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Global perspective, human stories
Updated: 4 weeks 57 min ago

Nigeria’s humanitarian crisis ‘can no longer be ignored,’ UN says, launching $1 billion appeal

Fri, 02/12/2016 - 19:12
With the scale of human suffering in north-eastern Nigeria becoming clearer as the Government has pushed Boko Haram insurgents from more and more areas, the United Nations today launched a $1 billion funding appeal to address the needs of those in crisis, and announced that nearly 75 partner agencies are on standby to respond where areas are accessible.

On International Day, UN spotlights need to combat forced labour, particularly of children

Fri, 02/12/2016 - 18:50
Noting that the number of children engaged in the worst forms of child labour has decreased and frameworks to tackle contemporary slavery and trafficking have expanded, senior United Nations officials, including the Secretary-General and the head of the UN labour agency, today called for concerted action to save those who remain trapped in extreme exploitation, abuse and violence, including sexual and gender-based violence.

Already overstretched, aid agencies in Somalia need more resources to tackle severe drought – UN

Fri, 02/12/2016 - 17:56
The United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia, Peter de Clercq, appealed today for an urgent scale-up in humanitarian assistance, with relief agencies already overstretched as the country faces severe drought conditions, including food and water shortages.

Syria: UN refugee agency spotlights growing shelter needs as thousands flee Aleppo violence

Fri, 02/12/2016 - 17:28
While reiterating its extreme concern about the civilian population in Syria’s war-battered Aleppo, the United Nations refugee agency today said it is also focusing on the rapidly growing shelter needs for thousands of people fleeing the city’s eastern neighbourhoods.

UN chief commends peaceful polls in Gambia, congratulates President-elect Adama Barrow

Fri, 02/12/2016 - 06:00
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today commended the people of Gambia for the peaceful and orderly manner in which yesterday&#39s presidential election was held and congratulated President-elect Adama Barrow.

Maldives: Concerned by 'increasing polarization, Ban calls for parties to work toward inclusive dialogue

Fri, 02/12/2016 - 06:00
Concerned by the increasing polarization in the Maldives, which has made dialogue among the Government and political parties increasingly difficult, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has encouraged all concerned to work toward an inclusive dialogue.

UN welcomes ratification of new peace accord in Colombia

Fri, 02/12/2016 - 06:00
Welcoming the Colombian parliament&#39s ratification of the new Final Peace Agreement between the Government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia-People&#39s Army, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the Security Council have expressed hope for its swift implementation for the benefit of all Colombians.

Syria: With winter closing in, UN envoys highlight humanitarian urgency of situation in Aleppo

Fri, 02/12/2016 - 00:07
With the humanitarian crisis in Syria’s devastated city of Aleppo deteriorating by the day, the United Nations Special Envoy for the country appealed for a pause in fighting so that much needed relief can reach the city’s population and those with urgent medical emergencies can be evacuated.

Nicaragua’s ‘Dry Corridor’ to benefit from UN-backed sustainable agriculture project

Wed, 30/11/2016 - 00:40
About 30,000 families in 58 municipalities in Nicaragua’s ‘Dry Corridor,’ the area of the country most affected by droughts and climate change, are expected to benefit from a financial agreement between the United Nations International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and Nicaragua to boost sustainable agricultural production.

Ghana: Ban urges President, opposition leader to defuse tensions ahead of upcoming elections

Wed, 30/11/2016 - 00:05
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today urged Ghana’s President and the opposition leader to continue their role in defusing tensions towards the holding of peaceful and credible elections in the African country.

Formation of Houthi government ‘complicates search for peaceful solution’ to Yemen crisis – UN envoy

Tue, 29/11/2016 - 23:53
Describing the recent announcement by Ansar Allah and the General People’s Congress of the creation of a new Government as “a new and unnecessary obstacle” to peace in Yemen, the United Nations envoy for the country today urged the parties “to re-think their approach and demonstrate their commitment to the peace process with concrete actions.”

Bulgaria: UN concerned at calls for expulsions following tensions at overcrowded reception centre

Tue, 29/11/2016 - 23:19
The United Nations refugee agency today voiced concerns over calls for expulsion, on national security grounds, of asylum-seekers after a protest at Bulgaria’s largest and most overcrowded reception centre.

Fleeing violence in Horn of Africa, asylum-seekers find little safety in Yemen – UN refugee agency

Tue, 29/11/2016 - 23:02
Highlighting a dramatic increase in sea crossings by migrants and refugees from the Horn of Africa to Yemen – which itself is reeling under a deteriorating humanitarian crisis, the United Nations refugee agency today called for urgent steps to deter and save people from the deadly risks they are taking.

UN health agency issues new guidelines on HIV self-testing

Tue, 29/11/2016 - 22:52
Ahead of World AIDS Day, marked annually on 1 December, the United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) has released new guidelines on HIV self-testing, which aim to help millions of people know their HIV status and get treatment.

With Burundi at ‘dangerous junction,’ UN experts call on Government to protect citizens against violence

Tue, 29/11/2016 - 20:10
Denouncing reports of open intimidation from armed militia against citizens of Burundi, the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) has called upon the Government to take immediate effective action to protect its people.

Myanmar: UN rights chief warns of ‘spiral of violence’ in Rakhine state

Tue, 29/11/2016 - 18:43
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) today expressed alarm over reports of serious rights violations in Myanmar’s northern Rakhine state that cite allegations of extrajudicial killings, arbitrary arrests and sexual violence, and a renewed spike in hate speech – including on social media.

Amid battle for Mosul, ISIL forcing civilians ‘squarely in harm’s way,’ UN rights wing warns

Tue, 29/11/2016 - 18:13
As the Iraqi military intensifies its operations to wrest Mosul from terrorists, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) today warned that it continues to receive reports of “serious breaches” of international human rights and humanitarian law by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Da’esh) in and around the war-torn city.

‘Urgent steps’ needed to revive two-state solution, Ban says on Day of Solidarity with Palestinian people

Tue, 29/11/2016 - 17:52
Marking the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called on the world to reaffirm commitment to upholding the rights of the Palestinian people and working to build a future of peace, justice, security and dignity for Palestinians and Israelis alike.

Syria: Amid ‘chilling’ situation in Aleppo, 16,000 flee intense fighting, UN aid chief warns

Tue, 29/11/2016 - 17:25
Citing preliminary reports that that up to 16,000 people have fled fighting in the eastern neighbourhoods of Syria’s Aleppo city over the past few days, the United Nations humanitarian chief today warned that thousands more will have no choice but to flee should the attacks spread and escalate over the coming days.

Ban voices deep concerns over renewed violence in the Central African Republic

Tue, 29/11/2016 - 06:00
Expressing deep concerns over last week&#39s renewed violence in the Central African Republic that has reportedly claimed dozens of lives and displaced more than 11,000 persons &#8211 many civilians &#8211 United Nations Secretary-General has called on the armed groups to immediately and to &#8220genuinely&#8221 commit to peace.

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