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Humanitarian Update Archives
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Humanitarian update | December 2008
On 27 December, the IDF launched an attack of unprecedented scale on the Gaza Strip, labelled “Operation Cast Lead”, the stated aims of which were to end the firing of rockets into Southern Israel since the end of the 19 December Egyptian-negotiated “calm”.
Humanitarian Update - English | Arabic
Humanitarian update | November 2008
In November there have been several positive developments indicating the increasing engagement of Gulf countries in the international humanitarian system. On 24 November, His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE and President of the UAE Red Crescent Authority, hosted a global launch of the 2009 Humanitarian Appeal in partnership with UN OCHA.
Humanitarian Update - English | Arabic
Humanitarian update | October 2008
Humanitarian update | September 2008
The Secretary-General condemned in the strongest possible terms the suicide attack against a United Nations convoy in southern Afghanistan on 15 September.
Humanitarian Update - English | Arabic
Humanitarian update | August 2008
The Special Humanitarian Envoy for the Secretary General, Mr. Abdul Aziz Arrukban, concluded a five-day mission to Somalia with a brief visit to Dubai in order to raise awareness in the Gulf region about the scale of the humanitarian crisis in Somalia.
Humanitarian Update - English | Arabic
Humanitarian update | July 2008
There have been several donations to Yemen in the past month, most notably from the European Commission Humanitarian Aid Office (ECHO) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
Humanitarian Update - English | Arabic
Humanitarian update | June 2008
On 4 June the President of the UAE, HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, announced a cash contribution of US$50 million for reconstruction work in the earthquake-hit Sichuan Province in south-western China.
Humanitarian update | May 2008
On 23 May, Saudi Arabia announced an extraordinary US$500 million donation to WFP, enabling the UN agency to meet its call for US$755 million to compensate for the increased costs of food and fuel.
Humanitarian update | Apr 2008
Food insecurity is an issue in many countries across the region. The humanitarian impact of the rise in food prices has been felt particularly in Egypt, Yemen and Tajikistan. In Egypt, the price of basic food staples has soared by 70%.
Humanitarian update | Mar 2008
A Joint Appeal on Humanitarian Consequences on Rise in Food Prices in Afghanistan was launched requesting USD 81.3 million to ensure that vulnerable people’s basic food needs are met during the winter time until next harvest (June).
Humanitarian update | Feb 2008
The Iraq Consolidated Appeal Process (CAP) for 2008, which seeks US$ 265 million for humanitarian action inside Iraq, was launched in Baghdad on 12 February. The full appeal can be seen at www.humanitarianappeal.net.
Humanitarian update | Jan 2008
The Regional Office held a two day retreat on 2829 January in Dubai, which was attended by representatives from all OCHA field offices and presences within the region, as well as HQ (CRD, PICS, GCMS, AO and SPU) and the head of UNAMA’s Humanitarian Affairs Unit.
Humanitarian Update - English
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10 October 2008
Concern About Rising Numbers of People Displaced by LRA
(New York, 10 October 2008): The Lord’s Resistance Army appears to have resumed its brutal activities in several countries. The number of those who have fled their homes due to attacks by the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) in both the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and South Sudan has now increased to 23,000, a total that continues to rise. | English
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30 September 2008
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon Calls on Member States to Use Disaster Risk Reduction for Climate Change Adaptation
(New York, 30 September 2008): Disaster impacts and losses continue to rise globally, and weather related disasters are affecting millions more people around the world. The cyclone in Myanmar, floods in India and the current hurricane season in the Caribbean are recent examples of weather extremes that are predicted to worsen with climate change. | English
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27 September 2008
Abu Dhabi World Security Forum sells out four weeks ahead of event
Dubai, 27 September 2008 – Delegate tickets for the World Security Forum – Abu Dhabi 2008, have completely sold out some four weeks ahead of the conference, according to the organisers. | English | Arabic
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26 September 2008
Aid agencies in Somalia responding to civilian displacement and emergency needs in Mogadishu
(Nairobi, 26 September 2008) Despite a dire security situation, aid agencies in Somalia are intensifying their response efforts for vulnerable populations in and around Mogadishu after shelling and fighting over the past five days displaced an estimated 15,000 people in the capital. More than 80 civilians werereportedly killed and hundreds more are suspected wounded in the conflict. | English
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25 September 2008
United Nations Appeals for Funds to Alleviate Food Insecurity in Tajikistan
(Dushanbe/Dubai/New York/Geneva, 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. | English | Arabic
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10 September 2008
130,000 Flood-Affected West Africans Need Continued Support
(New York, 10 September, 2008): An estimated 130,000 people in several countries in West Africa have been affected by severe flooding following several months of heavy rainfall, and are in need of continued assistance. Villages have been submerged and homes, crops and infrastructure destroyed. Thousands of people have been exposed to water-borne diseases. | English
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3 September 2008
United Nations Humanitarian Chief Meets With Key Officials on Ethiopia’s Food Crisis
(Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 3 September, 2008): On the final day of this three-day visit to Ethiopia, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Emergency Relief Coordinator John Holmes chaired a meeting with the head of the Ethiopia commodity Exchange, World Bank representatives, key UN agencies and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to discuss the effects of rising food prices in that country. | English
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1 September 2008
United Nations Humanitarian Chief Visits Drought-Affected Areas In Ethiopia's Southern Nations Nationalities and Peoples’ Region
(Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 1 September, 2008): On the first day of this three-day visit to Ethiopia, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Emergency Relief Coordinator John Holmes travelled to Ethiopia’s Konso Special Woreda in Southern Nations Nationalities and People’s Region (SNNPR) to review humanitarian efforts to reach victims of Ethiopia’s drought and food crisis. | English
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28 August 2008
UN Special Humanitarian Envoy Visits Somalia, Meets Somali Refugees in Kenya, and Calls for Muslim Solidarity as Ramadan Begins
(Nairobi, 28 August 2008) - United Nations Special Humanitarian Envoy, Mr. Abdul Aziz Arrukban, on Wednesday witnessed first-hand the humanitarian suffering afflicting the Somali people during his visit to Wajiid in South Central Somalia. He also had the opportunity to see the Dagahaley refugee camp in north-eastern Kenya, home to more than 55,000 Somali refugees. | English
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22 August 2008
Climate Change: Joint Study Identifies Humanitarian Hotspots and Warns of Dire Consequences Unless World Leaders Act Now
(GENEVA/NAIROBI, 22 August, 2008) - India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Indonesia are among the pivotal states identified as climate change “hotspots”-- countries particularly vulnerable to the increase in extreme drought, flooding, and cyclones expected in the coming decades—according to a new report commissioned by humanitarian relief agency CARE International and the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). | English
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18 August 2008
Humanitarian Agencies Seek $ 58.6 Million In flash Appeal for Georgia Crisis
(New York, 18 August 2008): Relief agencies today issued a joint Flash Appeal for $58.6 million to fund the emergency effort to help tens of thousands of people affected by the crisis in Georgia. | English
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13 August 2008
UN Humanitarian Chief Deplores Killing of Aid Workers in Afghanistan
(New York, 13 August 2008) – United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator John Holmes today deplored the tragic killing of four aid workers from the organization International Rescue Committee (IRC) in an ambush in Afghanistan. | English
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30 July 2008
Seven Underfunded Emergencies Receive $30 Million from the UN’s Central Emergency Response Fund
[New York, 30 July 2008]: United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, John Holmes, today announced the allocation of $30 million to support agencies carrying out life-saving aid programmes in seven crisis countries in need of an injection of aid funding - Afghanistan, Burundi, Chad, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Iraq, Sri Lanka and Syria. | English
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22 July 2008
UN Humanitarian Chief visits Myanmar Cyclone-Affected areas
[Yangon, 22 July] Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, John Holmes, arrived in Myanmar today for a three-day mission to assess the situation of cyclone survivors as well as progress in relief and early recovery operations since his visit at the end of May. | English
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21 July 2008
Comprehensive assessment of Cyclone Nargis impact provides clearer picture of relief and recovery needs[Singapore, 21 July 2008] Today, the Government of the Union of Myanmar, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)and the United Nations (UN) released the Post-Nargis Joint Assessment (PONJA) report. | English
16 July 2008
At mid-year $3.4 Billion still needed for consolidated Humanitarian Aid Appeals
(New York/Geneva, 16 July): Six months into 2008, United Nations agencies, the International Organisation for Migration, and 239 non-governmental organisations (NGOs) still require USD 3.4 billion to respond to the world’s most severe crises through this year’s Consolidated and Flash Appeals. | English
10 July 2008
Humanitarian agencies seek $303.6 Million for Myanmar cyclone survivors
(New York, 10 July 2008): Humanitarian agencies today appealed for a further $303.6 million to fund efforts to continue assisting an estimated 2.4 million people who were severely affected by Cyclone Nargis, which struck the Yangon division and parts of the Ayeyarwady Delta in Myanmar in early May, leaving nearly 140,000 people either dead or missing. | English
30 June 2008
UNOCHA/ IRIN hold HIV/AIDS reporting workshop, in partnership with the International Humanitarian City and the Dubai Press Club
(Dubai, 30 June 2008): The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and Integrated Regional Information Network (IRIN), in partnership with the International Humanitarian City (IHC) and the Dubai Press Club, today hosted a unique training programme designed to provide journalists with practical guidance on reporting on the often sensitive issues surrounding HIV/AIDS.English | Arabic
13 May 2008
Increased response to needs of Myanmar cyclone survivors urgently required
(Bangkok/New York, 13 May 2008): While relief supplies are starting to reach the cyclone-devastated areas in Yangon and the Ayeyarwady Delta in Myanmar, 1.5 to 2 million affected people are critically in need of clean water, food rations, emergency medical care and shelter, among other things. | English
09 May 2008
Humanitarian agencies jointly request $187 million for Myanmar cyclone relief effort
(New York, 9 May 2008): Relief agencies today issued a joint flash appeal for $187 million to fund an emergency humanitarian effort to help an estimated 1.5 million people in Myanmar who are suffering from the effects of the devastating Cyclone Nargis. | English
24 April 2008
Tajikistan receives nearly half a million dollars for locust control
