IN QUAKE-RAVAGED HAITI, UN AND PARTNERS PLAN FOR WORST-CASE HURRICANE SEASON SCENARIO

IN QUAKE-RAVAGED HAITI, UN AND PARTNERS PLAN FOR WORST-CASE HURRICANE SEASON SCENARIO
New York, Jun 1 2010 7:10PM
The humanitarian crisis triggered by January's earthquake in Haiti could worsen with the onset of this year's hurricane season, which experts have warned could be severe, the United Nations said today, adding that the Organization and its partners are preparing for a worst-case scenario.

"This is a country acutely exposed to hurricanes at the best of times," said Sarah Muscroft, head of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (<"http://ochaonline.un.org/">OCHA) in Haiti. "With so many people still so vulnerable after the recent earthquake, a serious hurricane this year could be devastating. We are therefore planning for a worst-case scenario," she added.

Contingency plans being designed include the dedication of 24-hour humanitarian rapid response teams in case of rain or hurricane-related incidents in sites where those who lost their homes as a result of the earthquake on 12 January have settled in the capital, Port-au-Prince, according to OCHA.

The rest of the country, where poverty is extreme and infrastructure poor, also remains acutely vulnerable – especially areas still recovering from Hurricanes Fay, Gustav, Hanna and Ike – which between them killed over 800 people in the space of a month in 2008 and devastated large parts of the country.

Other preparedness measures by humanitarian agencies currently under way include the pre-positioning of two million emergency food rations in 31 locations across Haiti by the UN World Food Programme (<"http://www.wfp.org/">WFP).

The International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies has a permanent emergency task force on standby and is pre-positioning emergency items in 10 towns and cities, and shelter agencies are working to ensure sufficient emergency shelter materials are available.

Hurricane mitigation work in camps following technical assessments is also ongoing to reduce vulnerability to flooding and rains. Further contingency planning, however, would greatly benefit from release of the countrywide contingency plan drafted by the Department of Civil Protection in collaboration with partners. While the plan has been updated following the earthquake, finalization by the interior ministry has not been completed, according to OCHA.

"While it is encouraging that the Government has led this process, it is vital that this plan is put
into practice as quickly as possible," said Ms. Muscroft. "The international community is standing by to assist in this process in any way we can," she added.
Jun 1 2010 7:10PM
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BAN APPEALS FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE OF DETAINEES AFTER RAID ON GAZA AID FLOTILLA

BAN APPEALS FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE OF DETAINEES AFTER RAID ON GAZA AID FLOTILLA
New York, Jun 1 2010 7:10PM
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today appealed for the immediate release of those detained following yesterday's Israeli raid of an aid flotilla bound for the Gaza Strip, reiterating his call for a prompt probe into the deadly incident.

The return of the deceased and care for the wounded are also a top priority, United Nations spokesperson Marie Okabe told reporters in New York.

At least 10 civilians died and dozens more were wounded when the Israeli military intercepted a six-ship convoy that was in international waters as it headed for Gaza.

"We reiterate our call to all concerned to act with a sense of care and responsibility and for a satisfactory resolution and the United Nations has raised its concerns about this with international partners and with Israeli authorities and all parties should act in accordance with international law and avoid provocations at this sensitive time," Ms. Okabe said.

The Secretary-General is en route to New York from the Ugandan capital, Kampala, where he spoke on the phone to several world leaders, including Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak, Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman and French President Nicolas Sarkozy.

Mr. Ban, who condemned the violence in a statement yesterday, also discussed the raid with UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay.

Upon returning to New York, he will hold further talks on a future course of action – including an investigation – with Arab, Turkish and Israeli officials, as well as with members of the Security Council and others.

Early this morning, the Council issued a presidential <"http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2010/sc9940.doc.htm">statement in which it condemned the acts that led to deaths aboard the aid ships, calling for a "prompt, impartial, credible and transparent investigation."

The 15-member body said that it "deeply regrets the loss of life and injuries resulting from the use of force during the Israeli military operation in international waters against the convoy sailing to Gaza.

