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Source: United Nations – United Nations –

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October 8, 2025 Economic development

Millions of people in Europe continue to face housing problems: according to a new study by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), more than a third of the poorest families spend over 30 percent – and many spend as much as 45 percent – of their income on housing. Young families, the elderly, migrants, and single parents are particularly vulnerable.

More than 30 ministers and high-ranking officials from countries in the region, gathered in Geneva for the 86th session of the UNECE Committee on Urban Development, Housing, and Land Management, intend to address these challenges. Participants reaffirmed that housing is not a luxury, but a fundamental human right, and committed to taking concrete steps to improve its affordability and sustainability.

"Affordable and sustainable housing are fundamental priorities," emphasized UNECE Executive Secretary Tatyana Molchan. "Our region is united in its commitment to addressing these issues through international cooperation, evidence-based policies, and, above all, equity and inclusiveness."

Martin Tschirren, Swiss Secretary of State and Director General of the Federal Housing Agency and chair of the meeting, added: “Without universal access to high-quality and affordable housing, social and economic problems arise that affect education, health, transport and the environment.”

Investments, new models and fair land policy

The ministers agreed to increase public investment in housing construction and expand social, cooperative, and public housing funds. Plans call for more active private financing through green bonds, sustainability-linked loans, community land trusts, and hybrid financial instruments.

Particular attention will be paid to regulating short-term tourist rentals to reduce speculation in the market, as well as to reforming land taxation to ensure a more equitable land policy.

Local government support and new approaches to construction

Reaffirming the commitments made this week at the 5th UN Forum of Mayors, ministers emphasized the need to strengthen the role of local authorities, which are at the forefront of addressing housing challenges. They must be provided with greater legal, political, and financial support to implement climate-resilient and affordable housing policies.

Particular attention will be paid to the modernization of existing housing stock, the redevelopment of vacant and underutilized urban areas, and new construction models that combine energy efficiency, innovative technologies, and climate change adaptation measures.

Transparency and accountability

To better understand the situation, countries in the region intend to more actively collect and share geospatial data, including 3D models of the built environment. The ministers reaffirmed that housing must remain an international priority – both within the framework of the Sustainable Development Goals and the UN Geneva Charter on Sustainable Housing.

The UNECE Committee on Urban Planning, Housing and Land Management will report annually on progress achieved and agree on further steps.

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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Source: United Nations – United Nations –

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October 8, 2025 Humanitarian aid

Two years after the start of the war in Gaza, the World Health Organization is preparing for the "day after the conflict" and already has a "clear vision of where and how to move forward." This was stated by WHO Regional Director Hanan Balkhi, speaking to reporters on the eve of the 72nd session of the WHO Regional Committee for the Eastern Mediterranean.

According to Balkhi, amid the diplomatic efforts in Gaza, "there is finally a glimmer of hope that the end of the war is near."

The system is on the verge of collapse

According to the WHO, of the 36 hospitals in the sector, only 14 are functioning – and even then only partially, due to a lack of electricity, water, medicines, and damaged infrastructure.

The WHO, which provides all fuel supplies for hospitals and ambulances, has already delivered 17 million liters. However, as Balkhi emphasized, "much more is needed."

There is also an urgent need to deliver vital medications, from antibiotics to bandages.

Hunger and exhaustion

The situation is exacerbated by hunger and malnutrition. According to Palestinian authorities, 455 people have died of malnutrition since January, including 151 children, mostly under five. More than half a million residents are living in "famine-like conditions," and over a million more suffer from severe food shortages.

"Seven out of 10 pregnant and breastfeeding women are malnourished, one in five babies is born underweight or premature, and infectious diseases are on the rise," Balkhi warned.

WHO and its partners are supporting specialized stabilization centers for treating severely malnourished children and are working to open additional facilities. However, as the organization's representative noted, long-term recovery requires "restoring food systems, water supply, and sanitation—the foundations of public health."

