Afghanistan

A funeral takes place for a Tolo news agency journalist killed in an attack on 5 September 2018 outside a sports centre in Kabul, Afghanistan.
UNAMA/Fardin Waezi

‘Answer the call of Afghans’ to reduce impact of conflict, UN urges all parties amid increase in civilian airstrike deaths

30 July 2019
Peace and Security

The conflict in Afghanistan continues to be devastating for civilians, with the latest United Nations update released on Tuesday showing that the number of civilians killed by aerial operations increased in the first half of 2019, even as overall civilian casualties declined. 

Civilians in Gardez city, Paktia Province, Afghanistan.
UNAMA/Fardin Waezi

Voices of Afghan women ‘must be heard at the table in the peace process and beyond’ UN deputy chief tells Security Council

26 July 2019
Peace and Security

Afghan women have “paid a high price” during their country’s nearly four decades of conflict, the United Nations deputy chief said on Friday, addressing the Security Council a day after Kabul had been hit with a fresh round of “horrific” bomb attacks.

The little boy photographed stands on the remains of his family home in the West Bank, which was demolished in 2017. (File, 2018)
UNRWA/Lara Jonasdottir

Monday’s Daily Brief: Palestine demolitions, nuclear watchdog chief dies, UK troops to Mali, Afghan journalist murder condemned, Somalia sexual violence pledge

22 July 2019
Human Rights

Our main stories today: UN condemns Israel’s destruction of Palestinian property; the head of the IAEA dies at 72; UK troops will bolster Mali mission; UNESCO chief condemns Afghan journalist’s murder; Somalia commits to ending conflict-related sexual violence.  

Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed (left) and Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka (right), Executive Director of UN Women, visit a camp for internally displaced people (IDPs) in Kabul, Afghanistan. (21 July 2019)
UNAMA/Fardin Waezi

Inclusive peace in Afghanistan means ‘women at the centre’ urges UN deputy chief in Kabul

21 July 2019
Peace and Security

The UN deputy chief issued an impassioned plea on Sunday for Afghans to reconcile with the past and put “women at the centre” of all efforts to forge a durable peace, and a truly inclusive political process where women’s voices are truly heard. 

A municipal worker in Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan, cleans debris at an apartment complex that was severely damaged in an attack claimed by the Taliban (file photo)..
UNAMA/Fardin Waezi

‘Indiscriminate blasts’ in civilian areas ‘must stop’, UN mission in Afghanistan stresses 

19 July 2019
Peace and Security

The “deliberate targeting of educational facilities” during armed conflict is “a war crime”, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said on Friday after a bomb detonated near the entrance to Kabul University, in the country’s capital. 

Portugal. Resettled refugees arrive in Lisbon
© UNHCR/José Ventura

Monday’s Daily Brief: US-DPRK relationship reset, ‘Horrific’ Kabul bombing, Anti-conscription plan in Syria, Climate change heat stress, Security Council in Iraq

1 July 2019
Peace and Security

This Monday, we cover: Guterres welcomes possible US-DPRK diplomatic upgrade; Taliban attack hits schools; UN-Syria action plan on child soldiers; Climate change heat stress impacts economy; and first-ever Security Council visit to Iraq. 

Henrietta H. Fore, Executive Director of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), addresses the Security Council meeting on children and armed conflict. July 9, 2018
UN Photo/Loey Felipe

UN Children’s Fund chief condemns 'horrific' Kabul bomb attack

1 July 2019
Peace and Security

Scores of children were among the casualties following a bomb attack on a Government building in the Afghan capital of Kabul today, that hit nearby schools. The bombing was described by Henrietta Fore, Executive Director of the UN Children’s Fund, UNICEF, as “horrific.”