Somalia is coming together as a strong, united and federal nation despite challenges posed by the security situation, according to the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General in the country. Nicholas Kay says the political process is now at a "point of no return" because Somalis want to create a well-governed country. Just days after [...]
The plight of millions of people in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, who are subjected to mass human rights violations, needs the continued focus of the international community. That's according to the Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights, Ivan Šimonović, who spoke at an event at UN Headquarters which invited North Korean defectors to talk [...]
Civilians targeted by snipers in Aden, Yemen Civilians on the streets of Aden in Yemen are being targeted by snipers according to the UN. In a statement, the UN Secretary-General said he was "gravely concerned about the continued ground fighting and aerial bombardment" and its impact on innocent civilians. More than 1,200 people have been [...]
This week, our programme is focusing on Nepal, where a 7.8-magnitude earthquake hit on Saturday, 25 April, 2015. The most recent estimates indicate that the earthquake killed more than 5,000 people. Many of those who survived lost their homes and are now living in the open or in tent settlements. Operations to address their most [...]
Journalism needs to be protected, says Christiane Amanpour At a time when so many reporters are imprisoned, injured or killed, renowned journalist Christiane Amanpour is calling on the international community to say this cannot continue with impunity. On Tuesday, the CNN chief international correspondent was named UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Freedom of Expression and Journalist [...]
The freedom that jazz music engenders can play an important role in promoting tolerance around the world. That's according to drummer, Marko Djordjevic, who was performing at the United Nations on International Jazz Day. Daniel Dickinson asked him why it is important to have a day dedicated to jazz. The report begins with the music [...]
Pre-election violence endangers Burundi's young democracy Violence in Burundi ahead of elections is endangering democracy, according to a group of UN independent human rights experts. Over the past days, Burundi has suffered a wave of killings, arbitrary arrests, the closure of media outlets, and the targeting of human rights defenders. This has taken place [...]
About one third of Europeans are potentially exposed to asbestos at work and in the environment. That's according to a new report by the World Health Organization on progress toward the elimination of asbestos-related diseases. People usually come into contact with this fibrous mineral through inhalation while in the vicinity of factories handling it, or [...]
An appeal is being made by the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to support farmers in Nepal following the devastating earthquake which struck the country on Saturday. The 7.8 magnitude tremor killed thousands and has left 3.5 million people in need of food assistance. FAO says US$8 million is now needed to help farmers [...]
Efforts have been stepped up in Nepal by the World Health Organization (WHO) to deliver critical medical relief to populations outside of the Kathmandu valley. The death toll in Saturday's earthquake is now estimated to be around 5,500. The UN health agency says the major focus of the operation is on reaching injured people and [...]
Child rights experts issued a "wake-up call" to UN member states on Thursday after announcing that more than half of industrialised nations have inadequate strategies to teach youngsters about human rights at school. The findings are revealed in a new UNICEF report carried out by Queen's University Belfast in Northern Ireland into 26 countries. They're all [...]
Political will is needed to stop the illegal trafficking in wildlife in Africa according to the United Nations Development Programme, UNDP. African Heads of State are currently discussing the first ever continent-wide strategy to combat the US$23 billion a year trade in the Congolese capital, Brazzaville. The trade includes elephant tusks and rhino horns as [...]
Without supply of fuel to Yemen, humanitarian operations will cease Aid agencies are warning that humanitarian operations in Yemen will cease unless the supply of fuel is restored the country. Yemen's health, water and sanitation systems are reportedly at imminent risk of collapse due to shortages caused by ongoing fighting between government forces and rebels. [...]
At a time when so many reporters are imprisoned, injured or killed, renowned journalist Christiane Amanpour is calling on the international community to say this cannot continue with impunity. On Wednesday, the CNN chief international correspondent was named UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Freedom of Expression and Journalist Safety. Ms Amanpour, who has been covering international [...]
Day of Remembrance for All Victims of Chemical Warfare This year's Day of Remembrance for All Victims of Chemical Warfare is more significant than ever as it marks the 100th anniversary of the first time chemical weapons were deployed on a large scale in battle. The UN chief on Wednesday shared this message to mark [...]
The rapid growth of Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, has contributed to the massive scale of the earthquake disaster in the city, according to the head of the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, UNISDR. The 7.8-magnitude tremor struck the city on Saturday and has reportedly killed more than 5,000 people. The UN has launched [...]
Renowned journalist and CNN chief international correspondent Christiane Amanpour has become Goodwill Ambassador for Freedom of Expression and Journalist Safety for the UN cultural agency, UNESCO. A ceremony was held at the organization's headquarters in Paris. The Director-General of UNESCO named Ms Amanpour in recognition of her efforts to promote "free, independent and pluralistic media". [...]
A $415 million appeal for Nepal's earthquake victims has been announced by the UN amid reports that news is "really bad" from as-yet unreached communities near the epicentre. The UN's humanitarian coordination agency OCHA launched the appeal and said that "timing remains of the essence" four days after the disaster. One of the priorities is [...]
Indonesia's decision to execute eight people sentenced to death for drug smuggling has been described by the UN human rights office (OHCHR) as "incomprehensible". In a statement on Wednesday, OHCHR said Indonesia appeals for clemency when its own nationals face execution in other countries, for crimes that have been considered more "serious". Yet, the country [...]
Somalia exported a record five million head of livestock to Gulf markets in 2014, the highest number in the past 20 years, according to the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization. A 9-year ban on live animal exports was lifted in 2004 and now the sector makes up 40 per cent of the country's earnings or [...]
Many common and treatable illnesses could become lethal unless action is taken against resistance to antibiotics, the UN said Wednesday. The warning follows the publication of a new report by World Health Organization (WHO) showing for the first time that only one in four countries has plans to tackle the growing problem. It's devised a strategy [...]
Women's political participation is a fundamental prerequisite for gender equality in Asia and across the world, according to the UN body dedicated to women's empowerment. Female workers make up more than 70 per cent of the rural labour force in China, yet they only constitute 21 per cent of village committee members. UN Women is [...]
Rwandan peacekeepers stationed in the Sudanese region of Darfur are "prepared for fighting" according to the Chief of Defence Staff of the Rwandan Defence Forces, RDF. Rwanda has one of the largest contingents of peacekeepers in the UN mission, UNAMID. They're operating under what the UN has described as a "deteriorating security situation." UN peacekeepers [...]
Tens of thousands of pregnant women affected by Nepal quake Some 50,000 pregnant women and girls could be among the survivors of the earthquake that hit Nepal last Saturday, according to the UN Population Fund (UNFPA). The agency says pregnant women affected by the disaster require maternal health services, including antenatal care, safe delivery [...]
The work of academics and scholars is crucial in the fight against nuclear weapons, according to UN Messenger of Peace and Academy Award-winning actor, Michael Douglas. Mr Douglas was at UN Headquarters on Tuesday attending an event held in connection with the 2015 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of [...]
Women in Trinidad & Tobago are being encouraged to "run, win and lead" in local government politics. The overall portion of women winning seats as councillors edged up from 29 to 31 per cent after the previous election in 2010. Since 1996 the women's movement has ensured that no local government corporation is devoid of [...]
Science and religion are not at odds on climate change; they are fully aligned. The UN Secretary-General underlined this message on Tuesday while speaking at a symposium at the Pontifical Academy of Sciences in Vatican City. Ban Ki-moon spoke about the moral dimensions of climate change to a group of faith and scientific leaders, after [...]
"Frustration and anger" growing in Gaza Nine months after the end of the most recent conflict in Gaza, frustration and anger is building among Palestinians, according to the Commissioner General of UNRWA, the UN agency which supports Palestinian refugees. 800,000 people are relying on food distribution following the conflict which caused hundreds of casualties as [...]
Around 21,000 people have fled from Burundi into Rwanda following political protests, the UN Refugee Agency, UNHCR, has confirmed. Civil unrest erupted on Sunday in the Burundian capital, Bujumbura, after the ruling party elected sitting President Pierre Nkurunziza as its candidate for the third time. The UN has warned that an attempt to seek a [...]
Urgent medical supplies for more than 500,000 people in Yemen have been delivered by the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF). They are expected to help mostly women and children during the next three months. UNICEF reported last week that at least 115 children had been killed due to fighting between government forces and Houthi rebels. Stephanie [...]
A spike in the number of migrants held in "dire" Libyan detention centres led to calls for their release on Tuesday. More than 2,600 men, women and children from east and west African nations are thought to be in eight government-run detention centres for illegal immigrants, the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) said. At least half [...]
Helping Nepal's earthquake survivors in Nepal has become a "race against time" as access problems hamper efforts to deliver emergency aid outside Kathmandu. United Nations agencies have confirmed that the relief operation is well under way in the capital, but heavy rains and the threat of landslides have made it difficult to assess the needs [...]
