Rwanda

UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk today jointly sounded the alarm on the new asylum law and plans to transfer asylum-seekers from the United Kingdom to Rwanda, calling for practical measures instead to address irregular flows of migrants and refugees.

The World Food Programme (WFP) warned today that nearly 55 million people in West and Central Africa will struggle to feed themselves during the next lean season — which is from June to August. This is an increase of 4 million in the number of food-insecure people as compared to the previous forecast published in late 2023.

Following are UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ remarks at the commemoration of the International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, in New York today:

The World Health Organization (WHO) today sounded the alarm on viral hepatitis infections that claim over 3,000 lives each day — with 1.3 million deaths per year — while the health agency fears that the number of lives lost due to hepatitis is increasing.

Following is UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ message for the International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, observed on 7 April:

The new Permanent Representative of Rwanda to the United Nations, Ernest Rwamucyo, presented his credentials to UN Secretary-General António Guterres today.

While the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals has reached a critical juncture in its lifespan, the conclusion of its in-court activity “does not mean we are closing down”, its President said today as she briefed the General Assembly on its work over the past year.

In Peru today, the United Nations and local partners redirected $3 million to support the Government’s efforts to protect 140,000 people impacted by El Niño, which has brought torrential rains to the country. Over 711,000 people require urgent food, water services, sanitation and health aid.

The Acting Humanitarian Coordinator in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Yvonne Helle, today warned of repeated demolitions, settlement expansion and settler violence after a Palestinian herding community in the West Bank was dismantled Monday. The United Nations and its partners will continue to provide assistance.

In Syria, the United Nations and its partners are continuing to help people impacted by the earthquakes. Across the country, more than a million people have received tents, shelter kits and other emergency items. About 1.1 million people have received food rations and nearly 2 million hot meals have been provided.