Asia Pacific

UN needs $24 million to maintain helicopter operation for Pakistan quake victims

17 February 2006
Emphasizing the “crucial” role played by helicopters in getting emergency assistance to victims of last year’s deadly earthquake in northern Pakistan, the United Nations World Food Programme called today for $24 million to maintain this lifeline until the end of August for thousands of survivors.
Restored cable way at the Indus River

In Pakistan, UN refugee agency restores quake-damaged link across Indus

16 February 2006
Hundreds of people, including refugees living in the largest relief camp in northern Pakistan, can go home or carry on businesses now that the United Nations refugee agency has helped to repair a vital quake-damaged cable way linking Meira Camp to the Allai Valley, across the Indus River.
Voters from Tokelau

Tokelau: Annan says he respects people’s decision to keep current status

16 February 2006
United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan said today that he respected the decision of the people of Tokelau, who voted in a recent poll to remain a Non-Self-Governing Territory administered by New Zealand.

Security Council endorses development compact for Afghanistan

15 February 2006
The United Nations Security Council today endorsed a framework for future partnership between the Government of Afghanistan and the international community to bolster the war-torn country’s security, economic development and counter-narcotics efforts.

UN agency calls on Sri Lanka separatists to stop recruiting child soldiers

14 February 2006
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) today urged Tamil separatists in strife-torn Sri Lanka to stop recruiting child soldiers and release those already in their ranks.

Global support crucial to keep Laotian farmers from opium – UN official

14 February 2006
Law and Crime Prevention

Once the third-largest opium producer in the world, Laos and its farmers need the global community’s support so poverty doesn’t force its farmers to rely on opium production, the head of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) said today.

South Pacific voters in Tokelau head to polls to decide political status

13 February 2006
Citizens of the tiny South Pacific atolls of Tokelau went to the polls for a second time today in a landmark UN-supervised referendum that could change the political status of this Non-Self-Governing Territory, which is now administered by New Zealand.

UN and Cambodia set up office for war crimes court to try former Khmer Rouge leaders

10 February 2006
The United Nations and the Cambodian Government have set up an administrative office for the court that will try former leaders of the Khmer Rouge accused of horrific crimes, including killing hundreds of thousand of citizens during the 1970s, a spokesman for the world body announced today.
USG Guéhenno

Improvements in Afghanistan’s security critical to development efforts – UN official

10 February 2006
Amid stepped-up clashes in Afghanistan, including violent protests, factional clashes and suicide attacks, a United Nations official today warned that enhanced security in the country is necessary for realizing international plans for its development.

UN team heads to Pacific islands of Tokelau as its population prepares to vote

7 February 2006
In preparation for a landmark referendum on Saturday that could change Tokelau’s political status, a team of United Nations observers is going to the tiny South Pacific atolls that make up the Non-Self-Governing Territory, which is currently administered by New Zealand.