ReliefWeb - Updates

ReliefWeb - Updates

ReliefWeb - Updates

World: EU Member States urged to safeguard children’s rights ahead of new migration regulation

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 04:33:08 +0000

The call comes ahead of the formal adoption in September of the EU's Return Regulation that was approved in the European Parliament in June. The regulation goes against the EU’s own rules on fundamental rights, Save the Children said, including on the suspensive effect of appeals.

BRUSSELS, 22 July 2026 – European Union (EU) governments must ensure their migration policies comply with EU law and are implemented in a way that protects children's safety ahead of the adoption of a new EU regulation, said Save the Children launching a campaign for decision-makers to put children’s rights ahead of borders.

The call comes ahead of the formal adoption in September of the EU's Return Regulation that was approved in the European Parliament in June. The regulation goes against the EU’s own rules on fundamental rights, Save the Children said, including on the suspensive effect of appeals.

The EU Return Regulation introduces new rules governing return procedures, including provisions on “return hubs” - facilities in non-EU countries where those pending return procedure could be transferred – and is inconsistent with the criteria set out by the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights on excluding children from return hubs and on child detention.

Ahead of the adoption of the new regulation, Save the Children has launched a campaign - Stand up for Every Child – involving Save the Children CEOs from across Europe to call on EU decision-makers to ensure their migration policies fully comply with EU law and protect children’s rights.

Through a series of videos, the campaign urges governments and the public not to lose sight of a simple principle: every child is a child first and foremost.

Luz Larosa, Head of Save the Children Europe, said:

“When this new law is adopted in September, children could be detained for more than two years or be sent to countries they’ve never stepped foot in. This marks a profound shift away from the principle that every child must be treated first and foremost as a child, not as a migration case.

“Several provisions within the current text of the Return Regulation are incompatible with existing child rights standards. Governments now have a final say on determining the law's real impact on children and families and to ensure that children's rights remain at the centre of the new law - making sure all provisions comply with EU law and that its implementation does not come at children's expense. We need to ensure we get this right – it is not too late.”

Isla Ramos, CEO of Save the Children Spain, said:

“As the Regulation moves towards formal adoption, Member States must not see their responsibility as ending with the legislative process. They remain ultimately responsible for its impact on children in their country: Governments must ensure that no provision contravenes EU law, particularly the Charter of Fundamental Rights, and that children's rights are fully respected and protected throughout implementation.”

Daniela Fatarella, CEO of Save the Children Italy, said:

"Before being migrants, refugees, or asylum seekers, they are children. And a child remains a child, regardless of where they were born or their status. We are deeply concerned by the adoption of the new EU return regulation. As Member States begin adapting their national legislation, we urge them to place the best interests of the child always at the heart of its implementation. Children's rights must come before borders. We call on everyone to raise their voice and join us in defending those rights. Because when children's rights are at stake, turning away is not an option.”

Florian Westphal, CEO of Save the Children Germany, said:

“The most important question is what is best for the child. Detaining a child or even transferring them to a foreign country where they have never been before is by no means in their best interest. EU member states are apparently willing to violate their own principles in the name of border protection. We call on all those in positions of responsibility not to allow this to happen. And all citizens in Europe should speak out and refuse to accept this kind of treatment of children.”

Save the Children is warning that, unless EU governments ensure their compliance with EU law and strengthen safeguards for children, the Regulation could put migrant and refugee children at greater risk of rights violations. These include exposing children to prolonged detention for up to 30 months, transfers to countries they’ve never set foot in, and weaker procedural protections.

Save the Children is calling on EU governments to ensure that children are never detained; best interest of the child is carried out ahead of any return decision; children and their families are excluded from return hubs; and all children have access to protection, guardians, legal assistance and specialised support.

About Stand Up for Every Child

Save the Children is today launching "Stand Up for Every Child", a Europe-wide initiative bringing together Chief Executives from across the Save the Children movement in a unified call to protect children's rights in migration procedures. Through a series of videos published across Europe, Save the Children leaders are urging governments and the public not to lose sight of a simple principle: every child is a child first and foremost.

The organisation is inviting people across Europe to join the call by sharing, in their own words, why children's rights matter and by using the hashtag #StandUpForEveryChild.

In the end, this is about children and their rights

ENDS

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Afghanistan/Pakistan: Deadly Pakistan air strikes on Kabul drug rehab centre should be investigated as possible war crime – new investigation

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 03:55:06 +0000

• Attack breached special protection of medical facilities
• No evidence of Pakistan’s claims site was a military target
• Lack of investigation and accountability risks ‘entrenching impunity’ in ongoing conflict

Four months after calling on Pakistan’s authorities to explain how and why they targeted a Kabul drug rehabilitation centre on 16 March, killing at least 269 civilians, Amnesty International has published a new investigation calling for the attack to be investigated as a possible war crime.

The organization found no evidence to support the Pakistan military’s claims that Omid Rehabilitation and Treatment Centre was being used to store weapons and ammunition or for other military purposes at the time of the attack. The air strikes violated the special protection afforded to healthcare facilities under international humanitarian law (IHL), as well the principles of distinction, precaution and proportionality designed to protect civilians.

“The attack on the Omid Centre constitutes a serious violation of international humanitarian law – possibly amounting to a war crime. Given the widely available information that the site had been used as a medical facility for more than a decade, this reflects a major failure in military planning by Pakistan that led to a significant loss of civilian life,” said Isabelle Lassee, Amnesty International’s Acting Regional Director for South Asia.

“This was a lethal failure by Pakistan to comply with its obligation to do everything feasible to verify whether the target was a military objective. Pakistan must urgently conduct a transparent, thorough, independent, and impartial investigation into the attack – especially the decision-making process that led to the targeting of the facility – and make the results public.

“Where sufficient evidence exists, competent authorities should prosecute any person suspected of criminal responsibility, including under the doctrine of command responsibility.”

The attack was one of a series of air strikes conducted by the Pakistan military inside Afghanistan since the escalation of cross-border hostilities with the Taliban in October 2025. Between January and March 2026 alone, the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) documented more than 750 civilian casualties, 372 killed and 392 others injured in Afghanistan. The 28 June airstrikes in Paktya, Paktika and Kunar provinces killed at least 28 civilians according to UNAMA. While is no consolidated figure for civilian casualties in Pakistan, media reports indicate that at least seven civilians have been killed through mortar shelling originating from Afghanistan territories.

“All parties to the conflict must respect international humanitarian law and take all feasible precautions to protect civilians and civilian objects, with particular care afforded to medical facilities and other specially protected sites. Failure to investigate serious violations, such as the attack on the Omid Centre, shows an alarming disregard for international law and risks entrenching impunity, leading to further unlawful operations and loss of civilian life,” said Isabelle Lassee.

