Africa

Maize crib used as a sack store for dried grain by rendering the sides rainproof and fitting rat guards to the legs, Nigeria

UN calls for better grain storage to reduce Africa’s post-harvest losses

31 May 2011
Large amounts of food in sub-Saharan Africa goes to waste as a result of inappropriate storage, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said in a report unveiled today, which calls for investing in post-harvest technologies to reduce to the losses and boost the continent’s food security.
Displaced people fleeing fighting in Abyei, in Agok, Sudan

Sudan: UN efforts under way to assist civilians displaced from Abyei

31 May 2011
The United Nations said today that humanitarian operations in Sudan are under way, focusing on identifying the location of the tens of thousands of civilians uprooted by the recent clashes in the disputed town of Abyei and responding to critical relief needs.
Somali children

Child casualties rise dramatically in latest fighting in Somalia’s capital – UN

31 May 2011
Violence in Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu, has driven the number of child casualties to a new high, the United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) said today, noting that the main cause of children’s deaths were burns, chest injuries and internal haemorrhage resulting from blasts, shrapnel and bullets.
Special Rapporteur Anand Grover

UN expert urges Ghana to tackle health funding, maternal mortality

30 May 2011
An independent United Nations human rights expert today commended the Government of Ghana on its commitment to realizing the right to health while underscoring key challenges regarding maternal mortality, mental health and adequate funding.
Chadians displaced by ethnic violence in 2006 are now able to return home

Displaced villagers in eastern Chad make their way home with UN help

27 May 2011
Villagers uprooted by violence in eastern Chad several years ago have begun returning to their homes with the help of the United Nations refugee agency now that security has improved in the region.
Refugees who fled the post-election instability in Côte d'Ivoire wait to be registered at a camp in Liberia

UN resumes repatriation of Liberian refugees from Côte d’Ivoire

27 May 2011
The United Nations refugee agency said today it has resumed the repatriation of Liberian refugees who had been stranded in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, during the recent post-election violence there.
Unidentified men carry away sacks of food looted from the World Food Programme compound in Abyei, Sudan

Sudan: UN deplores looting of humanitarian supplies in Abyei

27 May 2011
United Nations agencies in Sudan have deplored the ransacking of humanitarian premises and looting of emergency relief supplies in the disputed area of Abyei, which was last week taken over by Sudanese Government troops, and urged all parties to respect the property and assets of aid groups.
Qatar State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ahmed Bin Abdullah Al-Mahmoud (left), and Joint Chief Mediator, Djibril Bassolé

Delegates gather in Qatar for UN-backed consultations on Darfur peace process

27 May 2011
United Nations-backed consultations aimed at resolving the conflict in the Sudanese region of Darfur began today in the Qatari capital, Doha, with more than 500 people representing the parties to the dispute, as well as civil society and political leaders.
UN-led talks on Western Sahara were held in New York, on 8 January 2008 (file)

UN to host meeting of parties to Western Sahara dispute

26 May 2011
The seventh round of United Nations-backed informal talks between the parties to the conflict in Western Sahara will be held in New York next month, the world body announced today.
Unidentified men loot the WFP compound in Abyei as fires burn in the background

Food and water most urgent needs for civilians displaced by Abyei clashes – UN

26 May 2011
Heavy rains are making it difficult to ascertain the exact number and location of the thousands of civilians forced to flee their homes due to the recent violence in the Sudanese town of Abyei, but the United Nations says the displaced are in urgent need of food and water.