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Sudan crisis still having devastating impact on civilians: UN rights office

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Sudan crisis still having devastating impact on civilians: UN rights office

“We are concerned by the continued devastating impact of the fighting in Sudan on civilians,” Spokesperson Jeremy Laurence told journalists in Geneva. 

The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and military rival, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), have been locked in vicious clashes since mid-April.  

Hundreds have been killed and some 1.2 million have been displaced. UN agencies and partners have repeatedly warned of the growing humanitarian crisis. 

Deadly airstrikes in Khartoum 

Mr. Laurence said at least eight people died in an air strike on a busy livestock market in the capital, Khartoum, on Wednesday, allegedly carried out by the SAF.  At least three of the victims were from the same family.  

A child was reportedly killed in a separate incident that day after a shell struck his home in the Al-Shajraa district, in southern Khartoum. 

Refugee and orphan deaths 

OHCHR has also received reports of the killings of four other civilians in the capital on Monday, while at least three people from the same family, including a pregnant woman, were reportedly killed on Sunday. 

Airstrikes that day near the Sport Complex in southern Khartoum, hit a refugee centre, reportedly killing at least 10 refugees. Furthermore, no fewer than 71 children have died at an orphanage in Khartoum since the fighting started due to lack of humanitarian assistance, including medical supplies. 

Sexual violence, online hate 

Mr. Laurence said OHCHR is also concerned by reports of conflict-related sexual violence. 

“Since the fighting began, our Office has received credible reports of 12 incidents of sexual violence related to the conflict, against at least 37 women – although the number could be higher. In at least three incidents, the victims were young girls. In one case, 18 to 20 women were reportedly raped,” he said. 

Growing reports of apparent enforced disappearance and arbitrary detention are another concern, he added, and journalists are also now at greater risk amid a rise in online hate speech and disinformation.  

OHCHR has learnt of a list circulating on social media accusing certain journalists of being RSF supporters.  Staff have also seen comments on Facebook calling for the killing of those on the list. 

Appeal for accountability 

“We reiterate the High Commissioner’s call on both parties to the fighting to ensure protection of civilians and respect for international humanitarian law and international human rights law,” he said.  

“They must also ensure all violations are effectively and independently investigated and those responsible are held accountable.” 

 

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UN suspends food assistance as Ethiopia wrestles with aid diversions

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UN suspends food assistance as Ethiopia wrestles with aid diversions

Food diversion is absolutely unacceptable,” said WFP Executive Director Cindy McCain, following a joint statement made by Ethiopia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and USAID announcing their commitment to addressing deeply concerning revelations of aid diversion.

“While we will temporarily halt food aid assistance in Ethiopia, nutrition assistance to children, pregnant and breastfeeding women, school meals programmes, and activities for building the resilience of farmers and pastoralists will continue uninterrupted,” she said, welcoming the Ethiopian Government’s commitment to investigate and hold accountable those responsible.

Widespread theft

Over the past months, large aid deliveries have been stolen, according to media reports.

“Our first concern is the millions of hungry people who depend on our support, and our teams will work tirelessly with all partners to resume our operations as soon as we can ensure that food reaches the people who need it the most,” the SFP chief said.

More than 20 million people in Ethiopia urgently need humanitarian food assistance, as the long-lasting effects of conflict and drought continue, according to the agency.

“WFP is working closely with its UN and humanitarian partners and local stakeholders to reform the way assistance is delivered across Ethiopia and in all high-risk operational contexts where we work,” she said, adding that the agency takes this issue very seriously and will take every necessary step to ensure that critical food assistance reaches those who need it most.

Find out how WFP is helping Ethiopians here.

Children eat food provided by one of WFP’s home grown school feeding programmes in South Omo, Ethiopia.

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A new way of detecting natural disasters like tsunamis

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Airborne infrasound can improve can improve tsunami warnings and other emergency responses.

Scientists from the US state of Alaska have found that sensors that detect changes in atmospheric pressure due to earthquakes can receive data on large earthquakes and explosions exceeding the maximum capabilities of many seismometers, reported the electronic edition “Euricalert”.

Sensors that detect inaudible infrasounds in the air can improve tsunami warnings and other emergency responses while reducing costs.

The study by experts from the Geophysical Institute at the University of Alaska in Fairbanks shows that these devices can determine the magnitude of earthquakes more accurately than some seismographs. The initial tsunami warning is based only on the estimated magnitude and location.

Infrasound sensors are commonly used for other purposes such as detecting mine explosions or nuclear detonations. They also detect landslides, erupting volcanoes or meteors entering the Earth’s atmosphere.

“What we’ve done is use infrasound for a purpose it’s not really intended for,” says Ken McPherson of the Alaska Geophysical Institute. “We found that it works well for providing complete data for strong earthquakes.”

These infrasound detectors are typically used for non-seismic purposes, including detecting explosions in the mining industry or nuclear detonations. They also record landslides, erupting volcanoes or meteorites entering the Earth’s atmosphere.

The sensors register changes in atmospheric pressure caused by infrasound waves, whose frequency is lower than that which humans can hear.

Infrasound sensors can record the full range of Earth’s surface motion during an earthquake by picking up changes in atmospheric pressure caused by shifting layers.

Seismographs detect the actual movement of the earth’s surface. The problem with them is that they have an upper limit, which means that data for some large earthquakes that exceed this limit may be missing. Seismographs can also fail to detect weaker tremors if their epicenter is too close to the instrument.

Seismologists can prevent these gaps, including by using strong motion sensors. They have no limitations when it comes to strong tremors, but are more expensive and less accurate in detecting data from weaker ones.

Infrasound sensors are cheaper and operate at the same speed as seismographs. This is especially important in the event of a tsunami. The US National Tsunami Warning Center has only four minutes to send out notifications the moment an earthquake strikes.

Photo by Ray Bilcliff: https://www.pexels.com/photo/giant-tsunami-wave-9156792/

Quality of Europe’s bathing waters remains high

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