Author: chiefeditor

  • $2.5 billion plan to deliver aid to 11 million people in DR Congo

    The 2025 Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP) for the DRC, announced on Thursday, aims to deliver lifesaving assistance to 11 million Congolese, including 7.8 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) – among the highest displacement figures globally.

    Overall, some 21.2 million Congolese are affected by multiple crises, notably armed conflict, natural disasters, and epidemics.

    Multidimensional crises

    The HRP was launched in the DRC capital Kinshasa by the Government and humanitarian partners.

    It comes as the country is facing unprecedented multidimensional crises, characterized by three major destabilizing factors: a spiral of violence spreading from Ituri to Tanganyika provinces; the presence of M23 rebels who now control key areas of North Kivu and South Kivu, where humanitarian needs are immense, and a major funding crisis that threatens humanitarian response.

    “All warning signals are flashing red. Yet, despite immense challenges, humanitarian action continues to prove its effectiveness in saving lives every day,” said Bruno Lemarquis, the UN Humanitarian Coordinator in the DRC. 

    “We must adapt to keep delivering this vital aid without ever compromising the fundamental principles that guide humanitarian action: neutrality, impartiality, independence, and humanity,” he added.

    Support for families 

    Humanitarians said response this year aims to meet the most urgent needs and alleviate suffering through swift and effective assistance, adapted to the conditions on the ground. 

    The HRP includes treating 1.5 million children suffering from acute malnutrition, providing access to safe drinking water for five million people, and combating outbreaks of diseases such as cholera, measles, and Mpox. 

    The plan will also support the return of displaced families, restoration of livelihoods, and preparedness for climate-related shocks. Furthermore, in a context marked by extreme violence, protecting civilians and the most vulnerable – especially women and children – remains a top priority in all they do. 

    However, operations are threatened by a sharp decline in financial support. 

    ‘At a crossroads’

    Last year, humanitarians received a record $1.3 billion in funding, allowing them to reach 7.1 million in the DRC. Leading donor the United States covered 70 per cent of the funding. Washington announced in January that it was freezing all foreign aid payments for at least 90 days.

    “We stand at a crossroads. Without increased international mobilization, humanitarian needs will skyrocket, regional stability will be further jeopardized and our capacity to respond will be severely compromised,” Mr. Lemarquis said.

    The humanitarians called on the Congolese Government, the international community, and national and international humanitarian partners for a collective surge of solidarity to implement the plan with the necessary resources, access, and support. 

    “Humanitarian assistance is essential to save lives. However, it is not the solution,” said Mr. Lemarquis.

    “Real solutions are, above all, political and require targeted, sustainable actions to address the root causes of the conflicts.”

    Peacekeeping chief visits DRC 

     In related developments, the head of UN Peace Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, arrived in the DRC capital Kinshasa on Thursday. 

    Accompanied by a delegation from the UN peacekeeping mission in the country, MONUSCO, he had discussions with Prime Minister Judith Suminwa Tuluka and other top officials responsible for Interior Affairs, Defense and Foreign Affairs. 

    Talks focused on the security situation in the east, as well as the ongoing diplomatic and political efforts aimed at achieving an immediate cessation of hostilities in North Kivu and South Kivu.   

    The Council unanimously adopted the resolution last Friday, calling for the Rwanda-backed rebel movement to immediately cease hostilities, withdraw from areas it controls, and fully reverse the establishment of illegitimate parallel administrations in Congolese territory. 

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  • ESMA publishes the results of the annual transparency calculations for equity and equity-like instruments

    The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA), the EU’s financial markets regulator and supervisor, has today published the results of the annual transparency calculations for equity and equity-like instruments, which will apply from 7 April 2025.

    The calculations made available include:

    • the liquidity assessment as per Articles 1 to 5 of CDR 2017/567;
    • the determination of the most relevant market in terms of liquidity as per Article 4 of CDR 2017/587 (RTS 1);
    • the determination of the average daily turnover relevant for the determination of the pre-trade and post-trade large in scale thresholds;
    • the determination of the average value of the transactions and the related the standard market size; and
    • the determination of the average daily number of transactions on the most relevant market in terms of liquidity relevant for the determination of the tick-size regime.

