UN HUMANITARIAN CHIEF CONTINUES ASSESSING NEEDS IN POST-CONFLICT GAZA

UN HUMANITARIAN CHIEF CONTINUES ASSESSING NEEDS IN POST-CONFLICT GAZA
New York, Jan 24 2009 8:10PM
The top United Nations humanitarian official, who is on the ground to assess needs in Gaza, has lauded the determination of those working to address the immediate needs of people in the wake of the recent three-week Israeli military offensive.

Today in Ramallah and Jerusalem, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs John Holmes met with the Palestinian Authority, representatives of the Private Sector Council, Palestinian and Israeli non-government organizations (NGOs), and Israeli academics.

Members of civil society stressed to the UN official the need to keep the crossings into Gaza open, while Palestinian groups voiced the deep anger of their community and called for accountability.

The 22-day offensive, which Israel launched on 27 December with the stated aim of ending Hamas rocket attacks, claimed over 1,300 lives, 412 of them children, and wounded more than 5,450, 1,85
5 of them children, as well as causing widespread destruction and suffering.

In his talks with the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah, Mr. Holmes, who also serves as Emergency Relief Coordinator, discussed bolstering relief, recovery and emergency repairs.

Welcoming the support of governments and private organizations, the Palestinian Authority underscored the importance of cash donations, and asked that donors coordinate their aid with both the United Nations and the Authority.

"During my visit to Gaza earlier this week, the destruction I witnessed was devastating," said the Under-Secretary-General. "However, I end this visit encouraged by the determination of those I have met to respond as quickly as possible to the immediate needs of the people of Gaza, and to help them resume a life lived with dignity."

Yesterday, he briefed donors on his visit to Gaza and on the Flash Appeal to meet critical needs to be launched early next month, tomorrow, he will travel to Egypt to confer
with representatives from the Government and the League of Arab States, as well as UN officials, the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, and others.

John Ging, Director of Operations in Gaza for the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), cautioned that there is growing anger in Gaza over the recent Israeli military operation that inflicted death, damage and destruction in the territory.

Briefing reporters in New York via video-link from Gaza yesterday, he emphasized that ensuring accountability and restoring the local economy are the main ways to make certain the conflict does not create more extremists.

"People are increasingly angry about what has happened here. That is perfectly understandable. But we want to channel the emotions now into something constructive and positive," Mr. Ging noted.

Jan 24 2009 8:10PM
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HOLOCAUST HAS VITAL LESSONS FOR TODAY, SAYS BAN

HOLOCAUST HAS VITAL LESSONS FOR TODAY, SAYS BAN
New York, Jan 24 2009 6:10PM
The Holocaust provides important lessons for the present, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today, stressing the necessity to bolster the forces of harmony and dialogue.

In an address to mark the International Day of Commemoration honoring victims of the Holocaust at the Park East Synagogue in New York, Mr. Ban said that during a recent visit to the Middle East, he saw first-hand the suffering of both Israelis and Gazans.

"I said to all I met, on both sides: This must stop," he stated.

"I left the region more determined than ever to work toward a world where two States , Israel and Palestine , live side by side in peace and security. War can never be an answer," the Secretary-General added, stressing that "we need to strengthen the forces of peaceful coexistence and dialogue."

Mr. Ban stressed the need for frankness and for the recognition of the limits of power and goodwill.

"We here know that w
e can never entirely rid the world of its tyrants and its intolerance. We cannot turn all extremists to the path of reason and light," he said. "We can only stand against them and raise our voices in the name of our common humanity."

Paying tribute to the synagogue's Senior Rabbi Arthur Schneier and the late United States Congressman Tom Lantos, both of whom are Holocaust survivors, the Secretary-General called for the reaffirmation of "our faith in the dignity of humankind and our extraordinary resilience ? our moral strength ? even amid history's darkest chapters."

In 2005, the General Assembly designated 27 January, the anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz death camp, as the International Day.

Next week, the United Nations will commemorate the fourth Day through panel discussions, exhibits and plays.

Jan 24 2009 6:10PM
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SOMALIA: UN-BACKED EVENT SEEKING TO ENLARGE PARLIAMENT KICKS OFF

SOMALIA: UN-BACKED EVENT SEEKING TO ENLARGE PARLIAMENT KICKS OFF
New York, Jan 24 2009 6:10PM
A United Nations-backed gathering seeking to further progress towards expanding the Somali Parliament and elect a new president of the strife-torn Horn of Africa nation kicked off today in neighbouring Djibouti.

"We have no doubt that with your prevailing commitment and will, [the Somali Parliamentary Conference] will be a success as your various constituencies expect," the UN Political Office for Somalia (UNPOS) said in its welcome note to participants.

The event is expected to result in the enlargement of Somalia's Parliament and elect a new president in keeping with the Somali Transitional Federal Charter by 28 January.

The new president is to then appoint a prime minister and create a government several days after being sworn in to the position.

Violence has continued in Somalia despite the signing in June 2008 of the UN-facilitated Djibouti Agreement by the Transitional Federal
Government (TFG) and the Alliance for the Re-Liberation of Somalia (ARS), in which they agreed to end their conflict.

Last October, both parties agreed on the outline of forming a Government of National Unity and expanding the Parliament, and the principles were endorsed by the Transitional Federal Parliament.

Somalia, which has not had a functioning national government since 1991, has been plagued by fighting and humanitarian suffering for decades. Continuing instability, coupled with drought, high food prices and the collapse of the local currency have only worsened the dire humanitarian situation in recent months.

Jan 24 2009 6:10PM
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UN AGENCY APPLAUDS US PRESIDENT'S DECISION TO RESUME FUNDING

UN AGENCY APPLAUDS US PRESIDENT'S DECISION TO RESUME FUNDING
New York, Jan 24 2009 12:10PM
The United Nation's Population Fund (UNFPA) has lauded President Barack Obama's decision to restore United States funding for its operations, hailing the new leader for his efforts to advance women's health, rights and equality.

Yesterday, Mr. Obama said that by resuming US support for UNFPA, his country will be joining 180 other donor nations in working towards slashing poverty, boosting the health of women and children, prevent HIV/AIDS and provide family planning assistance to women in 154 countries.

"The President's actions send a strong message about his leadership and his desire to support causes that will promote peace and dignity, equality for women and girls and economic development in the poorest regions of the world," said Thoraya Ahmed Obaid, UNFPA Executive Director.

US support totaling nearly $250 million has been withheld for the past seven years.

"President Obama's decisi
on could not have come at a more critical time," said Ms. Obaid. "If women are to stop dying in childbirth and if reproductive health for all is to become a reality, we need increased political and financial commitment at all levels to implement strategies that we know will work. With the renewed US support to women and to UNFPA, the odds of that happening are greatly improved."

The rate of death from pregnancy and childbirth -- 99 per cent of which occur in developing countries -- has fallen just one per cent between 1990 and 2005 around the world. Every minute, a woman dies giving life, totaling up to 10 million women during a generation.

Mr. Obama's decisions "is an essential step towards creating a world where all women have the opportunity to participate as equal members of society," the Executive Director noted.

Jan 24 2009 12:10PM
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BAN CALLS ON REGIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL LEADERS TO HELP SUSTAIN GAZA TRUCE

BAN CALLS ON REGIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL LEADERS TO HELP SUSTAIN GAZA TRUCE
New York, Jan 23 2009 7:10PM
Calling the halt to fighting in Gaza "fragile," United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today called on leaders in the region and around the globe to help sustain it and allow the recovery of its devastated population.

"I am relieved the fighting has ended, with the declaration of unilateral ceasefires and the withdrawal of Israeli troops," said Mr. Ban, in <"http://www.un.org/apps/sg/sgstats.asp?nid=3672">statement delivered by B. Lynn Pascoe, Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs to an extraordinary meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).

"But conditions are still fragile, and much more remains to be done on both the humanitarian and diplomatic fronts," he added to the group, which represents over two-thirds of the Member States of the world Organization.

Mr. Ban said he looks to Egypt and others to continue to seek understandings and mechanisms to ensure that a durable and sustainable ceasefire is quickly put in place.

Describing the destruction he witnessed on his visit to area, he said he also looks to regional and international leaders to help sustain those arrangement, as called for by Security Council resolution 1860, which demanded a halt to Israel's 22-day offensive and the Hamas rocket attacks that Israel said it was trying to end.

The offensive, launched on 27 December, claimed over 1,300 lives and wounded more than 5,450, in addition to causing widespread damage and destruction.
Jan 23 2009 7:10PM
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BAN DISCUSSES UN-US COOPERATION WITH NEW PRESIDENT, SECRETARY OF STATE

BAN DISCUSSES UN-US COOPERATION WITH NEW PRESIDENT, SECRETARY OF STATE
New York, Jan 23 2009 6:10PM
In separate telephone conversations with the new United States President and Secretary of State, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon discussed a range of issues, including United Nations reform, climate change and the Darfur peace process.

During his talks with President Barack Obama, who took office on Tuesday, this afternoon, Mr. Ban underscored the importance of the US-UN partnership, emphasizing the need for collaboration on matters such as the global economic crisis, food security and the resolution of regional crisis, especially those in Africa and the Middle East.

The two leaders also conferred on continued efforts to reform the UN, as well as the Organization's need for political and financial support. The Secretary-General noted that he was encouraged by Mr. Obama's assurance of support.

