The World Needs Help: That’s Why We Must Coordinate Our Efforts | 4 November 2008
In Dubai on Friday, leaders from academia, business, government and society will come together to discuss solutions to some of the most critical challenges facing humanity at the World Economic Forum’s “Summit on the Global Agenda”.
Food Crisis in Africa | 30 September 2008
Three years ago, in particular at the Gleneagles Summit, the world focused long-overdue attention on Africa. Pledges were made and promises trumpeted. Fast forward to 2008, when world leaders gathered at United Nations headquarters to assess progress in meeting the Millennium Development Goals, the first of which is to "halve world poverty and hunger." How far have we come toward ending the pervasive indignity of hunger that haunts so much of sub-Saharan Africa?
An Urgent Call for Aid | 27 September 2008
More than 90% of funds pledged towards short-term relief for Nahr el Bared in Lebanon have come from the West. Where are the Arab donors?
United Nations Appeals for Funds to Alleviate Food Insecurity in Tajikistan | 25 September 2008
The United Nations, in consultation with the Government of Tajikistan and other humanitarian partners, has issued a Humanitarian Food Security Appeal for $34,746,555 to provide a temporary safety net for 800,000 of the most vulnerable people across the country.
Listen to the Silent Cry | 5 September 2008
For millions of Muslims, the holy month of Ramadan is a time to reflect on the good and bad events of the year gone by and an opportunity to think about others less fortunate than ourselves.
850 million people hungry and are malnourished due to the rise in prices of food and fuel.
United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, External Relations Officer quoted: Qatar donated 10 million riyals to Niger confirms its positive role to address global food crisis.
Ensuring food for all - Rapid population growth and climate change are placing enormous strain on the global availability of food | 16 June 2008
Last month the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia pledged an unprecedented US$ 500 million to the World Food Programme – and not a moment too soon. While the world as a whole is more prosperous than ever before, some 850 million people are currently hungry or malnourished. People across the globe are sliding further into poverty as a result of rising food and fuel prices, a phenomenon that has been labelled the Global Food Crisis.
Gaza: Hope not hatred | 4 March 2008
By John Holmes
Published in Al-Ahram
Reach out to the needy | 8 January 2008
As the New Year begins, the international community must redouble its commitment to carrying forward the humanitarian agenda.
Help the Poor and Needy | 11 December 2007
The poet Khalil Gibran wrote that “safeguarding the rights of others is the most noble and beautiful end of a human being”. This came to mind this week as nearly 200 agencies – including the UN, NGOs, and Red Crescent movements – came together to appeal on behalf of those whose lives have been crossed by conflict and calamity.
Darfur needs word attention | 6 December 2007
Despite the huge scale of the conflict, Darfur seems to drift in and out of the international consciouness.
Prepare for Nature’s Strike | 22 November 2007
With the death toll for Cyclone Sidr topping 3,400 and still rising, this week’s events in Bangladesh are a stark reminder of nature’s power to wreak havoc.
|
|
Speech by Sir John Holmes Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator to the UK Parliament lunchtime event “The Humanitarian Implications of Climate Change” | 18 March 2009
I think that it is particularly good that this event focuses on the humanitarian implications of climate change, which I fear are too often forgotten as we understandably focus on the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and the question of how to adapt tends to be ignored.
Opening Statement of John Holmes Under-Secretary-General and Emergency Relief Coordinator for Afghanistan Humanitarian Action Plan Launch | 3 February 2009
We are here to ask for a large-scale and generous international response to the serious and deteriorating humanitarian situation faced by the civilian population in Afghanistan, most of whom already suffer from chronic poverty, but whose lives have also been severely impacted by decades of conflict as well as by recurrent natural disasters in a highly disaster-prone country.
