United Nations human rights experts on Friday called on the Russian Parliament, the Duma, to discard a draft bill that could compromise the rights of the LGBT community. The experts on freedom of expression, human rights defenders, cultural rights and the right to health warned that the bill may undermine the enjoyment and promotion of [...]
The shortage of medicines is becoming more critical in Syria, in public sector hospitals, medical clinics and in private sector facilities, according to the World Health Organization, WHO. Hospitals are in severe need of anaesthesia, antibiotics, serums and other essential medicines. Local pharmacies are increasingly unable to provide basic medicines, such as pain killers, and [...]
Greece hosts migrants from many countries, including the Philippines, Albania, Pakistan and Bangladesh. As Greece struggles with its own economic woes, the International Organization for Migration, the IOM, has come up with a practical solution for migrants caught in the middle of the economic downturn. IOM's Jumbe Omari Jumbe explains. “That is to offer assistance, [...]
Burundi's institutions continue to improve, according to the latest report of the UN Secretary-General.. Jeffrey Feltman, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, visited Burundi on Friday to learn more about that progress from the President of the Republic, Pierre Nkurunziza, government representatives and civil society. Vladimir Monteiro is the Spokesperson for the United Nations Office [...]
World Radio Day is observed on 13 February each year to celebrate the role of the medium in providing information over the airwaves. The UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), which designated the day, says "in the age of new media, radio remains the medium that can carry any message to any place [...]
More than 200,000 children in the western Syrian governorate of Homs are in need of immediate humanitarian assistance, according to a United Nations joint mission in which UNICEF took part. The joint mission says almost one in three people in Homs is a displaced person. And about two-thirds of the displaced are below 18 years [...]
There has been an increase in cases of leishmaniasis in Syria, according to Dr. Glen Thomas of the World Health Organization, (WHO). Leishmaniasis is a disease transmitted by the bite of the sand fly and characterized by skin sores. Dr. Thomas says the disease is spreading because of poor waste and hygiene management caused [...]
A humanitarian aid convoy travelled to northern Syria this week, bringing blankets and tents to thousands of people who have been surviving in makeshift camps, the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) announced on Friday. UNHCR says this marks the first time its staff were able to travel to the distant north-west of the country, where winter [...]
Access to family planning and advancing the rights of young people are the 2013 priorities for the UN Populations Fund (UNFPA), says the agency's head. Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin, the Executive Director of UNFPA, spoke to UN Radio's May Yaacoub about his Agency's focus and achievements made so far. Duration: 4'58"
In Mali, the fast-evolving situation in the north of the country has raised hopes that many displaced people will be able to go back to their homes soon. But the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) says considerable challenges remain to a safe and sustainable return. UNHCR says some of the displaced are eager to return home, [...]
Hospitals are places where people go to be healed, but sometimes that's where their health and safety are compromised. As part of the efforts to address this problem, the World Health Organization (WHO) on Thursday released a resource package of practical tools aimed at improving patient safety in hospitals in developing countries. The resource [...]
Monday is World Cancer Day. And it's seen as an opportunity to raise awareness about that major public health problem. Dr. Andreas Ullich is a Medical Officer, Cancer Control, Non-communicable Diseases and Mental Health at the World Health Organization –WHO. He explains that there are many different types of cancers and taken together is a [...]
Dr. Marleen Temmerman, head of the Department of Reproductive Health and Research at the World Health Organization in Geneva, joined the agency late last year because she believes it can play a very prominent role in meeting the unmet needs of so many women in the area of reproductive health and services. Dr. Temmerman [...]
“Modern stereotypes of indigenous identity do not define us as indigenous peoples, but oppress us from reaching our full potential as leaders in our communities,” wrote Steven Brown, an aborigine from Australia. He spoke at the first international expert group meeting on indigenous youth held at the United Nations from the 29th to the 31st [...]
A senior UN humanitarian official says Syria and its people are facing systematic destruction. Director of UNHCR ‘s Middle East and North Africa Bureau , Yacoub El Hillo made the remarks at a news conference in Geneva on Friday on his return from the war- ravaged country. “It is an apalling situation in Syria today, [...]
Dr. Marleen Temmerman, head of the Department of Reproductive Health and Research at the World Health Organization (WHO) in Geneva, joined the agency late last year because she believes it can play a very prominent role in meeting the unmet needs of so many women in the area of reproductive health and services. Dr. [...]
