Asia Pacific

Schoolchildren on way to temporary classrooms in earthquake-affected Gansu province, China

One year on, UNICEF continues support to China’s quake victims

12 May 2009
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is continuing its assistance to women and children in China’s Sichuan province, as they seek to rebuild their lives after last year’s devastating earthquake.
Iraqi children attend school

Iraq: UN-supported primary school study reveals major health, safety concerns

11 May 2009
Children in nearly half of the primary schools in Iraq are studying in unsafe and unhealthy environments, according to a United Nations-backed survey that was released today.
Some of the newly displaced outside UNHCR-provided tents in Swabi District, Pakistan

Pakistan: UN calls for global support as number of displaced tops 360,000

11 May 2009
The United Nations refugee chief today appealed for international solidarity to support the hundreds of thousands of Pakistanis fleeing the violent conflict in the north-west as the Government tries to defeat a militant insurgency.
Displaced Sri Lankan civilians at a special site near the town of Vavuniya

UN chief ‘appalled’ by weekend death toll in Sri Lankan conflict

11 May 2009
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today said he was appalled at the killing of hundreds of Sri Lankan civilians caught in the middle of hostilities between the army and separatist Tamil rebels over the weekend.
UN’s 20th office in Afghanistan being inaugurated in the northern province of Sar-i-Pul

UN expands presence in Afghanistan with new office in the north

9 May 2009
The United Nations opened its 20th office in Afghanistan today, in the northern Sar-i-Pul province, continuing the world body's drive to promote development across the country.
Civilians fleeing the no fire zone in Sri Lanka

Urgent international scrutiny needed in Sri Lanka, say UN rights experts

8 May 2009
A group of independent United Nations experts today called on the Human Rights Council to urgently set up an international inquiry to address the “critical” situation in Sri Lanka amid fighting between the army and Tamil rebels.
Displaced women clutch their national ID cards as they wait to register at a centre in Mardan district, North West Frontier Province, Pakistan

UN agencies concerned over 'massive displacement' in Pakistan

8 May 2009
The United Nations agencies tasked with protecting refugee and children's rights today expressed deep concern over the “massive displacement” in north-west Pakistan caused by the widening armed conflict between Government forces and militants.
Shrimp is one of the most important internationally traded fishery product

Increased trade within Asia-Pacific key to economic revival, says UN regional body

7 May 2009
Taking measures to boost trade among Asia-Pacific nations will be critical for governments in the region to help their economies recover from the turmoil sparked by the financial crisis in the West, according to a new set of United Nations guidelines.
Special Representative Kai Eide (right) at the opening of the UN's 19th office in Afghanistan

UN expands presence in southern Afghanistan with new office in Uruzgan

7 May 2009
The United Nations today opened its 19th office in Afghanistan, in Tirin Kot, the capital of the southern province of Uruzgan, as part of its continued expansion across the strife-torn nation.
Mobile health clinic offering reproductive care to thousands of displaced persons from northern Sri Lanka in Vavuniya

Sri Lanka: UN agency boosts support for displaced pregnant women

7 May 2009
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) said today it is stepping up support for women and girls affected by the conflict in northern Sri Lanka, particularly those who are pregnant, amid disruptions to reproductive health services caused by ongoing fighting.