A report has revealed that the civil war in South Sudan has resulted in over 380,000 casualties since December 2013, with the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine estimating that the actual number may be higher. Despite the UN's last estimate in March 2016 of at least 50,000 deaths, the conflict has continued with widespread ethnic cleansing, a humanitarian crisis, and a significant refugee exodus. A recent peace agreement signed by President Salva Kiir and former Vice-President Riek Machar, with Sudan and Uganda as guarantors, offers hope for ending the war, but ongoing fighting and unresolved issues remain. The human cost of the war underscores the need for rebuilding and peace, while the report emphasizes the urgency of the peace process and the potential consequences of its failure.

The MS Aquarius, carrying 627 migrants, was denied entry by Italy and Malta, highlighting the issue of wealthy countries turning away migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers. The new Italian government's anti-immigrant stance and the EU's polarized politics are contrasted with Spain and France's cooperation in accepting the migrants. In the US, the Trump administration's 'zero tolerance' policy and family separations at the border are criticized as punitive measures against asylum seekers. The article emphasizes the legal right to seek asylum and the need to address the root causes of displacement, as the number of forcibly displaced people reached a record high of 68.5 million in 2017.

Catherine Marchi-Uhel, a French lawyer with experience in prosecuting war criminals, has been appointed by UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres to lead a new UN entity, the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism (IIIM), dedicated to investigating war crimes and crimes against humanity in Syria. The IIIM aims to facilitate future prosecutions, circumventing the issue of Syria not being a member of the International Criminal Court. The conflict in Syria has resulted in over 465,000 deaths and millions displaced, with accountability efforts stalling due to political complexities, including Russia's veto power in the Security Council. Marchi-Uhel's appointment signifies the UN's commitment to justice in Syria, despite unresolved legal challenges such as jurisdiction.

The Battle of Mosul has led to a significant increase in civilian casualties, raising concerns about the scrutiny of military targets and the potential for war crimes. The US-backed coalition's actions, particularly the use of airpower, have come under scrutiny amid allegations of a change in rules of engagement under President Trump's administration. Despite Pentagon denials, organizations like Amnesty International have raised alarms. The International Criminal Court's jurisdiction in Iraq is limited, as Iraq is not a member, and the UN General Assembly has established a mechanism for Syria to preserve evidence for future accountability. The article suggests that the actions taken in Mosul today could have long-lasting legal and political repercussions.

The International Criminal Court's annual report on preliminary examinations has highlighted Afghanistan, where serious crimes have been committed, potentially implicating US forces and officials in war crimes for torture and other ill treatment. The Taliban and Haqqani Network are accused of crimes against humanity and war crimes, while Afghan forces are also under scrutiny. The ICC operates under the principle of complementarity, asserting jurisdiction only if domestic authorities fail to act. The US, not a state party to the ICC, could still face jurisdiction due to alleged conduct in Afghanistan and other state parties. Transparency issues and the US government's decision not to prosecute officials acting within legal guidelines at the time may affect the ICC's ability to proceed. The article suggests that the US may ignore the ICC under the incoming administration, which could impact the court's credibility.

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's controversial war on drugs has led to over 33,000 police operations, 32,000 arrests, and an estimated 2,300 to 4,000 deaths, raising concerns about due process and vigilante justice. The UN Office of Drugs and Crime notes high methamphetamine use in the Philippines, often supplied by Chinese syndicates. The ICC's chief prosecutor, Fatou Bensouda, has warned of potential crimes against humanity charges. Duterte, unfazed by criticism, continues his campaign, viewing collateral damage as acceptable in this war.

A report by the Council on Foundations titled 'From Global Goals to Local Impact' emphasizes the relevance of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for domestic programs in the United States. The SDGs, which succeeded the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), aim to address a broad range of development issues, from poverty reduction to rule of law. The report suggests that philanthropic organizations in the U.S. can use the SDGs as a framework to enhance the impact of their programs and foster collaboration across different fields. It also notes that issues such as human trafficking, pollution, and conflict have international implications, and improvements in one area can have a global ripple effect. New York City's OneNYC plan is cited as an example of intentionally aligning local initiatives with the SDGs.

The Organization of American States (OAS) is currently facing a crisis due to budget shortfalls and divided opinions on addressing Venezuela's political and economic crisis. The OAS's inability to effectively address human rights issues under Venezuelan Presidents Hugo Chavez and Nicolas Maduro has been criticized. Luis Almagro, OAS Secretary General, has invoked the OAS Democratic Charter, suggesting Venezuela's suspension, but faces opposition. The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), an organ of the OAS, is also at risk due to funding shortages, threatening its human rights investigative capabilities. The OAS's history of promoting human rights and democracy is at stake, with the future of both the OAS and the IACHR being uncertain.

The first ever World Humanitarian Summit will take place in Istanbul, addressing key issues such as humanitarian financing and the global refugee crisis. The summit aims to develop new methods for addressing humanitarian needs in light of the increasing number and scale of crises worldwide. A major focus will be on creating a new financing model and increasing efficiency and transparency in fund usage. The involvement of the private sector is seen as a potential source of innovation. The summit also aims to address the high levels of forced displacement and the need for stronger mechanisms to manage refugee flows. However, there is skepticism about the potential outcomes, highlighted by Doctors Without Borders' withdrawal from the summit.

The article discusses the inadequacy of the current international refugee system in the face of the 21st-century refugee crisis. It highlights the strain on countries like Lebanon and Jordan due to their proximity to conflict zones and criticizes the lack of a cohesive system within the European Union to manage the refugee influx. The article references the U.N. Refugee Convention of 1951 and its 1967 expansion, pointing out that many countries have not fully implemented its principles. It also touches on the U.S. immigration policy towards unaccompanied children from Central America, suggesting that politics often override legal obligations to refugees. The upcoming World Humanitarian Summit in Istanbul is mentioned as an opportunity to address these issues, with a call for a new global system that balances the concerns of governments and refugees.

The article discusses the increasing reliance of aid agencies on the corporate sector to address the challenges faced by refugees, given the reduction in foreign aid spending by Western governments like Canada. It highlights successful collaborations such as the 'Better Shelter' housing units developed by the Ikea Foundation and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, and the 'Instant Network School Program' by the Vodafone Foundation. However, the article also points out the skepticism regarding the effectiveness of these partnerships, the challenges in scaling and implementing these solutions in the field, and the relatively small contribution of corporate funding compared to government aid. It also mentions Google's approach to innovation in crisis response, which avoids formal partnerships with aid agencies.