The price of food in Southern Africa could increase following a 26 per cent fall in maize production across the region, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The UN agency says a lack of maize would necessitate importing grains, a move which could adversely impact recent food security gains. Jonathan Pound is an [...]
Somalia is coming together as a strong, united and federal nation despite challenges posed by the security situation, according to the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General in the country. Nicholas Kay says the political process is now at a "point of no return" because Somalis want to create a well-governed country. Just days after [...]
A movement which calls on men to rally against inequalities and discrimination faced by women and girls has been launched in China by the United Nations. The HeforShe campaign, UN Women's flagship programme for 2015, aims to build solidarity between the sexes and boost gender equality. The launch, which took place in Beijing earlier this [...]
The results of an inquiry regarding incidents affecting UN personnel, premises and operations in the Gaza Strip during last July's 50-day war found that hits were attributable to the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF). In November, an internal and independent panel was set up by the UN Secretary-General to investigate what had been described as "serious [...]
An appeal has been launched by the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) for additional funding to support the reintegration of child soldiers into communities in South Sudan. On Friday, a final group of over 280 children were released from the Cobra Faction armed group in the country, bringing the total number of children released to 1,757. [...]
It is deeply concerning that over the last five years, steps towards a nuclear-free world seem to have stalled, according to the UN Deputy Secretary-General. On Monday, Jan Eliasson shared opening remarks on behalf of the UN chief at the 2015 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons [...]
Civil unrest in Burundi following vote to elect presidential candidate Civil unrest erupted on Sunday in Bujumbura, the capital of Burundi, after the ruling CNDD-FDD party elected President Pierre Nkurunziza as its candidate for the June presidential election. That's according to the UN humanitarian office, OCHA, which indicated that public protests were taking place and [...]
A Pastoralist Knowledge Hub has been launched by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and other partners to enable mobile livestock keepers to connect and discuss issues like agricultural innovations or land regulations. Some examples of well-known pastoral communities include the Bedouin of North Africa, the Maasai in East Africa and Scandinavia’s Sami people. [...]
Relief aid is urgently needed in Central African Republic (CAR) which the UN refugee agency says risks becoming "the largest forgotten humanitarian crisis of our time". Nearly 900,000 people have been forcibly displaced by violence and 2.7 million people need help, according to UNHCR. The appeal comes ahead of national reconciliation talks planned next week whose [...]
The situation in Nepal has been described as "chaotic" and the destruction of cultural sites as "absolutely dramatic", according to the head of the UN's cultural agency (UNESCO) in Nepal. Christian Manhart says that many of the survivors of the 7.8 magnitude earthquake that struck the country on Saturday are forced to sleep in outdoor [...]
Operations to address the most urgent needs of people in Nepal are being scaled up by the UN and its partners. In the aftermath of the powerful earthquake that hit Nepal on Saturday, UN agencies have responded by deploying staff and sending emergency supplies. Stephanie Coutrix reports. According to latest estimates and media reports, Saturday’s [...]
Huge gaps in people's access to healthcare depending on where they live are not an issue for Bill Gates but rather for governments to sort out, a UN expert said Monday. Xenia Scheil-Adlung, health labour specialist at the International Labour Organization (ILO), said the Microsoft tycoon couldn't just "come in and spend some money" to [...]
Economies need to be transformed in order to realize women's empowerment and social rights, according to a new report released by the UN agency dedicated to gender equality, UN Women. This means a new approach to unpaid domestic and care-work, one that includes a more equal distribution of tasks between men and women. UN Women [...]
An indigenous group in Norway has taken matters in to own hands to combat stereotypes about their way of life. The young Sami people of Norway have entered the classrooms of their fellow non-Sami youth to teach them more about Sami culture and indigenous rights. The hope is that indigenous people in other countries will [...]
South Sudan must look into new sources of revenue to help shore up its economy and avoid bankruptcy. That's the personal view of a former World Bank consultant who is also the chairperson of the Central Equatorial State vision 2040, a strategy aimed at developing the state from the grassroots level over the next 25 [...]
New technologies have emerged to make it possible for law enforcement agencies to use non-lethal force in some cases, according to the UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions. But Christof Heyns says these "less lethal weapons" such as chemical irritants, electrical shocks and rubber bullets can be challenging to use without proper [...]
A major relief effort in Nepal is being prepared by the United Nations, as reports of the devastation caused by an earthquake that struck the Kathmandu Valley are still incoming. The UN says hospitals area overcrowded and running short of emergency supplies. In a statement on Saturday, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said thoughts are with [...]
A new Special Envoy for Yemen has been appointed by the UN Secretary-General to help find a political solution to the crisis. Fighting between government forces and Houthi rebels, as well as airstrikes launched by a coalition in support of the government, have impacted the entire country. Stephanie Coutrix reports. UN chief Ban Ki-moon announced [...]
More than 90 per cent of agricultural and livestock production in South Sudan depends on rainfall, according to the UN. The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is working to improve farmers' access to meteorological information to help them plan when to plant and when to harvest. FAO also says that early warning on climactic [...]
The digital revolution has created big challenges for the music industry which must adapt if it is to have a future, the UN has said. The warning from the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) came at a round-table event featuring leading musicians, industry chiefs and consumer organisations at the agency's Geneva headquarters. WIPO spokesperson Catherine Jewell [...]
Final release of children from the Cobra Faction in South Sudan More than 280 children in South Sudan have been freed in the final release of children from the Cobra Faction armed group, according to the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF). This is the last of a series of releases that have taken place since January [...]
Religious leaders from around the world agreed there is a need to strengthen inter-religious cooperation to tackle religious extremism. The spiritual chiefs attended a two-day forum in Fez, Morocco, to discuss their role in preventing incitement to violence and atrocities. It was organized in part by the UN office on Genocide Prevention and the Responsibility [...]
The European Union has tripled the funding for joint maritime operations following an emergency summit on migration, a move welcomed by the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR). Hundreds of people have died crossing the Mediterranean in recent days on unseaworthy boats operated by people smugglers, bringing the number of deaths this year alone to 1,700. [...]
The role of religious leaders and faith-based organizations is central to prevent atrocity crimes. That was the main message shared by many participants at a two-day forum ending on Friday in Fez, Morocco, organized by the UN office on Genocide Prevention and the Responsibility to Protect. The objective of the meeting was to lay the [...]
The violence in Yemen has killed at least 115 children in the last month and 140 youngsters have been recruited to fight by "all armed groups", UN agencies said Friday. Amid an increasingly dire humanitarian outlook for people across the country, children's agency UNICEF said that 71 have been killed in the north and 44 [...]
It is time for the Security Council to work as one to end the conflict in Syria, and reach a settlement that also brings justice and accountability for the people. That's according to American actress and UN Special Envoy Angelina Jolie-Pitt, who has been working with the Organization for 13 years. Ms Jolie-Pitt was speaking [...]
The United Kingdom has been urged by the UN human right chief to curb incitement to hatred by British tabloid newspapers after a recent article in the Sun newspaper called migrants "cockroaches". The UN human rights office (OHCHR) said on Friday that for decades there has been sustained and unrestrained anti-foreigner abuse, misinformation and distortion. [...]
High-level talks on Syria are set to start again in Geneva with "whoever" can offer any way out of the current stalemate, the UN said Friday. Spokesperson Ahmad Fawzi told journalists that invitations had been sent out "a couple of days ago" to all parties who could contribute. Discussions with the UN's special envoy for [...]
"Horrific incidents" illustrate severity of human rights situation in Libya Following the reported deaths of several hundred individuals seeking to escape the violence in Libya, the UN human rights office (OHCHR) said it is shocked by the appalling loss of life in the Mediterranean Sea. It noted that many of those fleeing Libya are migrants, [...]
A major vaccination campaign against preventable diseases such as measles and polio has begun across the three west African countries worst-hit by ebola, UNICEF announced Friday. It's the first time since the killer virus hit Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia that such a campaign has been possible, the UN children's agency said. Spokesperson Christophe Boulierac [...]
Approximately 550,000 people die of malaria, each year and 90 per cent of the deaths are in Africa, according to a global partnership of UN agencies established to fight the disease. The economic cost of malaria on the continent is estimated to be US$ 12 billion in lost productivity every year. The World Health Organization [...]
The continued loss of so many lives in south-east Asia due to unsafe ferry trips is unacceptable, according to the International Maritime Organization (IMO). Last year's figures show that since 2000, there have been 163 accidents in the region involving ferries, killing more than 17,000 people. To address the enhancement of safety measures, IMO organized [...]
