Refugee Survey Quarterly
Volume 34 Issue 2 June 2015
http://rsq.oxfordjournals.org/content/current
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Articles
“Rather Than Talking in Tamil, They Should Be Talking to Tamils”: Sri Lankan Tamil Refugee Readiness for Repatriation
Miriam George, Wendy Kliewer, and Sebastan Irudaya Rajan
Refugee Survey Quarterly (2015) 34 (2): 1-22 doi:10.1093/rsq/hdv004
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From Ad Hoc to Universal: The International Refugee Regime from Fragmentation to Unity 1922–1954
Gilad Ben-Nun
Refugee Survey Quarterly (2015) 34 (2): 23-44 doi:10.1093/rsq/hdv005
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Refugees’ Conceptualizations of “Protection Space”: Geographical Scales of Urban Protection and Host–Refugee Relations
Eveliina Lyytinen
Refugee Survey Quarterly (2015) 34 (2): 45-77 doi:10.1093/rsq/hdv001
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Getting Refugees to Work: A Street-level Perspective of Refugee Resettlement Policy
Jessica H. Darrow
Refugee Survey Quarterly (2015) 34 (2): 78-106 doi:10.1093/rsq/hdv002

Science
29 May 2015 vol 348, issue 6238, pages 941-1052
http://www.sciencemag.org/current.dtl

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Feature
Is measles next?
Leslie Roberts
Before the polio virus is even in the grave, a small cadre of disease fighters is itching to set the next global eradication target: measles. The case is compelling. Measles killed 145,000 children last year in poor countries and left many more blind, deaf, or disabled. A cheap and effective vaccine has long been on the shelves; numerous expert panels have deemed measles eradication feasible, although daunting—it is the most contagious virus on Earth. But the biggest obstacle to measles eradication is polio, which hasn’t disappeared as it was supposed to do in 2000. Skeptics question whether a measles initiative would fall down the same rabbit hole as did the polio effort, which has spent billions of dollars and nearly 3 decades chasing the last few cases, only to see them disappear around the corner. Maybe it is time, they say, to settle for keeping measles cases really low but not trying to get to zero…

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Feature
In Vietnam, an anatomy of a measles outbreak
Leslie Roberts
Routine immunization is one of the great public health success stories in Vietnam, where rates of vaccine-preventable diseases have plummeted. But the measles outbreak last year was another story, with 60,000 reported cases and nearly 150 deaths in children under age 2. Experts trace the epidemic to the public’s loss of faith in the government-led vaccination program, following reports of adverse events associated in time with another vaccine. Many parents stopped vaccinating their children, leaving them susceptible to measles. When the virus swept in from the north and hit Hanoi, it exploded. Panicked parents rushed their children to the hospital, which was quickly overburdened. With poor infection control, the hospital became a hub of measles transmission, and children who weren’t already infected caught the virus there.

The Sentinel

Human Rights Action :: Humanitarian Response :: Health ::
Holistic Development :: Sustainable Resilience
__________________________________________________
Week ending 23 May 2015

This weekly digest is intended to aggregate and distill key content from a broad spectrum of practice domains and organization types including key agencies/IGOs, NGOs, governments, academic and research institutions, consortia and collaborations, foundations, and commercial organizations. We also monitor a spectrum of peer-reviewed journals and general media channels. The Sentinel’s geographic scope is global/regional but selected country-level content is included. We recognize that this spectrum/scope yields an indicative and not an exhaustive product. Comments and suggestions should be directed to:

David R. Curry
Editor &
Founding Managing Director
GE2P2 – Center for Governance, Evidence, Ethics, Policy, Practice
david.r.curry@ge2p2center.net

pdf verion: The Sentinel_ week ending 23 May 2015

blog edition: comprised of the 35+ entries to be posted below on 24-25 May 2015

Migration  [to 23 May 2015]

UNHCR Statement on Southeast Asia Sea Movements
Press Releases, 20 May 2015
UNHCR welcomes the commitment announced today by the Foreign Ministers of Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand to resolve the issue of the thousands of refugees and migrants stranded in boats in the Bay of Bengal and off the coast of Southeast Asia. This is an important initial step in the search for solutions to this issue, and vital for the purpose of saving lives.

It is now urgent for people to be brought ashore without delay, and that immediate first aid and other care is provided for all who are in need. We look forward to seeing this happen without delay.

UNHCR agrees with the Ministers that further action will be needed. This includes addressing root causes. It will need to take into account looking properly at the needs of those in need of international protection. As with other regions of the world where we are seeing large movements of people by sea, countries in the region will need to work together for this to be addressed meaningfully and successfully.

UNHCR itself is ready to work with countries in the region to find solutions to the plight of these people. These ultimately may include returning people to their home countries voluntarily and once conditions allow.

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Joint Statement on Andaman Sea: IOM, UNHCR, OHCHR, UN SRSG Migration & Development
Search and rescue at sea, disembarkation, and protection of the human rights of refugees and migrants now imperative to save lives in the Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea
05/19/15

We strongly urge the leaders of Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand to protect migrants and refugees stranded on vessels in the Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea, to facilitate safe disembarkation, and to give priority to saving lives, protecting rights, and respecting human dignity.

Grave events in the Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea in recent days involving migrants and refugees – Rohingya and others – from Bangladesh and Myanmar confirm that vulnerable people around the world are moving in search of safety and dignity, fleeing persecution, abject poverty, deprivation, discrimination, and abuse. Such perilous journeys, whether by land, sea, or air, have become a global phenomenon.

