Safety of Rohingya children must be guaranteed, before return to Myanmar – UNICEF
Jan 26, 2018, at 02:12 pm
New York, Jan 26 (JEN): Improved security and unimpeded humanitarian access in Myanmar are essential before Rohingya children can be returned from Bangladesh, a senior official of the United Nations children's agency has said.
UN chief condemns double bombing in Libyan city of Benghazi
Jan 25, 2018, at 02:36 pm
New York, Jan 25 (JEN): Condemning the double bombing in the Libyan city of Benghazi, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres underscored that there can be no military solution to the crisis plaguing the country.
Spike in attacks on ‘blue helmets’ means UN peace operations must adapt, says peacekeeping chief
Jan 25, 2018, at 02:32 pm
New York, Jan 25 (JEN): With United Nations ‘blue helmets’ facing increasingly grave threats, including armed groups with no interest in peace, the UN peacekeeping chief called on Wednesday for greater political engagement and leadership from the Security Council and the world body’s Member countries to ensure UN troops – and the populations they serve – are better protected.
Jan 25, 2018, at 02:29 pm
New York, Jan 25 (JEN): While the signing last month of a ceasefire accord among South Sudan’s warring parties is a great stride forward, it is just a first step toward peace and stability, the United Nations peacekeeping chief said Wednesday, warning that the 21 December deal has already been violated numerous times.
Bring human rights to discussion tables and into decisions at Davos, UN experts urge
Jan 25, 2018, at 02:22 pm
New York, Jan 25 (JEN): With world leaders converging in Davos, Switzerland, for the annual World Economic Forum, a group of United Nations human rights experts has called on government and business leaders to use the occasion to decide on concrete actions to bring about positive change.
Jan 25, 2018, at 02:18 pm
New York, Jan 25 (JEN): Investing in value-based migration data that squarely focuses on impact can benefit the world to the tune of $35 billion dollars, according to a new report launched Wednesday in Davos, Switzerland, by the United Nations migration agency.
Jan 25, 2018, at 02:15 pm
New York, Jan 25 (JEN): Grappling with turbulent politics, persisting terrorism and the risk of famine, Somalia must make 2018 a year of carrying out reforms, a senior United Nations official said Wednesday, urging more international financial and technical support for the Horn of Africa country that underwent a peaceful transition of power to a new President a year ago.
Jan 25, 2018, at 02:08 pm
New York,Jan 25 (JEN): The world’s least developed countries are narrowing ‘digital divide,’ and with millions of people now taking advantage of smart phones and other digital devices, keeping up this momentum can put their societies on the fast track to sustainable development, the United Nations said on Wednesday.
Service and Sacrifice: Chadian peacekeepers on a UN mission for peace in Mali
Jan 25, 2018, at 02:03 pm
New York, Jan 25 (JEN): As Tahir and his fellow Chadian peacekeepers set out on their daily patrol through the dusty streets of Kidal, in northern Mali, the question he faces is always the same – will he and his team return safely to the United Nations base?
Central African Republic: UN, partners seek $515 million in humanitarian aid for 2018
Jan 25, 2018, at 01:59 pm
New York, Jan 25 (JEN): With more than half the population in the Central African Republic (CAR) projected to need humanitarian assistance in 2018, the United Nations, the Government and partners are seeking $515.6 million in contributions to address the crisis.
Benghazi: Car bomb blasts kill 27
Jan 24, 2018, at 02:41 pm
Benghazi, Jan 24 (IBNS): Two car bomb blasts close to a mosque in the Libyan city of Benghazi left 27 people killed, media reports said on Wednesday.
Amid growing insecurity, time to reassess UN peacekeeping presence in Mali, Security Council told
Jan 24, 2018, at 02:18 pm
New York, Jan 24 (JEN): Against the backdrop of worsening security in Mali’s central regions and with presidential elections just six months away, a senior United Nations official on Tuesday said it is time to reexamine the configuration of the UN peacekeeping presence in the West African country to reflect the changing circumstances on the ground.
At least seven killed at a religious gathering in northern Ethiopia – UN rights office
Jan 24, 2018, at 02:14 pm
New York, Jan 24 (JEN): The United Nations human rights arm on Tuesday voiced deep concern over the deaths of at least seven people celebrating a religious festival in Ethiopia as security forces reportedly tried to stop them from shouting anti-Government chants.
Conditions in Myanmar not yet suitable for Rohingya refugees to return safely – UN agency
Jan 24, 2018, at 02:10 pm
New York, Jan 24 (JEN): The necessary safeguards for Rohingyas to return to Myanmar are absent, and there are ongoing restrictions on access for aid agencies, the media and other independent observers, the United Nations warned on Tuesday, two months after Myanmar and Bangladesh agreed on a plan for the refugees’ voluntary return to their homes.
Fresh violence in Central African Republic sparks ‘unprecedented’ levels of displacement – UN
Jan 24, 2018, at 02:06 pm
New York, Jan 24 (JEN): Surging violence in the Central African Republic (CAR) has put unprecedented numbers of people on the run, the United Nations refugee agency said Tuesday, reporting that hungry, desperate arrivals being registered in neighbouring Chad say their houses have been torched and that armed groups are “killing anyone in their way.”
