World must act now to reverse worsening situation in Afghanistan, Ban warns
There is currently no indication of an early improvement in the security situation in Afghanistan, which deteriorated last year and a better coordinated international effort is crucial to reversing overall negative trends, according to the latest United Nations report released on January 4.
"We are now at a critical juncture," United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon tells the Security Council in the report, which focuses on the flawed presidential election and the adverse effects of increased Taliban suicide and other attacks both for the government's ability to deliver basic services and that of the international community to provide aid.
"The situation cannot continue as is if we are to succeed in Afghanistan. Unity of effort and greater attention to key priorities are now a sine qua non. There is a need for a change of mindset in the international community as well as in the government of Afghanistan. Without that change, the prospects of success will diminish further."
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UN voices support for London conference on Yemen and terrorism
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has voiced his concern about the presence of al-Qaida in Yemen, while expressing support for the conference that is being organized by British Prime Minister Gordon Brown in London later this month to discuss the issue.
During a phone call with the British leader this morning, Mr. Ban was "appreciative of the initiative of Prime Minister Brown and welcomed the focus of the conference on counter-terrorism," his spokesperson told reporters in New York.
"He sought assurance that the President of Yemen is involved in the preparation of the conference," Mr. Nesirky noted.
The secretary-general was also concerned about the humanitarian situation in the country, where fighting between government forces and rebels has been raging for over five months, affecting more than 175,000 people.
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UN envoy in Iraq expresses hope for 2010 elections
Looking ahead to 2010, the top United Nations envoy to Iraq has expressed hope for a united Iraqi government following the elections scheduled for this year, reaffirming the world body's support for the country's governance strategies.
In a news release issued by the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), Special Representative of the Secretary-General Ad Melkert said that huge inequalities and needs in some parts of the country remain a source of instability, with economic and social progress hinging on the country's political conditions.
In this context, he expressed hope that the campaign for the nationwide elections slated for March will contribute to a "free and fair election, which will allow candidates to compete for ideas and positions."
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DR Congo: UN rushes food to thousands displaced by ethnic fighting
The United Nations is rushing food to thousands of displaced Congolese in northwest Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where tribal clashes have driven 130,000 people from their homes.
Convoys carrying 50 metric tons of food escorted by peacekeepers from the UN mission in DRC (MONUC) left for two distribution sites, where more than 6,000 displaced people will receive month-long rations of maize, beans, vegetable oil and salt.
According to the Congolese government, 270 people were killed when inter-ethnic clashes between the Enyele and Munzaya tribes first erupted in a dispute over access to fishing ponds in the Dongo area in November. More than 130,000 people have been displaced since then, more than 84,000 of them fleeing across the Oubangui River into the neighboring Republic of Congo where they started receiving World Food Programme (WFP) food aid at the end of November.
Within DRC, the UN has estimated that some 40,000 people have been displaced internally, but the figure might now be higher.
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