Call for global action in Gaza
In a joint statement on 7 April, heads of six UN agencies – including the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the United Nations Children’s Fund, the World Health Organization, the World Food Programme, the United Nations Office for Project Services, and United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East – issued an urgent call for global action to protect civilians and ensure humanitarian aid reaches Gaza. For over a month, no commercial or humanitarian supplies entered the territory, leaving over 2.1 million people without food, water, medicine or safe shelter.
Over 1000 children have reportedly been killed or injured in just one week following the breakdown of the ceasefire – the highest one-week death toll among children in Gaza in the past year. Despite the temporary ceasefire enabling limited aid access, critical supplies remain stalled at border crossings, and conditions are rapidly deteriorating. UN leaders are calling on world leaders to act to ensure the basic principles of international humanitarian law are upheld.
[This statement was published on 7 April 2025. The situation has only got worse since then.]
SOURCE: https://www.who.int/news/item/07-04-2025-world-must-act-with-urgency-to-save-palestinians-in-gaza
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Aid cuts threaten progress in maternal health
A new UN report released on World Health Day reveals a 40% global decline in maternal deaths between 2000 and 2023, largely due to improved access to health services. However, this progress is at risk as international aid cuts disrupt vital maternal and newborn care, particularly in fragile and conflict-affected regions.
In 2023, an estimated 260,000 women died from pregnancy or childbirth complications – about one every two minutes. The report underscores how funding shortfalls have led to facility closures, workforce reductions and disrupted supply chains for essential medicines.
The report warns that nearly two-thirds of maternal deaths now occur in fragile or conflict-affected settings, where risks are dramatically higher. “While this report shows glimmers of hope, the data also highlight how dangerous pregnancy still is in much of the world today, despite the fact that solutions exist to prevent and treat the complications that cause the vast majority of maternal deaths,” said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
UN agencies urge urgent investment in health systems, midwives and community health workers to reduce avoidable mortality. Improving women’s access to education, reproductive health and care for underlying conditions is also key.
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Disruptions to health systems globally
WHO has issued a warning about widespread disruptions to health systems globally, following sudden cuts and suspensions in official development assistance for health. A rapid assessment conducted in March–April 2025 across 108 WHO country offices – mainly in low- and lower-middle-income countries – revealed that 70% of these countries are already experiencing significant interruptions in health services. These include setbacks in emergency preparedness, disease surveillance, routine health services and humanitarian aid.
Crucially, 24% of countries reported that budget reductions are leading to increased out-of-pocket costs, disproportionately affecting poor and vulnerable populations. Shortages of essential medicines and job losses among health workers were also flagged in over half of the surveyed countries. The scale of disruption mirrors that of the peak COVID-19 pandemic period in some regions.
Despite these challenges, WHO notes that many countries are attempting to reallocate domestic resources and seek alternative funding. Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasized the urgent need for international support while also highlighting a shift towards more sustainable, self-reliant health systems. WHO will continue to monitor developments and coordinate with global partners to mitigate the impact and guide future interventions.