UNICEF GOODWILL AMBASSADOR MAHMOUD KABIL BACKS AFRICAN ANTI-POLIO EFFORTS

UNICEF GOODWILL AMBASSADOR MAHMOUD KABIL BACKS AFRICAN ANTI-POLIO EFFORTS
New York, Apr 30 2010 7:10PM
The Egyptian actor and United Nations Children's Fund (<"http://www.unicef.org/">UNICEF) Regional Goodwill Ambassador Mahmoud Kabil has helped launch an anti-polio campaign in Western and Central Africa where UNICEF and the UN World Health Organization (<"http://www.who.int/">WHO) are working with governments and partners to eradicate the virus.

"It is unacceptable that children are still suffering from a preventable disease, especially since Mauritania was close to eradicating the virus," said Mr. Kabil as he concluded a four-day visit to the West African country yesterday.

More than 10 per cent of Mauritanian children die before the age of five and at least 25 per cent of children below the age of one are not vaccinated against polio.

"All should understand the polio vaccine is perfectly safe, easy to deliver and potentially life-saving," Mr. Kabil added about the latest anti-polio campaign covering 16 countries.

Mr. Kabil, who was named as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador for the Middle East and North Africa in 2003, met with Mauritanian Health Minister Sheikh Ould Horma Ould Babana and a number of other national and local officials to support the campaign.

"This unprecedented mobilization to fight polio would not be possible without UNICEF's and WHO's technical and financial assistance and the regional Goodwill Ambassador's contribution," said Christian Koog, UNICEF's Representative in Mauritania.

In addition to supporting the polio vaccination campaign, Mr. Kabil advocated for child rights while visiting Mauritania.

He visited national non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and UNICEF partners working on projects against female genital mutilation/cutting and met with children formerly involved in camel racing, part of a rehabilitation project spearheaded by the United Arab Emirates and UNICEF.
Apr 30 2010 7:10PM
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TAJIKISTAN: UN AGENCIES HELP TO ROLL OUT POLIO VACCINES FOR DISTRIBUTION

TAJIKISTAN: UN AGENCIES HELP TO ROLL OUT POLIO VACCINES FOR DISTRIBUTION
New York, Apr 30 2010 7:10PM
Nearly 1.1 million young children in Tajikistan will start receiving vaccines next week against polio, the sometimes deadly disease which has returned to the Central Asian country where it was thought to have been eradicated 13 years ago, United Nations agencies reported today.

At least 32 wild poliovirus cases in Tajikistan have been confirmed as of yesterday, and 139 other cases in the same outbreak are being investigated, according to the UN World Health Organization (<"http://www.who.int/">WHO). So far 12 people have died since March.

An estimated 4 million doses of oral polio vaccines, procured by the UN Children's Fund (<"http://www.unicef.org/">UNICEF), reached the Tajik capital Dushanbe earlier this week and are now being distributed to health-care centres across the mountainous country, UNICEF spokesperson Christiane Berthiaume told journalists in Geneva.

Starting early next week almost 1.1 million children aged six and under will receive two drops of the oral polio vaccine, according to Ms. Berthiaume. Each child will then receive the same dose twice more during future vaccination rounds.

The current outbreak – the first in Tajikistan since 1997 – is concentrated in young children. All but one of the 32 confirmed cases involves a child aged five or under.

WHO spokesperson Fadela Chaib said genetic sequencing from the confirmed cases indicated that this latest poliovirus is most closely related to a virus from Uttar Pradesh state in India.

All cases have been recorded in south-western Tajikistan, close to the border with Uzbekistan and Afghanistan. Authorities in Uzbekistan and neighbouring Kyrgyzstan have begun planning supplementary rounds of immunization next month to try to avert a possible spread of the outbreak.

