Myanmar: UN relief official pledges support as more rains forecast

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

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

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

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

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.

Pakistan: Gunmen open fire at cops, 4 killed

Karachi, Aug 12 (IBNS) At least four policemen were killed in Pakistan's Zaman Town area as gunmen opened fire at them on Wednesday, media reports said.

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

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

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

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.

UNICEF offers support to Pakistan authorities as child abuse investigation continues

New York, Aug 12 (IBNS): The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has offered its support to Pakistani authorities as they open an investigation into emerging reports of widespread abuses against children in the country’s district of Kasur, an agency official has confirmed.

UN stresses role of geospatial data to achieve sustainable development goals

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

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'

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

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

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.”