UN Gazeti

Wednesday 18 April 2007

Issue No. 217

UN Observances

UN IN KENYA

UNON COMMEMORATES RWANDAN GENOCIDE

Representatives of the Diplomatic Community, religious leaders and UN staff members, assembled at the United Nations Office at Nairobi on Thursday 12th April to commemorate the International Day of Reflection on the Genocide in Rwanda. The event was organized by UNIC Nairobi.

The Director-General of UNON and Executive Director of UN Habitat, Mrs.  Anna Tibaijuka read the Secretary-General's Message, which called upon the international community to "never forget" and "never stop working to prevent another genocide". The Secretary-General also called for “a global partnership against genocide” and pledged to strengthen United Nations mechanisms to ensure that “such an event never happens again". He also reminded the world that the UN also lost peacekeepers and civilians as the genocide unfolded. He said that they had "saved as many lives as they could, and should be remembered for their courage and commitment".

Following the reading of the Secretary-General's Message, a minute of silence was observed. The Ambassador of Rwanda to Kenya, Mr. William Kayonga thereafter made remarks to the assembled guests. The commemoration concluded with prayers led by Christian and Muslim clergymen.

For more information, please contact Nasser Ega-Musa, email address: nasser.ega-musa@unon.org

UN-HABITAT GC OPENS WITH NEW URBAN POVERTY ALARM

The 21st session of UN-HABITAT Governing Council opened on Monday, 16 April 2007 – in the year of homo urbanus – with the sounding a new alarm on the world’s growing urban poverty crisis, especially in developing countries.

The week-long meeting of government ministers, senior officials and other representatives of the 58 governments that constitute the Governing Council was formally inaugurated by the President of Kenya, Mr. Mwai Kibaki after a glittering opening ceremony crowned by the songs of four teenage girls in Kenya’s Moipei Quartet.

“Every two years, we gather here in Nairobi, the home of UN headquarters in Africa and the Developing World, to decide on how we will conduct our business for the following two years with regard to the activities of the UN Human Settlements Programme,” said UN-HABITAT Executive Director, Mrs. Anna Tibaijuka in her opening address.

For more information, visit http://www.unhabitat.org

UN IN AFRICA

DARFUR AT THE CROSSROADS, SAYS SG

The situation in Darfur has reached a crossroads, with dire humanitarian and security conditions, continued attacks against civilians and African Union (AU) peacekeepers, inter-tribal fighting and aerial bombardments, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon warned yesterday as he called for an immediate end to hostilities and a comprehensive solution including political reconciliation and economic development to the conflict.

Speaking after two days of consultations with AU Commission Chairman Alpha Oumar Konaré and other AU and UN officials in New York, Mr. Ban reiterated his welcome of the Sudanese Government's announcement confirming its support of the UN's entire “heavy support package” to the existing AU peace force.

But he stressed that the package must be implemented as soon as possible and called for the finalization of plans for the proposed hybrid UN-AU peacekeeping force in Darfur, where more than 200,000 people have been killed since 2003.

For more information, visit: http://www.un.org/news

NORTHERN UGANDA: UN FORCED TO CUT FOOD RATIONS TO OVER 1 MILLION

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) said yesterday that a shortage of contributions has forced it to cut food rations for 1.28 million people driven into camps from their homes during a 20-year rebellion by the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA).

“WFP strongly appreciates the swift response to our March appeal from the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), the United States, Canada and Norway, but unless there are additional contributions from other donors the problem for 1.28 million displaced and 182,000 refugees will persist,” said WFP Executive Director Josette Sheeran.

The agency gives internally displaced persons (IDPs) partial rations because they can grow some food on land near the camps to supplement what WFP gives them. In April, WFP was forced to reduce the individual food aid package for the displaced to just 40 per cent of the minimum daily energy requirement of 1,200 kilocalories because of a shortage of contributions.

For more information, visit: http://www.un.org/news

WFP APPEALS FOR HELP TO AVERT DEEPENING CRISIS IN CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) yesterday appealed for increased international donor support to avert a deepening humanitarian crisis in the Central African Republic (CAR), where hundreds of thousands of people displaced by war and civil conflict are in urgent need of food assistance.

“The humanitarian situation in CAR is serious, and getting worse as a result of the violence and conflict spilling over from Darfur,” said WFP Executive Director Josette Sheeran.

