The Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) and Haiti are appealing for $74 million to help the country's agricultural sector recover from colossal damage in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. Haitian President Michel Joseph Martelly and FAO Director-General José Graziano da Silva made the appeal at a press conference at the UN agency's headquarters in Rome on [...]
Strategies to implement a UN plan aimed at creating a free and safe working environment for journalists are the focus of a two-day meeting which opened in Vienna on Thursday. The meeting has been organized by several UN agencies who report that more than 600 journalists, bloggers and others who work in media have been [...]
The Security Council has commended the international diplomatic efforts which led to a cease-fire between Hamas and Israel on Wednesday. Following announcement of the cease-fire, Council members released a statement deploring the loss of life as a result of the crisis while also stressing the urgency for the full restoration of calm. More than 140 [...]
The UN agency which assists Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) is back at work following Wednesday's announcement of a cease-fire between Hamas and Israel. UNRWA has opened its 21 health centres in Gaza, having maintained service in 19 of these facilities, as well as food distribution and provision of essential sanitation services, during the latest round of [...]
UN Human Rights High Commissioner Navi Pillay has expressed concern following the executions of 14 prisoners in Afghanistan this week, the country’s first use of capital punishment since June 2011. Those executed had been convicted of crimes including murder, rape and offenses related to national security. In a statement on Thursday, Ms. Pillay said shortcomings in [...]
The recent conflict between Hamas and Israel could have a devastating and lasting impact on the region's children, according to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child. While welcoming Wednesday's cease-fire between the two sides, the group of independent experts has expressed concern about the effects of death, injuries and trauma on youngsters. [...]
Renowned musician and composer Danilo Pérez has thrilled audiences around the world with his distinctive Pan-American jazz. And now the pianist, who directs the Berklee Jazz Music Institute, will use his prestige as a musician and humanitarian in his new role as an Artist for Peace with the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). [...]
