It is time to help people live their dreams by ensuring that commitments made by governments are kept, according to the president of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU). Saber Chowdhury is currently at UN Headquarters in New York for IPU's Fourth World Conference of Speakers of Parliament. Held every five years, the focus in 2015 is [...]
Somalia food security situation "critical," says UN aid agency More than 850,000 people in Somalia are facing food insecurity, a situation the UN humanitarian affairs office, OCHA, has described as "critical." OCHA reports that the number of Somalis in this category has risen 17 per cent over the past six months. It says the situation [...]
Parliamentary leaders from around the world have been called on by the UN to help end global poverty and give hope to the disenfranchised. Parliamentary officials from nearly 140 countries are participating in the Fourth World Conference of Speakers of Parliament at Headquarters in New York this week to look at ways to tackle global [...]
A new device to measure air quality could potentially help avert deaths from air pollution, according to the UN Environment Programme (UNEP). UNEP plans to make the blueprints publically available, allowing governments and organizations to manufacture it themselves. The system will cost approximately 100 times less than existing solutions, according to the agency. Siobhán Garside reports. [...]
Warring parties in Taiz governorate in Yemen are being urged by the World Health Organization (WHO) to observe a ceasefire and demilitarize hospitals and health facilities to allow the safe delivery of humanitarian aid. Taiz is Yemen’s most populous governorate, but WHO reports that three main hospitals there are inaccessible or caught in frontline fighting. [...]
Security concerns, bureaucratic hurdles and other challenges are preventing aid agencies from reaching the most vulnerable people affected by conflict in eastern Ukraine. That information comes from the UN humanitarian affairs office, OCHA, which is sounding the alarm as winter approaches. Government forces and pro-Russian rebels have been fighting in the region since April 2014. [...]
Expert group to discuss new UN principles against enforced disappearance Guidelines to protect individuals from secret detention, enforced disappearance and torture will be under discussion when a UN expert group meets this week in Geneva. The UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention says these basic principles, which will cover almost all situations of detention, will [...]
Talks to decide Libya's future are to return to the United Nations in Geneva later this week, the UN mission in the conflict-ravaged country (UNSMIL) has announced. The development follows recent discussions between Libyan representatives in Morocco where the UN negotiator Bernardino Léon repeated concerns that–as he put it–time was fast running out for Libya. [...]
Parliamentary leaders will play a "critical" role in the global push for creating a sustainable future for all people and the planet. That's according to Saber Chowdhury, president of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) which is meeting this week at UN Headquarters in New York. Heads of State are expected to adopt 17 Sustainable Development Goals [...]
The decision by an Egyptian court to uphold the sentencing of three Al-Jazeera journalists has been met with deep regret by the UN Secretary-General. On Sunday, the Egyptian government upheld the sentences of Baher Mohamed, Mohamed Fahmy, Peter Greste and other correspondents of Al-Jazeera working in the country. Maria Carlino reports. On Saturday, the Egyptian [...]
An appeal to all Member States to join the global convention banning the secret abduction or imprisonment of persons has been made by the UN Secretary-General on the fourth International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances. In a message on the Day, observed annually on 30 August, Ban Ki-moon denounced the "alarming" number of [...]
The detention of people, often without cause, is a repressive technique which violates fundamental human rights and is often used to spread terror within society. That is the message connected to the UN's International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances, observed annually on 30 August. According to the United Nations, a "forced disappearance" qualifies [...]
A call on remaining states to join the global treaty on banning nuclear weapons so it can take effect has been made by the UN Secretary-General on the International Day against Nuclear Testing, observed on 29 August. Ban Ki-moon welcomed the voluntary moratoria on nuclear testing imposed by nations possessing nuclear weapons, but said it [...]
State-of-the art evacuation centres in the Philippines are being set up by the UN to provide shelter for communities in cyclone-prone areas of the country. The UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) have broken ground on the first of two such centres on the island of Samar. Maria Carlino reports. [...]
The ill-effects of nuclear testing in Kazakhstan are still being seen according to authorities, even though the Semipalatinsk Nuclear Test site closed over 20 years ago. Educating people about these devastating health consequences is a goal of the International Day against Nuclear Testing, observed annually on 29 August. Though Kazakhstan sponsored the resolution behind the [...]
The UN Secretary-General has said he is "horrified and heartbroken" over the latest deaths in Austria and at sea of refugees desperate to reach Europe's shores. Ban Ki-moon said such countless human tragedies require a collective response from the international community. Maria Carlino reports. Much more must be done to ensure the journey across international waters [...]
Concern over Colombia-Venezuela border crisis The UN Secretary-General has expressed concern over reports of human rights violations at two border crossings between Colombia and Venezuela. Ban Ki-moon said he was encouraged to learn that the two countries are committed to using dialogue to address their border challenges. Colombia and Venezuela each recalled their ambassadors [...]
Competing political parties in Guinea-Bissau have been urged by the UN's top envoy to the country to resume dialogue to end the power struggle threatening to further undermine stability in the West African nation. Guinea-Bissau President Jose Mario Vaz recently appointed a new prime minister, Baciro Dja, in a bid to end a power vacuum [...]
More than 600 children have been released since May by an armed group to the conflict in the Central African Republic, the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) has reported. UNICEF and the UN mission in the country facilitated a ceremony on Friday where 163 children, including five girls, were handed over by the anti-Balaka militia. The [...]
Spike in cholera in Tanzania A new spike in cholera cases in the Dar es Salaam and Morogoro regions of Tanzania in the past two weeks has led to eight deaths, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The Dar es Salaam region was the most affected, with 354 of the 404 cases reported. WHO [...]
Hurricane Katrina, which hit the American city of New Orleans 10 years ago this month, has raised the bar for disaster risk management, according to the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR). The category 5 hurricane is considered the worst in the history of the United States. It inundated 80 per cent of New [...]
The number of refugees and migrants crossing the Mediterranean into Europe this year has exceeded 300,000, and some 2,500 have died or gone missing, the UN Refugee Agency, UNHCR, has announced. The figures mark a sharp increase from the roughly 219,000 people who made the same crossing during the whole of last year. Maria Carlino [...]
The discovery of up to 70 bodies inside a truck abandoned at the Austria-Hungary border underscores the "ruthlessness" of smuggler networks and the desperation of people fleeing conflict, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) said on Friday. UNHCR has reiterated its call for European governments to provide safe legal ways for asylum seekers to enter the [...]
Children in South Sudan, who were forced out of school due to poverty, gender discrimination or conflict, are getting a second chance at an education. They’re returning to the classroom thanks to the Back-to-Learning Initiative launched this year by the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) . The campaign targets 400,000 children who’ve had their education interrupted, or [...]
Humanitarian relief efforts continue in Myanmar, where floods and landslides brought on by monsoon rains have caused the deaths of more than 100 people and displaced hundreds of thousands. Renata Lok-Dessalien , UN Resident Coordinator, reports that the downpour of rain has also led to an "unprecedented amount of solidarity" on the part of concerned [...]
Concern over thousands fleeing violence in CAR Concern has been expressed by the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) over the thousands of people fleeing their homes in Bambari, a town in the Central African Republic (CAR). Kouassi Lazare Etien, the UNHCR representative in the country, said he was particularly worried about Sudanese refugees who are trapped [...]
Recommended ways to set up a UN mechanism to determine who is responsible for the use of chemical weapons in Syria have been submitted by the UN Secretary-General to the Security Council. A fact-finding mission of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) said last December that chlorine gas had most likely been [...]
Myanmar floods generate destruction and solidarity Humanitarian relief efforts continue in Myanmar, where floods and landslides brought on by monsoon rains have caused the deaths of more than 100 people and displaced hundreds of thousands. Renata Lok-Dessalien, UN Resident Coordinator, reports that the downpour of rain has also led to an "unprecedented amount of solidarity" [...]
LGBT in the Middle East under the spotlight at the UN The situation of people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) in the Middle East was recently discussed for the first time by the UN Security Council during what is known as an Arria formula meeting. This form of meeting is a relatively [...]