    Currently, there are 1,283 liquid shares and 1,003 liquid equity-like instruments other than shares, subject to MiFID II/MiFIR transparency requirements.

    Market participants are invited to monitor the release of the transparency calculations for equity and equity-like instruments on a daily basis to obtain the estimated calculations for newly traded instruments and the four-weeks calculations applicable to newly traded instruments after the first six-weeks of trading. 

    ESMA’s annual transparency calculations are based on the data provided to Financial Instruments Transparency System (FITRS) by trading venues and approved publication arrangements in relation to the calendar year 2024.

    The full list of assessed equity and equity-like instruments will be available through ESMA’s FITRS in the XML files with publication date from 28 February 2025 and through the Register web interface. 

    Next steps

    The transparency requirements based on the results of the annual transparency calculations published from 1 March 2025 for equity and equity-like instruments will apply from 7 April 2025 until 5 April 2026. From 6 April 2027 the next annual transparency calculations for equity and equity-like instruments, to be published by 1 March 2026, will become applicable. 

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  • Gaza: Despite challenges, UNRWA says ‘unparalleled progress’ made during ceasefire

    Agency teams have worked around the clock to provide services to a people who are overwhelmed following 15 months of constant bombardment, forced displacement, and lack of critical supplies, the agency said in a press release.

    “This reflects UNRWA’s commitment to supporting families in Gaza through this unprecedented humanitarian crisis,” said Sam Rose, UNRWA’s acting director of Gaza Affairs, speaking from an UNRWA health centre in southern Gaza.

    “Despite every political and logistical challenge to the Agency, UNRWA remains resolute in its mission to provide essential services to families who need them now more than ever.”

    Last October, Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, adopted two bills banning UNRWA from working in Israeli territory and enforcing a no-contact policy between national authorities and agency representatives. The laws took effect in January.

    Two million reached

    In a significant milestone, and in close coordination with other humanitarian partners, UNRWA has now provided food assistance to two million people, or over 90 per cent of the population, helping to bring some improvement to overall food security.

    The agency has also restored healthcare access to nearly 180,000 people in Khan Younis, Rafah and Gaza City through the re-opening of health centres.

    In addition, agency teams reached more than half a million with blankets, mattresses, floor mats, clothes, cooking equipment, and tarpaulins to protect from the rain.

    All agencies scale up support

    The recent polio campaign in Gaza concluded successfully, reaching over 600,000 children under the age of 10, UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric told journalists at UN Headquarters in New York on Thursday.

    The World Health Organization (WHO) provided supplies to three hospitals and five health partners, benefiting 250,000 people across the Strip. Additionally, WHO supported the expansion of triage and emergency departments in Al-Shifa hospital with tents and 20 extra beds.

    Children’s agency UNICEF has delivered essential health kits, paediatric medicines, and newborn supplies for over 20,000 people at Al Awda Hospital in northern Gaza.

    UN partners have also scaled up food security, distributing 860,000 cooked meals daily – a 10 per cent increase from the previous week.

    Back to school, for some

    The World Food Programme (WFP) has made subsidised bread available at 24 retail shops in the South and re-established four food distribution points in the north.

    Efforts to improve water and sanitation continue, with two water points established and expanded in North Gaza governorate, and two sections of water networks repaired in Khan Younis.

    As of Wednesday, 100,000 children have enrolled in school, marking a return to in-person learning after 16 months. A total of 165 public schools have reopened across Gaza.

    West Bank emergency: 40,000 forcibly displaced

    In the West Bank, Israeli forces’ operations in Jenin, Tulkarm, and Tubas have led to further casualties and displacement, hindering access to essential services.

    The UN stresses the importance of respecting international law and protecting civilians.