Amnesty International analysed and verified more than 60 photos and videos, most of which were captured in the immediate aftermath of the attack on the Omid Centre, including videos released by Pakistan’s military to support its claim that the site was being used as a storage facility for weapons and ammunition. The organization also reviewed more than 30 satellite images of the area, as well as verified videos documenting the operations at the Omid Centre prior to the attack.

Eleven interviews were conducted, including with employees and former employees of the Omid Centre and the adjacent Ibn-e-Sina Hospital. Interviewees also included individuals who visited the centre immediately after the attack and victims’ family members. Some of the interviewees witnessed the strikes, and some were also involved in the evacuation effort.

On 9 July, Amnesty International contacted the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan to request details about what the government has done to investigate any failure in targeting, and whether those involved in the process were held to account, including any information to substantiate their claim that the target was a “weapon and ammunition store”. No response had been received at the time of publication.

Prohibition of attacks on medical facilities

The principle of distinction in IHL requires parties to distinguish between civilians and combatants, and between civilian objects and military objectives. Deliberate attacks against healthcare facilities and on their personnel are specifically prohibited, unless a facility is being used outside its humanitarian function. When there is doubt as to whether medical facilities are being used to commit acts “harmful to the enemy” – the only case in which they could lose their protected status – they should be presumed not to be so used.

In a post on X the day after the strike, Attaulah Tarar, Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Information & Broadcasting, claimed that the Pakistan military had targeted: “technical support infrastructure and ammunition storage facilities” in two locations in Kabul (one of them being the Omid Centre). He also claimed that secondary detonations indicated that large ammunition depots were hit in the strikes.

Videos and photographs of bomb remnants shared directly with Amnesty International were analysed by the organization’s weapons experts, who concluded that at least one of the munitions used was a Takbir precision-guided bomb. This finding is consistent with statements by the Pakistani military that precision-guided munitions were used in the strike, suggesting that the attack was the result of a deliberate targeting decision.

The Omid Centre was established in 2016 on the site of a former NATO base. It had originally operated as a vocational training facility for people being treated for substance-dependence. After the Taliban returned to power in 2021, the site was expanded into a 2,000-bed treatment centre for people with drug-dependence problems. Ibn-e-Sina Hospital, which provided essential healthcare services to Omid Centre patients, is also located on the site.

There is a wide range of publicly available information on the Omid Centre’s work including a 2023 Al Jazeera documentary showing patients undergoing treatment at the centre.

Amnesty International identified at least two large in-local-language signboards, located above the main gate and inside the camp, clearly indicating that the location was a rehabilitation and treatment centre. The organization also verified a video recorded in 2025 and captured inside the centre, showing some of the hangars where patients were housed, and analysed satellite images of the Omid Centre between April 2023 and 15 March 2026. On 13 March, just three days prior to the attack, imagery shows large groups of people present.

“The Pakistani authorities should have known the facility was a civilian object and that any aerial attack could result in large-scale civilian casualties. Even if the Pakistani military had any reliable information of military use, it was clear that the civilian harm would be excessive,” said Isabelle Lassee.

No evidence of weapons or ammunition

The strikes occurred at around 9pm, just as the evening tarawih prayers for Ramadan were being concluded, according to people who spoke to the organization. On the night of the attack, according to several interviewees who worked in the centre, more than a thousand patients were housed there.

Under IHL, attacking forces have an obligation to do everything feasible to verify whether their intended target is a military objective and, if there is doubt in this respect, to refrain from launching an attack or to cancel or suspend it. Even if a medical facility is being used for non-humanitarian purposes, an attack can only be justified after an effective warning has been issued and ignored. Amnesty International found no indication that any warning was issued, and the timing of the attack at evening prayers ensured civilian presence and left no opportunity for evacuation.

In his post on X, Attaulah Tarar included several videos that he said corroborated the Pakistani military’s claims that the site was being used to store weapons and ammunition.

Amnesty International open-source investigators and weapons experts analysed these videos, as well as evidence directly received from local sources and online. The videos consist of black and white drone and fighter aircraft feeds that show the air strikes from various angles. None of these videos, nor footage gathered from ground sources, allow the identification of conclusive evidence of weapons, ammunition or other explosive goods stored in the area. The footage does not show secondary explosions immediately following the strikes, which would constitute evidence of a possible ammunition storage.

“Our investigation strongly indicates that this was not a legitimate military target under international humanitarian law. The ‘evidence’ Pakistan has made public so far does not rebut the conclusion that this was an unlawful attack causing harm to civilians and civilian objects,” said Isabelle Lassee.

Locations impacted by the strikes

Digital evidence and witness testimonies indicate that at least three locations within the site were heavily damaged or destroyed as a result of the air strikes.

Satellite imagery from 13 March (above) shows the Omid Centre three days before the strikes. The east and west sides of the complex are separated by a controlled gate. Many people are visible on the east side of the gate in the imagery, which according to testimony is the main living area for patients.

On 23 March satellite imagery shows three heavily damaged and burned areas. The video posted by Attaulah Tarar shows three of the impacted buildings being struck: the large building in the north-east and two buildings in the north-west. Satellite imagery also shows heavy burning and destruction in the south-west.

At one of these locations, the destruction included a large hangar situated in the north-east of the site. Several interviewees said that the site housed patients undergoing treatment, as well as the kitchen and dining hall. Videos and photos captured in the immediate aftermath of the attack and during the evacuation process indicate that the dead bodies were mostly recovered from this area.

A second location, in the north-west of the site, was used by Taliban security personnel and for food storage, according to several interviewees. The third location, in the south-west of the site, was, according to several sources, used for storing items such as coal, wood, and essentials such as clothing, and accommodated a tailoring centre.

One interviewee who visited the Omid Centre after the attack, said: “One of the buildings which was hit was used for storage of wood and coal. When I visited, I saw remnants of wood and coal. There were many clothes. There were many shoes. These were not military shoes.”

“Anywhere I stepped, there was a dead body”

Shortly after the attack, the Taliban said that more than 400 civilians had been killed and more than 250 others wounded. In May, UNAMA independently verified that at least 269 civilians were killed and 122 others wounded.

According to several interviewees, the actual number of deaths is likely higher due to the level of destruction causing some remains to be unidentifiable.

Amnesty International spoke with the relative of one victim whose family had been unable to locate their loved one after searching hospitals and drug rehabilitation centres where patients were transferred: “The situation is uncertain for the family. The hangar that housed newly admitted patients was hit. However, nothing of his body has been found. The family has reviewed all the photos collected by the Forensic Laboratory to identify him. He was not identified.”