Ms. Okabe said today that Robert Serry, the Secretary-General's Special Coordinator for the Middle East Process, has been in contact with other representatives of the diplomatic Middle East Quartet – which comprises the UN, the European Union, Russia and the United States – to ensure that the supplies carried by the convoy reach Gaza, as called for by the Council today.

The spokesperson added that, moving forward, Mr. Ban will consult closely with members of the Council regarding an investigation into the incident.

At an emergency Security Council session yesterday, Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs Oscar Fernandez-Taranco said that "bloodshed would have been avoided if repeated calls on Israel to end the counterproductive and unacceptable blockade of Gaza had been heeded."

He spotlighted "the scale of unmet needs of Gaza's civilian population," underlining that "the blockade is unacceptable and counterproductive and must end."

Mr. Fernandez-Taranco noted that yesterday's developments come as indirect talks between Israel and the Palestinians began last month.

The military operation took place "at a time when all efforts should be focused on the need to build trust and advance Israeli-Palestinian negotiations, and nurture regional cooperation in support of peace," he said. "It is vital that the proximity talks continue."
Jun 1 2010 7:10PM
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DR CONGO: UNICEF WARNS A LACK OF FUNDING HINDERS EFFORTS TO ASSIST DISPLACED

DR CONGO: UNICEF WARNS A LACK OF FUNDING HINDERS EFFORTS TO ASSIST DISPLACED
New York, Jun 1 2010 7:10PM
Nearly 1.9 million people in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) – half of them children – continue to live away from their homes after having been displaced by armed conflict, the United Nations Children's Fund (<"http://www.unicef.org/">UNICEF) reported today, adding that a lack of funds was hindering efforts to continue assisting them.

To meet the humanitarian needs of those in need this year, UNICEF has appealed for $133 million, but only $20.5 million has been received to date, Christiane Berthiaume, the agency's spokesperson, told journalists in Geneva.

A UNICEF-led vaccination campaign has reached more than 400,000 people, including 85,000 children under the age of five and nearly 43,000 pregnant women in eastern DRC, where conflict has raged for more than a decade.

But the funding gap has made it difficult for the agency to immunize an additional 80,000 children under the age of one, and more than 16,000 pregnant women, Ms. Berthiaume added.

UNICEF's programmes in the DRC focus on health, education, hygiene, water and immunization.

Armed combatants in DRC have often targeted civilians for attacks, rape and conscription into armed groups, according to UN humanitarian agencies.
Jun 1 2010 7:10PM
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EUROPEAN TRIO AGREE TO ENFORCE JAIL TERMS IMPOSED BY INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT

EUROPEAN TRIO AGREE TO ENFORCE JAIL TERMS IMPOSED BY INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT
New York, Jun 1 2010 6:10PM
Three European countries today signed an agreement with the International Criminal Court (<"http://www.icc-cpi.int/NR/exeres/58DCFCB5-73E5-4A3E-8606-1426473DC289.htm">ICC) to enforce the tribunal judges' sentences of imprisonment, taking the number of countries that are willing to detain people convicted by the ICC to five.

Representatives of Belgium, Denmark and Finland signed the agreement during a ceremony in Kampala, Uganda, where the review conference of the Rome Statute – which set up the ICC – is taking place.

Judge Sang-Hyun, the court's President, said that "having sufficient options in place to ensure the enforcement of judicially ordered sentences is an important element in the overall credibility of the judicial process at the ICC," according to a press release issued by the ICC.

Austria and the United Kingdom have previously entered into similar agreements with the court to enforce sentences.

A permanent court, the ICC is based in The Hague in the Netherlands and tries people accused of the most serious international offences, such as genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity. Currently investigations are ongoing into five situations: Uganda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the Central African Republic (CAR), the Darfur region of Sudan and Kenya.

Four suspects are in the court's custody and another eight suspects are at large, while two trials are under way.
Jun 1 2010 6:10PM
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COUNTRIES DEBATE ISRAELI RAID ON AID FLOTILLA AT UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL

COUNTRIES DEBATE ISRAELI RAID ON AID FLOTILLA AT UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL
New York, Jun 1 2010 6:10PM
The United Nations Human Rights Council is holding an urgent <"http://www.ohchr.org/en/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=10090&LangID=E">debate in Geneva today, taking up the issue of yesterday's Israeli raid on a convoy of ships carrying humanitarian aid and heading for Gaza.

