Ban ‘alarmed’ by outbreak of violence in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
New York, May 12 (IBNS): Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has expressed alarm over the recent outbreak of violence in the city of Kumanovo in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and extended his condolences to the families of those killed and injured.
Nepal: UN and relief agencies race against time as monsoon season nears
New York, May 12 (IBNS): Two weeks after a devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck Nepal, emergency responders are racing against time to reach affected populations in the mountainous country's most remote regions, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has announced.
Afghanistan: UN condemns Taliban’s attack on judges and prosecutors
New York, May 12 (IBNS): The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has strongly condemned Sunday's suicide attack against a civilian bus transporting employees of the Attorney General's Office in Kabul, which killed five prosecutors, including three women prosecutors and injured 19 other civilians.
Yemen humanitarian pause ‘a lifeline’ for civilians trapped by fighting: UN official
New York, May 12 (IBNS): The top United Nations relief official on Monday welcomed the announcement of a humanitarian pause in Yemen, set to start tomorrow, as aid operations resume in the embattled country following the arrival of two World Food Programme (WFP) cargo ships in Hudaydah over the weekend carrying fuel, food, water, and nutritional supplies.
South Sudan: Heavy fighting in northeast force, UN to evacuate staff
New York, May 12 (IBNS): The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has expressed growing concern about “continuing and consistent reports†emanating from two north-eastern counties regarding a surge in kidnappings and rapes and an overall uptick in violence, which has forced the UN and other aid agencies to withdraw staff from the region.
Syria: UN resumes aid distribution to civilians displaced from Yarmouk
New York, May 12 (IBNS): The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) has resumed the provision of assistance to people displaced from Yarmouk camp in Syria, a spokesperson for the agency confirmed.
Mediterranean crisis demands ‘intensive dialogue’: Security Council
New York, May 12 (IBNS): The Mediterranean migrant crisis calls for collective action focused on the immediate need to save lives or else it will represent “a moral failure of the first order,†one that undermines international law and security, a top United Nations migration official warned on Monday.
Mothers and children need more social protection: UN labour agency
New York, May 12 (IBNS): Calling for greater “social protection†for women as the United Nations draws up a new development agenda, the International Labour Organization (ILO) has cited alarming statics, including that some 800 women die in child birth every day, only 28 per cent of employed women receive cash benefits during their maternity leave, and that child poverty is rising in 18 of 28 countries in the European Union.
Geneva: UN envoy looks forward to consultations with Syrian opposition envoy
New York, May 12 (IBNS): The United Nations envoy on the Syria crisis has noted recent decisions taken by the National Coalition of the Syrian Revolution and Opposition Forces (SOC) and is looking forward to the arrival of the National Coalition's Envoy in Geneva, where UN facilitated consultations are taking place.
Ebola: Expert panel urges ‘unified entity’ within WHO for emergency response
New York, May 12 (IBNS): Independent experts tasked to assess the World Health Organization’s (WHO) response to the Ebola outbreak in West Africa on Monday said “at present, WHO does not have the operational capacity or culture to deliver a full emergency public health response†and urged investments by its member States to make it fit for purpose.
UN mission in Darfur ‘concerned’ by escalating tensions between tribes
New York, May 12 (IBNS): Following recent escalation in tensions between the Rezeigat and Ma’alia tribes, the joint United Nations-African Union Mission in Darfur on Monday expressed serious concern about the possible implications and encouraged the leaders and members of both groups to exercise maximum restraint, engage in meaningful dialogue to resolve their dispute.
Ban welcomes Central Africa's peace pact as reflection of people’s aspirations
New York, May 12 (IBNS): Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has congratulated the people of the Central African Republic (CAR) for the adoption of a peace pact that reflects on their aspirations to put the conflict behind them once and for all and to build a more peaceful and democratic country.
Paraguay: UN deplores Government’s failure to protect 10-yr-old rape survivor
New York, May 12 (IBNS): The Government of Paraguay has failed in its responsibility to protect a 10-year old sexual abuse survivor and provide her with critical and timely treatments, including a “safe and therapeutic†abortion, a group of United Nations experts said on Monday.
In phone call with Ukraine's Prez, Ban discusses country’s ongoing crisis
New York, May 12 (IBNS): Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has spoken with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko and briefed him on his recent discussions in Moscow, a United Nations spokesperson confirmed on Monday.
UN mission in Libya condemns deadly attack on Turkish ship
New York, May 12 (IBNS): The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) has on Monday condemned an attack against a Turkish vessel off the Libyan coast which caused the death of one sailor and injuries to others.