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  • Over 30,000 Cameroonian refugees arrive Nigeria – UN

    The number of Cameroonians fleeing violence and seeking refuge in Nigeria has crossed the 30,000-mark, the UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) has said.

    Mr Babar Baloch, a spokesperson for UNHCR, highlighted that the needs on the ground to cater for the refugees in Nigeria were outpacing donor efforts.

    Baloch said reports indicated that scores of people had been killed in English-speaking areas of Cameroon and thousands forced from their homes, including many who have sought refuge in Nigeria.

    He said the situation was particularly worrying for women and children – accounting for close to 80 per cent of arrivals – and most refugees are sheltering in Nigeria’s south eastern areas, hosted by local communities.

    The UNHCR boss said the refugee agency was facilitating voluntary relocation of refugees to settlements in Cross River and Benue provinces, which provide better security, shelter and access to essential services.

    “Currently, more than 9,000 Cameroonian refugees have been moved to new settlements, where they receive food as well as essential items such as mattresses, mosquito nets, stoves and cooking utensils, as well as equipment to build shelters,” Baloch said.

    The UNHCR spokesperson added that women and girls were also being provided with dignity kits, including among other items, buckets, soap and towels.

    In some instances, cash assistance is provided to enable refugees buy food directly from the markets in host communities, helping facilitate the integration of those forced to flee and those welcoming them, he stated.

    “However, despite the work of UNHCR and other aid organizations, the needs are far from being met and there are several challenges, including education opportunities for refugee children.

    “The rainy season and harsh road conditions to remote areas makes the assistance to the refugees outside of the newly-developed settlement very difficult, with acute needs for food, shelter, water and sanitation,” he said.

    Baloch explained that discussions were ongoing with the Government for improved access to the displaced population.

    The spokesperson for the UN refugee agency said many of those who had fled so far, had to rely on trails and informal paths to make the crossing, as official border entry points remained closed.

    Together with their partners, UNHCR staff are present at access points often used by refugees to assess the situation and the needs of new arrivals, Baloch added.

    “People are telling us they were ordered to leave their houses due to increasing violence in their home areas,” he said.

    Baloch said violence in Cameroon’s primarily English-speaking north-west and south-west areas has worsened over the past year and recent violence uptick followed clashes between armed groups and security forces.

    NAN

  • UN records 64 allegations of sexual exploitation, abuse in 3 months

    The UN received 64 new allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse, involving 77 victims, between July and September, across its various offices, agencies, and partner organisations implementing its programmes.

    UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said at UN Headquarters in New York at the quarterly updates, which he said were part of the Secretary-General Antonio Guterres initiative to “increasing transparency” on this issue.

    “Please note that not all the allegations have been fully verified and many are still in the preliminary assessment phase,” he said.

    Of those 64 allegations, six involved peacekeepers, 33 involved personnel from UN agencies, funds and programmes and another 25 concerned non-UN staff working with organisations implementing UN programmes.

    Most of the reported incidents – 30 of them – allegedly took place in 2018, another 15 are said to have happened in the years going back to 2015, while the date is unknown for 19 of the allegations reported.

    Out of 77 reported victims, the overwhelming majority are women (42) and girls (24), while two men and one boy also report having suffered from sexual exploitation and abuse.

    The age or gender of the remaining eight survivors is unknown, the UN spokesperson said.

    The vast majority of them, 55, suffered from what is categorised as sexual exploitation, defined as “any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes.

    This includes, “but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another”.

    Another 16 are considered to have suffered from incidents categorised as sexual abuse, defined as “the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions”.

    Another four were classified as of an unknown nature, and two were unsubstantiated following an investigation.

    The alleged perpetrators were 66 men, one woman, and two individuals whose gender is unknown.

    Of the 39 allegations related to UN personnel, one was not substantiated, 22 are at various stages of investigation, and 16 are under preliminary assessment to determine whether there is sufficient information to investigate.

    Regarding the 25 allegations relating to non-UN implementing organisation staff, two have been substantiated through an investigation and the perpetrators were dismissed by their employer.

    One allegation was not substantiated, 14 are at various stages of investigation, seven under preliminary assessment and one allegation was closed at the request of the victim.