Later on in the day, Mr. Ban spoke with Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, who stressed the importance of cooperation in the Middle East, Afghanistan and Iraq, and also in UN reform and budgetary issues.

Earlier this week, he welcomed Mr. Obama's election "with great optimism," noting that the UN and US have many common goals.

"Together, United States of America and the United Nations can look forward to a new era of strong and effective partnership, delivering the results and the change we need," he said in a statement.
Jan 23 2009 6:10PM
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AUSTRALIANS TO HIGHLIGHT CARBON NEUTRALITY ON NATIONAL DAY – UN

AUSTRALIANS TO HIGHLIGHT CARBON NEUTRALITY ON NATIONAL DAY – UN
New York, Jan 23 2009 6:10PM
For some of Australia's best-known cities, companies and organizations that are part of a United Nations low-carbon initiative, this year's Australia Day will be celebrated, not by barbecues or beach parties, but by going 'green.'

Australian cities, public campaigns, corporations and others have taken on the challenge of lowering carbon emissions by joining the Climate Neutral Network (CN Net), led by the UN Environment Programme (<"http://www.unep.org/Documents.Multilingual/Default.asp?DocumentID=556&ArticleID=6047&l=en">UNEP) which seeks to spur global action to achieve climate neutrality.

"Combating climate change is the challenge of this generation," said Achim Steiner, UNEP Executive Director. "But it is also perhaps one of the greatest opportunities for transforming economies, triggering innovation, sparking human creativity and generating jobs now and in the future."

Australian CN Net participants include the cities of Sydney and Brisbane, as well as a music festival and a carbon management company.

In 2007, Sydney, the largest in the country, became Australia's first carbon neutral local government, implementing such initiatives as energy-efficient street lighting and creating a network of bicycle paths.

Brisbane, the nation's third most populous city, is seeking to become carbon neutral by 2026, through such schemes as promoting the use of solar hot water systems and pioneering Australia's first public bicycle hire scheme.

In a related development, Japan, a key UN partner in tackling environmental issues, successfully launched a satellite today to monitor greenhouse gases from space.

The satellite, known as IBUKI in Japanese, is the first to observe the gases. Using a high-precision sensor, it can measure the concentration of gases throughout almost the earth's entire surface, including areas where data has never been collected.

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) signed an agreement with the UN Economic Commission for Asia and the Pacific (<"http://www.unescap.org/unis/press/2009/jan/g02.asp">ESCAP) to collaborate on issues such as disaster risk reduction and the environment.
Jan 23 2009 6:10PM
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OVERCROWDING OF BOAT PEOPLE ON ITALIAN ISLAND WORRIES UN REFUGEE AGENCY

OVERCROWDING OF BOAT PEOPLE ON ITALIAN ISLAND WORRIES UN REFUGEE AGENCY
New York, Jan 23 2009 6:10PM
The United Nations refugee agency today expressed concern over the overcrowded conditions faced by nearly 2,000 boat people, including asylum seekers, currently crammed into one reception centre on the southern Italian island of Lampedusa.

"The centre has a capacity for only 850 people and hence cannot accommodate such high numbers," Ron Redmond, spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (<"http://www.unhcr.org/news/NEWS/4979f78b4.html">UNHCR), said in Geneva.

"The result is that hundreds of people are now sleeping outdoors under plastic sheeting, and adequate reception standards cannot be maintained," he added.

The reception centre in Lampedusa was established to temporarily accommodate people rescued at sea while preparations are made for their transfer to various special centres set up throughout southern Italy to examine their situation, UNHCR said.

Until now, the agency explained in a press release, this arrangement has been seen as a model for management of what the agency calls mixed migratory flows, made up of persons who have moved for a variety of reasons, including political asylum but also economic and other migration.

The agency said the practice so far has been to accommodate asylum seekers in open centres and have their applications examined by a status-determination commission, but the beginning of this year, the government decided that all migrants must remain in Lampedusa until a ruling is made on their cases.

The resulting overcrowding not only creates humanitarian concern, UNHCR said, but also complicates the work of the agency and other organizations active there under a project funded by the Ministry of the Interior and the European Commission.

Pirkko Kourula, director of UNHCR's Europe Bureau, has noted the good cooperation the agency has had with Italy over the years and has urged its authorities to take all necessary steps to address the difficult humanitarian situation now unfolding in Lampedusa.

Available data shows that many boat arrivals on the island are persons originating from Somalia and Eritrea.

According to preliminary figures for 2008, about 75 per cent of those who arrived in Italy by sea last year applied for asylum, and around 50 percent of those who applied were granted refugee status or protection on other humanitarian grounds.
Jan 23 2009 6:10PM
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CÔTE D’IVOIRE: UN APPEALS FOR NEARLY $40 MILLION TO HELP OVER 300,000 PEOPLE

CÔTE D'IVOIRE: UN APPEALS FOR NEARLY $40 MILLION TO HELP OVER 300,000 PEOPLE
New York, Jan 23 2009 5:10PM
United Nations agencies and their partners today issued an appeal for nearly $40 million to bring humanitarian relief to over 300,000 people in Côte d'Ivoire.

The money is expected to fund 17 projects as part of the strategic humanitarian priorities identified for the West African nation for 2009, which are to protect internally displaced persons (IDPs) and improve vulnerable people's nutrition.

Aid workers have focused on assisting the uprooted who are returning to their homes, especially in Côte d'Ivoire's west. They are also working to help children suffering from severe acute malnutrition.

The 2007 Ouagadougou Agreement, the political accord reached in neighbouring Burkina Faso that aims to reconcile the Government and the rebel Forces Nouvelles, heralded a new era of political and humanitarian development in Côte d'Ivoire.

To safeguard the progress made in the country since the signing of the pact, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has recommended extending the mandate of the UN peacekeeping force there, known as <"http://www.un.org/Depts/dpko/missions/unoci/">UNOCI, for another six-month period.

"While the country currently enjoys increased stability, the delicate electoral process, including the post-electoral period, and the implementation of the remaining tasks of the peace agreement require that UNOCI maintain its core capabilities," Mr. Ban wrote in his latest report on Côte d'Ivoire.
Jan 23 2009 5:10PM
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‘GROUP OF 77’ DEVELOPING COUNTRIES CRITICAL TO OVERCOMING GLOBAL CRISES, BAN SAYS

'GROUP OF 77' DEVELOPING COUNTRIES CRITICAL TO OVERCOMING GLOBAL CRISES, BAN SAYS
New York, Jan 23 2009 5:10PM
The cooperation of developing nations is critical to overcome the concurrent crises in finance, climate change, global health and extreme poverty, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon told the 'Group of 77' States today, at a ceremony where the leadership of the powerful caucus passed from Antigua and Barbuda to Sudan.

"The crises that erupted last year highlighted the interdependence of economies and countries," Mr. Ban said in <"http://www.un.org/apps/sg/sgstats.asp?nid=3670">remarks read out by Deputy Secretary-General Asha-Rose Migiro to the Group, which was established in 1964 by 77 States, but now represents more than 130 countries, usually including China.

"As we move into 2009, these global challenges remain. They threaten to undo the progress made towards the development goals of the last decade," he added, stressing that efforts to meet the Millennium Development Goals (<"http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/">MDGs) that aim to slash poverty and other ills by 2015 required the hard work of all.

In that light, Mr. Ban stressed the importance of cooperation between developing countries and expressed appreciation for the Group's strong support for his efforts to strengthen the development pillar of the UN. He promised to continue to work to increase the effectiveness of those efforts across the system

However, peace and security, development and human rights – the fundamentals of the UN Charter – are interdependent, especially in Africa, where people "so desperately need peace for development."

"I sincerely hope that Sudan's leadership of the Group of 77 and China will accelerate efforts to find an acceptable resolution of these conflicts," he said.

Also addressing the handover ceremony, General Assembly President Miguel D'Escoto recalled his association with the caucus since its inception and listed some of its achievements.

Mr. D'Escoto said he looked forward to working with the Sudan Chairmanship in a spirit of "collective responsibility" with other groups and Member States to enhance the relevance and vitality of the General Assembly.

"This is the best way to promote more effective multilateralism and deepen our cooperation and demonstrate our leadership on complex issues, including the ongoing reform of the United Nations," he said.
Jan 23 2009 5:10PM
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SHELTER FOR FLOOD-BATTERED COLOMBIANS TO BE BUILT WITH EMERGENCY FUNDING, UN SAYS

SHELTER FOR FLOOD-BATTERED COLOMBIANS TO BE BUILT WITH EMERGENCY FUNDING, UN SAYS
New York, Jan 23 2009 5:10PM
More than a thousand families left homeless by recent flooding in Colombia will be sheltered through a grant of $460,000 from the United Nations emergency relief fund, the UN Office the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (<"http://ochaonline.un.org/">OCHA) said today.

With help from the Central Emergency Response Fund (<"http://ochaonline.un.org/cerf/CERFHome/tabid/1705/language/en-US/Default.aspx">CERF), the International Organization for Migration (<"http://www.iom.int/jahia/jsp/index.jsp">IOM) will build shelters for more than 1,100 families left homeless in Colombia's Pacific coastal region.

The money will also help provide kitchen sets, stoves, hammocks, mattresses, blankets, and other items for people in the Chocó region, where more than 150,000 people were affected by the inundations, OCHA said.

