28 March 2013 – In September 2010, Valerie Amos took up her post at the helm of the UN Office for the Coordination for Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), which is responsible for bringing together humanitarian actors to ensure a coherent response to emergencies. From deploying rapid-response teams and working with partners to assess needs, take action, secure funds, and facilitate civil-military coordination, OCHA plays a key role in crisis situations worldwide.

The Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the The Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad) have signed a historic three years partnership agreement with NRC, worth 993 million NOK. It supports NRC’s work for people displaced by war and conflict and will directly benefit approximately 800,000 people in 2013 alone.

It is the first time NRC has signed a global partnership agreement with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Norad. The three years agreement will replace a dozen separate contracts.

U.S. Mission to the UN Agencies in Rome

http://usunrome.usmission.gov/main/

Media Availability with Nancy Lindborg, USAID Assistant Administrator for the Bureau for Democracy, Conflict and Humanitarian Assistance (DCHA), on the Humanitarian Situations in the Sahel and Syria

02/06/2013 10:27 GMT

by Taieb Mahjoub

CAIRO, Feb 6, 2013 (AFP) - Heads of state from across the Islamic world meet in Cairo Wednesday to tackle crises ranging from Syria's civil war to the battle against Islamist militants in Mali, with their sharp differences expected to be laid bare.

Syria will not be represented at the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation summit even though much of the debate is expected to be focused on the conflict that has ravaged that country for almost 23 months, leaving tens of thousands dead.

At the WEF, Ban Ki-moon stressed that the world must come together to end the ongoing violence in the two countries and ensure help is available to those in need

Excellent logistics facilities

UNHCR Dubai enjoys excellent logistics facilities. A seamless supply chain by sea and air is ensured through proximity to Jebel Ali, the Middle East's biggest and busiest seaport. From Jebel Ali, cargo vessels sail weekly to ports worldwide including remote destinations. Also, six international airports are located within a three hour driving radius, where charter planes can be deployed in 24 to 48 hours. Dubai's logistics services are renowned for their professionalism and cost efficiency.

Inside this issue

Iraq 1
Mali 2
Syria 3
IED & Demining 4

DSG : Je vais commencer en français, si vous permettez, mais je vais continuer en anglais et vous pouvez poser les questions en anglais ou en français. C’est pour moi un grand plaisir de rentrer à Genève ; c’est un peu avec nostalgie parce que la première fois que j’ai passé des mois ici c’était pendant la guerre, après la guerre entre Iran et Iraq. Moi, j’étais l’envoyé spécial de l’ONU et j’ai négocié ici dans ce bâtiment pendant des mois à cette époque-là assez dramatique.

Opening statement

Geneva, 18 October 2012

Good afternoon,

As you may know, I began my second term last month. I thought this would be a good opportunity to reflect on the past four years since I became High Commissioner in September 2008, and also to look forward to what I hope can be achieved over the next two years before handing over the baton to my successor.