DR Congo: UN rights office urges probe into use of force against protestors, UN personnel
Jan 24, 2018, at 02:03 pm
New York, Jan 24 (JEN): At least six people died and 68 were wounded during weekend demonstrations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) capital, Kinshasa, the United Nations human rights office reported Tuesday, urging the Government to investigate all incidents where security forces may have used excessive force against protestors and UN personnel.
Record 22.2 million people need humanitarian assistance in Yemen – UN aid chief
Jan 24, 2018, at 01:59 pm
New York, Jan 24 (JEN): The top United Nations relief official has expressed his deep concern about the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Yemen, noting that a record 22.2 million people are now in need of assistance – 3.4 million more than last year.
Jan 23, 2018, at 02:16 pm
New York, Jan 23 (JEN): Sustainable development is a fundamental human right and humanity’s best chance for a future of peace and prosperity, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Monday, laying out the case for Agenda 2030 to be at the centre of UN activities.
Liberia: UN welcomes new President’s inauguration as key milestone on country’s road to success
Jan 23, 2018, at 02:14 pm
New York, Jan 23 (JEN): George Weah was inaugurated on Monday as the new President of Liberia, where the United Nations is set to close its peacekeeping mission in a few weeks after a successful 15-year presence in the West African country.
UN flag no longer offers ‘natural’ protection to peacekeepers, says report on mission casualties
Jan 23, 2018, at 02:09 pm
New York, Jan 23 (JEN): The United Nations should change the way it does business in high-security risk peacekeeping operations, as the UN flag no longer offers ‘natural’ protection to mission personnel, according to a new report, which calls for better training for ‘blue helmets,’ more technology and greater freedom to respond to the threat posed by armed groups.
UN agency for Palestine refugee launches global funding push after US aid cuts
Jan 23, 2018, at 02:02 pm
New York, Jan 23 (JEN): The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) launched on Monday a global fundraising campaign to sustain resources for its education, health and other assistance programmes.
Jan 23, 2018, at 01:58 pm
New York, Jan 23 (JEN): Amid disturbing reports that at least six people were killed on Sunday during political protests in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has urged Congolese security forces to respect the people’s right to free speech and freedom of assembly.
Amid unprecedented needs, UN, aid partners launch largest consolidated humanitarian appeal for Yemen
Jan 22, 2018, at 01:06 pm
New York, Jan 22 (JEN): With the crisis in war-ravaged Yemen continuing to deteriorate, United Nations agencies and humanitarian partners have launched a $2.96 billion response plan to reach over 13 million people with lifesaving assistance.
Afghanistan: Taliban attack leaves four soldiers killed
Jan 21, 2018, at 10:03 pm
Kabul, Jan 21 (IBNS): Taliban attack in Greashk district of Afghanistan left at least four Afghan National Army (ANA) soldiers killed,media reports said.
UN chief urges vigilance against anti-Semitism and discrimination of all kinds
Jan 21, 2018, at 09:50 pm
New York, Jan 21 (JEN): Warning that hate is on the rise and that Nazi symbols, mindsets and languages are back, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has called for vigilance against anti-Semitism and discrimination of all kinds.
Syrian children succumb to freezing temperatures while crossing into Lebanon – UNICEF
Jan 21, 2018, at 09:40 pm
Washington, Jan 21 (IBNS): At least 12 Syrians, including two children, lost their lives to the bitter cold in eastern Lebanon as they tried to enter the country, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) reported Saturday, warning that there are fears more could be trapped along the route.
Donald Trump, Theresa May to meet in Davos
Jan 20, 2018, at 01:32 pm
London, Jan 20 (IBNS): US President Donald Trump and UK Prime Minister Theresa May are set to meet at the upcoming World Economic Forum in Davos, media reports said.
One in four Iraqi children impacted by conflict, poverty; education key for lasting peace – UNICEF
Jan 20, 2018, at 12:42 pm
New York, Jan 20 (JEN): More than four million children have been impacted by extreme violence in Iraq, many robbed of their childhood and forced to fight on the frontlines, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said Friday.
Central Africa’s iconic mammals threatened by poachers, armed groups – UN environment wing
Jan 20, 2018, at 12:39 pm
New York, Jan 20 (JEN): Elephants, giraffes, rhinos and other magnificent mammals targeted in wildlife conservation areas of Central Africa are under threat of extinction, caught in the crosshairs of armed groups and highly-militarized poachers, the United Nations environment wing warned on Friday.
Syria: UN rights officials decry ‘devastating’ impact of surging violence on civilians
Jan 20, 2018, at 12:34 pm
New York, Jan 20 (JEN): Concerned over the devastating impact of escalating violence in Syria, where dozens of people in eastern Ghouta have been killed in recent airstrikes, and schools and hospitals are being deliberately destroyed, senior United Nations officials have underscored the obligation on all parties to the conflict, and the international community, to protect civilians from atrocity crimes.