The country's harshest, most destructive rainy season on record has wreaked havoc on the Sucre, Bolivar and Chocó provinces, affecting one million people and destroying 44,000 hectares of crops.

CERF, which now holds some $450 million in reserves, was created by the General Assembly in 2006 to allow the world body quick access to life-saving funds in sudden crises.
Jan 23 2009 5:10PM
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RECORD PURCHASE ENABLED UN TO FEED HUNGRY, BOOST SOUTHERN AFRICAN ECONOMIES

RECORD PURCHASE ENABLED UN TO FEED HUNGRY, BOOST SOUTHERN AFRICAN ECONOMIES
New York, Jan 23 2009 5:10PM
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) announced today that it purchased a record amount of food in southern Africa in 2008, enabling the agency to feed millions across the vast continent while also supporting local farmers and economies.

WFP spent $190 million last year buying more than 550,000 metric tons of food, including cereals, pulses, vegetable oil, corn-soya blend, salt and sugar in seven countries across southern Africa, with the bulk of the purchases made in South Africa, Mozambique, Malawi and Zambia.

"These record purchases played a huge part in ensuring that <"http://beta.wfp.org/news/news-release/wfp-buys-record-amounts-food-southern-africa">WFP was able to provide timely and sufficient food assistance to millions of hungry people across Africa," said Mustapha Darboe, WFP Regional Director for Southern, Eastern and Central Africa.

Most of the food was distributed within southern Africa, but significant amounts were also used in emergencies elsewhere on the continent, including Somalia, Kenya and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Mr. Darboe noted that, at a time of high food prices, buying in southern Africa has still proven to be both cost efficient as well as extremely effective in supporting small farmers and traders and stimulating local agricultural economies. The agency hopes to buy even more food directly from small-scale farmers in the coming years.

The record purchases in southern Africa amounted to one-fifth of WFP's total food purchases in 2008. The previous record was set in 2005, when WFP bought just over 500,000 metric tons in southern Africa for $100 million.
Jan 23 2009 5:10PM
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UN OFFICIAL URGES STEPS TO ENSURE GAZA CRISIS DOES NOT LEAD TO FURTHER EXTREMISM

UN OFFICIAL URGES STEPS TO ENSURE GAZA CRISIS DOES NOT LEAD TO FURTHER EXTREMISM
New York, Jan 23 2009 4:10PM
There is growing anger in Gaza over the recent Israeli military operation that inflicted death, damage and destruction in the territory, a senior United Nations official warned today, stressing that ensuring accountability and restoring the local economy are the main ways to make certain the conflict does not create more extremists.

"People are increasingly angry about what has happened here. That is perfectly understandable. But we want to channel the emotions now into something constructive and positive," John Ging, Director of Operations in Gaza for the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (<"http://www.un.org/unrwa/english.html">UNRWA), told a news conference in New York via video-link from the ground.

The 22-day offensive, which Israel launched on 27 December with the stated aim of ending Hamas rocket attacks, claimed over 1,300 lives and wounded more than 5,450, in addition to causing widespread damage and destruction.

Mr. Ging cautioned that those bent on extremism have been "emboldened" by what has happened because it has generated a high degree of grief, frustration and despair.

He stressed the need to restore the people's confidence that there will be accountability and that they can rely on the rule of law being applied equally, fairly and objectively. "That is a big, big challenge," he said, noting that there is a lot of cynicism on the ground as to whether that will be achieved. "If we don't then we are defeated by the extremists. It's as simple as that."

The other priority is to restore people to a dignified existence, and the key there is the crossing points. He said he understood there are political, operational and security challenges to opening up the crossings, "but it is time to put the people's interests before all other and find solutions."

"Ordinary people here have carried the burden for far too long. They've paid a phenomenal price," he said, noting the suffering endured by Gaza's 1.5 million residents as a result of Israel's closure of crossing points into the Strip.

"We have to actually prioritize their needs, stand with them and realize that change means opening up the crossing points, and from that will flow all other elements that we hope to achieve in terms of positive impact, and not just on the daily lives of the people here but also on the perspective in terms of security, stability and the peace process," he stressed.

"We need now to focus on getting the crossing open, that will then facilitate and enable not only the humanitarian effort but the restoration of a dignified existence for the people here."

The issue of crossings also came up during a meeting last night between Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator John Holmes and Israeli officials, with Mr. Holmes underscoring the need for regular and unimpeded movement of humanitarian aid workers and relief supplies into Gaza.

Mr. Holmes had a chance to see for himself the impact of Israel's offensive during a visit to Gaza yesterday, accompanied by the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Robert Serry.

They met with many of the victims of the violence, as well as medical teams and representatives of UN agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and the Red Cross and Red Crescent movement, all of whom were at the forefront of the humanitarian response.

The UN humanitarian chief said the level of human suffering and destruction he witnessed was "heartbreaking," adding that it is "shocking that civilians suffered so disproportionately in this military operation."

Meanwhile, all schools run by UNRWA in Gaza are scheduled to open tomorrow – one week later than the current school semester was supposed to have started. The schools will focus on the children's psycho-social needs in the first weeks of operation, before resuming the teaching of core subjects.

In addition, the Office of the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process (<"http://www.unsco.org/Default.asp">UNSCO) reports that a mine action assessment team involving the UN Mine Action Service arrived in Gaza today to look at the scope and scale of the unexploded ordnance problem.

UNSCO stressed that the number of trucks allowed into the Gaza Strip needs to be increased. In particular, it is crucial that the Sufa crossing be opened for basic construction materials to allow for the repair of public infrastructure and private homes.

In addition, chronically ill patients who were receiving care outside of the Gaza Strip prior to the conflict urgently need to resume their treatment.

UNSCO also notes that cash has still not entered the Gaza Strip – except for the staff of a few international organizations. Cash is urgently needed to reactivate the private sector and prevent increasing dependence on aid, UNSCO underscored.

For its part, the Executive Board of the World Health Organization (<"http://www.who.int/en/">WHO) has adopted a resolution requesting that WHO's Director-General send a specialized health mission to Gaza, with the aim of identifying urgent health and humanitarian needs and assessing the destruction of medical facilities.
Jan 23 2009 4:10PM
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SECURITY COUNCIL EXTENDS UN PRESENCE IN NEPAL FOR FURTHER SIX MONTHS

SECURITY COUNCIL EXTENDS UN PRESENCE IN NEPAL FOR FURTHER SIX MONTHS
New York, Jan 23 2009 3:10PM
The Security Council today <"http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2009/sc9582.doc.htm">extended the mandate of the United Nations Mission in Nepal (UNMIN) for a further six months, and endorsed Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's proposals for a phased, gradual drawdown and withdrawal of the world body's staff.

In a unanimously adopted resolution, the 15-member body expressed its continued readiness to support the peace process in Nepal, where an estimated 13,000 people lost their lives during a decade-long civil war that came to an end when the Government and the Maoists signed a peace deal in 2006.

In addition to assisting the country with the holding of landmark elections last year, <"http://www.unmin.org.np/">UNMIN is also monitoring the management of arms and armed personnel of the Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist (CPN-M) and the Nepal Army.

In extending the Mission's mandate until 23 July, the Council "concurs with the Secretary-General's view that the current monitoring arrangements cannot be maintained indefinitely, and underlines the need for the Government of Nepal to consider necessary measures to reduce UNMIN's monitoring requirements."

It also called on the Government to continue to take the necessary decisions to create conditions conducive to completion of UNMIN's activities by the end of the current mandate.

Mr. Ban, in his report, proposed that the number of arms monitors contributed by Member States be retained at the strength of 73, authorized when UNMIN was downsized in July 2008, but that most of the 18 remaining civilian posts which have been filled by retired military officers should be abolished as at 23 January 2009.

Among the other proposals, the number of substantive posts in the Mission would be reduced by a third and UNMIN would be headed by a representative, instead of a special representative of the Secretary-General.

The Council requested Mr. Ban to submit a report on progress towards the resolution's implementation no later than 30 April, with a view to further downsizing the Mission.
Jan 23 2009 3:10PM
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TIME NOW TO ENSURE SUCCESS, VIABILITY OF UN MISSIONS – PEACEKEEPING CHIEF

TIME NOW TO ENSURE SUCCESS, VIABILITY OF UN MISSIONS – PEACEKEEPING CHIEF
New York, Jan 23 2009 3:10PM
With no end in sight to a massive surge in peacekeeping operations, now is the time to make sure ongoing missions are successful and fully supported and, at the same time, to tackle systemic challenges needed for the future, the United Nations peacekeeping chief said today.

"2009 needs to be a year of ideas as much as a year of operational success," Alain Le Roy, Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, told the Security Council as it began an open debate on the topic this morning. "It needs to be a year of cooperation and problem-solving," he added.

On the one hand, he said, enormous current challenges – such as those in Sudan's Darfur region and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) – must be dealt with successfully, and current gaps in troops and materiel must be closed through both short-term fixes and the mobilization of new troop contributors.

In addition, he said, innovative ways must be found to draw on the kind of support that only Member States can provide, which has recently allowed accelerated deployment in Darfur, for example.

Contingency plans for the eruption of crises must be built, he said, and in missions where the peace process has been stabilized – such as Haiti, Liberia and Afghanistan – critical resources were needed to shore up peacekeeping efforts.

