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Week in Review 22 March 2025

Catch up on this week's must-read stories From crisis zones to climate warnings, this week's headlines show the UN at work where it's needed most. In Afghanistan, the Security Council renewed the UN assistance mission as aid agencies warned of a looming health catastrophe. Meanwhile, in Syria, a "watershed moment" for recovery is at risk as international funding dries up. Violence in Haiti and Sudan continues to drive record-breaking displacement, and across the globe, children and refugees are bearing the brunt of a deepening humanitarian funding cuts. The UN also sounded the alarm on climate change, confirming 2024 as the hottest year on record. At the same time, leaders met in New York to tackle the global scourge of small arms, which fuels instability worldwide. But that's not all, initiatives to tackle preventable diseases are gaining recognition: cities around the world are proving that local action can lead to big wins. From smoke-free parks to healthier school lunches, WHO recognised three cities leading the way in the fight against preventable diseases.

Funding shortages risk undermining a 'watershed moment' for Syria Fourteen years of war have left Syria's people in desperate need – but international support is dwindling, UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned on Monday, calling for urgent investment in the country's recovery. Read more Humanitarian Aid Violence triggers record displacements in Haiti's capital In just one month, intensifying violence has forced over 60,000 people to flee their homes in Haiti's capital, Port-au-Prince, marking another grim record in the country's worsening humanitarian crisis. Read more Peace and Security Climate change: Paris Agreement goals still within reach, says UN chief The effects of human-driven climate change surged to alarming levels in 2024, with some consequences likely to be irreversible for centuries - if not millennia – according to a new report from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).  Read more Climate and Environment Children, refugees pay hefty price of global aid funding crisis Children, refugees and displaced people worldwide are paying the price for the deep-seated funding crisis that has engulfed the international aid sector, made worse by pronounced cuts in Washington, the UN children's and refugee agencies said on Friday.  Read more Humanitarian Aid Joint UN meeting tackles small arms control to foster sustainable development On Monday, during a meeting of the General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council, UN officials and disarmament experts emphasized the urgent need to tackle the widespread issue of small arms and light weapons. They warned that the stakes are higher than ever in a world increasingly plagued by conflict and crisis. Read more Law and Crime Prevention Afghanistan: Security Council renews UN mission as WHO warns of health catastrophe The Security Council on Monday extended the mandate of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) for another year, as UN agencies reported sharp declines in resources for lifesaving aid. Read more Peace and Security Sudan: Civilians targeted as hostilities intensify in the capital Dozens of civilians, including local humanitarian volunteers, have been killed by artillery shelling and aerial bombardment in the eastern part of Sudan's capital, Khartoum, the UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR) reported on Thursday. Read more Peace and Security WHO gives clean bill of health to cities taking action on preventable diseases Three cities that share a healthy vision for their residents won UN World Health Organization awards on Thursday for their smoke-free parks, clean air initiatives and obesity-busting school lunch initiatives. Read more Climate and Environment

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