With 1 human in every 113 affected, forced displacement hits record high: UNHCR
Jun 21, 2016, at 03:37 am
New York, June 20(Just Earth News): Conflict and persecution caused global forced displacement to escalate sharply in 2015, reaching the highest level ever recorded and representing immense human suffering, according to a report released today by UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency.
Jun 18, 2016, at 12:29 pm
New York, June 18 (Just Earth News):A senior United Nations human rights advisor has condemned the criminal attack that took place at a nightclub in Orlando, Florida, on 12 June, in which 49 people were killed and 53 injured, and expressed grave concern at the outpouring of hatred, homophobia and Islamophobia that followed the incident, which targeted the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community.
Jun 18, 2016, at 12:25 pm
New York, June 18 (Just Earth News):The United Nations health agency on Friday issued a revised strategic response plan for the next one and a half years to combat the transmission of the Zika virus, which has now spread to 60 countries.
With 18 million doses exhausted, global stockpile of yellow fever vaccine running low
Jun 18, 2016, at 04:44 am
New York, June 17 (Just Earth News):The global stockpile of the yellow fever vaccine may not be sufficient if simultaneous outbreaks hit the densely populated areas not covered by emergency responses, the United Nations health agency has warned, noting that by mid-June 2016, almost 18 million doses have been distributed in Angola, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and Uganda this year.
Ban expresses deep concern over the continuing political uncertainty in Haiti
Jun 17, 2016, at 12:51 pm
New York, June 17 (Just Earth News):Concerned that the prevailing uncertainty in Haiti is further compounding the numerous political and socio-economic challenges facing the country, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said that further delays in completing the electoral process can potentially affect stability in the country, as well as international support to it.
UN health agency expresses concern over disease outbreaks in besieged city of Fallujah
Jun 17, 2016, at 12:49 pm
New York, June 17 (Just Earth News):The low level of immunity coupled with poor hygiene conditions raises the risk of disease outbreaks, such as measles, in the Iraqi city of Fallujah, where more than 42,000 people have been displaced since the beginning of military operations in May. New York, June 17 (Just Earth News):The low level of immunity coupled with poor hygiene conditions raises the risk of disease outbreaks, such as measles, in the Iraqi city of Fallujah, where more than 42,000 people have been displaced since the beginning of military operations in May.
Some 13 million Yemenis need immediate help amid bleak conditions – senior UN relief official
Jun 17, 2016, at 12:48 pm
New York, June 17 (Just Earth News):The top United Nations relief official for Yemen has reported that more than 13 million Yemenis are in need of immediate life-saving assistance as a result of a bleak humanitarian situation in the country that continues to worsen.
In Russia, Ban spotlights leadership and shared input in advancing global commitments
Jun 17, 2016, at 12:43 pm
New York, June 17 (Just Earth News): Participating in the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon highlighted the importance of translating the various landmark agreements made by the international community during the past year into action as soon as possible.
UN human rights panel concludes ISIL is committing genocide against Yazidis
Jun 17, 2016, at 12:38 pm
New York, June 17 (Just Earth News):The Islamic State of Iraq and Al-Sham (ISIS) [also known as ISIL and Da'esh] is committing genocide against Yazidis that amounts to crimes against humanity and war crimes, a United Nations-mandated human rights inquiry reported on Thursday.
UN rights experts urge India to repeal law restricting civil society access to foreign funding
Jun 17, 2016, at 12:36 pm
New York, June 17 (Just Earth News):Three United Nations human rights experts on Thursday called on the Government of India to repeal a regulation that has been increasingly used to obstruct civil society's access to foreign funding.
Jun 16, 2016, at 01:06 pm
New York, June 16 (Just Earth News):Despite commitments of the international community, inconsistent levels of political will, resourcing, accountability and gender expertise often hinder the full and meaningful inclusion of women in efforts to prevent conflict, the Security Council said on Wednesday.
Security Council urges political solution to Guinea-Bissau crisis
Jun 16, 2016, at 01:04 pm
New York, June 16 (Just Earth News):Following a briefing yesterday by the head of the United Nations peacebuilding office in Guinea-Bissau, the Security Council has encouraged national actors to abide by the constitution and rule of law, while striving to find a political solution to the crisis in the country.
Colombia: UN experts urge protection of Afro-Colombian communities against elevating violence
Jun 16, 2016, at 01:01 pm
New York, June 16 (Just Earth News): Distressed over reports of violence against people of African descent in Colombia, a United Nations expert panel has called on the authorities to take concrete and urgent measures to protect the country’s Afro-Colombian communities.
Jun 16, 2016, at 12:56 pm
New York, June 16 (Just Earth News):The United Nations and its partners in Haiti have on Wednesday expressed concern that as the provisional president's agreed 120-day mandate has come to end, “no measures have been taken to ensure institutional continuity†in the island nation, where several key deadlines regarding the political transition process have been missed.
UN health agency group finds coffee poses no cancer risk; issues warning on ‘very hot’ drinks
Jun 16, 2016, at 12:50 pm
New York, June 16 (Just Earth News):An international working group of scientists convened by the World Health Organization (WHO) has concluded that coffee should no longer be considered a carcinogen, although it found limited evidence that drinking very hot beverages can cause oesophageal cancer.
