Europe

Athens residents protest the Greek government’s handling of the financial crisis during a national strike in September 2012.
IRIN/Kristy Siegfried

Greece: UN labour agency outlines roadmap for tackling unemployment and weak economy

27 November 2015
The head of the United Nations International Labour Organization (ILO), after meeting with Greek Government officials and labour representatives, has reaffirmed the agency’s support to the country’s economic revival and efforts to curb unemployment.
This WFP 12-truck convoy, with food supplies to feed more than 7,000 people for one month, reached Luhansk in eastern Ukraine for the first time since the suspension of humanitarian activities four months ago.
WFP/Logistics Cluster

Ukraine: UN humanitarian agencies step up aid deliveries as bitter winter takes hold

25 November 2015
United Nations agencies are stepping up aid deliveries to non-Government-controlled areas of eastern Ukraine where more than 100,000 people, cut off from assistance for months, are now facing added hardship with the approach of the bitter east European winter.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.
UN Photo/Cia Pak (file)

Ban concerned over downing of Russian plane by Turkish Air Force, urges measures to lower tensions

24 November 2015
The United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is seriously concerned over the downing of a Russian military jet by the Turkish Air Force earlier today, and has urged all relevant parties to take urgent measures with a view to de-escalating tensions, according to his spokesperson.
Syrian refugee Mohamed, his wife Fatima and their two babies wait in Serbia to cross into Croatia.
UNHCR/Mark Henley

New European border restrictions on refugees, migrants violate human rights, Ban warns

24 November 2015
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon warned Balkan States today that border restrictions based on a refugee’s or migrant’s nationality infringed human rights, with the United Nations refugee agency reporting that 1,000 people are already stranded, 60 of them on hunger strike and 11 reportedly stitching up their mouths in protest.
Migrants wait in line to be registered in Berlin, Germany.
UNICEF/Ashley Gilbertson VII

UN seeks common European strategy on health care for refugee and migrant influx

23 November 2015
As the unprecedented influx of refugees and migrants into Europe strains host countries’ medical resources, the United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) opened a high-level meeting in Rome today to draft a common strategy on health care for the newcomers, ranging from prompt vaccination against measles and polio to dealing with childbirth complications.
Displaced families and the elderly in Ukraine line up for WFP food vouchers, which enable them to obtain food including milk, fresh fruit, vegetables, eggs and meat.
WFP/Abeer Etefa

UN agency and partners distribute food to 7,000 vulnerable people in eastern Ukraine

20 November 2015
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has announced the start of food distribution to about 7,000 hospital patients and school children in conflict-affected areas in eastern Ukraine.
Special Rapporteur on transitional justice Pablo de Greiff.
Jean-Marc Ferré

Northern Ireland still faces urgent challenges nearly 20 years after peace accord – UN expert

20 November 2015
While much has been achieved in Northern Ireland in the nearly 20 years since a peace accord ended decades of fighting between British forces and the Irish Republican Army (IRA) and the different communities, urgent issues persist, according to a United Nations expert on transitional justice.
A group of asylum-seekers break the trek to rest at Tovarnik train station in Croatia.
UNHCR/I. Pavicevic

European border restrictions endanger refugees, migrants, especially children, UN agencies warn

20 November 2015
European restrictions on refugees and migrant movements after last week’s terrorist attacks in Paris, including national profiling, are endangering many, especially children, as the bite of winter takes hold, United Nations agencies warned today, calling on Governments to provide more reception centres and decent accommodation.
A wide view of the Security Council in session.
UN Photo/Devra Berkowitz (file)

In Kosovo, UN efforts focused on promoting stability and political progress

19 November 2015
Calling for continued support from the Security Council, the top United Nations official in Kosovo today said the UN Mission there (UNMIK) is continuing to focus its efforts on promoting stability, political progress and respect for human rights.
Whale-watching and fishing boats in the harbour of Reykjavik, Iceland.
<a href=http://bit.ly/1HZzBeE>UNEP GRID Arendal/Peter Prokosch </a>

Ahead of UN conference, Reykjavik and businesses sign declaration on climate change

19 November 2015
Ahead of the UN climate change conference starting on 30 November, a declaration on climate issues has been signed in Iceland by the city of Reykjavik and more than one hundred businesses and institutions, all pledging to take active measures to cut global warming by reducing emissions of greenhouse gases and cut waste.