“We need to increase our operations to cover the food needs of 230,000 people in this growing emergency.” The appeal comes ahead of Ms. Sheeran’s visit to Ethiopia, Sudan and Chad next week, where she will assess the impact of the spill-over of the Darfur conflict in neighbouring Sudan for WFP operations in the region.

 For more information, visit: http://www.un.org/news

TETANUS THE TARGET OF UNICEF-FUNDED CAMPAIGN IN SIERRA LEONE

Sierra Leone launched a week-long national campaign against tetanus on Monday in which the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is funding the provision of a vaccine to over 1 million women and almost 100,000 children to combat the potentially deadly disease, which often occurs after an acute injury, such as a puncture wound or laceration.

The West African nation has one of the highest infant and maternal mortality rates in the world, with 167 out of every 1,000 children dying before their fifth birthday and 1,300 women dying for every 100,000 live births, UNICEF said in a press release. Eliminating maternal and newborn tetanus will help to cut those rates and the campaign is expected to increase community awareness on the importance of maternal and child health.

“Sierra Leone cannot afford to be left behind in the global campaign to reduce infant deaths due to modern vaccines and medical breakthroughs,” said UNICEF Representative Geert Cappelaere, while visiting a vaccination centre in the capital Freetown.

For more information, visit: http://www.un.org/news

UN PEACEBUILDING COMMISSION COMMITTED TO HELPING BURUNDI

The United Nations Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) is committed to supporting Burundi, including by helping mobilize resources to fight poverty, an official from the newly created body, which aims to prevent countries from relapsing into conflict, said on Saturday 14th April in Bujumbura, the capital.

“I have reiterated the strong support of the United Nations Peacebuilding Commission to the Government and people of Burundi concerning ongoing efforts to consolidate peace,” Ambassador Johan Løvald told reporters after wrapping up a four-day visit to the small central African State, which has been the victim of violent coups and political instability since gaining independence in 1962.

The eight-member delegation from the PBC met with the President, government ministers and other officials as well as representatives of civil society, women's groups, the private sector and religious communities.

For more information, visit: http://www.un.org/news

NIGERIAN UN OFFICER DONATES UNIFORMS TO LIBERIAN NATIONAL POLICE

In another example of the ongoing personal contributions made by United Nations uniformed personnel to the countries where they are deployed, a Nigerian police officer serving with the UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) has provided sets of uniforms and accessories worth $7,000 to the national police there.

Aliyu Abubakar’s donation to the Liberia National Police (LNP) includes 60 sets of police uniform, 60 reflective jackets, 100 pocket notebooks, 110 hand gloves, 50 Fez caps, 60 reflective hand bands and 60 whistles.

It came in fulfillment of a promise he made last year when the LNP launched the Programme “Help the Police to Help You” to appeal to the public for assistance, UNMIL said in a news release.

For more information, visit: http://www.un.org/news

SECURITY COUNCIL EXTENDS UN PEACEKEEPING FORCE IN DR CONGO

Stressing its commitment to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) during the country’s post-war transition period, the Security Council on Saturday 14th April extended the mandate of the United Nations peacekeeping mission there for another month.

In a resolution adopted unanimously, the Council’s 15 members agreed to extend the current mandate and personnel strength of the UN Organization Mission in the DRC (known as MONUC) until 15 May.

The resolution reaffirmed the Council’s support for “the sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence” of the DRC, which is trying to rebuild after decades of civil war and misrule.

For more information, visit: http://www.un.org/news

UN AROUND THE WORLD

SG CALLS FOR UNITY AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon yesterday called for a “long-term global response” to deal with climate change, along with unified efforts involving the Security Council, Member States and other international bodies to deal with the problem of scare resources, warning that countries’ lack of access to water, energy and other essentials can lead to conflict.

Addressing the Security Council’s open debate on energy, security and climate, Mr. Ban pointed to recent UN evidence showing not only that the planet’s warming is unequivocal but also that its impact is clearly noticeable, and “beyond doubt that human activities have been contributing considerably to it.”

“I firmly believe that today, all countries recognize that climate change, in particular, requires a long-term global response, in line with the latest scientific findings, and compatible with economic and social development,” he said.