An additional 1.5 million children's lives could be saved across the world, if those children were vaccinated against common ailments like diphtheria and tetanus. That's what the World Health Organization, WHO, is saying as World Immunization Week kicked off on Friday. Immunization is widely recognized as one of the most successful and cost-effective health interventions, [...]
Now is not the time to "put brakes" on the fight against malaria says world-renowned South African singer Yvonne Chaka Chaka. On the occasion of World Malaria Day, the UN Goodwill Ambassador of the Roll Back Malaria Partnership is highlighting that the disease is an African problem that she thinks needs an African solution. Eighty [...]
Asia is the second worst affected continent after Africa in terms of malaria deaths, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Globally, the disease claims the lives of more than half a million people each year. Malaria is caused by parasites that are transmitted to people through mosquito bites. It is preventable and curable. World [...]
No region "immune" from violence against women Women in all parts of the world are being subjected to sexual violence according to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). It can take many forms such as domestic abuse, human trafficking and rape as a weapon of war. The reasons behind that violence can vary [...]
“Tragic” consequences of climate change The dramatic impact of climate change on people’s lives demands a collective response, the Director-General of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has warned. José Graziano da Silva said the international community needs to come together to tackle climate change. He added that climate-related factors were already having a [...]
Resistance to medicine a major challenge in fighting malaria in Asia Asia is the second worst affected continent after Africa in terms of malaria deaths, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Globally, the disease claims the lives of more than half a million people each year.Malaria is caused by parasites that are transmitted to [...]
• Four people working for the UN Children's Fund in Somalia were killed and five others injured after their mini-bus was struck, by what appears to have been a suicide bomber. The attack happened on Monday in Garowe in the north of the Horn of Africa country. The agency has been operating in Somalia since [...]
"Bold, collective action" urged on migrant issue The international community has been urged to take "bold and collective action" to deal with the increasing number of migrants making the perilous journey across the Mediterranean Sea. Hundreds of people have died crossing the Mediterranean in recent days on unseaworthy boats operated by people smugglers. Heads of [...]
There has been an influx of internally displaced people in South Sudan seeking shelter at the UN's so-called "Protection of Civilians sites", according to the UN Mission in the country (UNMISS). The latest estimates indicate that 118,000 people are seeking shelter at six UNMISS sites nation-wide due to food insecurity and sporadic fighting. This number [...]
The conscription and murder of young people by violent extremists has been branded a "tragedy" by the UN chief. Addressing a Security Council meeting on the role of youth in countering violent extremism and promoting peace, Ban Ki-moon said adults were abusing youthful innocence. Cathrine Hasselberg reports. Young people in many parts of the world [...]
The escalating conflict in Yemen is aggravating an already large-scale humanitarian crisis according to the UN's humanitarian coordinator for the Gulf country. The UN estimates that 150,000 people have been displaced by ongoing fighting since March. It says 12 million people need humanitarian support. Daniel Dickinson reports. Fighting between government forces and rebels, and airstrikes [...]
Negotiations to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian relief supplies to besieged communities in Syria are currently underway, according to the WFP representative in the country. Matthew Hollingworth says the agency is also trying to organize an air bridge from Damascus into Deir-ez-Zor, an ISIL-controlled governorate where 215,000 people are cut off without aid. May Yaacoub [...]
A new global strategy against malaria is vital if progress is to be made against the killer disease, UN health experts said Thursday. World Health Organization (WHO) said despite advances in recent years, "significant gaps" remain in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of the mosquito-borne disease, which kills more than half a million lives every [...]
Women in all parts of the world are being subjected to sexual violence according to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). It can take many forms such as domestic abuse, human trafficking and rape as a weapon of war. The reasons behind that violence can vary from region to region, but social, cultural [...]
Information about soils in Latin America and the Caribbean is scarce and outdated, according to a senior soils officer for the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) based in Santiago, Chile. Jan VanWambeke says the issues of soil degradation and land resources are not sufficiently studied in the region, yet they directly affect 150 million [...]
Escalating violence in Yemen has forced thousands to flee the country in search of safety, according to the World Food Programme (WFP). The UN agency says many people are crossing the Red Sea to the Horn of Africa country, Djibouti. Meanwhile, the impact of the conflict on one of the poorest countries in the Arab [...]
The Lebanese government and the United Nations are working together to ensure that urgent needs of more than 1.3 million Syrian refugees can be met, according to the UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon. Since her appointment in December, Sigrid Kaag has been leading efforts to mitigate the impact on Lebanon of more than four years [...]
The lack of women working in new technology must be reversed, the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) said Thursday at the start of a global event to change the status quo. ITU's Girls In ICT Day event – now in its fifth year – aims to encourage more girls to consider a tech career, with more [...]
Over 1,000 killed in Yemen in last month In Yemen, a total of 1,080 people have been killed, and over 4,300 injured in the last month according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The security situation continues to deteriorate as the government of the Gulf state battles with rebel insurgents. The UN estimates that more [...]
The European Union has been urged by the UN to take "bold collective action" to help the increasing number of migrants who are making the perilous journey across the Mediterranean Sea to Europe. In recent days there have been hundreds of deaths of migrants on unseaworthy ships operated by human traffickers. Daniel Dickinson reports. More [...]
Over one billion people, or approximately 15 per cent of the world's population, are living with a disability, according to the UN. Indigenous persons with disabilities often experience discrimination on different levels and face barriers to the full enjoyment of their rights. The issue was highlighted at the UN's Permanent Forum on the Rights of [...]
The safety and security of three staff members from the World Food Programme (WFP) who went missing in South Sudan at the beginning of April is of great concern, the UN agency has said. They were reportedly traveling in a convoy from Malakal to Melut County in Upper Nile state to deliver food, when fighting [...]
People need to start living in a way that is less damaging to our planet, according to a United Nations sustainable development expert. Nikhil Chandavarkar says the global community has been digging into what he called the earth's "savings account", which is unsustainable. On the occasion of International Mother Earth Day, the UN is underlining [...]
Terrorist attack on embassy in Libya condemned by UN A terrorist attack on the Spanish embassy in the Libyan capital of Tripoli has been condemned by the UN mission in the country (UNSMIL). According to media reports, a bomb detonated outside the embassy on Monday damaging part of the compound’s exterior wall but incurring no [...]
The leaders of the world's religious faiths have been urged to use their spiritual and moral influence to counter violent extremism. The UN Secretary-General made the call as religious leaders gathered at the United Nations to discuss ways to promote tolerance and reconciliation. Daniel Dickinson has more details. The rise of terrorist groups, especially in [...]
Three UN food aid workers have not been seen since they disappeared in South Sudan at the beginning of the month, World Food Programme (WFP) said Wednesday. The agency staff were travelling in a marked UN convoy carrying supplies for thousands of conflict-affected people, according to WFP. The worsening security situation has forced WFP to [...]
Heavy falls in the price of commodities – raw materials such as oils, metals and foods – have left the world's poorest countries more vulnerable than ever, the UN said Wednesday. In a study of 135 countries, UN economists found that two out of three developing countries are commodity-dependent, and that half of them are [...]
Soil is too often taken for granted, particularly in Africa according to a soil expert based at the UN Food and Agriculture Organization's regional office in Accra, Ghana. Thiombiano Lamourdia says that due to an increasing population, more agro-processing is needed to reduce the pressure on the land for the next generations. He says Ethiopia [...]
The people of the Solomon Islands in the South Pacific are looking at ways of preserving their traditional way of life in the face of increased interest from logging companies. With the support of the United Nations the islanders have found a way to protect their pristine virgin forests and provide much-needed sources of income [...]
Greater protection for civilians urged in Afghanistan Greater protection for civilians in Afghanistan has been urged by the UN Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights. Ivan Šimonović said Afghanistan is experiencing an increasingly difficult security situation following the withdrawal of foreign troops and the transfer of security duties to the Afghan National Security Forces. Mr Šimonović [...]
The presence of an Arab state in the Security Council is very important to defend issues facing countries in the region, according to the Permanent Representative of Jordan to the UN. Dina Kawar is President of the 15-member Council for April, a position that rotates on a monthly basis. The Jordanian diplomat said many of [...]
The international community is being urged by the UN children's agency to ensure that the interests of children are protected when dealing with migrants who cross the Mediterranean Sea on smugglers boats. UNICEF made the call following the recent tragic deaths of migrants who drowned as they attempted to get to Europe. Cathrine Hasselberg reports. [...]
Killing of Ethiopian Christians in Libya condemned by Security Council The killing of over 30 Ethiopian Christians by an affiliate of the terrorist ISIL group in Libya has been strongly condemned by the UN Security Council. Members of the Security Council say the crime once again demonstrates the brutality of ISIL. They point out that [...]