Polio, sometimes called poliomyelitis, is a highly infectious and sometimes fatal disease, and is often marked by acute flaccid paralysis among sufferers. It has been eradicated from much of the world, but experience shows that the virus can travel far relatively rapidly.
Apr 30 2010 7:10PM
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UN-BACKED STUDY REVEALS RAPID BIODIVERSITY LOSS DESPITE PLEDGE TO CURB THE DECLINE

UN-BACKED STUDY REVEALS RAPID BIODIVERSITY LOSS DESPITE PLEDGE TO CURB THE DECLINE
New York, Apr 30 2010 7:10PM
Global biodiversity has been declining alarmingly despite a pledge by world leaders in 2002 to help curb the loss of earthly life forms, a new United Nations-supported study shows.

"Our analysis shows that Governments have failed to deliver on the commitments they made in 2002: biodiversity is still being lost as fast as ever, and we have made little headway in reducing the pressures on species, habitats and ecosystems," said Stuart Butchart of the UN Environment Programme's World Conservation Monitoring Centre (<"http://www.unep-wcmc.org/">UNEP/WCMC) and BirdLife International, and the paper's lead author. The study is published in the latest edition of the journal <i>Science</i>.

In more than 30 indicators – measures of different aspects of biodiversity, including changes in species' populations and risk of extinction, habitat extent and community composition – the study found no evidence of a significant reduction in the rate of decline of biodiversity.

The pressures facing biodiversity continue to increase, the study reveals, and concludes that the 2010 target for reducing the loss of biodiversity has not been achieved. The findings represent the first assessment of how the targets made through the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in 2002 have been missed.

"Since 1970, we have reduced animal populations by 30 per cent, the area of mangroves and sea grasses by 20 percent and the coverage of living corals by 40 per cent," said UNEP's Chief Scientist, Joseph Alcamo. "These losses are clearly unsustainable, since biodiversity makes a key contribution to human well-being and sustainable development, as recognized by the UN Millennium Development Goals (<"http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/">MDGs)," he said.

The results from the study feed into <i>Global Biodiversity Outlook 3</i>, the flagship publication of the CBD, to be released in Nairobi on 10 May, when Government representatives from around the world will meet to discuss the 2010 target and how to address the biodiversity crisis.

"Although nations have put in place some significant policies to slow biodiversity declines, these have been woefully inadequate, and the gap between the pressures on biodiversity and the responses is getting ever wider," said Dr. Butchart.

The study, however, recognized that there have been some important local or national successes in tackling biodiversity loss, including the designation of many protected areas – such as Juruena National Park in Brazil – and the recovery of particular species such as the European bison. Another success is the prevention of extinctions of some species, including the black stilt of New Zealand.

Despite these encouraging achievements, efforts to address the loss of biodiversity need to be substantially strengthened, and sustained investment in coherent global biodiversity monitoring and indicators is essential to track and improve the effectiveness of these responses, according to the study.

"While many responses have been in the right direction, the relevant policies have been inadequately targeted, implemented and funded," said Ahmed Djoghlaf, the CBD's Executive Secretary. "Above all, biodiversity concerns must be integrated across all parts of government and business, and the economic value of biodiversity needs to be accounted for adequately in decision-making. Only then will we be able to address the problem."
Apr 30 2010 7:10PM
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Emergency Response News Advisory (HQ): Administrator Jackson Tours Areas Potentially Impacted by BP Spill

CONTACT:

Brendan Gilfillan

gilfillan.brendan@epa.gov

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 30, 2010

 

Administrator Jackson Tours Areas Potentially Impacted by BP Spill

 

WASHINGTON – EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson is touring areas in Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana that could be impacted by the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico today and tomorrow.

 

Today, Administrator Jackson joined U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar for an overflight of the oil spill, and a meeting with state and local officials.  Later today, the Administrator will tour a stretch of the Mississippi coastline that could be impacted by the spill and hold a community meeting in Waveland, Miss. to discuss the spill and the government’s response. The Administrator will also visit EPA employees at a mobile air monitoring station that EPA has established in the area.

 

Tomorrow, the Administrator will hold an 8:30 a.m. meeting with community leaders in New Orleans. The Administrator will also tour Plaquemines Parish in New Orleans and meet with representatives of the fishing, oyster and shrimping industries. Additional details on those visits will be released as they become available.

 

April 30, 2010

 

4:00 p.m. CST              Administrator Jackson Holds Community Meeting

Leo Seals Community Center

527 Hwy 90

            Waveland, Miss.

 

May 1, 2010

 

8:30 a.m. CST              Administrator Jackson Holds Community Meeting

                                    Greater Little Zion Baptist Church

5130 Chartres St.

New Orleans, La.

 

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MANDATE OF UN PEACEKEEPING FORCE IN WESTERN SAHARA EXTENDED FOR ANOTHER YEAR

MANDATE OF UN PEACEKEEPING FORCE IN WESTERN SAHARA EXTENDED FOR ANOTHER YEAR
New York, Apr 30 2010 6:10PM
The Security Council today extended the mandate of the United Nations peacekeeping mission tasked with organizing a referendum on self-determination in Western Sahara for another year.

In a unanimously adopted resolution, the 15-member Council called on Morocco and Frente Polisario – the parties to the conflict in Western Sahara – to "continue to show political will and work in an atmosphere propitious for dialogue in order to enter into a more intensive and substantive phase of negotiations."

The resolution was adopted after Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, in his latest report on the peacekeeping mission (known as <"http://www.un.org/en/peacekeeping/missions/minurso/">MINURSO), recently welcomed both parties' commitment to the process of negotiations and their willingness to engage in the preparatory informal format.

But he noted that two informal meetings under the auspices of his personal envoy Christopher Ross held in August 2009 and February this year produced no movement on the core substantive issues, and more work is needed before a fifth round can be held.

Mr. Ross' efforts to promote a settlement have been "laborious," the Secretary-General said. "Their pace and substance have been heavily affected by the parties' reaction to events in the region and their unyielding attachment to mutually exclusive positions."

Today's resolution called on the parties to continue the dialogue under the auspices of the Secretary-General without preconditions to achieve "a just, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution, which will provide for the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara."

Last week, the Secretary-General expressed concern about alleged violations of human rights in the Western Sahara conflict and vowed to continue to promote the rights of Sahrawis after meeting with Mohamed Abdelaziz, Secretary-General of the Frente Polisario.

He reassured Mr. Abdelaziz of "the UN's commitment to maintaining an active and balanced engagement in the search for a solution to the Western Sahara conflict that provides for the self-determination for the people of Western Sahara," according to information released by Mr. Ban's spokesperson.

"The Secretary-General stated that he remains very concerned about alleged violations of human rights. He said that his Personal Envoy, Christopher Ross, and the Secretariat will continue to work to promote the human rights of Sahrawis."

Fighting broke out between Morocco and the Frente Polisario after the Spanish colonial administration of Western Sahara ended in 1976. Morocco has presented a plan for autonomy while the position of the Frente Polisario is that the territory's final status should be decided in a referendum on self-determination that includes independence as an option. MINURSO was set up in 1991 to monitor the ceasefire reached in September of that year.
Apr 30 2010 6:10PM
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UN AID CHIEF URGES DR CONGO AUTHORITIES TO ENHANCE PROTECTION OF CIVILIANS

UN AID CHIEF URGES DR CONGO AUTHORITIES TO ENHANCE PROTECTION OF CIVILIANS
New York, Apr 30 2010 6:10PM
The top United Nations humanitarian official today visited the province of South Kivu in the troubled east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and stressed that protecting civilians and ensuring they have access to aid remains ultimately the responsibility of the national authorities.

Incidents of violence by armed groups in South Kivu and North Kivu provinces have often hindered the efforts of humanitarian agencies striving to provide assistance to hundreds of thousands of people affected by the protracted conflict there, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (<"http://ochaonline.un.org/">OCHA).

