Africa

These houses may collapse any moment because of flood water in Lower Shire, southern Malawi.
UNDP/George Ntonya

Humanitarian community must move quickly to halt cholera spread in Malawi – UN

27 February 2015
With 39 cases of cholera in the last two weeks, including two deaths, the United Nations children’s agency in Malawi is on high alert for spread in southern border areas where highly-populated camps for people displaced by the floods are located, according to a press statement released today.
Hadjara, 8, fled a Boko Haram attack against Baga in Nigeria with her family. She was shot during the attack and her arm had to be amputated at Baga-Sola hospital in Chad.
OCHA/Caroline Birch

Ban reiterates condemnation of Boko Haram attacks, urges efforts to combat terrorist threat

27 February 2015
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today reiterated his strong condemnation of the continuing indiscriminate and horrific attacks by Boko Haram against civilian populations in Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Nigeria.
At a health facility in Ségou, central Mali, a mother and her child are examined for signs of malnutrition.
OCHA/D. Dembele

Mali: UN, partners launch humanitarian appeal as relief efforts continue

27 February 2015
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has joined with partner agencies to launch a multy0million dollar appeal for urgent funding for aid operations in Mali amid the country’s ongoing crisis, a spokesperson said today.
Skiff used by Somali pirates.
UNODC

UN officials welcome release by Somali pirates of longest-held hostages

27 February 2015
Senior United Nations officials have welcomed the release this week of four Thai nationals after nearly five years in captivity, bringing an end to the longest held hostage ordeal in the east African nation thanks to a mission carried by the UN anti-crime agency.
A man identified as Oumar, who was at risk of statelessness, holds his father's identity card from French colonial times.
UNHCR/Hélène Caux

At UN-backed meeting, West African nations commit to ending statelessness

27 February 2015
Delegates representing fifteen West African nations have pledged to step up efforts towards eliminating statelessness in a move aimed at resolving the situation of hundreds of thousands of stateless people across the region, the United Nations refugee agency reported today.
UN peacekeepers on patrol in Sudan’s Abyei region.
UN Photo/Tim McKulka

Security Council extends UN peacekeeping force in Abyei through July 2015

26 February 2015
The Security Council has extended the United Nations peacekeeping force in Abyei – a resource-rich area contested by Sudan and South Sudan – as part of the Organization’s ongoing efforts to maintain peace and protect civilians in the disputed territory.
This motorbike has crossed the border from Sarkonedou in Liberia to Koutizou in Guinea. The opening of Liberia’s official borders enables economic activities and allows students to attend school.
UNMEER/Kennei Momoh

Amid uptick in Ebola cases, UN agency cites challenges in reaching affected communities

26 February 2015
New cases of Ebola rose again in Guinea and transmission remains widespread in Sierra Leone, the United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) reported as it and the UN Ebola response mission both raised concerns about challenges in engaging communities to win the fight against the disease.
Senegalese UNPOL Officers patrol the streets of Gao, Mali.
MINUSMA/Marco Dormino

Mali: Inquiry team concludes probe into violent demonstration against peacekeepers in Gao

26 February 2015
The high-level team appointed by the United Nations to investigate the events surrounding a violent demonstration against the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) has concluded its visit to the African country, the UN spokesperson’s office confirmed today.
Members of the cooperative of women in Ethiopia whose cactus pear marmalade will soon reach Italian tables.
FAO/Filippo Brasesco

Through UN-backed project, Ethiopian marmalade will soon hit shelves at ‘Eataly’

25 February 2015
Next time you feel like some cactus pear marmalade from Ethiopia but can’t make it to the town of Mekelle, check out the shelves of Italian gourmet food store Eataly.
Participants in the Libyan Political Dialogue on arrival at the UN Office in Geneva on 14 January 2015 to start a new round of talks aimed at resolving Libya crisis.
UN Photo/Jean-Marc Ferré (file)

UN Libya mission urges country’s stakeholders to pursue next round of talks

25 February 2015
The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) announced today that it is undertaking a series of urgent consultations with stakeholders in the North African country to ensure the convening of the next round of talks soon and “not let this window of opportunity slip away.”