REHABILITATING EX-COMBATANTS MOST IMMEDIATE CHALLENGE FOR NEPAL – BAN

REHABILITATING EX-COMBATANTS MOST IMMEDIATE CHALLENGE FOR NEPAL – BAN
New York, Nov 1 2008 4:10PM
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Saturday urged Nepal's leaders to forge ahead with rehabilitating thousands of Maoist ex-fighters as part of the ongoing peace process, as he wrapped up his visit to the South Asian nation.

"The most immediate challenge ahead is to integrate and rehabilitate the Maoist combatants," Mr. Ban <"http://www.un.org/apps/sg/offthecuff.asp?nid=1220">told reporters in the capital, Kathmandu.

He welcomed the recent establishment of a special committee to supervise, integrate and rehabilitate Maoist army combatants, and urged the new body to begin its work as soon as possible. He also called on the Government to move quickly on the formal discharge of minors and disqualified combatants.

Since the signing of the 2006 peace accord that ending the country's decade-long civil war that claimed an estimated 13,000 lives, Maoist army personnel and weapons have been contained in cantonment sites under monitoring by the UN Mission in Nepal (UNMIN), which was set up in January 2007 to assist with the peace process.

The Mission also played a crucial role in supporting the April election of the Constituent Assembly, which is tasked with drafting the country's new constitution.

"This Assembly is proof of your remarkable progress. Collectively, you have tremendous potential to realize the Nepalese peoples' hopes for a new and better future," Mr. Ban said in his <"http://www.un.org/apps/sg/sgstats.asp?nid=3516">address to the Constituent Assembly.

"All of you – and all of the people of Nepal – drove the peace process. The United Nations is proud to be part of this historic change."

The Secretary-General told the Assembly that the country's political transformation can and must go hand-in-hand with social and economic transformation. "These are like the two wings of a bird; both are needed for this country to soar."

He called on all parties in the coalition Government to maintain cohesion while continuing to work with parties outside the Government in a spirit of cooperation. At the same time, all parties to the peace agreement must honour their commitments, and respect the rules of democratic government and human rights.

Mr. Ban also lauded the role Nepal has played in UN peacekeeping over the past 50 years, noting that it has contributed 60,000 blue helmets to some 40 peacekeeping missions, and it is currently the world's fifth largest contributor of troops and police.

While in Kathmandu, the Secretary-General met with top Nepalese officials, including President Ram Baran Yadav, Foreign Minister Upendra Yadav and former Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala.

Among the issues he discussed with the leaders was the future role of UNMIN, whose current mandate runs until January 2009. "I believe that, for a certain period of time, the UN will have to continue to assist the peace process of Nepal, for peace and stability and the democratization process, as well as development projects in Nepal," he told reporters.

Before departing Nepal, Mr. Ban flew to Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha. The site, located in the foothills of the Himalayas in the district of Kapilavastu, was declared a World Heritage Site by the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 1997.

While at the site, Mr. Ban voiced the hope that everyone can learn from the Buddha's teachings and philosophy and "lead by example in our common efforts to bring peace, stability and harmony, and reconciliation and friendship among peoples of different beliefs, different religions and different cultures."

The Secretary-General is now in Bangladesh, the final stop on a four-nation Asia trip that also took the UN chief to the Philippines and India.
Nov 1 2008 4:10PM
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UN AND DEVELOPMENT BANK PARTNER TO ASSIST THOUSANDS OF EUROPEAN REFUGEES

UN AND DEVELOPMENT BANK PARTNER TO ASSIST THOUSANDS OF EUROPEAN REFUGEES
New York, Oct 31 2008 8:10PM
The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB) have partnered to find durable housing, education and health solutions for thousands of European refugees, displaced people and returnees.

Signed by UN High Commissioner for Refugees Antònio Guterres and CEB Governor Raphaël Alomar in Geneva, the agreement seeks to help those uprooted under UNHCR's mandate – primarily in European countries hosting large displaced populations, such as Georgia, Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Under the new arrangement, the CEB will consider financing selected <"http://www.unhcr.org/news/NEWS/490aedb216.html">UNHCR projects through grants and loans.

Dating back to 1999, the CEB-UNHCR relationship began when the Bank provided emergency water filtration plants and transport for refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Kosovo.

The CEB has since provided €3 million to UNHCR to support programmes aimed at sustainable returns in Bosnia and Herzegovina as well as housing and assistance for refugees leaving collective centres in Serbia.

Just last month, the Bank also announced funding for UNHCR's operations in Georgia to provide shelter for the newly displaced population from South Ossetia.

"The successful cooperation between the CEB and UNHCR represents an outstanding example of how to bridge the gap between humanitarian assistance and long-term development activities and sets a model that UNHCR is keen to replicate with other international financial institutions and development actors," said UNHCR spokesperson Ron Redmond.
Oct 31 2008 8:10PM
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TOP UN ENVOY HIGHLIGHTS SPORT’S ROLE IN BRINGING PEACE IN WEST, CENTRAL AFRICA

TOP UN ENVOY HIGHLIGHTS SPORT'S ROLE IN BRINGING PEACE IN WEST, CENTRAL AFRICA
New York, Oct 31 2008 7:10PM
The United Nations envoy tasked with promoting sport for development and peace has wrapped up a week-long visit to West and Central Africa, where he underscored the role that sport can play in consolidating peace.

"Sport can help ease tensions, reconcile opponents and connect people and communities. It thus has the potential to empower, motivate and to inspire," Wilfried Lemke, who serves as the Secretary-General's Special Adviser, said at an event at the headquarters of the UN peacekeeping mission, known as UNOCI, in Sebroko, Côte d'Ivoire.

But he noted that "sport alone cannot prevent conflicts or build peace – yet it can contribute to broader and more comprehensive efforts."

During his five-day stop in the West African nation, he held talks with Dagobert Banzio, Minister of Sports and Physical Education; Youssouf Bakayoko, Foreign Minister; and senior UNOCI representatives to discuss how sport can enhance lasting peace and social cohesion in Côte d'Ivoire, which is rebuilding after a brutal 14-year civil war.

Mr. Lemke met with numerous sports groups, including the National Olympic Committee and the Judo Training Club of Bouaké, even taking part in a 10 kilometre run in Koumassi.

He then travelled on to Cameroon, where he held talks with Prime Minister Ephraim Inoni and delivered the opening address at the 2nd International Conference for the Young African Footballer in the capital Yaoundé.

"Youth are among the greatest beneficiaries of the positive effects of sport since values such as respect, cooperation, discipline and leadership can contribute to improving health and education and also to give youth a better chance to find a profession," Mr. Lemke said.

"However, it is our duty to urge governments, football federations and clubs to fight against young footballers' exploitation and to ensure respect of principles of human rights, in this case especially the rights of the child, is upheld."

While in the country, he held talks with Augustin Edjoa, Minister of Sports and Physical Education; Adoum Garoua, Minister of Youth; and Joseph Dion Ngute, Minister Delegate of Foreign Affairs.

Mr. Lemke discussed the upcoming football World Cup in South Africa, noting that Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has asked him to do all he can to ensure that the event, to be held in Africa for the first time, will be a success.
Oct 31 2008 7:10PM
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GREATER EFFORTS NEEDED TO MEET GENDER EQUALITY OBJECTIVES BY 2015, SAYS MIGIRO

GREATER EFFORTS NEEDED TO MEET GENDER EQUALITY OBJECTIVES BY 2015, SAYS MIGIRO
New York, Oct 31 2008 6:10PM
Efforts to achieve gender equality around the world must be accelerated, United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Asha-Rose Migiro told a gathering of women leaders in Seoul today, while also highlighting the special burden climate change places on women.

Wrapping up a two-day official visit to the Republic of Korea (ROK), Ms. Migiro <"http://www.un.org/apps/dsg/dsgstats.asp?nid=137">addressed some 100 of the country's female leaders on a range of issues that impact the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) – eight pledges world leaders made to halve extreme poverty and other ills by the target date of 2015 – including climate change.

"Women will need to spend more hours searching for water, seeking ways to feed their families faced by food shortages and much more," said the Deputy Secretary-General.

Climate change cuts across a range of issues that affect women, from water management to energy to human settlements, she told the gathering, co-sponsored by the UN World Tourism Organization (<"http://www.unwto.org/index.php">UNWTO) and the Ministry of Gender Equality.

"Against this background, it becomes even more critical to increase the participation of women at decision-making levels: in government, the private sector, trade unions, academia and in the community."

The previous day she told the World Leaders Forum, also held in Seoul, that the UN is uniquely placed to facilitate the international cooperation required to tackle the challenges posed by global warming.

"These challenges also present an opportunity to take stock, re-focus and mobilize investments in clean technologies and natural infrastructure," she told the meeting, commemorating the 60th anniversary of the founding of the ROK.

Using examples of "green growth" development in countries such as China, where 600,000 jobs have been created in the solar heating industry, and Nigeria, where the bio-fuels industry has employed 200,000 people, she said it is possible to achieve sustainable growth while combating climate change.

At today's meeting of female Korean leaders, Ms. Migiro also drew attention to the precarious position of women's economic empowerment in many parts of the world where fewer women than men have secure jobs in the formal economy.