At the same time as those current challenges are met, the global cooperation needed to deploy successful peacekeeping missions needed to be revitalized, stressed Mr. Le Roy, who last August replaced Jean-Marie Guéhenno of France, who had held the top peacekeeping post since 2000.

"We need to bolster, and in some instances mend, the global partnership that we need for a healthy and well-functioning United Nations peacekeeping system. UN peacekeeping is effective only if all actors have a shared vision of what this instrument can and cannot achieve," he said.

In that light, he recalled that over the past decade, profound changes had occurred in UN peacekeeping, following the release of reports on the failures in stopping bloodshed in Srebrenica and Rwanda and the collapse of peacekeeping in Somalia.

Beginning in 2000, he added, a surge in peacekeeping saw deployment figures leap from less than 14,000 personnel to nearly 40,000 that same year. That surge had not abated with operations spread more widely than ever before, more robust mandates and 112,000 deployed.

Corresponding to those developments, the past decade has been a time of resurgent thinking on UN peacekeeping, which has seen many improvements and clarified thinking on how to generate and conduct modern UN peace operations.

Now, however, with 18 operations on the ground, unfinished deployment in Darfur and the DRC, new mandates for Chad and Somalia and greater expectations all around, he maintained that the further changes needed must be addressed immediately.

"It is my deep hope that this time we will not need a new generation of reports full of regretful lessons, such as those that followed the tragedies in Rwanda and Srebrenica, before we address the challenges that face us," he said.

Also briefing the Council today, Susana Malcorra, Under-Secretary-General for Field Support, confirmed the "great strain" that peace operations faced on the support side.

She said that a support strategy is being developed that will explore such issues as greater delegation of authority to managers in the field, the use of regional support hubs, a smarter approach to technology and the provision of goods and services from diversified sources.
Jan 23 2009 3:10PM
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BAN WELCOMES US DECISION TO CLOSE GUANTÁNAMO BAY DETENTION CENTRE

BAN WELCOMES US DECISION TO CLOSE GUANTÁNAMO BAY DETENTION CENTRE
New York, Jan 23 2009 3:10PM
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today welcomed the decision by United States President Barack Obama to begin the process of closing the detention facility in Guantánamo Bay.

Echoing a statement issued yesterday by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay, Mr. Ban also hailed the new US leader's orders to review detention policies and introduce measures to ensure lawful interrogations, as well as the Administration's ban on certain types of interrogation.

"The United Nations has previously called for the closure of the Guantánamo Bay detention facility, and is encouraged that President Obama has given the highest priority to ensuring respect for fundamental rights," Mr. Ban's spokesperson said in a statement.

Mr. Ban also said he looks forward to working with all UN Member States to tackle terrorism "while fully respecting international human rights obligations."

Also welcoming yesterday's signing of the executive orders by Mr. Obama, two UN independent human rights experts stressed that the US Government should fully respect all human rights obligations, including the prohibition of torture and the non-refoulement principle that forbids removing people to countries where they could be tortured.

Leandro Despouy, the Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers, and Manfred Nowak, the Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, stressed that they are prepared to lend their full support to settling outstanding issues, especially those in relation to closing the Guantánamo facilities.
Jan 23 2009 3:10PM
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LACK OF FUNDING PREVENTS UN FROM HELPING MOST VULNERABLE IN KYRGYZSTAN

LACK OF FUNDING PREVENTS UN FROM HELPING MOST VULNERABLE IN KYRGYZSTAN
New York, Jan 23 2009 1:10PM
Just over 10 per cent of a United Nations appeal to help 800,000 of the most vulnerable people in Kyrgyzstan, which is in need of back-up power supplies and food, has been funded, the world body's humanitarian office announced today.

In spite of the Government's best efforts and a relatively mild winter in the Central Asian nation, power cuts and food insecurity continue, according to the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

Last month, the UN and its aid partners launched a $21 million Flash Appeal to feed nearly 600,000 people and provide shelter for more than 210,000 people, including 10,000 children. The funds are also intended to provide back-up power to over 300 health care institutions to ensure that they can continue their life-saving activities.

Due to severe energy rationing, the entire population in Kyrgyzstan receives power for between only six and 14 hours daily, leading to disruptions in critical social services in areas of greatest need.

This has led to alarming new problems, such as a doubling of the monoxide poisoning rate in the capital Bishkek because people are resorting to using unsafe alternative fuels. Additionally, 200,000 children have not been able to attend school due to inadequate heat and electrical supplies.

The country has also been impacted by an 80 per cent surge in gas and electricity prices, leading to a precarious food security situation for some families. One in five households – or 1 million people – is considered food insecure and is at high nutritional and health risk.

The UN World Food Programme (WFP) has started providing food for 40,000 households in the poorest parts of Kyrgyzstan, but this is only one-third of the total targeted by the Flash Appeal.

For its part, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) will distribute 7,500 households with seeds, fodder and veterinary medicine, while the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) will support six shelters sheltering over 400 children and two institutions with nearly 400 severely disabled children.

Meanwhile, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNCHR) will provide emergency food supplies for all 1,000 refugee and asylum-seeking families registered in Kyrgyzstan.

OCHA stressed that a large majority of needs laid out by the Appeal have not been met, which could allow the suffering of the vulnerable to continue.
Jan 23 2009 1:10PM
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APPARENT MORTALITY LEAP IN TIMOR-LESTE WAS DUE TO METHOD CHANGE, UNICEF SAYS

APPARENT MORTALITY LEAP IN TIMOR-LESTE WAS DUE TO METHOD CHANGE, UNICEF SAYS
New York, Jan 23 2009 1:10PM
The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) today corrected the impression it may have given in yearly reports that the under-five mortality rate in Timor-Leste had almost doubled between its 2006 and 2007, saying that statistical methods had been adjusted for greater accuracy in the later year.

"UNICEF regrets that the adjustment of figures may have given the wrong impression that under-five mortality rate seemed to have almost doubled – from 55 in 2006 to 97 in 2007, UNICEF Representative Jun Kukita said, pointing to figures published in the Organization's State of the World's Children report in successive years.

The under-five mortality rate, one of the indicators that is used to help measure the health status in a particular country, is the number of children out of 1,000 live births who die before reaching the age of 5 years.

The rate for 2006 was based on statistical calculation and did not reflect the actual situation in Timor-Leste, Mr. Kukita explained, adding that there was not sufficient background information at the time.

UNICEF adjusted the figures for 2007 to a more realistic one, which is much closer to the official Government figure based on census data, he said.

He added that UNICEF has been working very closely with the Ministry of Health and other partners on health and nutrition programmes to address the well-being of children and women.

"We should vigorously continue our joint efforts to tackle the high under-five mortality and overall mortality rates here in Timor-Leste. Second, we should also continue to support building the capacity of the government in establishing a strong statistical data base," Mr. Kukita said.

"In this regard this year's Demographic Health Survey and the National Census of 2010 will be critical to help provide more accurate figures on how children and women are faring in terms of their health."
Jan 23 2009 1:10PM
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CITING INCREASING ATTACKS, UNICEF CALLS FOR INCREASED PROTECTION OF PAKISTANI SCHOOLS

CITING INCREASING ATTACKS, UNICEF CALLS FOR INCREASED PROTECTION OF PAKISTANI SCHOOLS
New York, Jan 23 2009 12:10PM
The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) today voiced its concern about increasing numbers of attacks on school buildings in north-western Pakistan, and called for greater efforts to protect what are supposed to be safe spaces for children.

Since 2007, more than 170 government and private schools, particularly girls' schools, have been blown up or burned down in the Federally Administered Tribal Area and the North West Frontier Province, reportedly by illegal armed groups.

Several schools have also been closed due to occupation by illegal armed groups or security forces, or due to their female teachers being threatened, UNICEF said in a news release.

"UNICEF condemns these attacks, which rob children of their basic right to education and have a devastating impact on their lives," said the agency's Regional Director for South Asia, Daniel Toole.

In a recent incident, five schools were blown up in the country's Swat district and similar attacks continue to be reported.

UNICEF stressed that schools must be safe spaces for children, in times of peace and in conflicts or emergencies.

"Attacks that target schools, educational institutions, children and teachers are unacceptable and must cease immediately," said Mr. Toole.
Jan 23 2009 12:10PM
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KILLINGS AT DARFUR DISPLACED PERSONS CAMP WAS UNLAWFUL, CONCLUDES UN REPORT

KILLINGS AT DARFUR DISPLACED PERSONS CAMP WAS UNLAWFUL, CONCLUDES UN REPORT
New York, Jan 23 2009 11:10AM
Sudanese forces violated international human rights law by using lethal force in "an unnecessary, disproportionate and therefore unlawful manner," when they fired on a crowd in a displaced persons camp in Darfur last August, killing 33 civilians, states a new United Nations report.

The <"http://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Countries/11thOHCHR22jan09.pdf">report, issued today by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and the UN–African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID), is the result of an investigation into the 25 August incident at the Kalma camp for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in South Darfur, which also left 108 civilians wounded.

The Sudanese forces had entered the camp, home to about 80,000 IDPs, to execute a search warrant for illegal weapons and drugs. They were confronted by a group of camp residents who tried to stop them from entering the camp. The security forces fired shots in the air, before opening fire on the crowd.

According to the report, the 33 people killed included 14 men, ten women and nine children. The casualties include one 75-year-old woman who drowned in a pool of water as she attempted to flee the shooting. The 108 people injured during the incident included 38 children and 25 women.

