Press releases and statements

(New York, 3 December 2008): If three more Member States contribute to the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) at this week's annual event to be hosted by the Secretary-General, it will mean that...

(Poznan, 3 December 2008): Today, for the first time in climate change negotiations, the humanitarian agencies of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee have teamed up with disaster risk reduction staff...

(New York, 3 December 2008): If three more Member States contribute to the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) at this week's annual event to be hosted by the Secretary-General, it will mean that...

Watch the webcast A High-Level Conference of the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), with the participation of the Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, will be held on 4 December 2008 from 10.00 to...

(New York, 2 December 2008): The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) today launched a campaign to raise awareness of the humanitarian implications of climate...

by John Holmes, first published by The Economist Timing is everything. Nowhere is this truer than in humanitarian relief. When disaster strikes, delays can mean the difference between life and death...

(Bishkek/Dubai/New York/Geneva, 1 December, 2008): In response to significant energy shortages at the start of Kyrgyzstan's tough winter season the United Nations, in consultation with the Government...

Nairobi, 1 December 2008: The Humanitarian Appeal for Somalia was launched today in Nairobi by the United Nations Humanitarian and Resident Coordinator for Somalia Mark Bowden. This year's appeal is...

(Khartoum, 30 November 2008): John Holmes, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, concluded his six day visit to Sudan by reiterating the...

(New York/Khartoum, 28 November 2008): John Holmes, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, assured the Government of Southern Sudan (GoSS)...