International
UN sounds alarm on Haiti’s looming hunger crisis, calls for urgent funding
The United Nations World Food Program (WFP) has issued an urgent appeal for funding to address the worsening hunger crisis in Haiti, which is on the brink of a humanitarian catastrophe amid escalating violence.
Cindy McCain, the executive director of WFP, emphasized the critical need for immediate action, stating, “Our humanitarian operations in Haiti are running critically low on resources, with funds for hot meals expected to be depleted within two weeks. We urge donors to step forward urgently to address the escalating hunger crisis and prevent further chaos.”
McCain stressed that Haiti requires more than just security measures, emphasizing the necessity for a robust humanitarian response to address the growing needs of the population. However, she highlighted the urgent requirement for funding to effectively respond to this largely overlooked crisis.
The UN agency warned of the potential paralysis of humanitarian operations due to insecurity limiting access to communities and the depletion of donor funding. Failure to address the hunger crisis in Haiti could jeopardize efforts to restore stability.
Despite the challenges posed by violence, the WFP has provided assistance to over 280,000 individuals since March 1, including the distribution of 62,000 hot meals to 14,000 displaced persons.
Jean-Martin Bauer, the WFP director in Haiti, emphasized the organization’s commitment to providing aid but emphasized the need for consistent and secure access to reach those in need.
The agency aims to assist 2.4 million people in 2024 through emergency aid, including cash transfers and food rations, contingent upon security conditions.
Haiti is currently experiencing one of the most severe food crises globally, with 1.4 million people at risk of famine. Approximately half of the country’s population faces food insecurity, and over half of its 11 million inhabitants live in poverty.
International
Fire in India’s Jhansi Hospital kills 10 newborns
At least 10 newborns have died following a fire in the neonatal unit of a hospital in Jhansi, India, which was attributed to a faulty oxygen machine, authorities reported on Saturday, adding that 39 babies were rescued.
“Unfortunately, 10 infants have died,” said Brajesh Pathak, Deputy Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, regarding the fire that occurred on Friday night.
The fire started at 10:30 PM (17:00 GMT) at the Maharani Lakshmibai Medical University in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh.
The rescued babies, all only a few days old, were moved to another area of the hospital for treatment.
Dr. Narendra Senga, the director of a medical faculty attached to the hospital, also confirmed the death toll of 10 infants.
International
Seven british citizens arrested in Spain for hashish trafficking 1.2 tons seized
Seven British citizens were arrested in Spain for hashish trafficking in an operation that led to the seizure of 1.2 tons of the drug, which is made from cannabis resin, the Spanish Ministry of the Interior reported on Saturday.
“National Police agents, in collaboration with the National Crime Agency (NCA) of the UK, have dismantled an organization allegedly dedicated to transporting drugs in trucks in Marbella and Elche,” the ministry stated in a press release.
“Agents seized 1,200 kilos of hashish and arrested seven British citizens,” the report specified.
The drugs were found in Marbella and Fuengirola, in southern Spain, as well as in Elche, in the southeastern region.
Part of the hashish was hidden in “large plastic barrels filled with fine mortar sand.”
In addition, the police seized over €63,000 in cash, five passenger vehicles, and a heavy-duty truck.
All of the detainees have been placed in pretrial detention.
Spain serves as the gateway for most of the hashish sold in Europe, due to its proximity to North Africa, the main production area.
In 2022, Spain seized 324.7 tons of hashish, according to the latest available official annual data.
International
Sinaloa cartel network dismantled in Spain following kidnapping and ransom incident
Fourteen members of the Mexican Sinaloa drug cartel were arrested in Spain following an investigation that began with the kidnapping and murder of an associate, the Spanish National Police announced on Sunday.
“The dismantled criminal network, based in Catalonia, is allegedly involved in the kidnapping and death of a man whose body was found in a wooded area of the region,” explained the National Police in a statement. The victim had traveled from Italy to meet with some of the leaders of the gang.
The criminal organization was “mainly composed of Mexican individuals” and was “linked to the Mexican Sinaloa cartel.”
The victim, a 46-year-old man, was allegedly working for the organization and had traveled to Barcelona from Italy to meet with leaders of the criminal network. The kidnapping took place between late May and June, and the victim’s family in Kosovo alerted the police after receiving a ransom demand of €240,000 (approximately $253,000). The family paid part of the ransom, $32,000 in cryptocurrency.
The victim’s body, whose nationality was not disclosed, was found in August in a forest, showing signs of violence and in an advanced state of decomposition.
The arrested individuals are allegedly connected to drug trafficking, money laundering, kidnapping, and murder. They received packages from Mexico containing methamphetamine soaked into pieces of clothing, which were sent to Catalonia. Once in Spain, they extracted the drug in a laboratory they operated.
The Sinaloa cartel is named after the northwestern Mexican state where it was founded and remains one of the most important criminal organizations in the world, despite the incarceration of two of its historic leaders, Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán and Ismael “Mayo” Zambada, in the United States.
Fire in India’s Jhansi Hospital kills 10 newborns
Seven british citizens arrested in Spain for hashish trafficking 1.2 tons seized
Sinaloa cartel network dismantled in Spain following kidnapping and ransom incident
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