The prospect of a two-state solution between Israel and Palestine continues to recede with potentially explosive consequences, according to the UN Secretary-General. Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday was speaking to members of the Security Council at a briefing on the situation in the Middle East. Tension between Israel and Palestine continues following the latest war last [...]
Millions of children in conflict-torn Yemen are vulnerable to communicable diseases such measles because of the possible collapse of the health system in the country. The warning has come from the World Health Organization (WHO) which says that the conflict is threatening to disrupt a vaccination campaign. The Gulf state continues to be plagued by [...]
Intolerance and violent extremism continue to be obstacles to human development, according to the President of the UN General Assembly. Sam Kutesa was speaking at the start of a debate in New York on promoting tolerance and reconciliation. Cathrine Hasselberg reports. Senior government officials attended the UN General Assembly debate under the theme "Fostering Peaceful [...]
A popular saying holds that "In Russia, everyone is indigenous." Russia is home to more than 70 minority groups, but only 45 of them are recognized by the state. The groups inhabit territories belonging to Siberia, the Russian North or the Russian Far East and are comprised of approximately 316,000 people. Sustainable development of indigenous [...]
The European Union's announcement that it's working on a plan to prevent more migrants drowning at sea received a cautious welcome from the UN on Tuesday. Volker Turk, who's Assistant High Commissioner for Protection at the UN refugee agency (UNHCR), said that the EU's 10-point proposal was "a good beginning". But he said that there [...]
Violent extremists who are caught and sent to prison in Nigeria should be helped to mend their ways and put on the path towards rehabilitation, according to a senior representative of a justice organization in the country. Nigeria is continuing to face the challenge posed by Boko Haram terrorists who are regularly committing crimes against [...]
Issues related to soil are not getting enough attention in Asia and the Pacific, according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The agency says the most critical concerns the region faces are land scarcity particularly in East Asia, and contamination by chemical fertilizers. This week, the international community is marking Global Soil Week [...]
Security Council deeply concerned about situation in Yarmouk camp in Syria The 15 Members of the UN Security Council have expressed their deep concern about the grave humanitarian situation in Yarmouk refugee camp near the Syrian capital, Damascus. ISIL terrorists recently took over more than half of the camp and fighting has been continuing with [...]
Member States of the United Nations have been urged to make sure that the post-2015 development agenda takes into account the rights of indigenous peoples. The appeal was made by UN Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson at the start of the 14th session of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues on Monday. Mr Eliasson said [...]
Killing of Ethiopians in Libya condemned by UN chief The killing of a number of Ethiopian nationals by individuals affiliated with Da'esh or ISIL terrorists in Libya has been described as "barbaric" by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. The terrorists have released a video showing one group of Ethiopian Christians being shot and the other being [...]
Four people working for the UN Children's Fund in Somalia have been killed and five others injured after their mini-bus was struck, by what appears to have been a suicide bomber. The attack happened on Monday in Garowe in the north of the Horn of Africa country. The agency has been operating in Somalia since [...]
Reaction has been swift from the UN's human rights chief following the deaths of 700 migrants who drowned in the Mediterranean at the weekend. In a statement on Monday UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein said he was "horrified but not surprised" after learning that "yet more" men, women and children had [...]
The importance of healthy soils as the foundation of food production was stressed by the UN agriculture agency on Monday. Moujahed Achouri, Director of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)'s Land and Water Division, spoke at an event to mark Global Soil Week in Berlin, Germany. Global Soil Week is being observed from 19 [...]
World leaders have been warned by the UN Secretary-General that too much is at stake to risk the world economy falling into a stagnant growth path in the longer run. Ban Ki-moon on Monday spoke at a special high-level meeting of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) with the World Bank, the International Monetary [...]
One billion people in the world still need access to improved water and two billion need access to improved sanitation, according to the World Bank. Only three percent of the planet's water can reportedly be used for human consumption, while only a fraction gets used. Pabsy Pabalan met with Junaid Kamal Ahmad, who leads the [...]
A suicide bomb attack on a UN vehicle in Somalia has killed four of the organisation's workers and claimed at least three other lives, police said Monday. Four other UNICEF workers are in a critical condition following the attack, for which Al Shabaab militants have claimed responsibility. Daniel Johnson has more. The attack happened as [...]
It's a race against time to save the oceans, says an organisation concerned with marine conservation. The Race for Water Foundation met with other marine experts at the UN headquarters in New York to discuss the numerous negative impacts of plastic pollution on the world's ecosystem and the human population. Plastic waste can damage wildlife [...]
Indigenous people from around the world are gathering at the United Nations in New York over the next two weeks to discuss issues including social development, youth suicide and human rights. The Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues is an opportunity for the world's 370 million indigenous people to have their voice heard on the international [...]
More money must be spent in key areas such as education and health care in order to enhance gender equality, says the United Arab Emirates' ambassador to the UN. Lana Nusseibeh presented key findings from the UAE on how best to promote gender equality in the new development goals being elaborated by the international community. [...]
Access to justice for women victims of violence in Afghanistan needs to be strengthened. That’s according to a report released by the UN mission in the country, UNAMA, on Sunday. It says that while there is a legal framework in place for such cases, there remain many factors hindering access to justice for women. Hamed [...]
As many as 700 migrants are feared to have died after a boat capsized off the Libyan coast the UN has said. It's thought the passengers were heading towards the Italian island of Lampedusa. Daniel Dickinson reports. If confirmed, the incident would be one of the worst disasters involving migrants in the Mediterranean Sea. The [...]
Crime and conflict are inextricably linked according to a researcher from the United Nations University (UNU). John de Boer is Senior Policy Advisor on the role the academia can play in aiding the fight against crime at the UNU Centre for Policy Research. He says researchers need to think ahead in tackling criminals who are [...]
A "brutal" suicide attack that reportedly killed at least 35 people and injured more than 100 others in Afghanistan on Saturday has been strongly condemned by the United Nations. According to media reports, the attack targeted people queuing outside a bank in the centre of the city of Jalalabad. Afghanistan continues to face serious security [...]
The organizations which control the purse strings of public finance have been told by the UN Secretary-General that they can help "plant the seeds" of a future development agenda. Ban Ki-moon was speaking in Washington DC at the Spring Meetings of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund, IMF. The international community is in the [...]
Women need to be food secure in order to advance and to tackle violence perpetrate against them. That's according to Chido Govera, a farmer, campaigner and educator from Zimbabwe who is teaching mushroom cultivation to hundreds of people in her country as well as in Tanzania, South Africa and the Congo. Ms Govera participated in [...]
US$30m requested for Palestinian refugee camp An immediate injection of US$30 million to provide life-sustaining assistance to civilians in the Yarmouk refugee camp is being requested by the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA). 18,000 people, including 3,500 children, are besieged in the camp south of the Syrian capital, Damascus, as fighting [...]
"Last mile" of Ebola "marathon" may be most difficult The "last mile" of what's been described by the UN Secretary-General as the Ebola disease "marathon" may be the most difficult. Speaking in Washington DC, Ban Ki-moon said it was crucial to strengthen surveillance, contact tracing and community engagement to ensure the deadly virus did [...]
Pre-election violence in Burundi has prompted thousands of people to flee into neighbouring Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo, the UN said Friday. United Nations refugee agency UNHCR said that mainly women and children had left the country in the run-up to voting. It said that in the last two weeks more than 8,000 Burundians [...]
Seventy people, many of them with severe burns, have been rescued in the Mediterranean Sea after apparently being forced onto a deflated dinghy by smugglers. The UN Refugee Agency, UNHCR, said one of the migrants, who are mostly from Eritrea and Somalia, had died from burn injuries. So far in 2015, over 35,000 refugees and [...]
Breaches in a February ceasefire agreed between warring parties in Ukraine could worsen an already dire human rights situation, according to the UN. The eastern European country continues to be gripped by fighting between government and pro-Russian separatists which began in April 2014. Daniel Dickinson reports. In the past 12 months of fighting, the UN [...]
An emergency UN appeal launched Friday for $274 million to help 7.5 million people directly affected by fighting in Yemen. The conflict now affects 18 of the country's 22 governorates and the UN's Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said that ordinary families are struggling to survive. Serious violations of human rights have [...]
Prisons could be places where the ideology of violent extremists could be reversed, according to the UN Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI). During the 13th UN Congress on crime prevention and criminal justice underway in Doha, Qatar, UNICRI organized an event on the "rehabilitation of extremist offenders". Reem Abaza caught up with Joanne [...]
At least US$650 million has been pledged by the World Bank to fight the Ebola outbreak in West Africa. Over the past year, more than 10,000 people have died from the disease in the three worst affected countries. But now the UN says the epidemic is under control. Daniel Dickinson reports The World Bank Group [...]