Peace agreement signed to end “unspeakable violence” in South Sudan South Sudan was the focus of global attention this week as President Salva Kiir on Wednesday signed a peace agreement aimed at bringing an end to nearly two years of fighting. This came one day after the UN Security Council held a briefing on the [...]
"Tit-for-tat" bombings that have reportedly killed hundreds of civilians in and around the Syrian capital, Damascus, are unlawful and must stop immediately, the top UN humanitarian official said Thursday. Stephen O'Brien, who heads the UN's emergency relief agency, OCHA, made his comments to the Security Council on Thursday following a three-day visit to Syria in [...]
Libya talks enter final phase Talks aimed at finalizing a political agreement in Libya began on Thursday, the UN mission for the country (UNSMIL) reports. UNSMIL is facilitating the talks, which are being held in Morocco, and represent the final phase of seven months of dialogue. Libya has been plagued by instability and factional fighting [...]
Potato seeds once thought lost to the Andean people who introduced them to the world will now be safeguarded for future generations in a seed vault in the Arctic. The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) announced on Thursday that a ceremony is taking place in Svalbard, Norway, for scientists and delegations to witness the [...]
Poor communities rife in tropical diseases are being helped by a new UN plan to improve access to clean water, sanitation and hygiene. The World Health Organization (WHO) unveiled a programme on Thursday to speed up progress in eliminating neglected tropical illnesses from the planet by 2020. Maria Carlino reports. More than half a million [...]
A reserve bank of Low Enriched Uranium (LEU)—the basic ingredient of nuclear fuel—will be established in Kazakhstan as part of global efforts to ensure its availability. That information comes from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) which on Thursday signed an agreement with the Central Asian country to set up the facility. The bank will [...]
A growing number of women infected with HIV are receiving treatment, but cultural and economic obstacles make staying on it a challenge, according to a new study sponsored by UN Women, the United Nations agency that deals with gender issues. For the first time, HIV-positive women are carrying out their own review of the barriers [...]
The situation of people in the Middle East who are lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) was recently discussed for the first time by the UN Security Council during what is known as an Arria formula meeting. This form of meeting is a relatively recent practice, which enables members of the 15-member council to exchange [...]
While there is enough water on the planet to meet global needs, there must be better management of this irreplaceable natural resource, according to the UN World Water Assessment Programme. Engin Koncugal, a senior officer with the programme, says this is particularly true for realizing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which countries are set to [...]
The signing of a peace agreement by South Sudan's President on Wednesday has been welcomed by the UN Secretary-General as a "critical and necessary step" towards ending nearly two years of conflict in the country. Ban Ki-moon expressed hope that the accord will bring an end to violence that has killed tens of thousands of [...]
Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic has been appointed a Goodwill Ambassador with the UN Children's Fund, UNICEF. The announcement was made during a ceremony in New York on Wednesday. Djokovic, the world's number one ranked tennis player, had previously been a UNICEF Serbia Ambassador. UNICEF described him as a "true champion for children around the [...]
A new system is needed to protect and process the influx of asylum seekers flooding into Europe, according to Antonio Guterres, head of the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR). Mr Guterres spoke at a joint press conference in Geneva with French Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve about the refugee crisis. Maria Carlino reports. To successfully deal with [...]
Centre for vulnerable youth to open in Lebanon A centre for vulnerable Lebanese and displaced Syrian youth is set to open up on Saturday in southern Lebanon. The UN cultural agency, UNESCO, is joining with the government of Finland and other sponsors to open the centre in the town of Khiyam. The centre aims to [...]
The political dialogue process to find a peaceful solution to the crisis that has ravaged Libya for over one year is drawing to its final stages. That's according to the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Libya, Bernardino León, who was briefing the Security Council on Wednesday. Libya has been unstable and plagued by [...]
As climate change is occurring faster than expected, there is "no time to waste" in forging a global deal to curb greenhouse gas emissions, the UN Secretary-General has said. Ban Ki-moon spoke to reporters in Paris on Wednesday about the need to ensure an ambitious agreement is reached at the climate change summit in the [...]
Tens of thousands of people in South Sudan who had been stranded for months due to insecurity have finally been reached by the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the World Food Programme (WFP). Access problems and concerns for staff safety prevented humanitarian agencies from reaching people living in Wau Shilluk and other areas of rural [...]
The Eiffel Tower is set to become a huge generator of human energy in December thanks to an original project created by a French artist. Yann Toma, who is accredited to the UN as an artist-observer, will be building a village under the Parisian monument where people will be invited to be active—by biking, dancing, [...]
Armed clashes displacing Palestinians at refugee camp in Lebanon Heavy fighting between armed rival groups at the Ein el Hilweh refugee camp in southern Lebanon has displaced as many as 3,000 people, according to the UN agency that assists Palestinian refugees, UNRWA. UNRWA spokesperson Chris Gunness said the agency lacks full access in and around [...]
Concern over rising political violence in Nepal Reports of continuing political violence in Nepal have raised the concern of the UN human rights office, OHCHR. Seven members of the security forces and three protesters were reportedly killed on Monday while five more protesters were killed earlier this month. Violent demonstrations and strikes have swept [...]
Deep shock has been expressed by top UN officials regarding what has been described as "utter disrespect for human life" and "unspeakable violence" by all parties to the conflict in South Sudan. The UN Security Council on Tuesday was briefed on the situation in the world's youngest nation. Despite some positive developments to reach a [...]
Extra funds to implement the international agreement on Iran's nuclear programme have been called for by the UN nuclear watchdog, the IAEA. IAEA says more than US$10 million a year will be needed from Member States and funds are already running out. In mid-July, Iran and six world powers reached an agreement in which Iran [...]
For the first time in over a year, there are no people in Sierra Leone being treated for the Ebola virus and no other confirmed cases in the country, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). This 'milestone' was marked on Monday with a ceremony celebrating the release of the country's final Ebola survivor from [...]
People in war-torn Syria are deliberately being denied access to water, according to the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF). Amid the unremitting brutality of the war and a scorching summer heat wave, UNICEF says there is increasing evidence that parties to the conflict are using water to achieve military and political gains. Maria Carlino reports. In [...]
As thousands of refugees and migrants from conflict areas continue to stream into the Western Balkans from Greece, UN agencies are stressing the importance of treating these people humanely. More than 10,000 people who've fled violence in countries such as Syria, Afghanistan and Iraq, have flooded into the region in the past days. Dianne [...]
The response to the Ebola outbreak in West Africa has been a concerted effort between the UN and civil society, ensuring that help is "reaching the right people, in the right areas, in a timely fashion." That’s according to Rosalia Gitau from the UN humanitarian affairs office, OCHA, who's based in Guinea. Though this sounds like [...]
Although the World Bank defines extreme poverty as subsisting on less than US$1.25 a day, "poverty" as a concept is viewed differently across cultures, as researchers at Oxford University in the United Kingdom have found. They are devising a multidimensional poverty index (MPI) which takes into account malnutrition, child nutrition and other indicators to determine [...]
Agreement to restart inter-Korean dialogue welcomed A new agreement between the Republic of Korea and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea to reduce tension on the Korean peninsula has been welcomed by the UN Secretary-General. Ban Ki-moon expressed hope that the two nations' promise to hold a regular dialogue would lead to the resumption of [...]
The swelling number of refugees and migrants stranded at border between Greece and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia are receiving assistance from the UN Refugee Agency, UNHCR. UNHCR said the situation has been noticeably calmer and more orderly since Sunday, when almost 2,000 people crossed into the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. Siobhán Garside reports. The [...]
A call centre has been established in Iraq to provide a humanitarian lifeline for millions of people escaping ongoing fighting in the country. By dialling a hotline number, displaced people can get timely information on locations of food distribution points, medical services, shelter options and other assistance. Renewed conflict has forced more than three million [...]
The UN Secretary-General has paid tribute to the victims of a deadly terror attack on the UN's headquarters in Abuja four years ago. During a trip to Nigeria this week, Ban Ki-moon met with injured staff that survived the bombing by the Boko Haram militant group. Siobhán Garside reports. At a ceremony Monday commemorating the 2011 [...]