    “The efforts to implement the Secretary-General’s strategy to combat sexual exploitation and abuse continue to be strengthened,” Dujarric said.

    In September, a Circle of Leadership, embodying world leaders’ commitment to eradicating sexual allegations and abuse across the UN system was launched.

    Currently, 49 heads of State and Government, 22 heads of UN entities and 72 global leaders have joined the movement.

    In addition, over the past few weeks, an electronic tool called ‘Clear Check’, developed to screen UN staff dismissed as a result of substantiated sexual allegations and abuse, or who resigned or were separated during an investigation, started being rolled out across the entire UN system.

  • Kaduna: UN official urges stakeholders to address causes of clashes

    The UN Resident Coordinator, Dr Edward Kallon, on Tuesday appealed to stakeholders to amicably address the underlying causes of the clashes in Kasuwan Magani, Kajuru Local Government Área of Kaduna State and bring the perpetrators to account.
    Kallon, who made the appeal in a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday, said: “I have also learned with sadness, the loss of over 50 lives following communal clashes in Kasuwan Magani area, South of Kaduna State.
    “I urge authorities in the State to seriously look into circumstances leading to these clashes, which have become too common”.
    Similarly, the resident coordinator expressed grave concern over news of renewed killings by the armed insurgent group, Boko Haram in Borno.
    According to him, close to 40 lives were lost in separate incidents over the last few days, when the group attacked civilians in Borno.
    He appealed to the Government of Nigeria and security forces in the region to scale up efforts aimed at protecting civilian communities especially in areas where sporadic attacks had been recorded recently.
    He therefore, noted that the attacks, if unchecked, might reverse the gains made so far in securing lives and property in the region.
    “On behalf of the UN family in Nigeria, I wish to express my sincere condolences to the families and friends of the bereaved.
    “The UN remains ready to support the Government and people of Nigeria in seeking sustainable solutions to related national challenges,’’ he said.
     

  • 460m African people affected by natural disasters since 1970 – UN

    Ms Amina Mohammed, UN Deputy Secretary-General says no fewer than 460 million people in Africa were affected by natural disasters since 1970.
    Mohammed stated this in her remarks to United Nations World Data Forum in Dubai, also said that natural disaster cost 330 billion dollars in 2017.
    “Since 1970, natural disasters have affected the lives of more than 460 million people in Africa.
    “Many lives and livelihoods could have been saved with better data and forecasting.
    “And in more than two thirds of countries, there is a lack of gender dis aggregated data on violence against women.
    “Our task is to make sure data is available to all people,” the deputy UN chief said.
    She said the world must make sure data were harnessed to support implementation of the 2030 agenda at all levels and in all regions and countries.
    Mohammed said: “Data on disaster preparedness and early warning systems can save lives and livelihoods.
    “Last year, natural disasters cost 330 billion dollars. Better data can help avoid some of these losses”.
    She said Mexico’s earthquake early warning system had issued 158 alerts since 1993, significantly reducing the potential impact.
    According to her, robust and accessible data and information can provide a host of other benefits.
    “It means students can find out about job opportunities and women can learn about laws protecting them from discrimination.
    “It means citizens can monitor how their governments are performing and hold decision-makers to account.
    “It can strengthen trust in public institutions and unveil new opportunities.
    “For example, in Buenos Aires, Google data suggests that rooftop solar potential is equal to about 946,000 tonnes of avoided emissions a year – which is the equivalent of taking 200,000 cars off the road.
    “But, while it is clear that the data revolution is having an enormous impact, it has not benefited everyone equally,” she said.
    Mohammed said the United Nations was leading global efforts to integrate data and information systems.

