Issue Brief 32: Ukraine conflict and food security

Since February 2022 the conflict between Russia and Ukraine has triggered the largest movement of refugees in Europe since the end of the Second World War. The humanitarian catastrophe has had impacts worldwide. Hunger crises are exarcebated, food security is at risk and prices for agricultural products are skyrocketing. We compiled an issue brief focusing on the impact on food security worldwide

In our CONFLICT Toolbox you can find situation updates regarding the Ukraine conflict, relevant information and more

International Women´s Day

According to United Nations (UN)Women, 75% of jobs will be Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) related by 2050, yet only 22% of Artificial Intelligence (AI) workers are women, almost half of AI systems demonstrate gender bias and 73% of women journalists have suffered online violence. Women’s underrepresentation and experience of constant gender -based violence in this field hinder them from discovering technology’s full potential.

Under this year’s theme of „DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality“, we call on everyone to help make the digital world free of discrimination, bias and violence, especially for women and girls.

You can find more information on women’s health, gender violence, sexual and reproductive rights in our Women & Child Health, Sexual and Reproductive Rights, Women & Maternal Health and Maternal & Child Health categories.

Zero Discrimination Day- 1th of March

 The Zero Discrimination Day is a movement that aims to end all forms of discrimination and promote equality, inclusion and tolerance. With the theme „Save lives: Decriminalize“ this year, the UNAIDS (Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS) underlines the importance of the decriminalization of key populations and people living with HIV to pave the way to end the AIDS pandemic. Despite setting reforms in 2021 to combat this, there are still several countries today that criminalize HIV exposure, transgender persons, sex work and/or same – sex sexual acitivity according to UNAIDS.. To learn more about HIV/AIDS, including key populations, clinical aspects, treatment & prevention visit our HIV toolbox.

Severe earthquakes in Turkey and Syria

An earthquake with a magnitude of 7.8, followed by a series of aftershocks, has hit northern Syria and southern Turkey last Monday, January 6, 2023. As of yesterday, a combined death toll of more than 37,000 had been recorded with the numbers expected to rise as rescue operations continue.

It is essential to ensure that victims have sufficient relief supplies such as food, water, shelter, heating as well as continuous access to basic health services and immediate medical care for injuries. It is also vital to have ongoing surveillance to prevent and prepare for any infectious, respiratory and or water-borne disease outbreaks.

For more information about the earthquake please visit our Natural Hazards Toolbox.