Thaimindlove

Minister of the Environment and International Development Erik Solheim has pledged 20 NOK million in emergency relief to Indonesia and the Philippines. These densely populated countries have been struck by two major natural disasters in the space of a few days’ time.

“Both Indonesia and the Philippines are requesting assistance after experiencing violent earthquakes and severe flooding. Norway is therefore allocating NOK 20 million to efforts to alleviate the effects of these devastating natural disasters,” said Minister of the Environment and International Development Erik Solheim
Mr Solheim phoned Indonesian Vice President Jusuf Kalla on Thursday to express his condolences following the earthquake in Padang.

“What is happening now in Indonesia and the Philippines is heartbreaking. Children have lost their parents. Parents and grandparents have lost their children,” said Mr Solheim.
The Norwegian assistance will go to the UN, the Red Cross and NGOs that are present in the two countries. The funds will be used to strengthen the local relief effort.
The UN is already working together with the Indonesian and Philippine authorities to identify the needs of those affected.

Norway has also contributed NOK 300 million to the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), which is used to assist countries affected by acute disasters such as these. The Red Cross Disaster Relief Emergency Fund has also received Norwegian funds.

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Norway gives NOK 4 million to UN envoy on violence against children

The Norwegian Government has decided to allocate NOK 4 million over a three-year period to support the work of the UN Special Representative on Violence Against Children. Norway has been actively involved in moving violence against children higher up on the agenda in the UN. This is why the Government considers it important to make sure that the Special Representative is able to start her work, reports the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, all children have the right to a life free of violence. The UN Study on Violence against Children, which was presented at the General Assembly in October 2006, revealed widespread violence against children at home, at school, in the community, in care and other institutions, and in work settings. The General Assembly therefore asked the Secretary-General to appoint a Special Representative on violence against children.

The Portugese human rights expert Marta Santos Pais has been appointed as Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s Special Representative on violence against children. She has been working in the human rights field for 25 years, most recently as Executive Director of UNICEF Innocenti Research Centre. She will report directly to the Secretary-General. Her office will receive administrative support from UNICEF and will be funded by voluntary contributions.

The Special Representative is to encourage member states, civil society and children and young people throughout the world to become involved in efforts to prevent and eliminate violence against children. She will seek to combat violence in the home, in schools, in care institutions and in the workplace. The protection of children and young people who have fallen foul of the law is also part of her mandate.

Ms Marta Santos Pais has been appointed for a initial period of three years.

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Norway's participation in the UN Human Rights Council

Norway’s Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva, Bente Angell-Hansen, delivered Norway’s opening statement as a member of the UN Human Rights Council on Sept. 15.
In her statement Angell-Hansen set the tone of Norway’s policy by highlighting the issues of protection of human rights defenders, freedom of expression and the empowerment of women.

The Human Rights Council opened its 12th session this week. This is Norway’s first session as a member of the Council. Norway was elected as a member in May this year together with a number of other countries including the US and Belgium.
In its statement Norway argued in favour of establishing an initiative to strengthen efforts to eliminate discriminatory legislation. The proposal will be presented later in the session. Angell-Hansen requested that the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights prioritise work on this issue.

During this session Norway is due to make statements on freedom of expression and the death penalty, children’s rights, the rights of indigenous peoples and gender equality. Norway will also address the human rights situation in a number of countries.
The Human Rights Council session will be concluded on Oct. 2. Belgium has been elected to the presidency of the Human Rights Council and will head the work of the Council for the coming year.

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Mona Juul: End rape as weapon of war

“Rape as a tactic of war victimises not only individuals and their families, but entire communities. It aggravates conflicts, undermines peace and jeopardises reconciliation.” That was the message from Norway’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Mona Juul, at a policy forum in New York on how to combat sexual violence in conflict.

A women's shelter for victims of sexual abuse in Goma in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Photo: UN Photo/Marie Frechon
The policy forum was organised by Norway’s Permanent Mission to the UN in collaboration with the International Peace Institute (IPI) and UN Action Against Sexual Violence in Conflict. The debate drew close to a hundred people, including UN delegates and officials, as well as representatives of non-governmental organisations.

The main speakers were Isumi Nakamitsu of UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations and Ian Martin of UN Department of Political Affairs.
In her introductory remarks, Ambassador Juul noted that the gradual recognition of rape as a weapon of war resulted in Security Council resolution 1820 last year. That resolution recognises conflict related sexual violence as a threat to international peace and security and condemns its use as a tactic of warfare.
The Security Council is currently negotiating a follow up to resolution 1820, to be adopted later this month.
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Norway provides emergency relief to famine victims in Africa

The Horn of Africa has again been hit by famine and drought. Norway has allocated NOK 50 million in emergency relief to the people living in the region, reported the Norwegian Government today.
The allocation will be channelled through the UN, the Red Cross and other NGOs, and will be used to meet immediate needs.

Norway’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jonas Gahr Støre, commented: “It is vital to focus more closely on political solutions for this region. Horn of Africa receives 40% of all international food aid. We must intensify efforts to increase food security in this densely populated part of the world.”
A delegation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, led by Director General Geir O. Pedersen, has assessed the humanitarian needs in the region.

Minister of the Environment and International Development Erik Solheim pointed out that emergency relief alone is not enough. “Kenya used to be able to sell food to its neighbours. Now these countries are dependent on food aid. This is a result of factors such as conflict, climate change and inefficient agricultural methods.”
Norway is one of the largest donors to the Horn of Africa, particularly in terms of emergency relief. This year we are providing aid amounting to NOK 200 million to Kenya, Somalia, Eritrea and Ethiopia. In addition, Norway is the world’s fourth largest contributor to the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), which is also providing funding for the region.

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from norway.com

edit @ 4 Oct 2009 01:13:15 by thaimindgirl