KENYAN POST-ELECTION VIOLENCE DISPLACES OVER 100,000 CHILDREN - UNICEF

KENYAN POST-ELECTION VIOLENCE DISPLACES OVER 100,000 CHILDREN – UNICEF New York, Jan 17 2008 6:00PM The United Nations Children's Fund (<"http://www.unicef.org/media/media_42441.html">UNICEF) estimates that at least 100,000 children have been forced to flee their homes due to the wave of violence that swept through Kenya following last month's disputed elections.

The agency said that as many as 75,000 children are now residing in over 100 camps for internally displaced persons (IDPs), while many thousands more children are believed to be living temporarily with other family members.

Almost 600 people have lost their lives and some 255,000 others displaced during the crisis which began after President Mwai Kibaki was declared the winner over opposition leader Raila Odinga in the country's polls late last December.

UNICEF has prioritized the provision of life-saving interventions – including water, sanitation, shelter and nutrition – as well as the protection of children and facilitating their return to school.

In the largest camps in the capital Nairobi and the western towns of Nakuru and Eldoret, the agency has established water and sanitation facilities by providing temporary latrines, water storage tanks, buckets and chlorine. This is expected to help 50,000 people.

Also in Kisumu and Eldoret, UNICEF is sending emergency health supplies to benefit more than 100,000 people.

It is assisting Kenya's Ministry of Health to operate screening centres in camps to identify and treat malnourished children. An emergency polio and measles vaccination programme, de-worming and vitamin A distribution are also underway.

Despite the re-opening of schools, the agency reported that far fewer pupils are attending. It has set up over 30 classroom tents and supplied school-in-a-box kits.

Recreation supplies to cover 7,000 children in camps in Nairobi, Nakuru and Eldoret have been dispatched, while UNICEF expects to send more kits to other badly-hit communities.

Child protection poses great challenges, and the agency has partnered with local non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to create systems to report abuses and identify at-risk children, with priority being given to reuniting families, establishing safe play areas and protecting girls and women from violence.

Approximately 1,500 treatment kits to prevent HIV infection as a result of rape have been dispatched to Eldoret and other areas.

Yesterday, the UN launched a $42 million appeal to supply food, water, shelter and other priority needs to some 500,000 people over the next six months.

The Kenya Emergency Humanitarian Response Plan 2008 includes dozens of projects to be carried out in the coming months to provide key services and supplies which have been identified by 22 aid partners, among them the UN and NGOs, with the participation of the Kenyan Government.
2008-01-17 00:00:00.000

________________

For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news

To change your profile or unsubscribe go to:
http://www.un.org/news/dh/latest/subscribe.shtml

SUDAN RELEASES EIGHT DARFUR REBELS INTO UN CUSTODY

SUDAN RELEASES EIGHT DARFUR REBELS INTO UN CUSTODY New York, Jan 17 2008 6:00PM The Sudanese Government today released eight rebel detainees to the newly-deployed United Nations-African Union (AU) hybrid peacekeeping force, known as UNAMID, which is seeking to bring peace to the war-ravaged Darfur region.

The eight members of the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) were released in El Fasher in North Darfur, into the custody of <"http://www.un.org/Depts/dpko/missions/unamid/index.html">UNAMID Force Commander General Martin Luther Agwai in his capacity as Chairman of the Ceasefire Commission (CFC).

"This is evidence of a change of heart by the Government, and I hope that it is the beginning of a new way of doing things in Darfur," said General Mohammed Bashir of JEM, calling today's release "a new way to settle differences and a new beginning for all parties, who should now understand that there is no military solution to the conflict in Darfur."

The release of the detainees was witnessed by Rodolphe Adada, who serves as the head of the mission and also as UN/AU Joint Special Representative.

Both General Agwai and Mr. Adada worked closely with the Government to secure the release of the JEM members into UNAMID custody.

According to Sudanese officials, the eight were arrested for passing on information regarding Government troop movements to JEM. Six of them were JEM representatives to the CFC and were arrested on 29 December in El Fasher. One person was arrested earlier in Kulbus, and another belonged to the JEM Collective Leadership Faction and was detained several days ago in El Fasher.

