Syria may sink if support lifeline is delayed, says IOM chiefGaza has become a graveyard and there’s no escape, warn UN aid teamsAs avian influenza infections continue to rise, UN health experts believe that the risk to humans from the H5N1 virus is ‘low’.

Ukraine: more than 2,180 people killed and injured in last two months: OCHASyria’s war has left villages, towns and cities “completely empty”: UNICEFVanuatu earthquake emergency response ramps up

UN negotiator leaves Damascus, describes ‘a lot of hope’ for a new SyriaWinter rains and aid convoy obstacles worsen ordeal for one million Gazans87 children among those arbitrarily detained in South Sudan: OHCHR, UNSMISS

Syria: ‘key priority’ must be preserving evidence of crimes, say UN investigatorsAvian flu has been reported in 108 countries across five continents: UN health officials Sudan: UN aid teams deliver emergency food relief to more than 800,000 people facing famine

Gaza death toll passes 45,000 as UNRWA school is hit in new strikeCyclone Chido: Humanitarians warn of scale of need in devastated areasMigrant workforces are key to global economy: ILO

Gaza: Civilian suffering has become “sickeningly normalised”, UNRWA warnsSyria’s de facto authorities offer constructive support to UNHCR’s work thereRights experts condemn growing “pattern of repression” against protests in Georgia

WFP ramps up distributions in SyriaGuterres calls for justice for Africa in speech to Lesotho parliamentUN drugs report finds Myanmar remains a leading source of opium and heroin

The UN is “totally committed” to supporting a smooth transition of power to a new Government in Syria, says GuterresPoverty, war and climate change are fuelling a rise in human trafficking victims: UNODCDR Congo: it’s high time an effective torture prevention mechanism was in place to end “inhuman prison conditions”

Syria crisis: Nothing must stop peaceful transition, says UN Special EnvoyUNHCR raises alarm on surge of new arrivals in South SudanPaper and wood’s 12% fall in demand linked to digital media

Syria crisis: UN’s Türk insists on inclusive transfer of powerHaiti massacre takes this year’s toll to 5,000: OHCHRGaza: 945,000 at risk of exposure to winter rain and cold, says UNRWA

A disabilities campaigner has said that “healthy land and sports go hand in hand,” and that greater access to sports activities should be made available to people living with a disability.Jitske Visser, who has represented the Netherlands in wheelchair basketball at five Summer Paralympic Games, winning four medals including two golds, was named as a Sport4Land Champion by the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) at a global meeting in Riyadh on Saturday.As one of four Champions, she will work to highlight the importance of restoring degraded land.According to UNCCD, globally the equivalent of four football pitches of healthy land is lost every second.Martin Samaan asked Jitske Visser about her work as a campaigner for people with disabilities.