She also stressed the urgent need for women to have access to reproductive health care, saying that more than 40 per cent of births in developing countries are not attended by a doctor or midwife and that some 500,000 women die annually from pregnancy-related causes.

"Progress has been made towards achieving the <"http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/">MDG target of elimination of gender disparities in education, with most gains in enrolment rations at the primary level," she said.

Rwanda was singled out for praise by the Deputy Secretary-General for more than 50 per cent of its parliament consisting of women for the first time ever in history, although the global average of women's seats in parliament is less than 18 per cent.

"World leaders pledged their support for equal rights between men and women with the clear understanding that gender equality is essential for eliminating global challenges such as poverty, hunger and disease. In short, gender equality is essential for development that is truly sustainable," Ms. Migiro stressed.
Oct 31 2008 6:10PM
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UN RUSHES AID TO SURVIVORS OF DEADLY EARTHQUAKE IN PAKISTAN

UN RUSHES AID TO SURVIVORS OF DEADLY EARTHQUAKE IN PAKISTAN
New York, Oct 31 2008 6:10PM
The United Nations is rushing urgently-needed relief supplies to survivors of the deadly earthquake that struck south-western Pakistan earlier this week and the aftershocks that have followed.

According to the South Asian nation's Government, 150 people have died and 250 others injured.

Some 3,000 people have been displaced and 15,000 houses made of mud or wood have been destroyed by the tremors in Baluchistan province.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (<"http://ochaonline.un.org/">OCHA) said that winter-ready tents, blankets, warm clothing, health services and clean water are urgently needed for 7,500 families, and food items for 5,500 families.

It noted that the Government has set up two camps for people affected by the 6.4 magnitude quake, and four additional camps are planned.

The UN World Food Programme (<"http://www.wfp.org/english/">WFP) is planning to supply one-month food rations – including biscuits, beans and wheat flour – to some 20,000 survivors, while the UN Population Fund (<"http://www.unfpa.org/">UNFPA) has sent 3,000 hygiene kits to affected areas.
Oct 31 2008 6:10PM
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UN AGENCY SEEKS URGENT FUNDS TO AID PALESTINIANS UPROOTED FROM LEBANESE CAMP

UN AGENCY SEEKS URGENT FUNDS TO AID PALESTINIANS UPROOTED FROM LEBANESE CAMP
New York, Oct 31 2008 6:10PM
The United Nations agency tasked with aiding Palestinian refugees today called on donors to urgently respond to the $43 million appeal it issued last month for funds to help some 27,000 people displaced from a Lebanese refugee camp last year.

Ever since the Nahr el-Bared camp was destroyed last summer amid fighting between the Lebanese Government forces and Fatah el-Islam gunmen, the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (<"http://www.un.org/unrwa/english.html">UNRWA) has been providing rental subsidies and food to those who lost their homes.

Last month the agency appealed for $43 million to enable it to take care of some 27,000 displaced refugees, their rent and food for the next 15 months until they can begin moving back into the camp, which will be rebuilt.

According to UNRWA's Commissioner-General, only the United States and Norway have so far pledged funds, some $4.3 million and $500,000, respectively.

"These pledges will take us just to the end of the year. And then we will be in quite desperate straits to be able to feed and shelter the people, beginning in 2009," Karen AbuZayd told a news conference in New York.

In addition, UNRWA and the Lebanese Government appealed in June for $445 million for rebuilding Nahr el Bared, the largest project in the agency's nearly 60-year history.

Ms. AbuZayd noted that the Arab countries have indicated that they are willing to pay for half of the $445 million reconstruction project, but they have not yet come up with their pledges.

Funding is a serious concern for UNRWA, especially at this time in light of the global financial crisis, she said, but added that helping the world's poorest, which includes refugees, should continue to be a priority for countries.

Regarding the situation in the occupied Palestinian territories, the Commissioner-General noted that there has been no real improvement in Gaza, despite the continuing calm between Gaza and southern Israel.

It had been hoped that it would lead to the opening of the borders and that goods and people would be able to begin to move in and out of Gaza, but "there's been no real change there."

Conditions have also not improved in the West Bank, where the number of checkpoints has now grown to 630. This makes it extremely difficult for people, including UNRWA staff who live in the West Bank and work in Jerusalem, to get around.

"The whole situation makes it very difficult … developing the economy there, and also makes us very worried about how viable a Palestinian state can be created in a territory that is so completely fragmented as this one is," she said.
Oct 31 2008 6:10PM
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BAN CALLS FOR CONTINUATION OF CEASEFIRE IN EASTERN DR CONGO

BAN CALLS FOR CONTINUATION OF CEASEFIRE IN EASTERN DR CONGO
New York, Oct 31 2008 4:10PM
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today issued a call for a continuation to the halt to fighting announced by rebel militia leader Laurent Nkunda, stressing the heavy humanitarian toll of the violence which has engulfed the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

<"http://www.un.org/apps/sg/offthecuff.asp?nid=1218">Speaking to reporters in the Indian capital, New Delhi, Mr. Ban characterized the situation on the ground in North Kivu province as "very threatening."

He stressed that "this ceasefire should be kept, and the international community, African leaders – particularly those leaders in the region – should take very concrete measures so that this ceasefire can be maintained… and there should be a disengagement of the forces from there."

Recent days have seen an escalation in hostilities in North Kivu – which borders Rwanda and Uganda – between Government forces (FARDC) and the militia headed by Mr. Nkunda, known as the National Congress for the Defence of the People (CNDP).

Humanitarian agencies estimate that the clashes have sent as many as one quarter of a million people – many of whom had already been uprooted from their homes – fleeing, bringing the total number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in North Kivu to over 1 million.

The UN peacekeeping mission in the country, known as <"http://www.monuc.org/Home.aspx?lang=en">MONUC, reported today that the situation in the provincial capital, Goma, remains calm, with no outbreak of fighting occurring over the past 24 hours.

FARDC forces have returned to the airport and taken over security responsibilities, while MONUC patrols last night on Goma's streets aimed to reassure civilians. Nearly two dozen people were killed two days ago in the city, including eight government soldiers who were shot while taking part in looting. The UN is also investigating reports of rape.

On the diplomatic front, the Secretary-General said today that he has been "heavily engaged in this process," having been in contact with leaders in Africa, the European Union (EU) and the United States. They include DRC President Joseph Kabila, Rwandan President Paul Kagame, Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete, who is also the President of the African Union (AU), and Chairman Jean Ping of the African Commission.

He has also spoken to US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Foreign Secretary David Miliband of the United Kingdom, among other others.

Mr. Ban has dispatched two of his senior aides to the region – Assistant Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Edmund Mulet to the DRC and Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs Haile Menkerios to Rwanda.

His top envoy to the DRC, Alan Doss, travelled to Goma today to assess the situation and to meet with local authorities and aid workers.

Mr. Doss, who serves as the Secretary-General Special Representative and head of MONUC, was part of a delegation that also included Jendayi Frazer, US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, and Ali Bongo, AU Representative to the DRC.

MONUC has taken action on the ground to protect civilians, but is limited by the security concerns, Mr. Ban told journalists.

The current ceasefire has provided a window for humanitarian agencies to provide assistance to those in need, and "now, there should be a political process going on," he said.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (<"http://ochaonline.un.org/">OCHA) reported that most of the relief workers besieged in Rutshuru and Kiwanja have been evacuated by MONUC helicopters.

MONUC – which has been mandated by the Security Council to protect civilians – has fewer than 1,000 troops in Goma, which has a population of some 1 million, and Mr. Ban acknowledged that there is a limit to what UN forces can do in the region.

He stressed that the "UN is not a party of belligerents," voicing concern over demonstrations and physical attacks arising from "misunderstandings" on the part of Congolese civilians against the peacekeeping mission.

The UN "is there to keep peace and stability," the Secretary-General underscored, adding that the world body is trying to help and diffuse the situation.
Oct 31 2008 4:10PM
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UNICEF APPEALS FOR SUPPORT SIX MONTHS AFTER CYCLONE DEVASTATES MYANMAR

UNICEF APPEALS FOR SUPPORT SIX MONTHS AFTER CYCLONE DEVASTATES MYANMAR
New York, Oct 31 2008 4:10PM
Six months after deadly Cyclone Nargis swept through Myanmar, leaving around 140,000 dead or missing and some 800,000 homeless, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) reported that emergency relief efforts are on track, but vital support is still needed for the country's medium to long-term recovery.

"As much damage and suffering as the cyclone has caused, it is also a chance to build back better," said Ramesh Shrestha, the UNICEF Representative in Myanmar. "Now is the time to bring permanent solutions to improve the lives of children and their families and the future generations."

While planning for longer-term solutions, the agency has helped nearly 400,000 children in 2,500 schools in the devastated country by providing essential learning kits, school kits for teachers and psychological training to help children cope with the trauma of the cyclone.

An estimated 2.4 million people were affected by Cyclone Nargis, which battered Myanmar's Ayeyarwady Delta in early May and has been described as the worst natural disaster in the country's history.

"Thanks to the full cooperation between the Government, UNICEF and [non-governmental organizations], the relief effort for the first six months has been successful," Mr. Shrestha said.

But he stressed that "we cannot stop now, as there are still pressing issues to address for the medium to long term needs."