The report notes unconfirmed reports by "credible independent sources" that light and heavy arms had been situated in Kalma. However, UN investigators could not verify Government claims that security forces had responded in a purely defensive manner after armed elements within the camp opened fire on them, allegedly injuring seven army personnel.

"Witness testimonies confirmed that security forces shot arbitrarily at a large crowd of IDPs including women and children," the report says. "Furthermore, it did not appear that the crowd posed any imminent threat to the security forces before they opened fire."

The report concludes that, "Government security forces committed violations of international human rights law against the civilian population of Kalma IDP camp. It was established that the security forces used lethal force in an unnecessary, disproportionate and therefore unlawful manner."

Government security forces also "failed to protect the right to life according to their obligations under international human rights law," the report adds.

In addition, during the Kalma incident "police and security forces failed to employ alternative peaceful means of crowd control before resorting to the use of lethal force."

UNAMID has been in place in Darfur since the start of 2008 in a bid to try to quell the deadly fighting and humanitarian suffering that has afflicted the impoverished Sudanese region since 2003. An estimated 300,000 people have been killed, either through direct combat, disease, malnutrition or reduced life expectancy, while another 2.7 million people have been forced to flee from their homes because of fighting between rebels, Government forces and allied Janjaweed.
Jan 23 2009 11:10AM
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TOP UN ENVOY APPEALS TO CONGOLESE REBELS TO SEEK PEACE AFTER ARREST OF LEADER

TOP UN ENVOY APPEALS TO CONGOLESE REBELS TO SEEK PEACE AFTER ARREST OF LEADER
New York, Jan 23 2009 10:10AM
The top United Nations official in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) today appealed to the main rebel group involved in the conflict that has raged in country's east to end its rebellion and engage in the path of peace, following the arrest of its leader, the renegade general Laurent Nkunda.

Fighting between Mr. Nkunda's mainly Tutsi rebel militia, the National Congress in Defense of the People (CNDP), and Congolese Government forces have uprooted an estimated 250,000 people since late August, on top of the 800,000 already displaced in the region, mainly in North Kivu province, which borders Rwanda and Uganda.

Recently the Governments of DRC and Rwanda have been engaged in an ongoing joint military operation in eastern DRC against the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), an armed Hutu group which has been in eastern DRC since the Rwandan genocide in 1994.

The UN peacekeeping operation in the DRC, known by its French acronym MONUC, said the arrest took place in Rwanda, according to information provided by the Joint Operational Command. "We have no further details at this point," the mission stated.

"We hope that all CNDP forces will now take this opportunity to enter the integration process and in doing so help to ensure the return of lasting peace to the Kivus," Alan Doss, the Secretary-General's Special Representative for DRC and head of MONUC said in a news <"http://www.unhcr.org/news/NEWS/4979af892.html">release.

In a related development, the UN refugee agency today voiced its concerns about the military build-up in North Kivu created by the joint operation, noting that the humanitarian situation in the province is already "dramatic."

"Drawing from our past experience in this region, we fear that these operations could create new and massive displacement of the civilian population," Ron Redmond, spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), told reporters in Geneva.

"We urge all parties to respect international humanitarian principles, to minimize civilian suffering and ensure safe passage for the civilian population away from the combat zones. We also call on the warring sides not to forcibly return Rwandan civilians," he stated.

UNHCR stressed it is imperative for aid agencies to be able to immediately deliver humanitarian assistance to civilian victims and to have safe and unhindered access to any new spontaneous sites where the displaced population may gather.
Jan 23 2009 10:10AM
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DEATH TOLL FROM DISASTERS SURGED IN 2008, UN REPORTS

DEATH TOLL FROM DISASTERS SURGED IN 2008, UN REPORTS
New York, Jan 22 2009 7:10PM
The number of people killed in natural disasters spiked in 2008, with most of the lives claimed by Cyclone Nargis in Myanmar and the Sichuan earthquake in China, according to figures <"http://www.unisdr.org/eng/media-room/press-release/2009/pr-2009-01-disaster-figures-2008.pdf">released today by the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR).

The 2008 death toll of 235,816 was more than three times the annual average of the previous eight years. Cyclone Nargis and the Sichuan tremors, which both took place last May, killed nearly 140,000 people and almost 90,000 people, respectively.

"The dramatic increase in human and economic losses from disasters in 2008 is alarming," said <"http://www.unisdr.org/">ISDR Director Sálvano Briceño.

"Sadly, these losses could have been substantially reduced if buildings in China, particularly schools and hospitals, had been built to be more earthquake-resilient," he added. "An effectively early warning system with good community preparedness could have also saved many lives in Myanmar if it had been implemented before Cyclone Nargis."

Asia remained the continent most affected by disasters, with nine of the ten countries with the highest number of deaths in Asia.

Despite the dramatic rise in deaths from disasters in 2008, last year also saw fewer disasters, with 321 compared to the 2000-2007 average of nearly 400.
Jan 22 2009 7:10PM
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UN ASSESSING IMPACT OF UGANDAN REBEL VIOLENCE ON CONGOLESE CIVILIANS

UN ASSESSING IMPACT OF UGANDAN REBEL VIOLENCE ON CONGOLESE CIVILIANS
New York, Jan 22 2009 6:10PM
The Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) has been terrorizing the Haut Uélé area of Orientale province in north-east DRC in recent months.

The UN Mission in the DRC (<"http://www.monuc.org/Home.aspx?lang=en">MONUC), along with partner agencies, visited affected areas from 16-17 January to help them set up an appropriate humanitarian response.

In Faradje, the team assessed the damage to property and spoke to those remaining in the town following the deadly LRA attacks, noting the need for protection and psychosocial assistance for civilians.

"We have been abandoned for three weeks, at the mercy of the LRA, with no security or humanitarian assistance," said Faradje resident Ephraim Kabuli. "This is negligence on the part of the public authorities in relation to their responsibilities."

Exact numbers of killings, abductions and displacements are not known, but according to the most credible estimates from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (<"http://ochaonline.un.org/">OCHA), the LRA violence has left 900 people dead and uprooted 130,000 others, with more than 8,000 Congolese taking refuge in Southern Sudan.

Several other areas are at risk of fresh attacks by LRA rebels, who are on the run from the forces of the DRC, Uganda and Southern Sudan who launched a joint military operation last month.

MONUC said that members of the LRA, a group notorious for abducting children for troops and sex slaves, are desperate to survive and have stepped up their slaughter of Congolese civilians.

Last week, the Security Council issued a press statement strongly condemning recent attacks carried out by the LRA and emphasized that those responsible must be brought to justice.

Council members demanded that the members of the LRA cease all attacks on civilians immediately, and urged them to surrender, assemble, and disarm.
Jan 22 2009 6:10PM
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BAN TO SET OFF ON THREE-NATION TOUR NEXT WEEK

BAN TO SET OFF ON THREE-NATION TOUR NEXT WEEK
New York, Jan 22 2009 6:10PM
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will embark on a trip early next week that will take him to three major international events in the Spanish capital of Madrid, the Swiss city of Davos and the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa.

The Secretary-General starts his trip by co-hosting the Food Security for All meeting, from 26 to 27 January in Madrid, with the Prime Minister of Spain, José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero.

Participants at the gathering are expected to review of progress in achieving food security since last June's High-Level Conference on World Food Security in Rome and define a road map to tackle hunger more effectively.

Mr. Ban then travels to the Swiss Alps for the World Economic Forum in Davos, where he will hold a series of bilateral meetings with world leaders and chief business executives, and deliver remarks on subjects ranging from climate change and water scarcity to the global financial crisis.

The Secretary-General plans to call for a new chapter in corporate engagement on these critical issues. He is also scheduled hold a press conference on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the internationally agreed upon targets to eradicate poverty and other social ills by the target date of 2015, as well as participate in a special session on Gaza.

From Davos, he travels to Addis Ababa to take part in the week-long African Union (AU) summit that ends on 3 February.
Jan 22 2009 6:10PM
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HUMAN RIGHTS AT HEART OF UN STRATEGY TO OPPOSE TERRORISM, OFFICIALS STRESS

HUMAN RIGHTS AT HEART OF UN STRATEGY TO OPPOSE TERRORISM, OFFICIALS STRESS
New York, Jan 22 2009 5:10PM
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today joined other senior United Nations officials in urging States to refocus attention on human rights in the fight against terrorism, at the opening of a meeting exploring innovative ways to combat the global scourge.

In a <"http://www.un.org/apps/sg/sgstats.asp?nid=3669">message to the one-day conference hosted by the UN Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (<"http://www.unicri.it/">UNICRI), the Secretary-General underscored the boost counter-terrorism received in 2006 when the General Assembly unanimously adopted the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy.

"It identifies four pillars for action: addressing conditions that are conducive to terrorism; preventing and combating terrorism; building the capacity of States; and ensuring respect for human rights and the rule of law as the fundamental basis for the fight against terrorism." said Mr. Ban.

"It is safe to say that human rights is clearly at the centre of the global counter-terrorism strategy at the UN," said Robert Orr, Assistant Secretary-General for Policy Planning and Chair of the UN Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force.

"When a major Government like the United States takes the kind of moves that are currently announced by the President of the US that shows a leadership by doing, that we at the UN both recognize and applaud," Mr. Orr said in response to questions from the media about President Barack Obama's decision to close the detention facility in Guantánamo Bay.

