Yemen on brink of famine, warns UN food relief agency chief, appealing for resources and access
Mar 14, 2017, at 12:57 pm
New York, Mar 14 (Just Earth News): Unless the international community provides additional resources and authorities in Yemen allow aid workers access to hungry people, families in some of the war-torn country’s most food insecure areas will die, warned the head of the United Nations emergency food programme.
Peace efforts and sustainable development top agenda at UN agency’s narcotics conference
Mar 14, 2017, at 12:56 pm
New York, Mar 14 (Just Earth News): The top United Nations panel dealing with all aspects of narcotic drugs opened its 60th session on Monday with a focus on peace and security, as well as on helping Governments reach their sustainable development commitments.
UN Commission on Status of Women opens with calls for more men to stand up for equality
Mar 14, 2017, at 05:23 am
New York, Mar 13 (Just Earth News): With men still dominating even in countries that consider themselves progressive, the world needs more women leaders and more men standing up for gender equality, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said on Monday.
'Unprecedented suffering' for Syrian children in 2016 – UNICEF
Mar 14, 2017, at 05:21 am
New York, Mar 13 (Just Earth News): The suffering of children in war-torn Syria “hit rock bottom†in 2016 with the highest number of grave violations against them since verification began in 2014, underscored the United Nations children's agency urging all parties to the conflict, those who have influence over them, and anyone who cared about children to find an immediate political solution to end the conflict.
Following visit to Haiti, UN expert urges more aid for Hurricane Matthew victims
Mar 14, 2017, at 05:19 am
New York, Mar 13 (Just Earth News): An independent United Nations expert on human rights is calling for redoubling of efforts to help Haitians affected by Hurricane Matthew.
S Africa baby abduction: Mother, two others arrested by police
Mar 13, 2017, at 11:02 pm
Durban, Mar 13 (IBNS): The mother of a one-month old baby, who was abducted in South Africa's Durban, has been arrested by the law enforcers for her alleged involvement in the crime, reports said.
Syria: UN chief Guterres condemns terrorist attacks in Damascus
Mar 13, 2017, at 01:14 pm
New York, Mar 13 (Just Earth News): United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has condemned the terrorist bombings in the Syrian capital of Damascus yesterday, his spokesman said Sunday.
UN aid chief urges global action as starvation, famine loom for 20 million across four countries
Mar 11, 2017, at 01:53 pm
New York, Mar 11 (Just Earth News): Just back from Kenya, Yemen, South Sudan and Somalia – countries that are facing or are at risk of famine – the top United Nations humanitarian official on Friday urged the international community for comprehensive action to save people from simply “starving to death.â€
Mar 11, 2017, at 01:52 pm
New York, Mar 11 (Just Earth News): Looking forward to the early resumption of the United Nations-facilitated intra-Syrian negotiations, the Security Council on Friday encouraged the Syrian parties to return to talks in good faith “and to engage constructively and without preconditions†on the agenda set out by UN Special Envoy Staffan de Mistura when they resume.
Mar 11, 2017, at 01:50 pm
New York, Mar 11 (Just Earth News): Noting growing prevalence of “fake news†and propaganda in both legacy and social media, United Nations and key regional human rights experts have called on State actors to ensure that they disseminate reliable and trustworthy information, including about matters of public interest, such as the economy, public health, security and the environment.
Vigilance against Zika virus should ‘remain high,’ UN health agency says in new guidance
Mar 11, 2017, at 01:49 pm
New York, Mar 11 (Just Earth News): Although a decline in cases of Zika virus infection has been reported in some countries, there is still a need for heightened vigilance, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported on Friday, issuing fresh guidance on the virus that has been linked to birth defects and neurological complications.
UN agency spotlights role of Governments in preventing child exploitation in tourism
Mar 11, 2017, at 01:49 pm
New York, Mar 11 (Just Earth News): The United Nations-backed meeting on tourism has spotlighted the leading role of Governments in preventing all forms of child exploitation in the leisure travel industry.
As fresh violence in Yemen sends thousands fleeing their homes, UN agency urges support
Mar 11, 2017, at 01:48 pm
New York, Mar 11 (Just Earth News): With tens of thousands of civilians forced to flee their homes following a spike in fighting across western and central Yemen, the United Nations refugee agency on Friday appealed for more international support, as well as unrestricted access within the country so that it can reach those now facing “abysmal conditions.â€
Colombian fighting displaced more than 900 families since January - UN agency
Mar 11, 2017, at 04:43 am
New York, Mar 10 (Just Earth News): Despite a peace agreement, ongoing fighting in the Colombian Pacific Coast has displaced more than 3,500 people so far this year – many of them from the Afro-Colombian or indigenous communities, the United Nations refugee agency on Friday announced.
Turkey: UN report details allegations of serious rights violations in country's southeast
Mar 11, 2017, at 04:43 am
New York, Mar 10 (Just Earth News): The UN human rights office on Friday published a report detailing allegations of massive destruction, killings and numerous other serious human rights violations committed between July 2015 and December 2016 in southeast Turkey.
With fighting near industrial sites, UN expert warns Ukrainians of chemical disaster risk
Mar 11, 2017, at 04:42 am
New York, Mar 10 (Just Earth News): Unless the fighting in eastern Ukraine is stopped and precautions are taken to secure industrial facilities in the area, the armed conflict could lead to a catastrophic chemical disaster, an independent United Nations human rights expert on Friday warned.