    Listen below to audio from Ajith Sunghay who is the top UN human rights official for the Occupied Palestinian Territory. He told UN News on Thursday that with 40,000 now forcibly displaced from refugee camps in the West Bank, it seems “return is not an option” for at least a year as Israel forces dig in.

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  • Rare Disease Day: an in-depth look at how the European Reference Networks (ERNs) are tackling rare diseases

    Rare diseases represent a major health challenge for healthcare systems due to the limited knowledge available to diagnose them, the limited number of  treatment options (95% of the known rare diseases still lack an approved treatment) and their low prevalence*. That is why rare diseases have been a priority for the European Union over the past two decades, resulting in collective action to facilitate knowledge sharing and access to specialised care for patients. 

    The EU’s strategic objective for rare diseases is to improve patient access to diagnosis, information and care. It assists in pooling scarce resources spread across the EU, enabling patients and professionals to share expertise and information.

    The European response can be characterised by a combination of key elements:

    • Setting up and supporting European Reference Networks (ERNs);
    • Supporting the definition, codification and inventory of rare diseases;
    • Supporting the designation and authorisation of orphan medicinal products;
    • Building and broadening the knowledge base, also through research;
    • Empowering patient organisations.

    ERNs are cross-border networks that bring together European centres of expertise and hospitals to tackle rare, low prevalence and complex diseases and conditions requiring highly specialised healthcare.  

    ERNs enable specialists in Europe to discuss cases of patients affected by rare, low-prevalence and complex diseases, providing advice on the most appropriate diagnosis and the best treatment available. 

    On Rare Disease Day, HaDEA interviewed Professor Luca Sangiorgi, Coordinator of ERN BOND, the European Reference Network of Rare Bone Disorders, and Chair of the ERN Coordinators Group, which is the governing board of the 24 ERNs. 

    1. Can you explain the relevance of ERNs in the field of rare diseases? 

    ERNs gather over 1600 European centres of expertise dealing with rare, low prevalence and complex diseases and conditions which require highly specialised healthcare. Their relevance in the rare disease field resides in the possibility of enabling knowledge exchange and creating common patient pathways and guidelines, which will then be shared with the entire healthcare community. Patient representatives are involved and engaged in all ERNs’ processes, to ensure that their perspective is taken into account in the work of the ERNs.

    1. The ERNs have been funded by the EU since 2017. What do you consider their main successes?  

    The main success of ERNs is that they allow patients with a rare disease to have a proper harmonised pathway for diagnosis and treatment. Moreover, ERNs are favouring more homogeneous treatment of patients across participating countries.  This is done, for instance, through the ERNs’ virtual discussion tool (CPMS) that allows clinicians to discuss the most challenging cases.  

    Furthermore, ERN registries, which collect pseudo-anonymised data on patients with rare diseases, are helping to develop a clear picture of the natural history of the various disorders treated by the ERNs. This may one day make it possible to find new treatments for disorders that are currently untreatable. Very few rare diseases have a therapeutic option available and the ERNs registries make a real contribution to the discovery of new treatments. 

    ERNs have also helped the EU respond to different crises in recent years, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russian’s war of aggression against Ukraine. A framework has been put in place by the Commission for Ukrainian healthcare providers to seek advice from members of the European Reference Networks on Ukrainian rare or complex disease patients. Moreover, the ERNs undertake collaboration activities, capacity building and best practice sharing for competent Ukrainian authorities and healthcare units. 

    1. What are the main objectives and expectations for the ongoing grants?  

    The main objectives are to stabilise and further increase the opportunities that ERNs are creating for the treatment of patients. We also expect to explore future possibilities for better therapeutic and better care options, such as the use of artificial intelligence. 

    1. What are the main challenges to cross-border cooperation for rare diseases in Europe, and how do the ERN grants help to face these?  

    There are still some obstacles which hinder effective cross-border cooperation. To face these limits, the ERN coordinators’ group has recently set up specific working groups. At the same time, support to Ukrainian patients has given us a clear example that cross-border cooperation is working. ERNs are not only providing treatments to those patients in countries where they are not available, but are also training referral doctors in order to facilitate knowledge transfer and the implementation of new procedures. 

