XUNICEF News and Views

The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) strongly condemn the bombing today of three sites for internally displaced persons (IDP) in the Lac Vert, Lushagala, and Mugunga neighbourhoods of Goma, North Kivu, in the East of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Explosions occurred this morning at sites designated for civilians, killing at least 12 people and injuring another 30 or more people, mainly women and children. Shelters and other humanitarian structures were also damaged. “We condemn in the strongest terms this shocking, merciless, and horrendous act of violence that claimed the lives of children, displaced people and host communities in the cruellest way,” said Angele Dikongue-Atangana, UNHCR’s Representative to the DRC. “The civilian population of North Kivu province has witnessed the worst humanitarian violations for over two years in this bloody attrition. UNHCR calls for all actors to halt this senseless violence and to respect the sanctit

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Dear All,  I am pleased to forward herewith LINK May 24 edition for your reading . The Editorial Team headed by Dr Krishna Mahapatra has put in tremendous efforts to publish this issue. We welcome your comments.

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  Instagram post shared by Niloufar Pourzand

Background: I met Yuiry in Kiribati when he came to work as a consultant to UNICEF to support our Child Protection programs. From then on, we kept in touch. When the war broke out in Ukraine I was worried for him, his colleague Katya, who I had also met in Tarawa, their families, friends and Ukraine at large. We connected stronger––I relived my experiences of genocide committed by the Pakistani military in Bangladesh in 1971. My dad (a military doctor) stayed back in Lahore while we returned to Dhaka. He was arrested in December, 1971 and was a POW for over 3 years. His nephew Captain (rtd) Haleem Chowdhury formed, trained and commanded the largest Bengalee freedom fighters’ rebel-army in the occupied Bangladesh and was the most wanted man by the Pakistani military. My uncle, a CA, was a prominent figure in the Free-Bangladesh Movement in UK/London, along with Abu Sayeed Chowdhury in 1971. Chowdhury eventually became the 2nd President of independent Bangladesh. My family in Dhaka was i

David Boyd, who served as UN special rapporteur on human rights and the environment from 2018 to April 2024. In his interview with the Guardian, he said, "this powerful human right is up against an even more powerful force in the global economy, a system that is absolutely based on the exploitation of people and nature. And unless we change that fundamental system, then we’re just re-shuffling deck chairs on the Titanic.” Click here for the article

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We are at a decisive moment for the Palestinian and Israeli people and for the fate of the entire region. An agreement between the Government of Israel and the leadership of Hamas is essential to stop the unbearable suffering of Palestinians in Gaza and of the hostages and their families. It would be tragic if weeks of intense diplomatic activity for peace in Gaza, yield no ceasefire. No release of hostages. And a devastating offensive in Rafah. I reiterate my appeal for both parties to show the political courage and spare no effort to secure an agreement now. To stop the bloodshed. To free the hostages. And to help stabilize a region which is still at risk of explosion. This is a crucial opportunity that the region – and indeed the world – cannot afford to miss. Yet things are moving in the wrong direction. I am disturbed and distressed by the renewed military activity in Rafah by the Israeli Defence Forces. The closure of both the Rafah and Karem Shalom crossings is especially da

Earlier, I wrote a short piece on a visit I made to Bhutan where I was expected to walk around 2 miles to, and the same distance back from, a school which had been earthquake affected in the east of Bhutan.  It was the return trip that did for me – and I thought I’d never make it. . . . .but somehow dragged my feet the last couple of hundred feet horizontally and vertically (which was the real problem). Now that I am well retired to the north coast of Cornwall, you’d think I would remember that last climb in Bhutan – but you don’t know Cornish workmen who can defeat the ‘best laid plans of mice and men’. Let me explain:  My wife and I are getting to a stage where we think that ‘downsizing’ is probably wise and to afford to downsize, we will eventually need to sell the property we have lived in for the last 26 years which was originally built in 1901 and modified at various times by various owners till we took over the house which was in need of serious modification even then.  Move on

YouTube video shared by Margherita Amodeo on the Whatsapp Malta Reunion group thread. Silence, Sounds and Spaces is a contemporary concept project inspired by the prehistoric sites spread across the Maltese Islands. What began as a commission by Heritage Malta (the national agency for museums, conservation practice and cultural heritage) to score music to the visitors' audio guide of the Hal Saflieni Hypogeum (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), developed into the release of a music album, and the presentation of a series of live solo performances in Malta, the United Kingdom and mainland Europe. The music is rich, engaging and deeply expressive, with a skilful blend of unique on-site recordings at the various prehistoric sites (including Ghar Dalam, Ggantija temples, Hagar Qim temples and the Hypogeum). The result is a “chilling, mysterious, and forward-thinking musical journey” that draws listeners in to Renzo’s personal musical universe.

