TRIPOLI—More than 300 Libyan children gathered with their parents at the Scouts Theatre Saturday in Tripoli to mark the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action under the theme “Invest in Peace, Invest in Mine Action.” The event was organized jointly by the Mine Action Programme, a section of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), the Libyan Mine Action Centre, the Libyan Scout Movement, the Libya Peace…
JUBA - “Every time we succeed, we are not just removing explosive ordinances. We are also planting possibilities.” This compelling call to action from Nyoka Loice Scopas, representing the Women in Mine Action Network, reflects the critical importance of the United Nations Mine Action Service’s work in South Sudan, where civil war has left a legacy of landmines and other unexploded ordnances, which continue to kill indiscriminately. “It is deeply…
In March, MONUSCO marked a transition with the appointment of James Swan as its new head, while the mission continued its stabilization efforts. In Ituri, Operation "Nyundo II" successfully secured the release of fourteen hostages, alongside community-led repairs on the Fataki-Lodha road. Regarding security and human rights, the Acting Head of Mission denounced the tragic killing of a UN staff member, while UNJHRO highlighted the urgent need to…
Consultations have been launched to shape the next phase of the EU-funded Support Facility to the Technical Committees, bringing together the United Nations Good Offices Mission, UNDP, and the European Commission, alongside the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot coordinators and Co-Chairs of the 13 Technical Committees. This process comes at a key moment, as Phase II of the Support Facility approaches its conclusion in late 2026. This funding is…
BOR – “Every time I visited the prison, I encountered female inmates who wanted to feel useful but didn’t know how. So, I decided to do something to help.” After 30 years working as a prison officer in her home country Gambia, Fatou Njie joined the United Nations Mission in South Sudan with a personal mission in mind: leaving a lasting legacy. “For me, being a prison officer was always my dream. I knew I wanted to leave a memorable footprint in…
When Home Is No Longer Safe: A Family’s Return in Sudan In many parts of Sudan, families returning home after conflict face a hidden danger: explosive hazards. During fighting, explosive items can fall into residential areas without detonating. Long after the violence stops, these items remain a serious threat to civilians. For families trying to rebuild their lives, these hidden hazards can turn homes, parks, and neighborhoods into dangerous…
As we enter April, we commemorate the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action (IMAD). Since its inception in 1997, UNMAS has responded to conflicts across the world, working to mitigate the impact of explosive ordnance on communities. Since establishing a programme in the OPT in 2009, UNMAS has worked with partners and local communities to minimize explosive risks and support peace. Throughout this period UNMAS has…
Laduma Patricia Egan from Eastern Equatoria, South Sudan knows how to transform the cards dealt to her into a winning hand. This disability and women's rights advocate has been on crutches ever since she can remember but that…
WESTERN EQUATORIA - Being born with a disability does make life harder, but it doesn’t stop anybody from being a caregiver, a provider, and an inspiration. That’s an important lesson that one can take away from Stephen…
Mogadishu – Marking the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD), the United Nations in Somalia today commended the Somali authorities for their progress in recognizing the rights of persons with disabilities and…
EASTERN EQUATORIA – Living with a disability in South Sudan or anywhere in the world isn’t easy, but Laduma Patricia Egan makes it appear so. This single mother has taken the hand given to her by fate, if you will, and made…
This Week in DPPA is a brief roundup of political and peacebuilding events and developments at UNHQ and around the world. USG DiCarlo travels to Ethiopia Under-Secretary-General (USG) Rosemary DiCarlo accompanied Secretary…
KABUL - UN Secretary-General’s special envoy for Afghanistan, Roza Otunbayeva, carried out a two-day mission this week to the country’s north, including a brief visit to the Uzbek border town of Termez, discussing UN support…
Kinshasa, 2 December 2022 - Due to ongoing conflicts in Eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), contamination with Explosive Remnants of War (ERW) is increasing, along with a surge in refugees and…
Military officers having their awareness on human rights principles raised. Photos: Moses Yakudu/UNMISS Human rights violations are common in Eastern Equatoria State and in the rest of the country. Sometimes, they are…
Ten enterprising women from Upper Nile, South Sudan, took loans to gather seed money and launch a food business with a little help and encouragement from UNMISS. Photo by Samson Liberty/UNMISS UPPER NILE – As intercommunal…
Juba, 2 December 2022: UNMISS, AUMISS, IGAD, R-JMEC, some members of the African Diplomatic Corps and some members of the international community (TROIKA, EU, Switzerland, India) in South Sudan convened a meeting to discuss…
Human rights violations are common in Eastern Equatoria State and in the rest of the country. Sometimes, they are committed by members of armed forces. The Human Rights Division of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan…
UPPER NILE – As intercommunal conflict spreads in troubled Upper Nile, a state in the world’s youngest nation, there are still silver linings amid these dark times. One such ray of sunshine is a collective of women who call…