The Secretary-General noted that the global security agenda had broadened to encompass climate change, global health and disarmament as well as counter-terrorism.

"These issues affect people in all countries, and we need common action by all to resolve them," added Mr. Ban in the message delivered on his behalf by his Under-Secretary-General for the Department of Safety and Security, David Veness.

UNCRI Director, Sandro Calvani, and Mr. Orr also briefed the press at UN Headquarters on the recent activities of its Security Governance/Counter-Terrorism Laboratory established in May.

They announced two new partnerships, which were launched at today's conference, one with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) on assisting cities in developing strategies for improving urban security, and the other with the Robert F. Kennedy Foundation promoting activities through dialogue.

The UNICRI Laboratory develops initiatives to combat emerging security threats by involving a broad cross-section of civil society, local and regional governments and the private sector as well as security and law enforcement agencies.

Its activities focus on radicalization, urban security, the protection of vulnerable targets, security during major events and the prevention of illicit trafficking of chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) material as well as in precious metals and stones.
Jan 22 2009 5:10PM
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BAN MARKS CENTENARY OF BIRTH OF FORMER SECRETARY-GENERAL U THANT

BAN MARKS CENTENARY OF BIRTH OF FORMER SECRETARY-GENERAL U THANT
New York, Jan 22 2009 5:10PM
Commemorating the 100th anniversary of the birth of U Thant, the third Secretary-General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon today honoured the Myanmarese diplomat and paid tribute to the mark he made in the quest for peace.

Assuming the leadership of the UN after the untimely death of Dag Hammarskjöld in 1961, U Thant "put forth a vision of a truly global society, and emphasized the need, as he put it, 'to understand each other and to develop a spirit of One World,'" Mr. Ban said in a <"http://www.un.org/apps/sg/sgstats.asp?nid=3668">message to an event in Yangon.

U Thant, who served as a teacher and headmaster, underscored throughout his life the importance of learning, and as Secretary-General, proposed the establishment of the UN University (<"http://www.unu.edu/">UNU) and the UN Institute for Training and Research (<"http://www.unitar.org/">UNITAR).

He brought the environmental issues to the fore, and also was deeply concerned over the growing gap between rich and poor nations, with dozens of new Asian and African nations joining the UN during the world body's first "development decade."

During U Thant's ten-year tenure, the UN Development Programme (<"http://www.undp.org/">UNDP), the UN Conference on Trade and Development (<"http://www.unctad.org/Templates/StartPage.asp?intItemID=2068">UNCTAD) and the UN Industrial and Development Organization (<"http://www.unido.org/">UNIDO) all came into existence, "underscoring the abiding interest of the United Nations in the economic and social well-being of all the world's people," Mr. Ban said in his address delivered by Bishow Parajuli, UN Resident Coordinator in Myanmar.

Boosting the role of the Secretary-General in world affairs, U Thant helped to resolve the Cuban missile crisis and end the civil war in the Congo, while also strongly advocating for decolonization and against South Africa's apartheid system.

U Thant's "patience and unassuming demeanour were valuable assets in his conduct and quiet diplomacy," the current Secretary-General said.

"He left a legacy that will live on in the history of the United Nations and the world in our work for peace."
Jan 22 2009 5:10PM
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SENIOR UN OFFICIALS SURVEY ‘SHOCKING’ AFTERMATH OF ISRAELI OFFENSIVE IN GAZA

SENIOR UN OFFICIALS SURVEY 'SHOCKING' AFTERMATH OF ISRAELI OFFENSIVE IN GAZA
New York, Jan 22 2009 5:10PM
Senior United Nations officials today began their assessment of the humanitarian needs in Gaza, getting a first-hand look at the damage and destruction inflicted on the Strip's 1.5 million residents during three weeks of Israeli military operations.

"The mission was struck by the scale and urgency of the needs of the people of Gaza, and the heavy and multi-faceted impact that this conflict has had on the civilian population," according to a joint statement issued by Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs John Holmes and UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Robert Serry.

The 22-day offensive, which Israel launched on 27 December with the stated aim of ending Hamas rocket attacks, claimed over 1,300 lives, 412 of them children, and wounded more than 5,450, 1,855 of them children, as well as causing widespread destruction and suffering.

The bombing and shelling caused extensive damage to civilian facilities throughout the Strip, and supplies of basic food and fuel, and the provision of electricity, water and sanitation services remain critical.

"We saw a lot of shocking destruction," Mr. Holmes said in an interview with UN Radio, describing the scene at several sites in Gaza, including the still-smouldering ruins of the UN compound that was hit last week by Israeli forces. "What is evident when you're there is how miraculous it was that no one was killed."

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has demanded a thorough investigation by Israel into all attacks against UN facilities in Gaza, and that those responsible be held accountable for their actions.

Mr. Holmes stressed that it was crucial to ensure that investigations do take place, adding that "questions of compensation will arise because there was obviously very significant damage… to UN installations, work and UN staff."

During the course of their mission, Mr. Holmes and Mr. Serry will meet with Israeli authorities to underscore that country's role in facilitating humanitarian assistance for the people of Gaza, including the need for full, timely, and unrestricted access for all goods and humanitarian actors.

They are also meeting the Palestinian Authority regarding the best way to scale up humanitarian assistance in Gaza.

Once the assessment is completed, the UN will launch a Flash Humanitarian Appeal for Gaza in early February.

Meanwhile, the UN World Food Programme (<"http://www.wfp.org/english/">WFP) today began emergency distributions of vitamin A-fortified date bars and high-energy biscuits to thousands of displaced people in Gaza City. The distributions also include ready-to-eat meals for hospitals and milk for children. They are part of WFP's recently launched Operation Lifeline Gaza. The agency is also scaling up its regular distributions of wheat flour, vegetable oil, chick peas and sugar.

WFP emphasized that all crossing points into Gaza will need to be re-opened for the agency to be able to move 600 tons of food every day into the Strip as is currently planned. So far WFP shipments have only been crossing through Kerem Shalom, at the southern tip of the Gaza Strip, including shipments from Egypt.
Jan 22 2009 5:10PM
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LEADER OF SERB RADICAL PARTY FACES CONTEMPT CHARGES AT UN WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL

LEADER OF SERB RADICAL PARTY FACES CONTEMPT CHARGES AT UN WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL
New York, Jan 22 2009 5:10PM
The leader of the Serbian Radical Party has been charged by the United Nations war crimes tribunal, set up to deal with the war crimes committed during the Balkan conflicts of the 1990s, with contempt of court for disclosing the names and other details of three witnesses whose identities were ordered to be withheld from the public.

In a <"">decision rendered yesterday, the trial chamber of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) initiated contempt proceedings against Vojislav Šešelj.

Mr. Šešelj is alleged to have authored a book in which the information was published, along with other material such as excerpts of the written statement of one of the witnesses, all of which was prohibited.

"The Tribunal regards the safety of witnesses and the integrity of confidential materials as essential elements in the rule of law," the ICTY, which is based in The Hague, Netherlands, said in a news release.

The Tribunal also noted that several individuals who have attempted to interfere with the judicial process by revealing confidential information or endangering witnesses have been prosecuted.

Mr. Šešelj is facing three counts of crimes against humanity and six counts of war crimes relating to his alleged role in an ethnic cleansing campaign by Serbian forces in the Vojvodina region of Serbia between August 1991 and at least September 1993. He has pleaded not guilty to those charges, which include murder, torture, imprisonment and deportation.
Jan 22 2009 5:10PM
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WOMEN ESSENTIAL TO SUCCESS OF REGIONAL POLLS IN IRAQ, INSISTS UN ENVOY

WOMEN ESSENTIAL TO SUCCESS OF REGIONAL POLLS IN IRAQ, INSISTS UN ENVOY
New York, Jan 22 2009 4:10PM
In the run-up to provincial polling across Iraq at the end of the month, the top United Nations official to the war-torn country today stressed that the full participation of women is imperative for the success of the elections.

The Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) – an Iraqi organization tasked with preparing and conducting elections, starting with voting for the Governorate Councils on 31 January – has adopted regulation that gives women the maximum opportunity to gain seats in regional legislature.

"The IHEC has determined that among winning lists of three or more candidates, at least one winning candidate must be a woman among every three," said the Secretary-General's Special Representative for Iraq, Staffan de Mistura.

"This is consistent with international best practice and, if properly applied, as we are working to see is the case, should ensure that women will have a central and important place on the newly elected councils," added Mr. de Mistura.

The IHEC, with assistance from the UN, is also tasked with organizing parliamentary elections before the end of 2010.
Jan 22 2009 4:10PM
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UN-BACKED GATHERING CALLS FOR GREATER ACTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE IN ASIA-PACIFIC

UN-BACKED GATHERING CALLS FOR GREATER ACTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE IN ASIA-PACIFIC
New York, Jan 22 2009 4:10PM
A United Nations-backed conference wrapped up today in Bangkok with an urgent call to governments and the private sector in the Asia-Pacific region to prioritize climate change concerns.

Drawing nearly 300 participants from business, government, civil society and international organizations, the event – organized by the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (<"http://www.unescap.org/unis/press/2009/jan/n02.asp">ESCAP) and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) – focused on risks and opportunities posed by global warming.

"I think we have come some way here today with some innovative suggestions, but I want to emphasize that the discussion cannot stop here," said Noeleen Heyzer, ESCAP Executive Secretary. "It needs to continue and deepen to arrive at suggestions on a very practical level, at national, regional as well as global levels."

