Category: Development

“The crisis has wide-ranging implications”, said the UN Chief, delivering remarks at a meeting with leaders of the African Group of countries on Wednesday. “This is in no way of Africa’s making.  But as with the climate crisis, the African continent could end up suffering the greatest impacts.”  Emphasizing the importance of solidarity to combat the pandemic, he praised Africa’s… Read More

Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus was speaking to journalists one day after the United States announced that it was cutting funding to the UN health agency, pending a review of how the agency responded to the initial outbreak in China that first surfaced at the very end of December. “The United States of America has been a longstanding and generous friend… Read More

“As I said on 8 April, the COVID-19 pandemic is one of the most dangerous challenges this world has faced in our lifetime. It is above all a human crisis with severe health and socio-economic consequences”, he added. The UN chief’s statement, came as the President of the United States, Donald Trump, announced early on Tuesday evening that he was… Read More

“Having seen the trajectory of other countries, it is certain enormous challenges are ahead”, said Imran Riza, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Syria, stressing that nine years of crisis also has resulted in a fragile health system, too few qualified health personnel and essential infrastructure that lies in ruins across most of the country.   For the millions of people… Read More

While the World Health Organization (WHO) continues to mobilize on multiple fronts to contain the virus, a wide range of other UN agencies are working with governments, the private sector and communities to support health, education, social and humanitarian needs, especially in developing countries. On 13 April, WHO had confirmed around 1.8 million cases of COVID-19 globally, with more than… Read More

Noting that measles immunization campaigns have been delayed in 24 countries and will be cancelled in 13 others, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) joined other health partners in a statement supporting the Measles & Rubella Initiative (M&RI) – a global partnership, founded by both agencies along with the American Red Cross, the US Centers… Read More

Hundreds of thousands of children currently detained in countries around the world are at grave risk of contracting #COVID19. To uphold their rights during this dangerous pandemic, they must be safely released. @unicefchief — UNICEF (@UNICEF) April 13, 2020 UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore painted a picture of children detained in overcrowded spaces with inadequate access to nutrition, healthcare and… Read More

While many parties have responded positively to the UN chief’s appeal, they stressed that more needs to be done to translate it into action. “Too many in the Middle East have endured conflict and deprivation for far too long. Their suffering is now compounded by the COVID-19 crisis and its likely long-lasting social, economic and political impacts”, they said. The… Read More

“WHO wants to see restrictions lifted as much as anyone”, he said. “At the same time, lifting restrictions too quickly could lead to a deadly resurgence. The way down can be as dangerous as the way up if not managed properly”. Tedros laid out six factors for consideration, which include that transmission is controlled and sufficient public health and medical… Read More