Next month, UNICEF plans to start work on seven model safe schools, which will be more cyclone and earthquake resistant and will be used for shelter by local communities in emergencies. The agency is also looking into reconstructing the country's health infrastructures as well as ways of permanently fixing its water and sanitation facilities.

As of early October, nearly half of the $482 million appeal, launched by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in July to aid the relief and recovery effort for Myanmar's cyclone victims, remained unfunded.

Nevertheless, some 18,500 children have benefited from a UNICEF project, which has established 104 child-friendly spaces in monasteries and other public places, offering psychosocial activities. Other relief and recovery projects have provided 135,000 people with access to drinking water through cleaned ponds and wells, supplied delivery kits to 70,000 midwives and repaired 134 health facilities.
Oct 31 2008 4:10PM
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SECRETARY-GENERAL LAUDS NEPALESE PEACE EFFORTS ON ARRIVAL IN KATHMANDU

SECRETARY-GENERAL LAUDS NEPALESE PEACE EFFORTS ON ARRIVAL IN KATHMANDU
New York, Oct 31 2008 2:10PM
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today lauded the "historic" progress made by the people of Nepal to restore peace and stability and reaffirmed the commitment of the United Nations to continue to support those efforts, as he began an official visit to Kathmandu.

"I come to congratulate the people of Nepal for the remarkable historic progress they have made in establishing peace, and in particular, for the successful election of the Constituent Assembly in a largely peaceful process last April that has earned the admiration and respect of the entire international community," Mr. Ban said in a <"http://www.unmin.org.np/downloads/keydocs/2008-10-31-UNMIN.SG.Press.Release.On.Arrival.ENG.pdf">statement issued after his arrival in the Nepalese capital.

Nepal endured a decade-long civil war that claimed an estimated 13,000 lives until the Government and the Maoists signed a peace deal in 2006 and conducted Constituent Assembly elections earlier this year.

In May, the South Asian nation abolished its 240-year-old monarchy and declared itself a republic. Ram Baran Yadav was subsequently elected as the country's first President.

The UN has been assisting Nepal in its peace process through a special political mission, known as <"http://www.unmin.org.np/">UNMIN, set up in January 2007. As part of its mandate, UNMIN monitors the management of arms and armed personnel of both the Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist (CPN-M) and the Nepal Army, and assists in monitoring ceasefire arrangements.

"I am proud that the UN has been a close partner in Nepal's development effort, in its struggle to end the 10-year conflict, in the fight to promote and defend human rights, and in the implementation of the 2006 Comprehensive Peace Agreement," Mr. Ban stated.

"I look forward to having fruitful discussions with my hosts, including on how UNMIN and the rest of the UN family can contribute to the completion of the peace process and to long-term peace building and development," he added.

Tomorrow Mr. Ban will meet with President Yadav, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, other officials and members of the Constituent Assembly. He will also visit Lumbini, the Buddha's birthplace.

The Secretary-General arrived in Nepal from India, where he wrapped up his two-day visit today with meetings with President Pratibha Patil, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee, as well as with the UN Country Team.

Speaking to reporters before his departure, he said it had pleased him to have arrived in India on the 63rd anniversary of the country's admission to the UN. He added that it is truly impressive how much India has achieved since then, as a leading voice in the developing world, as a long-established democracy and as a growing economic power.

Following his visit to Nepal, Mr. Ban will travel to Bangladesh, the final stop on a trip that also took him to the Philippines.
Oct 31 2008 2:10PM
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UN EXPERT CAUTIONS LATVIA TO KEEP A CLOSE EYE ON THREATS TO CHILDREN

UN EXPERT CAUTIONS LATVIA TO KEEP A CLOSE EYE ON THREATS TO CHILDREN
New York, Oct 31 2008 1:10PM
The sexual exploitation of children is a matter for concern in Latvia despite the low number of reported cases, an independent United Nations human rights expert said today, warning that continued vigilance is needed from the State to protect its young.

While noting that Latvia had taken clear steps to guard against child abuse, exploitation and violence, Najat M'jid Maalla, the Special Rapporteur on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography, stressed continuing threats to children in the country.

Ms. Maalla highlighted the increase of pornography and child sex tourism and the use of the internet by paedophiles, abusers and sex tourists, as well as the growing number of families facing difficulties in the Baltic State as forces eroding the safety of young people.

During a six-day visit that ended yesterday, Ms. Maalla met with State associations, the media and the International Organization for Migration (<"http://www.iom.int/jahia/jsp/index.jsp">IOM), and toured seven centres and organizations involved in child protection, according to a press release issued by the Special Rapporteur.

She was encouraged to see first-hand Latvia's efforts – in legislation, law enforcement, social and health-care support, and education and prevention programmes – to reduce the exploitation of children.

However, Ms. Maalla expressed concern that the increasing cost of child-care had resulted in the closure of some centres and a reduction of staff in others. She also urged the media to be more active in raising awareness, providing information and shaping public opinion on issues concerning the sexual exploitation of children.

Ms. Maalla, a paediatrician in Morocco, has served as an independent and unpaid Special Rapporteur since May and reports to the Geneva-based UN Human Rights Council.
Oct 31 2008 1:10PM
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DELEGATES AT UN TELECOM FORUM AGREE TO REDUCE EMISSIONS FROM ICT USE

DELEGATES AT UN TELECOM FORUM AGREE TO REDUCE EMISSIONS FROM ICT USE
New York, Oct 31 2008 1:10PM
Close to 800 information and communication technology (ICT) experts from nearly 100 countries have wrapped up a United Nations meeting in Johannesburg by agreeing to work towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions arising from the use of ICTs.

The UN International Telecommunication Union (<"http://www.itu.int/newsroom/press_releases/2008/31.html">ITU) estimates that ICTs contribute around 2 to 2.5 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions, and this is likely to grow as ICTs become more widely available.

In a resolution adopted at the close of the ten-day World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly in South Africa yesterday, ITU members agreed to reduce the emissions arising from the use of ICTs, in line with the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (<"http://unfccc.int/2860.php">UNFCCC).

They also recognized that ICTs can be a major mitigating factor in efforts to tackle climate change and to limit and ultimately reduce emissions across all industry sectors.

This can be done through the introduction and development of more energy efficient devices, applications and networks, as well as their environmentally sound disposal.

The resolution also acknowledged that ITU has committed to achieving climate neutrality within three years.

The Assembly also examined a number of other issues, including accessibility to ICTs for persons with disabilities and encouraging academic participation in ITU's work.

Delegates agreed on a restructuring of ITU's standards work and a revised focus that will strengthen the position of the UN agency as the world's premier ICT standards body.

"We have received a strong message from our members that ITU is, and will remain the world's pre-eminent global telecommunication and ICT standards body," said Malcolm Johnson, Director of ITU's Telecommunication Standardization Sector.

"And we also hear very clearly that ITU should continue on its mission to connect the world, and that bridging the standardization gap — by increasing developing country participation in our work — is an essential prerequisite to achieve this goal."

ITU Secretary-General Hamadoun Touré added that the Assembly has "laid out a road map for the future development of standards that underpin the world's communications networks. This is a critical input for all stakeholders who join ITU in our commitment to connect the world."
Oct 31 2008 1:10PM
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TOP UN OFFICIALS APPEAL FOR SAFETY OF CIVILIANS CAUGHT UP IN DR CONGO FIGHTING

TOP UN OFFICIALS APPEAL FOR SAFETY OF CIVILIANS CAUGHT UP IN DR CONGO FIGHTING
New York, Oct 31 2008 9:10AM
Top United Nations officials today voiced deep concern over the plight of the hundreds of thousands of civilians caught up in the deadly fighting in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and appealed to all sides to ensure their safety.

As many as 250,000 Congolese have been uprooted from their homes since August as a result of the fighting between Congolese armed forces (FARDC) and the rebel National Congress for the Defence of the People (CNDP), led by renegade general Laurent Nkunda, in North Kivu province.

The UN peacekeeping force in the DRC, known as MONUC, has been working to protect civilians caught up in the deadly fighting in recent days, but has been stretched to the limit in its capacity to do so in the vast African nation.

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said it has received disturbing reports that several camps for internally displaced persons (IDPs) near the North Kivu town of Rutshuru, about 90 kilometres north of the provincial capital, Goma, have been forcibly emptied, looted and burned.

The agency is concerned over the fate of some 50,000 IDPs living in these camps. In addition, the area around Rutshuru, where UNHCR has an office, has been the scene of fighting in recent weeks and is now under rebel control.

High Commissioner António Guterres has again appealed to all sides in the conflict to respect humanitarian principles and to ensure the safety of civilians and those trying to help them.

"Hundreds of thousands of people who have already suffered far too much are in danger and in desperate need of help," he said. "As humanitarians, our job is to get life-saving assistance to them as quickly as possible. We are trying to do this in an extremely volatile environment characterised by reported widespread human rights abuses and general lawlessness.

"While we will do everything we can to help the innocent victims, the solution has to be political and we appeal to all sides to bring this conflict to an end," stated the High Commissioner.

UNHCR staff in Goma reported that the situation today is calm but tense. "Our office is open and our people are working, but security restrictions on movement remain tight," the agency's spokesperson, Ron Redmond, told reporters in Geneva.

