On August 4th, 2020, a devastating blast in a warehouse destroyed much of the centre of the Lebanese capital, Beirut. Many neighbourhoods were destroyed, downtown Beirut looked like a war zone. Thousands were injured and some 200 people tragically lost their lives on that day and the days that followed. For many, their property and livelihoods were literally blown away.
One day some years ago, Chief Egunu Williams had just returned home from his farm in the south of Nigeria when a man from a nearby community came asking for a loan.
Life was hard for Violeta and her family in their little village Kabash, a two-hour drive from the town of Puka. Everything was far away — the health clinic, the hospital, the local administrative offices.
With tears in her eyes, she remembers the time when her little daughter collapsed and just barely regained consciousness, with no nearby hospital to take her. She also learned that both her daughters had been born with mental health issues and congenital heart disease. They needed specialized medical care, which was accessible only in town.
Roya sets the white fabric under the needle and presses the pedal of her sewing machine, adding finishing touches on the face mask she is making. Around her, rows and rows of other refugees are also churning out masks – much sought-after protection made necessary by the unrelenting COVID-19 pandemic.
“Despite Georgia’s notable progress in recent years, people with disabilities remain one of the most excluded and marginalized groups of society,” says Anna Chernyshova, acting head of UNDP in Georgia.
Lerato — not her real name — is a 20-year-old first-year student at the local university. She hunkers down on her chair a few metres from where I’m sitting with her head fixed to the floor. She looks sad, tired and dejected, avoiding any eye contact, as if ashamed of what we were about to talk about.
Communications is key in our line of work at the United Nations Sustainable Development Group (UNSDG). In addition to uniting 34 agencies, funds and programmes that play a role in development, the UNSDG also supports 131 UN country teams serving 162 countries and territories to work together to enhance the impact of the UN system, bringing together diverse perspectives and capabilities from around the world, while communicating with one unified voice.
With this year of uncertainty, one thing has kept us all connected: words. Hearing the voices of loved ones from afar, sharing life-saving information and life-affirming stories, words have helped communities stay bonded, children educated, colleagues engaged and people safe. We are proud that our words help keep people connected.
Haryati Jonet, known as Yatie, has been using drugs since she was a teenager. At the age of 15, she was thrown out of her home. Pregnant and alone she began using drugs.
The UN country teams continue their efforts to provide local and national authorities worldwide support in the fight against COVID-19. Today, we highlight some of those efforts.