  • FG set to commence clean-up of Ogoni oil spill – Minister

    The Minister of State for Environment, Alhaji Ibrahim Jibril, said on Monday that the Federal Government was set to commence the clean -up of oil spills in Ogoni land.
    Jibril told the News Agency of Nigeria on the sideline of the 2018 International Day for Preservation of Ozone Lay in Abuja that the exercise would begin before the end of this year.
    Recall that the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) had recommended initial release of one billion dollars to be used for the clean-up of oil spills for over a period of five years.
    The clean-up exercise, according to UNEP, will take 25-30 years to restore the environment.
    Much of the funding for the clean-up is expected to come from the oil companies.
    The minister said that out of 200 million dollars expected from oil companies, 177 million dollars had been raised for the operation.
    “For 2018, 200 million dollars is expected but so far the joint venture partners and NNPC had been able to raise 177 million dollars for the operation, which will commence soon.
    “Right now, the procurement process is at the very last stage and very soon, we should be able to go to Federal Executive Council meeting to get approval for the contract to be awarded.
    “We believe that we should be able to go to the field in the fourth quarter of this year to commence remediation exercise,’’ Jibril said.
     

  • 700m people unable to meet basic daily needs – UN

    No fewer than 700 million people are still being left behind and are unable to meet their basic daily needs, the United Nations has said.
    UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stated this in his message commemorating the 2018 International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.
    Guterres highlighted that eliminating poverty in all its forms remained one of the greatest global challenges and priorities.
    “Let us remember that ending poverty is not a matter of charity but a question of justice,” he said.
    “On this International day for the Eradication of Poverty,” the UN Chief added, “let us commit to uphold the core pledge of the 2030 Agenda to leave no one behind”.
    The UN chief stressed the fundamental connection between eradicating poverty and upholding equal rights for all.
    He said that since the day was first marked 25 years ago, “nearly one billion people have escaped poverty, thanks to political leadership, inclusive economic development and international cooperation”.
    The 2018 theme is: ‘Coming together with those furthest behind to build an inclusive world of universal respect for human rights and dignity.
    Guterres said the theme underscored the connection between extreme poverty and human rights, specifically, emphasising that people living in poverty are disproportionately affected by many human rights violations.
    Eradicating poverty in all its forms and dimensions is embodied in Goal 1 of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which aims to foster social protection systems for all.
    The UN will host the 25th Commemoration of the International Day at the headquarters in New York on Wednesday.

  • JUST IN: 833 child soldiers rejoin family in Maiduguri

    JUST IN: 833 child soldiers rejoin family in Maiduguri

    Children, numbering 833, have been released from the ranks of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) in Maiduguri as part of commitments to end and prevent the recruitment and use of children.
    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports this is the first formal release of children from the CJTF since September 2017 when the group signed an action plan committing to put measures in place to end and prevent child recruitment following a listing in the annexes of the UN Secretary-General’s Annual Report for Children and Armed Conflict for the recruitment and use of children.
    “The release of these children from CJTF shows commitment to implement the provisions of the Action Plan and to uphold international humanitarian law, human rights laws as well as other regional and national legislations, protecting children’s rights,” said Pernille Ironside, Deputy Representative of UNICEF Nigeria and the Co-chair of United Nations Country Task Force on Monitoring and Reporting on grave child rights violations (CTFMR).
    “This is a significant milestone in ending the recruitment and use of children, but many more children remain in the ranks of other armed groups in either combat or support roles. We call on all parties to stop recruiting children and let children be children,” the UNICEF official added.
    TNG reports since the Action Plan was signed, members of the CTFMR initiated a joint field verification exercise to ascertain the presence and association of children within the command structures and ranks of the Civilian Joint Task Force.
    “As of today, a total of 1,469 children (1,175 boys and 294 girls), associated with the Civilian Joint Task Force have been identified within the city of Maiduguri.
    “UNICEF continues to work closely with state authorities to support the implementation of reintegration programmes for the children released today as well as others affected by the ongoing conflict.
    “Since 2017, UNICEF has supported the social and economic reintegration of more than 8,700 children released from armed groups, helping trace their families, returning them to their communities, and offering them psychosocial support, education, vocational training and informal apprenticeships, and opportunities to improve livelihoods,” a UNICEF statement read.
     

