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UN Daily News Tuesday, 27 October 2015
Issue DH/7019
In the headlines: • UN ramps up to assist those in Afghanistan and Pakistan affected by massive earthquake
• Yemen: Ban calls for all warring parties to halt operations after Saudi-led airstrikes destroy hospital
• UN General Assembly renews long-standing call for end to United States embargo against Cuba
• Despite raging conflict, scores of refugees continue to arrive in Yemen by sea – UN
• Cholera spreading in Iraq, suspected case reported in Syria – UN health agency
• Syrians living ‘tragedy and despair barely
imaginable five years ago,’ says top UN relief official
• Achieving sustainable development difficult in AsiaPacific without tackling disaster risks, warns UN report
• New UN report reveals urgent need for
coordinated, systematic approach to youth violence prevention
• Ban welcomes African Union decision on addressing political and security crisis in Burundi
• Côte d’Ivoire: Ban welcomes successful completion of first round of presidential elections
• UN human rights office raises concerns about
sexual assault allegations by asylum-seekers in Nauru
• On Audiovisual Heritage Day, UNESCO appeals for safeguarding world’s endangered archives
More stories inside
UN ramps up to assist those in Afghanistan and Pakistan affected by massive earthquake 27 October - Hundreds of people have been killed and thousands of homes in Afghanistan and Pakistan were destroyed by the massive 7.5 magnitude earthquake that struck the Badakshan Province in Afghanistan yesterday, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). World Health Organization (WHO) spokesperson Christian Lindmeier, speaking at a press briefing in Geneva today, said figures from health facilities in the area reported 300 injured and 21 deaths as of this morning. In Pakistan, over 1,500 people had been injured and 180 deaths have been reported, said Mr. Lindmeier. “The causality figures from both countries are constantly changing,” he added, as reports continue to come in from the more rural and difficult to access areas.
Residents view devastation caused by the earthquake in Shangla District, in the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan on 26 October 2015. Photo: UNICEF Pakistan
WHO's priority, he continued, is to help the health authorities in both countries to provide assistance to the people in need. WHO is concerned about health needs in addition to immediate traumas, including waterborne diseases, diarrhoea, dysentery, hepatitis A and E, acute respiratory infections, post-traumatic stress disorder, infected wounds, malaria, and dengue fever. The recurrence of other vaccine preventable diseases such as measles and tetanus was also a concern as well, added Mr.
For information media not an official record
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Lindmeier, noting that WHO is closely monitoring the situation. Children in earthquake-affected regions of Afghanistan and Pakistan are particularly vulnerable, and face further danger as extreme conditions and insecurity have cut off communities from aid, according to a statement issued by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). Among those killed by the quake were 12 school girls who, according to OCHA, were crushed in a stampede as they fled their collapsing school. “We are extremely concerned for the safety and wellbeing of children, who are already the most at risk in any disaster and are now in danger of succumbing to the elements as temperatures plummet,” said UNICEF Regional Director for South Asia Karin Hulshof. The situation has been exacerbated by heavy rain and snow in the remote, mountainous areas affected by the earthquake. Communication in the region is poor and, because of the tough terrain and security operations, access is difficult. Some areas are completely inaccessible, while much of the rest of the region is difficult to reach even in ordinary circumstances. UNICEF Afghanistan and Pakistan are working with national governments to deliver life-saving supplies to tens of thousands of affected children and their families. UNICEF has also cautioned that health, nutrition, hygiene and education services will now be under exceptional stress, placing more children at risk.
Yemen: Ban calls for all warring parties to halt operations after Saudi-led airstrikes destroy hospital 27 October - United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today condemned airstrikes by the Saudi-led coalition that hit the Hayadeen Medical Hospital in the Sa’dah governorate, which is run by Médecins Sans Frontières with support from the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the World Health Organization (WHO). The strikes reportedly resulted in injuries to several people and the complete destruction of the facility, according to a statement issued by Mr. Ban’s spokesperson in New York. WHO estimates that at least 51 hospitals have been damaged or partially destroyed over the past six months due to the ongoing conflict in Yemen. Photo: WHO Yemen
The Secretary-General said that “hospitals and medical personnel are explicitly protected under international humanitarian law” and reminded all parties involved “to respect their obligations under international human rights law and international humanitarian law to prevent attacks against civilians and civilian objects.”