Understanding how demographic changes will unfold over the next 15 years is essential for the design and implementation of the new sustainable development agenda. That's the view of John Wilmoth, the Director of the Population Division in the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs. According to the Population Division older persons are now the [...]
Cybercrime, from stealing online information for banking fraud to child pornography has become a serious threat around the world. It is estimated that over 1.8 billion images are uploaded and shared over the Internet daily, which makes it difficult to track down online child pornography. However, the US tech giant Microsoft is fighting back and [...]
Coordination between military and civil organizations in times of humanitarian crises needs to be improved according to a senior disaster relief expert in Singapore. Militaries around the world have been increasingly called on to help the relief effort when disasters strike, but their involvement does pose challenges. The UN and Singapore government have been hosting [...]
The UN Secretary-General has urged "meaningful negotiations" to bring an end to four years of civil war in Syria. Around 220,000 people have died in the country and a further four million have fled as refugees. Daniel Dickinson reports. Speaking at the National Press Club in Washington DC, the UN chief, Ban Ki-moon said the [...]
• The lives of eight hundred thousand children in north-eastern Nigeria and neighbouring countries have been disrupted by Boko Haram terrorist attacks, according to the UN children's agency. In one incident a year ago, the terrorists caused outrage around the world when they abducted more than 270 schoolgirls from Chibok. UNICEF this week released its [...]
Better crisis coordination needed between military and civil organizations Coordination between military and civil organizations in times of humanitarian crises needs to be improved according to a senior disaster relief expert in Singapore. Militaries around the world have been increasingly called on to help the aid effort when disasters strike, but their involvement does pose [...]
The health systems in the three countries in West Africa most affected by the Ebola outbreak need to be rebuilt to avoid future health emergencies. That's according to Margaret Chan the head of the UN's World Health Organization. The spread of the deadly disease in West Africa has slowed down, but the international community is [...]
Sexual violence in conflict is a concern in 19 countries around the world Forty-five armed groups in 19 countries around the world have been identified as probably responsible for rape or other acts of sexual violence. The UN Secretary-General's report on Sexual Violence in Conflict, which was released on Tuesday, contains accounts of violence by [...]
South African government urged to protect victims of xenophobia The South African government has been urged by the UN to protect victims of xenophobic violence. Six foreign migrant workers were reportedly killed over the last two weeks following attacks which began in the city of Durban. Stéphane Dujarric is the UN Spokesperson. "Whilst acknowledging efforts [...]
UN Special Adviser on Yemen steps down The Special Adviser to the UN Secretary-General on Yemen, is stepping down after four years in the position. Jamal Benomar has been working closely with the authorities in Yemen on building peace and putting the political transition back on track in the Middle Eastern Country. The conflict in [...]
One hundred and five thousand displaced people in the Yemeni city of Aden are receiving food aid over the next few days from the United Nations. They have been forced to flee their homes as the security situation deteriorates in the Middle Eastern country. Meanwhile, rebels continue to battle with the government for control of [...]
A strong partnership between the public and private sectors is needed in order to beat transnational cyber-crime. That's according to a senior director of the tech company Microsoft, who was speaking at the 13th UN Crime Congress currently underway in Doha Qatar. The circulation of child pornography is one of the issues that the international [...]
The Syrian conflict and the rise of Isis extremists have created "waves" of torture victims who urgently need help to rebuild their lives, UN human rights experts said on Thursday. The warning came at a UN Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture meeting in Geneva, where trustees of the bursary said that many states continue [...]
Terrorist groups are finding new ways to raise funds for their extremist activities, according to a senior UN official dealing with the issue. These groups, which include ISIL in Syria and Iraq, Al Qaeda affiliates in Yemen, and Boko Haram in Nigeria, are notorious for the atrocities they commit against civilians. Jean-Paul Laborde, the Executive [...]
Global water supplies are sufficient to meet the needs of humanity, but the United Nations says the resource needs to be used wisely. The warning comes in a brief for policy makers on a water and food secure future released by the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Governments and experts from around the world [...]
Thousands of African migrants in South Africa have been forced to flee their homes into makeshift camps as a result of xenophobic attacks. Two weeks ago mobs in Durban started to ransack and loot small businesses owned by fellow Africans in Durban. It is estimated that six people have been killed and up to 100 [...]
The Global economy is expected to grow by 3.5 per cent in the coming year according to the International Monetary Fund's 2015 World Economic Outlook. The latest edition of the twice yearly review shows that growth is stronger in advanced economies, but weaker in developing countries. It has been released as the IMF and World [...]
Athletes have a platform to advocate for human rights that very few people have, according to an American former professional tennis player. Billie Jean King, who was ranked number one player in the world for six years, was at UN Headquarters to mark the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace. She says she [...]
Suicide attack in Mali condemned by UN A suicide attack at the entrance of a UN peacekeeping camp in Ansongo, in the Gao region of Mali, has been strongly condemned by the head of the UN Mission in the country, MINUSMA. Mongi Hamdi said three civilians lost their lives in the attack, and seven [...]
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is making progress in addressing the problem of rape. That's according to, Jeanine Mabunda, the DRC President Joseph Kabila's Personal Representative to fight sexual violence and the recruitment of children into armed groups in the country. The conflict-torn eastern part of the country was once described as the [...]
New UN envoy meets with Palestinian Prime Minister on Gaza The UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process has said the UN remains committed to supporting the reconstruction of Gaza. For the first time since his appointment, Nickolay Mladenov met with Palestinian Prime Minister Hamdallah and discussed border crossing into Gaza. A 50-day [...]
Through sport the global community can foster inspiration and hope for a better future, according to the UN Secretary-General. Ban Ki-moon was speaking at the celebration of the Second International Day of Sport for Development and Peace. This year, he said the UN is encouraging all sportsmen and women to throw their energy into advocating [...]
As the conflict escalates in Yemen almost 11 million people are said to be severely food insecure and millions more are at risk of not meeting their basic food needs. This is according to the latest food security assessment released by the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The report also indicates that more than [...]
The fight to eradicate sexual violence in conflict situations is not a "mission impossible", thanks to some tangible and positive changes on the ground. That's according to the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict. Zeinab Hawa Bangura was speaking to the Security Council on Wednesday, presenting the latest report on the [...]
Some 148 foreign nationals have been evacuated from Yemen on an emergency flight from the capital San'aa, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) said Wednesday. The flight landed yesterday in the Sudanese capital Khartoum, with nearly 70 Ethiopian citizens on board, but also nationals from the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Germany, Bangladesh and Egypt. [...]
Reports that hundreds of migrants are missing off the coast of Libya are "horrifying", according to a top UN crime prevention official. The UN Refugee Agency said the incident involves the capsizing of a boat on Monday in waters about 120 kilometres south of Italy’s Lampedusa Island. Stephanie Coutrix reports. Media reports indicated on Wednesday [...]
Actor Martin Gable is part of this anticipation drama about “what could be” if the countries put as much determination in coming together as they did in the past attacking each other. Duration: 00:59:33 SHARE WITH US Take a look at some of the ways the UN is marking its anniversary and share images [...]
In this historic audio, listen to Eleanor Roosevelt – diplomat, activist and former First Lady of the United States – read from the Declaration. Duration: 00:12:53 SHARE WITH US Take a look at some of the ways the UN is marking its anniversary and share images of you saying "Happy 70th Anniversary" to [...]
Heavy rains have hit Haiti in recent days leaving 50,000 people homeless and nearly 9,000 homes flooded, UN humanitarian workers say. The level of damage has led to fears that Haiti is ill-prepared for the long hurricane season which begins in June. The island nation is still struggling after a major earthquake hit in 2010. [...]
A major blueprint for sustainable housing has been unveiled by the UN in a bid to help countries address urgent economic, social and environmental issues. The document, known as the Charter on Sustainable Housing, is the result of more than six years of talks between the UN's Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) and its 56 [...]
Violence and criminality remain a challenge in the Central African Republic, but there are signs of improvement. That's the assessment of the head of the UN peacekeeping mission in the country (MINUSCA), General Babacar Gaye. MINUSCA is supporting the Central African Republic as it recovers from more than two years of sectarian violence between Muslim [...]
Policy-makers around the world need to work together to strengthen global economic growth, according to the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Christine Lagarde was speaking ahead of the annual IMF-World Bank "Spring Meetings" which begin on Friday in Washington DC. Thousands of participants, including government officials, business leaders and civil society organizations [...]
British actor Daniel Craig has been designated as the first UN Global Advocate for the Elimination of Mines and Explosive Hazards. The UN Secretary-General announced on Tuesday during a ceremony at UN Headquarters that the star perhaps best known for his role as James Bond will help draw attention to the cause of mine destruction [...]
