Colombia peace accord offers chance to ‘close chapter of war once and for all’ – UN envoy
New York, Aug 3 (Just Earth News): The head of the new United Nations political mission in Colombia on Tuesday pledged the world body’s steadfast support for the full implementation of the accord reached by the Colombian Government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia - People’s Army (FARC-EP), which seeks to bring an end the longest-running conflict in the Western Hemisphere.
New York, Aug 3 (Just Earth News): Deeply disturbed by reports that five hospitals and a blood bank have been hit by airstrikes in Syria, the United Nations on Tuesday reiterated its call on all parties to the conflict to end the destruction of medical facilities and other civilian infrastructure.
In South Sudan, UN humanitarian chief calls on all parties to work together for peace
New York, Aug 3 (Just Earth News): United Nations Emergency Relief Coordinator Stephen O’Brien on Tuesday called on all actors in South Sudan, including the international community supporting the country, to work together for a peace that will enable the nation and its people to realize their hopes for a better future.
Undernutrition in Ghana takes huge human and economic toll – new UN study
New York, Aug 3 (Just Earth News): The economy of Ghana has been losing some $2.6 billion annually – or 6.4 per cent of its gross domestic product (GDP) – due to child undernutrition, according to a new United Nations study launched on Tuesday in the country’s capital, Accra.
‘If you want to protect your image, protect children,’ Ban tells debate on war-affected children
New York, Aug 3 (Just Earth News): With children continuing to be tortured, maimed, imprisoned, starved, sexually abused and killed in armed conflict, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday called on all countries to back their words with concrete actions to end such violations.
In war-torn Iraq, UNICEF Ambassador Ewan McGregor warns children face ‘unimaginable horrors’
New York, Aug 2 (Just Earth News): Just back from crisis-riven northern Iraq, were he visited refugee camps for Iraqi and Syrian families and children, actor Ewan McGregor, an Ambassador for the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has called for more action to save children suffering the devastating effects of brutal conflicts and crises.
Some 60,000 flee recent South Sudan violence, bringing exodus to 900,000 since 2013 – UN
New York, Aug 2 (Just Earth News): Some 60,000 people have fled South Sudan's recent violence in the capital city of Juba, bringing the overall number of South Sudanese refugees in neighbouring countries since December 2013 to nearly 900,000, the United Nations refugee agency said on Tuesday.
Rebels shelling kills 30 in Syria
Aleppo, Aug 2 (IBNS): At least 30 people were killed in shelling by rebels who targeted regime controlled areas of Aleppo city in Syria, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Tuesday.
South Sudan: UN Mission condemns ‘unspeakable acts’ of abuse, sexual violence
New York, Aug 2 (Just Earth News): The United Nations in South Sudan on Monday condemned unequivocally reports of widespread sexual violence, including rape and gang rape, of women and young girls, by soldiers and unidentified armed men, stressing that such acts constitute grave violations of international human rights law and may be regarded as war crimes and crimes against humanity.
In wake of renowned lawyer’s murder, UN experts urge Kenya to put an end to police impunity
New York, Aug 2 (Just Earth News): Voicing deep concern over the continuing pattern of extrajudicial executions in Kenya, United Nations human rights experts have called on the Government to halt police violence and ensure accountability for the perpetrators.
Some 25,000 people displaced by military attacks in western Aleppo – UNICEF
New York, Aug 2 (Just Earth News): About 25,000 people, including more than 12,000 children, have been displaced last night from a neighbourhood in western Aleppo City by intense military attacks initiated by armed opposition groups, a United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) official in Syria said on Monday, calling on the warring parties to do their utmost to protect all civilians.
Yemen: Focusing on local suppliers, UN agency reaches thousands more in need of food aid
New York, Aug 2 (Just Earth News): The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has recorded a nearly five-fold increase in the number to whom it has provided assistance in hard-to-reach areas across war-torn Yemen, through an innovative, locally driven voucher initiative.
UNICEF working at ‘full strength’ in north-east Nigeria, despite attack on aid convoy
New York, Aug 1 (Just Earth News): Despite an attack on a humanitarian convoy in which one of its staff members was injured, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is scaling up its response to provide assistance to thousands of conflict-affected children in Nigeria’s Borno state, which has borne the brunt of violence by Boko Haram insurgents.
UN rights chief expresses concern about Iraq's fast-tracking of executions
New York, Aug 1 (Just Earth News): The United Nations human rights chief on Monday expressed serious concern that Iraq has created a committee to accelerate implementation of death sentences.
Syria: Russian chopper shot down
Moscow/Idlib ,Aug 1 (IBNS): A Russian helicopter was shot down in Syria's Idlib province on Monday, media reports said.