A healthcare worker who was involved in the evacuation of the victims in the aftermath of the attack, said: “I rushed to help anywhere I heard noise and calls for help. After a while I was no longer hearing any voices…Anywhere I stepped, there was a dead body.”

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Deputy Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Syria, Claudio Cordone - Briefing to the Security Council (21 July 2026)

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 03:52:44 +0000

Please refer to the attached file.

AS DELIVERED

Thank you, Mr. President (Ambassador Zenon Ngay Mukongo, Democratic Republic of Congo)

1. I am briefing you from Damascus, where I am present throughout July, continuing my engagement with the Syrian government, civil society, women leaders, and regional and international partners.

2. Despite the challenges - underscored by security incidents, economic hardship and unresolved local tensions - the opportunities for Syria are real, if institutions are built that are inclusive, accountable and capable of delivering for all Syrians, building confidence across Syria's diverse communities. Sustained commitment from the international community, including this Council, will remain critical.

3. I am pleased to inform the Security Council that the Secretary-General will travel to Syria later this week at the invitation of the Government. The Secretary-General will meet President al-Sharaa, Foreign Minister Shibani and other government officials, as well as civil society, women’s organizations and diverse communities. Throughout his stay he will reaffirm the United Nations’ commitment to supporting the Syrian Government and the Syrian people at this defining period in Syria’s history. Further details have just been announced by the Secretary-General’s Spokesperson and you will hear on this also from Ambassador Olabi.

Mr. President,

4. This month has seen important institutional developments. On 5 July, a Supreme Constitutional Court was appointed by President Sharaa, composed of seven judges, including two women. And, following President Sharaa’s naming on 1 July of 70 appointed members of the People’s Assembly, I attended its inaugural session on 12 July. The formation of both institutions are milestones in the transitional process defined by the March 2025 Constitutional Declaration.

5. The 206 current members of the People’s Assembly represent a range of backgrounds from across Syria, including professionals, business leaders, tribal representatives, former opposition figures and combatants, as well as survivors of detention and chemical weapons attacks. With the President including 15 women among his 70 appointees, the overall women's representation in parliament increased to 22 members, over ten percent.

6. The presidential appointments reflected efforts to broaden participation and representation of Syria's religious, ethnic and social diversity. As I have noted in other briefings, concerns are nevertheless expressed to us regarding the limited representation of women across transitional institutions established to date, as well as the question of whether all communities feel adequately included. Ensuring effective responses to questions of inclusion, participation and representation will continue to be essential for social peace and stability in Syria.

[...]

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DR Congo: DRC: Ebola BVD Outbreak: LTC Situation Report (Telecoms) #7 (Reporting period: 13 – 19 July 2026)

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 03:48:24 +0000

Please refer to the attached file.

This situation report provides updates on the Ebola Bundibugyo Virus Disease (BVD) Outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). It outlines planned and ongoing telecommunications activities of the Logistics & Telecommunications Cluster1 (LTC) Telecoms to support the ongoing humanitarian response.

Summary Points

• The Ebola Bundibugyo virus disease (BVD) outbreak in the DRC continues to expand, with cases surpassing 2,000 and more than 700 deaths recorded across five affected provinces. The spread of the disease into Haut-Uele and Tshopo increases the likelihood that telecommunications support may need to expand beyond the initial priority areas to support surveillance, coordination, and response operations.
• Security communications equipment, including Very High Frequency (VHF) radio repeaters and a radio-over-IP gateway, arrived in Bunia between 13 to 17 July. LTC Telecoms and UNDSS will configure and operationalize the equipment to strengthen radio network reliability and support security communications for humanitarian responders across Ituri.
• A solar backup power solution for Mongbwalu General Hospital, together with equipment needed to repair and set up the NGO security communications channel, is being mobilized from Dubai. The items are expected to arrive in Bunia via UNHAS from Entebbe in early August, strengthening both connectivity resilience and security communications for responders in Ituri.

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DR Congo: UNICEF DRC - Revised Response Plan for the 17th Ebola Outbreak, July 2026

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 03:44:52 +0000

Please refer to the attached file.

Updated Situation Overview

On 15 May 2026, the Ministry of Public Health, Hygiene and Social Welfare of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) officially declared an Ebola disease outbreak following laboratory confirmation of cases caused by the Bundibugyo virus species in Ituri Province. Initial confirmed cases were reported in Bunia, Rwampara and Mongbwalu health zones. On 17 May 2026, the World Health Organization (WHO) determined that the outbreak constituted a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). This is the seventeenth Ebola outbreak recorded in the country and the first caused by the Bundibugyo virus species in DRC since 2012.

Two months after the declaration of DRC’s seventeenth Ebola outbreak, transmission remains active and continues to expand geographically, although the epidemiological pattern differs markedly across the affected provinces. As of 10 July 2026, 1,873 confirmed cases and 672 confirmed deaths had been reported, corresponding to a case fatality rate of 35.9 per cent, across 41 health zones and five provinces (Ituri, North Kivu South Kivu, Haut-Uele and Tshopo).1 Ituri remains the epicentre, accounting for 1,705 cases-91. per cent of the national caseload-and continues to drive the geographic expansion of the outbreak. North Kivu has reported a substantially smaller caseload of 165 cases but a disproportionately high case fatality rate of 57 per cent, indicating persistent challenges in early detection, referral and access to care. South Kivu, by contrast, remains at three confirmed cases and has reported no new confirmed case since 26 May. Two new provinces-Haut-Uélé and Tshopo- have now reported confirmed cases that are epidemiologically linked to the outbreak epicentre in Ituri Province,

The Ebola response in Eastern DRC is challenged by a combination of interconnected operational challenges that are constraining both effectiveness and the pace of scale-up. At the frontline, contact tracing remains fragile. This situation increases the risk of missed contacts, delayed isolation, and continued community transmission, particularly in high-risk and mobile populations. At the same time, limited bed capacity in treatment and isolation facilities is placing significant pressure on the quality and timeliness of care. Overcrowding not only disrupts referral pathways and safe isolation practices but also undermines community trust, which is essential for early care-seeking and adherence to public health measures. The Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak is causing a severe impact on children. Intense household transmission increases the likelihood of child infection, while overwhelmed health systems disrupt routine immunization, maternal and child health care, and nutrition services, exposing children to preventable illness and death. Beyond health, the outbreak is exacerbating protection risks, with rising cases of family separation, psychosocial distress, and stigma, particularly in communities already affected by conflict and poverty. Ebola outbreaks generate significant mental health and psychosocial consequences for affected individuals, families, health workers and communities. Fear of infection, repeated exposure to illness and death, family separation, quarantine measures, stigma, grief, disrupted social networks and loss of livelihoods contribute to elevated levels of psychological distress. Children, adolescents, caregivers, survivors and frontline responders are particularly vulnerable, underscoring the need for integrated MHPSS across all response pillars rather than as a standalone intervention. Recent child protection assessments in Ebola-affected areas of Ituri indicate that than 80 per cent of children and nearly 90 per cent of caregivers reported fear linked to the outbreak, while communities highlighted increasing psychosocial distress, stigma and concerns for children's safety. The assessment also identified rising risks of family separation, violence in the home, child labor, exploitation and sexual violence, driven by economic hardship, fear and disruption of community support systems, reinforcing how increased protection risks are not a secondary consequence of Ebola, but part of the crisis itself.

