Headlines: 1-5 July 2026

Thursday, 2 July 2026

'Most massive' Russian attack on Kyiv kills at least 18 (LINK) — 2 July 2026

Wednesday, 1 July 2026

New EU-IOM Regional Initiative to Address Climate Displacement Across Southern Africa (LINK) — 1 July 2026

— IOM: In Sub-Saharan Africa alone, 17.3 million internal displacements were recorded in 2025, including 2.9 million linked to disasters. The Regional Responses to Climate Displacement in Sub-Saharan Africa (RE2CLID) Programme was officially launched in Malawi during a high-level meeting in Lilongwe on 15 June 2026. Funded by the European Union and implemented by IOM in partnership with governments and stakeholders across the region, the initiative aims to strengthen preparedness, improve data and forecasting systems, and support solutions that reduce displacement risks before disasters strike.

— The programme will be implemented in close collaboration with national and local authorities, including ministries, government departments, district councils, and traditional leaders. It will also engage regional organizations such as the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC), alongside international and civil society partners, to promote coordinated and locally driven responses. Recognizing that climate displacement often extends beyond national borders, the programme places a strong emphasis on regional cooperation.

World's oceans break June heat record and could set fresh highs in the months ahead: EU monitor (LINK) — 1 July 2026

— AFP: Global average sea surface temperatures in June were 20.98C, beating the previous records of 2023 and 2024, according to the European Union's Copernicus Marine Service.

UNOCHA: Authorities in Venezuela report more than 6,400 people rescued as humanitarian response expands (LINK) — 1 July 2026

UNOCHA: Lebanon: 40% of displaced families return to home areas as delivery of aid continues (LINK) — 1 July 2026

— According to authorities, the Lebanese Red Crescent and IOM, approximately 40 per cent of the over one million people displaced by conflict have returned to their home areas.

UNOCHA: Ukraine: Civilians killed, essential services disrupted across the country (LINK) — 1 July 2026

— Authorities report that between 26 June and this morning, hostilities and strikes killed more than 40 civilians and injured over 460 others, including children. Dnipro, Zaporizhzhia and Kharkiv regions were among the hardest hit. In Kherson city today, authorities report that two passengers were killed and eight others injured in a drone strike on a public bus. Similar attacks on or near public transport in the Zaporizhzhia region over recent days have also killed and injured civilian passengers. In the region of Sumy, repeated attacks on fuel stations have raised concerns over fuel availability for emergency services, humanitarian operations and civilian transportation. A social service centre supporting older people, people with disabilities and other vulnerable residents was destroyed, and more strikes today caused further civilian casualties.

Mexico: UN experts condemn murder of Afro-Mexican activist Sael Silva Cisneros, call for prompt investigation (LINK) — 30 June 2026

• — OHCHR: He was killed in an armed attack in Cuajinicuilapa, on the Acapulco–Pinotepa Nacional federal highway, Guerrero, on 5 June 2026. The attack reportedly took place hours after Cisneros participated as a speaker in a seminar in Cuajinicuilapa on "Afro-Mexican dissidences in Guerrero: history, justice and rights", a forum dedicated to reflecting on the rights, dignity and recognition of Afro-Mexican persons, including lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and other gender-diverse (LGBT) persons. Cisneros had also met with members of the UN Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent during their visit to Mexico last month. The experts recalled the important work carried out by Sael Silva Cisneros in support of the rights of Afro-Mexican communities, racial equality, social justice and the opening of more inclusive spaces for persons and communities exposed to multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination.