Asia Pacific

Afghanistan: Nearly 20 million going hungry

Nearly 20 million people in Afghanistan – almost half the population – are facing acute hunger, humanitarians warned in a UN-backed report, published on Monday.  

Afghanistan: Taliban orders women to stay home; cover up in public

The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) issued a statement of deep concern on Saturday in response to an announcement made by the Taliban de facto authorities saying that women should only leave their homes in cases of necessity and then, with their faces covered in public.

On a mission to cut Papua New Guinea’s high levels of sexual violence

Nearly 60 per cent of women and girls aged 15-49 in Papua New Guinea have experienced some form of physical sexual violence, almost twice the global average. A health support group, backed by the UN, is educating young people and supporting survivors.

Deadly mosque explosion ‘another painful blow to the people of Afghanistan’

The United Nations has condemned a deadly explosion at a Sufi mosque in Afghanistan’s capital, Kabul, on Friday, which reportedly killed at least 10 people and injured up to 15 more, many of them seriously. 

Extreme heat impacting millions across India and Pakistan

With extreme heat gripping large parts of India and Pakistan, the two countries are working to roll out life-saving health action plans to combat the heatwave, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said on Friday.

UN rights office calls for Singapore stay of execution for Malaysia nationals 

In Singapore, the UN rights office, OHCHR, called on Monday for a stay of execution for two Malaysian nationals accused of drug offences. 

Volunteers demonstrate compassion of Ramadan in Indonesia: A UN Resident Coordinator blog

As Indonesia celebrates Ramadan, Valerie Julliand, the United Nations Resident Coordinator in the country, and  Toily Kurbanov, Executive Coordinator, United Nations Volunteers, explain why volunteerism encapsulates the generosity and compassion of the Muslim holy month.

First Person: Torres Strait Islanders fight the loss of their ancestral home

Yessie Mosby is one of the so-called Torres Strait Eight, a group from the Pacific Islands which lodged a complaint with the UN Human Rights Council, that Australia is not doing enough to protect their people from climate change, in the first ever case of its kind. Mr. Mosby explained to UN News why they decided to take this unprecedented step.

Afghanistan: UN condemns deadly blasts at two schools in Kabul

The United Nations has condemned the deadly bomb blasts at two educational institutions in Afghanistan’s capital, Kabul, on Wednesday, which killed at least six people and wounded nearly 20 others. 

Millet seeds, a powerful weapon against hunger

A World Food Program-backed initiative to deliver millet seeds to vulnerable people is taking root in Odisha, India, where it is helping to ward off hunger and improve livelihoods.