Brief World News: UN Aid for East Africa Flood Victims, Increase in Migrant Deaths at Sea, Disinformation in Myanmar

The United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, expressed deep distress over the loss of hundreds of lives and the devastation caused by heavy rains and flooding in Kenya, Burundi, Somalia, Tanzania, and other parts of East Africa. The Secretary-General extended his condolences to the affected countries and emphasized the UN’s readiness to provide additional assistance as needed.

In Kenya, more than 170 people have lost their lives due to the heavy rains since mid-March, with over 190,000 people impacted and 150,000 displaced. The floods have also caused significant damage to the agricultural sector, with livestock lost and cropland damaged.

The UN and its partners are working closely with national authorities to address humanitarian needs, providing water, sanitation, hygiene supplies, food, health, and psychosocial support. Rescue operations are underway, and camps are being set up to accommodate those displaced by the floods.

Meanwhile, the UN migration agency (IOM) and the refugee agency UNHCR mourned the loss of at least 50 migrants who died or went missing while trying to reach the Canary Islands from Senegal. The tragic incident highlights the dangers faced by migrants seeking a better life, often falling victim to greedy smugglers and unsafe boats.

In Myanmar’s Rakhine State, the UN team has raised concerns about the spread of misinformation, disinformation, and hate speech, particularly in the context of escalating conflict between the military and rebel groups. The UN emphasized the importance of addressing systemic discrimination and impunity to establish a sustainable pathway out of the crisis facing Myanmar.