received food assistance, out of an estimated population of nearly 400,000.   WFP appeals for unconditional and safe access to the millions of people in need across the country, no matter where they are.   http://reliefweb.int/report/syrian-arab-republic/ngos-call-de-escalation-violence-and-increase-access-eastern-ghouta   Oct. 2017   Suffering of civilians in Eastern Ghouta “an outrage” – UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.   The situation of at least 350,000 besieged civilians in Eastern Ghouta, is an outrage, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein said, as he called on the parties to the conflict to allow badly needed food and medical supplies to get into the area.   “The shocking images of severely malnourished children that have emerged in recent days are a frightening indication of the plight of people in Eastern Ghouta, who are now facing a humanitarian emergency,” said Zeid.   Eastern Ghouta has been under siege by Government forces for more than four years. Residential areas, including those areas previously spared attack, are now being hit on an almost daily basis by ground-based strikes by government forces and their allies, with reports speaking of scores of civilian casualties.   This is despite Eastern Ghouta being considered one of the “de-escalation areas” brokered in May by Iran, Russia and Turkey under the Astana process, with the stated aim to put a prompt end to violence and improve the humanitarian situation. The Astana memorandum on the de-escalation areas further adds that rapid, safe, and unhindered humanitarian access shall be provided.   The UN Human Rights Office has also received reports of armed opposition groups conducting ground-based strikes on Damascus. In addition, various armed groups controlling Eastern Ghouta have restricted the work of humanitarian organisations, and clashes between these groups have for months limited civilians’ freedom of movement within the region.   “The parties to the conflict must allow the free, regular and unimpeded passage of food and other humanitarian relief and not take actions that would deprive civilians of their rights to food and health,” the High Commissioner said.   The UN last reached Eastern Ghouta on 23 September with help for some 25,000 people in the besieged towns of East Harasta, Misraba and Modira. Between January and September, the Government only accepted 26% of requests to deliver assistance to besieged and hard-to-reach areas.   “I remind all parties that the deliberate starvation of civilians as a method of warfare constitutes a clear violation of international humanitarian law, and may amount to a crime against humanity and/or a war crime. I also call on all those with involvement or influence in the conflict to facilitate the access of humanitarian workers so they can deliver the aid that the people of Eastern Ghouta so desperately need,” Zeid said.   The prices of basic goods have sky-rocketed. With the local economy destroyed, many people can simply no longer afford to buy food supplies even when they are available.   “Just as food and medical supplies must be allowed in, sick and injured people must be allowed to access medical care whenever and wherever they need it. I remind all parties of their obligations under international human rights law and international humanitarian law to protect civilians at all times, and to care for the sick and wounded,” Zeid said.   “If parties to a conflict cannot meet the needs of the population under their control, they must allow and facilitate efforts by impartial humanitarian agencies to provide aid, including by granting them the right of free passage,” he added.   http://www.wfp.org/news/news-release/wfp-appeals-access-besieged-syrian-enclave-amid-reports-severe-hunger http://reliefweb.int/report/syrian-arab-republic/syria-suffering-civilians-eastern-ghouta-outrage-zeid http://bit.ly/2ldrcPB http://www.un.org/sg/en/content/sg/note-correspondents/2018-01-18/note-correspondents-statement-adama-dieng-un-special   http://www.icrc.org/eng/war-and-law/protected-persons/civilians/overview-civilians-protected.htm http://guide-humanitarian-law.org/content/article/3/civilians/ http://guide-humanitarian-law.org/content/index/ http://www.ohchr.org/EN/ProfessionalInterest/Pages/ProtectionOfCivilianPersons.aspx http://ihl-databases.icrc.org/applic/ihl/ihl.nsf/vwTreaties1949.xsp http://ihl-databases.icrc.org/customary-ihl/eng/docs/v1_rul http://www.un.org/en/genocideprevention/ http://www.safeguardinghealth.org/ http://www.protectingeducation.org/   * Agenda for Humanity: Respect the Rules of War: http://bit.ly/2EiXwpt   * Report of the UN Secretary-General on the protection of civilians in armed conflict: http://bit.ly/2q9Dk6x   22 Dec. 2017   Yemen''s main ports must be allowed to open & function at full capacity to prevent full-scale famine. (ICRC, Oxfam, CARE, agencies)   The number of cholera cases in war-torn Yemen has now passed the 1 million mark, making it the worst cholera epidemic on record, according to the International Committee of the Red Cross.   The outbreak of cholera, which began in October 2016, has killed more than 2,200 people.   A desperate shortage of clean water, food and fuel has left health authorities and humanitarian organisations in Yemen powerless to stop the disease.   The Red Cross said more than 80 per cent of Yemen''s population lacked access to clean water and medicine, largely because of a Saudi-led blockade on aid shipments into the country.   The United Nations said there was also a growing outbreak of diphtheria.   "These are medieval diseases," the UN''s humanitarian coordinator in Yemen, Jamie McGoldrick, told the BBC.   "These are telling you that your systems are collapsing and people cannot buy the medicines, they cannot buy the goods that makes it easier to do that."   Cholera is an acute infection spread by contaminated water or food that causes water diarrhoea, nausea, dehydration, fever and stomach cramps. In the worst cases it can kill within hours.   Humanitarian agency Oxfam''s Yemen director, Shane Stevenson, said it was appalled at the impoverished country''s horrifying new record.   "It is a disgrace that in the 21st century, an easy-to-treat cholera could infect over a million people in one country," Mr Stevenson said.   "This is the world''s worst recorded outbreak, a man-made tragedy driven by more than a thousand days of a relentless and ruthless war.   "Month after month, the humanitarian situation in Yemen continues to deteriorate, slowly destroying every aspect of Yemenis lives."   Oxfam said more than 16 million people were without clean water and millions more faced losing their supply unless the Saudi-led blockade was lifted urgently.   Alongside the cholera outbreak, 8 million Yemenis are on the brink of famine, in what the UN describes as the world''s worst humanitarian crisis.   Hospitals in the capital Sana''a and rural areas have been overflowing with malnourished children facing starvation.   The war in Yemen this week passed 1,000 days. For months Saudi forces have imposed a blockade on Yemen''s ports, preventing the delivery of food and health supplies.   Aid agency Care said even a partial lifting of the blockade had not allowed aid to get through to where it was needed.   "Yemen''s main ports must be allowed to open and function at full capacity to prevent full-scale famine and increased risk of disease," the agency said.   "There is no viable substitute for Hodeida Port on the Red Sea.. Almost 85 per cent of the population are typically supplied by imports from Hodeida Port. All alternatives to Hodeida Port have enormous implications in terms of cost, time and security.. Aid shipments are not enough. Commercial goods must be allowed too."   The agency said humanitarian food aid was reaching only a third of Yemen''s population. The remaining 18 million people rely on functioning commercial markets, which have been devastated by fuel scarcity and conflict.   11 Dec. 2017   UN aid official in Yemen urges lifting of blockade, says millions a ‘step away from famine’, by Jamie McGoldrick - UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Yemen. (UN News)   The continuing blockade of ports in Yemen must be lifted, a senior United Nations humanitarian official today urged, calling for greater access to more than eight million people on the verge of famine.   Speaking from Sana’a, Jamie McGoldrick, the UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Yemen said that “the lives of millions of people, including 8.4 million Yemenis who are a step away from famine, hinge on our ability to continue our operations and to provide health, safe water, food, shelter and nutrition support.”   He called on all groups involved in the conflict to “fully facilitate sustained and unimpeded humanitarian access, as required by international humanitarian law.”   Mr. McGoldrick said this means lifting of restrictions on Yemen’s Red Sea ports and Sana’a airport, which continue to delay aid from entering the country and hindering the availability of food and fuel.   He also urged parties to the conflict to ensure protection for aid workers and facilities, process visas and not interfere unnecessarily in the work of aid organizations.   The UN aid official also warned about renewed violence along the western coast of the country and other parts of Yemen.   “I am greatly alarmed at reports of hospitals being damaged, populations being impeded from fleeing to safe areas and killings and arbitrary detentions reportedly being carried out in Sana’a,” said Mr. McGoldrick.   In the statement, the official warned that fresh violence would “only lead to further devastation” for the 22 million people in need.   He said that a political solution is the only means to put an end to the suffering, and reiterated his called on any countries with influence to step up their engagement to protect civilians and put an end to this conflict.   http://bit.ly/2BVoOAP http://bit.ly/2nQ8Sxo http://www.savethechildren.net/article/yemen-600-new-cases-starving-children-every-day http://bit.ly/2DS996o http://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/yemen-civilians-mercy-sniping-shelling-and-airstrikes-zeid http://reliefweb.int/country/yem http://www.icrc.org/en/where-we-work/middle-east/yemen Visit the related web page
	UN rights experts call for perpetrators of widespread human rights violations be brought to justice by Yasmin Sooka Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan   July 2018 (UN News)   Multiple killings and a campaign of sexual violence that may amount to war crimes have been documented by United Nations rights monitors in South Sudan’s Unity state, prompting a call for government and opposition forces to be held to account.   The UN human rights office, OHCHR, issued a report on Tuesday, noting the “deliberate…and brutally violent” targeting of civilians, particularly women and children, in April and May.   According to the report, at least 120 women and girls were raped and those unable to flee were killed as part of a deliberate “scorched earth” policy that has displaced thousands of people.   UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, called on the Government to halt all attacks against civilians, launch investigations and hold the perpetrators accountable, including those who bear the responsibility of commanding fighters.   “The perpetrators of these revolting acts against defenceless civilians, including those bearing command responsibility, must not be allowed to get away with it,” High Commissioner Zeid said.   OHCHR spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani told journalists in Geneva that at least 232 people were killed in the attacks on villages in opposition-controlled areas, in Mayendit and Leer.   Additionally, the report highlighted that opposition armed groups also carried out retaliatory attacks on civilians; its findings coming amid reported progress in peace talks between rival factions in the country, who have been embroiled in brutal civil conflict since late 2013.   The elderly, people with disabilities and very young children, were killed in horrific acts of violence – some hung from trees and others burned alive in their homes, the investigation found.   “There must be consequences for the men who reportedly gang-raped a six-year-old child, who slit the throats of elderly villagers, who hanged women for resisting looting, and shot fleeing civilians in the swamps where they hid,” Zeid said.   “Those who ordered and facilitated these horrific crimes must be brought to account. The Government of South Sudan and the international community have the obligation to ensure justice,” he added.   http://bit.ly/2N6UKrw http://reliefweb.int/report/south-sudan/un-srsg-sexual-violence-conflict-condemns-use-rape-tactic-war-south-sudan   Dec. 2017   Four years following the start of the current conflict in South Sudan, gross human rights violations continue to be committed in a widespread way by all parties to the conflict, in which civilians are bearing the brunt, says the Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan* at the conclusion of a 12-day visit to the region.   "The Commission welcomes yesterday''s announcement made at the High Level Revitalization Forum of the Inter-Governmental Authority (IGAD) of a cessation of hostilities agreement yet remains gravely concerned over the lack of accountability for serious crimes which is fuelling impunity throughout the country," stated Commission Chairperson Yasmin Sooka. "Those responsible for this war against civilians must be stopped with the perpetrators of these horrific acts brought to justice," she added.   Over the course of the Commission''s visit to South Sudan, eastern Ethiopia and northern Uganda (11-22 December) Ms. Sooka and fellow Commissioner Andrew Clapham met with numerous victims of the conflict who shared harrowing accounts of indiscriminate attacks, revenge killings, torture, abduction of women and children, forced displacement, looting and burning of homes and crops, starvation, rape and other forms of sexual violence. In a country where food insecurity is acute, crops are destroyed leaving villages starving.   "We are deeply disturbed by what we witnessed and heard throughout our visit. The deprivation and range of sexual violence are hard to describe, people are targeted and suffering just for being who they are. The atrocities and violations are no longer just confined to a few parts of South Sudan; they are happening all across South Sudan," Professor Clapham stated.   While in South Sudan the Commissioners travelled to Wau, Bor and Akobo and visited Protection of Civilian (PoC) sites in Juba and Wau where individuals and families have sought protection from the violence and are provided the essentials of daily life by non-governmental organizations and humanitarian agencies. The Commissioners met with camp leaders, elders, and women''s and youth representatives.   In Wau the Commission met with an 89 nine-year-old widow who described how her husband and two sons were shot in front of her and how she too begged for her life. Several witnesses and victims described how they were forced to flee their villages as they watched their homes burned and family and friends killed before their eyes. A 60-year old woman told the Commission how she was gang raped by several soldiers and left for dead.   Many of the women the Commission met spoke of how they were sexually abused when their homes were attacked, often when they were collecting firewood. The Commission also heard of young men who were gang raped, often in front of family members. The Commission was also told that young men have been forced to rape relatives in front of family members. "Those perpetrating these crimes seem to be intent on breaking all social norms resulting in societies being torn apart," Ms. Sooka stated.   In Akobo, the Commission met with a number of internally displaced people who explained in great detail how they fled recent fighting in the Jonglei region and their trek of some 160 kilometers to the border town with Ethiopia, where they were now struggling to survive by eating leaves from trees and where their children were not able to attend school as they had no money for the fees.   "As another Human Rights Day passes and the world''s focus shifts to other matters people here feel forgotten and are really suffering horrific violations of their rights. The scarcity of food in many parts of the country is worrying, while incidents of rape and killing continue. The situation is really tragic," stated Professor Clapham.   Equally disturbing testimonies were shared with the Commissioners during their visits with refugees in Gambella, Ethiopia and northern Uganda. Those the Commission met with included several visibly traumatized unaccompanied minors who described the horrors and overwhelming sense of insecurity that forced them to flee the world''s newest nation state.   http://bit.ly/2C1U1G8 Visit the related web page
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