Since the latest round of fighting started in August more than 8,500 refugees crossed the border into Uganda – some 2,500 of them over the past three days. UNHCR reported that an additional 600 refugees arrived this morning. Some 1,200 have also fled to Rwanda.

There are 16 UNHCR-assisted sites in North Kivu sheltering some 100,000 people, plus more than 40 makeshift encampments housing tens of thousands of civilians. Altogether, there are more than one million IDPs in North Kivu.

"It's clear that we are going to require more funding to cope with the new needs," noted Mr. Redmond. "We need to rapidly distribute plastic tarpaulins, blankets, sleeping mats, jerry cans, buckets, mosquito nets, kitchens sets and sanitary material and it appears we'll have to set up new sites for displaced people as well as existing camps in North Kivu."

Also today UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay expressed her concern over the increasing number of killings and other human rights violations recorded over the past few days in North Kivu.

"During previous outbreaks of fighting in this region, we have seen horrendous large-scale summary and arbitrary executions, rapes, disappearances, torture, harassment, unlawful arrest and arbitrary detention, not to mention wave after wave of mass displacement," she said.

"Over the past days, a number of fresh violations have been recorded by UN human rights staff in the region," she added.

In Goma the main perpetrators of looting, killings and rapes, appear to have been renegade FARDC soldiers, many of whom have fled the fighting. Other serious abuses, including targeted killings, have been reported from areas held by CNDP forces.

"The total number of civilians killed so far is not known, but this is clearly an extremely dangerous situation," Ms. Pillay stressed. She called for "radical" reforms by the Government so that its security forces can play an appropriate role under the constitution and fully respect the human rights of its citizens.

"What happened in Goma should not have happened, as most violations were committed by looting soldiers belonging to the government forces," she said. "I urge the Government to take swift and significant action to control their soldiers and protect the civilian population."
Oct 31 2008 9:10AM
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IN CHAD, UN AGENCY HOLDS WORKSHOP AS PART OF POLIO ERADICATION PROGRAMME

IN CHAD, UN AGENCY HOLDS WORKSHOP AS PART OF POLIO ERADICATION PROGRAMME
New York, Oct 30 2008 7:10PM
The United Nations has taken steps to combat polio by holding a workshop in Chad for the world's major experts to discuss efforts to eradicate the disease in the poor, landlocked Africa country.

Held earlier this month in N'Djamena, the capital, under the auspices of the UN World Health Organization (<"http://www.who.int/mediacentre/en/">WHO), the workshop allowed members of the Technical Advisory Group (TAG) to review progress in implementing recommendations that had been formulated at the first TAG meeting in 2005.

"This has been a very useful workshop," said WHO's representative in Chad, Youssouf Gamaé, according to a press release issued today. "They [TAG members] acknowledged the achievements, and highlighted the gaps which need to be addressed in order to reach the goal of polio eradication in the African region by 2009."

One in 200 polio infections lead to irreversible paralysis, usually in the legs, and among those paralyzed an estimated 5 to 10 percent die when their breathing muscles become immobilized.

The disease mainly affects children aged below give, and only half of this group in Chad has been vaccinated.

A number of conclusions reached at the meeting include the need to reinforce epidemic surveillance against the disease and the need for advocacy so that families may allow their children to be vaccinated.

"We are committed to continue leading our technical assistance and support to the Government of Chad, in close collaboration with WHO, in all initiatives towards polio eradication, with particular focus on communication strategy and social mobilization activities", said UN Children Fund (<"http://www.unicef.org/">UNICEF) representative Marzio Babille.

While global efforts saw polio cases decrease by over 99 percent from 1988 to 2006, some 25 previously polio-free countries were re-infected due to imports of the virus between 2003 and 2005.

As a "transit" country due to population movements, Chad helped spread polio from Nigeria – where an outbreak began in 2003 – to the Horn of Africa, Western Asia and Indonesia, with a cost for the international community of $500 million to contain it.
Oct 30 2008 7:10PM
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INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT AT ‘CRITICAL’ STAGE, ITS PRESIDENT TELLS ASSEMBLY

INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT AT 'CRITICAL' STAGE, ITS PRESIDENT TELLS ASSEMBLY
New York, Oct 30 2008 7:10PM
The International Criminal Court (ICC) is at a "critical" juncture, with its success hinging on such factors as guaranteeing its judicial independence and universal ratification, the Court's President said in New York today.

"It is still far too early to pass judgment on the success of the Court," Philippe Kirsch said in his <"http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2008/ga10774.doc.htm">address to the General Assembly, adding that "the early indications are decidedly positive."

More than 10 years have passed since the adoption of the Rome Statue, which led to the ICC's founding.

But the <"http://www.icc-cpi.int/home.html&l=en">ICC President noted that the body's success depends on several factors, such as "fulfilling properly its own mandate," including ensuring its impartiality and guaranteeing the rights of the accused and of suspects.

Currently, 108 countries are States Parties to the Rome Statue. For the tribunal – which had four situations before it this year – to "exercise jurisdiction truly globally, universal ratification will be necessary," he said.

Mr. Kirsch also called for the cooperation of States, international organizations and civil society in executing arrest warrants, protecting witnesses and enforcing sentences.

He stressed that most importantly, these groups must respect the Court's independence. "Their statements or their silence in certain circumstances can have significant impacts on the effectiveness of the court."

Also addressing the Assembly today, the head of the International Court of Justice (<"http://www.icj-cij.org/homepage/index.php?lang=en">ICJ) said that the past year has been "the most productive" in the Court's over 60-year history.

The ICJ has managed a full caseload, as well as being in "a position to respond swiftly to unanticipated requests for the indication of provisional measures," said President Rosalyn Higgins.

Both Courts are based in The Hague, but the ICC is an independent body, while the ICJ is the UN's principle judicial organ and deals with inter-State disputes since it does not have criminal jurisdiction to prosecute individuals.
Oct 30 2008 7:10PM
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LEBANON NEEDS TO MAKE MORE PROGRESS ON DISARMING MILITIAS, UN ENVOY SAYS

LEBANON NEEDS TO MAKE MORE PROGRESS ON DISARMING MILITIAS, UN ENVOY SAYS
New York, Oct 30 2008 7:10PM
Lebanon has made "no tangible progress" towards disbanding and disarming militias operating on its territory, a senior United Nations official <"http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2008/sc9490.doc.htm">told the Security Council today, warning that the continued activities of these groups could undermine the staging of parliamentary elections scheduled for next year.

Terje Roed-Larsen, the Secretary-General's Special Envoy on the implementation of Security Council resolution 1559, told the Council that both Lebanese and non-Lebanese armed groups posed a threat to national sovereignty and stability.

Resolution 1559, adopted by the Council in 2004 amid concern about the ongoing tensions within Lebanon, calls for free and fair elections in the Middle East country without interference from foreign groups and also for the disbanding of all militia.

But Mr. Roed-Larsen said that while some "major strides" have been taken in the past six months regarding the resolution – most notably the holding of a free presidential poll in which Michel Suleiman was chosen – many elements have still not been implemented.

"The violence that erupted in Lebanon and spread widely across the country in May of this year served as a shocking illustration of how armed groups outside the control of the Government of Lebanon brought the country to a near state of collapse, and engraved psychological scars on the civilian population," he said.

The clashes in May, despite the subsequent political accord that led to the holding of presidential elections, "may have prompted, if not accelerated, a process of re-armament."

The envoy said Hizbollah's armed component was the most significant militia in the country, and he urged the group to comply with relevant resolutions and transform into a political party proper.

"The organization maintains a massive paramilitary infrastructure separate from the State, including a secure network of communication, which the group itself deems an integral part of its arsenal.

"In May of this year, Hizbollah employed civil disobedience but also elements of these military assets to protect this very structure. These assets, and Hizbollah's resort to armed action in response to a political decision by the Government, are a direct challenge to the fundamental authority of that Government and its attempts to consolidate its sovereignty."

He added that "the emergence and apparent strengthening of extremist elements and foreign fighters based largely in and around Tripoli" was also a grave concern, and these elements had conducted lethal attacks against Lebanese armed forces.

The disarmament of all militias "should take place through a political process that will lead to the monopoly on the use of force by the Government of Lebanon throughout all of its territory," he stressed.

But Mr. Roed-Larsen also noted that Lebanon and Syria have recently held high-level talks on Lebanese sovereignty, political independence and territorial integrity, and have agreed to establish full diplomatic relations for the first time.

The envoy cautioned, however, that the Syrian-Lebanese border remains porous and easily penetrated, smuggling activities are ongoing and militia groups are allowed to straddle the border.

In addition, he said Israeli aircraft continue to violate Lebanese airspace by conducting over-flights, which he said must end.
Oct 30 2008 7:10PM
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FLOODS HIT PALESTINIAN REFUGEES STUCK IN IRAQ-SYRIA BORDER CAMPS – UN

FLOODS HIT PALESTINIAN REFUGEES STUCK IN IRAQ-SYRIA BORDER CAMPS – UN
New York, Oct 30 2008 6:10PM
The United Nations refugee agency today urged the international community to offer resettlement to desperate Palestinian refugees trapped in camps on the Iraq-Syria border, as it rushed emergency aid to hundreds after heavy rain and flooding caused chaos and misery.