In Southeast Asia, more than 88,000 people have made the dangerous voyage by sea since 2014, including 25,000 who arrived in the first quarter of this year alone. Nearly 1,000 are believed to have perished at sea due to the precarious conditions of the voyage, and an equal number because of mistreatment and privation at the hands of traffickers and abusive smugglers. In the Bay of Bengal, migrants and refugees are fed only white rice and are subjected to violence, including sexual violence. Women are raped. Children are separated from their families and abused. Men are beaten and thrown overboard.

We are deeply concerned at reports that boats full of vulnerable women, men and children are unable to land and are stranded at sea without access to urgently needed food, water, and medical assistance. We urge States in the region to protect the lives of all aboard by allowing the passengers on these overcrowded boats to disembark safely.

We urgently call on leaders, with the support of ASEAN, to:
:: Make saving lives the top priority by inter alia significantly strengthening Search and Rescue (SAR) Operations.
:: Stop boat push-backs and measures to ‘help on’ boats to leave territorial waters, while ensuring that all measures taken are in strict accordance with the principle of non-refoulement and other fundamental human rights standards.
:: Provide for effective, predictable disembarkation to a place of safety with adequate and humane reception conditions.
:: Avoid the use of immigration detention and other punitive measures, and ensure that the human rights of all migrants and refugees are protected, and that all actions in regard to children are guided by the best interests of the child.
:: Set in place screening procedures staffed jointly by government and relevant international organization personnel to identify the individual circumstances of all those arriving, including a) individuals in need of protection as refugees, asylum-seekers, or stateless persons, b) victims of trafficking or persons at risk of torture or other cruel, inhumane, or degrading treatment if returned to their country of origin, c) migrants with health conditions in need of emergency medical care and first aid assistance, and d) migrants or others interested in voluntary return home.
:: Expand avenues for safe and legal migration, including for labour migration at all skills levels.
Expand efforts to prosecute traffickers and smugglers for their crimes in full accordance with international standards for human rights, while fully respecting the rights of victims.
:: Redouble efforts, nationally and through strengthened international cooperation, to address ‘push factors’ and the root causes of refugee and migrants flows, including discrimination, deprivation, persecution, and violations of human rights.
:: Put in place dedicated measures to combat xenophobia and discrimination against any group on the basis of race, sex, language, religion, ethnicity, nationality and national origin, or other status.
António Guterres, UN High Commissioner for Refugees; Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights; William L. Swing, Director-General of the International Organization for Migration; and Peter Sutherland, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for International Migration and Development.

Gaza Economy on the Verge of Collapse, Youth Unemployment Highest in the Region at 60 Percent
JERUSALEM, May 21, 2015 – Blockades, war and poor governance have strangled Gaza’s economy and the unemployment rate is now the highest in the world according to the latest World Bank economic update. The report will be presented to the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee (AHLC), a forum of donors to the Palestinian Authority, at the bi-annual meeting in Brussels on May 27, 2015.The report estimates that Gaza’s GDP would have been about four times higher than it currently is if it weren’t for the conflicts and the multiple restrictions. It also states that the blockade in place since 2007 has shaved around 50 percent off Gaza’s GDP. Unemployment in Gaza is the highest in the world at 43 percent. Even more alarming is the situation of youth unemployment which soared to more than 60 percent by the end of 2014…
Date: May 21, 2015

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Economic monitoring report to the ad hoc liaison committee
Working Paper – 96601 (English)
2015/05/27
Official PDF, 40 pages 1.66 mb
Abstract
This report covers two distinct subjects. Chapter I of the report, as has been the norm with the World Bank Ad Hoc Liaison Committee report, focuses on the assessment of recent macroeconomic and fiscal developments and government policies in West Bank and Gaza. Chapter II presents an analysis of Gaza’s stark economic decline over the past 20 years and its human impact. It also presents a mix of policies that should ensure sustainable development of the Gaza strip and put an end to human suffering therein. The report also contains an annex which provides an overview of progress in meeting the pledges made for Gaza’s reconstruction at the October 2014 Cairo Conference. Although the connection between the chapters of this report may not be obvious as they treat a diverse set of issues facing the Palestinian economy and public finances, together they provide insights into key policy and institutional development actions and reforms, which need to be taken by the Palestinian Authority, the Government of Israel, and the donor community to reverse the recent and worrisome slowdown in economic growth, to enable effective and efficient management of public finances in order to avoid a dangerous fiscal crisis and to support inclusive economic growth and poverty reduction.

Statement by UNODC Executive Director Yury Fedotov: The killing of women and girls shames every society
Vienna, 19 May 2015 – United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime
The following is a statement by Yury Fedotov, UNODC Executive Director:

Women and girls continue to be killed in large numbers around the world. Based on estimates from UNODC at least 43,000 women were murdered by their intimate partners or family members in 2012.

These murders, however, are only the most visible and brutal sign of what is happening to millions of women. Hidden from our view are the dreadful daily experiences of violence, including terrible sexual violence, that blights the lives of women and girls. Such experiences occur in the countryside and in cities alike; as well as in schools, work places and especially the home.

We must also acknowledge that, just as no society is immune from these violent acts, we are all part of the solution. No woman or young girl must be allowed to feel isolated or in danger. This means promoting inclusive societies that not only provide women with much needed security, but also offers them opportunity, equality and prosperity.

UNODC is working to unravel the gender bias that has been woven into many legislations and criminal justice systems and which perpetuates impunity for these violent acts. Our work encourages all those in the criminal justice system to respect and protect women and girls and to view domestic violence as a serious crime.

Violence against women and girls, in all its many forms, shames us all. To end this serious crime, we must all work in a spirit of partnership and cooperation to change laws, change perceptions and change behaviours. If not, we will continue to see this violent crime undermine our efforts to build better, more inclusive societies.

