UN Geneva Press Briefing: WHO, UNHCR, WFP, IFRC, OHCHR, UN WOMEN

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Safety of women in El Obeid, Sudan Anna Mutavati, UN Women Regional Director for East and Southern Africa, speaking from Nairobi, said that UN Women was gravely concerned by the emerging pattern of violence against women and girls in El Obeid, Sudan, where drone attacks during the day and sexual violence at night had left no safe window for women and girls to collect water, mirroring the atrocities documented in El Fasher the previous year. Access to food, healthcare, and other essential services was also severely limited, particularly in displacement sites. With the rainy season set to peak the following month, safe water was critical to reducing the risk of deadly waterborne diseases. Cholera was already spreading in Sudan, with 1,330 cases reported by WHO in early July. The combination of malnutrition, which weakened the immune system and was a growing concern among women and girls, and the lack of access to healthcare, was further exposing women and girls to the risk of severe illness and death. In El Obeid, due to drone strikes targeting water sources and distribution points during daylight hours, women and girls were forced to wait until after nightfall to collect water. Under the perception that darkness offered protection from aerial attacks, these women and girls had been harassed, raped, and subjected to other forms of sexual violence. Ms. Mutavati regretted that sexual violence had been used as a weapon throughout Sudan's three-year war, becoming one of its most defining features. UN Women data showed that the number of women and girls requiring gender-based violence services in Sudan had quadrupled since the beginning of the conflict, reaching an estimated 12.7 million in 2026. UN Women reiterated its call for an immediate ceasefire, paving the way for inclusive peace talks and an end to the war. UN Women further called for safe and unimpeded humanitarian access, full respect for international humanitarian and human rights law, and the protection of women and girls. Women had to be fully, safely, and meaningfully included in peace processes, humanitarian decision-making, and recovery efforts. More information is available here. Answering questions from the journalists, Ms. Mutavati reiterated that since the start of the war, the number of people who needed support for gender-based violence services had increase four times. Between 70 and 80 percent of those were women and children. Update on Gaza operations Ross Smith, World Food Programme (WFP) Director of Emergency Preparedness and Response, connecting from Rome, stated that the challenge in Gaza now went beyond humanitarian access to ensuring adequate funding. Recent Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) findings showed an improvement in food security, with ten percent less people now acutely undernourished. The progress was a result of direct humanitarian effort, but it did not mean that the job was done and that people in Gaza were no longer at risk. Most families in Gaza could still not feed themselves without humanitarian assistance. People continued to endure extraordinarily difficult circumstances; daily airstrikes and shelling continued. Some 75 percent of homes had been destroyed, reminded Mr. Smith, with most people continuing to live in tents. Humanitarian support was a lifeline; WFP and partners supported 1.5 million people in Gaza every month, through food and cash assistance. WFP provided digital cash assistance to some 100,000 families every month. WFP also supported community kitchens which fed approximately half a million people every day. Mr. Smith said that humanitarian interventions were making a difference, but this lifeline was at risk due to access constraints and funding challenges. WFP and partners lacked the resources needed to keep their operations running full. WFP needed USD 420 million to maintain its operations in Gaza and the West Bank until the end of the year. This month, 75,000 people receiving cash assistance had to see their allowance decrease due to the limited funds, and in October food assistance would need to be cut without new funding. Most people largely remained dependent on humanitarian aid, the speaker reiterated. There should be no false sense of security, as the situation remained extraordinarily fragile, and the gains made could be reversed very quickly, he warned. Answering to questions, Mr. Smith said that 1.4 million people in Gaza were acutely food insecure, a decrease of ten percent from the previous report. Without additional support, the situation would deteriorate. Donor fatigue was a challenge, he stressed, as the Gaza situation had slipped from the headlines. The southern Kerem Shalom crossing was the only crossing into Gaza right now, and restrictions continued on dual-use items. Stranded Hormuz seafarers abandoned for months at sea Shabia Mantoo, for the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), informed that UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk called for urgent action to remedy the plight of thousands of