She also urged the creation of an Asia-Pacific business network to formulate ways to effectively address climate change in the region, with South and South-East Asia considered as "hotspots" that are at particular risk for cyclones, flooding and other extreme weather events.

The outcome from the forum will help prepare for the UN climate change conference slated to be held in December in Copenhagen, Denmark, where negotiations on a successor pact to the Kyoto Protocol are slated to end.
Jan 22 2009 4:10PM
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‘WILD AND WOOLLY’ UN INTERNATIONAL YEAR CELEBRATING NATURAL FIBRES KICKS OFF

'WILD AND WOOLLY' UN INTERNATIONAL YEAR CELEBRATING NATURAL FIBRES KICKS OFF
New York, Jan 22 2009 2:10PM
The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) today launched the International Year of Natural Fibres 2009, aiming to raise awareness of the importance of familiar natural resources such as cotton, flax, wool, alpaca and even cashmere, which are often taken for granted in the face of rising competition from synthetic materials.

Havez Ghanem, <"http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/9783/icode/">FAO Assistant Director-General for Social and Economic Development, noted that the production of animal and vegetable fibres generates $40 billion annually for farmers and account for up to half of a developing country's exports.

"Farmers and processors in these countries depend on proceeds from the sales and exports of these natural fibres for their income and food security," he said at the ceremony in Rome launching the Year.

Some 30 million tons of natural fibres are farmed around the world every year, with cotton being the biggest crop.

The Year, dubbed "Wild and Woolly 2009" and which comes on the heels of similar year-long celebrations of the potato in 2008, rice in 2004 and mountains in 2002, will be celebrated through conferences, exhibits and fashion shows worldwide.
Jan 22 2009 2:10PM
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US DECISION TO CLOSE GUANTÁNAMO BAY DETENTION CENTRE HAILED BY UN RIGHTS CHIEF

US DECISION TO CLOSE GUANTÁNAMO BAY DETENTION CENTRE HAILED BY UN RIGHTS CHIEF
New York, Jan 22 2009 2:10PM
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has welcomed today's decision by the new United States administration to close the detention facility in Guantánamo Bay, as well as the decision to ban methods of interrogation that contravene international law.

Navi Pillay also called for a review of the US approach to detaining individuals abroad, in countries such as Afghanistan and Iraq, as well as the practice of 'rendition,' in order to ensure conformity with international law.

"The fact that President [Barack] Obama has placed such a high priority on closing Guantánamo and set in motion a system to safeguard the fundamental rights of the detainees there is extremely encouraging," she stated.

"The United States has in the past been a staunch supporter of international human rights law, and this is one of the reasons that the regime that was established in Guantánamo has been viewed as so damaging," the High Commissioner added.

"Water-boarding and other forms of interrogation that may amount to torture, detention for prolonged periods without trial or proper judicial review, and what became known as 'extraordinary rendition' – these are all aberrations that should never have happened," stated Ms. Pillay.

The UN's human rights chief also welcomed the fact that President Obama's Executive Order issued today sets a framework for regularizing the situation of the remaining detainees in Guantánamo.

She also raised the issue of compensation for those judged to be innocent and called for a thorough investigation into allegations of torture at the Guantánamo centre.

"Under international law, there is an absolute prohibition against torture, and other cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment," she said. "There must be accountability for those who have ordered such practices or carried them out, and victims should receive recompense."

Ms. Pillay saluted Mr. Obama for taking such an important step so swiftly upon taking office. "This is a good day for the rule of law," she noted.
Jan 22 2009 2:10PM
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HORDES OF CATERPILLARS THREATEN LIBERIA, POSSIBLE RISK TO WIDER REGION – UN

HORDES OF CATERPILLARS THREATEN LIBERIA, POSSIBLE RISK TO WIDER REGION – UN
New York, Jan 22 2009 2:10PM
In what is being described by the United Nations as Liberia's worst plague in 30 years, hordes of caterpillars are destroying crops and vegetation in northern areas of the country and posing a major threat to the already precarious food security situation in the country and the wider region.

The situation in Liberia is a national emergency and is likely to escalate into a regional crisis involving neighbouring Guinea, Sierra Leone and Cote d'Ivoire, according to the Representative of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (<"http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/9832/icode/">FAO) in Liberia, Winfred Hammond.

FAO has created a task force including experts from Ghana and Sierra Leone to assess the situation, prepare an immediate action plan and devise medium and long-term measures, said Mr. Hammond.

For its part, Liberia has set up three emergency committees to provide planning, resources mobilization and communication and information. The country lacks the financial resources and technical expertise to combat the emergency on its own and will require international assistance, Mr. Hammond said.

The caterpillars, two to three centimetres in length and described by villagers as "black, creeping and hairy," are advancing in the tens of millions, devouring all plants and food crops in their path and in some cases overrunning homes and buildings.

Some 46 villages in Bong, Lofa and Gbarpolu counties of northern Liberia are confirmed to have been affected, including two-thirds of the 200,000 inhabitants in Bong County, the worst-hit area.

FAO reported that some villagers are unable to reach their farms because they are completely surrounded by the pests, suspected to be African armyworms (Spodoptera spp). In addition, many wells and waterways in the affected areas are unfit for human consumption because of the huge volume of faeces dropped by the caterpillars.

Mr. Hammond cautioned against the use of aerial spraying since it was likely to further contaminate the already precarious water supply in the area. Whatever solution is found, FAO recommends the use of less risky pesticides, including bio-pesticides when they are effective.
Jan 22 2009 2:10PM
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AFGHAN SCHOOLCHILDREN TO BENEFIT FROM MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR BOOST – UNICEF

AFGHAN SCHOOLCHILDREN TO BENEFIT FROM MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR BOOST – UNICEF
New York, Jan 22 2009 12:10PM
Tens of thousands of schoolchildren in Kabul are set to benefit from a $24 million donation from Japan, under an agreement signed today with the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) to construct around 1,000 classrooms.

Although Afghanistan has made progress towards achieving its target of primary education for all by 2020, around 40 per cent of school-age children still do not attend school, of which 65 per cent are girls.

"Parents are demanding education for their children as seen with over 6 million children who have enrolled in schools in 2008," said <"http://www.unicef.org/media/index.html">UNICEF Representative for Afghanistan, Catherine Mbengue.

"Government and its partners including UNICEF are doing their utmost to respond to this demand so that parents of this country see their children enrolled and complete their education cycle," added Ms. Mbengue.

The new classrooms built on the back of the multi-million dollar fund will allow some 80,000 children to attend classes, helping meet the objectives of the Five-year National Education Strategic Plan, which include the creation of safe learning environments, especially for girls, improving the quality of education and developing a healthy relationship between schools and their communities.

Currently there are 35 schools in Kabul without an adequate building, and 25 schools operate on a four-shifts-a-day system because of the shortage of learning space, resulting in very little time for any effective teaching and learning to take place.

Over the last eight years, Japan has contributed $89 million supporting the work of UNICEF in Afghanistan most notably in the fields of education and health.

Also in Kabul today, the UN Mine Action Programme for Afghanistan (MAPA) announced that the city's electricity supply has improved as a result of its mine-clearing operation in the north of the country, covering a stretch of land from Pul-i-Kumri to Hairatan.

The route used for the power lines supplying electricity to Kabul was infested with landmines.

"This is a classic example of how demining is the crucial first step in development. If this route had not been cleared, we would not now be celebrating our improved power supply which will enable development in our country," said Mine Action Coordination Centre of Afghanistan Programme Director Haider Reza.

In 2008 alone, MAPA destroyed more then 84,000 anti-personnel mines, 900 anti-tank mines and 2.5 million explosive remnants of war.
Jan 22 2009 12:10PM
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UN CONCERNED OVER RISK TO VICTIM, OTHERS AFTER CONVICTION IN DOMESTIC ABUSE CASE

UN CONCERNED OVER RISK TO VICTIM, OTHERS AFTER CONVICTION IN DOMESTIC ABUSE CASE
New York, Jan 22 2009 11:10AM
The United Nations human rights office has urged Nepalese authorities to ensure the safety of the wife and others involved in a domestic violence case, who have reportedly received threats after the victim's husband was convicted of trying to kill her by setting her on fire.

In a <"http://nepal.ohchr.org/en/resources/Documents/English/pressreleases/Year%202009/Jan%202009/2009_01_22_PR_%20Hasrun_Idrisi_Case_Verdict_E.pdf">news release issued in Nepalgunj, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Nepal (OHCHR-Nepal) said it is "deeply concerned about reports of threats received by the victim, human rights defenders and others in relation to their involvement in the case of Hasrun Idrisi, which was decided by the Banke District Court on 19 January."

"The Office strongly urges the state authorities, including the Nepal Police and Chief District Officer, to take measures to ensure the security of the victim, her family, witnesses, the lawyers representing the victim, and other human rights defenders, in line with their obligations under domestic law," added the OHCHR-Nepal statement.

In a case that highlighted the serious issue of domestic violence in Nepal, Ms. Idrisi's husband and a member of his family were convicted for attempted murder by setting her on fire on 6 November 2007. Ms. Idrisi suffered severe burns as a result of the attack.