“Mandela Rules” passed, standards on the treatment of prisoners enhanced for the 21st century
Passage of landmark resolution at the Vienna Crime Commission revises the 1955 standard minimum rules for treatment of prisoners, ensuring they remain the universally acknowledged benchmark for prison administrations worldwide
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Vienna, 22 May 2015 United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime
Following agreement on UN rules for the treatment of prisoners, the head of UNODC, Yury Fedotov, praised Member States’ efforts and said the resolution heralded a new era for the improvement of prisoners’ treatment everywhere.

“I offer my warmest congratulations to Member States for their constructive spirit and commitment in passing the resolution on the UN standard minimum rules. Thanks to your work, the world now has an updated blueprint offering practical guidance on how prisons should be managed safely, securely and humanely,” the UNODC’s Executive Director said.

Countries are encouraged to reflect the “Mandela Rules” in their national legislation so that prison administrators can apply them in their daily work.

At their core, the rules stress the overriding principle that all prisoners shall be treated with respect due to their inherent dignity and value as human beings. “Most importantly”, Mr. Fedotov went on, “the rules stress that prisoners will be protected from torture and other cruel or inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. This means the rules probably represent one of the most significant human rights advances in recent years.”

The revision focussed on nine thematic areas, including health care in prisons, investigations of deaths in custody, disciplinary measures including strict limitations on the use of solitary confinement, professionalization of prison staff and independent inspections, among other topics.

Mr. Fedotov was speaking on the margins of the 24th Session of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, which is held in Vienna every year. His comments came as the Crime Commission drew to a close, and endorsed the revision of the rules for subsequent adoption by the General Assembly.

The UN Standard Minimum Rules on the Treatment of Prisoners are to be named the “Mandela Rules” to honour the legacy of the late President of South Africa. These rules are an essential update of the original rules adopted at the very first Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice in Geneva in 1955.

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Use and application of United Nations standards and norms in crime prevention and criminal justice
UN Economic and Social Council
Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice
Twenty-fourth session Vienna, 18-22 May 2015
Agenda item 6 Distr.: Limited
21 May 2015 :: 36 pages
E/CN.15/2015/L.6/Rev.1

UN experts call for the universal ratification and implementation of the Optional Protocols to the Convention on the Rights of the Child
22 May 2015
Joint statement on the occasion of the 15th anniversary of the adoption of the Optional Protocols to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography and on the involvement of children in armed conflict

New York/Geneva, 22 May 2015 – On Monday, 25th May, the world celebrates the 15th anniversary of the adoption of the Optional Protocols to the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography (OPSC) and on the involvement of children in armed conflict (OPAC).

UN children’s rights experts welcome the steady progress made since May 2010 when the UN Secretary-General launched the Global Campaign for the universal ratification and implementation of the Optional Protocols to the CRC. Thanks to significant efforts made across regions over the past five years, the OPSC is now in force in 169 countries, while the OPAC has been ratified by 159 states.

“As we near the goal of universal ratification and as discussions on the post-2015 global development agenda are intensifying, the protection of children from all forms of violence in all contexts, can truly become a priority for all!” said the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General on Violence against Children, Marta Santos Pais.

“Ratification is a crucial step to promote the adoption and effective implementation of laws and policies to realize all children’s rights. But the implementation of the Optional Protocols requires much more than that – continuous efforts and commitments of governments are needed”, Benyam Dawit Mezmur, Chairperson of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child highlighted.

The Protocol on the sale children, child prostitution and child pornography provides detailed guidance to support States in the implementation of their obligations to prohibit, criminalize, prevent, and ensure accountability for offences of sexual violence and exploitation. Furthermore, States must provide access to child-sensitive justice, as well as recovery, reintegration and compensation for child victims of sexual exploitation and sale for the purposes of forced labour or illegal adoption, among others.

“These abhorrent crimes of the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography call for a strong legal framework in all Member States criminalising these offences and putting in place a robust child protection system in order to eradicate them “, stressed Maud de Boer-Buquicchio, UN Special Rapporteur on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography.

The Optional Protocol on the involvement of children in armed conflict prohibits children from taking part in hostilities, encourages all States to set their minimum age of conscription at eighteen years, and raises awareness of States’ obligation to criminalize the recruitment and use of girls and boys. It also prohibits the recruitment under the age of 18 by armed groups, who are the main recruiters of children.

“Fifteen years ago, with the adoption of the OPAC, governments agreed that children do not belong in national security forces. However, recruitment and use of children remains of concern and much more remains to be done to protect children growing up in countries affected by conflict”, emphasized Leila Zerrougui, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict. In line with the campaign “Children Not Soldiers” that aims to end the recruitment and use of children by government armed forces by 2016, the Special Representative calls on all member states to fulfil the promise made to children by making sure that national legal frameworks are aligned with international standards and by ensuring accountability for those who violate children’s rights.

With the solid normative foundation provided by the Convention on the Rights of the Child and its Optional Protocols, guidance by the Committee on the Rights of the Child, and the lessons learned from the past years of implementation, the occasion of the anniversary of the Optional Protocols offers real momentum to safeguard all children’s rights the world over.

Protecting children from violence, including sexual exploitation and abuse, in all settings and contexts, including in situations of armed conflict, is a strong moral and legal imperative Member States are required to respect and uphold. Furthermore, sustainable development and durable peace will only be achieved in a world in which children can grow up and develop to their fullest potential in an environment free from violence, fear and discrimination. For this reason, we call upon all countries who have not done so to ratify and effectively implement the two first Optional Protocols to the Convention on the Rights of the Child as a matter of urgent priority, and to consider ratifying the third Optional Protocol on a communications procedure to ensure access to justice for children whose rights have been violated.

