Aid groups warn of deadly consequences from Taliban ban
NGOs and humanitarian organizations, many staffed and led by women, provide critical life-saving services in Afghanistan.
Afghanistan
Afghanistan is a South Asian country facing one of the world's most severe humanitarian and human rights crises. In 2025, the UN estimates that 22.9 million people, including 12.4 million children, will require humanitarian assistance. This includes widespread food insecurity and limited access to healthcare.
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Hunger from climate, conflicts and rising prices hits developing world
With 50 million 'a step away from starvation,' humanitarian groups calculate a person dies of hunger every four seconds.
World's first permanent war crimes tribunal 'unfortunately' still needed
It has been 20 years since U.N. diplomats stood and cheered when a treaty won enough support to launch the global court.
Projected 17% rise in 2022 emergency aid
Some 274 million people will need emergency humanitarian aid in 2022 due to war, conflicts, hunger, climate change and the pandemic, the U.N. said.
U.N. fundraiser raises billion-dollar 'lifeline' of aid for fleeing Afghans
As the Taliban consolidates power, donors pledged to provide emergency aid for Afghans at a U.N.-sponsored fundraiser.
Organizations turn to airlift for Afghanistan
The U.N. health agency and other international organizations began airlifting emergency supplies to Afghanistan through neighboring Pakistan and its airline.
Taliban's grip imperils aid for Afghan civilians
Humanitarian aid agencies and U.N. leaders scrambled to protect civilians in Afghanistan while calling on the Taliban to end fighting and provide assurances.
Nearly 3 million more displaced people from wars and conflicts
Despite the pandemic, the number of people fleeing for safety around the world rose to almost 82.4 million last year.
U.N. refugee agency warns of 'dramatic' Tigray crisis in Ethiopia
After warning of 'a full-scale humanitarian crisis' in Ethiopia, officials said 32,000 people fled and 200,000 more may follow.
U.N. refugee agency says war and conflict uprooted 1% of humanity
An unprecedented 79.5 million people - two-fifths of them children - were forcibly displaced as of the end of 2019.
ICC allows Afghanistan war crimes probe
The ICC ruled unanimously to authorize an investigation into alleged war crimes in Afghanistan by the Taliban, Afghan military and American-led forces.
UNESCO warns of a legal 'duty to protect' cultural heritage sites
UNESCO's chief reminded Washington and Tehran they must protect cultural sites, after Trump made threats against Iran.
U.N. relief agency says 1 million people in Gaza may go hungry
The Trump administration's withdrawal of U.S. funding for Palestinian refugees could create a huge humanitarian crisis.
A record 41 million people are uprooted in their own nations
Disasters and conflicts drove nations atop a list of places adding to the 28 million people newly displaced at home.
China tries to ease debt trap worries about its 'Belt and Road' program
Despite fears about being weighed down with too much debt, developing nations embraced the infusion of Chinese cash.
U.S. strips visa from chief prosecutor of war crimes tribunal
The U.S. State Department said ICC chief prosecutor Fatou Bensouda can visit the U.S. only for "official U.N. purposes."