OHCHR-Nepal encouraged the Government to ensure that "robust" legislation on domestic violence, consistent with international standards, be passed as a matter of priority.
Jan 22 2009 11:10AM
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SECURITY ASSURANCES A MUST FOR UN AGENCY TO CONTINUE FOOD AID IN SOMALIA

SECURITY ASSURANCES A MUST FOR UN AGENCY TO CONTINUE FOOD AID IN SOMALIA
New York, Jan 22 2009 10:10AM
In the wake of the killings of two of its staff members earlier this month, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is calling on local authorities and armed groups in South and Central Somalia to provide concrete security commitments to allow the agency to continue providing life-saving assistance to millions in need in the strife-torn nation.

"We want community leaders to step forward and offer us clear assurances that WFP workers will be able to carry out their humanitarian work in safety," <"http://www.wfp.org/english/?ModuleID=137&Key=3042">said WFP Deputy Chief Operating Officer Ramiro Lopes da Silva.

"We will continue distributing food in those areas where we receive concrete security commitments, but we will not work in areas where security commitments are absent," he added.

Violence continues in Somalia, which has not had a functioning central government since 1991, despite the signing in June of a UN-facilitated peace accord, known as the Djibouti Agreement, by the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) and the Alliance for the Re-liberation of Somalia (ARS).

An estimated of 3.2 million people in Somalia – 43 per cent of the population – are in need of humanitarian assistance as a result of the combined effects of conflict and drought.

Mohamud Omar Moallim, a 49-year old WFP food monitor, was killed during a distribution to displaced people about 10 kilometres northwest of the capital, Mogadishu, on 8 January. Just two days earlier, 44-year-old Ibrahim Hussein Duale was shot while monitoring school feeding in a WFP-supported school in Yubsan village in southern Somalia.

While WFP had voiced its outrage at the killings, it opted not to suspend food distributions in South and Central Somalia as this would only increase the suffering of those in need.

"With the murder of two of our staff within three days, we initially considered suspending WFP food distributions until security improves," noted Mr. Lopes da Silva. "But such a step would hurt the very people we seek to help – especially women and children suffering the most from this merciless conflict.

He added that WFP is in the process of delivering some 57,000 metric tons of food in South and Central Somalia – enough to feed 2.5 million people for 1 to 2 months. As it does so, the agency is demanding concrete commitments from community leaders and local parties that WFP staff will be protected in order to keep operating in the coming months.

According to the international non-governmental organization Amnesty International, over 40 civil society activists and humanitarian workers were attacked and killed in Somalia last year.

Jan 22 2009 10:10AM
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SRI LANKA: UN CALLS ON TAMIL REBELS TO ENSURE FREE PASSAGE FOR WORLD BODY’S STAFF

SRI LANKA: UN CALLS ON TAMIL REBELS TO ENSURE FREE PASSAGE FOR WORLD BODY'S STAFF
New York, Jan 22 2009 10:10AM
The United Nations has issued its strongest possible protest to the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) for refusing to allow the world body's national staff and dependents who were travelling with a UN aid convoy to return from Sri Lanka's northern Vanni area.

"The staff are part of a UN convoy which traveled to the Vanni on Friday, 16 January, delivering urgent food and emergency supplies to displaced populations," according to a <"http://www.slmission.com/home-mainmenu-1.html">statement issued by the Office of the UN Resident/Humanitarian Coordinator in Colombo.

Due to fighting between the LTTE and Government forces, the convoy has only been able to move safely today.

"The UN calls on the LTTE to meet their responsibilities and immediately permit all UN staff and dependents to freely move from this area.

"The LTTE's denial of safe passage is a clear abrogation of their obligations under international humanitarian law," the statement added.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) estimates that around 230,000 people have been displaced due to intensified fighting in the north of the country during the second half of 2008.

The convoy in question is the 11th to take supplies to those trapped in the midst of fighting in the Vanni. Since early October UN convoys have brought approximately 7,000 tons of vital food and relief supplies to displaced populations.
Jan 22 2009 10:10AM
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FOOD CRISIS, CORRUPTION COULD REVERSE PROGRESS IN WEST AFRICA, SAYS UN ENVOY

FOOD CRISIS, CORRUPTION COULD REVERSE PROGRESS IN WEST AFRICA, SAYS UN ENVOY
New York, Jan 21 2009 8:10PM
Challenges – including youth unemployment, corruption and the food crisis – threaten to roll back positive gains made in West Africa, the Secretary-General's envoy to the 15-nation region told the Security Council today.

"Many of the root causes of conflict in a number of West African countries have yet to be addressed in an effective and durable manner," Special Representative Said Djinnit said, briefing the 15-member body on the latest report by the Secretary-General on the region.

West Africa has been heavily affected by soaring food prices and food insecurity, and coupled with the threat of a global recession, many of its nations might not achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), a series of anti-poverty targets with a 2015 deadline, he noted.

"It is expected that food insecurity will remain a special challenge to the region over the next few years," Mr. Djinnit, who heads the United Nations Office for West Africa (<"http://www.un.org/unowa/">UNOWA), said.

Cross-border organized crime, especially drug trafficking, is also cause for concern, the Representative told the 15-member Council.

"Taking advantage of porous borders and weak state and security institutions, criminal networks are increasing using West Africa as a transit route for narcotics bound for Europe from Latin America," he said. Unlike groups operating with low-level authorities in the past, today they are "infiltrating state institutions, fuelling corruption and destabilizing the political and social fabric of nations."

In spite of progress made in consolidating democratic governance, military coups in Mauritania and Guinea have served as setbacks, Mr. Djinnit stated. Although these takeovers were bloodless, not addressing the resurgence of coups decisively could have a domino effect across West Africa.

UNOWA has made efforts to foster constructive dialogue while also engaging countries of the region in preventive diplomacy together with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), he said.

While nations such as Liberia, Sierra Leone and Ghana have held recent peaceful and transparent polls, "democratization processes, if not properly managed, could trigger political violence, economic disruption and social strife in fragile societies in the region," the envoy noted. With critical elections slated for this year several countries, it is essential to continue the partnership among the UN, the African Union (AU) and ECOWAS to ensure free and fair polls, he said.

In December 2007, the Council extended the mandate of UNOWA – based in Dakar, Senegal – until 21 December 2010.
Jan 21 2009 8:10PM
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MIGIRO APPLAUDS AGENDA OF FRENCH-SPEAKING BLOC AND ITS COOPERATION WITH UN

MIGIRO APPLAUDS AGENDA OF FRENCH-SPEAKING BLOC AND ITS COOPERATION WITH UN
New York, Jan 21 2009 7:10PM
Deputy Secretary-General Asha-Rose Migiro today encouraged representatives of the world organization of French-speaking countries to continue to play their key role in pursuing goals they have in common with the United Nations, ranging from democracy and human rights to peace and development.

"As elected representatives of the peoples of the French-speaking world, you have a key role to play as a bridge between governments and citizens, and between the local and global," Ms. Migiro told the Parliamentary Assembly of La Francophonie as it opened its meeting at UN Headquarters in New York.

She noted, in particular, the partnership of La Francophonie with the UN in efforts to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), a set of targets to slash extreme poverty and other global ills by the year 2015, as well as the organization's efforts to help bring about the stability that development requires.

"At a time when many Francophone countries are grappling with devastating conflicts that could erase the gains made toward the MDGs, I am encouraged that one of the main topics of your meeting today will be political crises in the French speaking world," the Deputy Secretary-General said.

In that light, she noted the organization's active involvement in the political crisis on the island of Anjouan in the Comoros and its support for peace-building efforts in Burundi, the Central African Republic (CAR) and Guinea-Bissau and for the restoration of constitutional order in Guinea and Mauritania.

More than half of all UN Member States hold either full-fledged or observer-status membership of La Francophonie, which signed a cooperation agreement with the UN in October 2006.
Jan 21 2009 7:10PM
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AVIAN FLU OUTBREAK LEADS TO CULLING OF OVER 10,000 BIRDS IN NEPAL – UN AGENCY

AVIAN FLU OUTBREAK LEADS TO CULLING OF OVER 10,000 BIRDS IN NEPAL – UN AGENCY
New York, Jan 21 2009 6:10PM
Nepalese authorities have begun slaughtering thousands of poultry and disposing of their carcasses in response to an outbreak of bird flu in the south-eastern region of the country, the United Nations World Health Organization (<"http://www.who.int/en/">WHO) said today.

The Government officially declared the outbreak of the highly pathogenic H5N1 strain on 16 January after samples of dead chickens collected in the Jhapa district earlier in the week were tested.

The culling of around 13,000 birds in Jhapa is part of the Government's precautionary measures aimed at reducing the risk of an avian influenza epidemic after outbreaks in the bordering Indian states of West Bengal and Assam were reported in December.

With technical support from the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (<"http://www.fao.org/">FAO), authorities have declared districts bordering India as "High Risk Zones," initiating active poultry surveillance and reinforcing quarantine posts at the four transit points, banning the import of poultry products and feeds from India, and disinfecting vehicles entering Nepal.

In other efforts to resist the spread of bird flu, the Ministry of Health and Population – with the support of WHO – trained the district's health workers on rapid avian influenza containment and outbreak investigation last June and organized workshops on countering human infections.

WHO has provided essential supplies – including 15,000 Tamiflu capsules, personal protection kits, intensive care unit equipment and other medical and disinfection reagents – to prepare health workers in the region for cases of human infections.
Jan 21 2009 6:10PM
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