Since the beginning of this year, 76 incidents affecting humanitarian workers have been recorded in the two provinces, compared to 176 during the whole of 2009. More than 80 percent of the incidents affected non-governmental organizations (NGOs), which are crucial partners of the United Nations in the humanitarian response.

In the Fizi area on the western shore of Lake Tanganyika, most humanitarian activities have been suspended since March due to insecurity. Despite the difficulties, however, aid workers have been able to assist 70 percent of the needy people in the two provinces.

Mr. Holmes visited internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Mwenga, approximately 80 kilometres south-west of the city of Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu. He also met with local officials and representatives of humanitarian agencies in Bukavu.

The Kivu provinces have been ravaged by armed conflict mainly pitting DRC's national army against insurgents of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda, better known as FDLR, the group's French acronym. Local armed militias and bandits also contribute to insecurity in the two Kivu provinces, where an estimated 1.4 million people are internally displaced.

More than 70 per cent of the internally displaced persons (IDPs) live with host families, increasing the burden on already impoverished communities, according to OCHA.

Civilians face frequent human rights abuses. Villages are routinely looted and burned by armed groups. In 2009 alone, according to the UN Population Fund (<"http://www.unfpa.org/public/">UNFPA), an estimated 8,300 rapes were committed against women, averaging 160 rapes per week.
Apr 30 2010 6:10PM
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Emergency Response News Release (HQ): EPA Establishes Web site on BP Oil Spill

CONTACT:

Joint Information Center

985-902-5231

985-902-5240

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 30, 2010

 

EPA Establishes Web site on BP Oil Spill

 

EPA launches site to inform the public about health, environmental impacts of spill

 

WASHINGTON – As part of the ongoing federal response to the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, EPA today established a website to inform the public about the spill’s impact on the environment and the health of nearby residents. The website – http://www.epa.gov/bpspill - will contain data from EPA’s ongoing air monitoring along with other information about the agency’s activities in the region. Also today, Administrator Jackson joined Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and Interior Secretary Ken Salazar to tour the region. The Administrator will spend the next 36 hours visiting with community groups and meeting EPA staff responding to the spill.

 

Additional information on the broader response from the U.S. Coast Guard and other responding agencies is available at:  http://www.deepwaterhorizonresponse.com

 

“We are taking every possible step to protect the health of the residents and mitigate the environmental impacts of this spill,” EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson said. “For several days, EPA has been on the ground evaluating air and water concerns and coordinating with other responding agencies.  We are also here to address community members -- the people who know these waters and wetlands best.  They will be essential to the work ahead.”

 

EPA has established air monitoring stations along Plaquemines Parish on the Louisiana coast. EPA established those facilities to determine how oil set on fire in the gulf and oil that is reaching land is impacting air quality. EPA is monitoring levels of a number of chemicals potentially emitted by oil, including volatile organic compounds such as xylene, benzene and toluene.

 

EPA has also deployed two Trace Atmospheric Gas Analyzers – mobile laboratories that collect and analyze air quality samples in real time – to monitor air quality in the region.

 

EPA tested smoke from the controlled burn two days ago and found the Louisiana coast had not been affected because an off-shore breeze was blowing away from land and out to sea during that time. The agency will continue to collect and share data with the public, and will coordinate and share information with local health officials.

 

In addition to monitoring air quality, EPA is also assessing the coastal waters affected by the spreading oil. EPA deployed our twin-engine aircraft to assist in the collection of air sampling data and photograph the spill and surrounding area.

 

All of the data EPA collects will be posted to http://www.epa.gov/bpspill , along with frequently asked questions, fact sheets about potential health impacts of the spill, and links to more information on the spill and the government’s response.

