Global

A post box at a park in New York, where children can drop their 'letters for Santa'
UN News/Vibhu Mishra

North Pole: Santa swamped by millions of letters

19 December 2014
Culture and Education

With Christmas less than a week away, Santa and his helpers have been busy receiving stacks of letters from children around the world, according to the United Nations postal agency, which estimates the total this year will climb above 7 million.

In many parts of rural Nepal, women spend on average of five hours a day in smoke-filled kitchens such as these, underming their health.
IRIN/Naresh Newar

New UN targets on indoor air pollution aim to save millions of lives each year

12 November 2014
Health

The United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) today highlighted the dangers of burning fuels like unprocessed coal and kerosene in the home, and issued targets for reducing emissions of health-damaging pollutants from domestic cook stoves, space heaters and fuel-based lamps.

Margaret Chan, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO).
UN Photo/Loey Felipe

‘Now is the time to act,’ UN urges on release of first global report on suicide prevention

4 September 2014
Health

More than 800,000 people commit suicide every year – around one person every 40 seconds – according to the United Nations health agency’s first global report on suicide prevention, which was published today.

Kalpona was 12 when her parents arranged for her to marry a man more than twice her age. A few days before the wedding, they agreed to let her continue with school instead.
UNICEF/BANA2014-00451/MAWA

New UN data shows need for urgent action to end female genital mutilation, child marriage

22 July 2014
Women

New data released today by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) shows the need for urgent action to end female genital mutilation and child marriage – two practices that affect millions of girls across the globe.

Photo: WHO
WHO

Road injuries, depression top adolescent health challenges - UN agency

14 May 2014
Health

Road traffic injuries, HIV/AIDS and suicide are the top killers of adolescents globally, while depression is the predominant cause of illness and disability, the United Nations reported today, urging a stronger focus on the health of boys and girls in their pre- and teen years.

Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Valerie Amos.
UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe

UN releases $86 million in humanitarian aid for ‘neglected crises’ in 10 countries

17 January 2014
Humanitarian Aid

The United Nations announced the allocation today of $86 million for emergency aid operations in some of the world’s worst, yet most neglected crises, allowing life-saving relief work to continue in 10 countries where needs are high but financial support is low.