Asia Pacific

Jamin Shah

Nepal: UN calls for murderers of media owner to be brought to justice

16 February 2010
The murderers of a Nepalese media operator and those issuing death threats against journalists covering his death must be brought to justice in the interests of the media pluralism essential for free and informed debate, the United Nations agency entrusted with defending press freedom said today.
A UNHCR staff member talks to displaced people in northern Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka: UN agency seeks $23 million to support resettlement in north

16 February 2010
The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) today launched an appeal for more than $23 million to assist the return of some 200,000 Sri Lankans uprooted by the recent conflict between Government forces and separatist Tamil rebels in the north of the Indian Ocean nation.

UN’s annual conference with civil society groups to spotlight global health issues

16 February 2010
Global health will be the focus of this year’s annual United Nations conference with non-governmental organizations (NGOs), the head of the UN’s Department of Public Information (DPI) announced today.
Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, B. Lynn Pascoe

No soft-pedalling in talks with DPR Korea, UN political chief says after visit

16 February 2010
The United Nations political chief said today that he held “friendly but frank” discussions during his recent visit to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), with the UN stressing to Pyongyang that it should return to multilateral talks without preconditions.
Child being vaccinated against Polio in Afghanistan

Polio the target of UN-backed vaccination scheme in Afghanistan and Pakistan

15 February 2010
Millions of Afghan and Pakistani children will receive polio vaccinations this week as part of a coordinated effort by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the UN political mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) to tackle the spread of the deadly disease.

UN officials warn of threat to aid as fighting steps up in southern Afghanistan

15 February 2010
United Nations officials in Afghanistan have called on combatants to the current fighting between Afghan and NATO forces and Taliban militants in the south of the country to respect the neutrality of humanitarian workers and to allow the provision of aid to civilians displaced by the conflict.
Richard Bennett of the human rights office (OHCHR) in Nepal (file Photo)

Nepal: UN human rights office condemns threats to journalists after killing

15 February 2010
United Nations human rights officials in Nepal voiced alarm today over the threats made against journalists reporting on the recent murder of the media entrepreneur Jamim Shah, stressing that freedom of expression must be upheld in the Asian nation.

UNICEF backs measles vaccination campaign in Bangladesh

15 February 2010
More than 20 million Bangladeshi children will be vaccinated against measles over the next two weeks as part of a campaign backed by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) to try to eradicate the deadly disease in the South Asian nation.

Myanmar: Ban welcomes release of leading opposition politician

13 February 2010
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has welcomed the release today of a prominent opposition politician in Myanmar after six years of house arrest, saying he hopes the move will lead to a more credible and inclusive political process.
A herder milks yaks in Must, Khovd Province, Mongolia (file)

As severe winter spreads death and shortages in Mongolia, UN appeals for funds

12 February 2010
With weeks of freezing temperatures and heavy snows leaving more than half of Mongolia’s 21 provinces in urgent need of aid, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) today appealed for nearly $750,000 to face a crisis that is already seeing youngsters die and threatens scores of thousands more.