No immediate prospect for Iraq ceasefire - Annan
United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan has said he does not see any immediate prospect for a ceasefire in the war in Iraq.
UNICEF chief in southern Africa to focus attention on food, HIV crises
As southern Africa continues to battle a lethal mix of drought-induced food shortages and a rampant AIDS epidemic, the head of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) travelled to the region to focus global attention on a humanitarian crisis reshaping the lives of millions of children and women.
Annan hails meeting of new Côte d'Ivoire Government
As Côte d'Ivoire's new government of national unity met at the highest level today - bringing together top representatives of all the parties - United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan urged the leaders to seize the occasion to "render the peace process irreversible."
Security Council voices concern over access by Iraqis to relief supplies
After hearing an update on the humanitarian situation in Iraq by Deputy Secretary-General Louise Fréchette today, the members of the Security Council expressed their concern regarding the Iraqi population's access to relief help.
Security Council welcomes Burundian leader's decision to follow peace accord
Members of the United Nations Security Council today welcomed the announcement by President Pierre Buyoya of Burundi that he will hand over power to his deputy on 1 May, as agreed in a peace deal.
SARS spurs WHO advisory to avoid travel to Hong Kong and Guangdong
In a fresh effort to stem the international spread of a deadly new respiratory disease, the United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) recommended today that travellers consider postponing all but essential trips to Hong Kong and Guangdong Province in China where the illness, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), has taken its greatest toll.
UN agency concerned at drop in resources for reproductive health
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has expressed concern that the world has dropped further behind commitments made at a 1994 global conference to invest $17 billion a year on population and reproductive health by 2000.
Iraqi informants best hope for finding possible banned weapons – Blix
The best chance of finding weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, if they exist, will emerge from interviews with scientists, the military and managers free from fear of retribution, top United Nations arms inspector Hans Blix said.
UN agencies ship more water into southern Iraq
With the heat already taking a toll on children in southern Iraq, United Nations humanitarian agencies today reported what they hoped was "an improving pattern of access" in bringing clean water and emergency health kits into the area.
UN backs attempt to set world record for largest lesson during education week
Children and adults from more than 100 countries will attempt to break the world record for the largest simultaneous lesson during celebrations supported by the United Nations to mark the annual Education For All (EFA) week.