:: Office of the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General on Violence against Children  http://srsg.violenceagainstchildren.org
:: Office of the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict https://childrenandarmedconflict.un.org/
:: Committee on the Rights of the Child http://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/CRC/Pages/CRCIndex.aspx
:: Special Rapporteur on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/Children/Pages/ChildrenIndex.aspx

Progress Toward Sustainable Energy: Global Tracking Framework 2015
2015 SUMMARY REPORT
World Bank
May 2015
Key findings :: 8 pages
Summary report :: 80 pages
Full report (coming soon/pdf)

Overview
Sustainable Energy for All (SE4All) is a global initiative co-chaired by the secretary-general of the United Nations and the president of the World Bank. It draws the world’s attention to three key development objectives for the energy sector by 2030 — ensuring universal access to electricity and modern cooking solutions, doubling the rate of improvement of energy efficiency, and doubling the share of renewable energy (RE) in the global energy mix. These objectives have been endorsed by the UN General Assembly, which in 2011 declared 2012 the Year of Sustainable Energy for All and in 2012 made 2014–24 the Decade of Sustainable Energy for All…

…The report explores complementary themes. It provides further analysis of the investment volumes and geographic and technological distributions needed to meet the SE4All objectives. It explores the extent to which countries around the world have access to the technology and knowledge to progress toward those objectives. And it identifies the improvements in data collection methodologies and capacity building that will be needed to provide a more nuanced and accurate picture of progress over time.

The report also introduces and explores “nexus” concepts focusing on the links between energy and four priority areas of development: water, food, human health, and gender. Links between most of these areas and energy are well established but often presented in isolation from each other. The analysis considers the existing data and indicators as well as the related gaps that might be filled for tracking aspects of SE4All’s work related to these …nexus issues.

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Press Release
New Report Finds World Progressing on Sustainable Energy Goals But Still Far From Finish Line
NEW YORK, May 18, 2015—The world is heading in the right direction to achieve universal access to sustainable energy by 2030 but must move faster, says a new report that tracks the progress of the Sustainable Energy for All (SE4All) initiative. The report – Progress Toward Sustainable Energy: Global Tracking Framework 2015” – finds that 1.1 billion people in the world still live without electricity and almost 3 billion still cook using polluting fuels like kerosene, wood, charcoal and dung. And, while picking up steam, renewable energy generation and energy efficiency improvements will need to accelerate dramatically, it says. The report is the second in a series that tracks the world’s progress toward SE4All’s three goals of universal energy access, doubling the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency, and doubling the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix – all to be met by 2030.
Date: May 18, 2015

Secretary-General Appoints High-Level Panel on Humanitarian Financing
21 May 2015
SG/SM/16772-SG/A/1570-IHA/1369
Secretary-General

Press Release: The following announcement was made today by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki moon:
One of the most important challenges facing the humanitarian system today is the growing gap between the increasing numbers of people in need of assistance and sufficient resources to provide relief.

Over the last decade, the demand for humanitarian aid has risen dramatically. The number of people in need has more than doubled since 2004 to over 100 million today, and current humanitarian funding requirements for 2015 stand at $19.1 billion, up from $3.4 billion in 2004.

This is the result of a number of factors, including protracted conflicts which are forcing record numbers of people from their homes, water scarcity, food insecurity, demographic shifts, rapid urbanization and climate change. All these and other dynamics are contributing to a situation in which current resources and funding flows are insufficient to meet the rising demand for aid. In addition, humanitarian actors are expected to stay longer and longer in countries and regions impacted by long-running crises and conflicts.

These are some of the most pressing reasons which led me to establish a High-Level Panel on Humanitarian Financing.

I have appointed Kristalina Georgieva and Sultan Nazrin Shah as co-chairs of the Panel. This initiative will bring together distinguished individuals with a wide range of experience and expertise, including Hadeel Ibrahim, Badr Jafar, Trevor Manuel, Linah Mohohlo, Walt Macnee, Margot Wallström and Dhananjayan Sriskandarajah.

The Panel will examine humanitarian financing challenges and will identify ways in which the gap between rising needs and the resources available to meet them can be closed. It will also work on generating solutions around the issues of more timely and predictable funding, as well as ways in which resources can be used more effectively.

The Panel is expected to submit its recommendations to me in November 2015 and these recommendations will help frame the discussion at the World Humanitarian Summit in May 2016.

Panel Members
Kristalina Georgieva (Bulgaria) is Vice-President of the European Commission responsible for Budget and Human Resources. Prior to her appointment in November 2014, she was the European Union Commissioner for International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response (2010 2014). During her term in office, she oversaw the delivery of life saving assistance to nearly 500 million children, women and men affected by conflicts and natural disasters around the world. From 1993 to 2010, she served in a number of positions in the World Bank Group; in her last position, as the World Bank’s Vice-President and Corporate Secretary, she played a key role in the Bank’s governance reform and accompanying capital increase in the wake of the 2008 international financial crisis.

Sultan Nazrin Shah of Perak (Malaysia) is the eldest son of the late Sultan of Perak. He has assumed the role of Financial Ambassador of the Malaysian International Islamic Financial Centre, has been Pro-Chancellor of Universiti Malaya since 1989 and is the Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Malay College Kuala Kangsar. He is also an Eminent Fellow at the Institute of Strategic and International Studies in Malaysia. He has written articles and spoken on a wide range of issues, including constitutional monarchy in Malaysia, education, Islam, ethnic relations and economic development.

Hadeel Ibrahim (United Kingdom) is Executive Director of Mo Ibrahim Foundation. Established in 2006, the Foundation, which is a non-grant-making organization, focuses on defining, assessing and enhancing governance and leadership in Africa. She is also co-Chair of the Board of Directors of the Africa Center in New York, whose mission is to promote partnership, collaboration, dialogue and understanding between African artists, business leaders and civil society and their counterparts in the United States and beyond.

