Afghanistan: UN condemns attack targeting civilians at a mosque
New York, Jul 15 (IBNS): Offering deep condolences to the victims’ families and a speedy recovery for those injured in the latest attack in Afghanistan targeting civilians, the top United Nations official in the country, Nicholas Haysom, condemned the attack, which targeted people gathered for Iftar at the Grand Mosque in Pul-e-Khomri, in the northern Baghlan province.
Ukraine: UNICEF appeals to restore damaged water facilities for 1.3 million people
New York, Jul 15 (IBNS): With only 60 per cent of the pre-conflict water supply capacities still functioning in Ukraine, some 1.3 million people are struggling to cope with a “serious water crisis†because of damaged or destroyed water lines, forcing many families to travel with buckets to working wells in neighbouring villages, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) warned on Tuesday.
Abeyi: Security Council extends UN peacekeeping force through Dec 2015
New York, Jul 15 (IBNS): The United Nations Security Council has extended the mandate of the Organization’s interim peacekeeping force in Abyei – a resource-rich area contested by Sudan and South Sudan – as part of ongoing efforts to maintain peace and protect civilians in the disputed territory.
DR Congo mission's success hinges on ‘partnership’ with Government: Security Council
New York, Jul 15 (IBNS): The capacity of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) to fulfil its mandate rests on “persistent engagement†with the authorities, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and head of the Mission, Martin Kobler, told the Security Council on Tuesday.
Government, UN and donors examine organization’s work in Afghanistan
New York, Jul 15 (IBNS): The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), senior Afghan Government officials and representatives from the international donor community have gathered on Tuesday in Kabul for the first of three meetings aimed at examining the role of UN entities in the country.
UN chief condemns twin suicide bombings in Cameroon
New York, July 14 (IBNS) United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has strongly condemned the twin suicide bombings that targeted the city of Fotokol in the north of Cameroon on 12 July.
Ban urges South Sudan leaders to 'give up war' and forge a political agreement
New York, July 14 (IBNS) Just days after marking the somber fourth anniversary of South Sudan’s independence, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Mondayurged the leaders of the country to end hostilities and to move beyond their “partial interests†and show courage and leadership.
Central African Republic: UN concerned by decision of authorities to deny refugees vote
New York, July 14 (IBNS) United Nations agencies voiced concern on Mondayabout the decision of Central African Republic authorities to deny refugees from the country the right to participate to the presidential election set for this fall.
Ban welcomes announcement of new measures to de-escalate recent violence in Colombia
New York, July 14 (IBNS) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has welcomed yesterday’s announcements that the Colombian Government and the FARC-EP plan to institute new measures in de-escalating the fighting in the country and accelerate negotiations towards a peace agreement, the United Nations has confirmed.
Widespread human rights violations being committed by all parties in Iraq: UN report
New York, July 14 (IBNS) The ongoing conflict in Iraq continues to exact a “terrible†and deadly toll on the country’s civilians, particularly in the areas still under control by the so-called Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), according to a new report released on Mondayby the United Nations.
Paris mall siege: 18 people evacuated from mall
Paris, July 13 (IBNS) Police have evacuated 18 people from a shopping mall in France capital Paris where gunmen entered on Monday, media reports said.
Ahead of Yemen ceasefire, UNICEF sounds alarm about impact of crisis on children
New York, July 11 (IBNS) Yemen's humanitarian crisis has reached a new low amid disintegrating health services and the spread of infectious disease among children, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) confirmed on Friday just hours before a ceasefire aimed at facilitating the delivery of critical relief is slated to begin.
With some 1,000 refugees arriving daily, Greek islands under 'severe strain,' warns UN agency
New York, July 11 (IBNS) Close to 1,000 refugees are now arriving on the Greek islands every day, creating an unprecedented emergency for Greece and other countries, the UN refugee agency warned on Friday.
Burundi: UN rights office warns about consequences of country's 'extremely tense' situation
New York, July 11 (IBNS) One day after United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein alerted the Security Council about the seriousness of the electoral crisis in Burundi, his Office on Friday issued a new warning about the impact the "extremely tense situation" there could have on the stability and the development of Central Africa.
Marking World Day, UN spotlights plight of vulnerable populations in emergencies
New York, July 11 (IBNS) The United Nations plans to raise awareness of the needs of women and girls in emergencies on World Population Day 2015 with campaigns including an outdoor event in the Kazakh capital of Almaty and a panel discussion in the Thai capital of Bangkok on this year's theme 'vulnerable populations in emergencies.'