    For instance, my hospital, which is part of ERN BOND and is located in Italy, will operate on a patient from another country where the surgical expertise is not currently available. Surgeons from the clinical centre which referred the patient will participate in the surgery after following a specific training. This will allow them to repeat this therapeutic strategy in their home country.

    1. How important is the support of EU funding for ERNs? 

    EU funding is essential: without this support, many of the activities I have mentioned would not be feasible. ERNs have received EU funding since their creation in 2017 and a direct grant of more than €77 million is covering their activities for the period 2023-2027. 

    There are ongoing actions aimed to raise awareness in EU countries of the importance of ERNs as a strategic initiative  to support rare diseases patients. This is one of the main objectives of the Joint Action on integration of ERNs into national healthcare systems (JARDIN). The support of the EU to ERNs, by facilitating interaction between EU countries, is essential for the existence of ERNs and for the rare disease community. 

     

    * Prevalence: the proportion of a particular population found to be affected by a medical condition at a specific time

    Background 

    European Reference Networks  

    HaDEA manages the 24 ERN grants running from 2023 to 2027 with a total EU contribution of €77.4 million. HaDEA also manages the Joint Action on integration of ERNs into national healthcare systems (JARDIN), for a total EU contribution of €15 million. 

    HaDEA has also managed the contract on the independent evaluation of ERNs: ERNs evaluation results report – Independent Evaluations of European Reference Networks and of Healthcare Providers – European Commission 

    EU4Health is the fourth and largest of the EU health programmes. The programme provides funding to national authorities, health organisations and other bodies through grants and public procurement, contributing to a healthier Europe. 

    HaDEA manages the vast majority of the total EU4Health budget and implements the programme by managing calls for proposals and tenders from 2021 to 2027. 

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  • The Tirana Framework: A New Era in Combating Hate Speech and Promoting Inclusivity

    In a landmark initiative to confront the rising tide of intolerance and hate speech globally, The HR30 Forum and The Tirana Framework and Platform have unveiled the Tirana Framework for Confronting Intolerance . This document emerged from the inaugural HR30 conference, Empower Talk! , held in January 2025 in Tirana, Albania. It represents a collective effort by policymakers, civil society leaders, scholars, educators, legal experts, and technological innovators to address one of the most pressing challenges of our time: the spread of hate speech and its impact on democratic norms and human rights.

    The Growing Threat of Hate Speech

    The Tirana Framework begins with a sobering assessment of the current global landscape. Hate speech, fueled by entrenched biases, misinformation, and divisive rhetoric, poses a significant threat to decades of progress in safeguarding human dignity, protecting human rights, and upholding democratic principles. Anti-rights movements have gained momentum worldwide, exploiting fears about identity, culture, and security to dehumanize marginalized communities. By framing certain groups as “others” or casting human rights issues as threats, these movements distract from complex societal challenges and reduce them to oversimplified narratives that justify discrimination and authoritarian agendas.

    This dangerous rhetoric not only deepens societal divides but also undermines trust in democratic institutions, paving the way for authoritarianism and jeopardizing freedoms for all. As noted in the framework, hate speech silences marginalized voices, exacerbates polarization, and erodes social cohesion—issues that require urgent and thoughtful responses grounded in international human rights standards.

