"NORTH AFRICA"

Briefing by Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.

With summer not officially started, Europe is already experiencing a major heatwave as a result of climate change. According to experts at the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), heatwaves are starting earlier, becoming more frequent and severe due to record-level concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. UNTV CH

Conflict, violence and other crises left a record 36.5 million children displaced from their homes at the end of 2021, UNICEF estimates – the highest number recorded since the Second World War. This figure includes 13.7 million refugee and asylum-seeking children† and nearly 22.8 million children who are internally displaced due to conflict and violence. UNICEF

The war in Ukraine and sanctions on Russia are exacerbating the divergence in recovery prospects for the Middle East and Central Asia, announced the IMF on Wednesday. IMF

The World Bank Group said on Tuesday that the war in Ukraine has dealt a major shock to commodity markets, altering global patterns of trade, production, and consumption in ways that will keep prices at historically high levels through the end of 2024. WORLD BANK

Warning 'future looks bleak' for Syrians living through twelfth year of crisis, top United Nations officials urge more resources, focus on conflict.

The United Nations Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Pramila Patten, told the Security Council that over the past year, “sexual violence continued to be committed as a tactic of war, torture, terrorism and political repression,” with a reported increase of "some 800 cases compared with 2020.” UNIFEED

Recent elections in Colombia saw most women voted into office, Special Representative tells Security Council, highlighting value of peace.

The World Bank Group said on Tuesday that governments should avoid restricting food exports which could exacerbate food price increases. Instead, governments should support the most vulnerable consumers facing high food costs and help food producers cope with high input costs. WORLD BANK

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) the ongoing war in Ukraine “is affecting the whole world’s food security.” FAO