Syria: Security Council condemns rights abuses and use of force against civilians
03 August 2011
The Security Council today condemned the widespread violation of human rights in Syria and the use of force against civilians by the country’s security forces, calling for an end to the violence and urging all sides to act with restraint and refrain from reprisals, including attacks against State institutions.
UN declares famine in another three areas of Somalia
03 August 2011
The United Nations today declared a famine in three more areas in drought-ravaged Somalia, bringing to five the number of regions in the Horn of Africa country where acute malnutrition and starvation have already claimed the lives of tens of thousands of people.
Millions of poor people will have mobile phone numbers under UN-backed scheme
04 August 2011
Three million poor people in Africa and South Asia, the majority of them women, will gain access to low-cost mobile phone numbers as part of technology firm Movirtu’s partnership with the United Nations-backed initiative that enlists the private sector in efforts to fight poverty.
Cleaning up Nigerian oil pollution could take 30 years, cost billions of dollars – UN
04 August 2011
The environmental restoration of Nigeria’s Ogoniland oil region could prove to be the world’s most wide-ranging and long-term oil clean-up exercise ever, if contaminated drinking water, land, creeks and other ecosystems are to be brought back to full health, according to a United Nations report released today.
UN chief urges Syrian leader to halt use of violence against civilians
06 August 2011
Speaking to Bashar al-Assad by telephone on Saturday, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged the Syrian President to immediately halt the use of force against civilians.
UN urges rapid response to measles outbreak in Somali refugee camps in Ethiopia
06 August 2011
The United Nations on Saturday voiced alarm at the plight of Somali refugees in the Dollo Ado camps in south-eastern Ethiopia following an outbreak of suspected measles, and called for urgent action to assist an already vulnerable population.
Ban exhorts academia to find solutions to global hunger, poverty and intolerance
10 August 2011
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today exhorted the world’s academic community to find solutions to global hunger and malnutrition, come up with ideas to promote sustainable and inclusive development, and advance tolerance through mutual respect and understanding.
World must aid Somalia at historic juncture on its road to stability – UN envoy
10 August 2011
Recent political and military improvements in war-torn Somalia offer an “extraordinary moment” of opportunity for progress and great challenges, including from warlords and terrorists, the top United Nations envoy in the country said today, urging the world community to provide more financial and logistical support.
Syria: UN agency voices alarm at reports of deadly assault on port city of Latakia
14 August 2011
The United Nations agency helping Palestinian refugees voiced grave concern today at reports that Syrian security forces have fired at a refugee camp in the country's northern port city of Latakia, killing or injuring a number of camp residents.
At world’s biggest refugee camp, UN relief chief calls for more aid for Somalis
14 August 2011
The United Nations humanitarian chief today toured the world's largest refugee camp, telling residents of Dadaab in north-eastern Kenya that the international community must do more to help the large number of famine-stricken Somalis who continue to cross the nearby border to seek aid.
On World Humanitarian Day, UN pays tribute to aid workers around globe
19 August 2011
The United Nations paid homage to humanitarian workers around the world today with ceremonies of remembrance for the fallen, and praise and songs of tribute for the hundreds of thousands of others who daily brave danger and hardship to bring aid to those less fortunate.
UN and diplomatic partners condemn recent attacks in southern Israel
20 August 2011
The United Nations and its diplomatic partners in the search for peace in the Middle East on Saturday strongly condemned the attacks in southern Israel earlier this week, as well as all acts of terrorism in the region, and urged all parties to exercise restraint.
Libya: UN chief urges smooth and peaceful transition of power
22 August 2011
With signs that the conflict that has raged in Libya for more than six months may soon end, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today appealed for a smooth and peaceful transition and pledged the assistance of the United Nations for the people of the North African nation.
Investing in ecosystem services can boost food security, raise incomes – UN
22 August 2011
Investing in healthy ecosystems can boost food security, improve resilience to climate change and provide economic benefits for poor communities, says a new report by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and its partners.
UN agency reports first signs of Antarctic ozone depletion this year
23 August 2011
Signs of ozone depletion are again appearing over the Antarctic, the United Nations reported today, adding that prevailing temperatures and polar stratospheric clouds indicate that the degree of ozone loss this year will most likely be about average in comparison to the past decade.
Top UN human rights body orders inquiry into Syrian violence
23 August 2011
The top United Nations human rights body today called for an immediate end to all violence in Syria and decided to dispatch an independent international commission of inquiry to investigate alleged abuses committed during the Government’s crackdown on protesters.
On eve of Horn of Africa pledging conference, UN calls for generous donations
24 August 2011
Senior United Nations officials are calling on countries, businesses and individuals to give generously to support efforts to tackle the food security crisis gripping the Horn of Africa, warning that the world cannot “afford to lose momentum” in the fight against famine, disease and starvation.
High unemployment blights Palestinian lives, despite economic growth – UN
24 August 2011
The economy of the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt) grew by 9.3 per cent last year, but that expansion was not enough to reduce the area’s 30 per cent unemployment rate, the United Nations trade and development arm said in a new report released today.
UN agency launches campaign to highlight global statelessness problem
25 August 2011
The United Nations refugee agency today launched a campaign to highlight the plight of up to 12 million stateless people worldwide who are denied basic rights, including access to jobs, housing, education and health care by dint of their lack of citizenship.
UN underlines importance of sustainable use of Iraqi Marshlands as water resource
25 August 2011
Marshlands in Iraq must be managed in a manner that balances the various benefits derived from the ecosystems, including food and clean water for the country’s people, as well as climate control, according to a United Nations report released today.
Darfur: Amnesty enables sheikhs sheltering at UN-African mission site to go home
28 August 2011
The head of the joint United Nations-African Union peacekeeping force in Darfur today voiced his appreciation to the Sudanese authorities for granting amnesty to five local sheikhs who were sheltering in the mission's premises for over a year fearing arrest for alleged crimes.
Security Council seeks to strengthen UN peacekeeping capacities
28 August 2011
The Security Council today discussed steps to improve United Nations peacekeeping capacities, with Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon calling for greater flexibility and funding to meet the ever more complex needs of missions that currently field some 100,000 blue helmets in hot spots around the world.