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.

Security Council calls on Guinea-Bissau’s leadership to resume dialogue

Aug 13, 2015, at 01:56 pm

New York, Aug 13 (IBNS): The United Nations Security Council on Wednesday called on all of Guinea-Bissau’s political leadership to resume dialogue in order to work together in the governance of the country as it emerges from previous periods of instability.

Central Africa: UN releases funds for humanitarian aid amid ongoing crisis

Aug 12, 2015, at 02:12 pm

New York, Aug 12 (IBNS): The United Nations has allocated over $13 million dollars for the immediate distribution of life-saving assistance targeting those affected by the ongoing violence in the Central African Republic (CAR), the Organization's relief arm reported on Tuesday.

Yemen: UN expert warns of deliberate starvation of civilians

Aug 12, 2015, at 02:10 pm

New York, Aug 12 (IBNS): As Yemen plunges deeper into conflict, which has left millions in need of humanitarian aid and wrecked healthcare systems, the country now finds itself in the midst of a major food crisis, a United Nations expert said on Tuesday as she expressed concern over possibly deliberate starvation of civilians.

World must invest in new sustainable development agenda: UN official

Aug 12, 2015, at 02:08 pm

New York, Aug 12 (IBNS): It is vital that countries make the necessary investments to carry out the new sustainable development agenda that will be formally adopted next month, says a senior United Nations official, warning that the world can ill afford the costs of not doing so.

UN stresses role of geospatial data to achieve sustainable development goals

Aug 12, 2015, at 02:05 pm

New York, Aug 12 (IBNS): Geographic information about people and the planet is critical to making better decisions and using resources more wisely, and will be vital to achieving the new Sustainable Development Goals that countries have recently agreed on, according to a United Nations expert on the issue.

With political will, Libyan parties can reach settlement by month’s end: UN envoy

Aug 12, 2015, at 02:04 pm

New York, Aug 12 (IBNS): With Libya’s disparate factions starting to coalesce around United Nations-backed proposals on a comprehensive settlement and a unity government, UN special envoy Bernardino León previewed the latest round of talks opening in Geneva on Tuesday, telling reporters that with political will, the parties could wrap up “this very difficult process” with an agreement by the end of August.

Central Africa: Ban 'dismayed' by allegations of abuse by UN 'blue helmets'

Aug 12, 2015, at 02:02 pm

New York, Aug 12 (IBNS): Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has expressed his consternation regarding a number of allegations concerning the conduct of United Nations peacekeepers deployed to the Central African Republic (CAR), a spokesperson for the Organization has confirmed.

Mali: UN alarmed at release of human rights abusers

Aug 12, 2015, at 02:00 pm

New York, Aug 12 (IBNS): The United Nations human rights office expressed deep concern over the reported release of detainees in Mali suspected of involvement in, or formally charged with, serious abuses, including war crimes, terrorist acts and gross human rights violations.

UN rights expert tells 'free voices are vital partners' after Myanmar visit

Aug 12, 2015, at 01:59 pm

New York, Aug 12 (IBNS): Expressing concern over curbs to free expression and possible voter disenfranchisement in Myanmar ahead of upcoming elections in November, a United Nations human rights expert on Tuesday urged the Government to “reconsider its fear and opposition to critical and independent voices,” which are “partners” not “threats.”

Israeli settlement expansion cause of violence in Palestinian territories: UN experts

Aug 11, 2015, at 02:49 pm

New York, Aug 11 (IBNS): A United Nations human rights committee has completed its annual evaluation of the situation affecting millions of people living in the Occupied Palestinian Territories and has cited Israel's policy of settlement expansion as a primary driver of the escalating violence in the area.

Iraq: UN agency forced to cut critical food aid amid funding shortfall

Aug 11, 2015, at 02:45 pm

New York, Aug 11 (IBNS): A severe funding shortfall in Iraq is pushing the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) to cut the amount of aid it delivers to nearly one million displaced people in the war-torn country, the Organization has confirmed.

UN chief says education remains 'passport to dignity' for Gaza's children

Aug 11, 2015, at 02:34 pm

New York, Aug 11 (IBNS): Access to education can provide Gaza’s children with a "passport to dignity" and help break the cycle of poverty and violence that has afflicted the troubled enclave for decades, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Monday.

Ban condemns series of terrorist attacks in Turkey

Aug 11, 2015, at 02:21 pm

New York, Aug 11 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has condemned Monday’s series of terrorist attacks in Turkey, including on the security forces, both in Istanbul and in the south-east provinces, as well as on the United States Consulate in Istanbul.

Ban urges better healthcare for world's indigenous peoples

Aug 11, 2015, at 02:17 pm

New York, Aug 11 (IBNS): Indigenous peoples must not be left out of the global community’s unfolding sustainable development agenda, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon affirmed on Monday as he marked the 2015 edition of the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples with a focus on their lagging access to health care services around the world.

UN chief voices concern over tensions on Korean Peninsula

Aug 11, 2015, at 02:13 pm

New York, Aug 11 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has voiced concern over reports that the Korean People’s Army has placed new land mines in the southern half of the Demilitarized Zone in the Korean Peninsula, a spokesperson for the Organization has confirmed.