New York: The UN humanitarian relief chief, Tom Fletcher, has raised concerns over escalating violence in the occupied West Bank, where Israeli settler attacks on Palestinians and their property are on the rise. These incidents have intensified particularly during the Palestinian olive harvest season, which is a crucial economic period for Palestinian families. The violence has led to casualties and property damage, exacerbating tensions in the region.
According to United Nations, the UN Spokespersons Office has previously warned that settler violence is often occurring under the watch of Israeli security forces. The UN has consistently urged Israel, as the occupying power, to prevent these attacks and ensure accountability. The disruption of the olive harvest season due to harassment and farmland destruction has further strained the livelihoods of numerous Palestinian families.
Meanwhile, Madagascar is facing a deepening humanitarian crisis, as reported by the United Nations. Deputy UN Spokesperson Farhan Haq highlighted the severe situation in the Grand Sud and Grand Sud-Est regions, where communities are grappling with the aftermath of drought, cyclones, and disease outbreaks. These challenges, compounded by the lingering impact of El Niño, have left many communities with minimal recovery options.
The UN aid coordination office, OCHA, projects that the number of people facing emergency food insecurity in Grand Sud could quadruple to 110,000 by January 2026. Additionally, nearly 160,000 children are currently suffering from severe acute malnutrition. Mr. Haq noted that funding cuts have crippled aid operations, necessitating the shutdown of vital programs. A new National Humanitarian Response Plan seeks $185 million to address hunger, malnutrition, and disease issues through April 2026, but faces a significant funding shortfall of $125 million.
The UN has also expressed concerns over Madagascar's political instability following an unconstitutional change of government, which poses further obstacles to humanitarian efforts. This political unrest underscores the urgency of addressing the country's humanitarian needs.
In a separate report, the World Health Organisation (WHO) revealed alarming statistics on childhood nutrition in Europe, as only five per cent of children aged seven to nine consume adequate amounts of fruits and vegetables. The WHO's latest Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative (COSI) study indicates persistently high rates of obesity and overweight in this age group, contributing to a rise in noncommunicable diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular ailments.
The WHO study highlights the trend of online food ordering as an emerging dietary factor, with up to 39 per cent of surveyed participants in 18 countries reporting online meal orders at least once a month. The report emphasizes the association between healthier diets and socioeconomic status, noting that children from families with higher parental education levels tend to have better eating habits.
