In Focus

The “In Focus” column includes an annotated, analytical selection of web material presenting alternative points of view of civilian victims’ experience of conflict to arouse readers’ interest.

The weaponization of water in conflicts in the Middle East

'For Palestine people water is also life'

It is about water infrastructures that the Israeli forces have lately been striking in southern Lebanon and their impact on civilians.

The “Pact For the Future” of Civilian Victims of Explosive Violence

Overview of the United Nations Skyscraper, where the Pact for the Future has recently been adopted

27 September 2024

In a concerning scenario for civilians, the Pact for the Future champions hope for a lasting commitment from the international community.

Gaza: Update on Casualties and Emergency Needs

After one year from October 7th, consequencies of the war between Israel and Hamas are tragic

Vittime di Gaza: Aggiornamento sulle Vittime e l’Emergenza Sanitaria

Bambini superstiti dei bombardamenti a Gaza

INEW statement on Lebanon

This is the statement by the International Network on Explosive Weapons about recent clashes between Lebanon and Israel

Escalation of violence between Israel and Palestine

Overview of Jenin refugee camp, occupied northern West Bank

Between deadly attacks, expulsions and segregation policies Israel is committing real war crimes and crimes against humanity

Burkina Faso: accounts of civilian abuse

Since late 2022, armed Islamist groups in Burkina Faso have killed scores of civilians, looted and burned property, and forced thousands to flee in attacks across the country

PoC week 2023 - Debate on the Protection of Civilians

On the occasion of the sixth edition of the week for the protection of civilians, the UN Security Council meeting on the protection of civilians in conflict was held on May 23, 2023

World: peacebuilding operations need to be reformed

UN Peacekeepers during the operation MINUSMA

26 January 2023

Recently, the UN Deputy Secretary-General spoke to the Security Council about the importance of sustainable development in the reestablishment of peace

UNHCR: Global economic crisis increases risks of gender-based violence

Many refugees and internally displaced persons are unable to meet their basic needs due to price inflation and lack of funds for humanitarian responses

MENA: children continue suffering for the armed conflicts

A baby in the nursery at Alsadaqah Hospital, Yemen.

18 November 2022

A few days ago, UNICEF reported that across the MENA region, children are one of the main targets of the protracted violence and armed conflicts.

The deadly consequences of climate change in fragile settings

4 November 2022

The climate crisis is having devastating effects on vulnerable people living in conflict situations and lacking access to basic healthcare

Incendiary weapons: why additions to the Protocol III are needed

Kiev. Civil buildings destroyed after an explosion

8 November 2022

The recent use of incendiary weapons in the Ukrainian conflict reopens the international debate on the revision of the Convention on the subject.

UNHCR: over 4 millions stateless people live in the shadows

A family shows their new identity documents after obtaining the citizenship

4 November 2022

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, called for strong political actions to eradicate statelessness of about 4,3 millions of people

World: the UN Security Council must ensure world peace

Antonio Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations

3 November 2022

The United Nations Secretary-General is currently urging the Security Council to strengthen peace, particularly in the African Continent.

On Thursday the 16th of November Antonio Guterres, UN Secretary General, remarked to the Security Council the importance of UN operations as a means for ensuring peace and opening the way for political solutions. Moreover, the UN Chief focuses on the role of peacekeeping operations specifically to build resilience among communities affected by armed conflicts and most of all, to protect civilians. This important statement derives from the fact that in recent times, in numerous challenging contexts worldwide have been registered unimaginable violations of Human Rights, thus raising the necessity for the International Community to intervene.

“By acting early, engaging strategically, and speaking with one voice, this Council can mobilize the international community’s political and financial support and foster the commitment of conflict actors to secure peace”, the Secretary stated. Furthermore, as Gueterres underlined, it is also relevant to point out that growing climate catastrophe, growing hunger and poverty, and widening disparities are only a few of the powerful instability drivers that are continuously reinforced by rising geopolitical tensions, spreading insecurity, and other powerful instability drivers. Another relevant aspect that has been highlighted in the meeting has been the importance of the role of women and youth, and their participation in peacekeeping processes.

Overall, the Secretary-General focused on the role of civilians and local communities in general in the restoration of peace, and on how the engagement of these people must represent a focal point in the establishment of peace. Finally, he appealed once again to the International Community to allocate more funds for peacekeeping operations.

To read more, visit:

https://news.un.org/en/story/2022/11/1130162
https://theelders.org/news/un-security-council-must-speak-one-voice
https://gazettengr.com/guterres-urges-un-security-council-to-strengthen-peace-operations-in-africa/

By Alexia Tenneriello