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Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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September 30, 2025 Humanitarian aid

Vital humanitarian aid efforts to remote Afghan communities hit by last month's devastating earthquake have been severely hampered by the de facto Afghan authorities' decision to shut down the internet nationwide.

"We have been informed that starting yesterday at 5 p.m., telecommunications and fiber optic services in Afghanistan will be suspended until further notice," said Indrika Ratwatte, the UN humanitarian coordinator in the country, speaking via a shaky satellite video link from Kabul.

"The rest of the country is now almost completely disconnected from the internet," he added. He also said contact with humanitarian workers in remote areas assisting earthquake victims in eastern Afghanistan has been lost.

Ratwatte described the plight of families who previously lived in mountain villages but are now forced to live in overcrowded informal settlements in the Kunar Valley. In one such community, he met a woman who had lost 11 members of her family. "It's just a colossal trauma," he noted.

There is no connection

An estimated 43 million Afghans now lack internet access since the Taliban began cutting communications cables several weeks ago in an effort to combat "vice" and immorality under a strict interpretation of Sharia law.

The work of UN humanitarian agencies is also complicated by the Taliban's ban on Afghan women entering their premises, introduced earlier this month.

According to Ratwatte, the internet shutdown affected not only the activities of the UN and its partners, but also health programs, banking and financial services.

“At the community level, this means the cessation of normal business operations, banking transactions, remittances and foreign income that are critical to people,” he explained.

A month has passed since a magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan. The disaster claimed the lives of approximately 2,000 people and damaged 8,500 homes.

"Winter is not coming – it's already here," Ratwatte warned, stressing the need to insulate temporary shelters for displaced people and provide them with warm clothing as temperatures plummet.

The planes are not flying

Negotiations are currently underway in Kabul with the country's de facto authorities to ease the internet shutdown to ensure "critical communications" with humanitarian groups.

"This is another crisis on top of the existing one… its consequences will directly impact people's lives," Ratwatte emphasized.

He noted that the current situation will impact medical services, supply chains, and vaccinations. "Aid that ensures the functioning of basic services in the country will also be affected," Ratwatte said. "Flights have been cancelled, and no flights from abroad are arriving today."

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

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Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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September 30, 2025 Healthcare

The number of Ukrainians requiring rehabilitation after injuries, strokes, and other serious illnesses is growing, but the country's medical rehabilitation system is still failing to keep up with this demand. This is according to a new report from the World Health Organization (WHO), which calls for updated approaches to funding and planning this care.

A sharp increase in needs

The WHO reminds us that rehabilitation is not a luxury, but a vital component of medical care. Demand for it among Ukrainian residents increased due to military conflict in 2014, and has skyrocketed since the full-scale invasion. In addition to war injuries, complications from strokes and civilian injuries have been added, as well as age-related diseases due to an aging population.

Over the past five years, the state has noticeably increased investments in this sector: if in 2020 rehabilitation accounted for only 1.2 percent of the budget of the Medical Guarantees Program, then in 2025, according to estimates, it will already be 4 percent – almost 6.9 billion hryvnias (about 154 million euros).

But experts acknowledge that funding doesn't always reach those who need it most. For example, in 2024, only 1.5 percent of patients with severe stroke complications were able to continue outpatient treatment after hospital discharge.

Weaknesses

The gap between inpatient and outpatient care is a major problem. According to the WHO, only 6 percent of patients who complete hospital treatment subsequently undergo outpatient rehabilitation. The rest either abandon rehabilitation altogether or are forced to return to the hospital, even though they could be treated closer to home.

There's also a lack of community-based care—at home, through primary care centers, or through mobile teams. General practitioners cannot yet directly refer patients to a physiotherapist or speech therapist; they must first make a referral to a specialist, which isn't always necessary.

Furthermore, access to free rehabilitation is still determined solely by a formal diagnosis, not by a person's actual functional capabilities. Because of this, people with serious disabilities who haven't received a proper diagnosis may be left without assistance, and doctors are sometimes forced to use specific diagnostic codes to "circumvent" the system.

European experience

The WHO recommends that Ukraine transition to a mixed model, taking into account not only the diagnosis but also the level of functional loss using specialized scales, such as the Barthel Index. This scale is already used in the Ukrainian palliative care system and is planned for implementation in the eHealth platform by the end of 2025.

The WHO report provides examples from other countries:

Croatia uses index scores for inpatient referrals. Lithuania, with the help of schools, determines the length of treatment—from 24 to 40 days for adults—based on the severity of impairments. Estonia divides care into intensive, restorative, and supportive, and prescribes 21-day cycles for patients with severe speech, cognitive, and motor impairments.

