Americas

UN food agency appeals for urgent aid for Colombian refugees in Ecuador

30 September 2005
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) today called on donors to provide $1 million for immediate food assistance to 6,300 Colombian refugees and asylum seekers living in Ecuador after fleeing a decades-long armed conflict that has displaced almost 3 million of their fellow countrymen.

First ladies join UN food agency to combat hunger among millions in Americas

30 September 2005
A United Nations campaign to raise awareness about hunger, malnutrition, and food insecurity throughout the school systems of South America and the Caribbean has received the support of first ladies from the region, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said today.

Senior UN official briefs US Congressional panel on advances in UN reform

28 September 2005
United Nations Member States have made progress in the push for institutional reform, but a threat to withhold some of the United States’ dues if benchmarks are not met by certain deadlines could provoke a backlash from other Member States on such important issues as a clear definition of terrorism, a senior UN official said today.

Brewing flu pandemic could be catastrophic unless world prepares – UN agency

27 September 2005
There will be another influenza pandemic and failure to prepare for it appropriately will have “catastrophic consequences,” the head of the United Nations health agency warned today, calling for national control plans worldwide and massive international collaboration to prevent the potential deaths of millions of people.

Chilean, Argentine and Cuban win UN Pan American health awards

27 September 2005
Three Latin American physicians have been awarded this year's Pan American Health awards in the fields of medicine, health care and bioethics, the United Nations regional health agency for the Americas said today.

Ending child labour in Latin America could create $235 billion net benefit – UN

23 September 2005
Eliminating child labour in Latin America within the next 20 years could generate an estimated $235 billion in net economic benefit as a result of children's improved access to universal education and better health care, according to a new study by the United Nations International Labour Organization (ILO).

Annan to meet Secretary of State Rice and speak at Africa forum in Washington

22 September 2005
United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan will travel to Washington tomorrow to meet with United States Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. Earlier in the day he will make the keynote speech at the forum “Africa Matters” to an audience of political leaders and business people.

Haiti: Annan chairs high level panel to help prepare for elections, development

18 September 2005
As Haiti prepares for elections in November and December with United Nations help, Secretary-General Kofi Annan has called on the world community to provide necessary aid to help to re-establish order and spur development in the impoverished country, which has been plagued by unrest for many years.

UN labour agency offers aid to US to help recovery from Hurricane Katrina

18 September 2005
The International Labour Organization (ILO) has joined other United Nations agencies in offering assistance to the United States to help it recover from the ravages of Hurricane Katrina.

Secretary-General to host ministerial meeting on Haiti at UN on Saturday

16 September 2005
Aiming to bolster high-level international support for Haiti and the United Nations Stabilization Mission there (MINUSTAH) as the country prepares for elections, Secretary-General Kofi Annan will chair a ministerial meeting on the Caribbean country tomorrow.