    Key Goals of the Tirana Framework

    The Tirana Framework outlines five key goals designed to mitigate hate speech while safeguarding freedom of expression:

    1. Adopting a Human-Rights-Centered Approach : Efforts to combat hate speech must adhere to international human rights standards. Policymakers, private organizations, and civil society must work together to ensure that interventions protect free expression while prioritizing the rights of those most affected.
    2. Understanding the Costs of Hate Speech : Stakeholders are urged to assess and highlight the far-reaching impacts of hate speech on fundamental rights, including freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, equality before the law, and civic participation. Intersectional analyses will help measure the full scope of harm caused by hate speech.
    3. Investing in Research and Proven Solutions : Resources should be allocated to scaling research into effective interventions addressing hate speech and its root causes, such as systemic discrimination, economic inequality, and historical legacies of exclusion. Education programs, legal reforms, and institutional changes can play critical roles in this process.
    4. Tackling Structural Inequities and Promoting Belonging : Combatting hate speech requires addressing broader societal inequalities. Fostering a sense of belonging through policies that promote inclusivity and equity is essential to countering the narratives of division.
    5. Challenging Hate with Targeted Efforts : Governments, civil society, and other sectors must unite to identify, challenge, and reduce the spread of hate directed at individuals or groups based on their identity. Specific attention is given to combating antisemitism, Islamophobia, prejudice against Christian minorities, xenophobia, racism, sexism, and other forms of discriminatory intolerance.

    Recommended Actions

    To achieve these goals, the Tirana Framework proposes several actionable steps for governments, private sector actors, and civil society organizations:

    • Demonstrating Political Commitment : Active political engagement is crucial. Governments are encouraged to implement existing frameworks like UN Human Rights Council Resolution 16/18, the Rabat Plan of Action, and the UN Strategy and Action Plan on Hate Speech. Local authorities must champion these efforts at the grassroots level.
    • Building Multi-Sector Alliances : Collaboration across sectors—including public officials, multilateral bodies, community leaders, corporations, media organizations, and civic groups—is vital to reducing hate and promoting inclusion.
    • Enhancing Monitoring and Reporting Systems : Effective systems must document the immediate and long-term consequences of hate speech on victims and communities, tracking its effects on democratic engagement, free expression, and social cohesion.
    • Expanding Research and Education Efforts : Investment in research is needed to determine which tools and responses are most effective in addressing hate speech. Educational initiatives, counter-speech strategies, emerging technologies, and legal mechanisms should all be assessed within existing frameworks like the Beirut Declaration on Faith for Rights.
    • Supporting Victims and Advocating for Accountability : Accessible reporting systems, protection for victims, and meaningful accountability for perpetrators are essential components of any comprehensive strategy against hate speech.
    • Increasing Accountability of Technology Platforms : Social media companies must establish transparent mechanisms to identify and address hate speech while respecting free expression. User-friendly reporting tools, clear content moderation policies, and ethical AI systems are necessary to balance safety and freedom online.
    • Taking a Proactive Stand Against Hate : States should develop national action plans in consultation with stakeholders, appoint dedicated coordinators, and ensure consistent funding to reduce systemic hate.

    A Call for Long-Term Commitment

    The Tirana Framework emphasizes the importance of sustained collaboration and capacity-building for grassroots organizations and communities. Providing resources, training, and platforms for dialogue enables local groups to challenge harmful narratives, promote inclusivity, and build resilient, cohesive communities rooted in mutual respect and equality. Establishing a global network to share knowledge, provide training, and engage in collaborative actions will further strengthen these efforts.

    By focusing on inclusive leadership and coordinated strategies, the Tirana Framework seeks to protect marginalized groups, strengthen social cohesion, and counter the divisive impacts of hate speech on a global scale. Its publication today by The HR30 Forum and The Tirana Framework and Platform marks an important milestone in the fight against intolerance and a reaffirmation of the universal values of human rights and dignity.

    The Tirana Framework serves as both a symbol and a tool for uniting diverse stakeholders under a shared vision of equality, mutual respect, and societal harmony. As we navigate an increasingly polarized world, it offers a roadmap for constructive approaches to address the root causes of discrimination and foster inclusive progress. Through collective action and unwavering commitment, we can create societies where freedom of expression strengthens democracy rather than undermining it—a future where every voice is heard, respected, and valued.

  • Be ready for the next DiscoverEU application round!

    Are you 18 years old and a resident of one of the EU Member States or third countries associated to Erasmus+?  

    Then get ready to explore Europe! 

    Applications will open on the European Youth Portal on 2 April 2025 at 12:00:00 (midday Brussels time) for two weeks!

    Check the European Youth Portal for more info!

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  • Haiti: Over one million displaced by gang violence

    The “unprecedented crisis” in Haiti means that every number presented “is a new record,” said Ulrika Johnson, speaking from neighbouring Dominican Republic to journalists at UN Headquarters in New York.

    “The suffering that this is causing is immense, and I would say it is really heartbreaking to see, to witness, to listen to victims of violence,” she added.

    An ‘unprecedented crisis’

    The situation continues to unfold as funding for humanitarian operations globally dwindles following the recent decision by the United States to halt foreign aid disbursements.

    A Multinational Security Support Mission (MSS), authorized by the UN Security Council, is on the ground to assist the Haitian National Police in combatting the gangs.  UN Secretary-General António Guterres recently proposed that the global body assume funding for structural and logistical support.

    Children suffer most

    Ms. Richardson said human rights violations have risen when compared to 2024. 

    Over 5,600 people were killed last year, according to the UN human rights office, OHCHR.   Sexual violence is “rampant” and UN children’s agency UNICEF reports “a staggering” 1,000 per cent increase in cases involving children between 2023 and 2024. 

    “The impact on women and children is enormous,” she said, noting that children comprise half of the displaced. 

    “They are really bearing the brunt of the crisis,” she continued.  “They’re also recruited by gangs. We’ve seen a 70 per cent increase in one year of how they coerce children into gangs.”

    Deportees and refugees

    Meanwhile, five million Haitians require food assistance, the number of children suffering from malnutrition and stunting has increased, and only a third of health institutions are operating.

    Haiti is also dealing with the impact of deportations. Last year, some 200,000 nationals were sent back to the country, and many had no home to go to. Haitians are also leaving their homeland, often at great risk. Reports indicate that nearly 400,000 fled last year.

    Despite the realities on the ground, and access limitations, humanitarian response continues, including in gang-controlled areas.  

    It is taking place even as the main airport in Port-au-Prince remains closed since November, affecting the movement of humanitarian goods and personnel both into the country and out from the capital city to the regions.

    “We’ve been able to set up a logistics hub in the north, and this has been very helpful, obviously, to be able to receive humanitarian goods and then trying to bring them into the capital,” Ms. Richardson said.

    US aid freeze

    In 2024, the humanitarian community launched a $600 million plan for Haiti, receiving just over 40 per cent of the funding. Around 60 per cent came from the United States alone.

    “Obviously, the US temporary freeze and the stop work order has an impact on us,” she underlined.

    This year’s plan will call for just over $900 million to cover assistance such as food, medicine, protection, healthcare and psychosocial support for rape victims.

    She expressed confidence that if the UN and partners can mobilize this funding, “we can do our absolute best, and more than that, in terms of the seamless delivery of humanitarian aid to the people that so desperately need this aid.”  

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  • 25 arrested in global hit against AI-generated child sexual abuse material

    Most of the arrests were carried out simultaneously on 26 February 2025 during a global operation (Operation Cumberland) led by Danish law enforcement. More arrests are expected in the coming weeks, as the operation is still ongoing. 

    Results of the operation, so far:

    • 273 suspects identified
    • 25 suspects arrested
    • 33 house searches
    • 173 electronic devices seized 

    The main suspect, a Danish national who was arrested in November 2024, ran an online platform where he distributed the AI-generated material he produced. Following a symbolic online payment, users from around the world were able to obtain a password to access the platform and watch children being abused.

    During the course of the investigation, Europol and the Joint Cybercrime Action Taskforce (J-CAT), hosted by Europol, provided operational coordination to the law enforcement agencies involved in the case. Experts from Europol’s European Cybercrime Centre also facilitated information exchanges and provided intelligence and operational analysis to national investigators.

