UN calls for $111 million to address urgent humanitarian priorities in DPR Korea

Apr 09, 2015, at 05:48 pm

New York, Apr 9 (IBNS): The United Nations has called for some $111 million to fund its humanitarian operations in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DRPK) in 2015, covering activities in food and agriculture, health and nutrition, and water and sanitation.

UN chief urges efficient private sector funding for post-2015 development

Apr 09, 2015, at 05:47 pm

New York, Apr 9 (IBNS): The international community needs a financial framework capable of confronting the multifaceted crises of the day in a predictable and effective manner if it is to delineate a successful post-2015 sustainable development agenda, United NationsSecretary-General Ban Ki-moon confirmed.

As chaos deepens in Yemen, UN expert warns of 'worst case scenario' displacement

Apr 09, 2015, at 05:45 pm

New York, Apr 9 (IBNS): The United Nations expert on the human rights of internally displaced persons today urged the international community "to prepare for massive displacement and humanitarian crisis as conflict torn Yemen further descends into chaos and civilians flee the fighting."

UN stresses importance of food safety on World Health Day

Apr 08, 2015, at 04:24 pm

New York, Apr 8 (IBNS): With the United Nations health agency highlighting food safety on World Health Day, the Secretary-General on Tuesday called for unified efforts to ensure that production, distribution, and preparation of food is done safely.

Reflecting on Rwanda, Ban urges courage to counter the cruelty

Apr 08, 2015, at 04:23 pm

New York, Apr 8 (IBNS): The world must make use of the International Day of Reflection on the Genocide in Rwanda to look back on the past, and to squarely confront the challenges of the present, renewing collective resolve and summoning the courage to prevent such atrocities from happening again, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Monday.

Geothermal energy can help developing countries boost food security: UN

Apr 08, 2015, at 04:01 pm

New York, Apr 8 (IBNS): A new report released on Tuesday by the United Nations agricultural agency says that the heat energy generated by the earth’s core can be used for cost efficient, sustainable food production and processing in developing countries.

Security Council condemns Boko Haram attacks in Nigeria, Chad

Apr 08, 2015, at 03:59 pm

New York, Apr 8 (IBNS): The members of the United Nations Security Council condemned on Tuesday in the strongest terms the spate of recent terrorist attacks perpetrated by Boko Haram in northeast Nigeria and Chad.

UN relief wing spotlights deteriorating health situation for Ukrainians

Apr 08, 2015, at 03:58 pm

New York, Apr 8 (IBNS): The deteriorating health situation for internally displaced and others impacted by the conflict in Ukraine has drawn the serious concern of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), a UN spokesperson reported on Monday.

Cyprus: UN special envoy sees no obstacle to early resumption of talks

Apr 08, 2015, at 03:52 pm

New York, Apr 8 (IBNS): The Secretary-General’s Special Adviser on Cyprus, Espen Barth Eide, told reporters in Nicosia on Tuesday that he sees no obstacle to a very early resumption of talks between Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot negotiators once the elections in the north of the country are over.

African Union-UN mission condemns bombings in central Darfur

Apr 08, 2015, at 03:51 pm

New York, Apr 8 (IBNS): The Joint African Union-United Nations Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) has confirmed the dropping of 10 bombs which led to the killing of 14 civilians and the wounding of 18 others in Rowata, Central Darfur, on 1 April.

Yemen: UN relief agencies rush assessment teams, supplies

Apr 08, 2015, at 03:41 pm

New York, Apr 8 (IBNS): Amid ongoing heavy fighting in Yemen, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) says that a plane carrying humanitarian staff landed yesterday in the capital, Sana’a, and two more planes carrying medical supplies are expected later this week.

South Sudan: New arrivals at UN camp add to largest number of displaced

Apr 08, 2015, at 03:40 pm

New York, Apr 8 (IBNS): Around 4,500 people have recently sought shelter on the premises of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan in Malakal, Upper Nile state, the spokesperson for the Secretary-General said during a press briefing at Headquarters on Monday.

International Day: UN underlines role of sport in promoting development

Apr 07, 2015, at 02:45 pm

New York, Apr 7 (IBNS): On the second annual International Day of Sport for Development and Peace on Monday, top United Nations officials stressed the important role that sport can play in achieving sustainable progress and change.

UN official calls for disarmament push globally

Apr 07, 2015, at 02:44 pm

New York, Apr 7 (IBNS): The United Nations disarmament chief on Monday urged Member States to work actively and seek common ground on disarmament issues related to nuclear weapons and conventional arms amid a period of increasing global tensions and violence.

Humanitarian concerns mounting as Yemen fighting continues: UN

Apr 07, 2015, at 02:42 pm

New York, Apr 7 (IBNS): The violence in Yemen continues to wreak havoc upon the country's civilian population and restrict humanitarian access to those most in need amid a spate of aerial attacks and ground incursions, the United Nations has reported.