Deputy UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Kyung-wha Kang expressed shock "that humanitarian aid would be met with such violence, and we unequivocally condemn what appears to be a disproportionate use of force."

She again appealed for an end to the blockade of the Gaza Strip, causing the suffering of 1.5 million Palestinians, which she characterized as "an affront to human dignity."

Ms. Kang expressed hope that "the Israeli Government will take the necessary decisive actions to demonstrate to the international community a clear commitment to abide by international law."

Yesterday, the High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay <"http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=10079&LangID=E">emphasized that "nothing can justify the appalling outcome" of the military operation, which killed at least 10 people and injured dozens of others.

She joined Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, the Security Council and others in calling for a probe into the operation, underscoring the need for accountability.

Ms. Pillay called on the Israeli Government to heed the "almost unanimous international view that the continued blockade of Gaza is both inhumane and illegal."

The blockade, she pointed out, "lies at the heart of so many of the problems plaguing the Israel-Palestine situation, as does the impression that the Israeli Government treats international law with perpetual disdain."

Without the blockade, the High Commissioner noted, "there would be no need for flotillas like this."

At today's Human Rights Council debate, which heard from dozens of speakers, Ambassador Aharon Leshno-Yaar of Israel expressed regret over the loss of life in yesterday's incident, stressing the need for support of moderate parties to build on the momentum generated by the recent start of proximity talks between Israelis and Palestinians.

He pointed the finger at a Turkish group called Insani Yardim Vakfi (IHH) for what he said was a pre-meditated act against Israeli forces. The flotilla, he said, was not on a humanitarian mission but was rather seeking to provoke and incite, and convoy passengers had used knives and clubs, shooting two Israeli soldiers.

For his part, Imad Zuhairi, representing Palestine, called for legal action to be taken over the operation, saying that Israel's actions would not help to strengthen the ongoing peace process.

Mr. Zuhairi called for a fact-finding commission to look into the raid and underscored the need for Israel to free all those who have been detained and allow the relief supplies on the convoys to reach Gaza.

Also speaking out against yesterday's events was General Assembly President Ali Treki, who said in a statement issued in New York that he is "deeply shocked over this inhuman and totally unacceptable aggression and use of force against humanitarian personnel from around the world, and which is a flagrant violation of all principles and rules of international law."

Dr. Treki urged an "end to impunity," underlining the importance of an immediate and independent probe into yesterday's events. He also repeated the call by UN officials and others to lift the blockade.

For its part, the UN World Health Organization (<"http://www.who.int/en/">WHO) today again appealed for unimpeded access of life-saving medical supplies into Gaza.

Hundreds of items of equipment – including CT scanners, x-ray machines and laboratory supplies – have been waiting to enter the area for up to a year, said Tony Laurance, who heads the agency's Gaza office.

"It is impossible to maintain a safe and effective health-care system under the conditions of siege that have been in place now since June 2007," he said. "It is not enough to simply ensure supplies like drugs and consumables. Medical equipment and spare parts must be available and be properly maintained."

Mr. Laurance also said the blockade prevents the sending of medical equipment, such as defibrillators, out of Gaza for routine safety inspections.

"Such disruptions and the fragmented supply chain brings and an unpredictability in scheduling live-saving procedures at a time and place when they are need to save lives," he stressed.
Jun 1 2010 6:10PM
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UN PEACEKEEPERS HELP WITH RESCUE EFFORTS AFTER SHIP SINKS OFF LIBERIAN COAST

UN PEACEKEEPERS HELP WITH RESCUE EFFORTS AFTER SHIP SINKS OFF LIBERIAN COAST
New York, Jun 1 2010 5:10PM
United Nations peacekeepers serving in Liberia have joined in search and rescue efforts off the coast of the West African country after a ship sank overnight, with many passengers reported missing.

The UN Mission in Liberia (<"http://unmil.org/">UNMIL) dispatched two helicopters this morning to help search for survivors and debris from the Hevea, which issued a distress signal late last night while south of Harper, a major port close to Liberia's border with Côte d'Ivoire.