In his statement, Mr. Ban called for “a prompt, effective and impartial investigation in order to ensure accountability” and urged all parties in the Yemen conflict to immediately cease all operations, including airstrikes.
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UN General Assembly renews long-standing call for end to United States embargo against Cuba 27 October - In a near unanimous vote, the 193-member United Nations General Assembly today adopted a resolution renewing its call for an end to the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the United States against Cuba, while also acknowledging the restoration, after nearly 50 years, of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
The General Assembly adopted for the twenty-fourth consecutive year a resolution calling for an end to the United States economic, commercial and financial embargo on Cuba. A tally of the vote is displayed electronically on two screens. UN Photo/Cia Pak
By a vote of 191 in favour to two against (Israel and the United States), the Assembly welcomed the resumption of diplomatic relations between the US and Cuba, announced last July, and the willingness of US President Barack Obama to work towards the lifting of the economic, financial and trade embargo against Cuba. Having taken up the text for the past 24 years, the Assembly reiterated its call to all States to refrain from promulgating and applying laws and measures not conforming with their obligations un the UN Charter and international law, which reaffirm freedom of trade and navigation.
The Assembly “once again urges States that have and continue to apply such laws and measures to take the necessary steps to repeal or invalidate them as soon as possible,” the text added.
Despite raging conflict, scores of refugees continue to arrive in Yemen by sea – UN 27 October - The ongoing conflict and the widening humanitarian crisis in Yemen has not deterred nearly 70,000 refugees, asylum-seekers and migrants to reach the country by sea causing the Yemini population to ‘bear the brunt,’ said the United Nations refugee agency today.
Ethiopian and Somali refugees at the Mayfa’a reception centre in Yemen. Photo: UNHCR/J. Björgvinsson
These desperate people, mainly from Somalia and Ethiopia, have continued to arrive at the Yemeni shores even after the conflict erupted in the Middle Eastern country in March, Adrian Edwards, spokesperson for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), UN Day told reporters in Geneva. The latest UNHCR estimates indicate that Yemen is currently hosting 264,615 refugees, of
which 250,260 are Somali. Mr. Edwards warned that travelling to Yemen, especially through sea routes, is extremely dangerous, as 88 deaths at sea have been recorded this year between the Horn of Africa and Yemen. He added that about three weeks ago, a boat with 68 migrants and refugees capsized in the Arabian Sea, killing 35. Moreover, he continued, the reception facilities for those reaching Yemen via the Red Sea have been suspended after a fatal attack destroyed a village hosting new arrivals in Bab el Mandab, resulting in the death of two partner agency staffers. However, Mr. Edwards said that UNHCR and its partners are providing shelter, food and medical care in the Mayfa’a reception centre for those arriving via the Arabian Sea coast. According to UNHCR, movements to Yemen have shifted to the Arabian Sea coast where people believe the situation is calmer, which has resulted in over 10,000 new arrivals in September, a 50 per cent increase on August, and over 10,000 in October. UN News Centre • www.un.org/news
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UNHCR and its partners have been able to provide reception and medical services to those arriving to the Arabian Sea coast. Alternatively, UNHCR reports that over 121,000 people have fled Yemen to neighbouring countries since March. Further, the UN agency is also alarmed at the numbers of displaced Yemenis are continuously rising and according to a displacement tracking mechanism developed by UNHCR and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the number of internally displaced people (IDPs) has reached a record-high of 2,305,048 people. This figure, according to the UN agency, has gone up from 545,719 individuals in mid-May illustrating that currently, close to 1 out of 10 Yemenis seek refuge elsewhere in the country as a result of on-going conflict or lack of basic services and a minimum of livelihood opportunities. “UNHCR calls on all parties to the conflict to protect the lives and rights of civilians, including refugees and the internally displaced,” said Mr. Edwards. “Refugees have lost their livelihoods and many are again uprooted as they move to other parts of the country,” he added. Mr. Edwards said that so far UNHCR has provided emergency relief items to 22,883 IDP families (147,386 individuals) since the end of March, but noted that access to the affected populations still remains a key concern as many of those in dire need remain in areas cut-off due to conflict. Lastly, he added that the UN refugee agency is monitoring the conditions of displaced people with specific needs such as women, children, older persons and those with medical conditions. Through regular assessments it is able to target the delivery of its protection services to those with critical needs.
