As we mark the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, we share Siannie’s life story, one of the profiles collected for the first commemoration of the International Day for People of African Descent, which was hosted by Costa Rica, with support from UNFPA and OHCHR, within the framework of the International Decade for People of African Descent.
UN entities continue to work together to respond to the situation, contributing their expertise and building on their partnerships. Among other priority interventions, they provide vital support to refugees and internally displaced people (IDPs), especially women and girls; assist authorities in ensuring the protection and the provision of essential services for refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs); and support survivors of violence among vulnerable girls from conflict and crisis-affected communities.
Around the world, UN teams are working with governments and other partners to combat COVID-19 and support national socio-economic recovery plans, focusing on activities to provide service to vulnerable groups. Below are some highlights of these initiatives.
Having commenced my role as UN Resident Coordinator in China almost one year ago, it is a privilege to lead the United Nations in China in this new year and at this auspicious moment as the Games return to Beijing.
Today, on International Day of Education, let us take a moment to reflect on the value of learning, and consider, through the lenses of five stories of people from different regions, cultures, age groups, and abilities, how we could support the work of UN country teams established across 162 countries and territories around the world on making education accessible for all.
Teams are intensifying their efforts across the globe to tackle COVID-19 and the latest variant: Omicron. They are also helping countries as they face multidimensional challenges like an increase in gender-based violence and political unrest.
“Apocalyptic” is the word that sprang to mind when I visited communities in the orange and red zones just nine days after the devastating eruption of La Soufrière.
Every year around the world, thousands of volunteers from dozens of professional backgrounds join missions in different UN agencies to work in the field. All volunteers serving across 150 countries and territories are coordinated by an agency called UN Volunteers, or UNV for short.
"After raping me, he told me that I was still a child, and he threw me outside. This is the first time I have told anyone because I was scared to say something before." And so, 12-year-old Elisabeth's childhood was forever changed.
