Asia Pacific

Lack of funds could force UN refugee agency to cut operations in Afghanistan

10 June 2002
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has announced that without fresh contributions, the agency will be forced to curtail its efforts to assist hundreds of thousands of Afghans returning to their country.

More food aid needed to forestall humanitarian crisis in DPR of Korea - UN agency

10 June 2002
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) today warned that an additional 150,000 tons of food aid was needed for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) in order to prevent a severe shortage later in the year.
UN peacekeepers in Cyprus watching the World Cup

World Cup fever spreads throughout UN peacekeeping missions

7 June 2002
The peacekeeping contingents from the Republic of Korea (ROK) and Japan serving with the United Nations Mission of Support in East Timor (UNMISET) have launched a "Mini World Cup" to coincide with the international football tournament currently hosted by the two countries.

UN relief official welcomes US food aid for Democratic People's Republic of Korea

7 June 2002
A top United Nations aid official today welcomed the announcement by the United States Agency for International Development that it would contribute an additional 100,000 metric tons of food aid to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).
Amb. Wehbe

Security Council members appeal for funding for Afghanistan

7 June 2002
Following a closed-door briefing by a senior United Nations official on the latest developments in Afghanistan, members of the Security Council today urged States to donate funds to help meet the country's needs.

Talks on World Summit for Sustainable Development conclude in Bali

7 June 2002
Intense negotiations in Bali over the past two weeks on an action plan to be adopted at the upcoming United Nations World Summit on Sustainable Development have concluded with delegates unable to agree on key issues relating to financing and trade.

UN experts voice concern over detention conditions in Australia

6 June 2002
United Nations human rights experts today voiced concern over conditions in Australia's camps for asylum seekers.

UNDP unveils programme to boost developing countries' ability to offer basic services

6 June 2002
With government officials still working in Bali to hammer out a final action plan and political declaration for the upcoming World Summit for Sustainable Development, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) today unveiled a new initiative for countries striving to meet global targets for cutting poverty by 2015.

Robinson welcomes establishment of human rights commission in Afghanistan

6 June 2002
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has "warmly welcomed" today's signing in Kabul of a decree establishing the Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission.

First group of Afghan refugees in Kyrgyzstan returning home with UN help

4 June 2002
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has begun to transport Afghan asylum seekers in Kyrgyzstan back to their homes, the first of some 2,000 who had fled into Afghanistan's neighbouring country.