UN raises concerns about unaccompanied refugee and migrant children in Europe
Oct 17, 2015, at 02:33 pm
New York, Oct 17 (IBNS): Warning of poor weather conditions and fast-approaching winter, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) on Friday raised concerns about the protection of unaccompanied refugee and migrant children on the move in Europe, where several countries are faced with overstretched national capacities and insufficient coordination.
'Hunger is more than a lack of food – it is a terrible injustice,' says Ban
Oct 17, 2015, at 02:32 pm
New York, Oct 17 (IBNS): On World Food Day, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is underlining that "hunger is more than a lack of food—it is a terrible injustice," while reaffirming the global community’s commitment to work together “to end hunger in our lifetime.â€
Milan Expo: UN officials call for social protection and fairer food systems
Oct 17, 2015, at 02:30 pm
New York, Oct 17 (IBNS): Celebrating World Food Day at the Milan Expo 2015, senior United Nations officials joined leading figures in the global fight against hunger in an appeal to the international community to speed up efforts on eradicating hunger and improving the way food is produced and consumed.
At least seven people dead after boat collision off the coast of Lesvos: UN agency
Oct 17, 2015, at 02:29 pm
New York, Oct 17 (IBNS): Up to seven people have been killed – four of them children – in a collision between a smuggling boat and a Greek Coast Guard vessel off the coast of Lesvos, Greek authorities and the United Nations refugee agency said on Friday.
More than half a million children now risk malnutrition in Yemen: UNICEF
Oct 17, 2015, at 02:16 pm
New York, Oct 17 (IBNS): Yemen's spiralling crisis has caused "alarming malnutrition levels" among children because of the limited availability of and lack of access to food due to blocked or damaged delivery routes and restrictions on food and fuel imports caused by the conflict, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) warned on Friday.
Iran: UN rights experts outraged at the execution of two juvenile offenders
Oct 17, 2015, at 02:14 pm
New York, Oct 17 (IBNS): United Nations human rights experts on Friday expressed their outrage and profound sadness at the execution of a juvenile offender convicted for the death of her husband, whom she had been forced to marry at the age of 16, and which follows the death of a young man last week, who’d been sentenced to death at age 17.
Rights of victims of trafficking during migration must be protected, UN tells EU
Oct 17, 2015, at 02:07 pm
New Delhi, Oct 17 (IBNS): Urging the Europe Union (EU) to safeguard the rights of migrants at risk, especially the most vulnerable, a United Nations human rights expert on Friday called on EU member States to ensure their anti-trafficking measures do not include restrictive and exclusionary immigration policies that are not effective and further heighten risks for trafficking and exploitation.
Ending violence in Middle East focus of emergency Security Council session
Oct 17, 2015, at 02:05 pm
New York, Oct 17 (IBNS): Against a backdrop of escalating violence in the Middle East, Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs Tayé-Brook Zerihoun briefed an emergency session of the United Nations Security Council on Friday, reporting on the latest violent incident in which a large group of Palestinians set fire to the compound containing the holy site of Joseph’s Tomb in the West Bank city of Nablus.
Ban says new 2030 Agenda can help eradicate poverty
Oct 17, 2015, at 02:03 pm
New York, Oct 17 (IBNS): This can be the first generation to witness a world without extreme poverty, where all people – not only the powerful and the privileged – can participate and contribute equally, free of discrimination and want, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon declared on Friday, urging global action to fully implement the newly-adopted goals of the UN 2030 Agenda.
UN envoy calls for concerted efforts to eliminate bullying in all regions
Oct 17, 2015, at 02:02 pm
New York, Oct 17 (IBNS): Speaking at a panel discussion on protecting children from bullying, the United Nations envoy on violence against children said bullying is a "serious concern" for millions of children all over the world and it is compromising their right to education.
Global food accord aims to tackle hunger in protracted crises: UN agency
Oct 17, 2015, at 01:59 pm
New York, Oct 17 (IBNS): The first global agreement involving all stakeholders of food aid aims to "do business differently" in order to combat hunger and undernutrition among people living in protracted crises around the world, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said on Friday.
Belgium: UN experts call for robust action to address risks from foreign fighters
Oct 17, 2015, at 01:58 pm
New York, Oct 15 (IBNS): Belgium needs to develop an inclusive national vision and action on the issue of foreign fighters at federal, regional and local levels, the United Nations Working Group on the use of mercenaries said on Friday following a five-day visit to the European nation.
Despite calm in Kunduz, conditions for humanitarian assistance not yet restored: UN
Oct 16, 2015, at 01:17 pm
New York, Oct 16 (IBNS): While reports indicate that Kunduz city centre in northeast Afghanistan remains relatively quiet, with sporadic fighting taking place on the outskirts, full conditions for the safe delivery of humanitarian assistance have not yet been restored, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
UN rights experts appeal to stop attacks against persons with albinism
Oct 16, 2015, at 01:16 pm
New York, Oct 16 (IBNS): The first United Nations human rights expert on albinism on Thursday issued an urgent appeal for coordinated action in southern and eastern Africa to tackle the upsurge in attacks against persons with albinism.
Handwashing Day: UNICEF warns inadequate hygiene endangers development goal
Oct 16, 2015, at 01:14 pm
New York, Oct 16 (IBNS): More than 40 per cent of health facilities have no water resources within 500 metres in sub-Saharan Africa where the practice of handwashing with soap is dangerously low even though it is "one of the cheapest, simplest, most effective health interventions," the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) said on Thursday.
