Source: United States Department of Justice (video statements)
Dr. Phil McGraw discusses "The American Experience was Built on Bold Ideas" during the first hearing of the Religious Liberty Commission.
Faith, Family, and Society – Hearing Highlights (June 16, 2025)
Source: United States Department of Justice (video statements)
Dr. Phil McGraw discusses "Faith, Family, and Society" during the first hearing of the Religious Liberty Commission.
The Establishment Clause and the States – Hearing Highlights (June 16, 2025)
Source: United States Department of Justice (video statements)
Dr. Phil McGraw and Mark David Hall discuss "The Establishment Clause and the States" during the first hearing of the Religious Liberty Commission.
Famine in Gaza: Emergency Directors from FAO, WFP and UNICEF | Press Conference | United Nations
Source: United Nations (video statements)
“We are in a race against time,” said Rein Paulsen, Director of the Office of Emergencies and Resilience at the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), as UN agencies briefed on the latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) analysis confirming famine conditions in Gaza.
Paulsen said the findings lay out “the scale, the nature, and the magnitude of the famine unfolding.” According to the IPC report, more than half a million people in Gaza are facing catastrophic deprivation and “over one million people, some 54 per cent of the population, are facing what’s classified as Emergency Phase Four. By the end of September, famine is projected to further expand to the Governorates of Deir al-Balah and Khan Yunis,” Paulsen noted.
Jean-Martin Bauer, Director of the WFP’s Food Security and Nutrition Analysis Service, said the confirmation reflects extreme conditions. “What we have is extreme food deprivation, widespread acute malnutrition, and starvation-related deaths, and that should all make us pause,” he said.
“When a famine is confirmed, it also means that we’re not just in an extreme food crisis. It means we’ve crossed the tipping point,” Bauer added. “We’re not in a mathematical problem where we can say that X money or X million dollars or Y trucks will solve this problem. The problem becomes much more complex, especially in the case of the exponentially rising number of people facing malnutrition.”
He highlighted the rarity of such declarations. “Since the IPC itself was created more than 20 years ago, this is only the fifth time that there has been a famine confirmation. There was one in 2011 in Somalia, 2017 in South Sudan, 2020 in South Sudan again, and then in 2024 in Sudan,” Bauer said. “So, this is a historic moment; we also have two concurrent famines – Gaza and Sudan. To have two famines at the same time, that’s something that’s absolutely unprecedented. What this also constitutes is the first famine that has been confirmed in the Middle East.”
The situation is particularly grave for children, a UNICEF official warned. “Within this humanitarian emergency in Gaza, there’s a real child survival crisis,” said Samir Elhawary, Acting Deputy Director of Emergency Programs at UNICEF. “We see malnutrition accelerating at a catastrophic pace, and for many, far too many children, it’s already too late.”
Elhawary said aid restrictions had long been pushing children into extreme food poverty. “The signs were unmistakable: children with wasted bodies, too weak to cry or to eat; babies dying of hunger and preventable disease; and parents arriving at clinics without enough food to feed their children.”
He added that the numbers continue to surge. “Last month alone, approximately 13,000 children in Gaza were identified as acutely malnourished,” Elhawary said. “That’s the highest monthly figure ever recorded since the beginning of the war, and it’s a six-fold increase since the beginning of this year.”
Democratic Republic of the Congo: insecurity is rising despite diplomatic progress | United Nations
Source: United Nations (video statements)
UN Assistant Secretary-General for Africa said the evolution of the security situation in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has not matched the progress achieved on the diplomatic front.
Addressing the Security Council today (22 Aug), Martha Ama Akyaa Pobee said, “Regrettably, the evolution of the security situation on the ground has not matched the progress achieved on the diplomatic front, while the parties are yet to comply with their obligations under Security Council resolution 2773.”
She continued, “The number of civilian casualties has risen dramatically. Humanitarian workers are risking their lives to provide limited assistance to a population whose needs continue to grow. Conflict-related sexual violence persists, amid general indifference.”
She added, “The forced recruitment of children continues. As the school year is about to start, thousands of other children will be unable to go to school, because of insecurity. Despite a relative lull in direct clashes, the parties continue to deploy troops and transfer weapons along the front lines.”