Trapped civilians miserable amid fighting in Yarmouk camp: UN agency

Apr 07, 2015, at 02:41 pm

New York, Apr 7 (IBNS): The current escalation is “more desperate than ever” for civilians in Yarmouk displaced persons camp which is currently housing thousands of Palestinians on the outskirts of Damascus, the head of the United Nations agency concerned with the well-being of Palestinian refugees warned on Monday.

Prince Harry arrives in Australia

Apr 06, 2015, at 04:23 pm

Canberra, Apr 6 (IBNS): Prince Harry has arrived in the Australia where he will begin a four week attachment to the Australian Defence Force (ADF).

UN demands end to Yarmouk fighting

Apr 06, 2015, at 01:12 pm

New York, Apr 6 (IBNS): With fighting near Yarmouk intensifying, the United Nations agency concerned with the well-being of Palestinian refugees on Sunday made a strong appeal to all armed actors to cease hostilities that place civilians in acute danger and to withdraw immediately from civilian populated areas.

Kenya mourns for Garissa attack victims

Apr 06, 2015, at 02:59 am

Nairobi, Apr 5 (IBNS) Kenya is observing three-day mourning from Sunday as the country witnessed a major terrorist attack on the Garissa University campus which left at least 147 people last week.

Missing US sailor rescued after 66 days at sea

Apr 03, 2015, at 07:07 pm

Washington, Apr 3 (IBNS) A US sailor, who was missing for more than two months, has been found by a passing German tanker 200 miles off the North Carolina coast, media reports said on Friday.

Security Council authorizes further downsizing of UN peacekeeping force in Liberia

Apr 03, 2015, at 05:34 pm

New York Apr 3 (IBNS): The United Nations Security Council on Thursday adopted a resolution authorizing the third phase of a drawdown of the UN peacekeeping mission in Liberia to 3,590 military personnel and 1,515 police personnel, and deciding that the Mission’s mandate would no longer include electoral support.

As Yemen conflict intensifies, UN relief chief urges all sides to do more to protect civilians

Apr 03, 2015, at 05:31 pm

New York, Apr 3 (IBNS): Extremely concerned for the safety of civilians caught in the midst of “fierce fighting” in Yemen, the United Nations Emergency Relief Coordinator called on Thursday on all parties involved to meet their obligations under international law and do their utmost to protect the ordinary women, children and men who are suffering the consequences of the conflict.

Thailand: UN rights chief warns against Government's 'draconian' powers

Apr 03, 2015, at 05:28 pm

New York, Apr 3 (IBNS): The top United Nations human rights official has expressed alarm at the Government of Thailand’s decision to bestow wide-ranging powers upon General Prayuth Chan-ocha the leader of the military coup that deposed Thailand's elected Government in 2014 and, currently, the country's Prime Minister.

UN inquiry into violent Mail protests submits report; Ban 'profoundly regrets' civilian casualties

Apr 03, 2015, at 05:26 pm

New York, Apr 3 (IBNS) An inquiry launched in February to determine the facts surrounding a violent demonstration in Gao, Mali, in front of the regional headquarters of the United Nations mission in the country has submitted its report, according to a statement made on Thursday by the Secretary-General’s spokesperson.

Senior UN officials condemn terrorist attack against Kenyan university

Apr 03, 2015, at 05:25 pm

New York, Apr 3 (IBNS) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the head of the United Nations Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization have strongly condemned this morning’s terrorist attack on a university in north-eastern Kenya, with both officials expressing solidarity with the Kenyan people and urging swift justice for those responsible for the deadly attack.

Libya: UN mission strongly condemns air strikes on western airport

Apr 03, 2015, at 05:20 pm

New York, Apr 3 (IBNS): The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) on Thursday strongly condemned repeated air strikes on an airport in the western town of Zintan that it said have endangered civilians and seriously undermined attempts at securing a solution to the Libyan crisis.

UN agency calls on Syrians to protect cultural heritage amid uptick in violence

Apr 03, 2015, at 04:49 pm

New York, Apr 3 (IBNS) Syrians must unite for the protection of their shared cultural heritage amid a recent escalation in hostilities across the war-torn country, the head of the United Nations cultural agency declared today.

Lebanon a 'ray of hope' for tolerance in Middle East - UN rights expert

Apr 03, 2015, at 04:43 pm

New York, Apr 3 (IBNS) Amid escalating tensions throughout the Middle East, the country of Lebanon, known for its rich cultural diversity, can be a "ray of hope" for tolerance in a region beset by religious fanaticism, a United Nations human rights expert has said.

Kenya's Garissa University College attack: 70 students killed

Apr 03, 2015, at 04:15 am

Nairobi, Apr 2 (IBNS): At least 70 students were killed while 79 others were injured after al-Shabab Islamist militants attacked Garissa University College in northeast Kenya, reports said on Thursday.

Russian trawler sinks, 54 sailors killed

Apr 02, 2015, at 06:43 pm

Moscow, Apr 2 (IBNS): At least 54 sailors were killed as a Russian trawler sank off the Kamchatka peninsula, media reports said on Thursday.