Situation in Yarmouk camp remains critical The situation for thousands of civilians in a refugee camp on the outskirts of the Syrian capital, Damascus remains critical, according to the chief of the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA). Pierre Krähenbühl ended a humanitarian mission, during which he met with the Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister and [...]
The global community must never forget the girls who were kidnapped in Chibok, Nigeria, the UN Secretary-General said on Tuesday, one year after their abduction. In a statement, Ban Ki-moon said he will not stop calling for the girls' immediate release and safe return to their families. Cathrine Hasselberg reports. One year ago, over 276 [...]
The Kenyan government has been urged by the UN Refugee Agency, UNHCR, to rethink its decision to close the Dadaab refugee camp in the north of the East African country. Dadaab is home to 350,000 mainly Somali refugees. The decision to close the camp within three months was made after an attack by alleged Somali [...]
As the conflict continues to worsen in Yemen the UN Security Council on Tuesday tightened measures against rebels who are trying to take over the country. The Houthis, who occupied the capital Sana'a and seized power early this year, continue to fight with government forces. A coalition, led by Saudi Arabia began air strikes against [...]
Credible elections in the Central African Republic (CAR) will help mark the end of a political transition according to the Head of the UN peacekeeping mission in the country (MINUSCA). But briefing the Security Council on Tuesday, General Babacar Gaye said security and financial challenges continue to impede the work of the National Election Authority [...]
UNICEF delivers supplies to Syria despite challenges Forty-three trucks from the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) carrying humanitarian supplies have reached Qamishli, in the north-east of Syria. The trucks passed through the Nusyabin crossing point in Turkey over the past few days and will assist 2.3 million people in need. The shipment includes water treatment products, [...]
The rising death toll from fighting in Yemen prompted the UN's top human rights official Zeid Ra'ad al Hussein on Tuesday to call for warring parties to "take maximum care" in protecting civilians. The development follows reports from the UN's human rights office that airstrikes backed by a Saudi and US-backed coalition have hit people's [...]
More financing is needed to support a trust fund for victims of human trafficking, according to the United Nations. The issue was highlighted at a meeting of the 13th Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice in Doha, Qatar. The focus on Tuesday was on how to meet funding needs to assist victims of so [...]
The lethal link between unsafe cars and tens of thousands of deaths every year on the world's roads came under the UN spotlight on Tuesday. In a call to manufacturers to apply agreed United Nations safety standards, the Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) warned that millions of new cars sold in middle and low-income countries [...]
Thirteen developing countries are being supported in their efforts to monitor their forests A US$4.5 million project agreed between Norway and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is expected to facilitate access to data sources. Many developing countries find it challenging to gather and process data for a wide variety of reasons; for example poor [...]
Forty-five armed groups in 19 countries around the world have been identified as probably responsible for rape or other acts of sexual violence. The UN Secretary-General's report on Sexual Violence in Conflict which is released on Tuesday contains, amongst others, accounts of violence by terrorist groups such as Boko Haram in Nigeria and ISIL in [...]
Development is not possible without rule of law according to the President of the UN General Assembly. Sam Kutesa was speaking at the 13th UN Crime Congress currently underway in Doha, Qatar. One of the issues being discussed is wildlife crime, including the poaching and illicit trafficking of wild fauna and flora. Reem Abaza asked [...]
Wildlife and forest crime deserves prompt attention from governments and civil society worldwide. That's according to top UN officials attending the 13th Crime Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice in Doha, Qatar. These crimes are reportedly part of a rapidly growing industry and yield enormous profits for criminal networks. Stephanie Coutrix reports. Wild forests [...]
Thousands of families displaced in Yemen, lacking basic services More than 120,000 people are estimated to have been displaced in Yemen since airstrikes by an Arab coalition started against Houthi rebels in March; that's according to the UN. The UN humanitarian office, OCHA, reported that the conflict has made it hard for people to get [...]
The plight of 18,000 Palestinian and Syrian civilians living in a besieged camp in Syria continues to cause what has been described by the UN as "extreme worry." The Yarmouk camp, just south of the Syrian capital Damascus has in recent days been overrun by terrorists from the outlawed Islamic group, ISIL. The UN agency [...]
The planet's priorities will be influenced by what the United Nations has described as "profound demographic shifts", especially those related to youth, the elderly, urbanization and migration. During the next five days, a UN commission will be discussing issues and trends relating to population and development. Stephanie Coutrix reports. The UN estimates that hundreds of [...]
A global human rights culture would help to reduce crime according to a youth delegate attending a UN Congress on crime prevention and criminal justice taking place in Doha. More than 160 students from around the world have been discussing how they can shape international law and public policy on justice issues. Memoonah Zainab from [...]
UN and African experts call for decisive steps to bring back abducted children A group of UN and African human rights experts have deplored the continued captivity of girls abducted one year ago in Chibok. On Monday they called on the Boko Haram terrorist group to immediately release them as well as the numerous other [...]
The lives of eight hundred thousand children in north-eastern Nigeria and neighbouring countries have been disrupted by Boko Haram terrorist attacks, according to the UN children's agency. In one incident a year ago, the terrorists caused outrage around the world when they abducted more than 270 schoolgirls from Chibok. UNICEF on Monday released its "Missing [...]
Burundi is facing a critical time as it prepares for general elections, according to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein recently arrived in the country on his first official visit to Africa. Burundi is scheduled to hold legislative, presidential, senate and local elections between May and August this year. Cathrine [...]
Lasting peace and sustainable development cannot be fully realized without respect for human rights and the rule of law, according to the head of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). Yury Fedotov was speaking at an event at the 13th Crime Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice. It is organized every [...]
Oil prices show little sign of returning to former highs of more than USD100 per barrel for some time, experts told a UN forum on Monday. Speaking at a meeting on commodities at the UN in Geneva, UN Conference on Trade and Development's Samuel Gayi said that governments needed to plan for the "inevitable" boom [...]
A key meeting on so-called killer robots – otherwise known as lethal autonomous weapon systems (LAWS) – began on Monday at the UN in Geneva. More than 60 states and dozens of experts have headed to the Swiss city with a view to shaping international policy on the machines, which don't yet exist, but which [...]
Efforts are underway in South Sudan to ensure displaced civilians in United Nations camps are properly protected ahead of the rainy season, due later this month. The UN is currently housing more than one hundred and sixteen thousand civilians across the country in seven so-called protection of civilian sites. Last year many of the camps [...]
The threat of terrorism is motivating some countries to reintroduce the death penalty after having suspended it, according to the UN Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights. Ivan Šimonović said Yemen and Pakistan are examples of nations that recently decided to bring the death penalty back. The UN continues to insist that capital punishment does not [...]
Crime harms all people wherever they are in the world according to a senior UN envoy. Speaking in Doha on the first day of an international conference on crime, the chief of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) said the meeting was an opportunity to look at ways to fight all types [...]
Every child matters and there are not throw-away children, say two United Nations independent experts on the International Day for Street Children. The day is observed on 12 April around the world to raise awareness about street children and to promote their rights. Cathrine Hasselberg has more. According to the independent experts, who report to [...]
A senior UN envoy has made what he described as an urgent mission to Syria to discuss the siege of a camp for Palestinian refugees. The Yarmouk camp just south of the Syrian capital Damascus has been blockaded for much of the four years that conflict has raged in the country. Recently it has been [...]
The role of education in fighting crime will be highlighted at the upcoming UN Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice. Dmitri Vlassis, the Executive Secretary of the Congress, says it is the first time policy-makers will discuss how to better involve the public in creating more just societies. The Congress is set to open [...]
Death of protestor in Central African Republic deplored by UN The United Nations says it deplores the death of a protestor who was part of a group which attacked a base of UN peacekeepers in the Central African Republic. UN Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric says that the group of between 300 and 400 people attacked the [...]
Businesses across the world are increasingly willing to tackle global challenges; that's according to the UN Secretary-General. Ban Ki-moon was speaking in Panama in Central America at an event focused on public-private partnerships and the role they play in sustainable development. Daniel Dickinson reports 2015 is a key year for agreeing new development targets, the [...]
The newly elected President of the International Criminal Court (ICC) says that dispensing what she calls "high quality justice" is her priority. The court is independent of the United Nations, although it does take on cases recommended by the UN Security Council. The ICC has a global mandate to tackle offences such as crimes against [...]
Killings of civilians in Afghanistan condemned by UN The killing of at least 18 civilians in separate incidents over the past 24 hours in Afghanistan has been condemned by the UN mission in the country (UNAMA). UNAMA says there was an armed attack on the Prosecutor's Office in the northern city of Mazar-e-Sharif on Thursday, [...]