She said, “Today, 5.9 million Congolese are internally displaced, including one million in North Kivu and 1.5 million in South Kivu. Families are repeatedly uprooted, caught in a cycle of fear and constant displacement. This relentless instability not only erodes social cohesion but threatens any prospect for long-term peace and recovery.”
She stressed, “The adoption by the DRC and Rwanda of the terms of reference of the Joint Oversight Committee, the Joint Coordination Mechanism of the Washington Agreement, and the declaration of principles for a regional economic integration framework, are encouraging. It should be emphasized, at the same time, that while commitment to process is welcome, it is no substitute for an actual cessation of hostilities on the ground and genuine steps to end the privations of conflict in eastern DRC.”
Also addressing the Council today, Zénon Mukongo Ngay, Permanent Representative of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the United Nations, said, “Despite all these peace initiatives, we remain concerned, in light of recent developments, about the sincerity of Rwanda’s commitment and that of their AFC/M23 auxiliaries, who persist in trampling on their obligations under the Washington Peace Agreement and the Doha Declaration of Principles.”
Martin Ngoga, Permanent Representative of Rwanda to the United Nations said, “It is non-negotiable the territorial integrity of the DRC, so is the territorial integrity of neighbors of DRC, including Rwanda. And the territorial integrity and obligations of any member Country of the UN include fair treatment of citizens. Sovereignty comes along with obligations. The DRC must stop mistreating or treating part of their population as lesser than citizens.”
Working for peace in the DR Congo, with Vivian van de Perre | DSRSG in MONUSCO | Awake at Night | UN
Source: United Nations (video statements)
Vivian van de Perre’s calling is to help nations transition from conflict to peace. Now the deputy head of peacekeeping in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, she leads a life-saving operation in the rebel-held city of Goma.
“It’s tragic and it’s unimaginable, but at the same time, people live their lives and they do the best they can, and they remain generous and warm, despite the circumstances that they live in. You go to these places and you see the worst and you see the best, and it’s all in one package, and it is just something that really, really touches you. It’s not like a regular job.”
A recent peace accord has raised hopes of an end to the violence that has plagued eastern DRC for the past three decades. In this episode, recorded before the peace agreement, Vivian van de Perre reflects on the impact of funding cuts on active war zones, on peacekeeping as a delicate balancing act, and shares why she falls for every place she serves.
[00:00] Introduction
[00:59] Life in the Democratic Republic of Congo
[04:12] Decades of suffering
[07:17] The role of Peacekeepers
[09:15] Protecting civilians amid conflict
[13:49] Why MONUSCO’s presence still matters
[18:54] Seeking refuge behind UN gates
[22:04] Colleagues lost in the field
[23:22] What keeps Vivian awake at night
[26:21] Vivian’s personal life and journey
[31:06] Finding beauty amid crisis
[34:25] Balancing family and duty
[38:54] Holding onto UN values
[40:05] Coping with stress
[41:17] Closing remarks
Listen to more Awake at Night episodes: https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwoDFQJEq_0b6hu1e8oxsch9W0D7vkNqt
#podcast #unitednations #awakeatnight #MONUSCO #Peacekeeping
About Awake at Night
Hosted by Melissa Fleming, UN Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications, the podcast ‘Awake at Night’ is an in-depth interview series focusing on remarkable United Nations staff members who dedicate their career to helping people in parts of the world where they have the hardest lives – from war zones and displacement camps to areas hit by disasters and the devastation of climate change.
South Africa Government: Deputy President Paul Mashatile delivering remarks at the South African Sport Awards (SACA).
Source: Republic of South Africa (video statements)
Deputy President Paul Mashatile delivering remarks at the South African Sport Awards (SACA).
Libya: UN mission urges candidates to accept results & peaceful transfer of power| United Nations
Source: United Nations (video statements)
The head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) Hanna Serwaa Tetteh called on all candidates to “accept the election results as the choices made by their voters, and where there have been choices for change to facilitate the peaceful transfer of power to the newly elected leaders.”
Tetteh briefed the Council today (21 Aug) in New York on the situation in Libya. She noted that 26 Libyan municipalities successfully went to the polls on 16 August in spite of significant challenges. She commended the dedication of HNEC, their staff and teams in the polling stations and the security officials for making the elections possible.
“By the end of polling day, voter turnout was 71 per cent,” the head of UNSMIL said, describing it as “a clear signal that the Libyan people are yearning to elect their representatives.”