(Dushanbe/Dubai, 24 April): John Holmes, the United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, today allocated nearly half a million dollars from the donor-funded Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) to provide urgent assistance to the Government of Tajikistan to monitor and control the current outbreak of locusts across 18 provinces. | English
17 April 2008
WFP News Release: banditry against food trucks forces WFP to cut rations in Darfur
KHARTOUM – The United Nations World Food Programme announced today that it will be forced to cut monthly rations in Darfur starting next month, because banditry against WFP contracted trucks is preventing sufficient stocks of vital food relief from getting through. English| Arabic
10 April 2008
UN Humanitarian Chief calls for coordination between Gulf Countries and the United Nations in addressing global humanitarian challenges
(Doha, Dubai, New York, Geneva, 10 April 2008) — John Holmes, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator called upon Gulf States to work with the United Nations and other international actors to address both individual humanitarian crises and complex global challenges of rising food prices and the effects of climate change. English | Arabic
09 April 2008
UN Humanitarian Chief welcomes Kuwait’s growing support to multilateral humanitarian efforts
(Kuwait/Dubai/New York/Geneva, 9 April 2008): John Holmes, the UN humanitarian chief, today welcomed Kuwait’s pledge to increase support to multilateral humanitarian efforts to tackle major crises arising from conflicts and natural disasters that are threatening millions of people around the world. | English
08 April 2008
UN Humanitarian Chief calls for stronger ties between Gulf States and the United Nations
(Dubai/New York/Geneva, 8 April 2008): John Holmes, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, commended Gulf States for their support of humanitarian assistance efforts in many crises but called for increased UN-Gulf collaboration to address growing humanitarian needs more effectively and more multilaterally. English | Arabic
07 April 2008
UN humanitarian chief and UAE leaders share concern over rising food prices
(Abu Dhabi, Dubai, New York, Geneva, 7 April 2008) — John Holmes, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, was today in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates, as part of his six-day mission to the Gulf region. English | Arabic
06 April 2008
King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia receives UN Humanitarian Chief
(Riyadh, Dubai, New York, Geneva, 6 April 2008) -- John Holmes, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator was received this afternoon by HM King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, King of Saudi Arabia to whom he expressed gratitude for the commitment demonstrated by Saudi Arabia in supporting humanitarian efforts in the region and beyond. English | Arabic
05 April 2008
UN Humanitarian Chief begins tour of Gulf States in Saudi Arabia
(Riyadh, Dubai, New York, Geneva, 5 April 2008) John Holmes, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, and Mr. Abdul Aziz Arrukban, the Special Humanitarian Envoy for the Secretary-General, began a six-day visit to the Gulf region to meet senior political figures in four countries to strengthen collaboration and partnerships between Gulf States and the United Nations in addressing humanitarian issues worldwide. English | Arabic
04 April 2008
UN officials call for improved security and access to reach Iraqis in need
(Amman/New York/Geneva, 4 April 2008): Two senior UN humanitarian officials today called for an immediate cessation of violence and greater efforts to enable the safe passage for relief personnel and supplies to millions of Iraqis in need of food, clean water and other essential goods. English | Arabic
24 March 2008
UN OCHA/IRIN hold the first humanitarian reporting workshop
(Dubai, 24 March 2008): The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and Integrated Regional Information Network (IRIN), in partnership with the International Humanitarian City (IHC) and the Dubai Press Club, today hosted a unique training programme designed to provide journalists with key humanitarian references and reporting techniques. English | Arabic
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ROMENACA in the news - Opinions Archives
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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?
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.
From the mouths of babes | 8 November 2007
Over the past few weeks, I’ve been discussing world peace and the multilateral humanitarian system with eight-year-olds in Dubai during a series of school visits.
Battling with the elements | 18 October 2007
Flying into Kabul last week, I was awe-struck by the formidable landscape. Rows of arid mountains stretching far into the distance.
Aid must continue to flow after the cameras switch off | 4 October 2007
One of the biggest challenges for the humanitarian community is to keep people’s attention focused on a crisis once the cameras have stopped rolling and members of the press have gone home.
Polarisation of East and West harms those in need | 6 September 2007
Being of mixed European-Arab origin, I have never given credence to the theory that East and West are destined clash.
Time has run out for those behind the walls | 2 August 2007
Tony Blair seems optimistic as he settles into his new role as international envoy to the Middle East, stating during his recent visit to Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory that now is a “moment of opportunity”.
Aid workers' plight | 26 July 2007
The life-threatening predicament faced by 33-year-old aid worker Samir is mirrored by conditions for his colleagues across the globe.
Spare a thought for war reporters | 12 July 2007
On Saturday, after spending months in captivity, the British journalist Alan Johnston was reunited with his family. A collective sigh of relief was almost audible across Middle East and the rest of the world.
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UN Statements and Interviews Archives
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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.
| English
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.
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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.
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