'No limit' to cruelty of traffickers, says UN agency, as video surfaces of abused migrants in Libya
Jun 17, 2017, at 01:44 pm
New York, June 17(Just Earth News): Two United Nations agencies have voiced 'deep concern' for the safety of hundreds of migrants and refugees – including many children – held captive by smugglers or criminal gangs at an unknown location in Libya after videos showing their abuse was posted on Facebook.
Terrorist attacks 'major' hurdle to peace in Mali, UN mission chief tells Security Council
Jun 17, 2017, at 01:43 pm
New York, June 17(Just Earth News): Despite progress towards peace in Mali, terrorist attacks remain a major obstacle, the head of the United Nations peacekeeping operation there told the Security Council on Friday.
Ukraine: 750,000 children at risk of losing access to safe drinking water, warns UN
Jun 17, 2017, at 01:38 pm
New York, June 17(Just Earth News): With the recent escalation of hostilities damaging vital water infrastructure in eastern Ukraine, at least 750,000 children are at imminent risk of being cut off from safe drinking water, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) warned on Friday.
DR Congo: UN peacekeeping chief expresses solidarity with people of troubled Kasai region
Jun 17, 2017, at 01:37 pm
New York, June 17(Just Earth News): As part of his five-day visit to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the top United Nations peacekeeping official visited the vast country's troubled Kasai region and expressed "deep concern" about the ongoing violence there.
'BRICS' countries well place to help lead global hunger eradication charge – UN agency
Jun 17, 2017, at 04:42 am
New York, June 16(Just Earth News): As the clock ticks towards the 2030 deadline for meeting global goals to eradicate hunger and poverty, the United Nations agriculture agency on Friday asserted that five vitally important emerging economies, known collective as the 'BRICS' countries, are well positioned to take a leading role in helping the world achieve these targets.
Switzerland tops world innovation index; India and other emerging markets on the rise – UN agency
Jun 16, 2017, at 01:34 pm
New York, June 16(Just Earth News): Innovation is a key development tool that could boost economies and provide a way out of the growing squeeze on the world's food resources – one of the major challenges of the 21st century – according to a new United Nations report.
Independent UN probe reveals 'cruel and brutal nature' of human rights violations in Burundi
Jun 16, 2017, at 04:43 am
New York, June 15(Just Earth News): A United Nations-appointed panel of experts investigating human rights violations in Burundi on Thursday released the latest findings of their probe, noting that their initial fears concerning the scope and gravity of these abuses since April 2015 have been confirmed.
UN envoy strongly condemns attack on popular restaurant in Somali capital
Jun 16, 2017, at 04:42 am
New York, June 15(Just Earth News): The United Nations envoy for Somalia on Thursday strongly condemned last night's attack on a pizza restaurant and an adjacent hotel in Mogadishu that reportedly killed at least 19 people.
Jun 16, 2017, at 04:41 am
New York, June 15(Just Earth News): Many older persons are at risk of being abused by their own relatives, a United Nations human rights expert has warned, urging greater vigilance and more reporting of suspected cases, especially since many fear on the part of older persons may not speak up for fear of reprisals – or to protect family members from criminal prosecution.
Closing gender gap at work can open doors to incredible benefits, UN report shows
Jun 15, 2017, at 01:49 pm
New York, June 15(Just Earth News): Reducing gender disparities at workplaces by 25 per cent by 2025 could inject nearly $5.8 trillion into the global economy and boost tax revenues, a new report released on Wednesday by the United Nations International Labour Organization (ILO) has revealed.
Jun 15, 2017, at 01:48 pm
New York, June 15(Just Earth News): The United Nations deputy chief on Wednesday called on Member States to fund the Organization's new strategy to counter cholera in Haiti, stressing that the initiative is facing a critical shortage of resources.
In Kabul, UN chief calls for peace and compassion
Jun 15, 2017, at 01:45 pm
New York, June 15(Just Earth News): Expressing solidarity with Afghan people, in the wake of recent violence in the country, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on Wednesday underscored the Organization's full commitment to work with the Government and people of the country to build a sustainable and prosperous future for them.
Sharp increase in money migrants send home lifts millions out of poverty – UN report
Jun 15, 2017, at 01:44 pm
New York, June 15(Just Earth News): A dramatic up tic in the amount of money migrants send home to their families in developing countries is helping to lift millions out of poverty, according to a new report out on Wednesday from the United Nations International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).
UN rights chief urges dialogue among Qatar and countries involved in diplomatic dispute
Jun 15, 2017, at 01:43 pm
New York, June 15(Just Earth News): Voicing alarm over the possible impact on the rights of people in the wake of decision by Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Egypt and Bahrain to cut diplomatic and economic ties with Qatar, the top United Nations human rights official called on all States involved to urgently resolve the dispute.
Jun 15, 2017, at 01:41 pm
New York, June 15(Just Earth News): Raising alarm over lack of safe drinking water for hundreds of thousands of people on both sides of the so called contact line in Donetsk Oblast of eastern Ukraine since 11 June, the top United Nations relief official on Wednesday called on all parties to the conflict to abide by their obligations under international law and ensure that civilian areas and infrastructure are not targeted.
Vanuatu, UN to test drones for vaccines delivery to inaccessible communities
Jun 15, 2017, at 05:16 am
New York, June 14(Just Earth News): The Government of Vanuatu and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) are partnering to launch what may be the Pacific's first-ever trial of drones to deliver life-saving vaccines to inaccessible remote communities in the island nation.
