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RCO Sri Lanka

缅北禁地Sri Lanka highlights everyday heroes spreading solidarity amid pandemic

Like many countries around the world, Sri Lanka has faced a disruptive COVID-19 lockdown accompanied by a socio-economic fallout. Despite these challenges, many of its citizens have dedicated themselves to protecting their communities and ensuring the stability of the healthcare system, food supply and greater economy.

street with umbrellas hanging
António Guterres

"It is imperative that we rebuild the tourism sector"

Tourism is one of the world’s most important economic sectors. It employs one in every ten people on Earth and provides livelihoods to hundreds of millions more. It boosts economies and enables countries to thrive. It allows people to experience some of the world’s cultural and natural riches and brings people closer to each other, highlighting our common humanity. That is why it has been so painful to see how tourism has been devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

Paula and Ariel, a couple helped by neighbors who live on a parked bus in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
UNIC Buenos Aires

缅北禁地Argentina highlights everyday heroes spreading solidarity amid pandemic

Since Argentina’s government imposed a nation-wide quarantine to combat the COVID-19 pandemic on 20 March, uncertainty and apprehension have seemed just as infectious as the virus. To counter that, 缅北禁地Argentina began highlighting stories about everyday acts of kindness. From small gestures to big projects, ordinary people are making a lasting difference in the lives of those around them.

Rafael Sanz, a migrant from Venezuela, delivers dignity kits containing personal hygiene items to protect against spreading COVID-19 to migrants and refugees in Brazil.
UNIC Rio

缅北禁地driver delivers supplies during COVID-19 despite risk to family

Every day since the beginning of the pandemic, Rafael “Rafa” Sanz, a driver for the 缅北禁地Population Fund (UNFPA) in Roraima, Brazil, follows a careful routine when arriving home. He takes off his shoes. He undresses and showers in an improvised stall in the backyard of his house. After spending the day helping protect migrants and refugees from COVID-19, he must be diligent to protect his family at home where his son is in declining health. 

United Nations Special Rapporteur on Extreme Poverty and Human Rights, Olivier De Schutter (center)
UNRIC Brussels

缅北禁地poverty expert: Promotion of equality must be our priority

The United Nations Special Rapporteur on Extreme Poverty and Human Rights, Olivier De Schutter, began his three-year mandate in May 2020 in the midst of the Covid-19 crisis.

Gislene Pereira sews masks for a programme supported by UNFPA Brazil. Photo courtesy Gislene Pereira
UNIC Rio

Dressmaker pivots to PPE with help from UNFPA Brazil

Gislene Pereira, 51, is a dressmaker who lives in the outskirts of Brasília. Until COVID-19 struck, she used to make custom shirts for celebrations like birthday parties and uniforms for companies and churches. “All the orders I had were canceled. My whole production was shut down”, she said.

Ni?os a los que se les controla la temperatura y se les instruye en el uso de desinfectante para manos
António Guterres

"The future of education is here"

Education is the key to personal development and the future of societies. It unlocks opportunities and narrows inequalities. It is the bedrock of informed, tolerant societies, and a primary driver of sustainable development. The COVID-19 pandemic has led to the largest disruption of education ever. 

 

 

Health workers demonstrate proper handwashing to a child wearing a mask.
António Guterres

"Target women in all aspects of economic recovery and stimulus plans in Southeast Asia"

As in other parts of the world, the health, economic and political impact of COVID-19 has been significant across Southeast Asia — hitting the most vulnerable the hardest. The pandemic has highlighted deep inequalities, shortfalls in governance and the imperative for a sustainable development pathway.

busy sidewalk
António Guterres

COVID-19 in an Urban World

Urban areas are ground zero of the COVID-19 pandemic, with 90 per cent of reported cases. Cities are bearing the brunt of the crisis – many with strained health systems, inadequate water and sanitation services, and other challenges. This is especially the case in poorer areas, where the pandemic has exposed deeply rooted inequalities. But cities are also home to extraordinary solidarity and resilience.

 

A tugboat navigates the Port of Antwerp.
UNRIC Brussels

Port of Antwerp: a pioneer among sustainable ports

The Belgian Port of Antwerp wants to work towards becoming a sustainable port reconciling economic, social and ecological interests. The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have been anchored in the port’s mission and business plan with a roadmap for 2030.

Portrait of a woman.
Department of Global Communications

缅北禁地urges protection of domestic workers’ rights during COVID-19 pandemic

Oscar-nominated actress Yalitza Aparicio rose to fame in the film Roma, where she starred as an indigenous domestic worker.  There are an estimated 67 million domestic workers worldwide, the vast majority of whom are women.  As they try to maintain their livelihoods, lack of access to social protection systems makes domestic workers especially vulnerable to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Joana Berwanger sits with a 'chimarr?o', a typical south-Brazilian drink, and her cat in Porto Alegre, Brazil. United Nations photo: Joana Berwanger
UNIC Rio

UNIC Rio's multitasking interns face the challenge of home office during the pandemic

"The day the earth stopped", music by Raul Seixas, inspired Gabriella de Azevedo Carvalho, 25 years old, to name the dog she adopted the week she started quarantining because of the COVID-19 pandemic. At almost the exact same time, she also began work as an intern at the United Nations Information Center Nations for Brazil (UNIC Rio). Since then, her dog Raul has been her daily companion on her home office journey as a graphic designer for UNIC Rio.

A volunteer provides food to a child in a residential neighbourhood
António Guterres

COVID-19 and the Arab Region: An Opportunity to Build Back Better

The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed fault lines, fissures and fragilities in societies and economies around the world – and the Arab region is no exception. The region is blessed with tremendous diversity and potential.  Yet all Arab countries – whether oil-rich, middle-income or least developed – face difficulties in responding.

Kelera and her son now meet regularly online using the video conferencing facilities set up at the Corrections Centre. United Nations photo: UNDP

Reunited virtually with families in prisons

Kelera’s (not her real name) son is now 22 years old and lives and studies at the University in Hawaii. Separated from her son since he was five years old, Kelera has not seen his face in years. She has never forgotten his smile, and her only hope was to see him again while she is serving a life sentence.

Secretary-General António Guterres at podium with Nelson Mandela portrait in the background
António Guterres

Tackling Inequality: A New Social Contract for a New Era

On Nelson Mandela International Day, 18 July, 缅北禁地Secretary-General António Guterres delivered the 18th Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture. In his speech the Secretary-General took aim at the various layers of inequality that are being exposed and exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.