For more information, visit: http://www.un.org/news

UN GRIEVES FOR SLAIN COLLEAGUES AND CHILDREN IN AFGHANISTAN

The United Nations yesterday expressed grief over the killing in Afghanistan of five of its workers in a roadside bomb blast and also for the deaths of four children and the wounding of four others in a separate explosion at a school, with Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon strongly condemning these “despicable acts” of violence.

“Intentional attacks on civilians are a clear violation of international humanitarian law and the UN will be pursuing full accountability for those who are behind this,” said UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) spokesman Adrian Edwards in the Afghan capital Kabul.

“We grieve for our lost colleagues and for the murdered and wounded children and offer our deep sympathies to their families and loved ones.”

For more information, visit: http://www.un.org/news

SADDENED BY US COLLEGE SHOOTINGS, SG VOICES HOPE FOR HEALING

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon yesterday voiced sadness at the shooting rampage yesterday at the Virginia Polytechnic Institute in the United States, while expressing hope that the many affected individuals and communities would be able to embark on a deep process of healing.

“I feel very much sorry and troubled, and any such rampant killing of innocent citizens and children is totally not acceptable and I condemn it in strongest terms possible,” Mr. Ban said in response to questions by reporters in New York.

His spokesperson later added: “This tragic incident underscores the common bonds of all humanity. We all grieve with the survivors and the families of all victims.” The Secretary-General offered his hopes “for a profound healing process for the many individuals and communities affected,” spokesperson Michele Montas said.

For more information, visit: http://www.un.org/news

INTERIM REPORT ON SHOOTINGS IN KOSOVO CITES ROMANIANS ATTACHED TO UN POLICE UNIT

An interim report into violent clashes in Kosovo two months ago in which two protesters died and two were injured has found “substantial basis” on which to conclude that Romanian gunners linked to a United Nations specialized police unit were responsible, a spokesperson for the world body said yesterday.

In his report to the UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), which has run the Albanian-majority Serbian province since 1999, International Prosecutor Robert Dean also says that the Mission, the UN and Romania’s Government may also want to consider compensation for the victims and their families, the spokesperson added.

“The interim report states that there is a substantial basis on which to conclude that Romanian gunners attached to the Romanian Formed Police Unit were indeed responsible for the four woundings – two of which were fatal,” spokesperson Michelle Montas told reporters at UN Headquarters in New York.

For more information, visit: http://www.un.org/news

IMPLEMENTATION OF SANCTIONS AGAINST DPR KOREA ON TRACK, UN SAYS

The implementation of sanctions against the Democratic People’s Republic of North Korea (DPRK), imposed last October after the country claimed to have conducted a nuclear test, is on track, the head of the Security Council’s sanctions committee said on Monday16th April.

The Sanctions Committee, created by the Council, met on Monday in New York to discuss progress made in implementing the measures, which expressly ban the support by Member States of the country’s nuclear-related, other weapons of mass destruction-related and ballistic missile-related Programmes.

Thus far, 68 countries and the European Union have reported that they are in the process of implementing the sanctions, the Committee’s chairman Ambassador Marcello Spatafora of Italy, told reporters after the meeting.

For more information, visit: http://www.un.org/news

INVASIVE SPECIES AND TOURISM THREATEN GALAPAGOS ISLANDS, UN TEAM CONFIRMS

After a fact-finding mission to the Galapagos Islands of Ecuador, a team from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on Monday confirmed serious threats to the World Heritage site caused by encroachment by invasive species, uncontrolled tourism and other challenges, as it also welcomed measures to deal with these threats put forward by the country’s President.

The visit, from 8 to 13 April, was led by Tumu te Heuheu, Chairman of UNESCO's World Heritage Committee, Kishore Rao, Deputy Director of UNESCO's World Heritage Centre, and Berndt von Droste of the World Conservation Union (IUCN). The trip took place at the invitation of Ecuador’s Government.

“The mission confirmed the threat to the outstanding value and physical integrity of this iconic World Heritage site mainly from: the growing encroachment of invasive species, increasing human immigration, uncontrolled development of tourism, and the failure of various institutions and agencies to deal with these threats,” the agency said in a press release.

For more information, visit: http://www.un.org/news

For more information on the United Nations and its activities, please visit the main U.N website at www.un.org or the U.N Kenya website at www.un-kenya.org