Category: Lifestyle

“Health is the new wealth,” António Vitorino insisted, citing proposals by some countries to introduce so-called immunity passports and use mobile phone apps that are designed to prevent the spread of new coronavirus. The IOM Director General also warned that in future, even more onerous health-related travel restrictions might discriminate disproportionately against migrant workers. “In lots of countries in the… Read More

The updated Global Humanitarian Response Plan, launched on Thursday, provides help and protection that prioritize the most vulnerable in society, such as older people, people with disabilities, and women and girls. From establishing supply chains to spreading info on how to stay healthy, learn more about how the @UN & NGO’s are driving a global humanitarian response to #COVID19 in… Read More

New mothers and their babies are facing systems in crisis, including overwhelmed health centres; supply and equipment shortages; and a lack of skilled birth attendants, including midwives.  “Millions of mothers all over the world embarked on a journey of parenthood in the world as it was”, said Henrietta Fore, UNICEF Executive Director.  “They now must prepare to bring a life… Read More

“But these are not just numbers – every single case is a mother, a father, a son, a daughter, a brother, sister or friend”, said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the WHO Director-General. The global caseload for COVID-19 has surpassed 3.5 million, with nearly 250,000 deaths. “As more & more countries consider how to ease so-called lockdown restrictions, I want to reiterate… Read More

“We are deeply concerned about the spiraling economic crisis, and the effect this has had on people’s ability to subsist from one day to the next”, three UN Special Rapporteurs asserted. “The Government must immediately explain how it intends to support people, many of whom are teetering on the brink of survival”. Lift sanctions They acknowledged that while the Government… Read More

New analysis from the agency shows that the crisis is having an impact on the lives of trafficking victims before, during and even after their ordeal. “With COVID-19 restricting movement, diverting law enforcement resources, and reducing social and public services, human trafficking victims have even less chance of escape and finding help”, said Ghada Fathi Waly, the UNODC Executive Director. As… Read More

Kanni Wignaraja, who runs the UNDP’s Asia-Pacific bureau, spoke to UN News and started by explaining why the idea of universal basic income (where governments give a minimum sum of money to all citizens, based on work status or income) is starting to gain traction. Assistant Secretary-General and Director of the Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific, United Nations… Read More