UN human rights office warns Burundi crisis ‘spiralling out of control’

Aug 15, 2015, at 02:55 pm

New York, Aug 15 (IBNS): The situation in Burundi continues to deteriorate amid ongoing killings, arrests and detentions in the latest post-election turmoil to afflict the country, the United Nations human rights office has reported.

South Sudan: Blockade of aid routes lifted, allowing UN to access conflict-torn areas

Aug 15, 2015, at 02:54 pm

New York, Aug 15 (IBNS): The United Nations humanitarian wing has reported that the month-long restrictions on the movement of goods by air and river routes in South Sudan have been lifted, allowing delivery of aid supplies in crisis-torn Malakal, and has warned of a “dire situation” as fighting continues.

Syria: UN special envoy condemns indiscriminate shelling in civilian areas

Aug 15, 2015, at 02:51 pm

New York, Aug 15 (IBNS): Condemning the continued use of indiscriminate weapons in civilian areas of Syria, the United Nations special envoy for the country has today renewed his call on the warring parties to immediately cease such attacks and focus on finding a political solution to the “unacceptable situation” in their homeland.

UN agency assists Nigeria’s neighbours as violence sparks waves of refugees

Aug 15, 2015, at 02:48 pm

New York, Aug 15 (IBNS): The United Nations refugee agency on Friday expressed concern about the escalating violence in and around Nigeria and its impact on the situation of Nigerian refugees in surrounding host countries, including a shrinking humanitarian space in which they can seek asylum.

WHO kicks-off campaign honouring world’s health workers

Aug 15, 2015, at 02:47 pm

New York, Aug 15 (IBNS): The World Health Organization (WHO) is preparing to launch a campaign aimed at honouring the sacrifices and efforts of thousands of international health workers deployed to the frontlines of the world’s most pressing crises, the United Nations agency has announced.

Mali: UN official urges support for relief efforts amid ongoing crisis

Aug 15, 2015, at 02:45 pm

New York, Aug 15 (IBNS): Food insecurity in Mali will only grow if national parties fail to commit to peace and stability in the country, the United Nations relief official dealing with Africa’s Sahel region warned on Friday as he urged the international community to remain engaged with the country’s urgent humanitarian needs.

UN experts call on Iran to release journalist Jason Rezaian as he awaits verdict

Aug 15, 2015, at 02:41 pm

New York, Aug 15 (IBNS): United Nations human rights experts on Friday urged the Iranian Government to immediately release the Washington Post’s correspondent in Tehran, Jason Rezaian, who now awaits verdict after his fourth and possible final hearing earlier this week.

Brazil must implement measures against torture: UN expert

Aug 15, 2015, at 02:38 pm

New York, Aug 15 (IBNS): A United Nations human rights expert on Friday called on Brazilian Federal and State authorities to urgently address the issue of prison overcrowding in the country and show genuine commitment to implement measures against torture.

Ban appoints UN official as acting head of mission in Central Africa

Aug 15, 2015, at 02:36 pm

New York, Aug 15 (IBNS): Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Friday announced the appointment of Parfait Onanga-Anyanga of Gabon as his Acting Special Representative for the Central African Republic and Head of the United Nations stabilization mission in the country, known as MINUSCA.

UN rights experts welcome release of Syrian human rights defenders

Aug 15, 2015, at 02:35 pm

New York, Aug 15 (IBNS): Welcoming recent release of three human rights defenders from Syrian Government custody, the head of a United Nations-appointed human rights panel on Friday urged the authorities to grant an independent organization regular access to those allegedly detained.

UN chief 'deeply saddened' after deadly industrial explosions in northern China

Aug 14, 2015, at 03:33 pm

New York, Aug 14 (IBNS) United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has been deeply saddened to learn of the loss of life and the injuries to scores of people as a result of deadly explosions in Tianjin, China.

Ban addresses top peacekeeping officials amid allegations of sexual abuse by UN 'blue helmets'

Aug 14, 2015, at 03:32 pm

New York, Aug 14 (IBNS) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon conducted on Friday an urgent video conference with the heads of United Nations peacekeeping operations, Force Commanders, and Police Commissioners following a series of revelations alleging abuse by UN 'blue helmets' in the field, Including, most recently in the Central African Republic.

Head of UN food relief agency appeals for continued support to Syrian refugees

Aug 14, 2015, at 03:26 pm

New York, Aug 14 (IBNS) The head of United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) called on Friday on the international community to continue supporting Syrian refugees displaced in neighboring countries, appealing to the world “not to forget” the crisis and to provide the agency the means to meet their needs.

Senior UN official in Iraq deplores 'cowardly' terrorist attack that kills dozens at Baghdad market

Aug 14, 2015, at 03:22 pm

New York, Aug 14 (IBNS) The acting head of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq has strongly condemned on Friday ’s truck bomb attack on a market in east Baghdad, which initial reports say killed at least 45 people and for which the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) has claimed responsibility.

Ukraine: UN agency begins cash assistance programme to meet food needs in crisis-torn eastern areas

Aug 14, 2015, at 03:12 pm

New York, Aug 14 (IBNS) Responding to the recurring food shortages created by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has begun cash distributions to some 60,000 people – mostly internally displaced – in Government-controlled areas of the Lugansk and Donetsk region.