Cholera spreading in Iraq, suspected case reported in Syria – UN health agency 27 October - The World Health Organization (WHO) announced today that it would start vaccine treatments for cholera beginning this weekend to prevent further outbreaks in Iraq, where the disease has now been confirmed in 15 out of 18 governorates, while the agency also reported a suspected case was also found in northern Syria. WHO spokesperson Christian Lindmeier told the regular press briefing in Geneva, Switzerland, that the latest laboratory tests had confirmed 1,942 cases and two deaths in 15 out of 18 governorates in Iraq.
WHO is mobilizing 510,000doses of oral cholera vaccine to help control the cholera outbreak among high-risk groups. Photo: UN OCHA Iraq
“On 31 October, WHO will begin, in conjunction with the Ministry of Health, the oral cholera vaccine treatment, and will use 510,000 of the global stock pile to ensure that 255,000 internally displaced persons and refugees in the affected areas will receive two doses,” the spokesperson said.
Mr. Lindmeier said “while this number of vaccines was not enough to vaccinate everyone, it should, however, be a strategic vaccination to block the path of the disease and prevent further outbreaks.” In addition to the vaccine campaign, diarrhoeal disease kits and 600,000 chlorine tablets had been distributed in the infected areas, 48 national health staff had been trained in cholera and laboratory procedures, and a team of international experts have been deployed to assist the Iraqi’s Ministry of Health, he said. Regarding Syria, the WHO spokesperson said his agency had received reports of a suspected cholera case in rural Aleppo, northern Syria, involving a 5-year-old boy, who had died before an appropriate stool sample could be taken for confirmative testing. Aleppo is where pro-Government forces and non-State armed opposition groups have continued mutual shelling inside civilian-populated areas.
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WHO is printing 50,000 information brochures for Syria, and the country’s health sector has been put on alert, the spokesperson said. Health education is ongoing and the water network in the area is said to be chlorinated, which will hinder the spread of the cholera. Cholera is an acute diarrhoeal infection caused by ingestion of food or water contaminated with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. The short incubation period of 2 hours to 5 days, is one factor that triggers the potentially explosive pattern of outbreaks, according to the health agency.
Syrians living ‘tragedy and despair barely imaginable five years ago,’ says top UN relief official 27 October - The most senior United Nations humanitarian official today stressed that the failure of parties to the conflict in Syria to uphold the basic tenets of international law has propelled the Syrian people to levels of tragedy and despair which could barely have been imagined five years ago. “By any measure, the situation in Syria has worsened since the beginning of the year,” the UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Stephen O'Brien, told the UN Security Council during a briefing on the situation in the country. The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), which he leads, now estimates that some 13.5 million people in Syria are in need of some form of protection and humanitarian assistance, an increase of some 1.2 million in just ten months. More than six million of those in need are reportedly children.
Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Stephen O'Brien at the Security Council meeting on the situation in Syria. UN Photo/Rick Bajornas
“Rising levels of fighting and violence over the last few weeks have had an enormous humanitarian impact, resulting in large-scale death, injury and displacement to civilians, particularly in northern Syria,” Mr. O’Brien continued. “Indiscriminate attacks on civilian-populated areas continue with impunity.” Meanwhile, OCHA’s latest findings indicate that over 120,000 people have been displaced in northern Syria since early October as a result of aerial bombardment, as well as ground offensives among the parties – and overall, well over 1.2 million people have been displaced so far this year, many for the second or third time. The UN and partners have also recorded attacks on five hospitals in Hama, Idleb and Aleppo governorates since the launch of recent offensives, leading to a number of casualties and their immediate closure due to severe infrastructural damage. “Since the start of the conflict, Physicians for Human Rights has documented attacks on at least 313 medical facilities and the death of 679 medical workers,” said Mr. O’Brien, adding that these attacks must cease immediately. Furthermore, OCHA estimates that that some 393,700 people are living under siege in Syria, in areas controlled by the terrorist group ISIL, the Syrian Government, as well as by non-State armed opposition groups and the Al-Qaida-affiliated Al-Nusrah Front. “The 26,500 people in Nubul and Zahra, in Aleppo governorate, are no longer considered besieged following consistent and credible reports that access to and from the enclave for people and commercial goods have significantly improved over the last three months,” the UN official stated, nonetheless insisting that access to besieged areas remains “pitiful and wholly insufficient.” “So far in 2015, the United Nations has only been able to reach 3.6 per cent of people with health assistance and only 0.5 per cent of people with food per month in besieged areas,” he informed members of the Council. He added that last week, humanitarian operations begun under the framework of a recent ceasefire agreement affecting several cities and towns, reached in Istanbul at the end of September with the facilitation of the Office of the UN Special Envoy for Syria. UN News Centre • www.un.org/news
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This reportedly allowed 31 trucks to deliver medical and humanitarian supplies on 18 October, simultaneously to 29,500 people in Madaya, as well as the besieged areas of Zabadani, Foah and Kefraya. In rural Damascus, two trucks crossed into Zabadani and 21 more entered Madaya and Bquine. Eight more trucks delivered health, food, nutrition, and sanitation supplies to Foah and Kefraya via a UN cross border operation through a Turkish border point. “This complex mission shows once again that when there is the political will, there is a way to improve the situation for civilians trapped in conflict in Syria,” Mr. O’Brien underlined. “Even as the political and military situation evolves, the immediate priority for humanitarian organizations remains to reach all people in need wherever they may be found in Syria,” he added. “To do this, we must have sustained, predictable and unimpeded access throughout the country.” According to OCHA, so far this year only 23 of the 85 convoy requests made by the United Nations have been approved in principle by the Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and less than half of those approved have been able to actually proceed due to a combination of lack of final security clearances from Syrian authorities, lack of safe passage from non-State armed opposition groups, and insecurity. “Winter is fast approaching and is likely to further exacerbate the situation for many families,” Mr. O’Brien warned, reminding the Security Council that “the crisis urgently requires a political solution which addresses the root causes of the conflict and meets the aspirations of the Syrian people who have suffered for far too long.”
Achieving sustainable development difficult in Asia-Pacific without tackling disaster risks, warns UN report 27 October - Asia and the Pacific, the most disaster-prone region of the world, has been struck by 1,625 disasters during the last 10 years amounting to over 40 per cent of the global total, thereby calling for a collective political commitment from the regions' leaders to mitigate risks posed by disasters, according to a new United Nations report. The 2015 Asia-Pacific Disaster Report - 'Disasters without borders: regional resilience for sustainable development', compiled by the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) also found that nearly 1.4 billion people from the region have been affected by these natural disasters, constituting 80 per cent of those affected globally.
Chin State, remote and mountainous and one of the poorest regions in Myanmar, was among the hardest-hit by floods. Photo: UNICEF/Mohammad Badrul Hassan
“It is a grave concern that disasters are becoming more frequent, much larger and more intense. As the report highlights, the majority of the disasters in our region are cross-border in nature. This is clearly demonstrated by the earthquake that struck the Alpine-Himalayan belt yesterday, affecting Afghanistan, Pakistan parts of India and Tajikistan,” said Ms. Shamshad Akhtar, Executive Secretary of ESCAP in a press release.
