UN News Today 09 July 2025 |

WHO chief announces delivery of medical aid to Gaza

First to Gaza, where the UN health agency has confirmed that 11 trucks carrying medical supplies have entered the war-ravaged enclave.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on social media Tuesday that the supplies reached a WHO warehouse and will be distributed to health facilities across the Strip.

The shipment includes surgical equipment, assistive devices, orthopedic instruments, and other vital medical items.

But the needs remain immense, Tedros warned.

“We urgently call for the unimpeded entry of fuel, food, and health aid at scale into Gaza through all possible routes – peace is the best medicine,” he said.

More than 21 months of conflict have left conditions in Gaza “catastrophic.” UN teams continue to receive reports of repeated attacks on shelters, schools, homes, and medical centres, with civilian casualties mounting daily.

Fuel shortages are now critical. UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said remaining supplies are running dangerously low.

“There are virtually no additional accessible stocks left. Hospitals are rationing. Ambulances are stalling. Water systems are on the brink.”, he said.

Anaemia threatens women and girls in South Asia

Now to South Asia, where a new UN report reveals that more than 259 million women and girls are living with anaemia — a condition that impairs the body’s ability to carry oxygen.

Without urgent, coordinated action, that number could rise by another 18 million by 2030.

Anaemia is a leading cause of low birthweight and poor development in children, especially in low-income households. The economic toll is also staggering: South Asia loses an estimated $32.5 billion annually due to anaemia-related impacts.

The condition, however, is both preventable and treatable, through supplements, nutrient-rich diets, improved sanitation, and access to maternal healthcare.

Countries including Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan, Bhutan, Nepal, and the Maldives are scaling up national programmes to fight the crisis.

There are early signs of progress. In Nepal, anaemia among women of reproductive age has declined by 7 per cent since 2016 – with the greatest gains in the poorest communities.

Additionally, seven South Asian governments are gathering in Colombo, Sri Lanka, for a regional conference to take joint action against anaemia. The event runs from 9 to 11 July.

DRC: UN continues response to deadly flooding

And finally, to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where floods in April affected over 1.5 million people, especially in the capital, Kinshasa.

The disaster caused multiple landslides and widespread damage. Since then, continued heavy rains have triggered flash floods and new emergencies.

The UN and partners responded quickly. WHO deployed medical teams and ambulances, set up field clinics, and helped evacuate vulnerable people to safer areas.

They also supported local authorities with health assessments, clean drinking water, and essential supplies.

As government teams begin rebuilding damaged infrastructure, WHO continues to focus on preventing disease outbreaks and reinforcing disease surveillance systems.

Dr. Emilia Sana, WHO’s Flood Incident Manager, said the response was a critical moment in improving emergency coordination.

“One of the key takeaways from this emergency, both in Kinshasa and other provinces, is that there is power in collaboration…WHO’s support through providing medicines to the affected communities has been invaluable,” she said.

Anna O’Donnell, UN News.

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