Badr Jafar (United Arab Emirates) is Chief Executive of the United Arab Emirates’ Crescent Group, operating globally across six industry verticals, including natural gas, ports and logistics and health care. He is actively involved with and sits on the boards of various international non-profit organizations, spearheading programmes in support of social development, secondary education and the arts, and is a prominent advocate of social entrepreneurship. In 2010, he launched the Pearl Initiative in cooperation with United Nations agencies to promote a corporate culture of transparency and accountability within the Middle East.

Trevor Manuel (South Africa) is a senior adviser to the financial advisory firm Rothschild. He served in the Government of South Africa as Cabinet Minister for 20 years. He was Minister of Trade and Industry from 1994 to 1996 and Minister of Finance from 1996 to 2009. From 2009 to 2014, he served as Minister in the Presidency for the National Planning Commission. During his tenure, South Africa reported a budget surplus in 2007 and he increased spending for education, housing and sanitation. In 2008, he chaired the Committee on International Monetary Fund (IMF) Governance Reform. He has received numerous international awards and recognition for his accomplishments.

Linah Mohohlo (Botswana) is the Governor of the Bank of Botswana. She has also worked for IMF and, in her capacity as Governor of IMF for Botswana, she has been a member of the International Monetary and Financial Committee, representing the IMF Africa Group 1 Constituency. She served on the Commission for Africa and the Lancet Commission on Investing in Health; she is also a member of the Africa Progress Panel. In 2011, Ms. Mohohlo co-chaired the World Economic Forum on Africa. She is a recipient of a number of professional awards, including Botswana’s highest public service award for efficient and devoted service (the Presidential Order of Honour).

Walt Macnee (Canada) is Vice-Chairman of MasterCard Worldwide and is responsible for various senior client and Government relationships. Previously, he was President of International Markets, Global Markets, as well as for the Americas Region. From 2001 to 2004, he was President of MasterCard Canada. He briefly left MasterCard from 2004 to 2006 when he was Executive Vice-President at Canadian Imperial bank of Commerce. Prior to joining MasterCard, he spent 18 years with Toronto Dominion Bank where, in his last position as Senior Vice-President, he had full product management and client service responsibility for payment cards and personal lending.

Margot Wallström (Sweden) is the Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs. She has had a long career in politics in the Swedish parliament, the Swedish Government and the European Commission. She was European Environment Commissioner from 1999 to 2004, and in the Swedish Government she was Minister for Consumer Affairs, Women and Youth (1988–1991), Minister for Culture (1994–1996) and Minister for Social Affairs (1996–1998). She was also the first of five Vice-Presidents of the 27 member European Commission from 2004 to 2010, and worked as Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict from 2010 to 2012.

Dhananjayan Sriskandarajah (Sri Lanka) is the Secretary General of CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation. In 2009, he was appointed Director General of the Royal Commonwealth Society, a large non-governmental organization devoted to Commonwealth affairs based in London. He was the first non-British and youngest person to head this 140-year-old organization. Before being appointed to the Society, he was Deputy Director of the Institute for Public Policy Research. He is a researcher, author and commentator on migration issues and economic development.

In Observance Message, Secretary-General Calls on World Leaders to End Scourge of Fistula ‘in Our Lifetime’
21 May 2015
SG/SM/16774-OBV/1468-WOM/2039
Secretary-General
Press Release – Following is UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s message for the International Day to End Obstetric Fistula, observed on 23 May:

Obstetric fistula is a devastating yet completely preventable and, in many cases, treatable injury of childbirth. It leaves women, and many girls, incontinent and often stigmatized, abused and isolated from families and communities. At least 2 million women and girls live with the condition, and 50,000 to 100,000 new cases occur every year.

The fact that fistula persists primarily among the poorest and most marginalized women and girls in the world is an egregious outcome of social, economic and gender inequalities, the denial of human rights and inadequate access to quality reproductive health services, including maternal and newborn care. We can and must put an end to this needless suffering.

We mark this International Day with the theme, “End fistula, restore women’s dignity.” I call on world leaders to commit to ending the scourge of fistula in our lifetime. To achieve this goal, every fistula-affected nation needs to develop an inclusive, costed and time-bound national strategy and action plan. The international community must also significantly intensify support to nations with the greatest need.

To address the neglected health and human rights issues of fistula, UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, and its partners, launched the global Campaign to End Fistula. In the 12 years since this effort began, much has been accomplished, including providing relief to more than 57,000 women and girls through fistula surgical repairs. However, much more needs to be done.

Echoing the December 2014 United Nations General Assembly resolution on ending fistula, I urge the international community to speed up its efforts to end this condition. This needs to be part of a far-reaching and inclusive sustainable development agenda to improve sexual and reproductive and newborn health, strengthen health systems, eliminate health inequities and increase levels and predictability of funding.

We have a moral obligation, as a global community, to complete the unfinished agenda of eradicating fistula. Together, let us keep our promises to support universal human rights and ensure the health and dignity of women and girls everywhere.

