Latest news on the Asia-Pacific region from the United Nations

Backing a recent statement issued by the heads of United Nations relief agencies, Secretary-General Kofi Annan today urged the world community to help ward off a potential humanitarian disaster involving civilians and refugees from Afghanistan.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) today said it was continuing preparations for a massive exodus of Afghans into neighbouring countries, having received nearly $7 million in pledges to help those nations cope with the expected influx.

Underscoring the urgent need for aid to the beleaguered people of drought-stricken, war-torn Afghanistan, the United Nations Emergency Relief Coordinator today stressed that any anti-terrorism actions must take account of humanitarian concerns.

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) today said it would resume badly needed food aid shipments to Afghanistan suspended in the wake of the 11 September attacks against the United States.

The Taliban authorities have sealed off United Nations offices in Afghanistan, causing the disruption - and in some cases stoppage - of aid activities in some parts of the war-torn and drought-stricken country, UN officials said today.

The newly formed all-Timorese Council of Ministers - which replaces the East Timor Transitional Cabinet - held its first formal meeting today, marking another step on East Timor's path toward full independence, the United Nations Transitional Administration in the territory (UNTAET) said in a statement.

Warning of the possibility of a humanitarian crisis "of stunning proportions" in Afghanistan, United Nations relief agencies today appealed to the world community to provide assistance to the fragile country, and to keep in mind basic tenets of international law in addressing the problem of terrorism.

As part of the ongoing efforts of the United Nations mission in East Timor to resolve the refugee situation, a senior pro-autonomy leader today visited the former militia stronghold of Covalima District, where he met over 200 representatives of the local community.

Close to 11,000 Afghans have returned home from Pakistan since the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) began a voluntary repatriation programme six weeks ago, UN officials said today.

After more than 20 years of "fruitless endeavours," the Security Council might wish to consider adopting a comprehensive approach to settling the conflict in Afghanistan, Secretary-General Kofi Annan suggests in a new report released today.

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) today called on the Taliban authorities to stop making baseless allegations against the agency and its staff in Afghanistan.

A 284-strong contingent of activists from a volunteer arm of the United Nations spread out today across all districts of East Timor to finalize arrangements for the territory's historic Constituent Assembly elections set for 30 August.

Building upon its unprecedented campaign to protect children against infectious diseases, a global partnership backed by United Nations agencies has launched in Cambodia a multi-country five-year effort to increase access to vaccination for children throughout Southeast Asia.