UN rights office urges Libyan authorities to investigate death of 12 victims of torture
Jun 15, 2016, at 01:24 pm
New York, June 15 (Just Earth News): The UN human rights office on Tuesday urged the Libyan authorities to undertake an effective, thorough and impartial investigation to bring perpetrators of torture to justice, after 12 people were found dead last Friday.
UN health agency panel sees 'very low' risk of Zika spread from Olympics
Jun 15, 2016, at 01:22 pm
New York, June 15 (Just Earth News):An expert panel of the World Health Organization (WHO) on Tuesday concluded that while the Zika virus and its associated disorders continue to be a public health emergency of international concern, there is a “very low†risk of further international spread of the virus as a result of the upcoming Olympic Games.
New UN study identifies small fish with 'big role' to play feeding Africa's drylands
Jun 15, 2016, at 01:15 pm
New York, June 15 (Just Earth News):Small, fast growing wild fish could be crucial allies in the race to end hunger in some of the world's most chronically poor and underfed regions, according to a new report by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) on fisheries in the drylands of sub-Saharan Africa.
In wake of mass shooting, UN rights chief urges US to consider robust gun control
Jun 15, 2016, at 03:31 am
New York, June 14 (Just Earth News):In the wake of the mass killing of 49 people by a sole gunman in a gay nightclub in Florida, the United Nations human rights chief on Tuesday urged the leadership of the United States to live up to its obligations to protect its citizens from the “horrifyingly commonplace but preventable violent attacks that are the direct result of insufficient gun control.â€
Jun 14, 2016, at 12:58 pm
New York, June 14 (Just Earth News):Incidence of cholera has gone down by 90 per cent in Haiti from 2011 to last year, and the United Nations will continue to help the country tackle the root causes of the disease, such as lack of clean water and sanitation services, the deputy head of the UN mission there has said.
Jun 14, 2016, at 12:53 pm
New York, June 14 (Just Earth News):Condemning the shooting that occurred early yesterday morning in Orlando, Florida, in which 50 people were reportedly killed and dozens more were injured, United Nations officials have offered deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of those who were murdered while simply enjoying a night out with their friends at a nightclub.
On Albinism Awareness Day, Ban urges all countries to break cycle of attacks and discrimination
Jun 14, 2016, at 03:46 am
New York, June 13 (Just Earth News):United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday called on all countries to end the discrimination that threatens the well being, health and even the lives of people with albinism, and to provide programmes that will enable them to play a full part in society.
Ban condemns 'horrific attack' in Orlando, Florida
Jun 13, 2016, at 01:10 pm
New York, June 13 (Just Earth News): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon condemned an attack that occurred early this morning in Orlando, Florida, in which 50 people were killed and dozens more were injured.
Haiti: UN envoy urges political actors to maintain constructive approach ahead of National Assembly
Jun 13, 2016, at 01:08 pm
New York, June 12 (Just Earth News): The Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Haiti has urged all Haitian actors to maintain a constructive approach in the country's electoral process.
Marking World Day, UN stresses need for coherent policies to end child labour
Jun 13, 2016, at 04:20 am
New York, June 12 (Just Earth News): With some 168 million children working in various sectors globally, the fight against child labour requires coherent policy packages to support legislation focused on quality education, social protection and decent jobs for parents, the United Nations International Labour Organization (ILO) said on Sunday.
Syria: UN agencies reach families with food in the besieged town of Darayya
Jun 11, 2016, at 02:02 pm
New York, June 11 (Just Earth News):The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) on Friday announced it delivered food for the first time since 2012 to the besieged town of Darayya, a suburb of Damascus, as part of a joint UN and Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC) convoy.
UN-backed fund expands wildlife protection plan to 19 countries in Africa and Asia
Jun 11, 2016, at 01:55 pm
New York, June 11 (Just Earth News):A United Nations-backed partnership fun has approved an additional $40 million to expand its support of a global programme fighting against illegal trafficking to a total of 19 countries in Africa and Asia.
Jun 10, 2016, at 01:46 pm
New York, June 10 (Just Earth News):With the urban growth boom driving trends that will affect all aspects of sustainable development, the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT) is set to release on Thursday details of a new scientific tool that measures the rate of global urbanization, its characteristics, and the potential effect of urban sprawl on the quality of life for city dwellers.
Women in displacement sites in Nigeria’s Borno state face high risk of abuse – UN
Jun 10, 2016, at 05:17 am
New York, June 9 (Just Earth News):New assessments of the protection risks faced by the affected people living in Nigeria’s restive north-eastern Borno state have concluded that women face a high risk of abuse in displacement sites, the United Nations humanitarian wing has reported.
Iraq: funding is running out to help people fleeing Fallujah, UN relief official warns
Jun 10, 2016, at 05:16 am
New York, June 9 (Just Earth News):The United Nations humanitarian coordinator for Iraq said on Thursday she is deeply concerned by the unfolding humanitarian crisis in the besieged city of Fallujah, warning that funding is insufficient to continue to carry out the massive relief operation that is currently under way.