During the handover, General Agwai and Sudanese Major-General Imad Ad Diin Mustafa Adawi noted the good relationship that exists between UNAMID and the Government, but emphasized the importance of bolstering their cooperation.

Major-General Adawi stressed that the Government's release of the JEM members should be viewed as a gesture of goodwill, urging that Government soldiers captured in West Darfur should be let go in return.

For his part, Mr. Adada pledged to help in any way possible to assist in the release of these Sudanese forces.

In a related development, negotiations for the so-called Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) for UNAMID continued in Khartoum today between senior UN and Government officials.

According to the mission, the talks on the Agreement have been proceeding smoothly and constructively since they began earlier this week.

Also today, the UN and AU Special Envoys for Darfur, Jan Eliasson and Salim Ahmed Salim, completed a three-day visit to Darfur with a meeting with representatives of Abdul Wahid's faction of the Sudan Liberation Army (SLA). They travel onward to Juba tomorrow.
2008-01-17 00:00:00.000

________________

For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news

To change your profile or unsubscribe go to:
http://www.un.org/news/dh/latest/subscribe.shtml

MAJOR NEW INITIATIVES TO PROMOTE TOLERANCE LAUNCHED AT UN-BACKED FORUM

MAJOR NEW INITIATIVES TO PROMOTE TOLERANCE LAUNCHED AT UN-BACKED FORUM New York, Jan 17 2008 5:00PM Projects aimed at promoting understanding among cultures in the areas of media and youth were among the key initiatives launched at the United Nations-backed Alliance of Civilizations Forum, which just concluded in Madrid.

The two-day meeting in the Spanish capital brought together political leaders, the media, corporate and film industry executives, and grassroots and civil society leaders to promote the global campaign launched by the UN in 2005 to help overcome prejudices between nations, cultures and religions.

Among the initiatives announced at the Forum, which began on Tuesday, is a $100 million investment by Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser-el-Missned in a global youth employment initiative that brings together Governments and major multinational corporations.

The Forum also saw the launch of a multi-million dollar Alliance of Civilizations Media Fund, which will support the production and distribution of films that not only entertain but also combat stereotypes and promote understanding.

Other initiatives announced include an Alliance of Civilizations clearinghouse related to media literacy education and the establishment of a Youth Solidarity Fund aimed at providing grants to support youth-led programmes in the areas of intercultural and interfaith dialogue.

In his <"http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2008/sgsm11373.doc.htm">address to the Forum, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said the Alliance is "an important way to counter extremism and heal the divisions that threaten our world.

"Never in our lifetime has there been a more desperate need for constructive and committed dialogue, among individuals, among communities, among cultures, among and between nations," he told participants.

The Forum was opened by Mr. Ban, along with Spanish Prime Minister Jose Rodriguez Zapatero, Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Recep Erdogan, and Mr. Ban's High Representative for the Alliance and former President of Portugal, Jorge Sampaio.
2008-01-17 00:00:00.000

________________

For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news

To change your profile or unsubscribe go to:
http://www.un.org/news/dh/latest/subscribe.shtml

UN ENVOY'S RETURN TO MYANMAR COULD SPUR FURTHER PROGRESS, SAYS SECURITY COUNCIL

UN ENVOY'S RETURN TO MYANMAR COULD SPUR FURTHER PROGRESS, SAYS SECURITY COUNCIL New York, Jan 17 2008 3:00PM Disappointed with the slow pace of change in Myanmar, the Security Council today said an early return to the country by United Nations special envoy Ibrahim Gambari could help promote progress towards democratization and national reconciliation.

Mr. Gambari, who has a standing invitation to return to Myanmar, had requested to go there this month. However, the Government has said it prefers he visit in mid-April.

In a <"http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2008/sc9228.doc.htm">statement read out to the press by Ambassador Giadalla Ettalhi of Libya, which holds the rotating presidency for January, the 15-member body "regretted the slow rate of progress so far" towards meeting the objectives laid out in a presidential statement issued by the Council last October.