"Outrage" at murder of three women parliamentary candidates in Iraq Outrage has been expressed by the head of the UN mission in Iraq, UNAMI, at the news that the terrorist group ISIL executed three women parliamentary candidates in Mosul City. Gyorgy Busztin said the women were executed for no reason other than being candidates [...]
Water scarcity in North Africa and the Near East could have severe consequences for food production— something the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) says will intensify with climate change. FAO is creating a database to collect and analyze satellite imagery that will help countries to better manage water resources so that farmers can produce [...]
Emergency medical supplies from the World Health Organization (WHO) are arriving in southern Yemen to aid the rising number of people injured and internally displaced by fighting. WHO is coordinating a rapid response to provide emergency healthcare to thousands of people caught up in the worsening humanitarian crisis in Taiz and Hodeida governorates. Dianne Penn [...]
There is no substitute for seeing the humanitarian needs of people first-hand according to the top UN relief official. Stephen O’Brien began his work as Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs just a couple of months ago and has already travelled to a number of conflict zones in locations such as Iraq, South Sudan and Yemen. The [...]
A call for maximum restraint and political accountability amid anti-government street rallies in Lebanon has been made by the UN envoy to the country. Sigrid Kaag expressed concern over reports of violence and the destruction of public property following citizens' demands on Sunday for basic services and an effective functioning Government. Maria Carlino reports. UN [...]
Governors in Nigeria play a fundamental role in the future of the country, the region and the continent, according to the UN Secretary-General. Ban Ki-moon was speaking at a meeting with Nigerian state governors during a visit to Abuja on Sunday. He said that although many challenges exist such as the rise of extremism and [...]
A high-level meeting between the Republic of Korea and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea has been welcomed by the UN Secretary-General. In a statement on Saturday, Ban Ki-moon said he took note of their agreement to continue discussions on Sunday. According to media reports, a tense standoff has prevailed since the countries exchanged artillery [...]
A memorial at UN Headquarters dedicated to the millions of African victims of the Transatlantic Slave Trade urges people to "acknowledge the tragedy, consider the legacy, lest we forget." It's an example of how art can promote reflection, thus invoking conversations which encourage tolerance, says Omyma David, focal point for the Remember Slavery Programme in [...]
"Deep concern" over violations of agreement between Israel and Syria Serious violations of an agreement between Israel and Syria, which jeopardize the ceasefire between the two countries, have been described as "deeply concerning" by the UN Secretary-General. Rockets were reportedly fired on Thursday across the ceasefire line into northern Israel. In response, the Israel [...]
The situation in Kosovo has been described as "dramatically different" from four years ago by the top UN envoy in the territory. Farid Zarif, who leads the UN mission in Kosovo, UNMIK, was briefing the Security Council on Friday on recent developments. The UN has been working to promote security, stability, and respect for human [...]
The Sudanese government and armed opposition groups in the country are being urged by the UN to end widespread impunity of serious human rights violations in Darfur. A new report by the UN human rights office, OHCHR, says killings and rape in the strife-torn region last year have largely been dismissed by local police and [...]
UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon extended for another year The United Nations Security Council voted unanimously on Friday to extend the UN's peacekeeping force in Lebanon for another year. Members of the council agreed that the situation in the Middle Eastern country continues to constitute a threat to international peace and security. The peacekeeping force, [...]
Nearly 225 years ago, enslaved Africans in what is now Haiti and the Dominican Republic rose up against their oppressors. Their fight for justice is remembered on the International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition, observed on 23 August. The day was established in 1997 by the UN cultural agency, [...]
Medical and other humanitarian supplies are reaching new areas of Somalia after years of isolation, according to the UN Humanitarian Coordinator for the country. Peter de Clercq recently visited the towns of Baardheere and Diinsoor, in the Gedo and Bay regions respectively. After more than two decades of violence and political instability, the UN has [...]
Serious human rights violations and abuses that occurred in Darfur in 2014, including killings and sexual violence, have largely gone uninvestigated and unpunished, according to a new report by the UN human rights office, OHCHR. The report is based on information provided by the African Union-UN Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID). It details cases of [...]
Health experts are preparing to meet in the coming days to hammer out new measures aimed at preventing a new Ebola-style epidemic, the UN said Friday. The initiative comes after World Health Organization (WHO) chief Dr Margaret Chan called for action to change the way that disease outbreaks are planned for and managed. WHO spokesperson [...]
A UN radio series on youth in politics is expected to reach hundreds of thousands of people across four northeastern provinces of Afghanistan, according to the United Nations mission in the country, UNAMA. The first out of four episodes, designed to encourage young people to participate in politics, was launched on Radio Roshani in the [...]
Disarm now, Japanese student tells member states Japan renewed its calls for the total elimination of nuclear weapons at the UN on Tuesday…with a little help from one high school student from Hiroshima. Tsugumi Inoue, one of 22 so-called Japanese "Peace Messengers" who've come to Geneva, presented a petition to ban nuclear weapons to the [...]
UN chief takes note of inauguration of Burundi President for third term The UN Secretary-General has taken note of the inauguration of Pierre Nkurunziza for his third term as President of Burundi. In a statement, Ban Ki-moon said he was reiterating his call for all Burundian stakeholders to undertake an inclusive and transparent political dialogue. [...]
Sexual exploitation committed by UN personnel in the Central African Republic (CAR) is a problem that leaders of the United Nations' mission there, MINUSCA, are taking extremely seriously. That's according to the Deputy Head of MINUSCA, Diane Corner, who briefed the media at UN Headquarters on Thursday via video conference. She said in total, the [...]
Strong community involvement prevented Ebola cases in Sierra Leone Sierra Leone is down to its last chain of Ebola virus transmission, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported on Monday. The UN health agency said for the first time the country has not had any new cases of the disease since the outbreak began more than [...]
Giving "a voice to the voiceless" through social media Giving "a voice to the voiceless" is everyone's responsibility and not just a task for the UN, NGOs and celebrities. To raise awareness about humanitarian issues, the UN humanitarian affairs office, OCHA, ran a social media campaign which disrupted people's newsfeeds with stories from the field. [...]
A new agreement between France and the UK to deal with the influx of migrants and refugees at a port city in northern France has been welcomed by the UN refugee agency, UNHCR. UNHCR hailed steps aimed at improving the living conditions and ensuring the rights of the estimated 3,000 people who have sought refuge in [...]
A top government official from Ukraine told the UN on Thursday that because of the ongoing conflict there, no-one knew where more than 300,000 persons with disabilities were, or even whether they were alive. Valerii Sushkevych, who's a Presidential commissioner on disability reform in Ukraine, made his announcement to the UN Committee on the Rights [...]
Japan renewed its calls for the total elimination of nuclear weapons at the UN on Tuesday…with a little help from one high school student from Hiroshima. Tsugumi Inoue, one of 22 so-called Japanese "Peace Messengers" who've come to Geneva, presented a petition to ban nuclear weapons to the UN Conference on Disarmament. In what has [...]
As critical health needs in Yemen grow, WHO steps up response The health system in Yemen continues to shut down, leaving civilians without access to critical life-saving care, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The UN agency has reported that almost 23 per cent of all health facilities in the Middle Eastern country are [...]
Preventing sexual violence crimes and ensuring accountability should be considered as a fundamental indicator of success of security sector reform programmes. That's according to the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Zainab Hawa Bangura, who was briefing the Security Council on Thursday. Member States of the world body were meeting [...]
Tackling climate change is critical to achieving a sustainable future for all people and the planet, according to a senior adviser to the UN Secretary-General. Janos Pasztor, UN Assistant Secretary-General on Climate Change, says global agreement on the new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) complements efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. All 193 countries that make [...]
Recent floods in Myanmar highlighted the resilience of local communities, with people taking the initiative to look after their neighbours. That's according to Rosalia Gitau from the UN humanitarian affairs office, OCHA. Ms Gitau, who is normally stationed in Guinea, was on holiday in Myanmar when the floods occurred in early August. Siobhán Garside spoke [...]