Opening Statement of John Holmes Under-Secretary-General and Emergency Relief Coordinator for Gaza Flash Appeal Launch | 2 February 2009
Just over a week ago I traveled to Gaza to witness firsthand the effects of 22 days of fighting and to launch the humanitarian needs assessment. During my visit I had the opportunity to see the destruction in residential and industrial areas of Beit Lahia, Tall Al-Hawa and Gaza City, to meet displaced families at an UNRWA shelter, and others affected by the fighting, to speak to the courageous and tireless health staff at Shifa Hospital, and to visit the damaged UN compounds. The destruction I saw was devastating – both in human and material terms. The magnitude of loss of life and injury to the civilian population is bound to have a lasting impact on the mental and physical well-being of the Palestinians in Gaza.
Security Council Calls for Immediate, Durable, Fully Respected Ceasefire in Gaza Leading to Full Withdrawal of Israeli Forces | 8 January 2009
Gravely concerned by the deepening humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip and the resulting heavy civilian casualties “since the refusal to extend the period of calm” between Israel and Hamas, the Security Council this evening stressed the urgency of and called for an “immediate, durable and fully respected ceasefire, leading to the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza".
Statement of the UN Humanitarian Coordinator for the occupied Palestinian territory | 6 January 2009
Three members of the same Palestinian family were killed last night whilst taking shelter in an UNRWA school designated as a temporary refuge from the violence. Well before the current fighting, the UN had given to the Israeli authorities the GPS co-ordinates of all its installations in Gaza, including the UNRWA school which was struck. In addition yesterday, an entire family of five children and their parents were killed when the Israeli army shelled their home.
Statement Attributable to the United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator | 3 November 2008
(New York, 3 November 2008): John Holmes, the United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, strongly condemns the abduction today of an aid worker in Kabul, Afghanistan, who serves as a consultant for Amitié Franco-Afghane (AFRANE), a non-governmental organization active in education and development. The Emergency Relief Coordinator calls for the immediate and unconditional release of the staff member.
USG John Holmes's Statement on Sudan | 1 August 2008
I am deeply troubled about the continuing threats and attacks against humanitarian agencies working in Darfur. Following two attacks against their teams and premises in just one week, Médecins Sans Frontières has announced it has no choice but to evacuate its team from two locations in North Darfur. The departure of MSF team leaves some 65,000 people without essential medical assistance.
Press Conference for the Release of the Post-Nargis Joint Assessment Report | 21 July 2008
It is a great honour and pleasure for me to participate today in the release of the Post-Nargis Joint Assessment Report, and I thank the ASEAN Chair, the ASEAN Secretary-General and Member States for inviting me to join them here today, as Emergency Relief Coordinator.
Statement attribute to Mark Bowden, United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia | 15 July 2008
(Nairobi, 15 July 2008): The United Nations Resident & Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia, Mark Bowden, today expressed his grave concern over the rapidly deteriorating security situation for United Nations and Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) humanitarian workers in Somalia in reaction to the killing of two Somali nationals employed by humanitarian NGOs in Mogadishu on Friday.
UN hails creation of UAE's Aid Coordination Office | 8 July 2008
WAM Abu Dhabi, July 8th, 2008 (WAM) - The establishment of the UAE's Aid Coordination Office, prepared in close collaboration with UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), is a very important and appreciated initiative, according to the United Nations Under-Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Response Coordinator, Mr. John Holmes.
How is the UN in Dubai responding to disastrs like the one in Myanmar? | 22 May 2008
Anna Whitehouse spoke to Nadia Evans from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) to find out
Opening Remarks on DIHAD 2008 Conference | 8 April 2008
Sir John Holmes, Under-Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency
Relief Coordinator
Uniting Nations | May 2008
How is the UN in Dubai responding to disasters like the one in Myanmar? Anna Whitehouse spoke to Nadia Evans from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) to find out.
Briefing to the Security Council on the Situation in the Middle East Including the Palestinian Question | 2 February 2008
Statement by John Holmes, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator
Failed Afghan economy puts nation in crisis | February 2008
Leaders of the United Nations' humanitarian efforts acroos the region have been in Dubai this week. Reprepresentatives from Afghanistan and Central Asia took time out to speak to Emirates Business
Responding to the worst of Mother Nature | January 2008
Abdul Haq Amiri led the team to organise the humanitarian response following the 2003 earthquake that devastated Bam, Iran.
|