OCHA

• More than a week has passed since the International Court of Justice (ICJ) mandated provisional measures against Israel following South Africa’s accusation of genocide.
• It must also report back to the court within a month on the implementation of these measures.

No adherence

• According to the Health Ministry in Gaza, more than 27,000 Palestinians have now been killed and more than 66,000 injured since the Hamas attacks against Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.
• Israel has also targeted several medical facilities in Gaza, including Nasser hospital, since the ICJ ruling.
• The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) called Rafah a “pressure cooker of despair.”

In direct contravention

• Such action would be in direct contravention of ICJ’s explicit order that Israel ensures basic services and humanitarian aid reaches civilians in Gaza.
• These developments underscore the gravity of the conditions in Gaza following the ICJ ruling, and highlight the urgent need for Israel to comply with the orders.

What’s next?

• Nonetheless, the ICJ ruling sends a clear message to the international community, especially to states allied with Israel, reminding them of the collective responsibility to respect and uphold international law.
• As such, the implications of the decision extend well beyond the immediate parties involved.
• It raises concerns about Canada’s military exports, especially the $21 million of military equipment sent to Israel in 2022.

The Global South strikes back?

• In a broader context, the ICJ’s involvement represents an example of the Global South striking back, as international law expert Heidi Matthews argues in her podcast.
• South Africa’s historical fight against apartheid has made the Palestinian cause resonate for South Africans, lending credibility and moral weight to its case against Israel.
• Nonetheless, despite the hope that the Global South may begin to effectively hold powerful nations to account, the international reaction to the ICJ ruling has been notably ambivalent.
• But the specifics haven’t been disclosed, and there are few other organizations with the expertise and infrastructure to meet the needs of Palestinians in Gaza.

Upholding international law

• The ICJ ruling calls for urgent action, not just from Israel, but also from the wider international community — including Canada — to uphold the tenets of international law and support humanitarian efforts.
• Global Affairs Canada recently stated on social media that “Canada rejects any proposal that calls for the forced displacement of Palestinians from Gaza and the establishment of additional settlements.
• The world is watching, and Canada’s actions now must showcase its commitment to justice, human rights and the rule of law.

Basema Al-Alami does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

• IRVINE, Calif., Nov. 28, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Partnering with the Orange County Hunger Alliance (OCHA), social enterprise innovator RevHubOC is receiving a significant financial investment from the Samueli Foundation.
• This grant reflects the commitment of the Samueli Foundation to making a positive impact on the health of individuals, communities, and the environment by creating a more effective, interconnected food system.
• This project aims to reduce food insecurity and food waste, seed innovations in agricultural technology and food systems, and address root causes of poverty and homelessness.
• RevHubOC CEO Stephan Erkelens says, “The challenges in the food system can seem daunting, but for entrepreneurs these challenges represent endless opportunities.

• "We gather this year to recognize global leadership and resolve at a moment of profound challenge and strife in our world," said Elizabeth Cousens, President and CEO of the UN Foundation.
• Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed was presented with the marquee Champion for Global Change award by Elizabeth Cousens, UN Foundation President and CEO.
• And finally, each year the UN Foundation honors the compassion, courage, and determination of UN frontline workers with the UN Heroes Award.
• The 2023 We the Peoples Awards Ceremony was held at Gotham Hall in New York City.

• Released one day before World Water Day (March 22), the analysis looked at available data for 41 countries that used the UN humanitarian system to request humanitarian assistance for WASH programs in 2022, and highlights the connection between decreased water funding and growing hunger.
• "When people think about hunger, water is not always part of that conversation," said Jean Lapegue, Senior WASH Advisor, Action Against Hunger.
• When looking at funding for countries dealing with crisis levels of hunger (or worse), Action Against Hunger found a 53% gap in funding for hunger programs, a 62% gap in WASH funding, and a 55% gap in health funding.
• The analysis considered both the overall funding levels of WASH programs in 2022 as well as funding for countries that experienced "crisis" levels of hunger in 2021.