Asia Pacific

Afghan police officers being trained for the 20 August 2009 presidential and provincial council elections

UN-supported Afghan elections hotline proving very popular

9 June 2009
One of the hottest telephone numbers in Afghanistan right now is a toll-free election information hotline set up with help from the United Nations, according to the world body’s mission in the South Asian nation.
Myanmar refugee children in Mae La Camp in Thailand

Myanmar: stepped up efforts to prevent child soldiers’ recruitment – Ban

9 June 2009
In spite of some positive steps, greater efforts are crucial in Myanmar to prevent the recruitment of child soldiers and to release all children associated with South-East Asian nation’s armed forces, according to a new report by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

UN agency office in northern Afghanistan attacked by grenade

8 June 2009
The office of the United Nations agriculture agency was attacked in northern Afghanistan over the weekend, with a rocket-propelled grenade having been fired at the compound.
A feeding centre for the internally displaced in Sri Lanka

Food aid reached 280,000 people uprooted in post-conflict Sri Lanka – UN

8 June 2009
Basic food supplies were distributed to around 280,000 people last month following the end of the conflict between Government forces and rebels in north-east Sri Lanka, the United Nations humanitarian wing announced today.
Better housing conditions are a key priority for IDPs in camps in Pakistan

UN opens new camps to house Pakistanis fleeing fighting

8 June 2009
The United Nations has opened three new camps in Pakistan to house a continuing flow of families fleeing the fighting in north-west Pakistan, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said today, but lack of funding is hampering the world body’s ability to assist displaced persons.
Twelve-year-old Salma arrives in Larama, in Peshawar, Pakistan, where UNHCR has established a new camp

Camps straining under weight of massive Pakistani displacement – UN agency

5 June 2009
The lifting of a curfew for several hours this morning in the conflict zone of the Swat region of Pakistan is expected to release an estimated 20,000 people into already overcrowded and under-funded camps in the neighbouring province, the United Nations refugee agency reported today.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (centre) visiting Menik Farm in Sri Lanka on 23 May 2009

Ban asks Sri Lanka to heed calls for accountability, transparency

5 June 2009
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today reiterated his appeal to the Government of Sri Lanka to heed international calls for accountability and transparency, and for an inquiry into alleged abuses committed during the recently concluded conflict with Tamil rebels.
Plumpy’Doz is a highly nutritious supplement

UN rushing food aid to over 2 million uprooted Pakistanis

4 June 2009
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) today sent nearly 100 metric tons of urgently-needed food to north-west Pakistan as part of an innovative new scheme to help the more than 2 million people displaced by clashes between the Government and militants.
Flooded Kokaldash village in Jawzjan Province, Afghanistan

Some 12,000 households hit by floods in northern Afghanistan, UN reports

3 June 2009
Some 12,000 households in nine provinces in northern and north-eastern Afghanistan have been affected by floods since April, according to the latest United Nations-backed assessments.
A displaced family arrives in Sugar Mill new camp, in Charsadda district, Pakistan

Funds needed to reach 2.6 million displaced Pakistanis with food aid, says UN

3 June 2009
Without the contribution of urgently-needed funds, the United Nations and its partners will only be able to feed the 2.6 million Pakistanis forced to flee clashes between the Government and militants for the next month or two, it was announced today.