Birth registration numbers have grown in Afghanistan's northern region, with the support of a UN project designed to help prevent child labour and child marriage. According to officials from the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the number of parents registering their children in the north of the country has increased to 50 per cent in [...]
Although women possess the skills and perseverance to be leaders in humanitarian work, they are still underrepresented in the field, according to an official with the UN Development Programme (UNDP). Silke von Brockhausen, a UNDP Communications Specialist, believes women humanitarian workers can more easily connect with women in the communities they serve, whose influence is [...]
Scale of human suffering in Yemen "almost incomprehensible" The scale of human suffering in Yemen has been described by the UN's top relief official as "almost incomprehensible". Steven O'Brien, who recently returned from the Middle Eastern war-torn country, was briefing the Security Council on what he saw during his visit. He said he witnessed the [...]
A "quantum leap" in funding is needed to keep pace with the many humanitarian crises confronting the world, the UN's refugee chief said Wednesday. António Guterres, who heads the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) said that the humanitarian community is being asked to do more than it has the means to confront in the face of countless protracted [...]
Schools to open on schedule for Palestinian refugee children Schools for half a million Palestinian refugee children across the Middle East will open on time, the UN agency that supports Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, has announced. UNRWA said that a funding shortfall of US$101 million that threatened to delay the start of classes this year has [...]
A new series of disturbing allegations of misconduct have recently come to light in the Central African Republic, according to the UN mission in the country, MINUSCA. The events allegedly took place in recent weeks. These new allegations concern a report that three young women were raped by three members of a MINUSCA military contingent. [...]
Nearly 400 children have been killed in Yemen since violence escalated in March, according to a report released on Wednesday by the UN children's agency, UNICEF. Fighting between government forces and rebel groups has created what the UN has described as one of the world's most pressing humanitarian emergencies. Some 21 million people in Yemen—roughly [...]
The risk of escalation of violence in Israel and Palestine is palpable, according to a top United Nations political official. Jeffrey Feltman was briefing the UN Security Council on Wednesday on the situation in the Middle East. He said the past month has witnessed what he called "unconscionable crimes of hatred" by extremist elements. Stephanie [...]
More than half a billion social media feeds have been saturated with real-life stories from survivors of humanitarian crises as part of a digital storytelling campaign launched by the UN last week. People around the world were asked to donate their social media feeds ahead of World Humanitarian Day, marked annually on 19 August. According [...]
Airstrikes and ground fighting in Yemen have caused the deaths of at least 398 children since March, UN children's agency UNICEF said Wednesday. In a report on the conflict since it escalated nearly five months ago, the UN agency says that scores of children are dying every month, while those who survive are in constant [...]
Australian singer-songwriter Cody Simpson is lending his voice—and social media reach—to get young people to support the work of the United Nations. Mr Simpson, who's 18, has used his Twitter account to share the story of a Syrian refugee as part of a campaign tied to World Humanitarian Day, observed 19 August. He also took [...]
The personal struggle of an African singer has inspired her to advocate for the rights of women and girls. Inna Modja was subjected to female genital mutilation (FGM), also known as cutting, when she was a small girl in Mali. The experience left her feeling worthless, but through music she found the power to be [...]
Demolitions by Israel in Palestinian refugee communities of "grave concern" Demolitions by the Israeli Civil Administration in vulnerable Palestinian Bedouin refugee communities have been described as of grave concern by top UN officials. A total of 22 structures were reportedly demolished in four communities, displacing 78 Palestinians, including 49 children. According to UN records, this [...]
The UN human rights office, OHCHR, has expressed concern over recent events in a coastal city in Libya involving militants claiming allegiance to ISIL. Fighting erupted in Sirte after a local iman known for his vocal opposition to ISIL was killed on 10 August while apparently resisting abduction by the terrorist group. The district was [...]
People who delay or refuse vaccines for themselves or their children are presenting a growing challenge for countries seeking to close the immunization gap, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The UN health agency estimates that globally, one in five children still do not receive routine life-saving immunizations, and an estimated 1.5 million children [...]
Civilian casualties in Yemen continue to be reported Civilian casualties continue to be reported as a consequence of the armed conflict in Yemen, according to the UN human rights office, OHCHR. Estimates indicate that during the first two weeks of August, at least 119 civilians were killed or injured in the Middle Eastern country. Since [...]
The changing nature of conflict has led to greater cooperation between the United Nations and regional organizations such as the African Union and the European Union. The Security Council on Tuesday looked at how this partnership is working to address challenges to global security ranging from terrorism and the spread of violent extremism, to massive [...]
Survivors of a boat tragedy that claimed the lives of 49 migrants have given graphic accounts of fellow passengers dying one by one, migration experts said Tuesday. UN partner the International Organization for Migration (IOM) said that it learned the details from migrants who had been rescued from a vessel that got into difficulty soon [...]
Economic and trade conditions in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT) would improve if Israel fulfils its obligations under a new global agreement on trade facilitation. That's according to the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), which has released a new study on the issue. The agency illustrates what it calls the "problematic status quo [...]
The Greek government has shown a "lack of leadership" over the refugee crisis on its islands, the UN said on Tuesday, warning that local authorities have been "overwhelmed" by the situation. In an appeal to Athens to take responsibility for what happens on its soil, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) also repeated its call for [...]
In Syria, the suffering of civilians has been brought into focus by a government attack on a marketplace in Douma, which killed at least 111 people at the weekend. According to the UN's human rights office, OHCHR, the death toll is likely to rise from the assault, which may constitute a war crime. Terrible as [...]
"Alarming" escalation of violence in eastern Ukraine The recent escalation of violence in eastern Ukraine, which resulted in the death of civilians, has been described as of "serious alarm" to the UN Secretary-General. Government forces and pro-Russian rebels have been fighting in the region since April of last year. In a statement, Ban Ki-moon [...]
Countries need to shift their focus from international trade barriers to domestic reforms that will expand trade, innovation and business growth. That's according to Professor Douglas Irwin from the Department of Economics at Dartmouth College in the United States. He says reforms, such as improving infrastructure, would help entrepreneurs get their goods to port cities [...]
The UN mission in the Central African Republic, MINUSCA, says it is determined to fully investigate all allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse by its forces and to hold perpetrators of such acts to account. New reports of abuse allegedly committed by UN peacekeepers in the country were revealed last week by the human rights [...]
The needs of people with disabilities should play a bigger role in the UN's future development work, a top rights expert said on Monday. The comments came from Maria Soledad Cisternas Reyes, who heads the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which is meeting at the United Nations in Geneva. The world body's [...]
Sierra Leone is down to its last chain of Ebola virus transmission, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported on Monday. The UN health agency said for the first time the country has not had any new cases of the disease since the outbreak began more than a year ago. Dr Margaret Harris is WHO Spokesperson [...]
UNICEF staff meet Central African girl, reported victim of rape Staff from the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) have met with a young girl in the Central African Republic who was reportedly raped by a UN police officer. The head of UNICEF, Anthony Lake, said the agency is providing her with what he called "every possible [...]
Sierra Leone is down to the last chain of Ebola virus transmission, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced on Monday. The UN health agency reported that the use of rapid response teams and strong community involvement in finding Ebola virus disease cases is yielding results in the West African country. A week has now passed [...]
Airstrikes that have reportedly caused scores of civilian casualties in the Syrian capital, Damascus, are unlawful, unacceptable and must stop, the top UN humanitarian official said Monday. Stephen O'Brien, who heads the UN's emergency relief agency, OCHA, made his comments at the end of his first official visit to Syria. More than 220,000 people have been [...]
Giving "a voice to the voiceless" is everyone's responsibility and not just a task for the UN, NGOs and celebrities. That's the message connected to this year's World Humanitarian Day, occurring on 19 August. To raise awareness about humanitarian issues, the UN humanitarian affairs office, OCHA, is running a social media campaign which will disrupt [...]
The new global development agenda cannot become a reality if the generation it impacts is excluded from the process. That's according to 15-year-old Kehkashan Basu, former Global Coordinator for Children and Youth with the UN Environment Programme (UNEP). She believes youth involvement can be increased if organisations embrace social media platforms to create awareness about [...]
