Asia Pacific

SARS coronavirus

Tests of suspected SARS case in China remain inconclusive – UN health agency

31 December 2003
Test results carried out on a suspected SARS patient in China remain inconclusive and further examination is needed to see if he is suffering from Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, the first possible instance of the potentially deadly disease in six months, according to the latest update by the United Nations World Health Organization (WHO).

UN agencies say more cash donations needed for relief efforts in Iran

30 December 2003
With United Nations relief agencies having already contributed $500,000 from their emergency funds to help the victims of last week’s massive earthquake in Bam, Iran, a senior UN official said today more donations are needed to help the ongoing humanitarian operation.

Medicines, blankets, shelter kits and other supplies rushed to Iran by UN agencies

29 December 2003
United Nations agencies are rushing tons of relief supplies to Iran to help victims of Friday's earthquake near the city of Bam, where up to 30,000 people may have been killed, 20,000 injured and 70,000 left homeless, according to a preliminary assessment.

UN lab expert arrives in China to help investigate suspected case of SARS

29 December 2003
A laboratory expert from the United Nations health agency arrived in Beijing today to help the Chinese authorities probe a suspected case of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), the first possible instance of the deadly disease in six months in the country, where it has killed some 650 people.

Delegates in Afghanistan consider draft version of national constitution – UN

29 December 2003
In another step towards democracy, delegates to Afghanistan’s representative assembly today received a revised draft of the constitution, according to the United Nations Assistance Mission in the country (UNAMA).

UNICEF rushes emergency aid to Iran earthquake zone

28 December 2003
The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) today dispatched five metric tons of urgently needed medical and shelter supplies to the earthquake-ravaged Bam region of Iran.

UN-organized workshop addresses legal rights of refugees in Pakistan

26 December 2003
The United Nations refugee agency has organized a two-day workshop to help Pakistan address a host of human rights issues ranging from refugees to women and children prisoners.

Afghanistan: UN workers escape injury in Kabul bomb blast

26 December 2003
An explosion struck a building housing six United Nations workers in the Afghan capital of Kabul early yesterday, but the UN Assistance Mission to the country (UNAMA) reported that no one was injured.

Death toll in Philippines floods tops 140, UN relief office says

24 December 2003
The death toll resulting from the flooding, landslides and tornado that struck the central Philippines last week has risen to 143, with the number of people affected by the disaster now doubling to more than 200,000, the United Nations said today.

World Bank lends Afghanistan $166 million for reconstruction

24 December 2003
Afghanistan will receive $166 million in interest-free credits from the World Bank to reconstruct post-war communities, strengthen local governance, provide water to farms and aid the Government in increasing the efficiency of its customs and transit regime.