Tuesday night's rainstorms struck some 800 refugees, inundating tents with water and sewage, soaking possessions and cutting off electricity at the Al Tanf refugee camp, in the narrow strip of no-man's land between Iraq and Syria.

"This is the closest to hell I can imagine," said Mutassem Hayatla, a <"http://www.unhcr.org/news/NEWS/4909c9a04.html">UNHCR field officer who stayed in the camp during the downpour.

"With no electricity, the camp was full of the sound of crying, terrified children. We did our best, but it was a blessing when the night was over," he added.

The storms made some 100 families homeless in a nearby camp, which shelters around 1,400 refugees just inside Iraq, after their tents were destroyed by the rain. UNHCR reported difficulty in providing assistance to the Al Waleed camp because of dangerous security conditions.

The UNHCR office in Syrian capital, Damascus, was able to send new tents, plastic sheeting, blankets and mattresses to the Al Tanf camp today, and the worst affected families and elderly Palestinians were moved to the camp school and a clinic.

Two children from the camp were killed by trucks, thundering past on the Baghdad-Damascus highway – which runs beside the camp – and throwing up waves of water onto the nearest tents.

In Al Waleed UNHCR staff said the camp had become a muddy quagmire, where tents had been swept away in the flood, the sewage system had overflowed and people were becoming sick.

UNHCR reiterated its appeal to the international community to provide resettlement places for Palestinians from Iraq, some of whom have lived in the Al Tanf camp for three years with no other option open to them.

"We urge more countries to open their doors to resettle the Palestinian refugees and bring their precarious situation to an end," said UNHCR representative in Iraq, Daniel Endres.
Oct 30 2008 6:10PM
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UN HUMAN RIGHTS CHIEF WELCOMES COLOMBIAN MOVE TO FIRE ARMY OFFICERS

UN HUMAN RIGHTS CHIEF WELCOMES COLOMBIAN MOVE TO FIRE ARMY OFFICERS
New York, Oct 30 2008 6:10PM
The United Nations human rights chief today praised Colombia's President Alvaro Uribe for dismissing three army generals and 24 other officers over the alleged illegal killing of civilians in the South American country.

"I support the commitment expressed by the highest civilian and military authorities that progress in security should be achieved with full adherence to legality and respect for human rights," said UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay during her visit to Colombia.

Last month, the High Commissioner called on the authorities to take urgent measures to stop a wave of apparent extrajudicial executions after 25 bodies were found in the north of the country, according to a press released issued by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (<"http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Pages/WelcomePage.aspx">OHCHR).

The Office said it had already officially informed the authorities of other disappearances and deaths of young people who, according to various accounts, had been promised work in the provinces, only to be reported as killed in fighting with the army a couple of days later.

Ms. Pillay applauded the fact that these cases were being investigated by civil courts and encouraged the Colombian Attorney General to strengthen its Human Rights Unit to address all claims of illegal executions and enforced disappearances.

During her week-long visit of Colombia to review the country's human rights situation, the High Commissioner has held meetings with Mr. Uribe and senior ministers, as well as with members of Congress, the judiciary, civil society and UN colleagues. She also plans to visit OHCHR field operations in the east of the country.
Oct 30 2008 6:10PM
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INDIA AND UN HAVE ‘INDISPENSABLE’ PARTNERSHIP, BAN SAYS DURING VISIT

INDIA AND UN HAVE 'INDISPENSABLE' PARTNERSHIP, BAN SAYS DURING VISIT
New York, Oct 30 2008 5:10PM
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today highlighted the long-standing relationship between India and the United Nations in areas ranging from peace and security to achieving global anti-poverty goals to sustainable development, as he began a two-day visit to the country.

"Ours is an indispensable partnership," Mr. Ban told an audience in New Delhi, which was his first overseas posting as a young Korean diplomat 36 years ago.

Speaking at the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation, named for the former prime minister who was slain in 1991, Mr. Ban noted that India is an indispensable partner for peace and security.

As of the end of last month, India was the third largest contributor to peacekeeping, with more than 8,700 personnel at work for peace in countries such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Sudan, Lebanon and Timor-Leste.

India is also an indispensable partner in UN efforts to achieve the global targets to halve poverty and other ills by 2015, known as the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and promote sustainable development, the Secretary-General said.

In that regard, he commended India's efforts to address climate change, stating that the country has a well established tradition of innovation and industrial capacity that has benefited North and South alike. "Your respected voice in the developing world in particular can influence others to follow suit," he stated.

Climate change was also the focus of a meeting Mr. Ban held in the capital with leading Indian business leaders. He <"http://www.un.org/apps/sg/offthecuff.asp?nid=1216">highlighted the important role played by the private sector in tackling climate change, which he called the "defining challenge of our era," as well as in devising solutions, including the search for clean energy sources.

"The scientific evidence of climate change is overwhelming. It is abundantly clear that a model of economic growth fuelled by carbon-based energy is no longer viable over the long-term. The search for clean energy is an absolute necessity," he said.

"India has the tremendous potential to offer leadership in moving in a new direction, and building the clean energy industry," he told the gathering, which included Rajendra Pachauri, the head of the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and Nobel laureate.

Mr. Ban noted that many businesses are already showing commendable foresight and leadership in the search for alternative and renewable sources of energy. Many of them have also joined the UN's "Caring for Climate" initiative, which focuses on business solutions to global warming and action on climate change.

The Secretary-General called on business leaders to "seize the opportunities presented by the emerging green economy," noting that action on climate change has the potential to create millions of new jobs. "There is no safety or savings to be found in harmful patterns of energy use and development," he added.

While in New Delhi, Mr. Ban also met with Indian Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee.

He wraps up his visit to India tomorrow and then heads to Nepal, the third leg of a four-nation Asia tour that also includes the Philippines and Bangladesh.
Oct 30 2008 5:10PM
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DARFUR: UN-AFRICAN UNION MISSION DEPLORES KILLING OF PEACEKEEPER

DARFUR: UN-AFRICAN UNION MISSION DEPLORES KILLING OF PEACEKEEPER
New York, Oct 30 2008 5:10PM
The joint United Nations-African Union peacekeeping force in Darfur has condemned last night's attack against the operation that left one blue helmet dead and another wounded, calling it a "cowardly act of wanton violence."

A contingent of South African soldiers serving with the mission – known as <"http://www.un.org/depts/dpko/missions/unamid/">UNAMID – were securing a water point near the Kassab camp for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in North Darfur state about 6 p.m. yesterday when they came under attack from unidentified men in several heavily armed vehicles.

One of the peacekeepers was killed in the attack while another was wounded and later evacuated to El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur and the headquarters of UNAMID, the mission reported today.

UNAMID has dispatched troops to reinforce the attacked location, near the town of Kutum, search for the assailants and conduct an investigation into the killing.

In condemning the attack, the mission noted in a statement that the assailants were targeting UN personnel "who work tirelessly to alleviate the dire suffering of Darfurians."

More than 300,000 people are estimated to have been killed since 2003 and 2.7 million others displaced from their homes because of fighting between rebels, Government forces and allied Janjaweed militiamen.

"UNAMID peacekeepers are serving in Darfur in an effort to bring back and maintain peace in this beleaguered part of the Sudan and all parties are, once again, reminded that under international law any attack against peacekeepers constitutes a war crime," the mission added.

The hybrid force has been in place since January, succeeding an earlier, under-resourced African Union operation. But only about 10,000 military personnel have been deployed so far, well short of the roughly 26,000 troops, military observers and police officers expected when UNAMID reaches full deployment.
Oct 30 2008 5:10PM
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UNIQUE BLEND OF MUSIC COMMEMORATES SLAIN REPORTER IN UN-BACKED CONCERT

UNIQUE BLEND OF MUSIC COMMEMORATES SLAIN REPORTER IN UN-BACKED CONCERT
New York, Oct 30 2008 4:10PM
Dozens of concerts have been held this month featuring thousands of musicians worldwide to commemorate the memory of slain <i>Wall Street Journal</i> reporter Daniel Pearl and promote tolerance and diversity, with performances supported by the United Nations being held last night in New York.

Attendees at a concert – organized by the UN Department of Public Information (DPI) and the Museum of Jewish Heritage – last night in New York were treated to a unique blend of rock, reggae, folk, funk and soul from the musical groups Soulfarm and Moshav Band.

Mr. Pearl, who played both the fiddle and the mandolin, was kidnapped and murdered by terrorists in Pakistan in early 2002.

"Music and dialogue can build bridges across cultures," Eric Falt, Director of DPI's Outreach Division, said at the concert, the third held in conjunction with the UN.

"Tonight we remember Daniel Pearl and his family, as well as all the innocent individuals that have suffered as a result of senseless violence."

The concerts are held annually in October to mark Mr. Pearl's birthday, which falls on 10 October.

The number of performances being held to celebrate the reporter's life has been growing annually since the first Daniel Pearl World Music Days in 2002. Last year, over 500 concerts were held in 42 countries, featuring world-renowned performers such as Elton John, Herbie Hancock and Itzhak Perlman.
Oct 30 2008 4:10PM
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UN ADVOCATE GEORGE CLOONEY CALLS FOR GREATER EFFORTS TO END DR CONGO CONFLICT

UN ADVOCATE GEORGE CLOONEY CALLS FOR GREATER EFFORTS TO END DR CONGO CONFLICT
New York, Oct 30 2008 4:10PM
United Nations Messenger of Peace and award-winning actor George Clooney has called on the international community to step up its efforts to resolve the worsening conflict currently engulfing the far east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

"The recent events in [DR] Congo are deeply concerning, as is the international community's failure to engage in sustained, robust diplomacy to address the deadly and deteriorating conflict," Mr. Clooney said in comments last night to the wire agency Associated Press.

