Europe

Residents walk along the main road of Nikishino village in eastern Ukraine.
UNHCR/Andrew McConnell

Ukraine crisis taking heaviest toll on women, children and elderly – UN officials

19 March 2015
Women, children and the elderly are disproportionately bearing the devastating impact of the protracted conflict in Ukraine, which has left five million people in need of humanitarian assistance, senior United Nations officials said today, as they stressed the “grave and urgent need” to scale up international relief efforts.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (left) at a joint press conference with Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni of Italy in Rome.
UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe

UN chief urges more global support to resolve Libya crisis as he meets with Italian leaders

18 March 2015
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today stressed the importance of international support as the United Nations seeks to promote dialogue to resolve the crisis in Libya, as he met with senior Italian officials in Rome.
Cécile Pouilly, spokesperson for the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.
OHCHR

UN ‘disturbed’ at alleged rights abuses by politicians in former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia

17 March 2015
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) said today that it is deeply concerned about the prolonged political impasse in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and its human rights implications.
Tens of thousands of desperate people are attempting to cross the Mediterranean and reach Europe in dangerous boats like these in Libya.
UNHCR/F. Noy

UN proposes ‘bold and innovative’ measures by Europe to reduce lives lost at sea

12 March 2015
The United Nations refugee agency announced today that it has sent a letter to the European Union asking for a robust search-and-rescue operation in the Mediterranean Sea as part of a number of “bold and innovative” solutions to prevent more refugees and migrants losing their lives at sea.
A family of Ukrainians return to their home area in eastern Ukraine, after receiving aid from UNHCR.
UNHCR/A. McConnell

Ukraine: UN aid agency concerned by ‘dire’ conditions facing civilians in conflict areas

10 March 2015
The United Nations refugee agency said today that it is “extremely concerned” about the worsening humanitarian situation in eastern Ukraine, particularly in areas controlled by anti-government forces, with the civilian population in those areas now lacking access to benefits and services previously provided by the central authorities.
Security Council meets on cooperation between the UN and the European Union.
UN Photo/Evan Schneider

Ban says UN-EU strategic partnership key as world faces multiple crises

9 March 2015
The development of a strong partnership between the United Nations and the European Union (EU) is increasingly critical as global crises intensify in complexity and multiply in scope, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon declared today.
The Security Council discusses the situation in Ukraine.
UN Photo/Loey Felipe

Ukraine: 'the road ahead will be difficult' UN political chief tells Security Council in briefing

6 March 2015
As the Security Council this morning met to hear briefings from top United Nations officials on the political, humanitarian and human rights situations in Ukraine, members heard that the eastern part of the country remains “in limbo.”
A reminder of the deadly destruction in the conflict in Mykolaivka in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine.
WFP/Abeer Etefa

Ukraine death toll hits 6,000 amid ongoing fighting – UN

2 March 2015
The estimated death toll caused by the continuing fighting in Ukraine has now surpassed the 6,000 mark, the United Nations human rights office confirmed today, amid broader warnings that the country stands on the brink of a “new and very deadly chapter” in its conflict.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon addresses journalists at UN Headquarters.
UN Photo/Evan Schneider

Ban voices shock, condemnation at Russian politician's 'brutal killing'

28 February 2015
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has expressed shock and condemnation at the brutal killing of Russian politician Boris Nemtsov, the United Nations spokesperson's office confirmed today.
Special Rapporteur on Contemporary Forms of Slavery Urmila Bhoola.
UN Photo/Jean-Marc Ferré (file)

UN rights expert urges Belgium to boost fight against modern slavery

26 February 2015
Despite its comprehensive approach to tackling modern forms of slavery, the Government of Belgium must further sharpen its focus on proper victim detection and identification, a United Nations independent expert declared today.