Experts believe such models help use resources more efficiently and return people to active life more quickly.

What does WHO offer to Ukraine?

The organization advises:

Establish a patient referral system so that everyone leaving the hospital has a plan for their subsequent recovery; develop single-professional services, where a single specialist, such as a physiotherapist, can manage the entire course of treatment, which is especially useful for mild cases and outpatient care; expand community and home-based rehabilitation so that people don't waste time traveling to large hospitals; and revise tariffs: instead of fixed 14-day cycles, pay for the actual duration of treatment, adjusted for the complexity of the case.

Patients and staff

The number of clinics contracted with the National Health Service of Ukraine increased from 321 in 2021 to 555 in 2025, but only half of them provide both inpatient and outpatient services. The situation also varies by region: in the Chernihiv region, 92 percent of medical institutions provide both services, while in the Kharkiv region, only 27 percent.

The majority of the budget still goes to inpatient care – around 60 percent. Outpatient care accounts for 36–38 percent, and the remaining funds go to infant services. Meanwhile, outpatient rehabilitation spending in 2025 has increased by 41 percent compared to 2024.

The number of patients is growing: from 116,000 in 2023 to 138,000 in 2024, and the number of treatment courses is increasing from 134,000 to 171,000. Most service recipients are men (71 percent in 2024), due to military injuries: military personnel are required to undergo inpatient rehabilitation.

The system still suffers from a shortage of trained specialists – physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists – and also suffers from overlapping responsibilities between healthcare and social welfare agencies.

Investment in the future

The authors emphasize that rehabilitation is an investment in human capital. It allows people after injuries and strokes to return to work, education, and normal life, reduces long-term care costs, and improves the quality of life for families.

WHO calls on the Ukrainian government and international partners to synchronize financial and systemic reforms to ensure that rehabilitation becomes accessible and sustainable even in the context of war and limited budgets.

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

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Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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September 30, 2025 UN

The top news of the day at the UN and around the world: the US proposal for a ceasefire in Gaza, the communication blackout in Afghanistan, a Security Council meeting on the Democratic Republic of the Congo, a meeting on the situation of the Rohingya and other minorities in Myanmar.

The situation in Gaza

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomed the statement made yesterday US President Donald Trump's agreement aimed at achieving a ceasefire and sustainable peace in Gaza and the region. "It is now crucial that all parties commit to the agreement and its implementation," the UN stated. The Secretary-General reiterated that the priority must be "alleviating the enormous suffering caused by this conflict." Meanwhile, UN humanitarian agencies on Tuesday appealed again An urgent ceasefire is called for in Gaza. As winter approaches, Israeli military operations continue to force tens of thousands of people to flee their homes.

Communications in Afghanistan

UN agencies continue humanitarian efforts in Afghanistan Following a devastating earthquake and amid the mass return of Afghans from neighboring countries, the UN warned yesterday that the de facto authorities had suspended telecommunications and internet services in the country for an indefinite period. This impacts not only humanitarian efforts but also healthcare programs, financial services, and air travel. The organization is in contact with the de facto authorities regarding this matter.

Crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) Bintou Keita warned the Security CouncilDespite diplomatic efforts and peace agreements, the real situation in the country remains critical. The situation is exacerbated by a humanitarian catastrophe. The new Ebola outbreak in the country coincided with a sharp reduction in international funding. The humanitarian response plan is only 15.2 percent funded, down from 41 percent last year.

Minorities of Myanmar

Humanitarian crisis affecting Myanmar's minorities continues to worsenThis was stated in a statement by UN Secretary-General António Guterres addressed to participants of the High-Level Conference on the Situation of Rohingya Muslims. The goal of the conference is to find solutions to the humanitarian and political crisis surrounding the Rohingya Muslims and other minorities living in refugee camps in Bangladesh. Participants are discussing the decline in humanitarian aid, the internal conflict in Myanmar, and the development of measures for the voluntary return of refugees.

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

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Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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September 30, 2025 Peace and security

The UN Secretary-General's Special Representative for the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Bintou Keita, warned the Security Council that despite diplomatic efforts and peace agreements, the real situation in the country remains critical.

Since the signing of the Washington Agreement in June and the subsequent peace meetings in Doha, some political progress has been achieved, Keita noted. "Concrete steps have been taken, but on the ground, peace remains largely a promise," Keita emphasized.