South Korean President Park Geun-hye removed from office, court upholds impeachment
Mar 10, 2017, at 06:39 pm
Seoul, Mar 10 (IBNS): South Korean judges upheld the country's President Park Geun-hye's impeachment, removing her from office, the media reported on Friday.
UN announces new approach to 'stamp out' sexual exploitation and abuse
Mar 10, 2017, at 02:14 pm
New York, Mar 10 (Just Earth News): Underscoring that the United Nations should not be, in any way, associated with the vile and vicious crimes of rape, sexual violence, exploitation and abuse, Secretary-General António Guterres has outlined a new victim-centred approach to prevent and respond to such abuses committed by those serving under the UN flag.
Americas region adopts 'historic' disaster risk reduction plan at UN-backed forum in Montreal
Mar 10, 2017, at 02:13 pm
New York, Mar 10 (Just Earth News): Around 50 countries and territories of the Americas at a United Nations-supported conference in Montreal, Canada, agreed a Regional Action Plan on Thursday to better protect their citizens from the destruction caused by natural and man-made disasters.
'Holistic thinking' needed for peace, development in Lake Chad region – Deputy UN chief Mohammed
Mar 10, 2017, at 02:11 pm
New York, Mar 10 (Just Earth News): Highlighting the multifaceted nature of the crisis in Africa's Lake Chad Basin, the deputy United Nations chief underlined the need for a holistic approach that includes responding to the Boko Haram as well as closing the gap between humanitarian assistance and development interventions.
Mali: UN expert calls for stronger protection of civilians amid ongoing violence
Mar 10, 2017, at 02:10 pm
New York, Mar 10 (Just Earth News): Serious security threats in north and central Mali put local populations and humanitarian aid workers at risk, a United Nations human rights expert said on Thursday.
Burundian authorities 'shut doors' to engagement, cooperation – Security Council told
Mar 10, 2017, at 02:09 pm
New York, Mar 10 (Just Earth News): Nearly two years after the political impasse started in Burundi, national authorities are reducing their cooperation with the United Nations system which risks undermining efforts to find a peaceful resolution to the crisis and cutting assistance to a population in need, the Security Council was told on Thursday.
UN agriculture agency warns of water scarcity in North Africa and Near East
Mar 10, 2017, at 02:08 pm
New York, Mar 10 (Just Earth News): Accessible fresh water in North Africa and the Middle East has fallen by two-thirds over the past 40 years, posing a huge challenge requiring “an urgent and massive response,†the head of the United Nations agriculture agency said on Thursday.
New UN supply chain system to slash delays, save lives in large-scale health crises
Mar 10, 2017, at 02:07 pm
New York, Mar 9 (Just Earth News): In collaboration with partners and as a part of a global supply chain network, the United Nations emergency food relief agency has set about developing the first-ever information platform to better manage supply chains and efficiently match deliveries with demand in responding to large-scale health emergencies such as pandemic outbreaks.
Next intra-Syrian talks set for late March – UN envoy
Mar 10, 2017, at 02:06 pm
New York, Mar 10 (Just Earth News): The next round of the United Nations-facilitated intra-Syrian talks is expected to convene on 23 March to discuss issues related to governance, constitution, elections and counter terrorism, the UN Special Envoy for Syria has said.
-1489080843.jpg "UN chief Guterres unveils proposals to end 'scourge' of sexual exploitation and abuse")
UN chief Guterres unveils proposals to end 'scourge' of sexual exploitation and abuse
Mar 10, 2017, at 04:34 am
New York, Mar 9 (Just Earth News): Underscoring that the United Nations should not be, in any way, associated with the vile and vicious crimes of rape, sexual violence, exploitation and abuse, Secretary-General António Guterres has outlined a new victim-centred approach to prevent and respond to such abuses committed by those serving under the UN flag.
-1489080690.jpg "UN refugee agency issues renewed funding plea for Syria, as conflict enters seventh year")
UN refugee agency issues renewed funding plea for Syria, as conflict enters seventh year
Mar 10, 2017, at 04:31 am
New York, Mar 9 (Just Earth News): Unless drastic measures are taken to share up peace and security in Syria, the situation – which marks its sixth anniversary next week – will worsen, the United Nations refugee agency today said urging the international community to redouble its support for the 13.5 million people in need of aid.
Fire in Guatemala children's home leaves 22 dead
Mar 09, 2017, at 07:32 pm
Guatemala City, Mar 9 (IBNS): Fire at a government-run shelter in Guatemala killed 22 girls while dozens are being treated for burns, according to media reports on Thursday.
Viet Nam: UN experts urge Government to release blogger ‘Mother Mushroom’
Mar 09, 2017, at 02:33 pm
New York, Mar 9 (Just Earth News): A group of UN human rights experts has urged the Government of Viet Nam to immediately release a popular blogger, known as Mother Mushroom, who has been detained since October last year.
UN experts call for sensitive and timely response to online gender-based abuse
Mar 09, 2017, at 02:29 pm
New York, Mar 9 (Just Earth News): Urgent attention, creativity and cooperation are needed to address online gender-based abuse, but authorities should be careful to avoid curtailing freedom of expression in doing so, two United Nations human rights experts said on Wednesday.