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Senior officials from the United Nations and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) warned today that an “immense” humanitarian crisis is unfolding in Iraq and called for greater resources from the international community to help with the upcoming winter season, as they concluded a four-day mission to conflict-riven areas in the country.

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today congratulated the Tunisian people on the legislative elections held in the North African country on 26 October, welcoming the polls as a “crucial step for the country’s future” and a “decisive milestone in the transition to democracy.”

The United Nations working group on the use of mercenaries today appealed for stronger global regulations of private security, saying last week’s conviction of Blackwater contractors shows the need for all private security personnel to be held accountable for international human rights and humanitarian law violations.

The human rights situation in Iran remains of deep concern, an independent United Nations expert said today, flagging issues related to the right to life, the judicial system, religious persecution, and discrimination against women.

More than 60 civilians were injured yesterday after fighting broke at a protection of civilians site next to the United Nations House on the outskirts of Juba, South Sudan, according to a UN spokesperson.

Amid continuing flare-ups of deadly violence and a tenuous humanitarian situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the head of the United Nations peacekeeping mission (MONUSCO) in the vast African nation today underlined the need for a “proactive, not reactive” response in countering the country’s rebel groups and boosting protection for civilians.

Rather than merely being consulted on policy matters, young people must be in the driver’s seat with all the other stakeholders from the very beginning of the process and throughout, a Youth Specialist of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) stressed ahead of the Global Forum on Youth Policies, kicking off tomorrow in Baku, Azerbaijan.

The head of the United Nations Mission for Ebola Emergency Response (UNMEER) has wrapped up his visits to the three West African countries battling the Ebola outbreak as part of the Organization’s ongoing efforts to drum up international support in tackling the deadly crisis, it was announced today.

Spearheading a high-level delegation of global and regional leaders in a visit to the Horn of Africa, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today announced a new $8 billion development initiative aimed at boosting economic growth, reducing poverty and spurring business activity across the African region’s eight countries.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the United Nations Security Council have strongly condemned two terrorist attacks that targeted military checkpoints in the Sinai Peninsula.