NEWS

Facing a severe cash-flow shortfall, the United Nations is suspending some services and “curtailing official travel of staff to only essential activities,” Catherine Pollard, the UN management chief told reporters in New York on Friday. UNIFEED

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank will hold their Annual Meetings in Washington next week in Washington, DC. IMF

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi welcomed today’s awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed as a huge testament to his efforts to bring peace in his region and beyond. UNHCR

A commemorative ceremony, in honor of the late Senegalese Air Force Captain El Hadj Moussa Thiam, took place today in Bangui at the UN Mission in the Central Africa Republic (MINUSCA). MINUSCA

At the United Nations briefing in Geneva, Rupert Colville, spokesperson for the Office of the UN high Commissioner for Human Rights, raised concerns following the Turkish operation inside Syria. The Turkish army and Syrian auxiliaries launched a border operation on Wednesday. Air strikes and artillery fire targeted several border areas in northern Syria. OHCHR

Airstrikes and a ground offensive by Turkey in northern Syria against Kurdish forces have left civilians dead and forced tens of thousands to flee, UN agencies said on Friday, amid fears of another “humanitarian catastrophe” in the war-torn country. UNTV CH

Following closed consultations by the Security Council on the situation in Syria, United States ambassador Kelly Craft said, "the US has not in any way endorsed the decision of the Government of Turkey to mount a military incursion into northeast Syria," adding that Turkey bears “full responsibility for protecting the Kurdish population and religious minorities including Christians.” UNIFEED

A UN spokesperson said Secretary-General António Guterres is “concerned about the recent developments” in Ecuador and called on “all actors to reduce tensions, avoid acts of violence and exercise maximum restraint.” UNIFEED

The head of the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia Carlos Ruiz Massieu said, “this is a precious opportunity to put an end to the recurrent dynamics of violence in Colombia,” adding that the UN “remains convinced that the way forward is through a comprehensive implementation of the Final Peace Agreement.” UNIFEED

More than 67,000 girls between the ages of 6 and 17 years old from across Benin have this week received new shoes as part of a partnership with Batonga Foundation, UNICEF and TOMS. UNICEF