Young people should ensure their voices are included in global discussions on development issues. That's the message of Dana Podmolikova from the Czech Republic, this year's outgoing member of the Youth Advisory Board for UN-Habitat. The UN agency aims to increase youth participation and advocacy in sustainable urbanization and urban development. Siobhán Garside asked Ms Podmolikova [...]
Guinea-Bissau remains calm after the president dismissed the government over a row with the prime minister, according to a senior UN envoy to the West African country. The army, quick to intervene in past political disputes in the coup-prone former Portuguese colony, has reportedly remained in their barracks. Marco Carmignani, deputy head of the UN's [...]
Humanitarian supplies reach South Sudan city Critical supplies of medicines, fuel, food and water treatment chemicals are now reaching Malakal in South Sudan, the UN humanitarian affairs office, OCHA, has reported. This follows the lifting of restrictions last week which prevented barges and aircraft from accessing the city, located in Upper Nile State. Thousands of [...]
The UN humanitarian chief has underscored the need for greater international support for Lebanon, which is hosting scores of Syrian refugees. Stephen O'Brien arrived in the country on Friday, where he met with Prime Minister Tamam Salam to discuss the partnership between the government and the UN. Mr O'Brien is on a five-day visit that [...]
The forced return of thousands of Nigerians seeking refuge in neighbouring countries has raised the concern of the UN Refugee Agency, UNHCR. UNHCR fears the deportations may curtail protection and humanitarian aid for the asylum-seekers. Maria Carlino reports. The UN Refugee Agency, UNHCR, has expressed concern over the deportation of thousands of people from north-east [...]
The release of three prominent human rights activists by the Syrian government has been welcomed by UN human rights investigators. Hussein Ghrer and Hani Al-Zaytani were released in mid-July and Mazen Darwish on 10 August after more than three years in prison. Maria Carlino reports. The three men were arrested at their workplace, the Syrian [...]
A human rights expert has sounded the alarm on what she called the "deliberate starvation" of civilians in Yemen. Hilal Elver, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, warned that the war-torn Middle Eastern country is spiralling into a major food crisis. Thirteen million people don't have adequate food as a result of [...]
Iraqi displaced surpasses three million The number of displaced people in Iraq has reached more than three million, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported on Friday. IOM coordinates with the Iraqi authorities in tracking displacement across the country. It said the majority of those displaced—nearly 90 per cent—come from three governorates: Anbar, Ninewa and [...]
Iraqi authorities faced pressure to take a clear stance against torture on Friday as a UN rights committee called for them to close secret detention centres. Covering violations dating back to 2011, the UN Committee Against Torture said Iraq's judiciary needed to punish offenders – and come up with a firm definition of what [...]
The human rights situation in Burundi continues to deteriorate, with nearly 100 people killed and 600 detained or tortured since the start of election-related turmoil in April. That's according to the UN human rights office, OHCHR, which is urging the country's political leaders to renounce the use of violence and resolve their differences peacefully. Dianne [...]
Progress is being made in South Sudan to protect children and at-risk populations against cholera, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The UN's health agency recently reported that the provision of life-saving treatment to thousands of people is helping bring down the number the cases. Since June, more than 1,500 cholera cases have been [...]
Disturbing details about deliberate attacks on health workers show how important it is to come up with new measures to protect them, the UN said Friday. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) and its #ThanksHealthHero hashtag social media campaign, more than 600 health professionals died in direct attacks in 2014, and nearly 1,000 more [...]
Women need a greater role in humanitarian relief efforts following war or natural disasters, according to the UN. Recently experts gathered at the UN to discuss strategies to ensure that women are included in making decisions during times of crisis. They also looked at how women can better protect themselves during periods of upheaval. Maria [...]
The Security Council has heard a proposal by the UN Secretary-General to include the issue of sexual exploitation and abuse by UN personnel on its agenda. Ban Ki-moon on Thursday addressed a closed door meeting of the chamber during which he described such misconduct as "a cancer" that is doing great harm to the people [...]
Thousands of South Sudanese fleeing insecurity arrive in Malakal Thousands of people fleeing violence and food insecurity in South Sudan have recently arrived at the UN's Protection of Civilians site in Malakal, according to the UN mission in the country, UNMISS. The site was built to protect around 18,000 people, but UNMISS says 46,000 individuals [...]
UN chief underscores zero tolerance policy for sexual abuse and misconduct Senior leaders at UN peacekeeping operations have been reminded by the Secretary-General of their obligation to address sexual exploitation and abuse. Ban Ki-moon on Thursday held a video conference bringing together heads of mission, military and police chiefs, and other senior field personnel, during [...]
“Work together for peace” says Hiroshima survivor A survivor of the atomic bomb which was dropped on Hiroshima 70 years ago has said his dream is for the people of the world to work together for peace. He was talking to the Executive Secretary of the UN Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO). Lassina Zerbo has [...]
Gender equality promoted on the soccer field Soccer can teach young boys and girls across the world that they are equals, according to the United Nations. Professional players of the Spanish club, Valencia CF recently held a clinic for aspiring stars at the Beijing Royal School in China. It was organized in partnership with UN [...]
An Internet campaign that uses the power of celebrity to raise awareness about the unprecedented scale of the world's crises has already proved a hit ahead of World Humanitarian Day, the UN said Thursday. With the help of stars such as tennis champion Maria Sharapova and Colombian singer Juanes, UN humanitarian agency OCHA says its [...]
The world has learned from the Ebola experience, according to the head of the World Health Organization (WHO). Margaret Chan was briefing the UN Security Council on Thursday on peace and security in Africa related to the latest Ebola virus outbreak, which struck the continent in March 2014. Since then, the disease has claimed the [...]
The international community has been urged not to forget the Syrian crisis which has displaced millions of people to neighbouring countries. Ertharin Cousin, head of the World Food Programme (WFP) made the appeal on Thursday at the end of a four-day visit to the region. WFP supports 1.5 million Syrian refugees in five countries but [...]
Cash vouchers from the World Food Programme (WFP) are being distributed in eastern Ukraine to help people in the strife-torn area buy food. This week WFP began distributing cash to 60,000 people, most internally displaced persons, in the regions of Luhansk and Donetsk. Maria Carlino reports. Since fighting broke out between pro-Russian rebels and government [...]
Humanitarian chief gets first-hand view of Yemen devastation The entire population in Aden in Yemen—more than 800,000 people—is in need of food, water, emergency shelter and other aid relief, the UN Humanitarian Coordinator has said. Stephen O'Brien visited the governorate on Wednesday to hear how people have been affected by the civil conflict in the [...]
Efforts to promote sport as a tool for development received a boost after the signing of an deal to foster fresh talent at grassroots level. The agreement, led by the United Nations Office on Sport for Development (UNOSD), targets promising future sports administrators from developing countries. They'll get the chance to study for a prestigious [...]
A deadly truck bombing at a market in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, on Thursday has been condemned as "heinous and cowardly" by a senior UN official in the country. Gyorgy Busztin, acting chief at the UN mission in Iraq, UNAMI, called for the perpetrators to be swiftly brought to justice. Dianne Penn reports. More than [...]
An online media campaign with big star appeal has begun to raise awareness about humanitarian crises ahead of World Humanitarian Day 2015, the UN announced Thursday. Dozens of A-list personalities are now supporting the (hashtag) #ShareHumanity campaign by sharing compelling humanitarian stories on their social media accounts. The aim is to raise awareness…and funds. Daniel [...]
Inflation fueled by the high price of imported commodities in South Sudan is eating away at consumer purchasing power in the war-torn nation. That's according to Kennedy Nanga, an economic and specialist in South Sudan's markets. Mr Nanga said the price of locally produced grains like sorghum and maize has dropped due to an early [...]
Aboriginal women in Australia are facing what has been described by a leading rights advocate as "dual discrimination." The indigenous peoples of Australia make up less than 5 per cent of the country's total population. Many face intolerance because of their ethnic background; women face the extra element of discrimination because of their gender. Professor [...]