The report presents a framework for integrating disaster risk reduction into sustainable development plans, policies, sectoral programs and budgets. It further observes that even as every sector can be affected by earthquakes, floods or cyclones, it is important that they consider how to make itself disaster resilient. According to the report, Asia and the Pacific have incurred substantial economic damage for more than half a trillion dollars over the past decade, which accounts to nearly half the global total. Additionally, the report clarifies that the figures indicated are “gross underestimates” as there are no standardised methodology for collecting disaster statistics, which may result in many unreported disasters. The report also found that the region's existing risks are exacerbated and new risks are created, by rapid economic growth, rising population, burgeoning cities, and the subsequent impact these interrelated processes have on environmental buffers. Further, the report points out those regions that work together by sharing technology, information and expertise for disaster UN News Centre • www.un.org/news
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preparedness have been far more successful in tackling disaster risks. It also identified the areas that lack strong cooperation, especially cross-border floods and landslides. “Only by coming together in the spirit of cooperation can the Asia-Pacific region hope to become truly disaster resilient,” said Ms. Akhtar. Although investing in disaster risk reduction is proved to be cost effective, the report observed that neglecting disaster management of risks such as drought could put people, cities, infrastructure and economies at risk. The report notes that impact from such neglected or “forgotten disasters”, which pushes vast number of people into debt, poverty and, sometimes suicide, can be diminished if it is treated as a long-term recurring risk. Additionally, the report highlights the importance of multi-hazard early warning systems and maps out the way to provide right information to right people at the right time. "A fundamental rethink is needed as many governments still follow a short-sighted approach to disasters- with the focus on response, and paying less attention to adaptation, mitigation and preparedness,” said Ms. Akhtar. The report will be launched today at the ESCAP Committee on Disaster Risk Reduction which will be held between 27th to 29th October in Bangkok. Senior policy makers from across Asia and the Pacific will discuss how to build regional resilience in the context of newly agreed sustainable development goals.
New UN report reveals urgent need for coordinated, systematic approach to youth violence prevention 27 October - While youth violence is not a simple problem with easy solutions, a new report launched by the World Health Organization (WHO) underscores that prevention programmes can improve a broad range of health, education and social outcomes – and lead to potentially substantial economic savings.
In Haiti, the UN Community Violence Reduction agency developed and implemented a training school for youth in a drive to reduce community violence by offering young people from disenfranchised neighbourhoods skills to find employment. Photo: UN/MINUSTAH/Logan Abassi
“Worldwide, an estimated 200,000 homicides occur each year among youth and young adults aged 10-29 years, making homicide the fourth leading cause of death in this age group,” said the WHO report entitled Preventing youth violence: an overview of the evidence. Beyond deaths and injuries, youth violence can lead to mental health problems and increased health-risk behaviours, such as smoking, drug use and unsafe sex.
Influenced by risk factors at different levels and stages of life, individual level factors include delinquency, aggressive behaviour and illicit drugs. At the community level, neighbourhood crime, gang activity and unemployment are cited. “Youth violence prevention programmes are designed to reduce the risk factors that give rise to youth violence or else mitigate the negative effects on individuals and communities where the risk factors remain prevalent,” Etienne Krug, Director, Department for Management of Noncommunicable Diseases, Disability, Violence and Injury Prevention of WHO, explained in the report’s summary. While the greatest obstacles to preventing youth violence has been a lack of information on what works, along with the feasibility of implementing strategies in low- and middle-income countries, the report underscored that there is now enough knowledge and experience on the subject for any country to address the problem. The manual discusses “a comprehensive approach for preventing youth violence, [which] includes interventions at all levels…, ranging from economic inequality to maltreatment as a child, to hyperactivity and other child mental health problems.” UN News Centre • www.un.org/news
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Programmes – such as on parenting, early childhood development and policies to reduce the harmful use of alcohol – have all shown promise in preventing youth violence in high-income countries, and in some low- and middle-income countries. They provide a good prevention starting point and for possible modification of existing youth violence. The report, produced with the financial support of the Jacobs Foundation, German International Cooperation, and the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, outlined several principles for strengthening youth violence prevention programmes, emphasizing that their adoption would result in significant gains. They include basing policies and plans on scientific evidence from local and global studies; integrating programme monitoring into existing public health infrastructure; and involving different sectors, groups and individuals to build a coordinated systematic response. “An evidence-based approach to youth violence is essential for long-term success in preventing it,” underscored the report, concluding that “rates of youth violence will fall and positive aspects of youth health and social development will be enhanced. As an increasing number of agencies respond to youth violence by adopting the principles outlined in this manual, the evidence base will expand. Scientifically sound information will be at hand to develop policies and programmes and to help resource allocation.”
