Decent jobs deficit, economic woes threaten to undo poverty reduction gains – UN report
May 19, 2016, at 01:39 pm
New York, May 19 (Just Earth News): The global deficit in quality jobs and deteriorating economic conditions in a number of regions threatens to undo decades of progress in poverty reduction, warns a new report by the United Nations International Labour Organization (ILO).
UN human rights experts urge Singapore not to execute Malaysian national
May 19, 2016, at 01:38 pm
New York, May 19 (Just Earth News):Two United Nations human rights experts on summary executions and on torture on Wednesday urged the Government of Singapore not to carry out the execution of Kho Jabing, a Malaysian national who was sentenced to death in 2010 after being found guilty of unintentional murder.
May 19, 2016, at 01:36 pm
New York, May 19 (Just Earth News): While cities have emerged over the past 20 years as the world’s economic platforms for production and innovation, helping millions escape poverty through better jobs and improved quality of life, mass urbanization has also led to overcrowding, deepened inequalities and triggered a raft of environmental and health challenges, according to a new United Nations report.
UN humanitarian coordinator calls on Israeli authorities to stop destruction of aid supplies
May 19, 2016, at 01:35 pm
New York, May 19 (Just Earth News): The United Nations humanitarian coordinator for the Occupied Palestinian Territory on Wednesday condemned the demolition and confiscation of donor-funded humanitarian assistance by the Israeli authorities in the Palestinian community of Jabal al Baba.
In phone call, Ban and Kenyan President discuss government's decision to close refugee camps
May 19, 2016, at 01:32 pm
New York, May 19 (Just Earth News): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon spoke on Wednesday by telephone with President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya following the Kenyan Government's recent decision to close the Dadaab refugee camps, expressing deep appreciation for the country's decades of generosity to asylum seekers.
In Niger, UN relief chief urges focus on civilians impacted by Boko Haram violence
May 19, 2016, at 01:31 pm
New York, May 19 (Just Earth News): Wrapping up a two-day mission to Niger, the top United Nations humanitarian official has called for greater attention to the crisis unfolding in the country's Diffa region, where violence at the hands of Boko Haram has forced more than 240,000 people out of their homes on both sides of the border with Nigeria.
‘Nobody Left Outside’ campaign launched as UN warns of dire shelter conditions for refugees
May 19, 2016, at 01:29 pm
New York, May 19 (Just Earth News): A half-billion-dollar shortfall in funds for sheltering refugees is severely undermining efforts to tackle the biggest global displacement crisis since World War II, the United Nations refugee agency warned on Wednesday, as it launched a new campaign that calls on the private sector to contribute funds for shelter solutions for two million refugees.
UN health agency foresees low to moderate risk of Zika virus spread in Europe
May 19, 2016, at 01:28 pm
New York, May 19 (Just Earth News):The overall risk of a Zika virus outbreak across Europe is low to moderate during late spring and summer, according to a new risk assessment published on Wednesday by the World Health Organization (WHO), with a varying risk across the region that is higher in countries where Aedes mosquitoes are present.
One kidnapped schoolgirl found in Nigeria
May 19, 2016, at 04:20 am
Lagos, May 18 (IBNS): A school girl, who was abducted by militant group Boko Haram, has been found in Nigeria media reports said on Wednesday.
Libya: ISIS executed dozens in newest stronghold, says Human Rights Watch
May 19, 2016, at 01:26 am
Tripoli, May 18 (IBNS) The extremist armed group Islamic State, also known as ISIS, has unlawfully executed at least 49 people in its Libyan stronghold of Sirte since February 2015, Human Rights Watch said in a report released on Wednesday.
May 18, 2016, at 01:31 pm
New York, May 18 (Just Earth News): As the United Nations reports that the world is witnessing an erosion of international humanitarian law, what can be done to ensure that States are committed to upholding the rules that protect humanity?
Yemeni people must be at centre of reinvigorated crisis response – senior UN relief official
May 18, 2016, at 01:30 pm
New York, May 18 (Just Earth News): A senior United Nations relief official on Tuesday called for increased global efforts to support the more than 13 million people in need of immediate, life-saving assistance in Yemen, following his visit to the conflict-torn country.
May 18, 2016, at 01:28 pm
New York, May 18 (Just Earth News): Warning of a return to a full-scale war in Syria, an international group of diplomats reaffirmed its determination to bolster a fragile ceasefire, ensure aid reach those in need, and make progress toward a peaceful political transition, the United Nations said on Tuesday.
EU has largely ‘abandoned’ Greece to deal with migrant crisis on its own, UN expert warns
May 18, 2016, at 01:26 pm
New York, May 18 (Just Earth News): The suffering of migrants in Greece is the result of a complete absence of long-term vision and the clear lack of political will of the European Union (EU), a United Nations human rights expert said on Tuesday, warning that Greece, already struggling to cope with fiscal challenges, has been abandoned by the EU to deal with a crisis that requires a response from all countries in the region.
Iraq: UN envoy condemns string of terrorist bombings targeting crowded Baghdad markets
May 18, 2016, at 01:25 pm
New York, May 18 (Just Earth News): The United Nations Envoy for Iraq has strongly condemns a series of terrorist suicide bombings on Tuesday that targeted busy markets in Baghdad’s northeastern Shaab neighbourhood, Sadr City and the southern neighbourhood of Al-Rasheed, killing or wounding many civilians, including women and children.
