UN News Today 19 August 2026 |

Sudan war: 200,000 newly displaced as fighting and floods intensify

Intensifying fighting in Sudan has displaced at least another 200,000 people since late 2025, while destructive seasonal floods are compounding the humanitarian emergency there.

In an alert, the UN International Organization for Migration (IOM) also warned that relief access has been disrupted further by ongoing delays in goods transiting through the Red Sea and Strait of Hormuz. 

Across Sudan, a total of 8.6 million people have fled the war since it began in April 2023. 

Significant numbers continue to shelter in neighbouring countries, too, as fighting remains active in many areas of the country between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the  rebel Rapid Support Forces and their allies. 

The situation is extremely dangerous for civilians and aid workers, whose sacrifice is commemorated annually on 19 August – World Humanitarian Day. 

From Port Sudan, here’s UN communications officer Samreen Abuidris:

“I remember just a while ago, I spoke to the daughter of one of our colleagues who was killed in El Fasher, just to learn a few days later, she herself died of hunger-related complications. In Sudan, those who are providing aid are not separated from the communities they serve. They are living the crisis alongside them.”

Ms. Abuidris, who works with the UN aid coordination office, OCHA, said that more than 178 aid workers have been killed in Sudan since the war began.

Many others have been abducted, injured and subjected to violence.

Zambia elections: UN human rights chief’s concern over opposition arrest

After Zambians re-elected President Hakainde Hichilema for a second term, UN human rights chief Volker Türk has raised concerns about reports of arrests and detention of political opponents in the country. 

“We urge the authorities to stop arresting people arbitrarily” and “call on them to uphold fully the due process rights of all those detained”, the High Commissioner for Human Rights said, in a statement.

Mr. Türk insisted that all arrests and court proceedings must be “fully consistent” with international human rights standards and Zambian law. 

Here’s his spokesperson, Ravina Shamdasani:

“All detainees must be notified at the time of their arrest of the reasons for their arrest and promptly informed of any charges against them. They must also be allowed access to legal representation, as well as communication with their families. They must be treated humanely while in custody and brought promptly before a judge.”

It has been reported that chief opposition leader, Brian Mundubile, remains in hiding after an alleged raid by armed intruders on his home in Lusaka.

Chad: Mass vaccination boost plan to confront cholera outbreak

To Chad, where there’s a push to halt a deadly cholera outbreak, thanks to the delivery of 1.9 million vaccines with the help of the UN Children’s Fund, UNICEF.

To date, 16 deaths have been reported among communities in Hadjer-Lamis Province, N’Djamena, the capital city, and in Lac province.

UNICEF’s Halimatou Amadou stressed the spreading threat from the disease in Central and West Africa:

“What we observe is that it’s moving along shared rivers, trade routes and population movement, putting millions of children at risk. Every new infection is a reminder that millions of children are still being denied one of their most basic rights, safe water. We know how to stop cholera. What is needed now is urgency, investment and solidarity to act before more children lose their lives to a disease that is entirely preventable.”

Chad’s Lac province is the main active hotspot, with dozens of new cases reported in the agency’s latest update from 14 August.

The vaccination campaign is scheduled to start on Friday, in Bol, Lac p rovince, supported by the authorities, UNICEF and WHO.

Daniel Johnson, UN News