Category: Pacific

Spokesperson Jens Laerke from the UN humanitarian affairs office (OCHA) said on Tuesday that operations were continuing, and that the UN had already helped eight million people this year alone. UNHCR and partners are committed to staying and delivering assistance and support to the Afghan people, so long as it is safe to do so. Now more than ever, the… Read More

The 5-megawatt reactor is widely believed to have produced plutonium for nuclear weapons and is at the heart of North Korea’s nuclear programme, the agency said. Responding to journalists’ questions, the UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric, said on Monday that the Secretary-General was aware of the reports “and concerned by the latest developments.” “He calls for the DPRK to refrain from any nuclear… Read More

Thirteen of the 15 ambassadors voted in favour of the resolution, which further demands that Afghanistan not be used as a shelter for terrorism. Permanent members China and Russia abstained. Airport attack condemned Countries condemned in the strongest terms the deadly blasts at Kabul airport on Thursday, which killed more than 150 people and injured upwards of 200 more.  The… Read More

George Laryea-Adjei, Regional Director for UNICEF South Asia, said children have paid the heaviest price in recent weeks of increased conflict and insecurity. Not only have some been forced from their homes, and cut off from their schools and friends, they have also been deprived of basic healthcare that can protect them against polio, tetanus and other diseases. “Now, with… Read More

An urgent need for clean energy Indonesia, the world’s fourth most populous country, urgently needs clean energy capacity: the blistering pace of economic development over the past decade has lifted millions out of poverty, but it has also dramatically increased the demand for energy.  The government has pledged to phase out all coal-fired power stations by 2055, but some 30… Read More

The Islamic State in Khorosan Province (ISKP) has claimed responsibility for the deadly explosions which occurred on Thursday evening, local time, amid ongoing evacuations from the country in the wake of the Taliban takeover. More than 160 people, including 13 United States troops, were killed, according to media reports. Threat to peace The Security Council issued a statement condemning the… Read More

“We have only a few days of supplies left and we’re exploring all options to bring more medicines into the country,” said Dr. Rick Brennan, Regional Emergency Director with the WHO Office for the Eastern Mediterranean (EMRO), speaking during the bi-weekly briefing by UN agencies. .@WHO is on the ground supporting efforts to treat those injured in the #Kabul explosions… Read More

Stuart Simpson, IOM Afghanistan Chief of Mission, said the agency is working to scale up operations to meet the most pressing, life-saving needs. Priorities include shelter and non-food aid; water, sanitation and hygiene, collectively known as WASH; health, protection, and humanitarian assistance in border areas, as well as emergency livelihood support and social cohesion. Poverty and food insecurity rising “Our… Read More

More than 60% of WFP’s food assistance in #Afghanistan is purchased from within the country. The rest is transported by land through neighbouring countries. In recent days, WFP has succeeded in bringing 600 mt of food through the border crossings and into the country. pic.twitter.com/Pm9102Ubvu — World Food Programme (@WFP) August 25, 2021 The World Food Programme (WFP) reported that… Read More

In the Asia-Pacific Disaster Report 2021, the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) described how while dealing with the pandemic, countries in the region have also been hit by multiple biological and natural disasters, such as cyclones, landslides, heatwaves and volcanic eruptions. At the same time, as climate change has continued to warm the world it is also… Read More