“In some areas, this was the first time any elections have happened since 2014,” Tetteh added.
However, the chief of UNSMIL added, “the suspension of municipal elections in eastern and southern Libya previously referenced is an equally clear sign that not all are committed to supporting Libya’s democratic development and there is an urgent need for a reset in the political process.”
Tetteh also proposed a roadmap built around three core pillars: one, the implementation of a technically sound and politically viable electoral framework aimed at holding Presidential and Legislative elections; two, unifying institutions through a new unified government; and three, a structured dialogue that enables broad participation of Libyans to address the critical issues that need to be tackled in order to create a conducive environment for elections, shaping a shared vision and addressing long term drivers of conflict while underpinning short term efforts to unify institutions and enhance governance in key sectors, she told the Council.
The head of the Mission reaffirmed UNSMIL’s call for “a unified, realistic and balanced budget that reflects agreed priorities and promotes financial sustainability and monetary stability.”
She also urged all concerned entities that receive public salaries throughout Libya to “adhere to the automated public salary payment system.”
Tetteh is also alarmed by the forced return of migrants to conflict zones, including Sudan.
She said, “In Kufra, the number of Sudanese refugees exceeds the number of residents, and conditions are dire.”
The UNSMIL chief urged the donor community to “increase its support for our refugee response plan.”
Somalian Ambassador Mohammed Rabiussef spoke as the Chair of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1970 (2011) concerning Libya.
He reiterated the Committee’s commitment to “contributing to the promotion of peace and stability in Libya.”
For his part, Libyan Ambassador Taher M. El-Sonni told the Council, “Everything we are discussing today and have discussed in the past, be it illegal migration or the spread of arms or terrorist groups or armed groups, or violations of human rights to the smuggling of oil and other. All of these are simply manifestations.”
He continued, “There will be no solution to the crisis unless efforts are focused on a comprehensive political solution and a true reconciliation, and a fundamental solution that will put an end to interferences and division and return legitimacy to the people through free and fair and transparent elections, through a permanent constitution for the country. And as we always hear from you, effective support for the leadership and for Libyan ownership and leadership of the solution.”
Q&A: What do UN peacekeepers do in Cyprus? | United Nations
Source: United Nations (video statements)
As Colin Stewart, Head of the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus concludes his nearly four-year tenure, he reflects on the main mandate of the mission: preventing conflict along the narrow Buffer Zone that divides the two communities on the island.
Syria: “The overall situation is dire, 16 million need humanitarian aid” – OCHA | United Nations
Source: United Nations (video statements)
Briefing by Tom Fletcher, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), on the situation in the Middle East – Security Council, 9983rd meeting.
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Amid the precarious military and political situation, 16 million Syrians across the country need humanitarian aid, according to Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher.
Additionally, over 185,000 people have been displaced across Sweida, Dar’a, Rural Damascus and beyond.
“The overall situation is dire. We need to sustain urgent delivery of food, health, shelter, clean water, fuel, restoration of water and electricity infrastructure, education. In some areas, those arriving now outnumber the existing population. Services are overwhelmed,” said Mr. Fletcher.
Teams from the UN humanitarian aid coordination office (OCHA) have visited Sweida and other towns, delivering aid and assessing needs.
OCHA has also provided emergency food packages, flour and essential household items to tens of thousands of people.
However, insecurity and road closures have disrupted the supply of aid from the UN, NGO partners and the Syrian Arab Red Crescent.
“We need better humanitarian and commercial access. And most of all, we need safety,” Mr. Fletcher stressed, particularly referring to attacks on aid convoys, health facilities, medics and ambulances.
Nevertheless, “despite funding and security challenges, the UN and partners are delivering as much lifesaving support as we can with the resources we have,” reaching 3.5 million people on average each month, a noticeable increase from last year.
But with the 2025 humanitarian appeal in the country only 14 per cent funded, ongoing aid cuts in many Western capitals are projected to lead to reduced staffing of at least 40 per cent across the humanitarian community inside Syria.
The UN relief chief emphasised that without more funding, “we won’t be able to sustain these vital efforts, let alone expand them to more people who need them.”
Furthermore, while he urged humanitarian support, he also stressed that long-term development investment is needed in Syria “to reduce and ultimately end reliance on humanitarian aid.”