Pacific 

Arrests, military control ‘a serious blow’ to democratic reforms in Myanmar: UN chief

In a statement issued by his spokesperson on Sunday, Secretary-General António Guterres also voiced “grave concern” regarding the declaration of the transfer of all legislative, executive and judicial powers to the military.  “These developments represent a serious blow to democratic reforms in Myanmar”, the statement said.  Volkan Bozkir, President of the UN General Assembly, also voiced concerns over the situation… Read More
Pacific 

FROM THE FIELD: COVID crisis creates new wave of self-reliance for Tonga

The Tonga Rural Innovation Project © IFAD/ Todd M. Henry COVID-related travel restrictions, and increasing prices of imports, have created new challenges, on top of destructive weather events, such as tropical cyclones which can sweep over the archipelago, destroying crops and infrastructure. UN-supported projects are encouraging the inhabitants of Tonga’s 36 inhabited islands to return to rural areas and grow food,… Read More
Pacific 

Myanmar: UN chief following developments ‘with great concern’

“The Secretary-General is following with great concern recent developments in Myanmar”, his spokesperson said in a statement on Thursday.  Tensions have been rising following the outcomes of the November 2020 general elections, in which Aung San Suu Kyi-led National League for Democracy (NLD) claimed an overwhelming victory.  According to media reports, other political parties disputed the results, alleging the polls… Read More
Pacific 

Over 1.9 billion people in Asia-Pacific unable to afford a healthy diet: UN report

According to the 2020 Regional Overview of Food Security and Nutrition, the region’s poor have been worst affected, forced to choose cheaper and less nutritious foods. The report is jointly produced by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the World Food Programme (WFP) and the World Health Organization (WHO).  “The outbreak of COVID-19 and a… Read More
Pacific 

UN agencies supporting mammoth India COVID-19 vaccine rollout

On 16 January, the first day of the campaign, 207,229 vaccine shots were given across the country, one of the worst-hit by COVID-19, with over 10 million COVID-19 infections and 150,000 deaths.  “ provided technical assistance to the Government of India for the development of operational guidelines and other training materials for state and district programme managers and vaccinators, and… Read More
Pacific 

Deadly earthquake hits Indonesia: Dozens killed, hundreds injured 

The earthquake unleashed dozens of aftershocks, some six kilometres northeast of the city of Majene,  causing heavy damage across the city, including to the five-story Mitra Manakarra Hospital where eight people were reportedly trapped inside.   “The Governor’s office, two hotels, a mall, a community health centre, and over 300 houses also sustained damage”, said the spokesperson for the UN Office… Read More
Pacific 

UN steps up support for thousands left homeless after fire at Rohingya refugee camp

The fire erupted shortly after midnight on Thursday (local time) in the Nayapara refugee camp in Cox’s Bazar, gutting about 550 shelters and 150 shops. A community centre is also said to have been destroyed.  This week, a large fire broke out in the #Rohingya camps in Cox’s Bazar, #Bangladesh. There were no casualties, but 3500 people were affected and… Read More
Pacific 

UN steps up support for thousands left homeless after fire at Rohingya refugee camp

The fire erupted shortly after midnight on Thursday (local time) in the Nayapara refugee camp in Cox’s Bazar, gutting about 550 shelters and 150 shops. A community centre is also said to have been destroyed.  This week, a large fire broke out in the #Rohingya camps in Cox’s Bazar, #Bangladesh. There were no casualties, but 3500 people were affected and… Read More
Pacific 

UN steps up support for thousands left homeless after fire at Rohingya refugee camp

The fire erupted shortly after midnight on Thursday (local time) in the Nayapara refugee camp in Cox’s Bazar, gutting about 550 shelters and 150 shops. A community centre is also said to have been destroyed.  This week, a large fire broke out in the #Rohingya camps in Cox’s Bazar, #Bangladesh. There were no casualties, but 3500 people were affected and… Read More
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