[...]

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World: Pacific Syndromic Surveillance System Weekly Bulletin / Système de Surveillance Syndromic dans le Pacifique - Bulletin Hebdomadaire: W28 2026 (Jul 06-Jul 12) [EN/FR]

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 03:42:02 +0000

Please refer to the attached file.

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UNICEF Venezuela Humanitarian Situation Report No.5 (Earthquake Response), 13-20 July 2026

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 03:36:31 +0000

Please refer to the attached file.

Highlights

• More than three weeks after the earthquakes of 24 June, official figures report 5,208 deaths, 16,740 people injured, and 17,907 people left without housing.1 Humanitarian needs remain significant, particularly among displaced families residing in transitional camps and communities with disrupted access to essential services.
• UNICEF continues to scale up multi-sectoral assistance, focusing on health, nutrition, WASH and child protection services for children and families affected by the earthquakes, reaching over 7,519 people in the initial phase of the response. Health services through mobile health teams have reached around 2,108 people, while vaccination campaigns have reached 6,466 people. More than 2,452 children have been screened for acute malnutrition. WASH services are expanding at temporary shelters reaching 7,180 with critical hygiene supplies and 2,861 benefiting from access to safe drinking water. Psychosocial support and recreational activities have reached more than 2,726 children, adolescents and caregivers. Additionally, more than 4,400 people have been reached with hygiene promotion messages and critical information on available life-saving services.
• UNICEF will reach 150,000 people with critical emergency supplies within the coming weeks, including 49,000 with health supplies, 72,000 with micronutrients, and 29,000 with WASH items. An additional 49 tons of emergency supplies arrived on 14 July to replenish in-country emergency stockpiles.
• In addition to the US$137.6 million requested under the 2026 Humanitarian Action for Children (HAC) appeal and aligned with the addendum to the Humanitarian Response Plan 2026, UNICEF requires US$65.7 million to respond to the humanitarian impact of the earthquakes.

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Ethiopia CCCM Cluster Debre Birhan Site Profile (June 2026)

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 03:34:26 +0000

Please refer to the attached file.

Debre Birhan hosts an estimated 29,160 IDPs, including 15,136 individuals living across three IDP sites and the rest residing in host communities. China Paper Factory Site is the largest displacement site, hosting 11,976 individuals, followed closely by Woinshet Paper Factory Site with 11,766 individuals, while Bakelo Camp accommodates 5,418 individuals. The displaced population continues to increase due to new arrivals, secondary displacement following unsuccessful return attempts, and natural population growth.

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Agriculture & Food Security in Iraq: Impact of Regional Developments — Strait of Hormuz Closure, Information Note (June 2026)

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 03:31:45 +0000

Please refer to the attached file.

1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The second issue of this information note covers April and May 2026, corresponding to the third and fourth months of the Strait of Hormuz closure. The crisis has evolved from an acute shock into a sustained systemic disruption in the absence of a sustainable resolution to the Strait of Hormuz crisis with compounding fiscal, agricultural input, and food price consequences for Iraq.

Key Messages

• Severe fiscal deterioration: Iraq’s oil revenues declined from approximately USD 6.7 billion in February 2026 to around USD 1 billion in May 2026 — a reduction of more than 85 percent — creating acute fiscal pressure on Public Distribution System (PDS) procurement, agricultural subsidies, and civil servant salaries. Domestic debt has exceeded IQD 100 trillion, limiting scope for additional borrowing.

• Elevated global food prices: Global food prices remain near three-year highs: the FAO Food Price Index averaged 130.8 points in May 2026, with vegetable oils more than 20 percent above year-ago levels.

• Stable domestic fertiliser supply: Despite global fertiliser market disruptions, FAO’s field-level monitoring finds Iraq’s domestic fertiliser supply broadly stable as of May 2026, with DAP, Urea, and NPK available through private-sector channels, though with localized price variation.

• Summer cropping plan approved: Iraq’s Summer Cropping Plan for 2026 has been approved, with 1.807 million donums allocated across rice, maize, vegetables, and industrial crops, with implementation commencing 20 June 2026.

• Systemic livelihood impacts: IOM rapid assessments (April–May 2026) provide systematic evidence of widespread impact: supply chain disruptions affect 90 percent of communities; 85 percent of MSMEs report revenue declines averaging 36 percent; average daily wages have fallen 8 percent; and commodity prices have surged sharply.

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World: Global Seasonal Outlook (July 2026)

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 03:29:34 +0000

Please refer to the attached file.

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

EAST AFRICA

Below-average rainfall, delayed seasonal onset, and above-average temperatures are contributing to crop water stress in Sudan, South Sudan, and parts of Ethiopia. With forecasts pointing to continued rainfall deficits through the peak growing season, the risk of deteriorating crop conditions is increasing across affected areas.

WESTERN AFRICA

Seasonal conditions remain broadly favorable across most agricultural areas, with rainfall generally supporting crop establishment. However, localized delays in seasonal onset and emerging crop stress in parts of Chad, Mali and northern Nigeria remain areas of concern, while forecasts point to a risk of continued rainfall deficits across the eastern Sahel during the peak of the growing season.

LATAM

The Primera season has progressed unevenly across parts of the Dry Corridor, where below-average early-season rainfall delayed planting and hindered crop establishment. Although rainfall has improved in some areas, persistent soil moisture deficits and forecasts for continued below-average rainfall through October are raising concerns about crop production.

SOUTH & SE ASIA

The monsoon is now established across South and Southeast Asia, supporting the main agricultural season, although rainfall distribution remains highly variable. Forecasts indicate continued dry and hot conditions across several countries through the peak growing season, raising concerns for crop production, while wetter conditions in parts of mainland Southeast Asia could increase the risk of flooding.

