Asia Pacific

UN refugee arm and Myanmar strike deal to build conditions for possible returns

12 March 2004
The United Nations refugee agency has reached an agreement with Myanmar's Government to begin measures to create the necessary conditions in the country's east to allow the large-scale return of refugees from neighbouring Thailand.

Bird flu: UN warns against hasty poultry restocking to prevent new flare-up

11 March 2004
Noting that some Asian countries hit by the recent deadly bird flu epidemic are already planning to declare selected zones virus-free and to restock decimated flocks, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) today warned against any such hasty action to prevent the disease flaring up again.
Afghan voter

Ratio of Afghan women registering to vote shows consistent gradual rise - UN

11 March 2004
The number of women registering to vote for the upcoming elections in Afghanistan, though still far behind that of men, is showing a consistent gradual increase, the United Nations mission reported today.
Carol Bellamy

In visit to DPR of Korea, UNICEF chief to spotlight children’s needs

11 March 2004
The head of the United Nations children’s agency will pay a three-day visit this weekend to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), where UN agencies recently warned that millions of people could go hungry this year unless additional donations arrive soon.

UN team in Cambodia to help with practical arrangements for Khmer Rouge courts

11 March 2004
A United Nations team has arrived in Cambodia to help with practical arrangements for launching the special court that will try former leaders of the Khmer Rouge.
Happy reunions in Basra as Iraqi refugees return

UN team makes second visit to southern Iraq since deadly bombing last August

9 March 2004
A United Nations team has visited southern Iraq to assess conditions there, just the second time since most international staff were withdrawn from the country following the deadly bombing of UN offices last August, the UN refugee agency said today.

UN human rights experts alarmed by deteriorating situation in Nepal

9 March 2004
Citing secret detentions, torture, the harassment of civilians and indiscriminate attacks, three United Nations human rights experts said today they were deeply concerned by the "deteriorating situation" in Nepal.

UN envoy condemns burning of girls' schools in Afghanistan

7 March 2004
As Afghanistan prepares to commemorate International Women's Day, the senior United Nations envoy to the country today deplored recent violence against girls' schools – institutions that were banned under the fallen Taliban regime.

UN health agency helps Indonesia combat dengue fever outbreak

5 March 2004
The United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) is working closely with the Indonesian authorities to fight an outbreak of dengue fever that has sent nearly 24,000 suspected cases to hospital in the past two months.

Myanmar: UN envoy wraps up latest trip in push for national reconciliation

5 March 2004
United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s Special Envoy has concluded a visit this week to Myanmar, where he continued efforts to facilitate national reconciliation and democratization based on the participation of all parties concerned in the country’s process for a democratic transition.