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Dr. Brundtland

Head of UN health agency calls for efforts to de-stigmatize mental illness

4 April 2001
The head of the United Nations health agency today called for efforts to take the shame out of mental health illnesses, which affect hundreds of millions of people worldwide.

Vast majority of epilepsy sufferers get no help, WHO study shows

4 April 2001
An estimated 39 million people in the world suffer from epilepsy, but some 30 million of them -- nearly three out of every four -- get almost no help for the condition, according to a study published in the latest issue of the Bulletin of the World Health Organization (WHO).

Annan encourages leaders of Rwanda, Uganda to continue pullout from DR of Congo

3 April 2001
Secretary-General Kofi Annan today encouraged the Presidents of Uganda and Rwanda to continue the ongoing withdrawal of their respective troops from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and assured them of the United Nations' commitment to rapidly deploy military observers.

In Nairobi, Secretary-General discusses regional issues with Kenya's President

3 April 2001
United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan met with Kenyan President Daniel arap Moi in Nairobi today to discuss a wide range of regional issues, including conflicts in various parts of Africa and the impact of the AIDS epidemic on the continent.

FYR of Macedonia re-opens border with Kosovo, UN reports

3 April 2001
The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia today re-opened its border with Kosovo, ensuring the delivery of essential goods and medicines, according to the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK).

World Food Programme launches emergency relief effort for flood-hit Malawi

3 April 2001
Responding to Malawi's worst floods in over a decade, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) today launched a three-month emergency operation aimed at feeding 208,500 people affected by the disaster.
Mary Robinson

Annan prevails on Robinson to stay on as UN's top rights official for one more year

3 April 2001
Secretary-General Kofi Annan has prevailed on Mary Robinson, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, to remain in that office for an additional year, despite her previous decision to leave the post.

Somalia: Annan says UN has access to detained staff as talks continue on release

3 April 2001
Secretary-General Kofi Annan said today that the United Nations remains in contact with two of its staff members who have been detained in Somalia since last week, as talks continue to secure their release.

In a bid to prevent diversion of Iraqi oil, UN monitors issue notification forms

3 April 2001
In an effort to prevent Iraqi crude from being diverted to unauthorized destinations, United Nations oil monitors have begun issuing notification forms to be signed by those in charge of vessels loading the petroleum.

UN official in Bosnia and Herzegovina warns police to steer clear of politics

3 April 2001
A senior United Nations official in Bosnia and Herzegovina has warned police in the country to steer clear of politics, stressing that officers are prohibited from supporting the unconstitutional concept of Croat self-rule.