New York, Dec 9 (Just Earth News): Highlighting the challenges confronting the protection of millions of children, many of whom are separated from their families as they flee wars and persecution, the top United Nations refugee official on Thursday called for prompt action to stave off the risk of losing an entire generation.
UN agriculture agency to support land reforms at core of Colombia’s new peace deal
New York, Dec 9 (Just Earth News): On behalf of millions of Colombian farmers affected by the violent conflict that plagued the Latin American country for more than 50 years, a comprehensive rural reform, aimed at strengthening food security and peace, including measures which address issues of land access and restitution will be supported by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
Conflict in Ukraine continues to take civilian toll – UN human rights report
New York, Dec 9 (Just Earth News): A new United Nations report out on Thursday has confirmed that Ukrainians living close to the “contact line†– the area between Government-controlled and armed group-controlled territory in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions – not only suffer due to fighting near their homes but also face the threat of landmines and unexploded ordinance as well as have to contend with severe restrictions on movement.
UN agencies sign agreement on purchasing ‘greener’ health commodities
New York, Dec 8 (Just Earth News): The World Health Organization (WHO) has joined other United Nations and international agencies in a new agreement that will lead to more environmentally and socially sustainable procurement of health commodities.
Civil conflict and unpredictable weather cast ‘long shadow’ on food security’ in 2016 – UN
New York, Dec 8 (Just Earth News): This year, the world suffered many weather-related shocks and civil conflicts which pressured food security for many countries, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), said on Thursday in a new report, which said that while the global agricultural situation is posited to improve in 2017, some 39 countries currently need food assistance.
Libya: Security Council reaffirms full support for political agreement signed a year ago
New York, Dec 8 (Just Earth News): Expressing deep concern over the serious political polarization resulting in a deterioration of the security, economic and humanitarian situation in Libya, the Security Council on Thursday reiterated its support for the United Nations envoy for Libya, who leads efforts in facilitating implementation of the political agreement signed about a year ago.
Canada: Capt. Thomas McQueen's dead body brought to Ottawa
Toronto, Dec 8 (IBNS): A military funeral was held earlier in the day for Capt. Thomas McQueen at the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum in Hamilton in Canada's Ontario, reported CBCNews.
Toronto's Tamils mourn death of Jayalalithaa
Toronto, Dec. 8 (IBNS): Toronto's Tamil community was deeply immersed in the ocean of grief at the death of Jayalalithaa, India's 'Iron Lady' who spent 14 years as Tamil Nadu's chief minister, CBCNEWS reported.
Bangladesh: 5 suspected militants arrested
Chittagong, Dec 8 (IBNS): Bangladesh security officials on Thursday claimed to have arrested five suspected militants from Chittagong city, media reports said.
Beijing, Dec 8 (IBNS): An earthquake measuring 5.9 on the Richter Scale hit China on Thursday.
Calgary, Dec 8 (IBNS): After a video was posted on social media about a man riding a scooter down the Deerfoot trail in the midst of a snow storm because he could not afford a safer vehicle, he has received a car as a gift from autodealership AutoMaxx Calgary.
Pakistan flight tragedy: Junaid Jamshed dies
Islamabad, Dec 8 (IBNS): Singer-turned-preacher Junaid Jamshed passed away in the PIA flight PK-661 mishap that left 47 passengers killed, media reports said.
'No safe place left' for children in war-ravaged Aleppo, says senior UNICEF official
New York, Dec 8 (Just Earth News): Returning from a mission to Aleppo, a senior United Nations Children's Agency (UNICEF) official in Syria described “haunting images†of children killed by mortars and malnourishment, and said that the terrible situation “continues to plummet to even greater lows.â€
'Dangerous funding gap' may lead to more cuts in food rations for refugees in Kenya – UN
New York, Dec 8 (Just Earth News): Forced to make a new round of cuts in food rations for refugees in Kenya, the World Food Programme (WFP) has appealed urgently for nearly $14 million to feed the 434,000 refugees living in Kenya's Dadaab and Kakuma camps and in the new Kalobeyei settlement.
UN launches $2.66 billion appeal for emergency assistance in Sahel region
New York, Dec 8 (Just Earth News): The United Nations and its partner non-governmental organizations on Wednesday launched an appeal for $2.66 billion to provide emergency assistance across eight countries in the Sahel region, where “millions of people still live in conditions of deplorable human suffering.â€