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World: Locust Watch: Seasonal precipitation predictions in the Desert Locust summer and winter breeding areas (August 2026–January 2027) (21 July 2026)

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 03:21:11 +0000

Please refer to the attached file.

El Niño forcing continues to dominate the seasonal precipitation forecasts, and the outlook is nearly unchanged from last month, with minor changes in the predicted precipitation anomalies in a few regions. First, the dry signal has intensified over western India and southeastern Pakistan in August and September, reflecting both the stronger El Niño signal and a slightly less positive Indian Ocean Dipole phase. Wet conditions are still expected to develop across the Horn of Africa in September, extending to northern and eastern Africa and the Middle East in October, with stronger August–October dryness in India and Pakistan, while wetter conditions are expected in western Africa. Another minor shift is a stronger wet signal across the northern Sahel from September through November, with the notable wet anomaly likely indicating a delayed end to the rainy season. Summer breeding will occur in Mauritania and, at a smaller scale, in other Sahelian areas. Breeding should continue in the Western Region during August and September, increasing the risk of outbreaks from September onwards.

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Afghanistan - Flow Monitoring Update (21 - 19 July 2026)

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 03:19:13 +0000

Please refer to the attached Infographic.

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Site Profiling - Shelter, Land and Site Coordination Cluster (SLSC): Tigray Region, Ethiopia (July 2026)

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 03:16:33 +0000

Please refer to the attached file.

The 2026 site profiling exercise was conducted in coordination with the CCCM Cluster partners and Government counterparts, covering 78 displacement sites across 5 zones and 21 woredas in Tigray. The assessment provides an updated overview of displacement trends and humanitarian conditions. Findings indicate dynamic population movements, with some sites recording population increases due to new arrivals and secondary displacement, while others have experienced population declines or closure following returns, relocations, and other durable solutions. Of the assessed sites, 84% (67 sites) are collective centers (primarily schools and other public buildings), while 14% (11 sites) are planned displacement sites, the rest are in the host community.

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DR Congo: DRC: Ebola BVD Outbreak Response: Global LTC (Telecoms) Teleconference #04 (Date: 17/07/2026 Time: 10:00 UTC)

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 03:12:26 +0000

Please refer to the attached file.

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Venezuela (República Bolivariana de): Terremoto (24 jun 2026) - Mapa referencial de La Guaira: Brisas del Aeropuerto (21/07/2026)

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 03:09:11 +0000

Please refer to the attached Map.

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World: Ending AIDS as a public health threat is within reach. Now, political action must deliver

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 03:07:45 +0000

AIDS 2026, the 26th International AIDS Conference, comes at a turning point in the epidemic. The global community must seize the opportunity to end the worst epidemic the world has seen.

NEW YORK – The upcoming 26th International AIDS Conference in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (26-31 July) with the theme “Rethink. Rebuild. Rise.” offers a rallying point for the HIV response at a time of profound change.

Over the past two years, an unprecedented funding crisis in global health has caused major cutbacks to HIV programmes - notably around prevention - undermining efforts to end AIDS. UNAIDS data from 62 countries shows that the number of people receiving pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) at least once declined by 38% between 2024 and 2025, including in countries heavily affected by HIV. Last year 570,000 people died from AIDS-related illnesses.

At the same time, the advent of new long-acting prevention tools that are almost 100 percent successful at preventing HIV transmission could revolutionize the response if they become more widely accessible. We must now combine the tools, the knowledge and the demand from communities with the political will, policies and resources to turn scientific breakthroughs into real progress for communities.

AIDS 2026, the world’s largest conference on HIV and AIDS, will unite people living with HIV, researchers, policy makers, healthcare professionals, funders, media and communities in Rio de Janeiro to chart a way forward. As the meeting kicks-off, UNDP continues to advocate for equitable prevention and treatment access; the removal of punitive laws, stigma, discrimination and harmful policies; sustainable financing driven by countries; and critical investment in civil society and communities.

UNDP has supported several grantees from its Power of Prevention program in Southern Africa and a fellow from the African Young Women Leaders Fellowship to attend AIDS 2026. Five key population-led organizations will be sharing their experiences supporting the rollout of long-acting prevention in diverse communities in Malawi, South Africa and Zimbabwe. This includes strategic advocacy for funding and the right policies.

In concert with the broader network of the 22 Power of Prevention grantees, they have issued a Prevention Manifesto outlining what is needed for equitable prevention access. The Manifesto, a living document that will be updated every six months, highlights the importance of communities most affected by HIV leading the response to accelerate prevention uptake, identify gaps in service delivery and ensure new technologies reach the people who need them most. HIV remains a reminder that health outcomes are shaped not only by science, but also by rights, gender equality, social inclusion, and whether people can access services free from stigma, discrimination and criminalization.

Mandeep Dhaliwal, Director of UNDP’s Prosperity and Wellbeing Hub stated, “Community-led groups have been backbone of the HIV response for decades. As we push for all to have access to long-acting HIV prevention and treatment, it is critical that we continue to uplift and honour the voices and experience of networks of people living with HIV and key populations. They are the bridge that connects people who are left behind to safe health services, sharing vital information, and enabling adherence – down to the last mile, even in the most challenging contexts.”

Knowledge Mupembe, who is attending the IAC representing the Zimbabwe Civil Liberties and Drug Network added: “Equitable HIV prevention means ensuring that key and vulnerable populations are not left behind — they must have the same access to prevention services including long-acting PrEP, and treatment options as everyone else, free from stigma, discrimination, and criminalization.”

You can follow UNDP’s updates from the conference via UNDP’s corporate and Health and HIV X accounts.

For media queries: Sangita Khadka, Communications Specialist, UNDP Bureau for Policy and Programme Support, New York | email: [email protected].

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Myanmar: Taw Oo District Situation Update: Burma Army activities caused livelihood, fuel, education, and healthcare challenges in Htaw Ta Htoo Township (January to March 2026)

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 03:03:11 +0000

Please refer to the attached file.