UN Police (UNPOL) have also been sent to Harper to help local authorities, which are coordinating rescue and relief efforts on the ground with the assistance of non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

Media reports indicate at least 11 people remain missing after the sinking, while as many as 16 people have been rescued. The boat had been travelling from Monrovia, the capital, to Harper.

Yasmina Bouziane, a spokesperson for UNMIL, told the UN News Centre that the mission responded quickly after authorities issued a request for assistance this morning.

"We do have that quick response capacity here and so we responded most seriously and most quickly… It's really important to be able to assist any individual civilians who are in distress or at risk," she said.
Jun 1 2010 5:10PM
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REBEL RAIDS AGGRAVATE DISPLACEMENT CRISIS FOR CENTRAL AFRICANS – UN

REBEL RAIDS AGGRAVATE DISPLACEMENT CRISIS FOR CENTRAL AFRICANS – UN
New York, Jun 1 2010 5:10PM
Numerous attacks by the insurgents of the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) in south-eastern Central African Republic (CAR) have displaced an estimated 20,000 people who remain in dire need of humanitarian assistance even as insecurity has made it difficult for aid agencies to reach them, the United Nations reported.

The new displacements have driven up the total number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the CAR, a country with a history of armed conflicts, to more than 180,000, UN agencies said in a press release issued at the weekend.

The LRA, an army of marauding armed gangs has terrorized villagers in the CAR, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and southern Sudan in recent years since they were routed in northern Uganda, where they waged a brutal rebellion ostensibly against the Government, but which mainly targeted civilians through murders, abductions and mutilations.

Since the beginning of this year, the LRA has carried out 13 raids in CAR, killing 45 people, abducting 90 others and torching hundreds of homes in the prefectures of Mbomou and Haut-Mbomou. Almost the entire population of the two districts have sought refuge in the towns of Bangassou, M'Boki, Rafai and Zemio. Last month alone, at least 15,000 new IDPs were registered.

"I am extremely worried by the humanitarian consequences of the LRA attacks on the displaced and the host communities in this part of the country," said Bo Schack, UN Humanitarian Coordinator for CAR. "The emergency humanitarian response is very difficult due to heightened insecurity in the area. Most of the affected people depend heavily on humanitarian assistance for their survival," he added.

A UN mission will travel to the affected areas in the coming days to assess the situation and recommend an appropriate humanitarian response. A similar mission was carried out between 10 March and 2 April when food and non-food items were distributed to the IDPs. Five international relief organizations and local non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are currently providing humanitarian assistance.

The Government has deployed an additional 250 soldiers to strengthen army units who are already there to provide security to the local population and to track down LRA fighters with the support of Uganda's armed forces.

"In spite of growing international and national pressure to put an end to LRA violence, we fear that these people will be displaced from their homes for several months… They are traumatized," said Jean-Sébastien Munié, the head of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (<"http://ochaonline.un.org/">OCHA) in the CAR.

"We are collaborating with the Central African Republic authorities so as to bring about a response which is both immediate and adequate for the medium-term," he added. Humanitarian agencies have appealed for $113.6 million to assist those in need in CAR this year.
Jun 1 2010 5:10PM
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WITH IRAQI POLL RESULTS CERTIFIED, UN ENVOY URGES FORMATION OF NEW GOVERNMENT

WITH IRAQI POLL RESULTS CERTIFIED, UN ENVOY URGES FORMATION OF NEW GOVERNMENT
New York, Jun 1 2010 4:10PM
The top United Nations official in Iraq today welcomed the decision by the country's highest court certifying the results of the parliamentary elections held nearly three months ago, and called on leaders to complete the formation of the new government at the earliest.

In a statement issued in Baghdad, Ad Melkert described the announcement by the Federal Supreme Court as a crucial step towards the formation of a government that will shape the country's future for the next four years.

The court upheld the results announced by Iraq's Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC), in which the party headed by Iyad Allawi, a former prime minister, received more votes than the coalition led by Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki in the 325-member Council of Representatives.

At least 12 million people cast their votes in the 7 March polls, in which more than 6,000 candidates took part.