stranded seafarers who were facing a dire humanitarian and human rights crisis in the Strait of Hormuz. At least 6,000 seafarers on some 400 vessels remained stranded in the Strait, having been unable to evacuate during the ceasefire, according to information from the International Maritime Organization. This number was not exhaustive as many others were unaccounted for, believed to be stuck in the Persian Gulf on a range of smaller vessels or had otherwise not been located. OHCHR was also aware of at least nine ships, with 93 crew members, abandoned by their owners in the Strait of Hormuz since the start of the war. The seafarers had been left on their ships to fend for themselves without food, water, fuel, medical care, electricity or means to communicate with their families. They faced prolonged isolation and confinement in a conflict zone, with uncertainty about their safety and disembarkation, risking a severe toll on their mental and physical well-being. They also remained exposed to hostilities as deadly attacks in the Strait continue, facing imminent risks of death or harm. Two Indian seafarers had been killed in recent weeks in the Strait; at least three other seafarers had been killed in an attack on an oil tanker near the Strait, which brought the total number of reported seafarer deaths to 17 since the start of the conflict. Attacks against civilian vessels were unacceptable and had to stop. They were protected under international humanitarian law. The High Commissioner called on States, shipowners and all relevant actors to urgently ensure the protection of stranded seafarers including through ensuring effective access to consular assistance, essential supplies and services - and by facilitating evacuations and repatriations. Parties to the conflict should urgently work to facilitate safe passage for stranded seafarers to safely evacuate and disembark, as well as ensure the delivery of critical supplies. Full statement is available here. Responding to questions from the media, Ms. Mantoo said that OHCHR urged all parties to the conflict and countries with influence to show respect for safety and security of seafarers. OHCHR did not have a breakdown of nationalities of all seafarers killed since the beginning of the conflict. Many seafarers came from the Global South, including countries like India and the Philippines, and they were working hard to support their families back home. On the question of the General Assembly voting today on the extension of the term of the High Commissioner, Ms. Mantoo said that the High Commissioner was ready to serve for another term. Rolando Gómez, for the United Nations Information Service (UNIS), said that the High Commissioner had been originally posted for four years, in accordance with the rules, which was renewable for one term. The General Assembly's approval was required, and specific questions should be directed to the GA. The process was transparent, he reiterated. Humanitarian needs in Venezuela Scott Craig, for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), said that it was one month since the earthquakes in Venezuela. He provided examples of three people affected by the earthquakes, including a man with neurological illness whose medications had been lost in the quakes, a woman staying in a shelter for past four weeks and not knowing when she could return home, and a pregnant woman worried about her pregnancy. Such stories were not isolated cases. Most urgent needs included primary health care, mental health care, and access to safe drinking waters. Many families still depended on bottled water for drinking, with risks of disease outbreaks still very real. Survivors lived with anxiety, which was why psychological support was as urgent as trauma care had been in the first days. Mr. Craig said that survivors were living with anxiety, fear, sadness and sleeplessness as they grieve relatives, homes, jobs and livelihoods lost. That was why epidemiological surveillance, psychosocial support and the treatment of chronic illness were as urgent today as trauma care was in the first days, with particular attention to those at greatest risk: children, older people, pregnant and breastfeeding women, and people with chronic illnesses or disabilities. More than 5,000 people were dead because of the earthquakes, close to 17,000 injured, and some 23,000 were still living in temporary shelters. Health centres, schools, water systems, power and sewerage had been destroyed or badly damaged. The IFRC's Emergency Appeal sought CHF 50 million to assist 300,000 people over two years. One month on, the appeal was just over 25 per cent funded. Recovery would be measured in years, not weeks, for which sustainable, flexible funding was needed. More details about IFRC's work in Venezuela can be found here. 75 years on, the Refugee Convention remains a lifeline for millions Elizabeth Tan, Director of International Protection and Solution at the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR), said that 75 years since the Refugee Convention had been opened for signatures, it remained the foundation of the international refugee protection system. The Convention, born in the aftermath of WW2, had codified a simple but important premise: that those forced to flee had to be able to find safety. Over the past 7.5 decades, the Convention had been a lifeline for people fleeing for safety across the world. 