Ban welcomes African Union decision on addressing political and security crisis in Burundi 27 October - In a phone call today, United Nations Secretary-general Ban Ki-moon and Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission, discussed the situation in Burundi, with Mr. Ban welcoming recent decision by the AU Peace and Security Council on addressing the country’s political impasse. According to a statement issued by Mr. Ban’s spokesperson, the Secretary-General welcomed the decision made by the African Union’s Peace and Security Council on 17 October to address the political impasse and deteriorating security situation in Burundi. “He noted that such comprehensive and resolute action could offer Burundi the opportunity to put an end to the continuing violence and find a consensual political solution [on] the way forward,” the statement continued.
Burning barricades in Bujumbura, as turmoil erupted in Burundi. Photo: Desire Nimubona/IRIN
Further to the statement, the UN chief assured the Chairperson of the African Union Commission that the Organization stands ready to provide any support necessary to advance the implementation of the measures agreed upon by the members of the AU Peace and Security Council. According to media reports, the African Union announced on 17 October that it would launch an investigation into violations of human rights in Burundi. It also called for implementation of targeted sanctions against those contributing to the rising violence in the country.
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Côte d’Ivoire: Ban welcomes successful completion of first round of presidential elections 27 October - United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today welcomed the successful completion of voting in the first round of presidential elections in Côte d’Ivoire, which took place on Sunday. In statement issued by Mr. Ban’s spokesperson, he congratulated the Ivorian people and leadership for the peaceful environment in which the elections were held. Vote counting at a polling station in Abidjan, after the presidential election on 25 October 2015 in Côte d’Ivoire. Photo: UNOCI
“As Côte d’Ivoire awaits the final results, the Secretary-General encourages all political leaders and national stakeholders to maintain the peaceful atmosphere that prevailed on election day and to refrain from any statements that may lead to violence or unrest,” the statement added.
The UN chief also reiterated his call on national stakeholders to resolve peacefully any disputes that may arise through established legal procedures.
UN human rights office raises concerns about sexual assault allegations by asylum-seekers in Nauru 27 October - Underscoring the “fragile mental and physical condition” of ‘Abyan’ (the pseudonym for a Somalian refugee), who was allegedly raped in Nauru in July and was returned by Australia, the United Nations human rights office today called upon both countries to urgently provide decent mental and physical care for her, including provisions to terminate her pregnancy, if she desires. According to the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Abyan, three months pregnant, was returned 11 days ago from Australia to Nauru, without a termination having taken place.
At a social centre for refugees on Nauru, where they are held, conditions are basic. Photo: UNHCR/N. Wright
OHCHR, who reported to be in direct contact with Abyan said that she is ‘deeply traumatized by her experiences since the day of the alleged rape.’ “She has refused to give information to the Nauru police about her attacker because she is understandably afraid of reprisals. She does not feel safe, given that her alleged attacker lives on Nauru, which is a very small island State with a population of around 10,000,” OHCHR spokesperson Rupert Colville told reporters in Geneva. Mr. Colville also added that the UN human rights office is concerned about reports that Nauru police have failed to take action against alleged perpetrators of violence against women, especially when the victims have been asylum seekers and refugees. He further said that OHCHR is aware of the rise in sexual assault and rape allegations since Australia resumed its policy of transferring asylum seekers to Nauru for processing in 2012. “One Iranian asylum seeker was allegedly sexually assaulted last May. She was subsequently evacuated to Australia where she is still receiving medical treatment for both mental and physical consequences of the ordeal. Her brother and mother, however, have been left behind on Nauru and do not know when they will be able to reunite with her,” said Mr. Colville, illustrating the situation. He also recounted the example of another allegedly raped Somali refugee whose police report, which included the name of the alleged victim and details about the rape allegation, was inappropriately given to the media. The authorities have failed to make any arrests in either case. UN News Centre • www.un.org/news
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Mr. Colville stressed that OHCHR is highly disturbed at the trend as “impunity for such serious crimes increases the risk they will be repeated.” Further, he added that the UN agency fears that this may lead to women who are victims of such crimes refraining from speaking out if they fear reprisals and see little-to-no justice being served. “It is a matter of particular concern that asylum-seeker and refugee women who have allegedly been raped or sexually assaulted are left in unsafe conditions, given their own vulnerable status and the close proximity of their attackers, and tend to be stigmatized by the population and by members of the Nauru police force,” he concluded.
