Refugees in South Sudan face extreme hunger as funds run out
14/8/2026: Food and nutrition assistance for the most vulnerable 240,000 refugees in South Sudan will end in September, cutting off a lifeline for people already living on the edge. Up to 3,000 refugees continue to arrive from Sudan each week.
Source: World Food Programme
Zambia resumes election vote count after disruptions
14/8/2026: Vote counting has resumed in Zambia after it was suspended amid reports of violence against officials and the theft of ballot papers. Around 8 million voters are choosing members of parliament and local councillors at more than 13,500 polling stations. European Union observers are monitoring the election.
Source: DW
An attack on healthcare every six hours, and no one held to account
14/8/2026: Across the world, healthcare venues and personnel have suffered more than 10,000 attacks in the past eight years, resulting in approximately 5,700 deaths and over 8,000 injuries. Most incidents occurred in Ukraine, Lebanon and the occupied Palestinian territory, but other locations include Myanmar, Iran, Sudan, the DRC, South Sudan, Russia, Syria and Nigeria
Source: UN News
Ambitious Global Tax Treaty remains within reach
13/8/2026: As the fifth round of negotiations concludes, the draft text of a UN Global Tax Treaty is moving towards a fairer allocation of tax on multinational profits between countries. Negotiations will continue until mid-2027.
Source: Greenpeace International
China influence has reshaped development finance conditions in Africa
13/8/2026: At the beginning of the twenty-first century, most foreign aid and investment flowing into Africa came from Europe and North America with explicit conditions attached. Since then Chinese financing and investment has shown less concern as to how African countries govern themselves.
Source: African Arguments
Rights groups sue Trump administration over ICC sanctions
11/8/2026: Four human rights groups have filed a lawsuit in US federal court challenging Marco Rubio's escalated campaign to “dismantle” the International Criminal Court. The sanctions undermine access to justice for victims of serious international crimes.
Source: Human Rights Watch
Türkiye seeks to transfer US cluster munitions to Ukraine
11/8/2026: Türkiye has requested permission from the US to “retransfer” to Ukraine tens of thousands of munitions that have been in Türkiye’s stockpiles for decades. Cluster munitions cannot be targeted with precision and endanger civilians. 112 countries have joined the international Convention on Cluster Munitions.
Source: Human Rights Watch
Aid cuts compel Malawi lawmakers to ‘think outside the box’
10/8/2026: External financing has historically accounted for more than half of Malawi’s health expenditure. Cuts in foreign aid from US, UK and Europe have compelled a rethink about domestic resources. Curbing corruption and reforming tax are candidates for action.
Source: Devex
War in Sudan has left millions of children out of school
7/8/2026: The UN Deputy Secretary-General has reported that at least eight million school-aged children in Sudan remain outside the classroom. She called for Security Council members to do their utmost to bring the conflict to an end. Since 2024, the UN has verified more than 67 attacks on schools.
Source: UN News
Phase 2 of Gaza peace plan faces many obstacles
6/8/2026: Israel and Hamas are being compelled to move to “phase 2” despite lack of agreement on a sequence for implementation. Hamas says no disarmament without Israeli withdrawal; Israel insists no withdrawal until disarmament. Meanwhile, the daily life conditions for Palestinians in the enclave have largely not improved.
Source: The Conversation