World News in Brief: Death on the Mediterranean, displacement in Afghanistan, ‘One Health’ summit

This article is published in association with United Nations.

Over 180 people are feared dead or missing in the latest shipwrecks on the Mediterranean, according to the UN migration agency, IOM.

It brings the total number of migrants and refugees killed this year attempting the crossing into Europe to almost 1,000. 

Reacting to these latest figures, on Tuesday, Amy Pope, the head of IOM, called for stronger efforts to stop traffickers and smugglers from exploiting vulnerable people, and an expansion of safe and regular pathways, so that no one is ever forced into these deadly journeys.

Recent incidents 

In just one incident last Sunday, more than 80 migrants went missing when a boat capsized in the Central Mediterranean after departing from Tajoura, Libya, with around 120 people on board. 

Earlier, on 1 April, 19 were found dead aboard a vessel off southern Italy near Lampedusa. It is believed that the boat had been adrift for three days before rescuers arrived.

Italy has recorded about 6,200 arrivals so far in 2026, down sharply from 9,400 over the same period in 2025.

Thousands of Afghans displaced by conflict with Pakistan

More than 94,000 people in Afghanistan have been displaced from their homes since a flare-up of military activity with Pakistan that began in late February.

The UN humanitarian office in the country reports that several hundred civilians have been killed or wounded by cross-border shelling, airstrikes and armed clashes.

Some 25 health facilities and 41 schools across six Afghan provinces have been damaged, closed or suspended due to shelling and insecurity, disrupting essential health, nutrition and education services.

Despite the hostilities, humanitarian partners continue to deliver essential aid. 

Emergency food supplies are being distributed, as well as medical supplies and shelters.

Rain relief 

Recent widespread rainfall is “strengthening spring agricultural conditions” across Afghanistan, according to the UN’s Food and Agriculture agency, FAO.

It’s a positive development for a country where as acute food shortages grow there are around 17.4 million in need of urgent food assistance. 

Whilst rain has improved soil moisture, supported rainfed crops and rangelands in some areas, heavy precipitation in other areas has led to destructive flooding. 

“Without improved water management, they can become floods, devastating home, crops, and livestock,” warned the FAO top official in Afghanistan, Richard Trenchard. 

Global leaders convene for ‘One Health’ Summit 

A high-level global summit kicked off this week, bringing together heads of State, scientists, and environmental experts under the banner of “One Health” – an integrated UN-backed strategy that recognises the link between the health of people, animals, and our overall environment.

Some 60 per cent of emerging infectious diseases reported globally come from animals, both wild and domestic, while over 30 new human pathogens have been detected in the last three decades, 75 per cent of which have originated in animals.

Amid rising concerns over animal to human transmission and the accelerating climate crisis, the summit serves as a platform to break down barriers between human medicine, veterinary science, and environmental policy.

Funding efforts

A major milestone was reached as the European Commission announced a €700 million pledge to the Global Fund, with €46.5 million specifically dedicated to strengthening African health security and the “One Health” workforce.

By integrating surveillance across sectors, the initiative aims to detect potential pandemics before they emerge. 

The World Health Organization (WHO) will chair the summit starting on Wednesday, as part of a four-way leadership structure, which includes the UN agriculture and environment agencies, FAO and UNEP).

Officials are emphasising that investments in antimicrobial resistance and food systems are no longer a luxury, but a necessity for global survival.