To summarize the climate situation, this month ended with an extremely hot summer in the southern hemisphere, but unprecedented high temperatures prevailed in the northern hemisphere winter.
Parts of North and South America, northwestern and southeastern Africa, southeastern and far eastern Asia, western Australia, and Europe all experienced record temperatures each day or for the entire month of February.
“This extreme heat has broken global monthly temperature records seven times in a row, including January 2024, and is consistent with the sustained warming observed since June 2023.” said WMO climatologist Alvaro Silva.
Global sea surface temperatures are at record highs. El Niño weather patterns “are causing temperatures to rise in some parts of the world, but in the long term, anthropogenic climate change is the main driver,” he added.
Conversely, much of northwestern Canada, central Asia, and south-central Siberia to southeastern China experienced unusually cold temperatures during the last week of the month.
Meteorological winter in the Northern Hemisphere and summer in the Southern Hemisphere officially end at the end of February.
Sudanese continue to flee to Chad: United Nations refugee agency
The United Nations refugee agency UNHCR on Friday said it was increasingly concerned that more refugees will cross into Chad from Darfur in the coming weeks amid concerns about shortages of food and other essentials.
Almost a year after the start of a civil war between rival forces in Sudan, neighboring Chad is in urgent need of more humanitarian aid and major development investments, especially in its eastern region, which is hosting an influx of refugees. The agency reported.
This investment will enable the country to continue its generous open door to refugees.
“Chadian authorities are concerned that more hungry Sudanese families will arrive in the coming weeks,” said UNHCR Deputy High Commissioner Kelly Clements, who is in the country to review relief operations. Ta.
“Despite the region's fragility, the country is committed to keeping its borders open. However, in doing so it will not allow refugees from the Sudanese war, which has been raging for almost a year now. This will place an additional burden on Chad, which has graciously hosted many refugees and other refugees still here from previous emergencies.”
emergency
In December, the World Food Program (WFP) suspended distribution to some refugee groups in the country, citing a lack of funding. The government subsequently declared a state of emergency to ensure food and nutrition security.
Food distribution across the border from Chad to Darfur, where the security and protection situation is alarming, has not been delivered for more than a month, and cross-border aid has recently been suspended.
Women and children make up about 90 percent of all refugees. Approximately 77 percent of women arrived in Chad alone with children.
According to UNHCR, many people are exposed to gender-based violence, including rape, and are now in need of comprehensive support. The agency is providing medical assistance and some psychological support, but more is needed.
“Arrivals have slowed in recent months, but that could change soon,” Clements said. “Even if more does not come, the needs currently far exceed the capacity of humanitarian agencies.” There are real concerns.”
By mid-February, more than 553,150 new refugees had arrived from Sudan, making the country the largest host of refugees fleeing the country since violent war broke out between government forces and RSF militias in mid-April 2023. It became a country.
UNAIDS commemorates 10th anniversary of Zero Discrimination Day
Progress advancing equality and fairness for all people, regardless of gender, sexuality or HIV status, is at stake, the United Nations agency dedicated to ending AIDS by 2030 said as it commemorated Zero Discrimination Day. .
The Day of Action was established by UNAIDS 10 years ago.
However, despite improvements in some societies, attacks on the rights of women and girls, LGBTQ+ people, and other marginalized communities are on the rise.
“Assaults on rights are a threat to freedom and democracy and are harmful to health. Stigma and discrimination impede HIV prevention, testing, treatment and care, and hinder progress towards ending AIDS by 2030.” said Winnie Byanyima, UNAIDS Executive Director. “Only by protecting the rights of all people can we protect the health of all people.”
When the AIDS pandemic began 40 years ago, two-thirds of the world's countries criminalized LGBTQ+ people. Currently, two-thirds of countries do not, the agency noted.
Some 38 countries around the world have committed to ending HIV-related stigma and discrimination, and more than 50 million more girls are currently in school than in 2015.
UNAIDS said it is important to continue to support campaigns calling for racial justice, economic justice, climate justice and an end to conflict, as well as women's movements and LGBTQ+ rights.
The United Nations is by your side
“As communities around the world stand up for their rights, the United Nations is not only on their side, but by their side,” the UN agency said in a statement to mark the day.
On this day and throughout March, events are being planned to remind the world of this important lesson and call to action: By protecting the health of all, we protect the rights of all. .
“By protecting the rights of all people, we can achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and ensure a safer, fairer, kinder and happier world for all. We can,” Byanyima added.