"In the absence of sustained attempts at peacemaking, United Nations peacekeepers have, once again, been thrust into the lead."

The UN peacekeeping operation in the DRC, known as MONUC, has been working to protect civilians caught up in the deadly fighting in recent days between Congolese armed forces (known as the FARDC) and the National Congress for the Defence of the People (CNDP), a militia led by a former general.

As many as 250,000 Congolese have been left homeless since August because of the fighting, which is centred on North Kivu province, bordering Rwanda and Uganda.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the Security Council have condemned the violence, and MONUC chief Alan Doss has called on the international community to increase its support of the mission, including by providing more capacity on the ground.

While ensuring the safety of civilians is "the number one priority" of MONUC, Mr. Doss told reporters earlier this week, "there are limits to what we can do with what we have."

Mr. Clooney, who since January has been a Messenger of Peace with a special focus on UN peacekeeping, recalled visiting MONUC earlier this year.

"We were in Congo and met with the Indian Kivu brigade in January. We saw the incredibly important and tough work they are doing every day."

He added that the DRC "is the site of the deadliest war since the Holocaust. It is time for the world to pay attention."
Oct 30 2008 4:10PM
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BANGLADESHI POOR TO BENEFIT FROM $130 MILLION WORLD BANK LOAN

BANGLADESHI POOR TO BENEFIT FROM $130 MILLION WORLD BANK LOAN
New York, Oct 30 2008 3:10PM
The World Bank has approved a $130 million loan to Bangladesh in response to the global food crisis which has crippled the ability of millions of the country's poor to fend for themselves, the international financial institution announced today.

The financing is designed to ease the pressure on Bangladesh's current budget which is staggering under the pressure of ballooning food-related spending, including social programmes aimed at protecting the vulnerable.

"The spike in food prices, compounded by rising prices of other commodities, has pushed over 4 million Bangladeshis back into poverty," said the <"http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/NEWS/0,,contentMDK:21956807~menuPK:51062075~pagePK:34370~piPK:34424~theSitePK:4607,00.html">World Bank Country Director, Xian Zhu.

The food price shock has increased the rate of poverty in Bangladesh – which has a population of over 150 million – by around three per cent, forcing almost 8 per cent the households surveyed to pull their children out of school to help their families cope with the crisis, according to World Bank projections.

The impact that rising food and commodity prices has on the country's poor was highlighted at the General Assembly high-level debate last month by Fakhruddin Ahmed, who serves as head of his country's caretaker Government.

"For a country like Bangladesh, where roughly 40 per cent of the population lives below the poverty line and where poor households spend as much as 70 per cent of their income on food items, such a steep increase in food prices has had significant adverse effects on food security, poverty and human development," Mr. Ahmed told the annual debate.

The Government has allocated $800 million in its 2009 budget for measures to cope with the crisis, including making food grain – particularly rice – available to poor people at subsidized prices. It will also set up an employment guarantee scheme to help people in poor areas, as well as increase the country's strategic food reserves.

"It is critically important to help Bangladesh cope with this crisis," said the World Bank Lead Economist and project task team leader, Vinaya Swaroop.

"In the absence of concessionary financing resources, the Government would need to curtail development spending or other pro-poor programmes in order to sustain its increased social spending," the economist added.

"This credit will help the Government to respond to immediate crisis-related needs while protecting other programmes to promote growth and poverty reduction."
Oct 30 2008 3:10PM
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UNESCO DEPLORES MURDER OF TWO CROATIAN MEDIA EXECUTIVES

UNESCO DEPLORES MURDER OF TWO CROATIAN MEDIA EXECUTIVES
New York, Oct 30 2008 3:10PM
The United Nations agency tasked with defending press freedom today condemned the killing of the owner and another senior executive of a Croatian political weekly in a car bombing in the country's capital, Zagreb, last week.

Ivo Pukanic, who co-founded the weekly newspaper Nacional and owned the NCL Media Group, and Niko Franjic, who was marketing director of the weekly, died after the explosion on 23 October.

The bomb was said to have been placed under Mr. Pukanic's car and was detonated with a remote control device, according to a statement issued by the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

"Such crimes against the press constitute an attack on the basic human right of freedom of expression and are doubly reprehensible for their adverse effect on society as a whole," <"http://portal.unesco.org/en/ev.php-URL_ID=43817&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html">said UNESCO Director-General Koïchiro Matsuura.

"I understand that the Croatian authorities have undertaken to work on this case, which is a heartening development, and trust they will be able to end the alarming acts of violence against the media in the country."

UNESCO said Mr. Pukanic, the winner of several Croatian journalism prizes for his investigative reporting, was reported to have been the object of repeated threats in recent years. Last year his media group also opened a journalism school.
Oct 30 2008 3:10PM
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BAN CONDEMNS MULTIPLE TERRORIST ATTACKS IN NORTH-EAST INDIA

BAN CONDEMNS MULTIPLE TERRORIST ATTACKS IN NORTH-EAST INDIA
New York, Oct 30 2008 2:10PM
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has strongly condemned the terrorist attacks that struck the north-eastern Indian state of Assam today, reportedly killing at least 60 people and wounding several hundred more, and occurring on the same day that the United Nations chief was on an official visit to the country.

In a <"http://www.un.org/apps/sg/sgstats.asp?nid=3512">statement issued by his spokesperson, Mr. Ban expressed his deep sorrow and sympathy to the Government and people of India for the loss of life and destruction caused by the attacks.

"He strongly condemns this act of terrorism targeting civilians," the statement said, adding that "there can be absolutely no justification for such indiscriminate violence."

According to media reports, at least nine blasts rocked four towns in Assam, including three in the state capital, Guwahati.

Today's bombings are the latest in a series of attacks in cities across the vast South Asian nation in recent months, including in Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Jaipur and Delhi.

The Secretary-General's day-long visit to New Delhi followed a stop in the Philippines yesterday and is part of a four-nation Asia tour that will also take him to Nepal and Bangladesh.
Oct 30 2008 2:10PM
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INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND SETS UP NEW LENDING FACILITY TO EASE LIQUIDITY WOES

INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND SETS UP NEW LENDING FACILITY TO EASE LIQUIDITY WOES
New York, Oct 30 2008 1:10PM
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has created a new short-term lending facility for countries with strong policies and good track records but which are facing temporary liquidity problems amid the current global financial turmoil.

The Short-Term Liquidity Facility (SLF), approved yesterday by the IMF's Executive Board, comes with no conditions attached once a loan has been approved and offers large upfront financing to help countries restore confidence and maintain stability.

"Exceptional times call for an exceptional response," <"http://www.imf.org/external/np/sec/pr/2008/pr08262.htm">stated IMF Managing Director Dominique Strauss-Kahn, as he announced the establishment of the new facility.

"The ongoing turmoil in global capital markets has led to significant liquidity difficulties for some emerging market countries, even those that have maintained sound macroeconomic frameworks and have sustained histories of market access," he noted.

Existing IMF loan facilities offer flexibility but are mainly intended for countries that require both financing and policy adjustment, and not for countries that despite strong initial macroeconomic positions and policies are facing short-term liquidity pressures.

"This new facility addresses that gap in the Fund's toolkit of financial support," he said

Mr. Strauss-Kahn added that the Fund is responding quickly and flexibly to requests for financing.

"We are offering some countries substantial resources on an expedited basis, with conditions based only on measures absolutely necessary to get past the crisis and to restore a viable external position," he said.
Oct 30 2008 1:10PM
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DR CONGO: SECURITY COUNCIL WELCOMES REBEL LEADER’S CEASEFIRE ANNOUNCEMENT

DR CONGO: SECURITY COUNCIL WELCOMES REBEL LEADER'S CEASEFIRE ANNOUNCEMENT
New York, Oct 30 2008 1:10PM
The Security Council has welcomed the announcement by rebel leader Laurent Nkunda of an immediate ceasefire in the volatile east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), where recent intensified fighting has taken a heavy humanitarian toll.

In a presidential statement issued last night, the 15-member body said that it looks to the former Congolese army general who now heads the militia known as the National Congress for the Defence of the People (CNDP) to "ensure its effective and durable implementation."

The Council condemned the CNDP's recent military offensive in North Kivu province, which borders Rwanda and Uganda, calling for an end to the conflict.

It also spoke out against the "dramatic humanitarian consequences" of the fighting, urging all parties to abide by international law and protect civilians, guarantee access to those in need and ensure the safety of aid workers.

"The Council affirms that any attack against the civilian population, including at major population centres, is totally unacceptable," according to the statement read out by Ambassador Zhang Yesui of China, which holds the Council presidency this month.

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) <"http://www.unhcr.org/news/NEWS/490889d14.html">reported today that 8,000 Congolese have taken flight and crossed the border into Uganda, while yesterday it said that as many as 45,000 people have fled camps for internally displaced persons (IDPs) for nearby Goma, North Kivu's capital.

