FROM THE FIELD: Keeping hope alive in Mogadishu OCHA Humanitarian Affairs Officer Ahmed Farah Roble listens to IDPs at an IDP settlement in Mogadishu, Somalia It is a hot, dusty morning in Mogadishu, the war-ravaged capital of Somalia, and Ahmed Farah Roble is in a makeshift settlement for internally displaced persons (IDPs), listening to a […]

UNICEF urges protection of children amid violent clashes in Egypt Christians and Muslims demonstrate in Cairo, Egypt, against the killing of Christian civilians in clashes with military policemen The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has urged Egyptian authorities to protect children from violence due to demonstrations in the capital, Cairo, and called for investigations into […]

Despite Increasing Concerns about High Health Care Costs, New Survey Finds Little Support among Americans for Decisions That Limit Use of High-Cost Prescription Drugs and Treatments Exception Is When Something Else is Found to Work Equally Well but Cost Less Washington (DC) – A new survey by the Harvard School of Public Health and the […]

UNICEF chief urges action to stop unfolding crisis for children in the Sahel Malian infants have low birth weights, linked to inadequate maternal care, malnutrition and endemic poverty. Photo: UNICEF The head of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) called today on the global community to take action to prevent one million children in the […]

Philippines: UN and partners appeal for additional $28 million to help storm victims Tropical Storm Washi forced thousands of people out from their homes The United Nations and its humanitarian partners are seeking an additional $28.6 million to what was already requested earlier this month to support victims of the Sendong tropical storm in southern […]

Egypt: UN official deplores attacks against female protesters Protesters in Cairo, Egypt The head of the United Nation entity tasked with promoting gender equality today voiced concern over reports of attacks against female protesters in Egypt who turned up to exercise their freedom of assembly and expression. “Women along with men and children have been […]

Top UN aid official calls for scaling up of humanitarian efforts in Philippines Several UN agencies have boosted their relief efforts in the Philippines which was ravaged by a tropical storm known locally as Sendong The United Nations relief chief called today on countries and international organizations to scale up humanitarian efforts in the Philippines, […]

Security Council extends mandate of peacebuilding office in Guinea-Bissau Children in Gantauda, Guinea-Bissau develop their motor skills on the balancing beam. Photo: IRIN/Kate Thomas The Security Council today renewed the mandate of the United Nations office that is assisting Guinea-Bissau to consolidate peace and stability, and called on the Government and all political actors to […]

UN’s regional African offices meet to discuss common security issues The United Nations political offices in West Africa and Central Africa have held a joint meeting on common cross-border threats, such as piracy in the Gulf of Guinea, the aftermath of the Libyan crisis on security across the Sahel and the activities of the notorious […]

Bahrain must address lack of trust in Government, says UN rights chief Protesters in Manama, Bahrain. Photo: Al Jazeera English The United Nations human rights chief today called on Bahraini authorities to address the “deepening mistrust” between the Government and civil society, including by releasing those detained for participating in peaceful protests. “The Bahraini authorities […]