EBOLA/EVD [to 23 May 2015]
Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC); “Threat to international peace and security” (UN Security Council)

WHO: Ebola Situation Report – 20 May 2015
[Excerpts]
SUMMARY
:: The week to 17 May saw the highest weekly total of confirmed cases of Ebola virus disease (EVD) for over a month, with 35 cases reported from Guinea and Sierra Leone. This is a substantial increase compared with 9 cases reported the previous week. The geographical area of transmission has also expanded compared with recent weeks, with a total of 6 districts reporting cases (3 in Guinea, 3 in Sierra Leone), compared with 3 the previous week (2 in Guinea, 1 in Sierra Leone). Capacity for improved community engagement, case investigation, and targeted, active surveillance continues to be strengthened in areas of continuing transmission to ensure that remaining chains of transmission are detected, contained, and brought to an end…

COUNTRIES WITH WIDESPREAD AND INTENSE TRANSMISSION
:: There have been a total of 26,933 reported confirmed, probable, and suspected cases of EVD in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone (figure 1, table 1), with 11,120 reported deaths (this total includes reported deaths among probable and suspected cases, although outcomes for many cases are unknown). A total of 27 new confirmed cases were reported in Guinea and 8 in Sierra Leone in the 7 days to 17 May. The outbreak in Liberia was declared over on 9 May…

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World Health Assembly gives WHO green light to reform emergency and response progamme
News release
23 May 2015 ¦ GENEVA – Delegates at the World Health Assembly made a series of decisions stemming from the 2014 Ebola virus disease outbreak. These give the WHO Secretariat the go-ahead to carry out structural reforms so it can prepare for and respond rapidly, flexibly and effectively to emergencies and disease outbreaks…

United Nations – Secretary General, Security Council, General Assembly  [to 23 May 2015]
http://www.un.org/en/unpress/

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Selected Press Releases/Meetings Coverage
22 May 2015
SC/11904
Security Council Press Statement on ISIL’s Violent Seizure of Palmyra, Syria

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22 May 2015
SC/11903
Security Council Press Statement on Terrorist Attack in Saudi Arabia

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22 May 2015
DC/3561
Consensus Eludes Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference as Positions Harden on Ways to Free Middle East of Mass Destruction Weapons
After weeks of intense debate, States parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) concluded the month-long 2015 Review Conference this evening, unable to reach consensus on an outcome text that would have delineated steps to speed progress on nuclear disarmament, advance non-proliferation and work towards a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the Middle East.

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22 May 2015
SC/11901
Security Council Urges Heightened Cooperation on Illicit Transfer of Small Arms, Light Weapons, Adopting Resolution 2220 (2015) with Abstentions
The Security Council this morning adopted a text urging stronger cooperation in stemming the “illicit transfer, destabilizing accumulation and misuse” of small arms and light weapons, underlining the suffering they caused to civilians, although six members abstained, citing insufficient attention to keeping arms from all non-State actors.

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21 May 2015
GA/AB/4157
Concerns Aired over Ebola Response Operation’s Top-Heavy Staff Structure as Budget Committee Examines 2015 Funding Proposals for Office, Special Political Missions
Sixty-ninth Session, 40th Meeting (AM) General Assembly
Additional $88.1 million was needed to support the “last mile” of the international response to the Ebola outbreak in West Africa, the United Nations Controller told the Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) today as delegates reiterated concern about significant resources spent to support the operation’s high-level staff positions.

Presenting the Secretary-General’s revised budget estimates for biennium 2014-2015 for the United Nations Mission for Ebola Emergency Response (UNMEER), Bettina Tucci Bartsiotas, Assistant Secretary-General and Controller, said that $81.9 million of the additional requirement would be spent to provide field-level support to the affected countries, $2.7 million would go to the Office of the Special Envoy, and $3.5 million would fund 25 backstopping positions at Headquarters.

She explained that the Secretary-General’s Special Representative and Head of UNMEER and his Special Envoy on Ebola — both at the Under-Secretary-General level — had separate responsibilities, noting that the former maintained a roving presence between the affected countries to ensure a regional perspective, as well as unity of purpose, among all responders, while the latter would focus on mobilizing the funds needed to ensure that the United Nations agencies, funds and programmes had sufficient resources to support vigilance against Ebola and bridge efforts to the recovery phase.

“The sustained support of Member States in this last mile of the response to finish the job is essential,” she said, stressing that the collective investments of the communities, Governments, and regional and international stakeholders were too large to allow for progress to be rolled back.

In its report, the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ) noted that it continued to remain unconvinced of the need for two Under-Secretary-General level positions. In particular, it questioned why the functions of the Head of UNMEER could not have been performed by an incumbent at the Assistant Secretary-General level under the strategic guidance of the Special Envoy, or why the functions of the three Ebola crisis managers heading the country offices could not be performed by incumbents at the D-2 level.

South Africa’s delegate, speaking on behalf of the “Group of 77” developing countries and China, expressed disappointment over the Secretary-General’s proposal in favour of the top-heavy structure. The Group did not see the need for two positions at the Under-Secretary-General level for an operation in the drawdown stage, and the Mission’s Head could assume the functions of the Special Envoy.

Sierra Leone’s delegate said that as UNMEER prepared for its drawdown, he looked forward to a seamless transitional strategy. National sensitization and social mobilization campaigns should remain a high priority for United Nations specialized agencies in the subregion, and the Mission should consider further enhancing capacities for cross-border surveillance, collaboration and coordination.

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21 May 2015
SG/SM/16774-OBV/1468-WOM/2039
In Observance Message, Secretary-General Calls on World Leaders to End Scourge of Fistula ‘in Our Lifetime’

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21 May 2015
SG/SM/16772-SG/A/1570-IHA/1369
Secretary-General Appoints High-Level Panel on Humanitarian Financing

UN OHCHR Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights [to 23 May 2015]
http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/media.aspx?IsMediaPage=true

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Government responsibility for equity and quality in education must be our first concern – UN expert
5/21/2015
Sp. Rapporteur on the right to education

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SE Asia / Migrants: “Saving the lives of those stranded at sea should remain the priority” – UN rights experts
5/21/2015
Migration and Human Rights
Sp. Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants
Sp. Rapporteur on torture
Sp. Rapporteur on summary executions
Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons especially women and children

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Guide to the Treaty Body system published in all six UN languages
GENEVA 20 May 2015 – A simple guide to the key role the Human Rights Treaty Bodies play in protecting human rights has been produced by the UN Human Rights Office in the UN’s six official languages.
The guide, entitled “The Human Rights Treaty Bodies – Protecting Your Rights”, explains what the independent expert Committees are; how States parties’ compliance with treaties is monitored by the Treaty Bodies and what role governments and others, such as civil society, play in the process.

