Topic: United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

Mali coup leaders pledge to hand over power as Tuareg rebels take Timbuktu

Disarray following a March 21 coup has allowed Tuareg rebels to take over much of Mali's north. West African neighbors worry about spillover. 

Africa asks itself: Where is the aid money?

African nations pledged five months ago to do more to help each other when famine and disaster strike. But so far, they haven't come up with the promised cash.

Typhoon Sendong recovery efforts begin in Philippines

Typhoon Sendong (aka Typhoon Washi) left more than 600 dead this weekend as flash floods hammered the Philippines. There are also more than 800 people missing in the wake of Typhoon Sendong.

Bali earthquake rattles, but does little substantial damage

Today's 6.1-magnitude Bali earthquake caused no deaths and only minor injuries, in part because of the better development standards the tourist industry has pushed, say observers.

International groups accelerate effort to relieve East Africa's famine

The first UN plane in two years is scheduled to go into the Somali capital's airport Wednesday carrying food aid. Some 3.7 million people in Somalia alone need help.

US is right to give aid to Somalia, despite risk of helping Al Shabab

Guest blogger Alex Thurston writes that the US made the right call by giving aid to Somalia because it is the moral thing to do and because it could have unexpectedly positive political results.

South Sudan's worst enemy: its own armed forces?

A recent United Nations report features shocking details about the harassment of aid groups in the past few months by South Sudanese forces.

UK military deployed to Libya as EU mulls sending 1,000 humanitarian troops

The UK today announced it is sending 'experienced British military officers' to support and advise Libya's rebels. The Libyan government says it will fight any foreign troops on its soil.

Japan earthquake: 5 ways the international community is helping

Japan has received offers of assistance from 14 international organizations and 102 countries (including a number of unexpected aid donors such as embattled Afghanistan and poverty-stricken Cambodia), according to the latest report from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

Japan has accepted help, mostly in the form of search and rescue teams, from 15 countries. Here is an overview of some of the help pouring into Japan as it struggles to dig out from Friday’s 9.0-magnitude earthquake and resulting tsunami.

Haiti earthquake anniversary: the state of global disaster relief

On the first anniversary of the Haiti earthquake, global disaster relief is under the microscope. A $15-billion-a-year industry with 250,000 workers, the stakes are high – but from each tsunami, quake, hurricane, and drought, we learn what works and what doesn't.

How one man turned Israel's Gaza blockade into a business opportunity

Ahmed Ramlawy's plastics company survived Israel's Gaza blockade by buying garbage at $395 a ton and turning it into products all Gazans need, like trash bags.

At least 135 dead from suspected cholera outbreak in Haiti

Severe diarrhea has killed at least 135 in Haiti and while doctors await test results, cholera remains at the top of the list of suspects.

Mass rape in Congo reignites questions on efficacy of UN force

A report this week that Rwandan rebels looted villages in Congo and mass-raped more than 150 women and children in July has human rights activists asking why the UN peacekeeping mission can't prevent such atrocities.

Wyclef Jean mulling Haiti presidential run against politician uncle

Wyclef Jean released a statement Friday saying he will make a public announcement next week on whether he will run for president of Haiti. Meanwhile, his uncle has resigned his post as Haiti's ambassador to the US in preparation for his own candidacy.

Wyclef Jean's uncle to run for president of Haiti

Wyclef Jean's uncle, Raymond Joseph – who is Haiti's ambassador to the US – tells the Monitor that he is running for president this fall. Will the hip hop artist and his uncle team up – or compete against each other in Haiti's presidential campaign?

Six months after the Haiti earthquake, what progress?

Six months after the 7.0 Haiti earthquake caused one of the worst humanitarian disasters in modern times, the worse-case scenarios have been avoided. Yet tens of thousands still live in camps.

Still homeless from Haiti earthquake, thousands fight forced evictions

Six months on, the government has yet to secure adequate shelter for many of the 2.1 million people made homeless by the Haiti earthquake. Some landowners are now trying to evict the refugee camps.

Never mind the 'Freedom Flotilla.' Is Israel's Gaza blockade legal?

Israel has laid out a meticulous legal justification for its fatal raid on a Turkish-flagged boat, which was sailing in international waters as part of the 'Freedom Flotilla.' But most countries have focused on whether Israel's Gaza blockade is legal.

Chile earthquake: Death toll rises, authorities race to assess damage

As the death toll from the Chile earthquake rises, relief organizations from around the world are set to help the South American nation pick up the pieces. But Chile's authorities say it will take them more time to assess the needs.

Haitian earthquake relief gets corporate boost from likes of Google, Wal-Mart, GM

Corporations from across economic sectors including Google, Wal-Mart, Wells Fargo, and GM are donating to Haiti's earthquake relief.

Israel closes sole oil and gas terminal on Gaza border

Israel has closed the Nahal Oz crossing into Gaza for security reasons. Host to the sole oil and gas terminal serving Gaza, it's also the site of several recent militant attacks.

Yemen's strikes against Shiite rebels leave 30,000 refugees

UN official John Holmes visits Yemen Thursday to highlight thehumanitarian crisis as concerns grow about a potential haven for AlQaeda.

Samoa tsunami: Islands assess how quickly they can recover

Samoa was hit harder than American Samoa, but damage is confined to one area. Another challenge will be convincing tourists – a major revenue source – to return.

Pacific tsunami: Aid efforts begin in Samoa

As the US prepared to dispatch emergency relief to American Samoa, Australia and New Zealand focused their aid efforts on Samoa.

How Israel's naval blockade denies Gazans food, aid

A boat carrying foreign activists and three tons of medical supplies was rerouted Tuesday. Meanwhile, the fishing industry – a key source of jobs and protein – has been crippled.