Afghanistan: UN-backed survey shows sharp rise in opium production and prices Poppy field in Afghanistan. Photo: UNODC The price of opium in Afghanistan rose dramatically last year, according to a joint survey by the United Nations and the Government that was released today, which also shows that the farm-gate income from the narcotic probably amounted to over […]

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Haitian earthquake boosted global commitment to disaster risk reduction Participants in the cash-for-work programme, through which UNDP has been providing short-term employment to 75,916 Haitians so far who are laying the foundations for long-term recovery while earning an income.  Geneva, 12 January 2012 – On the occasion of the two-year commemoration of the Haitian earthquake today, […]

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Despite end-of-year decline, 2011 food prices highest on record – UN Photo: NobbiP Global food prices declined in December, but the overall annual average was the highest ever on record, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reported today. Last month, FAO’s Food Price Index level was 211 points – 27 points below its […]

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Haiti: UN urges investing in water and sanitation services to combat cholera Women carry jerry cans of chlorinated water which is being used to contain cholera in eastern DRC. Photo: IRIN/Tiggy Ridley Dramatic improvements in water and sanitation services are needed to eliminate cholera in Haiti and the Dominican Republic, health experts who took part […]

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Violence against women: Prevention, protection and empowerment in Haiti Among the many peacekeepers deployed by the UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti and assigned to protect the hundreds of thousands of internally displaced persons (IDPs) from insecurity, nearly 500 are women. Photo: Hadrien Bonnaud It is a lesser known reality of the earthquake that devastated Haiti […]

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Call to Action: A Cholera-Free Hispaniola Moving from cholera control to cholera elimination through essential investments in water, sanitation, and hygiene infrastructure In a press briefing, the governments of Haiti and the Dominican Republic, together with the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), UNICEF, and […]

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UN urges Group of 77 nations to champion development agenda Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon with representatives of the G77 and China on the sidelines of the UN Climate Change Conference in Durban. UN Photo/Mark Garten … Group of 77: coalition’s key role stressed in UN efforts to promote development United Nations, New York, 11 january 2012 […]

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More funds required to continue nutrition and health projects in Haiti – UN Children attending classes in Haiti The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) reported today that it will continue to distribute food aid to some 1.5 million people each month through its school meals scheme, mother and children nutrition and food-for-work programmes in […]

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Slovak official to lead UN Economic and Social Council Ambassador Miloš Koterec of the Slovak Republic. UN Photo/Evan Schneider Slovak ambassador Miloš Koterec was elected today to serve as President of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), one of the six principal organs of the UN and the main body tasked with coordinating […]

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UNESCO chief stresses need for innovation to ensure equitable education Group photo of some of the delegates attending the Education World Forum taking place in London – EWF/David Weston The head of the United Nations agency tasked with promoting education today underscored the role that information and communications technologies can play in ensuring quality education […]

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