International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia focuses on health, well-being of LGBTI people
May 18, 2016, at 01:20 pm
New York, May 18 (Just Earth News): Marking the International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, the United Nations on Tuesday called on the global community to take action to ensure that all people have an equal right to live healthy lives free from violence, persecution, stigma, and discrimination.
Colombia: UN chief welcomes agreement to separate children from FARC
May 18, 2016, at 01:19 pm
New York, May 18 (Just Earth News): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday welcomed the announcement by the Colombian Government and a long-time opposition group Sunday of an agreement to separate and reintegrate children associated with the insurgent force.
May 18, 2016, at 01:18 pm
New York, May 18 (Just Earth News): Strong political commitment, action and well-functioning coordination mechanisms, fully supported by the countries of Asia and the Pacific, will be critical to ensure that “no one is left behind,†were spotlighted at the opening of the2016 session of the main United Nations policy forum in the region.
On World Telecommunication Day, UN hails role of IT in sustainable development
May 18, 2016, at 01:16 pm
New York, May 18 (Just Earth News): The global sustainable development agenda recognizes the great potential of information and communication technology to accelerate human progress, bridge the digital divide and advance knowledge, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Tuesday, marking World Telecommunication and Information Society Day.
Unique education fund to be launched next week at UN World Humanitarian Summit
May 17, 2016, at 01:24 pm
New York, May 17 (Just Earth News):At next week’s World Humanitarian Summit, more than 100 of the world’s leading countries, companies and philanthropists will join forces to create a “major breakthrough†in the effort to assist millions of children who’s education has been disrupted by conflicts and natural disasters, the United Nations envoy for education announced on Monday.
FEATURE: In Ukraine, a ‘Living Library’ helps ease tensions between displaced persons and hosts
May 17, 2016, at 01:23 pm
New York, May 17 (Just Earth News): Experiencing the story of a person displaced in Ukraine – the suffering, joys, feelings of alienation and social exclusion, but also the sense of belonging – is possible for communities hosting the displaced persons due to a United Nations project that has turned testimonies into “books†in a so-called Living Library. “People become becoming living books. They give all these stories and record them and bring them all together into a library that other people can consult,†explained Janthomas Hiemstra, Country Director in Ukraine for the UN Development Programme (UNDP), which supports the Living Library project. The project is run by a local non-government organization.
Kosovo still faces ‘hard-nosed realities,’ but is vital for European security – UN envoy
May 17, 2016, at 01:22 pm
New York, May 17 (Just Earth News): Unemployment, inequality, and the challenges of developing a productive economy to meet global development goals and overcome legacies of impunity, are among the “hard-nosed realities†facing Kosovo, the head of the United Nations political mission there said on Monday, calling for international involvement to help Kosovo’s institutions, and the wider region as a whole, overcome such obstacles.
Nearly one in five suicide bombers used by Boko Haram is now a child – UN
May 17, 2016, at 01:20 pm
New York, May 17 (Just Earth News): The number of children used by Boko Haram as suicide bombers up tenfold over the past year, the United Nations humanitarian wing has reported, also warning that the group’s gunmen continue to carry out attacks on civilian and military targets despite the ramped up military operations in the Lake Chad Basin region.
Colombia: agreement to reintegrate children from FARC welcomed by UN envoy
May 17, 2016, at 01:19 pm
New York, May 17 (Just Earth News): A United Nations child rights envoy joined the Government of Colombia and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) in Havana, Cuba, yesterday to witness the signing of an agreement to separate and reintegrate children associated with the guerrilla force.
New guidelines on improving care for female genital mutilation issued by UN health agency
May 17, 2016, at 01:17 pm
New York, May 17 (Just Earth News):The United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) on Monday released new guidelines aimed at helping health workers provide better care to the more than 200 million girls and women worldwide living with female genital mutilation.
UN agricultural agency accord on illegal fishing set to enter into force
May 17, 2016, at 01:16 pm
New York, May 17 (Just Earth News): The world’s first-ever international agreement specifically targeting illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing is set to enter into force next month, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reported on Monday, highlighting the accord’s importance in efforts to ensure sustainable fisheries and responsible fish stock management globally.
UNICEF and EU launch #EmergencyLessons campaign on education in crisis zones
May 17, 2016, at 01:15 pm
New York, May 17 (Just Earth News): The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the European Union (EU) on Monday announced the launch of a new social media-driven public awareness campaign aimed at reaching 20 million Europeans and highlighting the importance of education for children affected by emergencies.
One hundred babies born every day in areas worst hit by Ecuador quake – UNICEF
May 17, 2016, at 01:14 pm
New York, May 17 (Just Earth News): The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) on Monday reported that on average, up to 100 babies are born every day in Esmeraldas and ManabÃ, the provinces worst hit by the Ecuador earthquake.
Ban and African Union Commission welcome partial re-run of elections in Comoros
May 16, 2016, at 12:41 pm
New York, May 16 (Just Earth News): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the African Union Commission on Sunday welcomed the peaceful conduct of the partial re-run for the elections of President of Comoros and Governor of Anjouan.
Marking 'Day of Families,' Ban urges support during 'heavy toll' of crisis situations
May 16, 2016, at 12:40 pm
New York, May 16 (Just Earth News): The rise of violent extremism, the effects of forced displacement, extreme weather events and other challenges are taking a heavy toll on the health and integrity of families in crisis situations, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Sunday, marking the International Day of Families with a call for Governments to support the crucial role of families in all their diverse forms.