They include steps by the Government for a "genuine dialogue" with detained opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi and all concerned to achieve an inclusive national reconciliation process, and the release of all political prisoners and remaining detainees.

"Council members underscored the importance of further progress, noting that an early visit to Myanmar by Mr. Gambari could help facilitate this," the statement added.

Speaking to reporters following the Council's discussions, Mr. Gambari said that while the date of his return is still under discussion, "in view of [the] many issues left on the table, the earlier a visit occurs the better."

He said the Myanmar authorities need to move toward tangible progress on the constitution, freedom for all political prisoners, and addressing the root causes of discontent among the population.

Mr. Gambari, who has visited Myanmar twice since the Government used force to crack down on peaceful protesters in the summer of 2007, intends to visit India and China later this month.

He noted that while countries in the region have placed on record their support for the good offices role of the Secretary-General on the issue of Myanmar, "there is still more that everybody can do."

All those who have a role to play, both inside the country and outside, should be given the chance to do so in the interest of moving toward "a peaceful, prosperous but democratic Myanmar with full respect for the human rights of its people," he stated.
2008-01-17 00:00:00.000

________________

For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news

To change your profile or unsubscribe go to:
http://www.un.org/news/dh/latest/subscribe.shtml

ATTACKS IN IRAQ DECREASE BUT INSUFFICIENT PROGRESS ON POLITICAL FRONT, UN REPORTS

ATTACKS IN IRAQ DECREASE BUT INSUFFICIENT PROGRESS ON POLITICAL FRONT, UN REPORTS New York, Jan 16 2008 3:00PM Although attacks in Iraq have decreased, insecurity continues to severely limit the activities of the United Nations mission there, while the political situation has not improved as much as had been hoped, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says in a new report.

"Indiscriminate and targeted violence continued to claim civilian victims," Mr. Ban tells the Security Council in his latest <"http://www.un.org/Docs/journal/asp/ws.asp?m=s/2008/19">report on the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (<"http://www.uniraq.org/">UNAMI), covering the three months ending in December.

"Professionals, including journalists, lawyers, medical and educational staff and public administrators, as well as members of minority groups and women, continued to be targeted by various criminal groups," he writes.

While welcoming the reduction in the overall number of attacks – from a daily average of 200 in July and August to about 90 in the past three months – Mr. Ban notes that continued improvement depends on the engagement of the Iraqi Security Forces, the United States-led multinational force, the extension of a ceasefire by the Shiite Mahdi Army and developments relating to the Sunni "awakening councils" fighting extremists.

"However, mass casualty attacks on civilians, such as the triple car bombing in Amarah on 12 December and the series of attacks at the end of December are a sobering reminder that those using terrorism in pursuit of their political aims have no regard for human rights or human life," he warns.

In order to sustain recent improvements in security, Mr. Ban stresses the need for similar movement in the political arena, which he finds wanting. "To date, the political process has not shown the degree of progress that many had hoped for," he says, citing the continued stalemate in filling vacant Cabinet posts and lack of consensus in passing key legislation.

He pledges UNAMI's continued good office in encouraging Iraq's leaders to engage on core political disagreements. "I remain hopeful that this will result in a successful conclusion to the constitutional review process," he adds.

He cites as "perhaps the most encouraging development" the readiness recently shown by the central authorities in Baghdad and the leaders of the Kurdish region to cooperate together with UN Special Representative Staffan de Mistura to avoid further violence over the delay in a referendum over the city of Kirkuk and disputed internal boundaries.

On UNAMI's operational abilities Mr. Ban notes that while fire aimed at the international zone in Baghdad declined significantly, the security situation continues to severely limit daily activities, with personnel obliged to comply with curfews and curbs on movement.

He calls on Member States to provide an aircraft equipped with appropriate countermeasures for movement of UN staff into, out of and within Iraq. "This capability is considered critical for operational purposes," he says, also urging countries that have not yet done so to contribute funds for UNAMI's security and logistical needs.