Latest round of Libya talks conclude in Geneva Talks on Libya concluded in Geneva on Wednesday with parties reaffirming their commitment to ending the country's political crisis and military conflict. That message comes from the UN negotiator, Bernardino Leon, who presided over the two days of dialogue. Libya has been plagued by a political [...]
Young people must be "champions" in ensuring the success of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which promote economic prosperity, social development and environmental protection. That's the opinion of Raina Kadavil, a 17 year old American citizen of Indian heritage, who participated in the recent Youth Assembly held at UN Headquarters in New York. Civic engagement [...]
Africa has reached an important milestone in becoming polio-free, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). This week marks one year since the last wild polio case was detected on the entire African continent, a sign of important progress in eradicating the deadly disease. Maria Carlino reports. In the Horn of Africa, no wild polio [...]
A call for restraint, leadership and vision to end the ongoing political impasse and instability in Burundi has been made by a team of international envoys. The envoys said that after months of unrest and violence in the Great Lakes country, talks between the Burundian government and opposition parties can begin to restore credibility. Maria [...]
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday announced the resignation of the head of the UN mission in the Central African Republic (CAR). This follows new reports of abuse allegedly committed by UN peacekeepers in the Central African Republic (CAR). Mr Ban has also requested a special session of the Security Council on sexual exploitation and [...]
Thousands of people fleeing violence and food insecurity in South Sudan have recently arrived at the UN's Protection of Civilians site in Malakal, according to the UN mission in the country, UNMISS. The site was built to protect around 18,000 people, but UNMISS says 46,000 individuals are now living within its walls. Nearly 20 months [...]
UN envoy welcomes release of Syrian activist The release of a human rights activist and journalist in Syria has been welcomed by the UN envoy for the country. Mazen Darwish was freed on Monday after spending more than three years in prison. UN envoy Staffan de Mistura urged the Syrian government to release all [...]
A reduction in humanitarian aid to Syrian refugees in Jordan is forcing families to incur debt and even take their children out of school and send them to work, according to the World Food Programme (WFP). WFP said these "drastic measures" are the result of cuts in food vouchers and other support to nearly half [...]
Geography and statistics are being used together to help countries around the world better fulfil the needs of humanity while protecting the planet. Knowing the location of areas stricken by issues like drought, disease or poverty can help governments create plans to promote sustainable development. That's according to Tim Trainor, one of the co-chairs of [...]
Nearly 30,000 mainly Somalia refugees have been forced to flee war-torn Yemen and return home where the humanitarian situation remains fragile, according to the UN. In its latest report on Somalia, the UN humanitarian agency OCHA says that the returnees started arriving back in the country in March, after fighting escalated in Yemen. Three-quarters of [...]
Young people around the world are being encouraged to channel what’s been called their “amazing energy” into UN efforts to eradicate poverty and create a sustainable future for all. The call comes from UN Youth Envoy Ahmad Alhendawi in a message for International Youth Day, observed on 12 August. World leaders will endorse 17 Sustainable [...]
Young people across the globe are being called on by the UN Secretary-General to demand and foster dramatic progress. Ban Ki-moon said that as world leaders prepare to adopt a bold new vision for sustainable development in September, the engagement of youth is more valuable than ever. Maria Carlino reports. Young people are proving to [...]
Awareness of the rights of indigenous people in Nepal is increasing, but more needs to be done to ensure they have access to a range of services, according to an activist from the Asian nation. Nepal has 59 recognised indigenous groups, making up around 40 per cent of the population. The international community recently gathered [...]
Allegations of abuse involving UN peacekeepers in the Central African Republic (CAR) have "personally dismayed and disappointed" the UN Secretary-General, his spokesperson has said. This follows reports raised on Tuesday by Amnesty International. Dianne Penn reports. UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric told reporters in New York that the UN was "very much aware" of the allegations [...]
Pakistan case highlights need for more action against child sexual abuse Reports of widespread child sexual abuse in the Kasur district of Pakistan show that more must be done to protect youngsters from these horrors, the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) said on Tuesday. Hundreds of children were reportedly abused over several years by a group [...]
Irregular migrants returning to Haiti from the Dominican Republic are receiving support from UN agencies and partner organizations such as the International Organization for Migration (IOM). Increasing numbers of people of Haitian origin have been leaving the Dominican Republic since June after missing a deadline to regularize their immigration status. The two nations share the [...]
Talks aimed at bringing peace to Libya got under way in Geneva on Tuesday with a call to all parties to give the discussions the "benefit of the doubt". UN negotiator Bernardino Leon made his comments to journalists in the Swiss city where he said he aims to bring opposing parties together for the [...]
The health system in Yemen is continuing to shut down, leaving civilians without access to critical, life-saving health care, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). More than 22,000 people have been injured since March, due to fighting between government and rebel forces. The UN's health agency announced on Tuesday that almost 23 per cent [...]
Thai authorities faced a call Tuesday to reform the country's treason laws amid a sharp rise in the number and severity of sentencing for people found guilty of the offence. Violating Thailand's so-called lèse-majesté law led to a 60-year prison sentence for one defendant who criticised the Thai monarchy on a social media site, the [...]
The government in Myanmar is being urged to examine what a UN human rights expert has labelled "its fear and opposition to critical and independent voices." Yanghee Lee, UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in the country, said people exercising their right to free speech should be seen as vital partners, not threats. [...]
Iraqi anti-corruption reforms to bolster national unity Proposed reforms in Iraq aimed at streamlining state institutions and stamping out corruption will strengthen national unity and accelerate reconciliation, according to a senior UN official in the country. Gyorgy Busztin, deputy head at the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), has welcomed the reform plan which was [...]
The murder of a blogger in Bangladesh who supported the rights of women and minorities has been condemned by two UN human rights experts. Niloy Neel was reportedly hacked to death on Friday in his apartment in Bangladesh's capital, Dhaka, by an extremist gang. Before his death, Mr Neel wrote posts condemning the recent killings [...]
In Mali, the mass release of prisoners accused of serious human rights violations is sure to backfire on the war-torn country, the UN said Tuesday. According to the UN human rights office, OHCHR, 44 prisoners have already been released despite either facing war crimes charges or having links with terrorist organisations. Another 100 detainees may [...]
Putting the education of Palestinian children at risk is unacceptable, according to a senior official of the UN agency which supports Palestine refugees, UNRWA. UNRWA Deputy Commissioner-General Sandra Mitchell said the money needed to open schools on time for half a million Palestinian children has not been forthcoming. She said the agency does not have [...]
The struggles and triumphs of ordinary people in South Sudan have been displayed in a photo exhibit in Juba supported by the UN cultural agency, UNESCO. Twenty young journalists from the African country showcased pictures they took after completing a two-week photojournalism workshop on how to report on conflicts in a sensitive way. South Sudan [...]
Indigenous people must not be left behind in global efforts to achieve a sustainable future, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Monday. Mr Ban was speaking at an event at UN Headquarters commemorating the International Day of Indigenous People. Access to health care is the focus of this year's observation, which the UN chief stated [...]
Turkey terrorist attacks condemned A series of terrorist attacks in Turkey on Monday have been condemned by the UN Secretary-General. Six members of the country's security forces were reportedly killed in the incidents which took place in Istanbul, and in the south-east provinces. The United States consulate in Istanbul was also attacked. Ban Ki-moon, the [...]
The "one shoe fits all" approach to health and well-being means that indigenous peoples have poorer access to appropriate health care than other groups in their respective countries. That's according to Dr Pricilla Migiro, a paediatrician from the Masaai ethnic group in Kenya. Many Masaai people live in remote regions so have problems accessing health [...]
Students and teachers in Gaza say they are counting on the UN Secretary-General to help keep their schools open and solve the current funding crisis. The UN agency that works with Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, recently announced it would delay opening its schools in the region for the first time if it fails to raise more than [...]
Security Council condemns Afghanistan terrorist attacks Violent or terrorist acts cannot reverse Afghanistan's path towards peace, democracy and stability, the UN Security Council has said. The 15-member chamber condemned a recent spate of terrorist attacks in the country which killed upwards of 70 people and injured hundreds more. Council members also reaffirmed that acts of [...]
