5 February 2014 – A mosaic based a on a work by American artist Norman Rockwell, long a favourite attraction on tours of the United Nations in New York, has been re-dedicated following its restoration during the reconstruction of the Headquarters complex. Entitled “Golden Rule,” the work was presented to the UN in 1985 as a gift on behalf of the United States by then First Lady Nancy Reagan. The half-ton mosaic depicts people of different nationalities standing together with the words “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” inscribed on the surface. Speaking at the…
Author: UN News
10 February 2014 – A senior United Nations official today condemned the latest wave of violence in the Central African Republic (CAR) capital Bangui, including the killing of a member of the National Transitional Council, and called for those responsible to be brought to account. In a news release, the UN Integrated Peacebuilding Office in the Car (BINUCA) said its head General Babacar Gaye, condemned the killing of transition politician Jean-Emmanuel Ndjaroua by unidentified armed attackers, and equally deplored the latest round of “unnecessary and indiscriminate violence that creates a climate of fear and encourages the emergence of acts of…
7 February 2014 – The United Nations refugee agency warned today that the violence in the Central African Republic (CAR) has sent thousands of people streaming into neighbouring countries, while the International Criminal Court (ICC) announced plans to open a preliminary investigation into alleged war crimes being committed amid the ongoing sectarian bloodshed. A spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said nearly 9,000 people – most Central Africans but also foreign nationals from Chad, Cameroon, Nigeria and Mali – have fled Car for neighbouring Cameroon. “That brings the number of Car refugees in Cameroon to more than…
7 February 2014 – The United Nations has extended its relief operations in the South Sudanese town of Malakal, scene of some of the fiercest fighting between Government and opposition forces, moving outside its base where it is sheltering 28,000 civilians to reach 10,000 others driven from their homes. “This is the first aid to reach the displaced people outside of the UN base in Malakal,” UN refugee agency (UNHCR) spokesperson Fatoumata Lejeune-Kaba told a news briefing in Geneva today. “Insecurity as well as wide-spread looting of humanitarian assets meant that UNHCR and other agencies were unable to deliver aid…
9 February 2014 – A top United Nations official said she is deeply disappointed that a three-day humanitarian pause agreed between the parties to the Syrian conflict was broken on Saturday and aid workers were deliberately targeted as they tried to deliver food and medicine to Homs. The comments by Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Valerie Amos comes as UN aid workers have reportedly again faced gun and mortar fire as they took more urgently needed assistance into the besieged city. “I extend my sympathies to people who were injured in fighting and commend the courage and tenacity of the UN…
7 February 2014 – As the first of 2,500 Syrians trapped by war in the Old City of Homs without aid for nearly two years were evacuated today under a three-day accord allowing people out and aid in, the United Nations called for immediate access to nearly 1.6 million others throughout the country who have been without regular food or medical supplies for many months. “I continue to call for the safe and voluntary evacuation of all civilians and for full access for humanitarian workers to help people caught in similar situations across Syria,” UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Valerie Amos…
7 February 2014 – The Olympic spirit of fair play, mutual respect and friendly competition “melts away barriers” and sets an example for international relations, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon told tens of thousands of spectators and tens of millions of others watching on television around the world at the opening of the Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia, today. “The Olympics and Paralympics bring out the best in athletic achievement,” he said in a video message broadcast at the ceremony. “The Olympic Flame also illuminates hope for our common humanity. Even in the cold winter weather, barriers between people…
7 February 2014 – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today reiterated the urgency of ending the political crisis in Ukraine through dialogue and the need to prevent further violence, as he met with the country’s President ahead of the opening ceremony for the Sochi Winter Olympic Games. Victor Yanukovych briefed the Secretary-General at length on the genesis of the crisis and recent developments, according to a read-out of the meeting issued by Mr. Ban’s spokesperson. The Ukrainian capital, Kiev, has been witnessing mass protests since late November, following a Government decision not to sign an agreement on broader integration with the European…
6 February 2014 – In Sochi, Russia, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today praised the power of sport to promote human rights and unite people regardless of their age, race, class, religious, ability, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity in a first of its kind address to the International Olympic Committee (IOC). “We must all raise our voices against attacks on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or intersex people,” Mr. Ban said as the first UN chief to address an IOC session. “We must oppose the arrests, imprisonments and discriminatory restrictions they face.” Mr. Ban cited Principle 6 of the Olympic…
6 February 2014 – Nearly four months after a massive earthquake devastated parts of Bohol Island, the top United Nations relief official in the Philippines is calling on donors to provide an additional $19 million for urgent shelter needs, as well as health, education and early recovery efforts in the affected areas. “We are continuing to support the authorities’ efforts on many fronts and will not forget the plight of people affected in Bohol,” said UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Luiza Carvalho today as she noted that since the 7.2 magnitude earthquake hit Bohol on 15 October last year, Philippines…