 

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DEBATE ON INDIGENOUS PEOPLES AND FORESTS AMONG HIGHLIGHTS OF ANNUAL UN FORUM

DEBATE ON INDIGENOUS PEOPLES AND FORESTS AMONG HIGHLIGHTS OF ANNUAL UN FORUM
New York, Apr 30 2010 5:10PM
The relationship between indigenous peoples and forests was among the major issues discussed during a two-week forum at United Nations Headquarters that wrapped up today, with participants voicing concern about the impact on lives and livelihoods of deforestation, extraction activities and large-scale building projects.

The UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues is "still very much concerned about the continuing eviction of indigenous peoples from their forests," said Victoria Tauli-Corpuz, a member of the Forum since 2005 and former chairperson.

"This issue is really a very emotional issue for indigenous peoples, especially indigenous peoples in tropical rainforest countries."

Ms. Tauli-Corpuz, an indigenous activist belonging to the Kankana-ey Igorot peoples of the Philippines, told a news conference that evictions were taking place in many indigenous communities due to the expansion of bio-fuel plantations, conservation programmes such as national parks, wildlife reserves and biosphere reserves, and the expansion of extractive industry operations.

Next year is the International Year of Forests, and the Permanent Forum has to play a very active role to present cases from around the world, said Ms. Tauli-Corpuz, who has been appointed by the Forum to prepare a special report on indigenous peoples and forests.

Carlos Mamani, the Chairperson of the Permanent Forum, said the 16-member body will be adopting recommendations on the issue of indigenous peoples and forests which it will then forward to next year's session of the UN Forum on Forests.

"The forests of indigenous peoples have suffered nefarious consequences due to extraction activities but also because of colonialism," he noted.

At its current session, the Forum also voiced its grave concern about the increasing expansion of the building of mega-hydroelectric dams.

"We call on States to implement the World Commission on Dams report, which contains many of the standards that we think States should adhere to, in particular that the free, prior and informed consent of indigenous peoples should be obtained before any dam project is designed or brought into their communities," said Ms. Tauli-Corpuz.

New Zealand's announcement on the opening day last week that it is reversing its decision and supporting the UN Declaration on the Rights of the Indigenous Peoples was another highlight of the current session.

The landmark document outlines the rights of the world's estimated 370 million indigenous people in areas such as culture, identity, language, employment, health and education, and outlaws discrimination against them.

New Zealand was one of four countries – the others being Australia, Canada and the United States – that voted against the declaration in 2007. Australia reversed its decision last year.

Mr. Mamani said the Permanent Forum welcomed in particular the announcement by the United States that it will begin the process of reviewing the declaration with a view to supporting it, as well as a statement from Canada along the same lines.

Some 2,000 indigenous representatives convened in New York to take part in the Permanent Forum's ninth session, which focused on the theme of "Development with Culture and Identity."

The Permanent Forum comprises 16 independent experts, who function in their personal capacities and serve for a term of three years. Eight of the members are nominated by governments and eight are nominated directly by indigenous organizations in their regions.
Apr 30 2010 5:10PM
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LOW-CARBON ECONOMIC SUCCESS POSSIBLE IN ASIA AND THE PACIFIC, UN OFFICIAL SAYS

LOW-CARBON ECONOMIC SUCCESS POSSIBLE IN ASIA AND THE PACIFIC, UN OFFICIAL SAYS
New York, Apr 30 2010 5:10PM
Regional cooperation and partnerships among the public, private and civil society could help the Asia and Pacific region lead to the development of a road map to low-carbon economic growth, participants said today at a United Nations forum in China.

"Embracing low-carbon development requires a fundamental change in the way energy is produced and used – opening a potential market of over $9 trillion by 2030 in the Asia-Pacific region alone," said Noeleen Heyzer, Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (<"http://www.unescap.org/">ESCAP).

Because this will not happen automatically, "collaboration between the public and the private sector to create markets and grasp the huge business opportunities of low-carbon goods and services should be promoted," she added.

The Asia-Pacific Business Forum brought together 230 business and government representatives on the theme "Business Opportunities and Low-Carbon Economy," and was co-organized by ESCAP and the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT).
Apr 30 2010 5:10PM
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