The sub-programme

From the Balkans to Afghanistan, Lebanon, Sudan and Haiti, UNEP has responded to crisis situations in more than 40 countries since 1999, delivering world-class environmental expertise to national governments and partners in the UN family.

In response to increased global awareness of the environmental dimensions of crises, and to growing demand for the services that address them, UNEP has identified “disasters and conflicts” as one of its six priority areas.

UNEP’s Post-Conflict and Disaster Management Branch coordinates the theme.

Appeal target: CHF 1,061,852 in cash, kind and services.

Appeal coverage: 38% (against initial amount of CHF 1,358,780, corresponding to 50% of revised amount of CHF 1,061,852)

Appeal history:

• This Emergency Appeal was initially launched on a Preliminary basis on 16 August 2012 for CHF 1,151,632 for 6 months to assist 1,440,000 beneficiaries. CHF 150,000 was allocated from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent (IFRC) Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) as start up funds.

The Joint Assessment Mission (JAM) conducted in September 2012 aimed at obtaining a better understanding of the situation, needs, risks, capacities and vulnerabilities of refugees in Malawi with regard to food, livelihood, their nutritional/health situation and related matters. The current programme is coming to an end, and this JAM Report aims to provide information for further assistance through the design of a new programme cycle for both WFP (the PRRO) and UNHCR. The last JAM was carried out in 2009 in coordination with the GoM and other stakeholders.

The First Lady of Sierra Leone, Madam Sia Nyama Koroma has launched a national campaign to prevent new HIV infections among children called “Bon Pikin Wae Nor Get HIV” (Give Birth to Life without HIV).

The new strains secrete a toxin more severe than usual strains, creating a more virulent illness - with harsher symptoms and a higher infection rate, according to cholera experts in the region

GA/AB/4054

Sixty-seventh General Assembly
Fifth Committee
19th Meeting (AM)

Also Takes Up Reports on: Department of Safety and Security; Review of Use of Private Security Companies by United Nations

In scrutinizing the Secretary-General’s proposed budget for 33 special political missions for 2013, delegates in the Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) today expressed concern over the unabated growth in financing those missions and the present arrangements for doing so.

Vienna, Austria, December 12, 2012. The Governing Board of the OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID), meeting in its 141st Session, has approved 22 loans and grants totaling nearly US$300 million to boost socio-economic development in 23 partner countries. The bulk of the public sector loans will co-finance projects aimed at enhancing the transportation and energy sectors of the recipient countries, as well as the agriculture, education and health sectors.

Today, on 10 December, we celebrate Human Rights Day. Standing up for Human Rights, democracy and the rule of law is the silver thread that runs through EU external relations.

KOIDU, 6 December 2012 (IRIN) - Sierra Leone’s diamonds fuelled the 1991-2002 civil war, and are now boosting economic growth, but at the same time they are keeping thousands of children out of school.

At a mine resembling a lunar landscape outside Koidu town in Kono Region - the diamond mining heartland in northeastern Sierra Leone - thousands of young men dig and shovel gravel in search of the precious stone.