Mr. Melkert, the Secretary-General's Special Representative and head of the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (<"http://www.uniraq.org/">UNAMI), encouraged the country's leaders to "move swiftly and work together to complete the formation of the new government through an inclusive process."

It is vital that the new Council of Representatives convenes as soon as possible as stipulated in Iraq's constitution, he added.

Last week Mr. Melkert told the Security Council that a broad-based coalition government in Iraq is a better alternative for the people of that country who are eager to see a stable administration.

"At this juncture, Iraq would probably be better served by a broadly inclusive government as a radical alternative to exclusion and disenfranchisement that many communities have experienced in the past," he stated.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, in his latest report on UNAMI, noted that, once established, the new government will face a host of challenges, ranging from national reconciliation and the sharing of natural resources to human rights and reconstruction.

"The challenge is to consolidate the gains that have been made in recent years and not allow armed groups and other spoilers to exploit the situation," he wrote in the report, which was released last month.
Jun 1 2010 4:10PM
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UNICEF BRINGS CHILDREN FROM ALL OVER KOSOVO TOGETHER FOR CHILDREN’S DAY

UNICEF BRINGS CHILDREN FROM ALL OVER KOSOVO TOGETHER FOR CHILDREN'S DAY
New York, Jun 1 2010 4:10PM
Hundreds of children from all communities in Kosovo today marked Children's Day in Kosovo this year with arts and sports activities, thanks to the United Nations Children's Fund (<"http://www.unicef.org/">UNICEF) and its partners.

During the Day, children expressed that they share the same aspirations in terms of education, health, friendship and peace, urging adults to keep their best interests in mind.

"Children have a lot to say and they have a right to be heard," <"http://www.unicef.org/kosovo/media.html">said United States actress and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Alyssa Milano, who visited Kosovo for the event.

"It is our responsibility to listen and give them opportunities to interact with their peers from all communities."

More than one decade after North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) forces drove out Yugoslav troops amid bloody ethnic fighting between Serbs and Albanians, ethnic divisions still hamper interaction among communities in Kosovo.

The high level of mistrust among communities was reflected today, when insecurity forced UNICEF to move the celebration outside the northern city of Mitrovicë/Mitrovica, where events were scheduled to be held.

The agency expressed its strong regret that the celebration could not take place in both parts of the city, as planned.

"UNICEF believes that children are powerful agents for change and that each generation is a chance for a new and beginning," it said in a press release.
Jun 1 2010 4:10PM
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UN EXPERT REPORTS ALARMING RATES OF MURDER IN BRAZIL DESPITE EFFORTS TO END VIOLENCE

UN EXPERT REPORTS ALARMING RATES OF MURDER IN BRAZIL DESPITE EFFORTS TO END VIOLENCE
New York, Jun 1 2010 3:10PM
Many Brazilians, especially inhabitants of shanty towns, continue to be subject to murder and other forms of brutal violence by various gangs, militias, death squads and the police, despite efforts by the Government to end the crimes, a United Nations independent human rights expert said today.

"When I visited the country two and a half years ago, I found that the police executed suspected criminals and innocent citizens during poorly planned and counter-productive war-style operations into favelas [shanty towns]," <"http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=10089&LangID=E">said Philip Alston, the UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial executions. "Off-duty police, operating in death squads and militias, also killed civilians, either as 'vigilantes' or for profit.

"Today, the situation on the ground has not changed dramatically. The police continue to commit extrajudicial executions at alarming rates. And they generally get away with them," Mr. Alston said in a follow-up report on the progress Brazil has made in reducing police killings since his previous visit in 2007.

Reviewing federal and state Government actions over the past two years, Mr. Alston's report notes that Brazil's efforts to tackle the problem of extrajudicial killings had resulted in significant improvements in some areas.

"Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo and Pernambuco have investigated militias and death squads and the fact that some police have been arrested is very positive," he said. "In addition, new efforts at community policing in a handful of Rio de Janeiro's favelas are very welcome, as is the federal Government's promise to increased salaries to improve security in anticipation of the World Cup in 2014 and the Olympic Games in 2016.

"But these efforts will require a much greater push if they are to bring the security hoped for within the next four years," the independent expert added.

