Europe

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (left) and François Hollande, President of France.
UN Photo/Evan Schneider (file)

Ban phones France’s Hollande to offer condolences in wake of terrorist attacks

18 November 2015
On a phone call to French President François Hollande, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon reiterated his condemnation of the terrorist attacks in Paris last week, and presented his condolences to the families of the victims, as well as to the Government and people of France.
A volunteer on the Greek Island of Lesbos gathers a baby girl in her arms, moments after her family arrived in an inflatable boat.
UNHCR/Achilleas Zavallis

Refugees should not be turned into scapegoats following Paris attacks, says UN agency

17 November 2015
The United Nations refugee agency today expressed its shock and horror at the attacks in Paris and the killing of so many innocent people but warned against the scapegoating of refugees, in the wake of the deadly attacks.
A young child eats a sandwich next to the tarpaulin that serves as a makeshift shelter, close to the town of Gevgelija, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, on the border with Greece (September 2015).
UNICEF/NYHQ2015-2191/Georgiev

Major spike in number of refugee and migrant children on the move in Europe – UNICEF

16 November 2015
With record numbers of child refugees and migrants – 700 a day seeking asylum in Europe –the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) said it has identified five groups of vulnerable children and is mobilizing tailored actions to meet their needs.
View of Paris, France, from UNESCO headquarters.
UN Photo/Mark Garten

UN condemns 'despicable' terrorist attacks in Paris

13 November 2015
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the United Nations Security Council have condemned the “despicable" terrorist attacks carried out today in various locations in and around Paris, and Mr. Ban has demanded the immediate release of the numerous individuals reportedly being held hostage in the Bataclan theatre.
Families living in the conflict-affected areas of eastern Ukraine try to keep their houses heated by putting bricks on the gas oven. They are desperate to keep their children warm during these freezing months.
UNICEF Ukraine/2015/Alexey Filippov

Ukraine: as winter closes in, UN warns 700,000 children at risk due to severely damaged heating systems

13 November 2015
About 700,000 children in Donetsk and Luhansk in Eastern Ukraine are in danger of the potential failure of the heating systems during the winter months, said United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) today adding that conflict in the region has heavily damaged the interlinked water, heating and electricity service.
Members of Samaritan’s Purse, a UNHCR partner on the Greek island of Lesvos, install a drainage pipe at a sanitation facility.
UNHCR/Achilleas Zavallis

Some 3,300 people a day still arriving on Lesvos – UN refugee agency

13 November 2015
Despite dangerous sea conditions, the United Nations refugee agency today reported that the number of refugees and migrants arriving on Lesvos continues to be high, at an average of 3,300 people per day so far in November.
Group photo of participants at the international summit, called by the European Council, to discuss migration issues with African and other key countries in Valletta, Malta.
The European Union

‘Failure of refugee and migration governance is fatal,’ deputy UN chief tells summit in Malta

12 November 2015
At a summit on the relationship between Europe and Africa on refugees and migration, the United Nations Deputy Secretary-General stressed the importance of searching for political solutions, strengthening institutions and continuing development efforts and assistance.
High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina, Valentin Inzko, briefs the Security Council.
UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe

Bosnia and Herzegovina, once post-conflict ‘shining star,’ is moving in wrong direction, Security Council warned

10 November 2015
Two decades after peace accords ended the wars in the former Yugoslavia, Bosnia and Herzegovina is moving in the wrong direction after years of being the “shining star” of peace building and is threatened by Republika Srpska’s decision to hold a referendum, the United Nations Security Council was warned today.
In Ukraine, cash and food voucher assistance by WFP allow people to go to the market and pick the food they prefer.
WFP/Abeer Etefa

UN refugee agency delivers aid to eastern Ukraine for first time in months

9 November 2015
The United Nations refugee agency has managed to deliver aid for the first time in over two months to areas of eastern Ukraine beyond Government control where two million people are in urgent need of assistance, reaching 12,000 people – a “small drop in the ocean of needs” – with plans to expand greatly as the harsh winter sets in.
Stephen O’Brien.
Roll Back Malaria Partnership

Amid rising global humanitarian needs, UN relief chief encouraged by stronger aid partnership with Russia

7 November 2015
Wrapping up his first official visit to the Russian Federation, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Stephen O'Brien hailed Russia's “vital and strategic role” as a Member State actively engaged in global and multilateral relief efforts and emergency expertise.