UN aid official warns of 'disastrous consequences' of power cut in Gaza
Jun 15, 2017, at 05:13 am
New York, June 14(Just Earth News): A senior United Nations humanitarian official in the occupied Palestinian Territory warned about the disastrous consequences of a further reduction in electricity supply to the Gaza Strip on the living conditions of two million Palestinians.
Experts urge support for most marginalized persons with disabilities, as UN forum begins
Jun 14, 2017, at 01:44 pm
New York, June 14(Just Earth News): As the largest and most diverse international disability meeting in the world kicks off at the United Nations in New York, leading experts in the field are calling for greater recognition of a range of human rights and fundamental freedoms for persons with disabilities while focusing on helping the most vulnerable among them.
'Unprecedented' conference on rights of persons with disabilities gets under way at UN
Jun 14, 2017, at 01:43 pm
New York, June 14(Just Earth News): A major intergovernmental meeting got underway at the United Nations on Tuesday, bringing together a wide range of stakeholders to ensure the full implementation of a landmark treaty on the rights of persons with disabilities.
'Security vacuum' in Central Africa may be exploited by armed groups – UN envoy
Jun 14, 2017, at 01:41 pm
New York, June 14(Just Earth News): The United Nations envoy for Central Africa on Tuesday expressed his concern that the withdrawal of troops from the regional force by some contributing countries would create a security vacuum that may be exploited by an armed group.
At EXPO 2017, UN agencies highlight benefits of clean energy for all
Jun 14, 2017, at 01:40 pm
New York, June 14(Just Earth News): Showcasing the centrality of the energy sector to address global sustainable development challenges, United Nations agencies in Kazakhstan at EXPO 2017 have urged the global community for new momentum to ongoing efforts towards transition to clean energy.
Not only strong, but smart policies needed to combat terrorism – UN chief
Jun 14, 2017, at 01:39 pm
New York, June 14(Just Earth News): Efforts and policies to prevent extremism must encompass all segments of the society, in particular those who have suffered structural discrimination and marginalization, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said on Tuesday, warning that measures which fail to do so could end up effectively “driving†people into the hands of terrorists.
Protection of migrant and refugee children must be at core of new global compacts – UN agency
Jun 14, 2017, at 01:38 pm
New York, June 14(Just Earth News): Amid ongoing discussions towards the first-ever global compacts on refugees and migration, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) joined other United Nations agencies meeting in Berlin on Tuesday stressing that all parties involved in these talks must work together to address the needs of migrant children, consistent with their human rights.
Polluted environments kill 1.4 million in Europe annually; UN agencies urge stepped-up action
Jun 14, 2017, at 04:28 am
New York, June 13(Just Earth News): As some 1.4 million people in Europe and Central Asia die prematurely each year from polluted environments, United Nations agency heads at high-level meeting call for regional leaders to scale up action to stem environmental deaths and diseases.
Conflict in Ukraine enters fourth year 'with no end in sight' – UN report
Jun 14, 2017, at 04:27 am
New York, June 13(Just Earth News): Warring parties in eastern Ukraine have repeatedly failed to implement ceasefire agreements, allowing hostilities to escalate and the cumulative death toll to exceed 10,000 as the conflict entered its fourth year, a new United Nations report reveals.
Joint African action crucial to protect persons with albinism from violence, highlights UN expert
Jun 14, 2017, at 04:25 am
New York, June 13(Just Earth News): Highlighting the importance of cooperation among countries to overcome the violence and discrimination faced by persons with albinism, a United Nations rights expert has urged African nations to fully implement a regional action plan on ending attacks on persons with albinism.
Guterres expresses support for UN agency's work assisting Palestine refugees in Middle East
Jun 13, 2017, at 11:40 am
New York, June 13 (Just Earth News): Secretary-General António Guterres on Monday expressed concerns over recent public criticism of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) and the integrity of its operations, and called on all Member States to continue to support the agency in discharging its important humanitarian mandate. According to a statement issued by his spokesperson, the UN chief also expressed his support and admiration for UNRWA's role in delivering essential services and protecting the rights of millions of Palestine refugees across the Middle East. “UNRWA operates in the front lines of difficult conflict situations and provides education for half a million refugee girls and boys, teaching them human rights and tolerance. Its education and relief activities contribute critically to stability in the region,†read the statement.
Angola: Funds urgently needed as Congolese refugee influx overwhelms services, warns UN agency
Jun 13, 2017, at 05:00 am
New York, June 12(Just Earth News): As refugees fleeing violence and communal tensions in the Democratic Republic of the Congo continue to arrive in neighbouring Angola, the United Nations refugee agency has appealed for more resources to cope with the influx and to provide those coming with the support they urgently need.
UN agency chief urges world to 'step up' as refugee numbers outpace resettlement spots
Jun 13, 2017, at 04:59 am
New York, June 12(Just Earth News): Against the backdrop of increasing refugee numbers around the globe, fuelled by crisis and insecurity, and an ever widening gap in places to resettle them, the top United Nations official dealing with refugee issues has called on governments to “step up†and deliver places for refugees in line with the commitments they have made.
Protect children in conflicts and disasters from forced labour, underscores UN on World Day
Jun 13, 2017, at 04:56 am
New York, June 12(Just Earth News): Children in areas affected by conflict and disasters are among the most vulnerable, the United Nations International Labour Organization (ILO) in warning on the World Day Against Child Labour, making a strong call for an end to the scourge, especially as children trapped in crisis risk falling prey to trafficking or being forced into hazardous work.