  • UN paves way for mass use of driverless cars

    A resolution to ensure the safe use of automated vehicles has been passed at the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Global Forum on Road Traffic Safety in Geneva.
    The UNECE, in a statement, said that automated vehicles had the potential to create safer, more efficient and environmentally friendly transport.
    The UN Commission said these could reshape entire sectors of the economy and improve the lives of millions of people, notably those unable to drive or with limited access to mobility.
    However, there are still many questions relating to areas such as road safety standards, traffic rules, insurance regimes, cyber security and data protection.
    These questions, UNECE said, must still be addressed before the mass introduction of driver-less cars to the market.
    The resolution offered recommendations to ensure the safe interaction between automated vehicles, and road users, and stressed the key role that people needed to play, whether as responsible drivers, occupants or on the road in general.
    These included making road safety a priority, safely interacting with the surrounding traffic environment and safely tolerating user error.
    The resolution also recommended that the high-tech cars should be able to communicate with their users and other road users, in a clear, effective and consistent way, react to unforeseen situations, and enable their deactivation in a safe manner.
    “With this resolution, we are paving the way for the safe mobility of the future, for the benefit of all road users” said UNECE official Luciana Iorio.
    In September, a UNECE automated/autonomous and connected vehicles working group met for the first time in Geneva, to begin addressing issues such as technical requirements, cyber security and software updates, and innovative testing methods.
     

  • Breaking: U.S. Ambassador to UN resigns

    The United States Ambassador to the United Nations, Ms Nikki Haley, has resigned her appointment.
    Haley made the announcement at the Oval Office in the presence of President Donald Trump, who said the envoy had “done a fantastic job”.
    The ambassador would, however, remain on the job till the end of the year, Trump announced.
    Haley said: “It was a blessing to go into the UN with body armour every day and defend America, and I’ll always do that.
    “I’ll never truly step aside from fighting for our country.
    “But I will tell you that I think it’s time. Being the United Nations ambassador has been an honour of a lifetime’’.
    Haley, who had long been speculated as a potential presidential candidate, said she had no intention of running for the presidency in 2020, as has been speculated.
    The ambassador said, on the contrary, she plans to campaign for Trump’s re-election.
    “I think you have to be selfless enough to know when you step aside and allow someone else to do the job,’’ she said.
    Trump said Haley had informed him roughly six months ago that she wanted to take a break after finishing two years with the administration.
    The president, however, said: “Nikki is going to be staying to the end of the year. It’ll just be’’.
    He said he hoped Haley would return in a different role and would name her successor within “the next two or three weeks’’.
    “She’s done a fantastic job and we’ve done a fantastic job together.
    “We’re all happy for you in one way, but we hate to lose you,’’ Trump said.
    He hailed her achievements at the UN within two years, including the progress on the denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula, the re-imposition of Iran’s sanctions and for protecting the U.S. interests at the UN.
    Shortly before the meeting, Trump had announced on his Twitter handle: “Big announcement with my friend Ambassador Nikki Haley in the Oval Office at 10.30 a.m.’’.
     

  • Mass grave containing 75 bodies found in Libya

    A mass grave containing 75 bodies was found West of the Libyan coastal city of Sirte on Tuesday, a military source said on Wednesday.
    A source with the Sirte security forces said that the forces were notified by a resident about the mass grave, which had been found in an agricultural area 15 km west of Sirte, 450 km East of the capital Tripoli.
    “The force recovered the remains of 75 unidentified persons and the exhumation of the bodies was carried out in presence of a court representative,’’ the source said on condition of anonymity.
    DNA samples had been taken for analysis.
    If confirmed, this will be largest mass grave found in Sirte since the city was taken over by government forces in 2015.
    Sirte had witnessed months of fighting between forces allied with the UN-backed government and the Islamic State (IS) terrorists, which ended in December 2015 with the government forces taking over the city.
    In June 2016, a mass grave and secret prison were found in Libya’s Sirte amid an ongoing operation fighting Islamic State (IS) militants, sources told The New Arab.
    Seven bodies were found buried in the grave that was discovered in a farm west of the city, while three prisoners were saved when security forces came across a secret prison in another town after liberating it from the militants.
    The prisoners – said to be held captive for several months – were found in dire humanitarian conditions, the anonymous source told The New Arab.
    Meanwhile, the battle to cleanse Sirte of IS militants has continued to progress with government forces closing in on the group’s stronghold.