Asia Pacific

UN officials mourn relief workers killed in Afghanistan

13 May 2006
Reacting to a recent attack in Afghanistan against relief workers from the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and other humanitarian organizations, senior UN officials today mourned the victims and stressed that aid personnel should be able to operate in safety.

DPR of Korea: UNICEF needs $10 million for children and mothers

12 May 2006
With the situation of children and women remaining fragile in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) despite significant social advances in the country, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) today appealed for more than $10 million to address health, water and sanitation, and education needs in this sector.

Following unrest, UN mission in Timor-Leste extended one month past expiration

12 May 2006
Following fatal mob violence late last month in Timor-Leste, the Security Council today extended the mandate of the United Nations office there (UNOTIL) one month past its 20 May expiration as the world organization considers how to further reinforce the stability of the nascent country.

UN agency will ask Australia to change off-shore refugee processing legislation

12 May 2006
The United Nations refugee agency said today that it will seek changes in new proposed Australian legislation that would transfer people arriving illegally by boat from the mainland to such remote Pacific islands as Nauru to process their asylum claims.

Sri Lanka: Annan calls on Government, Tamil rebels to return to peace talks after clashes

12 May 2006
United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan today called on the Sri Lankan Government and the rebel Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) to “change course and bring the country back on a path to peace” following a continuing upsurge of violence on the Indian Ocean island.
Louise Arbour

UN human rights chief to visit Cambodia next week for high-level discussions

12 May 2006
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour will travel next week to Cambodia – the first visit by the world body’s top rights official since 2002 –where she is scheduled to meet King Norodom Sihamoni, Prime Minister Hun Sen and the Ministers of the Interior and Justice, as well as representatives from national non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

One year after Uzbekistan killings, UN rights chief conveys sympathy to families

12 May 2006
Marking one year since the tragic killings in the eastern Uzbek city of Andijan, in which hundreds of people reportedly lost their lives, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour today conveyed her deep sympathy to all the families affected, saying the consequences of these tragic events continue to be widely felt.
Tony Banbury, (l) with Ri Hong Sik

In breakthrough agreement, UN agency to resume food aid in DPR of Korea

11 May 2006
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) said today it would resume aid in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) within two weeks after reaching an accord in months of negotiations on new working arrangements, including some on-site monitoring, following the Government’s decision last year to end emergency assistance.

On Buddhist day of Vesak, Annan stresses interdependence of all peoples

11 May 2006
Marking the Day of Vesak, commemorating the birth, enlightenment and passing of Buddha, Secretary-General Kofi Annan today stressed the interdependence of all peoples of the world, stating that the ideals celebrated on this day – understanding, the pursuit of harmony and the promotion of peace – are close to those of the United Nations itself.

In show of solidarity, Japanese prefecture contributes to UN relief fund

11 May 2006
The Hyogo Prefecture of Japan, scene of a massive earthquake in 1995, has contributed $850,000 to the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) which provides cash grants in response to humanitarian crises.