Top UN aid official Valerie Amos announces resignationNovember 27, 2014 - 13:46 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The top UN official for humanitarian aid, Valerie Amos, who oversaw international relief efforts in Syria and other trouble spots, announced Wednesday, Nov 26, she is stepping down, according to Agence France-Presse. Amos had been in the key post for more than four years, overseeing major aid operations in Syria as well as in South Sudan, Iraq and the Central African Republic. Her departure comes as the United Nations is struggling to cope with a record 50 million people displaced from conflict. In a letter to UN staff, Amos said she would be leaving in March after working at "the most challenging, demanding and rewarding job I have ever done" as UN under-secretary general for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief coordinator. She gave no specific reason for her departure but recalled that she was now the longest-serving top UN aid official, one of the most demanding jobs at the United Nations. A UN official close to Amos told AFP "she feels it's time to move on" after having been in the position since August 2010. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon expressed gratitude and praised Amos for the extensive experience she brought to the post. Ban said the 60-year-old former British minister for international development "has tirelessly advocated for people around the world affected by disaster and conflict." The announcement came the day after Amos reported to the UN Security Council on humanitarian aid efforts in Syria, which has been torn by a brutal war for nearly four years. Photo: Europa Newswire Related links: Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Czech-Armenian military cooperation discussed in Yerevan A delegation led by the Director General for the Industrial Cooperation Division of the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic visited Armenia. U.S. welcomes efforts to define Armenia-Azerbaijan border The United States welcomes efforts to define the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, says Vedant Patel. Biden honors resilience of Armenian people on April 24 U.S. President Joe Biden has issued a statement on the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Ex-Karabakh leader moved to solitary confinement cell in Baku, his son says David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. |