The agency reports that more than 850,000 civilians, including many children, have been forced to flee due to ongoing violence in South Kivu province.
These displaced individuals are living in difficult conditions, seeking shelter in schools, churches, or even outdoors without access to basic necessities such as clean water, sanitation, healthcare, and education.
The situation has also led to an increase in grave violations against children, including sexual violence, killings, and recruitment by armed groups. Jean François Basse, the acting head of UNICEF in the DRC, has stated that this is an unprecedented protection crisis and called for all parties involved to respect international law and allow for unimpeded humanitarian access.
The conflict has also disrupted vital services and humanitarian operations, with the closure of Kavumu Airport and delays in aid operations due to banking issues.
In addition to the violence, the region is also facing outbreaks of cholera, measles, and smallpox.
UNICEF is working to reopen schools and support health centers, while urging all parties to immediately cease hostilities and ensure the safety and access of humanitarian aid.
Meanwhile, the latest Global Trade Update from UNCTAD shows that while international trade reached a record high of $33 trillion in 2024, new challenges are emerging in 2025, including trade imbalances, evolving policies, and geopolitical tensions.
The trade gap between developing and advanced economies continues to widen, and growth has slowed in advanced economies. The practice of nearshoring and friendshoring, where companies relocate their operations to countries closer to their main market, has also reversed in 2024.
UNCTAD reports that some governments are implementing tariffs, subsidies, and industrial policies that are reshaping trade flows. The organization emphasizes the need for global cooperation and balanced policies to address growing trade uncertainty.
In the Central African Republic (CAR), the UN peacekeeping mission MINUSCA is supporting the second and third phases of voter registration, which will cover nine of the country’s 20 prefectures and overseas centers.
The mission has provided logistical support and deployed personnel to secure the process and ensure that all Central Africans have access to registration centers. The voter registration exercise precedes upcoming local, legislative, and presidential elections scheduled for later this year and in 2026.
The Security Council has condemned the recent terrorist attack on a train in Pakistan and reaffirmed that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations is a serious threat to international peace and security. They called for those responsible to be held accountable and for all states to cooperate with the Pakistani government in addressing terrorism. The Council also reiterated that all acts of terrorism are unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation or location.