On Audiovisual Heritage Day, UNESCO appeals for safeguarding world’s endangered archives 27 October - Against the backdrop of a large share of the world’s audiovisual heritage already lost forever, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) today warned that only 10 to 15 years are left to transfer remaining audiovisual recordings to digital media before they too vanish.
Stacks of film reels in the Department of Public Information (DPI) audiovisual archives at UN Headquarters. UN Photo/Ryan Brown
“In that spirit, for this world day, I am asking all Member States, the producers and consumers of sounds and pictures, and the institutions in charge of safeguarding them to join forces to protect and share our common audiovisual wealth,” said Irina Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO, in a message issued for the World Day for Audiovisual Heritage.
Saying films, radio and television programmes and audio and video recordings are “an incomparable source for understanding the 20 an 21st centuries,” Ms. Bokova noted that “its capacity to instantly summon up sounds and pictures, often from well beyond local borders and language barriers, makes this heritage an essential complement to more traditional archives and documents.” But, she said: “A large share of the world’s audiovisual heritage has already been lost forever through negligence, destruction, bad luck or a lack of appropriate resources, competencies and structures, thereby depleting the memory of humanity.” “That vulnerability is especially acute in conflict situations,” the top UNESCO official said. “We have 10 to 15 years left to transfer available audiovisual recordings to digital media and prevent their loss.” UNESCO is participating in this safeguarding effort, she noted. “We need to join forces to change the situation – for it is of the utmost importance that this recent history be understood and shared not only for issues of identity and affiliation but also for a clearer grasp of relationships and challenges in contemporary societies,” Ms. Bokova added.
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Ethiopia experiencing ‘worst drought in 30 years’ due to El Niño conditions – UN report 27 October - Ethiopia is experiencing its worst drought in 30 years according to the United Nations, with levels of acute need across all humanitarian sectors having already exceeded levels seen in the Horn of Africa drought of 2011, and which are projected to become far more severe in 2016. A recent report published by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) noted that the impact of the failed spring rains was compounded by the arrival of the El Niño weather conditions that weakened summer rains, which feed 80 to 85 per cent of the country.
Dry earth in the desert plains of the Danakil depression in northern Ethiopia. Photo: Siegfried Modola/IRIN
“This greatly expanded food insecurity, malnutrition and devastated livelihoods across six affected regions of the country,” OCHA indicated. Meanwhile, the water level of Wabishabelle River, in Somali region, has reportedly been rising since the past week following El Niño-caused heavy rains in the surrounding highlands, and in East and West Imy woredas of Shabelle zone. OCHA recalled that last week, the river broke its banks in East Imy woreda causing communities along the river bank to be engulfed by water. According to the Somali region Disaster Prevention and Preparedness Bureau, 700 households from Diray kebele, East Imy woreda are taking refuge in East Imy town. The Government and partners are monitoring the situation to identify intervention needs. At the same time, local authorities in Mustahil and Kelafo woredas of Shabelle zone, which are administrative divisions affected by recurrent drought, were alerted about the rising river level. OCHA said mass community awareness will be conducted ahead of the floods in order to mitigate their impact. In addition, the National Flood Taskforce is currently preparing flood contingency plans for all at-risk areas in the country. The UN is further highlighting that its humanitarian team in Ethiopia and the Government have held a series of briefings with donor partners – separately and together – to raise the alarm on the on-going El Niño caused drought emergency and to warn about what is coming ahead. “The active and consistent communication with donors is bearing fruit in terms of triggering donor interest and few pledges, although still insignificant in relation to the need,” OCHA stated. “Sweden, Norway, Canada, Switzerland, Netherlands, the United Kingdom and the United States have or will step-in with contributions in response to the emergency. Others are looking to re-program development budgets for emergency response or activate a crisis modifier,” it added. Given the expected increase in relief food needs following a recent assessment, the Government has also urged donor support to ensure a healthy food pipeline for the coming months. During the 2002 El Niño year, much of the required food aid was reportedly not delivered until late February 2003, leading to a doubling of moderate and severe acute malnutrition rates, which is three times more expensive than prevention.
The UN Daily News is prepared at UN Headquarters in New York by the News Services Section of the News and Media Division, Department of Public Information (DPI)