Rural women are the backbone of sustainable livelihoods: Ban
Oct 16, 2015, at 01:12 pm
New York, Oct 16 (IBNS): Marking the International Day of Rural Women, the United Nations on Thursday affirmed the role of women as significant and crucial for the progress of rural households, local and national economies.
Egypt, Japan, Senegal, Ukraine and Uruguay elected to serve on Security Council
Oct 16, 2015, at 01:05 pm
New York, Oct 16 (IBNS): In one round of voting the United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday elected Egypt, Japan, Senegal, Ukraine and Uruguay to serve as non-permanent members on the Security Council for two-year terms beginning on 1 January 2016.
Rome: Ban says refugee and migration crisis is a defining moment for Europe
Oct 16, 2015, at 01:03 pm
New York, Oct 16 (IBNS):The current refugee and migration crisis is a "defining moment" for Europe and the world, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon declared in Rome on Thursday, where in an address to Italian Government officials, he thanked Italy for its "compassionate and courageous response" while continuing his strong call on all countries to bear more of the responsibility.
Ebola virus persists in body fluids of survivors for months: WHO
Oct 16, 2015, at 01:02 pm
New York, Oct 16 (IBNS): The Ebola virus can persist in the eye, semen, the placenta, breast milk and central nervous system of survivors of the disease for as long as 9 and a half months, according to a new study supported by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Myanmar: UN chief welcomes milestone signing of ceasefire agreement
Oct 16, 2015, at 01:00 pm
New York, Oct 16 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon welcomed on Thursday the signing of a ceasefire agreement in Myanmar as "a milestone" and expressed his hope that the new government formed after next month’s elections will keep moving forward along the present path of negotiations.
UN deputy chief urges transformation in collective effort to tackle humanitarian needs
Oct 16, 2015, at 12:57 pm
New York, Oct 16 (IBNS): Warning of the huge, almost uncontrollable human disasters facing the world – with a staggering 100 million people in urgent need of humanitarian assistance – United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson has urged global solidarity to meet "the heavy but inspiring responsibility" today's global challenges demand.
New law threatens civil society independence in Kazakhstan: UN expert
Oct 16, 2015, at 12:55 pm
New York, Oct 16 (IBNS): The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association, Maina Kiai, on Thursday warned that a new bill amending the law on non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Kazakhstan, may compromise the independence of associations and also challenge their existence.
FAO hails pledge by more than 100 cities to fight hunger and improve nutrition
Oct 16, 2015, at 12:54 pm
New York, Oct 16 (IBNS): Cities have a key role to play in ending hunger and improving nutrition, the head of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said on Thursday, welcoming a commitment by more than 100 cities from around the world to make food systems in urban areas more equitable and sustainable.
Stuck in Pakistan for 11 years, Geeta recognises family, to return soon
Oct 15, 2015, at 05:48 pm
Karachi/New Delhi, Oct 15 (IBNS) Geeta, a deaf and mute Indian woman, who has been stranded in Pakistan for 11 years after accidentally crossing the border, is likely to be flown home soon, media reports said.
UN and French Government urge inclusion of food security in climate change debate
Oct 15, 2015, at 03:10 pm
New York, Oct 15 (IBNS): Targeted policies and investments in food security and agriculture should be at the centre of debates on climate change, according to a top UN official and the French Minister for Agriculture, speaking at the Committee on World Food Security (CFS) in Rome this week.
After six years on the rise, Afghan opium crop cultivation declines: UN survey
Oct 15, 2015, at 03:08 pm
New York, Oct 15 (IBNS): Opium poppy cultivation in Afghanistan decreased 19 per cent in 2015, compared to the previous year, according to the latest Afghanistan Opium Survey figures released on Wednesday by the Afghan Ministry of Counter Narcotics and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
Central Africa: UNWFP delivers food aid to thousands displaced by violence in capital
Oct 15, 2015, at 03:06 pm
New York, Oct 15 (IBNS): The World Food Programme (WFP) announced on Wednesday that aid workers have reached more than 30,000 newly displaced people in desperate need of food in the Central African Republic's capital, Bangui, where the situation remains "tense and volatile" after a new surge in violence.
Morocco's agriculture-focused 'Green Plan' must benefit all: UN rights expert
Oct 15, 2015, at 03:04 pm
New York, Oct 15 (IBNS): The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the right to food, Hilal Elver, has commended Morocco's achievements in reducing extreme poverty and eliminating hunger through crucial economic and social reforms, while also urging the authorities to reach all regions, paying particular attention to those living in remote areas and vulnerable groups.
Security Council renews mandate of UN mission in Haiti
Oct 15, 2015, at 03:02 pm
New York, Oct 15 (IBNS): The Security Council on Wednesday morning extended the mandate of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) for one year, until 15 October 2016, at the UN Secretary General's recommended force levels of up to 2,370 troops and 2,061 police.
Turkey: UN deputy chief says response to migration movement being tested
Oct 15, 2015, at 02:57 pm
New York, Oct 15 (IBNS): The world's ability to respond to migration and refugee movement is "being tested as never before," the United Nations deputy chief on Wednesday said speaking at the Global Forum on Migration and Development taking place in Istanbul, Turkey, while recalling some key principles underscored by the UN to address this global challenge.