ReliefWeb

Global food price rises, low harvests, climate change and conflict mean concerted action is needed by African Heads of State meeting this week in Equatorial Guinea to build long-term resilience.

In Ethiopia, all the risk factors for fistula are present. Almost 80% of health facilities have been looted or damaged in Tigray, medical supplies are in short supply and the referral system has broken down.

Thousands of stranded migrants in Yemen have expressed their wish to voluntarily return to Ethiopia. IOM is appealing for $7.5 million to provide them with safe, dignified and voluntary return help.

More than $881 million is needed this year to support 1.4 million people, including 920,000 refugees in Cox’s Bazar and Bhasan Char, and about 540,000 Bangladeshis in neighbouring communities.

According to humanitarian sources, at least 19,000 people have been deprived of vital aid following the suspension of humanitarian activities since the resumption of the violence last week.

“This must serve as a wake-up call to resolve and prevent destructive conflicts, end persecution, and address the underlying causes that force innocent people to flee their homes,” said UNHCR chief.

Red Cross reminds states of their obligation to provide assistance to migrants in distress, regardless of their legal status, to prevent death and injury along migration routes – on land and on sea.

Natural disasters accounted for most of this movement, but the number forced from their homes by conflict and violence also reached the highest record, at 14.4 million, says Save the Children.