149 States were parties to the Convention, its 1967 Protocol, or both, which defined who was a refugee and set refugee rights. The core principle was non-refoulement, i.e. prohibition of returning people to countries where they would face persecution or other serious harm. Even States who had not signed the Convention were bound by this principle. Seventy-five years on, the Convention maintained its relevance and influence, stressed Ms. Tan. With more than 130 armed conflicts worldwide and 41.6 million refugees remained uprooted in the world. Public support for asylum remained strong, she reminded, referring to a recent IPSOS survey across dozens of countries. The global asylum system was under strain, with seven of ten refugees displaced for five years or more, and the majority of refugees hosted by low- and middle-income countries. Fair and efficient procedures to determine the refugee status and protect refugees reassured host communities. Border management had to be anchored in protection, stressed Ms. Tan. The Convention also provided a framework for States to manage borders. UNHCR was only 31 percent funded, which had a direct impact on displaced people around the world. UNHCR called for renewed commitment to the institution of asylum and protection of refugees. The Convention was a testament of a collective commitment to protect those forced to flee. UNHCR's briefing note is available here. Replying to questions from the media, Ms. Tan said that with 130 conflicts in the world, neighbouring countries of those countries hosted large numbers of refugees in very difficult circumstances. There were numerous examples across the world, from Sudan's neighbours, to with Rohingya from Myanmar finding safety in Bangladesh and Ukrainian refugees in Europe and beyond. UNHCR would regret if any State were to withdraw from the Convention, and UNHCR was in discussions with the US over the issue. Ms. Tan said that protecting refugees was part of what UNHCR did, while it also worked on looking for long-term solutions, including voluntary, sustainable returns or resettlements. Member States would need to come together to find solutions to the existing conflicts, as refugee statuses were not meant to last forever. Even those States not signatories to the Convention were bound by the principle of non-refoulement, which was customary international law. Climate change on its own was not sufficient to submit a refugee claim, said Ms. Tan, but in many contexts there was a link between climate and conflict, as in the Sahel, for example. This was an area of law that was constantly evolving, she added. Strategies for policymakers to prevent drowning Dr. David Meddings, Global lead for drowning prevention at the World Health Organization (WHO), speaking from Accra, said that ahead of World Drowning Prevention Day on 25 July, WHO had launched a new technical package to help governments and communities implement seven proven measures to reduce drowning deaths. Nearly 300,000 people died from drowning each year worldwide, and drowning remained among the ten leading causes of death among children aged 5–14 years. More than 90 percent of deaths occurred in low- and middle-income countries. The "PROTECT" technical package, which contained seven strategies, provided policy-makers with concrete, evidence‑informed recommendations across seven interconnected domains to strengthen safety around water: Physical infrastructure that promotes safe interaction with water; Rescue and resuscitation capability for bystanders and professional responders; Occupational safety for work around water; Transport safety standards for water travel; Education in basic swimming and water safety; Child‑care systems and ensure safeguarding; and Threat preparedness for floods and other multi‑hazard emergencies. Dr. Meddings stressed that drowning prevention was not the job of one ministry; it belonged to everyone, and the lives it saved were the reward. The central message was: we knew a fair deal about how to prevent drowning, and the time was now to help governments and communities implement seven proven measures to reduce drowning deaths. More information is available here. Announcements Christian Lindmeier, for the World Health Organization (WHO), informed that WHO was joining the International AIDS Conference, which would take place in Rio de Janeiro. Rolando Gómez, for the United Nations Information Service (UNIS), informed that the Secretary-General was arriving in Jordan today, from where he would go to Syria and meet the country's leadership. It would be this Secretary-General's first visit to Syria, where he would make a number of field trips and meet various groups and communities. He would hold a press conference in Damascus on 27 July before flying to Cyprus. The Secretary-General's remarks to the Security Council the previous day on the peaceful resolution of disputes had been distributed.