Israel's settlement expansion and the "climate of impunity" for Jewish settlers are the "root cause" of the escalating violence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. That's the assessment of a UN special committee which examines the human rights situation in the occupied Syrian Golan; the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip. The committee [...]
Lack of funds has forced the World Food Programme (WFP) to reduce its food aid to nearly one million displaced people in Iraq. Monthly food parcels distributed to families will be cut by half, while food vouchers will drop from US$26 to US$16, the agency said on Monday. The move will affect displaced families living [...]
The deliberate targeting of cultural treasures is a terrifying experience for communities that can hamper the restoration of peace, the UN's heritage agency UNESCO warned on Monday. Highlighting the destruction of cherished heritage in Iraq, Syria and Yemen, UNESCO's Giovanni Boccardi said that it should be recognised as an urgent humanitarian and security issue. Boccardi, [...]
A survivor of the atomic bomb which was dropped on Hiroshima 70 years ago has said his dream is for the people of the world to work together for peace. He was talking to the Executive Secretary of the UN Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO). Lassina Zerbo has been in Japan to attend ceremonies marking [...]
The UN has expressed sadness at the death of the Palestinian father of a toddler who died in an arson attack in July. Ali Dawabsha was killed at his home in the Occupied West Bank in what was called a "terrorist crime". His father was severely injured in that attack. Daniel Dickinson has more. Sa’ad [...]
An attack in central Mali, which led to the death of at least one United Nations contractor has been condemned by the UN Secretary-General. A number of soldiers from the Malian Armed Forces were also reportedly killed and wounded in the incident. Daniel Dickinson has more details. Media reports said that at least 13 people [...]
Rocket attacks on Israel from Gaza condemned A series of rocket attacks on Israel launched from Gaza has been condemned by the UN Secretary-General. The attacks follow a number of incidents in recent days. A firebomb seriously injured an Israeli woman on Monday. There have also been reports of provocations by Israeli settlers in Hebron. [...]
A mechanism to determine who is responsible for the use of chemical weapons in Syria has been unanimously agreed by the UN Security Council. A fact-finding mission of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, OPCW, said last December that chlorine gas had most likely been used as a weapon of war in the [...]
The rising death toll among refugees and migrants at a French port requires urgent action from the authorities, the UN said Friday. According to the UN Refugee Agency UNHCR, at least 10 people have died trying to cross the Channel to the United Kingdom since June. UNHCR's Melissa Fleming told Daniel Johnson that the tragedies [...]
Killing of 8 civilians in Afghanistan condemned The killing on Friday of at least eight civilians in the Afghan capital, Kabul, has been condemned by the UN mission in the country, UNAMA. Two hundred people were also injured. A truck heavily packed with explosives detonated in the Shah Shahid area of the city in the [...]
The Greek authorities have been urged by the UN to take control of what's been described as a refugee crisis on its shores. Some 124,000 people have arrived in Greece since the beginning of the year with 50,000 arriving in July alone. The UN warned that government inaction is hampering the aid effort. Here's Daniel [...]
Talks to help find a resolution to the conflict in Libya are slated to start again at the United Nations in Geneva because "the time is right" to do so, the UN said Friday. Libya has been divided and at war since 2011, following the overthrow of president Muammar al-Qhadafi. But in an apparent attempt [...]
New development goals agreed by the international community seek to get to the root of the world's problems rather than just, in the words of a senior UN official, put a band-aid on them. The Sustainable Development Goals, which are due to be endorsed by world leaders at the United Nations in September, replace the [...]
A 17-year old orphan from South Africa says he was inspired by former President Nelson Mandela to follow his dream of helping disadvantaged people in his country. Richard Selebogo is attending a three-day Youth Assembly at the United Nations where young people are discussing new development goals, which are due to be agreed by world [...]
10,000 people flee terror group in Chad An estimated 10,000 people have fled their homes in western Chad following the fear of attacks by the Boko Haram terrorist group; that's according to the UN. The Government of Chad has also asked civilians to leave areas where ongoing military operations are being undertaken against the group. [...]
Ebola Response Mission Closes Although Crisis Not Over Yet “Considerable progress” has been made in combating the deadly Ebola disease in West Africa but the UN remains steadfast in its commitment to getting to zero cases. That’s according to the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who officially closed the UN’s emergency response mission in the region, [...]
Girls head back to school in South Sudan A campaign to return girls to school in war-torn South Sudan is due to get underway, according to the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF). The enrolment rate for girls has declined since the start of the conflict in December 2013, and many girls never make it past primary [...]
Afghan casualty figures mask "horrendous" consequences, says mission head Nearly 5,000 Afghan civilians have been killed or injured as a result of ongoing violence in the country in the first six months of the year, according to a UN report released Wednesday. Mortar attacks, improvised explosive devices and other lethal weapons are behind the figures, [...]
New round of peace talks in Libya planned A new round of peace talks to resolve the conflict in Libya is due to get underway next Monday according to the UN mission in the country, UNSMIL. The North African country has been plagued by factional fighting since the overthrow of President Muammar al-Qhadafi in 2011. [...]
On the seventieth anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima, the call by survivors for a world free of nuclear weapons has received the support of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. Survivors gathered in Japan on Thursday at the Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima to honour the tens of thousands of people killed by the world's first [...]
UN peacekeepers in the Central African Republic will continue to support authorities in their efforts to improve security despite the killing of a colleague; that's according to Luis Carrilho, Police Commissioner at the UN mission in the country, known as MINUSCA. The Cameroonian peacekeeper was killed on Sunday during a search operation for a suspected [...]
Latest indications of a drop in new cases of Ebola in west Africa should not be taken as proof that the killer disease is beaten, UN medics say. The World Health Organization (WHO), which announced just one confirmed case of the virus in Guinea and another in Sierra Leone in its weekly report, said [...]
A campaign to return girls to school in war-torn South Sudan is due to get underway, according to the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF). The enrolment rate for girls has declined since the start of the conflict in December 2013, and many girls never make it past primary school. That's according to Phuong Nguyen, UNICEF's chief [...]
Soccer can teach young boys and girls across the world that they are equals, according to the United Nations. Professional players of the Spanish club, Valencia CF recently held a clinic for aspiring stars at the Beijing Royal School in China. It was organized in partnership with UN Women, which wants to replicate the awareness-raising [...]
The political process in the Central African Republic (CAR) is moving forward despite ongoing tensions between rival communities, according to the UN's top envoy in the country. CAR has been mired in sectarian violence between Muslim and Christian militias for the past two years. The insecurity has forced over 820,000 people to flee their homes; [...]
CAR displaced returning home An improvement in the overall security situation in the Central African Republic (CAR), has allowed internally displaced people to return home and economic activity to recover. That's according to the top UN envoy in the country, Babacar Gaye, who has been briefing the Security Council. CAR has been mired in sectarian [...]
The death sentence of an alternative medicine doctor in Iran has been called an "absolute outrage" by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). Mohammad Ali Taheri, the founder of a spiritual movement and practitioner of alternative medicine, was charged by the Revolutionary Court for the crime of "corruption on earth". High Commissioner Zeid Ra'ad [...]
Aid reaches flood-affected people in Myanmar Aid has been delivered to 82,000 people in the most flood-affected parts of western Myanmar, the UN World Food Programme (WFP) has announced. Flooding and landslides caused by heavy monsoon rains have impacted more than a quarter of a million people in 12 out of Myanmar’s 14 states. Nearly 208,000 [...]
One hundred Somali refugees living in Kenya have been voluntarily repatriated according to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR). The refugees were flown to the Somali capital Mogadishu on Wednesday from Dadaab camp. Maria Carlino reports. Kenya is hosting more than 470,000 Somali refugees, the majority of whom are in the large Dadaab refugee complex in [...]
Monsoon flooding in Myanmar has killed nearly 70 people and affected more than 250,000, the United Nations said on Wednesday. UN agencies and their partners have been assisting the country in responding to the disaster. The UN humanitarian affairs office (OCHA) says despite blocked roads and dangerous river conditions, assessment teams have reached remote areas [...]