This Situation Update describes events occurring in Htaw Ta Htoo (Htantabin) Township, Taw Oo (Toungoo) District, during the period between January to March 2026. During a Burma Army rotation in Kaw Thay Der village tract, Burma Army soldiers trespassed through villagers’ plantations and forced villagers to walk with them. Additionally, they ate and destroyed villagers’ crops. In March 2026, Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) soldiers attacked Burma Army soldiers at a garbage dumping site in Kaw Thay Der village tract, injuring five Burma Army soldiers and damaging two lamp posts. Additionally, the presence of Burma Army soldiers at checkpoints between Toungoo Town and Kaw Thay Der village tract caused difficulties for villagers. Burma Army soldiers extorted villagers; looted food and medicines; seized motorbikes and cars; put restrictions on the carrying of foods, oil, petrol, and medicines; and charged merchants high prices to pass through with their goods. Due to the high price of petrol, some hill farmers and motorbike taxi drivers gave up their jobs because they were not making profit from their work. Moreover, flooding and landslides in October 2025 restricted travel to Toungoo Town, leaving villagers unable to sell their harvested crops, causing financial harm. In early 2026, a middle school in Ag--- village faced challenges as teachers submitted resignation letters after hearing derogatory comments from parents and school commission members, leading students to change to a school in town, which caused financial challenges for their parents. The shortage of teachers and inadequate supply of textbooks in Kaw Thay Der village tract undermined the stability of the education system, leaving students with limited education. Finally, Kaw Thay Der village tract is located far away from clinics and hospitals. There were no doctors, and medicines were not easily accessible, causing unnecessary deaths within the village tract.[1]

This Situation Update describes events occurring in Kaw Thay Der village tract,[2] Htaw Ta Htoo (Htantabin) Township, Taw Oo (Toungoo) District, from January to March 2026. Kaw Thay Der village tract has fewer cases of human rights violations [compared to other village tracts] because it is located far away from the SSPC [State Security and Peace Commission[3] also known as Burma Army][4]-controlled area.

Human rights violations occurred when Burma Army soldiers rotated

There are five SAC [State Administration Council][5] camps in Kaw Thay Der village tract: Bu Ser Hkee army camp, Kaw Thay Der army camp, Koe Day army camp, Baw G’Lee army camp, and Tit Say Taung army camp. In Kaw Thay Der village tract, not much fighting has taken place, so SAC soldiers come into the village [tract] to purchase food, and they usually walk around in the village tract. Once a month, the SAC rotates soldiers from one camp to another camp and sends rations to their army camps. When the soldiers were doing their rotation, they trespassed through villagers’ plantations instead of using the village road, and the soldiers plucked and pulled out cardamom trees and ate and destroyed durians and betelnuts from the villagers’ plantation fields. In addition, when the soldiers found villagers in the plantation fields, they forced villagers to walk with them [as human shields] and they also threatened them. Thus, the soldiers’ rotations have become a challenge for the villagers.

In Kaw Thay Der village tract, there are Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA)[6] soldiers administered by the KNU [Karen National Union].[7] Once a month, when the SAC soldiers transport rations into their army camps, the KNLA attacks the SAC soldiers with tripwire mines. [For instance,] on 20 March 2026, the KNLA attacked the SAC soldiers with tripwires [that the KNLA could trigger to detonate] at a garbage dumping site, which is located between Aa--- village and Ab--- village, Kaw Thay Der village tract. A villager reported that, due to the attack, five SAC soldiers sustained injuries, and two lamp posts were damaged. However, there was no intense fighting in Kaw Thay Der village tract.

Economic challenges in Kaw Thay Der village tract

Villagers from Kaw Thay Der village tract regularly purchase their food and goods from Toungoo Town. There are five SAC checkpoints between Toungoo Town and Kaw Thay Der village tract. Villagers from Kaw Thay Der village tract, especially Ac---, Ad---, Ae---, and Af--- villages, are located very far away from towns. [The further the distance, the more tollgates there are that villagers have to cross.] The SAC soldiers at the checkpoints charged more money than they should have from passing merchants. So, the merchants increased the price of their goods [when they arrived at the village] to make a profit. Consequently, it has become more difficult for the villagers who already faced extreme financial issues. Additionally, the SAC soldiers [at the checkpoint] also looted food from the merchants and seized cars and motorbikes. All these factors have resulted in significant difficulties for the villagers. In addition, villagers have to pay tollgate fees to the KNU as well. Thus, the villagers faced livelihood and transportation challenges.

[The issue of tollgates and checkpoints demanding high fees from drivers happened not only in January to March 2026 but also in July 2025.] In July 2025, [on an unknown date,] having bought medicines, a villager from Ag--- village, Kaw Thay Der village tract, was returning from Toungoo Town to Ag--- village. When the villager arrived at the Baya Chay Yin tollgate, which is located on the Thandaunggyi road, [Burma Army soldiers from the gate] looted medicines which were bought by the villager and also threatened him by saying they would put him in jail. Then, they told him that he could pay money if he did not want to go to jail. So, the villager paid 30,000,000 kyats (14,285.71 USD[8]). Following the mid-year of 2025, villagers who travelled within Kaw Thay Der village tract encountered extreme difficulties while traveling. Medicines, oil, petrol, and rice were restricted from being transported [through the gate]. [However,] some drivers [secretly] carried some oil and rice [while driving through the gate]. When the soldiers from the gate found rice and oil in the car, they kept it for themselves. The soldiers also took fish and meats from the drivers without paying the drivers any compensation fee. [This tollgate continued to operate during the reporting period, and villagers remained concerned about crossing it.]

In October 2025, flooding and landslides happened in Toungoo Town and roads to towns were restricted. Most villagers from Kaw Thay Der village tract have durian and mangosteen plantations. These types of fruits have a short shelf life. [When these seasonal] fruits were ready to harvest, villagers did not get the chance to sell them as roads were still restricted for travel [during the reporting period] due to the landslide [and have many checkpoints]. This [transportation challenge] caused shortages of basic food such as rice, oil, and salt. As a result, stealing occurred more frequently within the village tract. It therefore became a challenge for the villagers to support their livelihoods.

Impact of the fuel crisis in Kaw Thay Der village tract

On 3 March 2026, the SAC released an announcement letter ordering a reduction in fuel consumption. The next morning numerous petrol stations shut down completely. However, a few petrol stations remained open and sold limited amounts of fuel. Before the announcement, a litre of fuel cost 3,000 kyats (1.43 USD); however, after the announcement, within a week, the price of a litre of fuel increased from 3,000 kyats to 6,000 kyats (1.43 USD to 2.86 USD), and after, 10,000 kyats (4.76 USD). At the moment [as of March 2026], in mountain areas, a litre of fuel cost 15,000 kyats (7.14 USD). In Toungoo Town, fuel stations sold limited fuel on particular dates, only to licensed motorbikes. The high price of fuel negatively impacted villagers’ livelihoods in Kaw Thay Der village tract. For instance, villagers used machines that required fuel to cut down trees and bushes on their hill farms before they did plantation work. Now [as of March] a litre of fuel cost 15,000 kyats (7.14 USD), and the daily labour fee also cost 15,000 kyats (7.14 USD) per person, excluding three meals a day. Thus, it was not worth it to hire a daily labourer, which caused extreme difficulties for villagers. Moreover, some villagers used to work as motorbike taxis, driving to far places, but after the fuel price changed, they stopped working.