Ongoing violence

According to the UN mission in Congo (MONUSCO), since June 2025 alone, 1,087 civilians have been killed in the provinces of Ituri and North Kivu. Despite UN Security Council Resolution 2773The AFC/M23 group continues to control captured territories, expand its zones of influence and strengthen its military potential, having recruited more than seven thousand new fighters.

"Key provisions of the resolution remain unimplemented. Instead of withdrawing from Goma and other cities, M23 has created parallel governance structures," Keita noted.

Furthermore, ADF armed groups affiliated with the Islamic State have killed approximately 300 civilians in the past three months alone. Attacks by CODECO and CRP groups continue in Ituri, forcing thousands to seek refuge in UN bases.

Humanitarian crisis

The situation is exacerbated by a humanitarian catastrophe. The new Ebola outbreak in the country coincided with a sharp reduction in international funding. The humanitarian response plan is only 15.2 percent funded, down from 41 percent last year. As a result, more than 27.7 million people are suffering from acute food insecurity.

"The gap between people's needs and available resources is rapidly growing. If the situation continues, millions of people will pay with their lives for our inaction," warned the UN Special Representative.

Bintou Keita particularly emphasized the importance of women's and civil society participation in peace processes, as well as the need to combat illegal mining, which fuels armed conflict.

Despite the difficult conditions, MONUSCO continues to protect civilians, support the functioning of the courts, assist victims of sexual violence, and facilitate the disarmament of militants. But, according to Keith, the mission cannot do this alone: "Resolutions will only have meaning when they are followed by real action on the ground."

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

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September 30, 2025 Peace and security

UN Secretary-General António Guterres welcomes US President Donald Trump's announcement yesterday aimed at achieving a ceasefire and sustainable peace in Gaza and the region. This was announced today by the UN Secretary-General's press service.

The Secretary-General also praises the important role of Arab and Muslim states in resolving this issue. "It is now crucial that all parties commit to the agreement and its implementation," the UN stated.

The Secretary-General reiterated that the priority must be to “facilitate the enormous suffering caused by this conflict" He reiterated his call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, unimpeded humanitarian access throughout Gaza, and the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages. The UN chief hopes this will create the conditions for the two-state solution to be realized.

The United Nations remains steadfast in its commitment to supporting all efforts that contribute to peace, stability and a more hopeful future for the people of Palestine and Israel and the entire region.

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

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Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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September 30, 2025 Peace and security

UN agencies renewed their call on Tuesday for an urgent ceasefire in Gaza. Earlier, a new 20-point US plan calling for a suspension of hostilities was announced.

With winter rapidly approaching intensive Israeli military operations Tens of thousands of people continue to be forced to leave their homes in Gaza City.

"It is important to achieve a ceasefire and ensure the delivery of aid – not only to prevent the famine that is increasingly widespread in the south, but also to ensure that children and families can find shelter," UNICEF spokesman Ricardo Pires said at a briefing in Geneva on Tuesday.

According to him, with the drop in temperatures, residents of the destroyed sector will face "new serious problems," especially for children's health.

The overcrowded Al-Mawasi camp

According to UNICEF, conditions in the coastal Al-Mawasi tent camp remain dire. "The camp simply cannot accommodate the influx of people," noted Pires. He added that approximately 400,000 displaced people are living there.

Meanwhile, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reports that only 18 percent of the territory in the sector has not been subject to evacuation orders or turned into militarized zones.

Many displaced families are in dire need of shelter. UNICEF has prepared 11,000 tents and tarpaulins, but they have not yet been delivered to the sector. "We can't bring these supplies in. This clearly demonstrates the seriousness of the challenges with logistics and aid delivery," Pires emphasized.

Difficulties with the delivery of humanitarian aid

OCHA spokesman Jens Laerke confirmed that aid distribution within Gaza remains limited. Some organizations are managing to deliver food: on Sunday alone, 137 community kitchens distributed approximately 660,000 meals to residents of the enclave.

However, Laerke noted, the ability to deliver aid directly depends on permits for its transportation. He said more than 40 percent of requests for missions requiring coordination with the Israeli military were rejected on Sunday.

Furthermore, some humanitarian aid has been seized by Gazans in dire need of assistance, and in some cases, by armed groups. The situation remains "chaotic," said Lerkke, emphasizing the "absolute necessity" of a ceasefire so that humanitarian organizations can resume "full, coordinated, and sustained" efforts.