Mr. Alston, however, pointed out lack of progress in other areas, saying "resistance killings" – police killings which are reported as having occurred in self-defence – continue to be perpetrated.

"There were at least 11,000 so-called resistance killings in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro between 2003 and 2009. The evidence clearly shows that many of these killings were actually executions," Mr. Alston said, adding that such killings are almost never seriously investigated.

He welcomed Rio de Janeiro's experimental approach, which replaces violent short-term police interventions in slums with a long-term police presence and the provision of social services.

"The UPP [Pacifying Police Units] concept is a very welcome step forward because it brings the prospect of real and sustained security," he said. "But there are also increasing reports of harassment of favela residents by the UPPs, and the promised social services have not always been delivered," Mr. Alston said.

"The Government of Brazil deserves much credit for its cooperation and openness to external scrutiny," said the Special Rapporteur. "But much remains to be done if the Government is to achieve its aim of reducing extrajudicial executions by the police," he added.
Jun 1 2010 3:10PM
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UN PREPARES TO ASSIST CENTRAL AMERICANS AFFECTED BY TROPICAL STORM AGATHA

UN PREPARES TO ASSIST CENTRAL AMERICANS AFFECTED BY TROPICAL STORM AGATHA
New York, Jun 1 2010 1:10PM
United Nations agencies are preparing to assist tens of thousands of people in the wake of tropical storm Agatha, which resulted in heavy flooding, landslides and other calamities in parts of Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador.

All three countries have declared emergencies following the storm, which is reported to have caused 92 deaths in Guatemala – which received the largest amount of rainfall registered in over 60 years – and caused over 150,000 people to be evacuated.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (<"http://ochaonline.un.org/">OCHA) said today that rains are continuing, especially in Guatemala, but the tropical storm has been downgraded to a low pressure system and is dissipating gradually.

The UN Development Programme (<"http://www.undp.org/">UNDP) has allocated an initial amount of $50,000 for assessments and for defining an early recovery strategy.

Meanwhile, the World Food Programme (<"http://www.wfp.org/">WFP) is requesting $500,000 to provide initial assistance to some 10,000 people for 15 days. This is in addition to the relief and food items being sent by the Government to the affected areas.

The situation in Guatemala has been made worse by the ashes of the Pacaya volcano, which began erupting last Thursday in the south of the country.

In neighbouring Honduras, 14 deaths have been reported in the wake of the storm. The WFP office in that country has pledged to deliver more than 12,000 pounds of food aid. Ten people have reportedly died in El Salvador, where some 11,000 people were evacuated.

OCHA stands ready to support and has put a UN Disaster Assessment and Coordination (<"http://ochaonline.un.org/OCHAHome/AboutUs/Coordination/UNDACSystem/tabid/5963/language/en-US/Default.aspx">UNDAC) team on standby. It has also provided a list of available emergency relief goods ready to be shipped from the UN warehouse in Brindisi, Italy.
Jun 1 2010 1:10PM
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ISRAEL JOINS UN-MANAGED TRADEMARK SYSTEM

ISRAEL JOINS UN-MANAGED TRADEMARK SYSTEM
New York, Jun 1 2010 12:10PM
Israel today formally joined the United Nations-backed international system which offers trademark owners a cost-effective and easy to access means of protecting and managing their brand names and logos internationally.

Israel becomes the 85th member of the so-called Madrid Protocol for the International Registration of Marks, which is administered by the UN World Intellectual Property Organization (<"http://www.wipo.int/portal/index.html.en">WIPO). The protocol will become operational in Israel on 1 September.

"Israel's membership of the Madrid Protocol offers a valuable option for Israeli enterprises to export and leverage Israeli brands in international markets with significant opportunities for business development," said Francis Gurry, the Director General of WIPO.

Under the Madrid System, a trademark owner may protect a mark in up to 85 countries by filing one application in one of three languages – English, French or Spanish – with one set of fees in Swiss francs.

Applicants wishing to use the Madrid system must apply for trademark protection in a relevant national or regional trademark office before seeking international protection. An international registration under the Madrid system produces the same effects as an application for registration of the mark in each of the contracting parties designated by the applicant.