The situation in Yemen is getting worse by the hour, according to the UN Refugee Agency, UNHCR. Fighting between Houthi rebels and an Arab coalition supporting the Yemeni Government is putting millions of people at risk of physical injury or death. As a result, UNHCR says it is seeing a rise in people fleeing by [...]
The plight of nearly 20,000 Palestinian refugees has deteriorated even further at a camp in the Syrian capital where ISIS extremists have largely taken control, the UN said Friday. United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) spokesperson Chris Gunness told journalists that armed groups now held sway over half of the camp. The aid spokesperson said that [...]
Israeli authorities have been urged by the UN human rights office to stop the use of so-called "administrative detention" against Palestinians. It says that administrative detainees are held without charge of trial, often on the basis of secret evidence, for potentially indefinite periods. Cathrine Hasselberg reports. The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human [...]
The fighting in Yemen must stop to allow humanitarian supplies in "by air or by boat", a top UN aid chief said Friday. Johannes van der Klaauw, who heads the UN refugee agency's (UNHCR) humanitarian effort there, warned that services were at risk of collapse amid "complete lawlessness." He said it was critical to deliver [...]
More lives could be saved in poorer countries through better access to caesarean section, the World Health Organization (WHO) said Friday. At the same time, the UN health agency also cautioned against unnecessary caesareans in richer countries, since it can increase the risk of complications for women and their babies. Doctors and hospitals often promote [...]
An Asian pop singer, academic, novelist and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador for Japan is urging the warring factions in South Sudan to stop fighting for what she called "the sake of the children." Agnes Chan is in the country's Western Equatoria state to assess the availability of education for children. South Sudan continues to endure a [...]
Teenagers in Kosovo have been looking at how they can solve some of the social problems faced by their peers. Violence in schools, preventing early marriages. The UN Children's Fund, UNICEF, recently brought together 40 young people to design projects that not only deal with these issues but also offer professional training in problem solving. [...]
• Twenty-one years after the Rwandan genocide, there are still people who deny it was perpetrated, according to the Deputy Permanent Representative of Rwanda to the UN. In 1994, more than 800,000 people, mainly Tutsi, moderate Hutu and Twa, were systematically killed across Rwanda in less than three months. A solemn event was organized at [...]
Silent and underfunded chronic humanitarian situation in DPRK A silent and underfunded chronic humanitarian crisis has developed in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), according to the United Nations. The Organization has just released a report on the needs and priorities of the country in 2015. The UN is calling for US$111 million to [...]
Warring parties in Yemen warned about war crimes Attacks on protected civilians and sites in the ongoing conflict in Yemen could constitute war crimes. This warning has come from Adama Dieng, UN Secretary-General's Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide and Jennifer Welsh, UN Secretary-General's Special Adviser on the Responsibility to Protect. The two [...]
Bangladeshi authorities urged to bring killers of blogger to justice Authorities in Bangladesh have been urged by the head of the UN cultural agency (UNESCO) to find and prosecute the killers of blogger Washiqur Rahman Babu. Mr Rahman was reportedly hacked to death by two men with knives and meat cleavers as he left his [...]
Women seen as key to reversing global ageing population Women may hold the key to reversing the trend of the world's rapidly ageing workforce, according to the International Labour Organization. The share of older workers aged 55 or above in the global workforce has increased by around 4 per cent over the past quarter of [...]
There has been a marked increase in insecurity in Mali as a result of more frequent clashes between armed groups since last December, according to the United Nations. Security Council members on Thursday were briefed on the situation in the West African country, where a UN peacekeeping mission—MINUSMA—was established in April 2013. One of its [...]
A refugee camp in Syria where thousands of Palestinians and Syrians are trapped is beginning to resemble a death camp, according to UN Secretary-General. The war in Syria continues and fighters from the ISIL or Daesh terrorist group, attacked Yarmouk camp last week, forcing hundreds of people to flee. The UN has expressed concern about [...]
The ongoing fighting in Yemen could lead to "deep and long-lasting regional repercussions" according to the UN Secretary-General. The crisis in the Middle Eastern Country has escalated over recent weeks as Houthi rebels continue to carry out attacks across the country. Action by an allied coalition to restore President Abdrabuh Mansour Hadi who fled the [...]
More than 50,000 post offices in Africa need electricity and the internet so that rural communities can benefit from the e-commerce revolution, according to the Universal Postal Union (UPU). Around 80 per cent of the continent's population lives in remote areas, with limited access to internet based services. Expanding e-commerce is just one of the [...]
The government of Malaysia has been urged by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to withdraw a law that he says seriously undermines freedom of expression. On Tuesday, Malaysia's lower house of Parliament passed the Prevention of Terrorism Act which, among other things, allows the indefinite detention of individuals without trial. Cathrine Hasselberg has [...]
Concerns over the spread of animal diseases are mounting in Lebanon and neighbouring countries, as approximately 1.5 million refugees flee the conflict in Syria. That's according to the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) which has warned that some migrants are bringing large numbers of unvaccinated sheep, goats, cattle, and other animals with them. FAO [...]
The sky is the limit for young people if the right investments are made in education, according to the UN Secretary-General. Ban Ki-moon commented on the 2015 Education for All Global Monitoring Report issued by the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on Thursday. Cathrine Hasselberg reports. UNESCO's Education for All Global Monitoring Report [...]
A factory inspector in Sri Lanka is using a UN developed app on a tablet device to improve efficiency and ensure compliance with labour laws. The app called LISA has been written by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and was used for the first time in the south Asian country. It's not only making the [...]
A silent and underfunded chronic humanitarian crisis has developed in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), according to the United Nations. The Organization has just released a report on the needs and priorities of the country in 2015. The UN is calling for US$111 million to fund its humanitarian operations. Meanwhile, funding for its [...]
Lowest cases of Ebola reported since May 2014 A total of 30 confirmed cases of Ebola virus disease were reported in the week of 5 April, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The agency says this is the lowest weekly total since May last year. In Guinea, there were 21 cases compared with 57 [...]
Concern has been raised by the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) about the plight of thousands of civilians trapped in the Yarmouk camp in Damascus, Syria. Fighters form the ISIL terrorist group attacked the camp last week forcing hundreds of people to flee. However, thousands of Palestinians remain trapped as armed groups intensify fighting [...]
International community urged to prepare for massive displacement in Yemen The international community has been urged to prepare for a humanitarian crisis with massive displacement in Yemen. The warning has come from the UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons, Chaloka Beyani, as fighting between government and Houthi forces continues. UN [...]
The world needs an international financial framework that is predictable and effective, according to the UN Secretary-General. Ban Ki-moon was speaking at UN Headquarters at what are known as "informal interactive hearings". These have been scheduled over the next two days to give leaders from the business sector and civil society an opportunity to share [...]
Deeply embedded discrimination against Roma communities must be overcome by a new commitment to help them from state authorities, a UN expert said Wednesday. On International Roma Day, minority issues investigator Rita Izsak said that growing extremism in many countries fuelled by sensationalist media reports had increased the stigmatization of Roma people, who number an [...]
The head of the UN children's agency in Yemen described on Wednesday how "incredibly tough" it is to get aid into the country amid fighting between rebel and government-backed troops. UNICEF plans to airlift 16 tonnes of principally medical supplies into the capital city San'aa on Thursday, but country representative Julien Harneis says it's "in [...]
A lack of money and trained staff is hampering the response to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in South Sudan, according to the UN. Hundreds of thousands of people have been displaced by the conflict between government and opposition forces that began in December 2013. The UN office for the coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, OCHA, says [...]
The government of Kazakhstan needs to step up its efforts to protect people living in environmentally high risk-areas. That's the conclusion of a UN independent expert dealing with human rights and hazardous substances and wastes, at the end of his mission to the country on Wednesday. Baskut Tuncak noted that the government has taken positive [...]
Governments around the world have been urged to take action to protect the rights of the Roma people and combat stereotypes of them. The call came from the UN independent expert on minority issues, Rita Izsák, on International Roma Day observed on 8 April each year. She says that strong and tangible political commitment is [...]
The world's first global register for disaster response teams was unveiled on Wednesday by UN health experts who say a radical new approach to disaster relief is needed to save more lives. Run by the World Health Organization (WHO), the aim of the database is to provide governments affected by large-scale emergencies with the most [...]
Women may hold the key to reversing the trend of the world's rapidly ageing workforce, according to the International Labour Organization. The share of older workers aged 55 or above in the global workforce has increased by around 4 per cent over the past quarter of a century. The UN agency says employing more women [...]
The recent attacks perpetrated by Boko Haram in northeast Nigeria and Chad have been strongly condemned by the Security Council. Several people were killed and injured in attacks by Boko Haram terrorists in Tchoukou Telia in Chad on 3 April and in Kwajafa, Borno state in Nigeria on 5 April. In a statement issued on [...]