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

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Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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September 30, 2025 Peace and security

The humanitarian crisis affecting Myanmar's minorities continues to worsen, according to a statement by UN Secretary-General António Guterres addressed to participants of the High-Level Conference on the Rohingya Muslims. The statement was read by his Chief of Staff, Earl Courtenay Rattray.

The UN chief warned that the situation in Myanmar has worsened since the 2021 military coup and poses a threat to regional stability. The goal of the conference, taking place on September 30 in New York, is to find solutions to the humanitarian and political crisis surrounding the Rohingya Muslims and other minorities in refugee camps in Bangladesh. Participants are discussing the decline in humanitarian aid, the internal conflict in Myanmar, and the development of measures for the voluntary return of refugees.

Decades of violence and discrimination

"This crisis… violates the human rights, dignity and security of millions and threatens regional stability," the UN chief said.

The Secretary-General recalled that minorities in Myanmar have been subjected to exclusion, violence, and discrimination for decades. He paid particular attention to the situation of the Rohingya.

"The Rohingya were deprived of citizenship. They were subjected to hate speech. They faced violence and destruction. They were held in internally displaced persons camps in Myanmar, where their freedom of movement and access to education and healthcare were restricted," the Secretary-General recalled.

Refugees in Bangladesh

He noted that Bangladesh has shown exceptional hospitality, sheltering over a million refugees. The Secretary-General recounted his visit to the Cox's Bazar camp this year.

"I met with Rohingya refugees in Cox's Bazar and was inspired by their courage and moved by their determination. Many shared horrific stories of their ordeals in Myanmar. They want to go home. Myanmar is their homeland," Guterres said.

However, he said, current conditions in Myanmar's Rakhine State, where the Rohingya lived, make their return impossible. The civilians are caught in the middle of a civil conflict that erupted after the 2021 coup.

Help is running out

Over the past 18 months, another 150,000 Rohingya have fled to Bangladesh, with many forced to risk their lives by crossing the sea. Meanwhile, refugee camps are facing resource shortages.

"Severe aid cuts have limited access to healthcare and disrupted opportunities for education and employment. Food aid may run out by the end of November," the UN chief noted.

The situation of women and girls is particularly alarming: “Due to insecurity and exploitation, women and girls are at increased risk of sexual and gender-based violence, trafficking, and child marriage.”

Find a solution

The Secretary-General called on the international community to join forces and provide the Rohingya with the necessary support.

"We must work together to find a solution to the crisis affecting the Rohingya and other minorities in Myanmar. We must find a lasting political solution that will shape a peaceful and inclusive future for all of Myanmar," he said.

Guterres identified three priorities to overcome the crisis: respect for international humanitarian law and the protection of civilians, guaranteed humanitarian access throughout Myanmar, and increased financial support for both refugees and host communities.

The turning point

Speaking at a high-level conference, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk recalled his visit to Rakhine State several years ago. He noted that the situation there had only worsened.

According to Türk, the conference should be a turning point for the Rohingya: the international community is obliged to take action and find a way out of this crisis.

Attacks from all sides

Since November 2023, fighting in Rakhine has intensified, with the Rohingya coming under attack from all sides.

The Myanmar military is increasingly resorting to airstrikes against civilians throughout Rakhine. They are committing horrific crimes, including the deliberate killing of civilians, the destruction of civilian property, arbitrary detention and torture, and forced recruitment.

Airstrikes and artillery shelling are also devastating areas home to other minorities, including the Mru, Maramagya, Hindu, and Kaman. The fighting is resulting in civilian deaths and mass displacement.

Meanwhile, the ethnic armed group Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (another name for Rakhine State – ed.), in its quest for territorial gains, has reportedly also killed, abducted, tortured, forcibly recruited Rohingya, and burned entire villages. Arakan Army militants arrest Rohingya for allegedly supporting the Myanmar military, traveling without permission, and resisting forced recruitment.

"Arakan Army units arrested families returning from Bangladesh to Maungdaw in northern Rakhine and extorted money from them. Those who paid were deported back to Bangladesh, while others who couldn't pay were kept in detention," Türk reported.

The humanitarian situation is worsening

The humanitarian situation in Rakhine and across the country continues to deteriorate, in part due to the military blockade. Nearly a third of the country's population, approximately 15.2 million people, have faced severe food shortages this year, Türk reported.

"The international community must fulfill its obligations and act," the High Commissioner said. He expressed solidarity with the Rohingya and all the people of Myanmar.

"Their greatest wish is for a dignified future for Myanmar, in which all communities can… live in peace," he added.

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

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