Yesterday's Council statement called on signatories to keep up their ends of recent peace agreements. "In this respect, the Security Council calls on the authorities of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda to take concrete steps to defuse tensions and to restore stability in the region."

It called on the DRC's Government to take measures to ensure there is no cooperation between the Congolese forces (FARDC) and the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a mainly Hutu militia group.

The Council also expressed its concern over reports of heavy fire being exchanged across the DRC-Rwanda border.

UNHCR said today that Goma is calm following a night of fierce shooting and widespread looting.

But the agency said that the security situation means it has no access to areas where internally displaced persons (IDPs) are taking shelter outside the city.

For its part, the UN World Food Programme <"http://www.wfp.org/english/?ModuleID=137&Key=2974">(WFP) announced it was able to distribute food to hospitals in Goma yesterday, but its trucks – which are loaded with food and ready to move – remain unable to deliver aid outside the city.

In preparation for the possible movement of refugees from Goma into Rwanda, the agency has prepositioned enough food for 2,000 people at the Nkamira transit centre in Gisenyi, across the border from North Kivu's capital.
Oct 30 2008 1:10PM
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SECRETARY-GENERAL APPLAUDS MALDIVES AFTER ITS FIRST MULTI-PARTY PRESIDENTIAL POLLS

SECRETARY-GENERAL APPLAUDS MALDIVES AFTER ITS FIRST MULTI-PARTY PRESIDENTIAL POLLS
New York, Oct 30 2008 1:10PM
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today congratulated the people of the Maldives for the peaceful conduct of the Indian Ocean archipelago's first-ever multi-party presidential elections this week, calling the poll "an important step forward in the country's democratic reform process."

Mr. Ban commended "both the outgoing President [Maumoon Abdul Gayoom] and the President-elect [Mohamed Nasheem] for their statesmanship, and urges them to continue to work together to ensure a smooth transition of power," according to a <"http://www.un.org/apps/sg/sgstats.asp?nid=3511">statement issued by his spokesperson.

"The Secretary-General encourages all parties to work in a cooperative manner and continue to carry forward the reform process aimed at achieving a more open and democratic Maldives."

In August, the UN Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers Leandro Despouy welcomed the approval of a new constitution in the Maldives, saying it demonstrated the country's progress towards upholding democratic principles.

The new constitution, the culmination of nearly four years of work by the Special Majlis or constitutional assembly, establishes the separation of powers and recognizes the independence of the judiciary.

It contains provisions for the creation of a Supreme Court and the post of prosecutor general, as well as for the setting up of a judicial service commission, an independent body that will decide on the appointment, dismissal and discipline for judges.
Oct 30 2008 1:10PM
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GENERAL ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT CALLS FOR INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE TO FINANCIAL CRISIS

GENERAL ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT CALLS FOR INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE TO FINANCIAL CRISIS
New York, Oct 30 2008 12:10PM
The international community must fundamentally reform the global financial system and help restore the trust lost as a result of the greed and corruption that caused the current economic crisis and untold suffering around the world, the President of the General Assembly stressed today.

General Assembly President Miguel D'Escoto was speaking at the inauguration of a high-level task force – chaired by Joseph Stiglitz, winner of the Nobel Prize for Economics in 2001 – to review the global financial system.

"The international community has the responsibility and the opportunity to identify longer-term measures that go beyond protection of banks, stabilization of credit markets and reassurances for big investors," said Mr. D'Escoto.

"The stakes are too high for half-measures and quick fixes put together behind closed doors," he added.

The President noted that the global financial system does not reflect the global and interdependent nature of the world's economies and told United Nations Member States that a solution to the crisis must involve all countries in a democratic process.

"We must take advantage of the unique forum provided by the United Nations to build agreement on the new financial architecture required by the international community," said Mr. D'Escoto.

The response to the current turmoil affecting world markets must also take into account the poor, said Mr. D'Escoto while reminding Member States to meet their commitments to finance development despite the crisis.

"Sacrifices should be shared and cannot be placed on the backs of the poor as is usually the case," he said.

"All nations must be subject to financial discipline, including the rich and powerful, or there will be no effective international regulations."

Mr. D'Escoto called for Member States to "get down to business" and identify actions that can lead to genuine change so that the world economy can recover from the current crisis.

The General Assembly President has put together a panel of experts to review the global financial system, including major bodies such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and to guide the world body in its deliberations concerning its response to the financial meltdown.

The group is headed by Dr. Stiglitz of Columbia University, and includes Prabhat Patnaik from the Center for Economic Studies and Planning at Jawaharlal Nehru University and Sakiko Fukuda-Parr of the New School University, who will all addressing the General Assembly in the morning session.

Pedro Páez, Minister of Economic Policy and Coordination of Ecuador, Calestous Juma of the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University and Francois Houtart, Chief Editor of Social Campus, are this afternoon's panellists.
Oct 30 2008 12:10PM
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UN SEEKS $17 MILLION TO ASSIST HONDURAN FLOOD VICTIMS

UN SEEKS $17 MILLION TO ASSIST HONDURAN FLOOD VICTIMS
New York, Oct 30 2008 11:10AM
United Nations agencies and their non-governmental organisation (NGO) partners today appealed for more than $17 million to provide food, shelter, health care, water and sanitation over the next six months to some 270,000 people affected by severe floods in Honduras.

The funds will also support emergency logistics and early recovery projects in the Central American nation, where heavy rains brought on by a tropical depression earlier this month caused rivers to swell and in some areas change their course.

"The resulting flooding and landslides have caused loss of life and injuries," the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said in a statement. They also destroyed over 72,000 hectares of crops and inflicted severe damage on infrastructure.

The hardest-hit areas include Copán, Ocotepeque, Cortés, Atlantida and Yoro departments across the north of the country, but the central and western regions of Honduras were also affected.

"Living conditions for some of the most vulnerable communities will remain precarious for several months, and failure to intervene with assistance could lead to extreme poverty and worsening malnutrition," OCHA cautioned.

The funds requested will support projects proposed by nine UN agencies, the International Organization for Migration, and Plan International, in coordination with the Government of Honduras.
Oct 30 2008 11:10AM
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UN STAFF IN SOMALIA MOURN LOSS OF COLLEAGUES KILLED IN DEADLY BLAST

UN STAFF IN SOMALIA MOURN LOSS OF COLLEAGUES KILLED IN DEADLY BLAST
New York, Oct 30 2008 10:10AM
Unite Nations staff in Somalia are mourning the loss of two of their colleagues who were killed in yesterday's explosion at the UN compound in Hargeisa, which also seriously injured six others and was part of a wave of attacks in the north of the strife-torn nation.

Mark Bowden, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia, has confirmed that Mohammed Geele and Sayid Hashi were killed in the car bomb attack on the UN Development Programme (UNDP) compound that occurred on Wednesday morning.

Mr. Geele, a Local Security Advisor who had worked for the UN for five years, is survived by his wife and five children.

Mr. Hashi had been a driver for the UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS) since 1997 and leaves behind a wife and three sons.

"Our deepest condolences go out to the families and colleagues of our two staff members who died in the explosion," Mr. Bowden <"http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900SID/SHIG-7KWFEQ?OpenDocument">said in a news release issued in Nairobi, where his office is based.

"Right now our immediate concern is for the well-being and support of the families of the victims and staff members who have survived this trauma. Given the extremely violent and targeted nature of the attack, many are severely shaken and mourning the loss of their colleagues," he added.

Six other staff members were injured, and two of them with serious injuries were evacuated to Djibouti for immediate medical attention. Their condition is now stable.

Several buildings in the UNDP compound – which also houses other agencies such as Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), UNOPS, UN Political Office for Somalia (UNPOS), the Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS and the Resident Coordinator's Office – suffered significant damage.

There were 74 international and almost 200 national UN staff working in Hargeisa at the time of the attack, which was vehemently condemned by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

"The Secretary-General deplores these outrageous acts of violence deliberately targeting innocent civilians and United Nations personnel who work tirelessly to alleviate the dire suffering of Somali citizens," Mr. Ban's spokesperson said in a statement yesterday.

Somalia has been beset by fighting and massive humanitarian suffering for the past two decades but the violence has flared anew this year, particularly in and around the capital, Mogadishu, and caused widespread displacement. The country has not had a functioning national government since 1991.

"While Somalia is one of the most dangerous places in the world for aid workers, Hargeisa has been relatively stable and consequently many United Nations staff were stationed there," said Mr. Bowden.

"It's because of the stability that the UN has been able to help move forward the reconstruction process, constructing schools, drilling boreholes, and building on the peace which has been achieved there since 1998," he added.

UN agencies are working in Hargeisa and the northwest regions with the local government and communities to deliver much needed services such as water and health care. They are also providing assistance for returnees, helping build local institutions and responding to the drought.
Oct 30 2008 10:10AM
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PAKISTAN: UN WORKING TO ASSIST NEARLY 20,000 PAKISTANI QUAKE SURVIVORS

PAKISTAN: UN WORKING TO ASSIST NEARLY 20,000 PAKISTANI QUAKE SURVIVORS
New York, Oct 30 2008 10:10AM
United Nations agencies are stepping up efforts to assist some 20,000 people displaced by the deadly earthquake that struck Pakistan's southwest Baluchistan province yesterday, and address immediate needs include access to food and water, health services and shelter.