UN launches #ShareHumanity campaign spotlighting humanitarian crises around the globe

Aug 14, 2015, at 03:08 pm

New York, Aug 14 (IBNS) The United Nations relief arm has launched a call for millions of people around the world to drastically change their social media feeds and share captivating tale of humanitarian heroism ahead of this year's World Humanitarian Day.

Libyan parties say 'no alternative' to peace outside UN-sponsored dialogue process

Aug 14, 2015, at 03:06 pm

New York, Aug 14 (IBNS): The latest round of the United Nations-facilitated Libyan political dialogue has concluded in Geneva, with the different parties emphasizing the need to set aside partisan agendas and uphold the country's higher national interests.

New UN agency report shows 'unprecedented' rise in infant mortality in Gaza

Aug 14, 2015, at 03:04 pm

New York, Aug 14 (IBNS) A new study carried out by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) has revealed that the infant mortality rate in the Gaza Strip has risen for the first time in 50 years, with the agency’s health director citing the ongoing blockade as possibly contributing to the trend.

Appealing for peace and sufficient funding, top UN relief official says world 'must not fail' people of Yemen

Aug 14, 2015, at 03:03 pm

New York, Aug 14 (IBNS) The international community must step up its funding of relief efforts in Yemen and help in delivering critical aid to civilians amid the country's protracted civil conflict, the top United Nations humanitarian official has declared.

Massive explosions in China's Tianjin town: At least 44 dead

Aug 13, 2015, at 05:29 pm

Tianjin, China, Aug 13 (IBNS) At least 44 people were killed and more than 500 injured following two massive explosions in China's northern city of Tianjin on Wednesday.

Jordan: Head of UNWFP urges increased funding for Syrian refugees

Aug 13, 2015, at 02:16 pm

New York, Aug 13 (IBNS): The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has voiced concern over the deteriorating conditions of Syrian refugees now residing in Jordan amid funding shortfalls and urged the international donor community to ramp up financing for ongoing humanitarian efforts in the Middle Eastern country.

UN officials urge Member States to make young people ‘drivers of change’

Aug 13, 2015, at 02:14 pm

New York, Aug 13 (IBNS): Marking International Day of Youth, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon stressed that no one knows better than young people the issues at stake in Wednesday's rapidly changing world or the best way to respond, and declared, “That is why I am calling on young people to speak out – and I am urging leaders to listen.”

Stringent hygiene protocols keep classrooms in West Africa free of Ebola: UNICEF

Aug 13, 2015, at 02:13 pm

New York, Aug 13 (IBNS): United Nations-supported measures put in place to protect them from the Ebola virus have helped keep classrooms free from any infections in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said on Wednesday.

UNESCO chief condemns killing of journalist Azerbaijan

Aug 13, 2015, at 02:09 pm

New York, Aug 19 (IBNS): The head of the United Nations agency charged with promoting press freedom condemned on Wednesday the killing of Azerbaijani journalist Rasim Aliyev, who died in the capital, Baku, on 9 August, asserting that “impunity for crimes against journalists cannot be allowed to take root.”

Africa one step closer to polio eradication, but more work to be done: UN

Aug 13, 2015, at 02:08 pm

New York, Aug 13 (IBNS): Africa has made great strides towards eradicating polio but the job remains to be finished through strengthened immunization campaigns and surveillance measures, according to the United Nations.

Central Africa: Ban vows action on allegations of sexual abuse by UN peacekeepers

Aug 13, 2015, at 02:06 pm

New York, Aug 13 (IBNS): Vowing “decisive action” on reports of sexual exploitation committed by United Nations peacekeepers deployed to the Central African Republic (CAR), Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon announced that he has accepted the resignation of the head of the UN peacekeeping mission in the country, scheduled a special session of the Security Council on the matter, and pledged the Organization’s commitment to bringing any and all perpetrators of such abuse to justice.

Myanmar: UN relief official pledges support as more rains forecast

Aug 13, 2015, at 02:04 pm

New York, Aug 13 (IBNS): Just back from Myanmar’s flood-hit Sagaing Region, the United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator for the country, Renata Dessallien, described on Wednesday the devastation she witnessed, saying she had been “humbled by the incredible, spontaneous public outpouring of solidarity and assistance to flood-affected communities.”

Ban appoints Afghan diplomat as UN Special Representative for Liberia

Aug 13, 2015, at 02:02 pm

New York, Aug 13 (IBNS): Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday announced the appointment of Farid Zarif, of Afghanistan, as his Special Representative for Liberia and head of the United Nations Mission there, known as UNMIL.

UN envoys urge Burundi Government to forge ‘new path’ through dialogue

Aug 13, 2015, at 02:00 pm

New York, Aug 13 (IBNS): The Government of Burundi should immediately seize the opportunity for dialogue and forge a “new path,” United Nations and international envoys declared on Wednesday, condemning the wave of recent attacks in the crisis-torn country and urging parties to show “restraint, leadership, and vision.”

Tajikistan’s sectoral reform must prioritize sanitation and drinking water: UN expert

Aug 13, 2015, at 01:58 pm

New York, Aug 13 (IBNS): Progress has been made in ongoing reform of the water sector in Tajikistan, a United Nations rights expert noted at the end of his recent mission to the country, and he urged the Government to maximize its rich water resource through national legislation, policies, budget and their implementation for the poor and marginalized.