Trademarks are a key component of any successful business marketing strategy as they allow companies to identify, promote and license their goods or services in the market and to distinguish them from those of their competitors.
Jun 1 2010 12:10PM
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MORE CITIES SIGN UP TO UN INITIATIVE TO REDUCE DISASTER RISK IN URBAN AREAS

MORE CITIES SIGN UP TO UN INITIATIVE TO REDUCE DISASTER RISK IN URBAN AREAS
New York, Jun 1 2010 11:10AM
Four more cities from across the globe today joined a new United Nations initiative designed to improve the capacity of urban areas to protect themselves and their inhabitants from the consequences of natural disasters.

The Swiss city of Davos, Haiti's capital, Port-au-Prince, Santa Tecla in El Salvador and Baofeng in China became the latest to join the UN International Strategy for Disaster Reduction's (<"http://www.unisdr.org/">UNISDR) campaign dubbed <"http://www.unisdr.org/english/campaigns/campaign2010-2011/">Making Cities Resilient: My City is Getting Ready.

The campaign aims to guide the process of putting in place much-needed disaster reduction plans in cities and towns around the world and the signing up of the four cities is an indication that local governments are keen to make efforts to reduce risk in the event of natural disasters, according to UNISDR.

On Sunday, leaders from eight cities – Bonn, Germany; Mexico City, Mexico; Saint-Louis, Senegal; Larreynaga-Malpaisillo, Nicaragua; Karlstad, Sweden, North Little Rock, United States; Durban, South Africa and Albay, Philippines – took part in the official launch of the UNISDR campaign at the First World Congress on Cities and Adaptation to Climate Change in Bonn.

"We understand that there is an urgent need to come together in a campaign that will help us to better share ways to reduce urban risk, and therefore save lifes," <"http://www.unisdr.org/news/v.php?id=14077">said Marcelo Ebrard, the mayor of Mexico City and chair of the World's Mayors Council on Climate Change.

The campaign is targeting more than 1,000 local government leaders worldwide to commit to sustainable development practices that increase their cities' resilience to disasters.

The desired practices include improving urban planning, infrastructure and building safety; reinforcing drainage systems to reduce floods, storm and health threats; installing early warning systems; conducting public preparedness drills; and taking measures to adapt to the increasing impact of climate change.

"Poverty and vulnerability are not a fatality; people are not irreversibly condemned. Our predecessors fought to leave us with a heritage and it is our responsibility to preserve and promote it for the next generation," said Cheikh Mamadou Abiboulaye Dieye, the mayor of Saint Louis.

Enrique Gomez Toruño, the mayor of Larreynaga-Malpaisillo, said: "It is fundamental that we as local leaders are conscious about the risks. We learned a lot during the recent influenza epidemics and before that from Hurricane Mitch, floods and landslides. We learned we have to invest more time, more capacities to reduce our risks."

Mayors and local leaders from a number of Asian cities, including New Delhi, Mumbai, Colombo and Kathmandu, are also expected to sign up to the UNISDR campaign at a launch event on 8 June in New Delhi, sponsored by the Indian Ministry of Urban Development, the National Institute of Disaster Management and the SAARC Disaster Management Centre in New Delhi.

"We are very encouraged by the positive response to the new campaign and the number of cities that are already engaged worldwide," said Margareta Wahlström, the Secretary-General's Special Representative for Disaster Risk Reduction. "A resilient city and its citizens can benefit greatly from the opportunities presented by urban risk reduction actions," she added.

UNISDR is the overall coordinator of the 2010-2011 World Disaster Reduction Campaign. UN agencies, including the UN Human Settlements Programme (<"http://www.unhabitat.org/">UN-HABITAT), the UN World Health Organizations (<"http://www.who.int/en/">WHO) and the UN Children's Fund (<"http://www.unicef.org/">UNICEF) are key partners, along with city associations and organizations.

Jun 1 2010 11:10AM
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SECURITY COUNCIL CONDEMNS DEADLY RAID ON GAZA AID SHIPS

SECURITY COUNCIL CONDEMNS DEADLY RAID ON GAZA AID SHIPS
New York, Jun 1 2010 10:10AM
The Security Council today condemned Monday's deadly Israeli military interception of a convoy of aid ships bound for Gaza, calling for a "prompt, impartial, credible and transparent investigation."