Dear All members Following e mail received from UNICEF India Staff Assn inviting retirees to participate in the 75 years of UNICEF in India. Quote As we celebrate UNICEF’s 75 years in India, we would like all of you to be part of this celebration. This celebration would be incomplete without all of you who have laid the foundation of all that UNICEF has achieved over the past decades. On behalf of Staff Association, I am honored to invite you to the UNICEF office to celebrate 75 years in India! Request your gracious presence on 10th May UNICEF office, 73, Lodi Estate, New Delhi. We are having Carnival from 1100 to 1330 hours followed by lunch. (agenda attached for your kind reference). Pls feel free to share this invitation with those who are not part of this mailing group. We cannot wait to meet you ! Best regards Jessinda Mathew Vice Chairperson- SA MEMBERS ARE REQUESTED TO CONFIRM YOUR PARTICIPATION BEFORE 9 MAY 2024 TO ME. i WILL IN TURN, COLLATE ALL THE NAMES WHO WILL BE ATTENDIN

https://www.unjspf.org/newsroom/highlights-from-the-77th-session-of-the-pension-board/ Highlights from the 77th session of the Pension Board 2 May 2024 The 77th session of United Nations Joint Staff Pension Board took place virtually on 25-26 April 2024. The following is a summary of the main issues discussed and decisions reached. Elements of the benefit system The majority of the session was dedicated to specific items under the UNJSPF benefit system. The Board considered an item related to small pensions as put forth by the Federation of Associations of Former International Civil Servants (FAFICS) and a separate item related to the eligibility for spousal benefits as requested by the UN General Assembly in resolution 78/253. The Board agreed to take both matters up again at its July 2024 session. Following a regular analysis of the Two-Track feature across all Two-Track countries, the Board was informed that, effective 1 November 2024, the local currency track benefit will be sus

  Reunions - Not one but two Malta - According to all reports, the 2024 XUNICEF Reunion in Malta was a fabulous success, thanks in particular to the hard work and careful planning by Margherita Amodeo.  Last week we called on participants to send us their photos - and did they ever!  So far our album has received some 765 photos - and they are still coming in! Click here  for the album.   We understand that a draft report of the reunion is circulating and we hope to publish here next week.  Meanwhile we hope that individual participants will share their thoughts, reflections and photos on News & Views. Help needed - Can one of the participants please help in editing the album by sorting the photos by date and subject, removing duplicates and so forth?   Rwanda Reunion in Portugal:  Steven Allen recounts a wonderful gathering of former UNICEF colleagues who worked in Rwanda following the genocide that began 30 years ago in April 1994.   Click here. UNICEF-Cigna Consultative Worksho

  Jon Rohde  commented on  " Report - Global immunization efforts have saved at least 154 million lives over the past 50 years " Apr 29, 2024 Thanks Robert - with a tip of the hat to JPG whose dedication and persistence carry on. Now with more effective vaccines than ever the numbers will continue to grow (Presuming the RF Kennedy Jr fades into obscurity!!) Jon    Unknown  commented on  " Event - Navigating Humanitarian Assistance in Gaza,160 EDT April 25 - Sigrid Kaag keynote speaker " Apr 28, 2024 A bit late to register. Not sure "Fireside Chat" is the appropriate way to characterize this. Maybe "conversation" would have been sufficient. Is there a link where we might catch up - and see what the UN is or is not doing to help?     Unknown  commented on  " Malta Reunion - First Photos " Apr 28, 2024 Quite a turnout - Congrats    rafah aziz  commented on  " Malta Reunion - First Photos " Apr 28, 2024 Thank you all fo