Kenyan court jails men who killed UN aid worker WFP Executive Director Josette Sheeran. Photo: WFP/Rein Skullerud 1 February 2012 – The head of the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) Josette Sheeran welcomed today the decision by the Kenyan High Court to sentence five men to 56 years in prison each for the murder of […]

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New UN initiative aims to harness power of social media to fight global hunger 1 February 2012 – The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is launching a week-long campaign in which users of the popular online trivia game Freerice can recruit their friends to help bring food to the world’s most vulnerable populations. World Freerice […]

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Thousands affected by tropical storms in Mozambique – UN humanitarian arm Thousands affected by tropical storms in Mozambique. 31 January 2012 – The United Nations humanitarian agency reported today that an estimated 117,000 people have been affected by two tropical storms in Mozambique last week, adding that it is closely monitoring the situation. According to Government […]

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UNESCO chief condemns latest murder of journalist in Somalia. 31 January 2012 – The head of the United Nations agency tasked with promoting and defending the freedom of the press today condemned the murder of a journalist in Somalia and called for measures to improve the safety of media professionals in the Horn of Africa country. […]

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Sri Lanka: UN agency funds irrigation improvement projects 31 January 2012 – The United Nations fund tasked with promoting rural development will provide a $22-million loan to Sri Lanka to finance the improvement of the South Asian country’s irrigation infrastructure and crop diversification, as well as projects to expand market opportunities for smallholder farmers. Farmers water […]

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UN scales up food assistance for more than 80,000 people in South Sudan An internally displaced mother and her children among IDPs in South Sudan. Photo: UNMISS/Gideon Pibor 31 January 2012 – The United Nations World Food Programme announced today that it will scale up its assistance to reach 80,000 people affected by the recent […]

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Former Haitian leader must face charges for human rights abuses, says UN 31 January 2012 – The United Nations today voiced its concern at reports that former Haitian President Jean-Claude Duvalier may not face charges relating to the serious human rights violations that took place during his 15-year rule, while stressing that justice must be ensured […]

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UN welcomes Iraqi ratification of pact on rights of persons with disabilities Celebration of International Day of Persons with Disabilities. UN Photo/Fardin Waezi 30 January 2012 The United Nations welcomed today the ratification by Iraq of a convention that protects, promotes, and ensures the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights by persons with […]

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Top UN officials discuss preparations for sustainable development conference 30 January 2012 The heads of the General Assembly and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) met today to discuss preparations for the UN Sustainable Development Conference (Rio+20), which will be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in June. The discussions between Assembly […]

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UNESCO forum to discuss role of Holocaust education in fighting prejudice 30 January 2012 Historians and researchers will gather in Paris tomorrow for a United Nations forum designed to address the impact that Holocaust remembrance can have in stemming the tide of intolerance around the world. The conference, which will be hosted by the UN […]

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