He also notes that the Mission recently sent a team to establish a presence in Basra in the south and will also expand its office in Arbil, in the Kurdish region, to assist displaced persons, to help resurrect electricity networks, construct primary health centres and carry out polio immunizations. Meanwhile, the UN World Food Programme (<"http://www.wfp.org/english/">WFP) will work with the Central Government to feed 750,000 displaced people over the next 12 months.

On human rights, Mr. Ban notes continued reports implicating private security companies in the killing of civilians or bystanders, allegedly in self-defence. He also cites the prolonged detention of prisoners without judicial oversight and with limited or no access to legal counsel.
2008-01-16 00:00:00.000

________________

For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news

To change your profile or unsubscribe go to:
http://www.un.org/news/dh/latest/subscribe.shtml

UN APPEALS FOR $42 MILLION TO HELP 500,000 CRISIS-AFFECTED KENYANS

UN APPEALS FOR $42 MILLION TO HELP 500,000 CRISIS-AFFECTED KENYANS New York, Jan 16 2008 3:00PM In the aftermath of the violence that tore through Kenya following last month's elections, the United Nations has asked for $42 million to provide some 500,000 people with food, water, shelter and other priority needs over the next six months.

The Kenya Emergency Humanitarian Response Plan 2008, presented today, includes some 63 projects to be carried out in the coming months to provide key services and supplies which have been identified by 22 aid partners, among them the UN and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), with the participation of the Kenyan Government.

The single largest part of the funds requested is $10 million for food aid, followed by emergency shelter, early-recovery projects and protection of civilians, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs said at the launch of the appeal in New York.

"This is to a large extent a protection-of-civilians crisis," said John Holmes, who is also UN Emergency Relief Coordinator, adding that "what we're talking about here is not physical protection."

Mr. Holmes said protection issues include treating those who have been traumatized by the violence, particularly children, and gaining an accurate picture of the displaced.

Also included are documenting, treating the victims of and preventing gender-based violence, he added, noting that sexual violence was a "very unfortunate but prominent feature" of what has happened in the aftermath of the elections.

Nearly 600 people have been killed and some 255,000 displaced during the crisis which began after President Mwai Kibaki was declared the winner over opposition leader Raila Odinga in the country's recent polls. Another 6,100 Kenyans have fled to neighbouring Uganda.

"What we want is a return to normality, a political solution as soon as possible, and also every effort by all leaders to prevent violence, to extend protection to civilians and to stop any kind of downward spiral into ethnic violence," Mr. Holmes said.

The Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS) estimates that up to 500,000 people may be affected by the post-electoral violence, in which the western provinces of Rift Valley, Nyanza and Western, as well as the slum areas of the capital, Nairobi, have been impacted the most.

The crisis continues today, with the start of three days of opposition rallies. The UN Country Team reports that the capital Nairobi, the western towns of Kisumu and Eldoret and towns along the Kenyan coast, including Mombasa, are all now theatres of clashes between security forces and youth gangs, UN spokesperson Michele Montas told reporters.

Since the crisis broke out, UN agencies having been assisting those affected, along with the Kenya Red Cross Society, national and international NGOs and faith-based groups.

Assistance from the UN World Food Programme (<"http://www.wfp.org/english/?n=320">WFP) has so far reached almost 228,000 people, while the UN refugee agency (<"http://www.unhcr.org/cgi-bin/texis/vtx/home">UNHCR) has distributed family kits and continues to monitor the protection needs of the displaced. In addition, the UN Children's Fund (<"http://www.unicef.org/media/media_42441.html">UNICEF) has provided medical, nutrition, water and sanitation and other supplies amounting to more than $650,000.

Last week, the UN authorized $7 million from its Central Emergency Response Fund (<"http://www.unfoundation.org/cerf/index.asp">CERF) to support immediate relief activities included in the Kenya Response Plan. As a result, the current funding requirements stand at $34.8 million.

The disbursement is the first in 2008 from the Fund, which has committed over $619 million to some 751 projects in 60 countries since it was established in March 2006.
2008-01-16 00:00:00.000

________________

For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news

To change your profile or unsubscribe go to:
http://www.un.org/news/dh/latest/subscribe.shtml