Darfur peace process has reached ‘critical’ juncture, Ban says
21 December 2009 – The peace process in the war-wracked Darfur region of Sudan has reached a “critical point,” Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today, calling on both the Government and rebel groups to accelerate efforts to reach a compromise.
Ugandan rebels murder, rape, mutilate, displace thousands in DR Congo, Sudan – UN
21 December 2009 – In a 10-month rampage of killings, rape and mutilation in neighbouring countries that may constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity, the rebel Ugandan Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), has killed some 1,300 civilians, abducted 1,400 more, including hundreds of children and women, and displaced nearly 300,000 others, the United Nations reported today.
With better stoves, UN aims to cut risk of murder, rape for women seeking firewood
16 December 2009 – The United Nations today launched a pilot project to provide fuel-efficient stoves to some 150,000 women in Sudan and Uganda to cut the risks of murder, rape and other violence they face in gathering firewood, while at the same time protecting the environment.
Central African Republic faces critical moment in bid to recover from conflicts – UN
15 December 2009 – International assistance is vital to prevent the Central African Republic (CAR) from falling back into political crisis and potential new fighting as it prepares for elections next year after a decade of violence and conflict between Government and rebel forces, the top United Nations official for the country warned today.
UN crisis relief fund looks to multi-year commitments for sustainability
15 December 2009 – Several major donors have made multi-year commitments to provide significant funding to the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), which aims to save scores of thousands of lives by providing virtually immediate financing in sudden-onset crises, like earthquakes or hurricanes, or for ongoing but neglected emergencies.
UN launches $177 million appeal to tackle mounting humanitarian crisis in Yemen
14 December 2009 – The United Nations humanitarian arm today appealed for more than $177 million to provide the basic survival needs for some 1.6 million Yemenis suffering from acute poverty and a recent escalation in violent clashes in the country’s north.
Top UN envoy welcomes peaceful end to voter registration in Sudan
14 December 2009 – The top United Nations envoy to Sudan today welcomed the peaceful ending of the registration process for next year’s elections, the first multi-party polls in the country in decades, with more than 75 per cent of people of voting age registering to cast their ballots.
UN chief thankful for the release of kidnapped civilian staff in Darfur
13 December 2009 – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon voiced deep gratitude today on hearing of the release of two civilian staff members of the joint African Union-United Nations peacekeeping mission in Darfur (UNAMID) after more than 100 days in captivity in the war-torn western flank of Sudan.
Local judges in eastern Chad receive UN training to combat impunity
10 December 2009 – The United Nations has started a programme to train local judges in eastern Chad in a bid to end impunity in a strife-torn region where conflicts have erupted between refugees, internally displaced persons (IDPs) and host communities.
Darfur blue helmets committed to staying the course, despite attacks – UN
09 December 2009 – Morale among peacekeepers in the war-torn Sudanese region of Darfur remains high, despite the recent attacks that have claimed the lives of five blue helmets, a top United Nations official said today.