At least 160 people are believed to have died – and hundreds more injured – in the 6.4 magnitude quake, whose epicentre was located in a mountainous area northeast of Quetta, the provincial capital of Baluchistan. Those numbers are expected to rise with many people missing and feared buried under the rubble homes that have been damaged or destroyed.

The World Health Organization (WHO) is sending two truckloads of essential medicines and supplies for 50,000 people for three months to the most-affected districts of Ziarat and Pishin.

The agency is also flying trauma supplies stored at the UN Humanitarian Response Depot in Dubai to treat 400 people into the region. The two affected areas remain accessible for convoys carrying relief supplies and the rural health centre in the town of Kawas in Ziarat is functioning as the referral hospital.

In addition to food, water and essential health services, WHO is also concerned about low immunization coverage in the region, especially for measles and tetanus. The agency and its UN partners are carrying out field assessments in the affected area to obtain a clearer picture of the health needs.

Meanwhile, the World Food Programme (WFP) is plans to provide 700 tons of dry food rations to the affected communities, including wheat flour, pulses, oil and salt for two months.

"We need to move fast, so we are going to start distributing food stocks from our warehouses in Quetta and Peshawar, so we can reach the people who need it most," said WFP Pakistan Country Director, Wolfgang Herbinger, adding that the agency would be coordinating its response with the Government and other UN agencies.

A spokesperson for Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon yesterday issued a statement in which the UN chief voiced deep sadness and offered his condolences to the families of the quake victims.

"The United Nations stands ready to lend its assistance to efforts to respond to humanitarian needs created by the disaster, including by using existing resources and providing grants from emergency funds, and to mobilize international support for that response, if required," the statement noted.
Oct 30 2008 10:10AM
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UN MISSION IN SUDAN DEPLORES KILLING OF FOUR CHINESE OIL WORKERS

UN MISSION IN SUDAN DEPLORES KILLING OF FOUR CHINESE OIL WORKERS
New York, Oct 29 2008 8:10PM
The United Nations peacekeeping mission established at the end of the north-south civil war in Sudan today condemned the kidnapping and murder of four Chinese oil workers in the country's centre and called for the immediate release of all other hostages.

Media reports say nine workers were kidnapped in Southern Kordofan state on 18 October, and the bodies of four of the people abducted were found this week. Some hostages remain missing.

In a statement, the UN Mission in Sudan (<"http://www.unmis.org/english/en-main.htm">UNMIS) offered its condolences to the bereaved families and called for the immediate release of the remaining hostages.

"UNMIS condemns the use of violence for political purposes and those responsible for this heinous act should be brought to justice," the statement said.

UNMIS was set up in 2005 to support the implementation of the comprehensive peace agreement (CPA), the accord earlier that year which ended the long-running north-south civil war in Sudan. It is separate to the hybrid UN-African Union peacekeeping force in the Darfur (known as <"http://www.un.org/depts/dpko/missions/unamid/">UNAMID) region in the west of the country.
Oct 29 2008 8:10PM
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UN RURAL DEVELOPMENT ARM SIGNS DEAL TO HELP CUT POVERTY IN MOLDOVA

UN RURAL DEVELOPMENT ARM SIGNS DEAL TO HELP CUT POVERTY IN MOLDOVA
New York, Oct 29 2008 7:10PM
The United Nations agency tasked with reducing rural poverty announced today that it will spend more than $13 million supporting a programme in Moldova to boost the Eastern European country's farm and horticulture industries.

The International Fund for Agricultural Development (<"http://www.ifad.org/">IFAD) signed an agreement today with Moldova to provide a loan of $12.7 million and a grant of just over $500,000, which means the Rome-based agency will fund over two-thirds of the $18.95 million programme.

The new programme will target rural financial services, develop commercial infrastructure and aim to increase the skills of farmers and horticulture producers so they can succeed more in selling their products on the national and international markets, according to a press release issued by IFAD.

The agency is now financing four separate programmes in Moldova that are collectively worth just over $48 million.
Oct 29 2008 7:10PM
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WOMEN VITAL TO PEACE IN POST-CONFLICT ZONES, SECURITY COUNCIL HEARS

WOMEN VITAL TO PEACE IN POST-CONFLICT ZONES, SECURITY COUNCIL HEARS
New York, Oct 29 2008 7:10PM
A comprehensive and sustainable peace is not possible in post-conflict situations unless women's security and participation is a primary objective for peacekeepers, senior United Nations officials told the Security Council today.

Gender issues must be addressed in conflict mediation as well as in the deployment of peacekeepers, and women must participate in promoting peace and security, UN Development Fund for Women (<"http://www.unifem.org/index.php?f_page_pid=6">UNIFEM) Executive Director Inés Alberdi told the <"http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2008/sc9487.doc.htm">meeting.

"This is particularly important in conflicts in which sexual violence is used as a tactic of war," said Ms. Alberdi, addressing the Security Council debate on women, peace and security.

"If abuses of women's rights are tolerated through de facto impunity for perpetrators, efforts to restore the rule of law lose their credibility," she told the 15-member panel.

Ms. Alberdi noted that Security Council resolution 1820 – which states that rape and other forms of sexual violence can constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity – acknowledges the importance of women's security in assuring a durable peace areas experiencing conflict.

She warned the Council that if direct measures are not taken by national authorities to prevent the widespread and systematic targeting of women, the violence will spill over in the post-conflict environment.

"We know that in some contexts attacks on women increase after conflict. If countries and the international community do not respond decisively to violence against women, they raise the cost of peacebuilding," warned Ms. Alberdi.

"The cost is in delayed stabilization and reconciliation in countries where the rule of law cannot take root," she added.

"However, despite their successes, women continue to be marginalized and ignored," said the Secretary-General's Special Adviser on Gender Issues and Advancement of Women Rachel Mayanja.

"It is our duty and indeed our obligation to millions of women in conflict areas to use the opportunity offered by Security Council resolution 1325 to set in motion perhaps one of the most promising approaches to conflict resolution of this new century," she added.

Resolution 1325, which was adopted by the Council eight years ago, stresses the importance of giving women equal participation and full involvement in peace and security matters and the need to increase their role in decision-making.

Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Alain Le Roy briefed the Council on specific steps his department was taking to incorporate women and gender perspectives into peace and security work.

"It is no exaggeration to say that in the last eight years since its adoption, resolution 1325 has changed the way we do business in peacekeeping," Mr. Le Roy said.

He noted that the resolution had galvanised women in post-conflict countries to demand greater accountability from peacekeeping operations to respond to gender issues, and cited the examples of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Côte d'Ivoire and Kosovo, where women's groups have established regular channels of communications with mission leadership.

"Peacekeepers understand all too clearly that our efforts to avoid conflict relapses in fragile post-conflict countries can only succeed if we ensure that all members of society have an equal stake in safeguarding the peace dividend," the peacekeeping chief said.

Peacekeeping operations have supported the participation of women in elections in a number of countries. Mr. Le Roy told the Council that it is not enough to have women voting or being elected to office; the real challenge is for women to stay in office and implement gender-sensitive policies.

"In Timor-Leste, for example, four women parliamentarians quit office with the first three months of their election to office in 2002. We must first invest in providing technical support to those who are unfamiliar with constitution-making, and with the working of formal political procedures and legislative process," Mr. Le Roy told the Council.

Following speeches from dozens of Member States, Ambassador Zhang Yesui of China, which holds the Council presidency this month, read out a statement urging the international community to increase the participation and decision-making of women in conflict prevention, conflict resolution and peacebuilding activities.

In the presidential statement the Council called on Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to appoint more women to senior positions, particularly as Special Representatives and Special Envoys.

"The Security Council also strongly condemns all violations of international law committed against women and girls during and after armed conflicts, urges the complete cessation by all parties of such acts with immediate effect, and also urges Member States to bring to justice those responsible for crimes of this nature," the statement stressed.
Oct 29 2008 7:10PM
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YEMEN: UN FOOD AGENCY AIRLIFTS SUPPLIES TO FLOOD VICTIMS

YEMEN: UN FOOD AGENCY AIRLIFTS SUPPLIES TO FLOOD VICTIMS
New York, Oct 29 2008 6:10PM
The United Nations World Food Programme (<"http://www.wfp.org/english/?ModuleID=137&Key=2973">WFP) has today airlifted 17 tons of high-energy biscuits to assist Yemenis affected by a tropical storm that struck last Thursday, killing 180 people and displacing some 10,000 others from their homes.

Departing from the UN Humanitarian Response Depot in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, the rations will go to 210 affected households in the eastern town of Mukala.

Requiring no preparation, the high-energy biscuits offer a practical way of meeting basic nutritional requirements for people who have no access to cooking facilities due to flood damage.

WFP has also provided 10 kilograms of dates to each family – an initiative expected to assist nearly 1500 displaced people – and is planning for more rations to be distributed in the future.

WFP's attempts to get medical supplies and relief aid have been hampered by the flooding of so many roads in the area. To assist other humanitarian organizations, WFP is offering logistical support, drawing on capacity from its existing food assistance operations in the country.
Oct 29 2008 6:10PM
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