Education challenges in Kaw Thay Der village tract

Before the dictatorship came to power [in the 2021 coup], there were only SAC government schools in Kaw Thay Der village tract. However, after the 2021 coup, KECD [Karen Education and Culture Department][9] schools were established in the village tract. Before, students did not know how to read or write in the Karen language. But now [after the 2021 coup], under the KECD curriculum, the students are able to read and write Karen very well, even though KECD schools have Karen subject classes only up to Grade 5.

Kaw Thay Der village tract has 16 villages, but it only has 11 schools: one high school, three middle schools, and seven primary schools. Those 11 schools’ curriculums were administered by the KECD. The schools received support from the KECD, students’ parents, and village heads. The schools are self-funded schools. When students finish high school in Kaw Thay Der village tract, they continue their education by going to Ah--- Junior College [administered by the KECD] in Ai--- village, Peh Htee village tract, Htaw Ta Htoo Township, and Aj--- school in Maw Nay Pwa village tract, Htaw Ta Htoo Township.

Teachers who work in the [KECD] schools are villagers who finished high school within the village or villagers who attended college. The teachers are volunteer teachers. However, the parents were not pleased with the volunteer teachers. They believed that the teachers who did not finish school would not be able to teach children properly. To illustrate, during the 2025-2026 school year there were 16 teachers at a middle school in Ag--- village. Teachers received 45,000 kyats (21.43 USD) per month from students’ parents; yet the teachers disregarded monetary concerns and continued teaching in schools voluntarily. However, teachers were discouraged to teach when they heard derogatory comments from some school commission members and some students’ parents. One of the school commissioners said that 13 out of 16 teachers submitted resignation letters. This environment had a negative impact on the students’ education. Teachers changed frequently, and it caused difficulties for students to study properly. Furthermore, it was hard for the school to employ 13 [replacement] teachers during the three months of summertime [March to May 2026]. Thus, some parents wanted to send their children to SAC schools, religious schools, and NUG [National Unity Government][10] schools in Toungoo Town. Parents who did not have money or did not have relatives in towns struggled financially to send their children to towns to study.

[Another issue occurred in] Ab--- school located in Ab--- village, Kaw Thay Der village tract, which has classes from Grade 1 to Grade 6, but there were only two teachers, so students did not get to study effectively. Additionally, inadequate books for students have become an obstacle to access education. Villagers could print books in towns; however, villagers were afraid to travel to towns because there are [Burma Army] checkpoints on the way.

Healthcare challenges in Kaw Thay Der village tract

Although there are 16 villages in Kaw Thay Der village tract, there are only two clinics: Ak--- clinic and Al--- clinic. Before the rise of the dictatorship, there was a hospital in Baw G’Lee Town. After the 2021 coup, many healthcare workers from Am--- hospital joined the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM)[11] causing a staff shortage. Thus, at the moment [as of March 2026], the hospital was closed. There were no doctors in the villages and medicines were not easily available for sale or purchase. Generally, villagers approached other villagers to receive treatment. Villagers who had advanced diseases approached the nearest hospitals in Toungoo Town to receive treatment. Some villagers who should have lived ended up dying because the distance between the villages and the hospitals was too far. In addition, villagers faced financial struggles to receive treatment. It was very challenging to access healthcare.

Further background reading on the situation in Taw Oo District in Southeast Burma/Myanmar can be found in the following KHRG reports:

• Stolen Childhoods: Violations of children’s rights, urgent needs, and local agency in rural Southeast Burma during the conflict, October 2025.
• “Taw Oo District Short Update: Burma Army shelling and air strike injured two children, damaged villagers’ houses, and caused displacement in Htaw Ta Htoo Township (July 2025)”, June 2026.
• “Taw Oo District Short Update: Burma Army air strikes injured a 16-year-old girl and damaged six houses in Daw Hpah Hkoh Township (February to March 2026)”, May 2026.

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Earthquakes in Venezuela: Situation Report #28 (21 July 2026, Time: 09:00 pm)

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 02:38:37 +0000

Please refer to the attached file.

Situation Report No. 28
Earthquakes in Venezuela
21 July 2026
Time: 9:00 pm

Highlights

• Authorities report 1,405 aftershocks since the 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude earthquakes that struck on 24 June.
• Official toll: 5,346 people dead and 16,740 injured.
• The United Nations system and its partner organizations continue scaling up the multisectoral response to the emergency. To address the needs of 1.3 million people affected by the earthquakes over the next six months, an additional appeal of US$299 million was launched

Situation overview

Venezuela is facing a national emergency following two consecutive high-magnitude earthquakes (7.2 and 7.5) that struck on 24 June (18:00 local time) in the north-central region, with the epicentre located along the San Felipe–Yumare–Montalbán axis (Yaracuy/Carabobo). Authorities report 1,405 aftershocks.

Twenty-four days since the earthquakes, authorities report a toll of 5,346 people dead and 16,740 injured since the onset of the emergency. Authorities also indicated that 17,907 people lost their homes.

The Government response remains focused on the management of transitional camps and assistance to affected populations. The United Nations and its partner organizations, in coordination with the authorities, continue implementing multisectoral response activities and scaling up assistance. On 10 July, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher announced a US$299 million addendum to the Humanitarian Response Plan to address the multisectoral needs of 1.3 million people affected by the earthquakes over the next six months. The addendum complements the 2026 Humanitarian Response Plan, increasing the target population from 5.5 million to 6.2 million people and raising total funding requirements from US$632 million to US$931 million.

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Colombia: Volcanic Eruption Imminent DREF Final Report (MDRCO033)

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 02:36:14 +0000

Please refer to the attached file.

Event development

Update regarding the event’s development

On 29 November 2025, the Colombian Geological Service (SGC) announced the change of the Puracé volcano activity level to Orange Alert, following evidence of a sudden and sustained increase in the volcano’s internal activity. This behavior was characterized by a significant rise in the energy and frequency of seismic events associated with fluid movement, as well as continuous gas and ash emissions reaching columns over 1,000 meters high. In addition, the monitoring cameras installed in the area continuously recorded these manifestations, clearly evidencing a scenario of increasing instability and a much more active and complex internal dynamic within the volcanic system than usual.