At least ten people were killed when Israeli forces took control of a six-ship flotilla yesterday morning in international waters, according to press reports. The convoy was said to have been carrying educational, medical and construction materials, as well as hundreds of activists from different countries.

In the run-up to yesterday's incident, which was also condemned by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and other United Nations officials, Israel has stated it would not let the vessels reach Gaza. The UN urged last week "that all involved act with a sense of care and responsibility and work for a satisfactory resolution."

In a presidential <"http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2010/sc9940.doc.htm">statement issued early this morning, the Council said that it "deeply regrets the loss of life and injuries resulting from the use of force during the Israeli military operation in international waters against the convoy sailing to Gaza."

The 15-member body called on Israel to immediately release the ships and civilians sailing on them, allow the countries involved to retrieve their deceased and wounded, and ensure the delivery of the humanitarian aid to Gaza.

The Council stressed that "the situation in Gaza is not sustainable," again voicing its "grave concern" over the humanitarian situation in the area and emphasizing the need for the regular movement of goods and people.

The UN has repeatedly spoken out against the closure of Gaza and raised concern over the insufficient flow of material into the area to meet basic needs and spur reconstruction. Mr. Ban cautioned in a recent meeting that the closure "creates unacceptable suffering, hurts forces of moderation and empowers extremists."

The Council today underscored that the only solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is "an agreement negotiated between the parties," reiterating that "only a two-State solution, with an independent and viable Palestinian State living side-by-side in peace and security with Israel and is other neighbours, could bring peace to the region."

Voicing support for the proximity talks that started between the two sides last month, the Council urged the parties to act with restraint and avoid unilateral and provocative moves.

The UN Human Rights Council is holding a special meeting in Geneva on yesterday's incident.
Jun 1 2010 10:10AM
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UN AGENCY SEEKS $18 MILLION TO ASSIST AFGHAN REFUGEES IN IRAN

UN AGENCY SEEKS $18 MILLION TO ASSIST AFGHAN REFUGEES IN IRAN
New York, Jun 1 2010 9:10AM
The United Nations refugee agency is seeking $18 million to meet an anticipated shortfall in funding for its operation in Iran, which is hosting more than one million Afghans who fled their homeland.

To date, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (<"http://www.unhcr.org/cgi-bin/texis/vtx/home">UNHCR) has received only around one fifth of the $36.8 million it has sought for its programmes for Afghan refugees, which are carried out in partnership with the Iranian Government.

"Iran, which is facing its own economic difficulties amid the global downturn, has hosted two generations of Afghan refugees but has received little international support," UNHCR spokesperson Andrej Mahecic <"http://www.unhcr.org/4c04dc826.html">told reporters in Geneva.

Since 2002, UNHCR has helped more than 860,000 refugees repatriate to Afghanistan. In addition, a million Afghans have returned home spontaneously since that time.

The agency noted that voluntary repatriation of Afghans from Iran has slowed considerably in recent years owing to poor security and economic conditions in Afghanistan, with only 6,000 people returning in 2009 and 3,600 in 2008.

The vast majority – 97 per cent – of the more than one million registered Afghans remaining in Iran live in urban or semi-urban settings, putting a strain on health, education and other local infrastructure.

Mr. Mahecic said that in light of the slowdown in returns, UNHCR has expanded its programme in Iran to better support services pending repatriation. Increased funding is crucial for this effort.

"At present we have funds to implement only 22 per cent of identified needs across education, health, and livelihood support, as well as boosting water systems, latrines and other infrastructure in refugee settlements and in urban settings with high refugee concentrations.

"The figure of $18 million that we're requesting is to meet the anticipated gap in funding," he noted.

While many refugees in Iran are already feeling the effects of rising inflation, UNHCR believes this will only worsen when the Government's new five-year national economic policy – which will see the removal of subsidies for electricity, water and basic commodities like food – takes effect.

Under the new policy, expected to begin this year, the Government will provide a safety net of cash grants for Iranians. However, this will not be extended to refugees.
Jun 1 2010 9:10AM
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