    Operation Cumberland has been one of the first cases involving AI-generated child sexual abuse material (CSAM), making it exceptionally challenging for investigators, especially due to the lack of national legislation addressing these crimes. In this regard, EU Member States are currently discussing a common regulation proposed by the European Commission to tackle this new situation and protect children from being sexually abused and exploited.

    These artificially generated images are so easily created that they can be produced by individuals with criminal intent, even without substantial technical knowledge. This contributes to the growing prevalence of child sexual abuse material, and as the volume increases, it becomes progressively more challenging for investigators to identify offenders or victims. Law enforcement will need to develop new investigative methods and tools to address these emerging challenges.

    Catherine De Bolle
    Europol’s Executive Director

    AI-generated CSAM: a serious crime

    Online child sexual exploitation remains one of the most threatening manifestations of cybercrime in the European Union and continues to be one of the top priorities for law enforcement agencies, which are dealing with an ever-growing volume of illegal content. 

    Self-generated child sexual material constitutes a significant share of the CSAM that is detected. AI models able to generate or alter images are being abused by offenders to produce CSAM and for sexual extorsion. Such models are widely available and have developed quickly, with output that now increasingly resembles genuine material, making it harder to identify as artificially generated. 

    This poses significant challenges to authorities in identifying the real victims. Even in cases when the content is fully artificial and there is no real victim depicted, such as Operation Cumberland, AI-generated CSAM still contributes to the objectification and sexualisation of children. 

    Europol’s fight against child sexual exploitation

    The fight against child sexual exploitation is a priority for Europol. Since 2017, the Agency has led the Stop Child Abuse – Trace An Object initiative, which enables citizens to provide information by recognising objects to help solve a child sexual abuse case. To date, the general public has shared almost 28 000 tips, 30 children have been removed from harm and 6 offenders have been identified and prosecuted.  

    At the request of EU Member States and other partners, Europol also hosts a Victim Identification Taskforce, a further initiative that allows law enforcement to work together to localise investigations and identify victims. Children in Germany and Australia have already been made safe as a result of this initiative. 

    Next step: preventing future crimes 

    Operation Cumberland not only focuses on stopping perpetrators, but also takes proactive steps to prevent further incidents. Europol and its partners will launch an online campaign in the coming days highlighting the consequences of using AI for illegal purposes and targeting potential offenders where they are most active: online. The campaign will use online messages to reach buyers of illegal content, as well as other methods such as knock-and-talks, social media messages and warning letters. 

    Operation Cumberland demonstrates an ongoing coordinated effort by law enforcement to tackle this threat comprehensively, from arresting criminals to preventing future crimes through education, deterrence and providing support to those who want to seek support or help. 

  • US funding cuts confirmed, ending lifesaving support for women and girls

    “At 7pm on 26 February, UNFPA was informed that nearly all of our grants (48 as of now) with USAID and the US State Department have been terminated,” the UN agency said in a statement.

    “This decision will have devastating impacts on women and girls and the health and aid workers who serve them in the world’s worst humanitarian crises.”

    The USAID grants were designated to provide critical maternal healthcare, protection from violence, rape treatment and other lifesaving care in humanitarian settings.

    This includes UNFPA’s work to end maternal death, safely deliver babies and address horrific violence faced by women and girls in places like Gaza, Sudan and Ukraine.

    From Afghanistan to Ukraine

    The UN agency partners with 150 countries to provide access to a wide range of sexual and reproductive health services.

    Its goal is ending unmet needs for family planning, preventable maternal death, gender-based violence and harmful practices, including child marriage and female genital mutilation, by 2030.

    “These termination notices include grants for which we had previously received humanitarian waivers, as they were considered lifesaving interventions for the world’s most vulnerable women and girls,” UNFPA said.

    The grants funded programmes in countries including Afghanistan, Chad, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Haiti, Mali, Sudan, Syria and its neighbouring countries, as well as Ukraine.

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  • Thailand: Statement by the Spokesperson on the deportation of Uyghurs to China

    Thailand: Statement by the Spokesperson on the deportation of Uyghurs to China

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