Aerial bombings in Darfur condemned by UN Aerial bombings which have killed civilians in Sudan's Darfur region have been strongly condemned by the African Union-UN mission there (UNAMID). UNAMID confirmed that 14 civilians were killed and 18 others injured when 10 bombs were dropped in Rowata in Central Darfur on 1 April. A verification [...]
Peace talks between leaders of the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities can resume after a six month suspension, according to a United Nations envoy. Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkey sent troops citing concerns for the Turkish Cypriot community after a Greek military coup. The UN has been facilitating talks between leaders [...]
Two UN peacekeepers injured in Mali Two peacekeepers from the UN Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) have been injured in a mine explosion. UN Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric says the peacekeepers were escorting a convoy around Kidal in Northern Mali on Monday when the explosion occurred. "One of them is seriously injured and both were immediately evacuated. [...]
Twenty-one years after the Rwandan genocide, there are still people who deny it was perpetrated, according to the Deputy Permanent Representative of Rwanda to the UN. Jeanne d’Arc Byaje says the International Day of Reflection on the Genocide in Rwanda is an opportunity to remind the world that crimes that were committed should never be [...]
More than 1, 600 suspected measles cases have been reported in Sudan, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The UN health agency is working with the UN Children's Fund and the Ministry of Health of Sudan to respond to the outbreak. Cathrine Hasselberg reports. According to the WHO, 23 localities in 12 states have [...]
The international community has been urged by the UN Secretary-General to take timely action to prevent atrocities against human beings. In his message to mark the genocide that began in Rwanda on 7 April 1994, Ban Ki-moon said it is critical for the maintenance of peace and security to act before situations deteriorate. The Secretary-General [...]
The benefits that geothermal energy bring to agriculture are the focus of a new report recently released by the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Geothermal energy is the constant flow of heat energy radiating from the earth's core. FAO highlights that if this energy is harnessed, it can provide unique opportunities for cheaper, sustainable [...]
At least 74 children have been killed amid an intensification in the conflict in Yemen in the north and south of the country, UNICEF said Tuesday. The UN children's agency said that its figures are a conservative estimate of the actual number of victims killed since 26 March, when government-backed coalition forces began targeting Shia [...]
New data on the harm caused by food-borne illnesses underscore the global threats posed by unsafe foods, and the need for coordinated action across the entire food supply chain. That's according to the World Health Organization (WHO) which is marking World Health Day on Tuesday. Stephanie Coutrix reports. “From farm to plate, make food safe.” [...]
A real two-state solution between Israel and Palestine is still very far away, according to the outgoing UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process. Robert Serry says the seven years he has served in this capacity have been "eventful and difficult". More than half a million Israelis have settled in the West Bank, [...]
The situation in Ukraine has been described by a top UN official as a "real tragedy", which is man-made and affecting people in a dramatic way. John Ging, the Operations Director of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) says more than a million displaced Ukrainians fleeing violence "may be alive but have [...]
Palestinians living in a refugee camp in Syria are facing what has been described as a "completely catastrophic situation." The chief of the UN agency which supports Palestinian refugees called the conditions in Yarmouk camp close to the Syrian capital Damascus as "more desperate than ever." It follows reports that the camp has been overrun [...]
The prospects for nuclear disarmament across the world are particularly dim according to the United Nations disarmament chief. The international community is currently meeting in New York at the organization's Disarmament Commission (UNDC) to look at ways of controlling nuclear and conventional weapons. Cathrine Hasselberg reports. Addressing the opening of the 2015 substantive session of [...]
The global threat of transnational organized crime is due to be discussed at an upcoming UN meeting on the issue. Qatar will be hosting the Thirteenth Crime Congress in Doha next week, bringing together government representatives and experts to discuss the links between security, justice, and how to build a more equitable world. Mark Hudson [...]
UN health agency reports medical shortages in Yemen Shortages in medicines and medical supplies in Yemen are expected to become more acute according to the UN health agency, WHO. Health facilities in conflict-affected areas are reporting critical shortages in trauma and surgical medicines. Supplies are expected to decrease further while the country's airports and seaports [...]
Fighting in Yemen has intensified according to the UN humanitarian office, OCHA. The agency says that an increasing number of people are fleeing Sana'a, the capital of Yemen. The UN has warned the country is close to what it called "total collapse" as government troops continue to battle rebels. Daniel Dickinson reports. OCHA says that [...]
A "desperate" situation is developing inside a refugee camp on the outskirts of Damascus in Syria where heavy fighting between warring parties is putting hundreds of thousands of civilians in "acute danger". That's according to the UN Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) which on Monday appealed to all armed actors to withdraw immediately from Yarmouk [...]
Sport continues to be an effective way to foster development and peace around the world according to a senior United Nations official. The UN says projects have helped millions of people around the world to engage in sports and other physical activities. Cathrine Hasselberg reports. Monday marks the second UN International Day of Sport for [...]
Global food prices dropped again in March, driven by a decline in sugar prices, according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The FAO Food Price Index dropped by 1.5 per cent from February and by 18.7 per cent compared to its level a year ago. The index measures monthly changes in international prices [...]
Radio listener clubs for women have been established in the towns of Rumbek and Wau in South Sudan. The UN cultural agency (UNESCO) is working with the South Sudan Women's General Association and a local radio station to promote freedom of expression for women in the country through the use of radio. The radio listeners [...]
The Security Council is considering a resolution circulated by the Russian delegation which is calling for humanitarian pauses in the ongoing conflict in Yemen, according to its President. A coalition of regional countries led by Saudi Arabia has been conducting air strikes against Houthi forces that took over the capital Sana'a in January and put [...]
The terrorist attack on a university in northeastern Kenya has been strongly condemned by the Security Council. At least 147 people, mainly students, are reported to have been killed and close to 80 injured in the assault by Al Shabaab on Garissa University early on Thursday. Derrick Mbatha reports. According to media reports, most of [...]
Restrictions to people's freedom of movement in South Sudan limit their abilities to provide for themselves, says Toby Lanzer, the UN Humanitarian Coordinator in the country. South Sudan continues to be plagued by a conflict that broke out between government and opposition forces in December 2013, displacing more than two million people and forcing half [...]
There was a dramatic rise in the number of death sentences recorded in 2014 compared to the year before, according to Amnesty International. Representatives from the NGO were at UN Headquarters this week to present a new report on the current status of the death penalty around the world. It shows that an alarming number [...]
It is not clear how many land mines and other explosive devices have contaminated South Sudan, according to experts from the UN Mine Action Service (UNMAS). UNMAS is helping to clear the new African country of landmines and other explosive devices in the new African nation but the conflict which erupted in December 2013 is [...]
A vaccination campaign to protect children against measles is being launched to vaccinate over 35,000 children at the UN Protection of Civilians site in South Sudan's Bentiu town. Cases of the highly contagious disease have been reported within the camp where more than 50,000 have sought shelter. The campaign by the World Health Organization (WHO) [...]
Unexploded ordnance worldwide poses a greater threat to people's safety than landmines, according to the United Nations Mine Action Service, UNMAS. The Director of UNMAS, Agnès Marcaillou, recently led a panel discussion at UN Headquarters in New York which focused on the need for governments to continue developing national mine-action capacities. She underlined both the [...]
Levels of diseases caused by eating contaminated food are much higher than currently reported, according to the United Nations health agency. The World Health Organization (WHO) points out that the food chain from production to consumption is longer and more complex. It says a number of factors, including, globalized trade, travel and migration, an ageing [...]
• Boko Haram terrorists continue their violent attacks and human rights abuses against civilians in north-east Nigeria and neighbouring countries, the Security Council was told on Monday. The terrorists threatened to intensify their activities during general elections that were held over the weekend. The group recently pledged allegiance to the so-called ISIL extremists who have [...]
A political framework that has been agreed to resolve the Iranian nuclear programme issue has been welcomed by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. Negotiators from China, France, Germany, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States, collectively known as the E3+3 have been holding talks with an Iranian delegation in Lausanne, Switzerland. Derrick Mbatha reports. It [...]
Attack in Kenya condemned by Ban Ki-moon A terrorist attack on Garissa University College in Kenya on Thursday has been condemned by the UN Secretary-General. The attack reportedly left dozens dead and injured, with an unconfirmed number of students still held hostage. Ban Ki-moon said he hopes the situation will be quickly brought under control [...]
An inquiry to determine facts surrounding violent demonstrations in Gao, Mali last January, has determined that members of a police unit of the UN Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) used unauthorized and excessive force on civilian protesters. The inquiry was launched by the UN Secretary-General following the death by gunfire of three protesters and the wounding [...]