The phenomenon developed at the Puracé volcano, located approximately 27 kilometres southeast of Popayán, in the department of Cauca. In addition to activity observed at the crater, fine ashfall was reported in several areas of the territory, particularly in the Río Negro village (Paletará district), Mina de Azufre, Agua Hirviendo, the road to Totoró, and northern sectors of Popayán. These reports confirmed that the effects of the volcanic activity extended beyond the immediate surroundings of the volcano, affecting air quality and the daily dynamics of nearby rural and urban communities. Consequently, the Municipality of Puracé declared a state of public calamity in response to the increase in volcanic activity, triggering preparedness actions by emergency response agencies for the evacuation of families located in the highest-risk areas.

The change to Orange Alert status for the Puracé volcano generated a direct and noticeable impact on the communities located within its area of influence. As the volcano’s internal activity increased, emissions of fine ash and volcanic gases began spreading towards populated areas, immediately affecting air quality and the daily routines of local families. Rural sectors such as the Río Negro village (Paletará district), as well as the areas known as Mina de Azufre, Agua Hirviendo, and the road to Totoró, reported ashfall and a strong sulfur odor, raising concern among residents due to respiratory impacts and the contamination of surface water sources.

The impact also extended to the northern area of the city of Popayán, where the presence of airborne particles forced the population to adopt basic protective measures, such as covering water storage containers, reducing outdoor activities, and reinforcing the use of face masks. These atmospheric conditions, combined with the visible increase in gas and ash columns rising between 500 meters and up to 1.7 kilometers above the crater, heightened the population’s perception of risk and created an environment of constant alert.

After nearly two months under Orange Alert status, the Puracé volcano returned to a lower level of instability on 22 January 2026, as the parameters monitored by the SGC indicated a decrease in the probability of a large-magnitude eruption.

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Lesotho | Drought - Early Action Protocol Annual Report, 22 March 2026 (EAP2022LS01/MDRLS006)

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 02:33:22 +0000

Please refer to the attached file.

SUMMARY OF THE EARLY ACTION PROTOCOL

The Lesotho Red Cross Society (LRCS), with support from the IFRC Anticipatory Action (AA) pillar through the Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF), is implementing the Drought Early Action Protocol (EAP) with a total allocation of CHF 549,991. This funding is intended to support the implementation of the EAP alongside a range of preparedness and readiness activities. The overall objective of the allocation is to strengthen anticipatory action, enhance community preparedness, and reduce the adverse impacts of drought in Lesotho.

Through the EAP, a set of early actions was collaboratively identified and agreed upon in advance to enable timely and proactive response ahead of drought impacts as aligned with the EAP Summary.

Lesotho Drought Early Action Protocol Overview

Lesotho Red Cross Society with the support from IFRC is implementing Early Action Protocol (EAP) for drought. This protocol is a set of predefined and agreed-upon actions that are triggered by specific forecasts or early warning signals indicating the imminent occurrence of a disaster or crisis. By defining clear triggers, roles, and actions in advance, the Early Action Protocol (EAP) enables humanitarian actors to take timely, anticipatory measures that help minimize and mitigate the impacts of drought before they fully materialize.

This proactive and anticipatory approach does not only help to reduce the severity of drought impacts on vulnerable communities but also strengthens local resilience and preparedness. Furthermore, aligning and integrating the EAP with the national disaster management contingency plans of LRCS has enhanced coordination, improved operational efficiency, and expanded the overall reach and effectiveness of disaster management interventions.

During the current reporting period marking the third year of EAP implementation for drought, LRCS carried out a range of targeted interventions in drought-prone areas identified as having high and moderate risk. These activities were strategically designed to strengthen community capacity to interpret and act on climate information and forecasts, enhance preparedness for future shocks, and build the institutional capacity of LRCS to respond swiftly and effectively to impending hazards, particularly drought.

The primary goal of the EAP (Early Action Plan) is to proactively address drought by anticipating its occurrence, mitigating its impact whenever feasible, and minimizing human suffering and losses. Within this framework, the Lesotho Red Cross Society (LRCS) has identified two key priorities for early intervention. Firstly, enhancing access to early warning messages which is crucial to empowering communities with timely information, enabling informed decisions and prompt actions. Secondly, providing unconditional cash transfers (UCT) to vulnerable households which is essential to help vulnerable community members to meet their basic food needs during drought periods.

To ensure preparedness, LRCS has conducted comprehensive training sessions. Specifically, refresher training sessions were organized for key Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) structures, targeting community-based structures such as Community Based Disaster Risk Teams (CBDRTs), Village Disaster Management Teams (VDMTs) and Red Cross youth volunteers at community level. Six VDMTs and 4 CDRTS from the prioritized districts from Mafeteng, Quthing and Mohale’s Hoek districts participated in these targeted trainings. The trainings delivered during the reporting period focused on strengthening knowledge and skills in key areas such as climate change, Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), and the effective dissemination of early warning messages. These sessions were designed to enhance both communities understanding and LRCS capacity to anticipate and respond to climate related hazards such as drought. In addition, Cash and Voucher Assistance (CVA) trainings were conducted for staff and youth volunteers of the Lesotho Red Cross Society (LRCS), with a focus on cash transfer programming, data collection methodologies.

Alongside the CVA trainings, volunteers and staff were all trained on the dissemination of early warning messages and existing early warning structures and tools that can be used. Furthermore, LRCS facilitated a trigger review and alignment workshop in collaboration with partner organizations and with support from internal stakeholders. The outcome of this process confirmed that the existing drought triggers remain valid, while emphasizing the importance of strengthened, collaborative monitoring mechanisms by both LRCS and LMS. Therefore, LRCS through the support of Netherlands Red Cross 510 established the Impact-Based Forecasting (IBF) system aimed at enhancing the accuracy and timeliness of early action activation.

Furthermore, to test LRCS and key stakeholders (DMA, LMS) and community readiness, a joint simulation exercise for drought and cold wave was conducted in Butha-Buthe District. For institutions, these simulations assessed stakeholders’ preparedness to activate the EAP, as well as their understanding of roles and coordination mechanisms. At the community level, the exercises focused on assessing how early warning messages are received, understood, and acted upon, including the effectiveness of local communication channels and response practices. Beyond trainings and simulation exercises, LRCS also continued to review and maintain key operational agreements, including contracts and Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), with three Financial Service Providers (FSPs): Chaperone, Vodacom, and Econet. These partnerships are critical for enabling timely and secure delivery of cash assistance once the EAP is activated.
Lastly, LRCS strengthened collaboration with the Ministry of Social Development and national disaster management structures, including social workers operating in drought-prone areas. This collaboration supported community sensitization on early actions and facilitated the pre-identification of eligible beneficiaries, ensuring that assistance can be delivered quickly and effectively when triggers are activated.

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