• Gaza: ‘Overwhelming’ demand for food aid, as WFP urges more border access to prevent famine 
• DRC: Women and girls endure escalating crisis as UNFPA warns of rising violence and failing health facilities 
• Sudan war: Over a million people have returned to Khartoum, in sign of resilience


UN News Today 21 October 2025 - Gaza, DR Congo, Sudan

Women and girls in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) are trapped in one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises and face rampant insecurity. Speaking to journalists at the UN Office at Geneva, Shoko Arakaki, director of humanitarian affairs at the UN reproductive health agency (UNFPA), said that essential services have been severely disrupted, while incidents of rape and conflict-related sexual violence have surged by a third compared to last year. 


CLIP - Rape and conflict-related sexual violence surged in DR Congo, UNFPA warns

• Climate science and early warnings key to saving lives
• Gaza: children are in urgent need of safety; humanitarians ramp up assistance
• Decade of slowing deforestation offers hope for forests

Audio credit: Ileana Exaras, UN News


UN News Today 22 October 2025 - early warning systems, Gaza update, hope for forests

As part of the Big Conversations series during CARIFESTA XV, Prime Minister Mia Mottley and St. Lucian diplomat Dr. June Soomer — a member of the UN Forum on People of African Descent — share their perspectives on what “civilisation” means in the Caribbean context and the importance of free movement of people. The discussion is moderated by CARICOM Secretary-General Dr. Carla Barnett.

INSIDER'S REPORT | THE BIG CONVERSATIONS | PART 3 | CIVILISATION IN THE CARIBBEAN

The Russian shelling of a UN humanitarian convoy in the Kherson region of Ukraine earlier this month underscores the risks aid workers face every day, as the Russian full-scale invasion of the country enters its fourth winter.
Andrea de Domenico is the Ukraine country head of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. He told Nargiz Shekinskaya from UN News that, despite the dangers they face, and limited resources, he and his team remain committed to helping the population. 
Audio: Nargiz Shekinskaya
Photo: UNOCHA/Yurii Veres

From ‘collateral damage’ to direct attacks: UN Humanitarians face growing risks in Ukraine

Storytelling has the power to inspire action, and when celebrities and influencers use their platforms for climate advocacy, the impact can reach audiences across the globe. 
In September at UN Headquarters in New York, actor and UNDP Goodwill Ambassador Nikolaj Coster-Waldau shared his experiences of visiting UN Development Programme (UNDP) initiatives for his Bloomberg TV series, An Optimist’s Guide to the Planet.
Joining him in the SDG Media Zone was UNDP India Youth Climate Champion Prajakta Koli. Moderator Alyssa Hardy, Style Director at Teen Vogue, asked Mr. Coster-Waldau why, despite the severity of the climate crisis, there is still reason to be hopeful. 
Audio: UN News/ Charlotte Frantz
Photo: UNDP India

PODCAST: Turning Climate Stories into Climate Action

Catch up on information you might have missed during the week.

This week's programme features:
1.	Barbados Electoral Department
2.	Copyright Bill 2025

This Week’s In Case You Missed It Opportunities – October 22 - 28:

-	Barbados Job Register popup at the National Insurance and Social Security Service on Culloden Road, St. Michael, until October 31.
-	BECCS job postings – check molbarbados246 on Instagram or molbarbados on Facebook
-	The Co-operative We Gatherin’ Entrepreneurial Fair | Saturday, November 1 |Church Village Green, Central Bank | 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
-	FundAccess’ Leadership Lounge Workshop | Topics include: Understanding the Difference Between Leading and Managing Employees | November 6 to 27 | you can attend either online or in-person. Sign up today at info.fundaccess.org/registration-form | more information, email training@fundaccess.com or call 228-1366
-	Tsunami Awareness Day Film Festival | Bay Street Esplanade, St. Michael | November 7 | 6:30 p.m.  


IN CASE YOU MISSED IT OCTOBER 22 - 28 (2025)

• Gaza: international community to build on current ceasefire toward a comprehensive agreement or risk insecurity and violence.
• Sudan: UN agencies call for immediate action to address the escalating humanitarian crisis there.
• Green light for Gang Suppression Force tells Haitians ‘they are not alone’, Security Council hears

Audio credit: Ileana Exaras, UN News 


UN News Today 23 October 2025 - Gaza update, Sudan crisis, Haiti

• UN chief calls for urgent Security Council reform
• Gaza: opening all crossings is ‘critical’, UN health agency calls for more access
• Forty migrants, including children, perish in Tunisia shipwreck warns of growing dangers on sea routes 

Audio credit: Charlotte Franz, UN News

UN News Today 24 October 2025 - UN80, Gaza health update, Tunisia shipwreck

Speaking at an open debate marking the Security Council’s 80th Anniversary, Secretary-General António Guterres called for an urgent reform of the UN body. 

Full remarks available here: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/sg/statements/2025-10-24/un-secretary-generals-remarks-the-security-council-the-uns-80th-anniversary-delivered

CLIP: Secretary-General remarks to the Security Council on its 80th anniversary - 24 October 2025

The Barbados Government Information Service has been established since 1958 as the Barbados Government's public relations and information arm.   This dynamic channel profiles Barbadian people, places and programmes which make up this Caribbean island surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea.  We hope you enjoy and feel free to comment.  We want to hear from you.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT OCTOBER 22 - 28 (2025)

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