Asia Pacific

World Health Organization (WHO) establishes new field office in the Gorkha district of Nepal to boost assistance to those survivors that have been unreachable since the devastating 25 April earthquake.
WHO/A. Khan

Nepal: opening first field hub, UN health agency expands support to areas cut off by quake

3 May 2015
In a major step to boost the health-care assistance to earthquake survivors in Nepal who have been unreachable since last week's devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake, the United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) today announced it is setting up a new field office in the remote, mountainous Gorkha district, considered to be near the epicentre of the quake.
Akriti Tamang, 8, searches for her books amid the rubble and ruins of her destroyed home, in Sangachowk Village, Sindhupalchowk District, one of the areas worst affected by the massive earthquake in Nepal.
UNICEF/Chandra Shekhar Karki

'Nepal is not alone,' UN and EU aid chiefs say, reaffirming commitment to assist quake-hit country

2 May 2015
Wrapping up their visit to Nepal, the United Nations and European Union aid chiefs stressed that while relief teams are working around the clock to assist the thousands of people affected by the devastating earthquake that struck the tiny Himalayan nation one week ago today, aircraft and helicopters are urgently needed, as are emergency shelters, particularly for people in hard-hit rural areas.
Chief of the Rule of Law, Equality and Non-Discrimination Branch at the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Mona Rishmawi.
UN Geneva/Violaine Martin

Maldives: UN rights office says trial of former President politicized, unfair

1 May 2015
The trial and conviction of former Maldives President Mohammed Nasheed was vastly unfair, arbitrary and disproportionate, a senior United Nations human rights official announced today as she reported on her recent visit to the Asian country.
Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Valerie Amos (right) alongside European Union Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management, Christos Stylianides, in the Nepalese capital of Kathmandu.
UN OCHA Asia Pacific

In Nepal, top UN official urges continued funding for earthquake relief efforts

1 May 2015
Emergency funding for relief efforts are streaming into Nepal as the country begins to recover from last Saturday’s devastating earthquake, the top United Nations humanitarian official said today as she urged the international community to increase its support for the landlocked Himalayan nation.
UN expert on human rights in Cambodia Surya Subedi (right) on a visit to the country in May 2012.
OHCHR Cambodia

Outgoing UN rights expert advises Cambodian leaders to address democratic deficit

30 April 2015
The outgoing United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Cambodia today noted that the country has come a long way over the past six years, but advised Government and opposition leaders “to be principled in what they do” to make a liberal democracy a reality for all its people.
A woman feeds her infant, who was injured during the massive 25 April earthquake, at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital in Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal.
UNICEF/NYHQ2015-1014/Nybo

Nepal: quake’s impact on food security likely ‘very high,’ warns UN agency

30 April 2015
Some eight million dollars is urgently needed to help disaster-struck Nepalese farmers rapidly recover lost agricultural inputs and resume preparations for the imminent rice sowing season, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said today.
Photo: UNAIDS/D. Gutu
UNAIDS/D. Gutu

UN chief expresses ‘deep regret’ about executions of eight people in Indonesia

29 April 2015
The United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon today expressed his deep regret over executions carried out in Indonesia on April 29 despite numerous calls in the country and abroad for a reprieve.
Rescuers at work in Kathmandu after Nepal’s worst earthquake in 80 years.
UNDP Nepal

UN and partners launch $415 million appeal to aid quake-stricken Nepal

29 April 2015
The United Nations today launched a $415 million emergency appeal to provide vital relief to people affected by the devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake that struck the densely populated Kathmandu Valley in Nepal on Saturday, killing at least 5,000, injuring at least 10,000 more.
Some of the damage in Kathmandu Valley caused by the devastating earthquake which rocked Nepal.
UNDP Nepal/Laxmi Prasad Ngakhusi

UN allocates $15 million in emergency funds for Nepal earthquake response

28 April 2015
In response to severe devastation caused by the 7.8 magnitude earthquake and many strong aftershocks that have hit Nepal since 25 April, the United Nations Emergency Relief Coordinator today released $15 million through the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) to enable humanitarian aid organizations to rapidly scale up operations and provide immediate assistance to people in desperate need.
UNHCR staff collect plastic sheeting from a warehouse before it is distributed to people in eastern Nepal affected by the devastating earthquake.
UNHCR/D.R. Uprety

Nepal: UN agencies rush supplies to earthquake survivors amid powerful aftershocks

27 April 2015
The United Nations refugee agency announced today that it is rushing critical supplies to Nepal in the wake of the devastating earthquake that has reportedly killed more than 3,000 people and injured thousands more on Saturday, and pledged that it ready to provide any assistance needed to help survivors through these difficult times.