Since it started in 2011, the war in Syria has killed or injured around 12,000 children and pushed over 90% of the country’s children into poverty. Millions of other Syrians have fled to the relative safety of nearby countries—including Jordan, which is now home to some three million registered refugees. That includes some 2.3 million from Palestine and almost 700,000 from Syria. Nearly half of the Syrians are under age 18.
Her Majesty Queen Mathilde of the Belgians paid an in-person visit to UN House in Brussels, the headquarters of several agencies, funds, and programmes of the UN in the Belgian capital, as well as a virtual visit to the UN in Liberia. During her meeting with representatives from UN organisations, Her Majesty discussed the main priorities of the UN, and in particular the implementation of the SDGs.
Rural women have great potential as leaders and entrepreneurs. They also have the desire to lead. But they face many obstacles: few job opportunities, low levels of education, and lots of unpaid work. They are also often openly discouraged by their loved ones to pursue their dreams, pressured by traditional stereotypes.
In the wee hours of one morning last November, 64-year-old fisher Julian Bata and his wife were awakened by the howling of the wind against their dried grass roof and loud cracks of thunder — sounds that are all too familiar to the members of their coastal community on Manaet Island in the Philippines.
The COVID-19 pandemic continues its deadly march around the world. How will countries be able to “build back better” from this calamity? We know, in this respect, that the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are key.
In April, Cyclone Seroja hit Dili, the capital city of Timor-Leste. It killed 41 people and displaced over 4,000, sweeping away property and homes. Members of the local LGBTQI community and an organization called Arcoiris were among the many frontline relief workers that stepped up to support local families.
The United Nations and partners appealed today for US$187.3 million urgently needed to provide vital relief assistance to more than 800,000 people affected by the devastating earthquake in Haiti, including shelter, water and sanitation, emergency healthcare, food, protection and early recovery.
On the occasion of the first anniversary of the Beirut blast, UN Country Team in Lebanon with diplomatic corps observe a minute of silence to honor the victims.
