General News

Poor rains and a drop in agricultural production in Zimbabwe have left 1.6 million people in urgent need of food assistance, according to the World Food Programme (WFP).

The United Nations food agency says that most of the vulnerable people are in rural areas of the Southern African country.

It is particularly concerned as the country is now coming to the so-called “lean” or “hunger” season when traditionally people face food shortages before the harvest in March.

There are hopes that the crisis in the Central African Republic may end with the signing of agreements in Libreville, Gabon, on Friday.

Representatives of the government, the Séléka coalition of rebel groups, the opposition and civil society from the Central African Republic met in the Gabonese capital this week for talks to end the conflict in their country.

The current crisis started in December last year when the Séléka launched an offensive against the government and occupied several towns and cities.

The earthquake which struck Haiti on 12 January 2010 dealt a devastating blow to the country and to the United Nations.

More than 200,000 people were killed in the disaster, including 102 staff members from across the UN system: from senior officials to security officers to secretaries.

On the eve of the third anniversary of the tragedy, staff at UN Headquarters gathered to remember their friends and colleagues who died in Haiti.

The Syrian refugee situation has seen a dramatic turn as severe weather conditions hit the refugee camps around the area.

The UN refugee agency says despite the winter preparations done in recent months, many refugees are facing particularly cold and damp conditions.

The agency also says people fleeing Syria are still arriving in neighbouring States in droves.

Beng Poblete-Enriquez reports:

Duration: 2'30"

This weekend marks three years since the devastating earthquake in Haiti which killed more than 200,000 people and left more than a million homeless.

The international humanitarian response continues in the country as numerous obstacles remain, particularly in finding housing solutions for the 350,000 people who still live in camps.

Dianne Penn spoke on the line to François Desruisseaux, Program Manager for Camp Coordination and Camp Management at the International Organization for Migration, who’s based in Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince.

It’s customary for children in Niger to help out with the chores, whether at home or in the field. As a result, countless youngsters are kept out of school and are at risk of exploitation and abuse.

A pilot programme supported by the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is giving children in Niger a chance to have a say in determining what is important to them and their communities.

Dianne Penn reports.

Duration: 4'09"

Za’atari camp in northern Jordan, home to some 55,000 Syrian refugees half of whom are children, is battered by unusually heavy rains, flooding, snow and sub-zero temperatures.

The United Nations children’s fund (UNICEF) is responding to the rising needs of the children in the camp.

Juliette Touma, the Agency’s Communications and Media Specialist in Jordan tells Reem Abaza that UNICEF is working around the clock moving the children to safer ground and making sure that they are warm and dry.

Duration: 2’19”

A new international treaty aimed at combating the illegal trade in tobacco products opened for signature on Thursday at the headquarters of the World Health Organization (WHO) in Geneva.

The Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products seeks to protect people from the health risks of tobacco while also reducing the loss of government revenue as a result of smuggling and other related illegal activity.

Dianne Penn reports on the signing ceremony.

Duration: 2'28"

Three years after the devastating earthquake of 12 January 2010, Haiti continues to draw on its resources to recover.

 The international humanitarian response has been unprecedented, and many initiatives have emerged to assist the Haitians in dealing with the devastating events.

Donn Bobb reports.

Duration: 4'26"

The world looks to the United Nations for solutions to complex problems everywhere; from ending conflict and alleviating poverty, to combating climate change and defending human rights. The issues on our agenda are manifold and diverse as are the careers we offer. Among our ranks you will find staff members who monitor elections, disarm child soldiers, coordinate relief in humanitarian crises and provide administrative, as well as logistical support to carry out our complex mandates. These are just a few examples amongst our many other equally critical and necessary functions.