Destroyed clinics and exhausted medical staff

Of the 176 primary health centers, "only a third remain partially functional." The WHO regional director called for the urgent restoration of these facilities to restore "vaccinations, obstetric care, pharmacies, and psychosocial services" to the enclave's residents.

"Gaza's doctors, nurses, and paramedics are stretched to the limit, and they are also suffering losses. More than 1,700 healthcare workers have died since October 2023. Those who continue to work need protection, wages, and psychological support," Balkhi said.

"Better than before"

The WHO estimates that restoring the health sector will cost over $7 billion. These funds should be allocated to both the "humanitarian response and early recovery" and "long-term needs."

"This is a necessary investment in the peace and stability that health brings," Balkhi stressed, calling on donors to provide "flexible, predictable, and multi-year funding" that will allow Palestinian institutions to lead the process.

"When we carry out reconstruction work, we must work with the principle of 'building back better,'" the regional director noted. "Gaza's healthcare system must be more resilient and equitable than it was before the war."

She said hospitals should be equipped with renewable energy sources, clinics with clean water systems, and health information networks should be modernized to help "track disease outbreaks and plan further actions."

The WHO "remained and operated in Gaza throughout every bombing and power outage," Balkhi emphasized. The agency "became the primary provider of medicines and equipment," providing over 22 million treatment courses and surgeries, as well as arranging the evacuation of over 7,800 critically ill patients.

“We stood by Gaza’s medical workers when they had nothing left but courage – and we will stand by them now,” concluded the WHO regional director.

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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October 8, 2025 Economic development

Seafood is one of the most in-demand food commodities on the planet. Per capita consumption has doubled since the 1960s, and this figure is projected to double again by 2050.

Rich in protein, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals, they play a key role in food security and provide a source of income for millions of people. However, behind the scenes of this thriving market lurks a disturbing trend: seafood adulteration.

Substituting expensive fish for cheaper ones, mislabeling origin, and selling defrosted fish as fresh—these are all examples of fraud that can occur at any stage of the supply chain. Such actions not only mislead consumers but also pose health risks, ranging from allergens and toxins to parasites and pathogens. Furthermore, mislabeling can conceal the fact that fish were caught in polluted areas or that endangered species were illegally harvested. In a globalized world of trade and increasingly complex supply chains, identifying such fraud is becoming increasingly difficult.

Coordinated Research Project

To counter this threat, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), in collaboration with the FAO, is launching a five-year coordinated research project (CRP). Its goal is to help countries strengthen food control systems and implement advanced analytical methods, including nuclear technology, to detect and prevent seafood fraud.

As part of the project, the IAEA proposes using a range of scientific approaches, starting with the analysis of stable isotopes of carbon, nitrogen, sulfur, oxygen, and hydrogen, which reflect the ecological conditions of the fish's habitat. This allows for the determination of the product's geographic origin and confirmation of its wild-caught origin. Combined with methods such as X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, scientists can identify additives, differentiate species, and debunk attempts to pass off frozen fish as fresh.

Particular attention is being paid to proteomics, metabolomics, and lipidomics—techniques that allow the study of proteins, small molecules, and fats. This data helps not only with labeling verification but also in identifying food safety hazards. All collected characteristics will be included in reference databases, which will form the basis for digital traceability and control systems.

The CPI project builds on previous food authenticity verification initiatives and focuses on supporting low- and middle-income countries. It includes the development of standardized sampling and preparation protocols, the validation of analytical methods, and addressing knowledge gaps. A key part of the program will be training specialists, technology transfer, and the harmonization of national labeling regulations with international Codex Alimentarius standards.

Sustainable support for the industry

According to Debashish Mazumder, Project Manager for Food Origin Verification at the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, this initiative offers a unique opportunity for countries to join forces to combat fraud and build trust in supply chains. Nuclear-derived seafood origin information can not only promote fair trade but also support the sustainable development of the industry.

Over the next five years, the IAEA plans to publish scientific reports and share the results with regulators and industry representatives. In the long term, the project aims not only to ensure the authenticity of seafood but also to support small-scale fisheries, combat illegal fishing, and strengthen fairness in global food chains.