Comedy skits by renowned comedians in Latin America that highlight the risks children face using digital devices are central to a new campaign entitled 'Stand Up Mobile'. That's according to Stefan Stefansson, Regional Chief of Partnerships for the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) in Latin America and the Caribbean. Working together with network provider GSMA and [...]
Children on the Pacific island of Kiribati will be better protected from a potentially killer virus following the introduction of a new vaccine, according to the UN. The small island nation is one of the first countries in the Pacific to roll out the rotavirus vaccine. Ana Carmo reports. In the past five years Kiribati [...]
The execution of a man in Pakistan, who was reportedly 14 years old when he was convicted of murder, has been condemned by the UN. Media reports say Shafqat Hussein was hanged at a prison in Karachi on Tuesday. Daniel Dickinson reports. Shafqat Hussein allegedly murdered a seven-year-old child in 2004. His lawyers claimed that [...]
Nearly 5,000 Afghan civilians have been killed or injured as a result of ongoing violence in the country in the first six months of the year, according to a UN report released Wednesday. Mortar attacks, improvised explosive devices and other lethal weapons are behind the figures, which were compiled by the UNAMA, the United [...]
President Obama lauded for human rights role The US President Barrack Obama has been lauded by the UN Secretary-General for his "strong support for human rights." Following a meeting with President Obama at the White House in Washington DC, Ban Ki-moon said the rights of people in conflict areas are being abused. He commended the [...]
A new social contract between governments and their people is critical if the UN's global development agenda is to deliver on its promise to end extreme poverty and inequality by 2030. That's according to Thomas Gass, the UN Assistant Secretary-General for Policy Coordination and Inter-Agency Affairs in the Department of Economic and Social Affairs. On [...]
Terrorism and violent extremism in Iraq have increased the vulnerability of women and girls living there, according to a gender expert at the UN mission in the country. Idah Muema, gender adviser at the UN Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI) said women have been subjected to displacement, sexual violence, loss of freedom, and the deaths [...]
"Prioritize human dimensions" of Calais migrants The well-being of migrants who are camped at the French port city of Calais, has to be prioritized, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM). Up to 5,000 migrants are currently waiting in Calais, many of whom are trying to cross over to the United Kingdom. The UN [...]
Almost three million people in Iraq have been left without access to health care following the closure of services supported by humanitarian organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO). The UN agency said the closures were due to a lack of funding. Ana Carmo reports. WHO said 84 per cent of health programmes provided by [...]
Funding shortages have forced the UN health agency to suspend more than 180 frontline health operations in Iraq, it said Tuesday. Almost three million people are now without access to urgently needed healthcare support after the closures last month, World Health Organization (WHO) said. Mainly northern governorates are affected, along with some central areas too, [...]
The negotiator tasked with bringing an end to the Yemen conflict believes there's "momentum" for a ceasefire between the warring parties, the UN said Tuesday. The development comes as UN Special Envoy for Yemen Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed continues his push for a peaceful end to the conflict in the Arab peninsula state. Meanwhile, the [...]
The president of Tajikistan has been urged by the UN human rights office, OHCHR, to veto amendments to a law which it believes could negatively affect the work of civil society organizations in the country. OHCHR said the amendments could undermine legitimate human rights activities. Daniel Dickinson reports. The amendments to the Law on Public [...]
Accusations that the UN Mission in South Sudan, UNMISS, refused protection to civilians fleeing fighting in the country have been refuted by the mission. On Saturday thousands of people sought refuge at the UN compound in Yambio, the capital city of Western Equatoria state, following clashes between government army units and local ethnic groups. [...]
Attacks on a journalist and a well-known human rights defender in Burundi prompted the UN human rights office (OHCHR) on Tuesday to issue a call for restraint from all opposing groups. News agency journalist Esdras Ndikumana was allegedly assaulted by state security forces on Monday, while rights activist Pierre Claver Mbonimpa was targeted in a [...]
Allowing women to breastfeed their infants at work helps women balance their professional and personal lives while increasing worker productivity, according to the International Labour Organization (ILO). Despite the benefits of allowing nursing in the workplace, the ILO says that, in practice, many women actually lose their jobs when they have children. Susan Maybud, a [...]
A plan to cut greenhouse gas emissions from US power stations by nearly a third within 15 years has been described as "visionary" by the UN Secretary-General. The United States relies heavily on power generated from coal, which leads to significant amounts of harmful emissions. The Clean Power Plan, unveiled by US President Barack Obama [...]
A global agreement has been reached at the United Nations which plots the way forward for sustainable development across the world. All 193 countries that make up the UN have signed off on an agenda which it's hoped will end poverty by 2030. It includes Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to promote shared economic prosperity, social [...]
Killing of Burundian general condemned The killing of a senior Burundian general and close aide to the country's president has been condemned by the UN Secretary-General. General Adolphe Nshimirimana was killed after his car was hit in a rocket attack in the Burundian capital, Bujumbura, on Sunday. Here's the UN Spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric. "The Secretary-General [...]
Despite the ongoing conflict in South Sudan, children there have issued a simple and clear message: we want to stay in school. That's according to Save the Children which is issuing a report this Tuesday on the plight of the country's youngsters. At just four years old, South Sudan is the world's newest nation. But [...]
Hundreds of refugees are to be airlifted out of Central African Republic (CAR) and returned to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), years after they fled attacks by rebels, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) said on Monday. So far nearly 40 refugees have been flown back to DRC, out of a total of nearly 630 [...]
Small loans to women-owned cooperatives from the UN's agricultural development fund, IFAD, are helping to close the gender gap in Morocco. Women in remote mountain communities of the country are able to start their own small livestock and agribusinesses thanks to a microfinance project between IFAD and the Moroccan government. Once relegated to domestic chores, [...]
An effort to increase the number of newborns who are breastfed has stalled across the world, according to two UN agencies. The UN set a global target of increasing breastfeeding rates for children under six months of age to at least 50 per cent by 2025. Ana Carmo reports In a statement to mark World [...]
With a population of more than 340 million—and growing—West Africa is home to a third of the African continent. But the region is struggling to feed its people. The World Bank believes governments can overcome this situation by creating an integrated regional trade market for food staples. While rice, maize and cassava make up the [...]
Children in Myanmar are facing what's been described by the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) as a "double catastrophe." The agency said that floods caused by recent heavy rains have added to the hardship faced by children living in poverty and those recovering from violence and conflict. Daniel Dickinson reports The Myanmar Government said that 36 [...]
Killing of peacekeeper in Central African Republic condemned The killing of a United Nations peacekeeper in the Central African Republic has been condemned by the UN Secretary-General. Peacekeepers from the UN mission in the country, MINUSCA, were attacked by an armed group during a search operation for a suspected criminal in the capital Bangui on [...]
The international spotlight shifted to Myanmar on Monday as a special UN investigator arrived for an official visit of the country ahead of elections there. It's the third time independent human rights investigator Yanghee Lee has visited the country where she's highlighted tensions between the Buddhist majority and minority Muslim Rohingya community. Daniel Johnson has [...]
An agreement reached by Member States of the United Nations on the post-2015 development agenda has been welcomed by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. In September, world leaders are expected to formally adopt the document called Transforming our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It will set new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which will replace [...]
A Ghanaian medical student in Russia says learning the language helped him to not only understand the people but to bear with predicaments ranging from the cold weather to racism. Emmanuel Tetteh, who has been living in Volgograd for three years, is proud that he learned Russian well enough to write a 2,000-word essay in [...]
Public-private partnership in building infrastructure in India has been both a blessing and a bother, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Through this partnership, huge public projects have been built over the past decade, such as highways and railway networks, with most of the actual work handled by private companies. However, the IMF says [...]
A winner of a UN-backed multilingual essay competition wants more young people to be involved in the global organization's work. Sara Arafeh from Jordan was one of 70 university students from 42 countries who were at the UN this month to celebrate their achievement in winning the Many Languages, One World contest. Participants had to [...]
