UNICEF: South Asia’s pandemic surge threatens lives of children, mothers
According to the UN’s children’s fund, 228,000 children under 5 and 11,000 mothers died due to disruptions to essential health care services in South Asia in 2020 due to the pandemic. The current surge in infections could be even more devastating unless addressed adequately.
By Robin Gomes
The United Nations Children’s fund (UNICEF) has raised alarm over South Asia’s fragile healthcare system devastated by massive waves of Covid-19 infections, which could claim many more lives than last year. UNICEF regional director for South Asia, George Laryea-Adjei called for urgent action and funds to save the lives of hundreds of thousands of children and mothers in the densely populated region who are missing out on routine life-saving healthcare.
Four Catholics killed in military attack on Myanmar church
Catholics were sheltering in the church due to fighting between the military and the People s Defense Force.
By Robin Gomes
Myanmar’s military on Monday fired artillery shells at a Catholic Church in eastern Myanmar, killing four civilians sheltering there.
Sacred Heart Church in Kayanthayar Parish near Loikaw, the capital city of Kayah state, a Catholic area was the target of the attack in the early hours of May 24.
All those killed or wounded were Catholics. According to a local resistance member, 8 others were wounded. The Irrawaddy News said the military immediately removed the dead bodies. The roof, ceiling and cross of the church were damaged.
Holy See: media freedom promotes democracy and justice
Monsignor Janusz Urbańczyk, Holy See’s Permanent Representative to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) addressed a meeting on media freedom on Thursday.
By Robin Gomes
“The Holy See considers the freedom of press and media, which should act as an instrument for conveying transparent and factual information, as an essential component to promoting democratic values and more just societies.” It also “wishes to underline the right of individuals to seek, receive, and impart information and ideas, also when it comes to religious and moral issues,” said Monsignor Janusz Urbańczyk, Holy See’s Permanent Representative to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).