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.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: United Nations – United Nations –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

October 8, 2025 Refugees and migrants

"I saw people leaving, and I joined them," says 88-year-old Yuri, recalling the day he left Ukraine. "I came to Moldova alone, without family or children to turn to," he adds.

Yuri spends most of his time in the courtyard of the Mental Health Center in Chisinau, the largest in the country. The center receives support from the International Organization for Migration (IOM), a UN agency.

Here, the retiree participates in therapeutic sessions that help him cope with his feelings and maintain mental balance. Yuri feels very lonely, but socializing with others at the center brings him relief. "I feel good here, but everything in Moldova is new to me," he says. "Sometimes it's fun at the center. I socialize with people, but I don't have many friends. Maybe it's because I'm getting old."

One of Yuriy's neighbors in the center is 73-year-old Ana, who often sits next to her 79-year-old friend Alla. Ana is originally from Moldova, but before the war she lived in Odessa, where she worked as a cleaner at the university.

"I liked cleaning," she says. "When I was a kid, I always helped my mom because she needed help, and I had a younger brother."

When full-scale war broke out, Ana's family persuaded her to return to Chisinau. Despite being reunited with her relatives, she felt anxious and depressed. She reluctantly agreed to see a psychologist.

© IOM/R. Severi

Ana (center) in a therapy session.

“I was in a really bad place,” she says. “At first, I didn’t want to go to this center, but in the end, I’m here.”

Ana was hospitalized in July 2023 with severe anxiety and insomnia. In the first weeks, she attended individual and group counseling sessions, art therapy, went for outdoor walks, and played team games. Gradually, her strength returned. She became more sociable, her sleep improved, and her mood lifted.

“I found my home here,” Ana says. “Now I’m not afraid anymore.”

25-year-old Margarita, known to her friends as Margo, is also undergoing therapy at the center. Originally from Ukraine, she moved to Moldova about a year ago. She has struggled with eating disorders since the age of 15.

A few months ago, her condition worsened, she realized that she could no longer cope on her own and sought help.

Back home, Margot was a mathematics teacher and analyst. The war left her unemployed and living far from her family. Every day was filled with a sense of uncertainty and insecurity.

"I never wanted to ask my family for help because I thought I was strong," she says. "I was wrong. When I came here, I realized there are people ready to support me. Never be afraid to ask for help," Margot adds.

In the first days of the war in February 2022, thousands of people crossed the Ukrainian-Moldovan border in search of safety.

"The authorities have mobilized various sectors to coordinate the response, including preparing psychological support measures," said Arkady Astrakhan, director of the Chisinau Mental Health Center, in anticipation of World Mental Health Day, celebrated on October 10.

© IOM/R. Severi

IOM experts help elderly Ukrainians get the help they need.

Since 2023, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), a UN agency, has been supporting the center, expanding its range of specialized mental health and psychosocial support services for refugees from Ukraine. These include mobile teams, psychiatric and psychological counseling, social activities, art therapy, housing for the elderly and people with disabilities, and a drug addiction rehabilitation program.

Currently, IOM provides nearly 90 percent of the center's services and helps train staff, including in managing complex cases. Patients with chronic or severe mental disorders still face significant challenges in accessing care.

"IOM has played a vital role in addressing these gaps," says Astrakhan. "Supporting people with such needs can be challenging, but at the same time, incredibly important."

Just an hour's drive from Chisinau, in Orhei, lies the Community Mental Health Center, renovated by IOM teams. There, the organization's experts work with people with severe mental disorders.

Since the beginning of the war, 1,080 Ukrainians have received specialized psychological support through IOM programs in Moldova. Peer-to-peer initiatives have become a key element of this support. Ukrainians with medical training or relevant life experience assist their compatriots.

In Moldova's community centers, support takes many forms. For Yuri, the most important thing is communication, which helps him feel less alone. For others, it's therapy sessions or even just the knowledge that help is nearby. Their stories remind us that even in the shadow of war, healing is possible.

*This article was prepared based on materials from the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

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.