The eight-page guide which is available online and also as a published booklet explains the reporting cycle and the individual complaints process.

“This booklet is part of our ongoing efforts to make the work of the Treaty Bodies, which lie at the heart of the international human rights protection system, more visible and accessible,” said Ibrahim Salama, head of the Human Rights Treaties Division. “We hope this simple guide will be of use to a wide range of stakeholders, including government officials, civil society representatives, media, students, and the general public.”

The online booklet is available in Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, and Spanish.

UNHCR Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees [to 23 May 2015]
http://www.unhcr.org/cgi-bin/texis/vtx/search?page=&comid=4a0950336&cid=49aea93a7d&scid=49aea93a40

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UNHCR and partners appeal for US$207 million for Burundi Emergency
22 May 2015

UNHCR Statement on Southeast Asia Sea Movements
20 May 2015

Tanzania – Urgent efforts underway as seven Burundians die in diarrhoea outbreak in refugee camp
17 May 2015

International Organization for Migration [to 23 May 2015]
http://www.iom.int/press-room/press-releases

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IOM Appeals for USD 84 million for Population Affected by Conflict in Yemen
05/22/15
Yemen – IOM has launched a US$ 84 million regional appeal to meet the immediate needs of populations affected by the conflict in Yemen.

IOM Sees Progress in SE Asia Migrant Crisis, But Warns More Must be Done
05/22/15
Indonesia – The migrant crisis in Southeast Asia has entered a new phase, with over half of those originally estimated to be at sea now on dry land.

Over 20,000 Migrants and Refugees Arrive in Horn of Africa from Yemen
05/22/15
Somalia – Conflict and a complex humanitarian emergency has forced some 20,000 vulnerable people to flee from Yemen to the Horn of Africa over the past two months. They include refugees from Somalia, migrant workers from third countries and Yemeni civilians.

Malawians Displaced by Floods Willing to Return Home
05/22/15
Malawi – This week the latest round of IOM’s Malawi Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) report showed 107,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) living in 131 open displacement sites across six districts.

Nigeria Adopts National Migration Policy
05/22/15
Nigeria – The Government of Nigeria has formally adopted a National Policy on Migration and its Implementation Plan, with support from IOM and the European Union (EU).

IOM Evacuates Somalis from Yemen
05/21/15
Somalia – IOM, in close coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, this week conducted its first evacuation of 95 Somali nationals stranded in Yemen.

IOM Welcomes Decision to Save Lives of Migrants at Sea in Southeast Asia
05/20/15
Geneva – IOM has welcomed the commitment by Indonesia and Malaysia to allow thousands of migrants – currently abandoned at sea by smugglers – to come ashore.

Joint Statement on Andaman Sea: IOM, UNHCR, OHCHR, UN SRSG Migration & Development
05/19/15
Search and rescue, disembarkation, and protection of human rights of refugees and migrants are needed to save lives in the Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea.

IOM Tracks Ramadi Displacement, Meets Humanitarian Needs
05/19/15
Iraq – IOM Iraq’s Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) has recorded 40,608 individuals (6,768 families) displaced by violence in Ramadi since 15 May.

Mediterranean Sea Crossings Continue to Climb
05/19/15
Italy – Over 12,460 migrants arrived by sea to Italy in the month of May, according to IOM estimates.

Ethiopia Sensitizes Public to Risks of Irregular Migration
05/19/15
Ethiopia – IOM Ethiopia yesterday (18/5) organized a sensitization workshop on the impact of irregular migration. The Addis Ababa event was attended by 120 public figures, community representatives and potential migrants.

Earthquake Forces Nepal’s Overseas Workers to Face Tough Choices
05/19/15
Nepal – Millions of Nepalese overseas workers are facing tough choices about how to respond to the April 25 earthquake that could have profound and immediate impacts on household and national economies.

IOM Pilots Humanitarian Evacuation for Burundians Fleeing to Tanzania
05/19/15
Tanzania – IOM, in coordination with regional authorities and UN partners, has successfully completed a pilot evacuation programme on foot aimed at decongesting Kagunga, a small village on the Tanzania-Burundi border, currently hosting an estimated 50,000 Burundian refugees.

IOM Joins Emergency Cholera Response on Kenya-Somali Border
05/19/15
Somalia – In late April 2015, the number of acute watery diarrhea (AWD) and suspected cholera cases in the Kenyan-Somali border town of Dhobley in the Lower Juba region of Somalia started to increase rapidly.

IOM Aids Chadians Fleeing Boko Haram, Affected Border Communities
05/19/15
Chad – Since the beginning of January 2015, an estimated 32,000 Chadians and other internally displaced persons (IDPs) have fled Boko Haram attacks and crossed the border from Nigeria into Chad’s Lac Chad region.

UN OCHA [to 23 May 2015]
http://www.unocha.org/media-resources/press-releases

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22 May 2015
Chad: Revue de Presse Humanitaire au Tchad, du 25 avril au 22 mai 2015

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21 May 2015
Mali: Arrival of the new Humanitarian Coordinator in Mali
Mali (Bamako, 20 May 2015) – The new Humanitarian Coordinator in Mali, Ms. Mbaranga Gasarabwe, has officially taken office. Ms. Gasarabwe was appointed at the helm of Mali’s humanitarian community on 8 May by the United Nations Secretary-General. She succeeds Mr. David Gressly who recently completed his mission in the country.

