World News in Brief: Mpox update, Haiti violence, deadly strikes in Ukraine, Pakistan attack condemned





The UN agency declared in August that mpox raised the highest level of alarm under international health law following an increase in cases, mainly in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and neighbouring countries.

WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus agreed with the committee’s advice and determined that the upsurge still represents a public health emergency of international concern. 

“The decision was based on the rising number and continuing geographic spread of cases, operational challenges in the field and the need to mount and sustain a cohesive response across countries and partners,” the statement said.



A significant step’

This week, WHO approved a second mpox vaccine for emergency use listing (EUL) – a process to evaluate the quality, safety and efficacy of medical products.

The LC16m8 vaccine was developed and manufactured by KM Biologics in Japan.

The decision is expected to facilitate increased and timely access to vaccines in communities where mpox outbreaks are surging.

Dr. Yukiko Nakatani, WHO Assistant Director-General for access to medicines and health products, called it “a significant step” in the response to the current emergency.

“Vaccines are one of the important tools to help contain the outbreak as part of a comprehensive response strategy that also includes improved testing and diagnosis, treatment and care, infection prevention control and engagement and education within affected communities,”



Haiti: Gang violence displaces more than 40,000 in recent days

Escalating gang violence in and around Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince, continues to drive people from their homes, UN agencies said on Friday.

More than 40,000 people have been displaced since 11 November, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

Despite the very volatile situation and limited access, the UN and partners continue efforts to respond to the growing humanitarian needs. 

Since Monday, aid organizations have provided more than 250,000 litres of water to over 10,000 people in six displacement sites in Port-au-Prince.

The UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has also distributed water and hygiene kits to 10,000 people, and IOM continues to truck water to newly created displacement sites.                                                                            

Meanwhile, mobile clinics are supporting 15,000 people with medical consultations and the World Food Programme (WFP) has been providing food to 38,000 displaced daily since Saturday.