BANGKOK, Thailand, Dec 23 (IPS) - In December 2024, Vanuatu experienced yet another harrowing reminder of its vulnerability to disasters—a powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck the Pacific nation’s capital, Port Vila, leaving 14 dead, over 200 injured, and thousands more affected.

Read the full story, “Targeting Transformative Disaster Risk Reduction in Asia-Pacific Subregions”, on globalissues.org →

UNITED NATIONS, Dec 23 (IPS) - The United States and Western allies have jointly provided a staggering $260 billion in aid, mostly weapons and military assistance, to Ukraine as the long-drawn-out conflict continues following Russia’s invasion in February 2022.

Speaking to reporters at NATO headquarters in Brussels early December, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said: “All told, the United States has provided $102 billion in assistance to Ukraine, and our allies and partners, $158 billion”.

Read the full story, “US & Western Allies Provide a Hefty 260 Billion Dollars in Military Aid to Ukraine”, on globalissues.org →

UN agencies are intensifying their response in Vanuatu after a 7.3 magnitude earthquake killed 12 people and injured over 200 earlier this week, with a second 6.1 magnitude tremor on Sunday further exacerbating the challenges for affected communities.

Read the full story, “UN surge teams mobilise as Vanuatu hit by second earthquake”, on globalissues.org →