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20 May 2015
occupied Palestinian territory: UN Officials: Israel must halt plans to transfer Palestinian Bedouins
Source: UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs Country: occupied Palestinian territory The Humanitarian Coordinator for the occupied Palestinian territory, James W. Rawley, and the Director of UNRWA Operations West Bank, Felipe Sanchez, expressed their grave concern today that Israel is rapidly advancing plans to transfer Palestinian Bedouins in the central West Bank from their current communities.

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18 May 2015
Iraq: The UN is rushing assistance to help people fleeing Ramadi but funds are running out and stocks are almost gone [EN/AR/KU]
Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, UN Assistance Mission for Iraq Country: Iraq 18 May 2015: UN agencies are rushing humanitarian assistance to people fleeing Ramadi for the second time in a month. Close to 25,000 people have fled Ramadi following ISIL attacks and fierce fighting in the city. Most of the displaced are fleeing towards Baghdad, with many trying to enter through security checkpoints.

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18 May 2015
South Sudan: Statement Mr. Toby Lanzer, the Humanitarian Coordinator in South Sudan: “International Humanitarian Law Violated in Leer and Malakal”
Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in South Sudan Country: South Sudan Juba, 18 May 2015: “Military operations in Unity and Upper Nile states over the past three days in particular have again devastated countless lives. Eyewitness accounts report targeted rape and killing of civilians, including children. The offensive in Unity has left thousands of homes burnt and Leer hospital is again under threat of destruction.

UNICEF [to 23 May 2015]
http://www.unicef.org/media/media_78364.html

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Selected press release and news notes
Cholera outbreak triggers UNICEF relief operation at Burundi-Tanzania border
BUJUMBURA, Burundi/NAIROBI, Kenya/DAR-ES-SALAAM, Tanzania, 21 May 2015 – UNICEF has rushed relief supplies to Tanzania’s north-western border with Burundi, in response to a devastating cholera outbreak which has so far claimed 27 lives among the 50,000 Burundian refugees gathered on the shores of Lake Tanganyika.

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UNICEF and ARM Unleash Technology to Transform Children’s Lives
LONDON/NEW YORK, 19 May 2015 – UNICEF and ARM have announced a multi-year partnership to accelerate the development of new technologies to overcome the barriers that prevent millions of families from accessing basic health, education and support services. The partnership’s first action is to collaborate with global product strategy and design firm frog on a ‘Wearables for Good’ challenge to generate ideas for new and innovative devices that tackle maternal and child health needs in emerging economies.

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Every Newborn Action Plan Progress Report, Strategies toward Ending Preventable Maternal Mortality launch at 68th World Health Assembly
GENEVA, Switzerland, 19 May 2015 — Since the Every Newborn Action Plan (ENAP) was endorsed at the World Health Assembly one year ago, 15 of the 18 countries with some of the highest burden of maternal and newborn mortality have taken steps to improve care for mothers and their newborns.

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Children killed, abducted and raped in South Sudan attacks – UNICEF
JUBA, South Sudan/NAIROBI, Kenya, 18 May 2015 – Dozens of children have been killed, at least 12 raped and others abducted and recruited in a series of attacks in South Sudan’s Unity State over a two-week period, according to eyewitness accounts received by UNICEF.

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UNICEF’s critical supplies reach affected children and families during Yemen humanitarian pause
SANA’A, Yemen 17 May, 2015 – UNICEF is distributing critical humanitarian aid for hundreds of thousands of children and affected civilians across Yemen during a five day humanitarian pause. Despite reports of heavy fighting in certain parts of the country, lifesaving supplies are reaching hospitals, health centres, affected communities and displaced people. These include medicine for childhood illnesses like diarrhea and acute respiratory infections, nutrition supplies, midwifery and hygiene kits and water tanks.

UN Women [to 23 May 2015]
http://www.unwomen.org/

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Selected Press Releases
“We must make a concerted effort to remove all barriers to education for girls and adolescents”– Yannick Glemarec
Date : May 22, 2015
Statement by UN Women’s Deputy Executive Director, Yannick Glemarec, at the World Education Forum 2015 high-level statements and closing ceremony, on 21 May, in Incheon, Republic of Korea.

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New Gender Alert highlights the need to ensure leadership roles for women in post-earthquake Nepal
Date : May 19, 2015
According to a new Gender Alert on the crisis, the participation and leadership of women and girls in the assessment, planning and implementation of the humanitarian and early recovery response is crucial to ensuring the needs and vulnerabilities of women and girls are identified and addressed.

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“Gender equality must remain a top priority in order to close the health equity gap worldwide”– Lakshmi Puri
Date : May 19, 2015
Statement by the UN Women Deputy Executive Director Ms. Lakshmi Puri, at the 68th Session of the World Health Assembly, “Women and Health: 20 years of Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action” held on 19 May, in Geneva, Switzerland

WHO Regionals [to 23 May 2015]

WHO African Region AFRO
:: Dr Moeti urges intensified actions to address heart diseases in children 19 May 2015
:: Burundian crisis triggers emerging humanitarian emergency in Tanzania – 19 May 2015

WHO Region of the Americas PAHO
:: PAHO/WHO honors Nicaragua, Uruguay and four tobacco control advocates with the 2015 World No Tobacco Day awards 05/22/2015

WHO South-East Asia Region SEARO
:: Access to maternal and child health care in Nepal brings joy amid destruction [undated]

WHO European Region EURO
:: Day 4 of the World Health Assembly: highlights for the European Region 22-05-2015
:: Moving environment and health forwards 22-05-2015
:: Day 3 of the World Health Assembly: highlights for the European Region 21-05-2015
:: Day 2 of the World Health Assembly: highlights for the European Region 20-05-2015

WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region EMRO
:: WHO Regional Director calls for respect and safety for health care workers and facilities 21 May 2015
:: WHO delivers additional medicines and medical supplies to Yemen 18 May 2015

WHO Western Pacific Region
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