On this World Health Day, we highlight the inequalities and injustices of our health systems. The COVID-19 crisis has revealed how unequal our societies are. Within countries, illness and death from COVID-19 has been higher among people and communities that contend with poverty, unfavourable living and working conditions, discrimination and social exclusion. Globally, the vast…
Drug use among older people – a hidden epidemic
By Cornelis P. de Joncheere President, International Narcotics Control Board More than a year into the COVID-19 pandemic, the severe impact on older people is, sadly, plain to see. Not only are older people highly vulnerable to suffering severe illness with COVID-19, they are often also isolated from family members and the wider community, as…
SEE Lebanon, UNIC Beirut organize “3ala Amal” concert to spread hope and peace
Beirut, 24 November 2020 (United Nations Information Centre)— In collaboration with the UN Information Centre in Beirut (UNIC Beirut), Social Events Endeavor Lebanon (SEE Lebanon) organized a conceptual concert titled “3ala Amal”, in its attempt to spread hope and deliver a shout-out to all the people in Lebanon who are enduring difficult days as a…
Lebanon Humanitarian Fund gives $8.5 million to support vulnerable communities affected by Beirut explosions
Lebanon, BEIRUT, 20 August 2020 – The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has commenced disbursement of US$8.5 million from the Lebanon Humanitarian Fund (LHF) to provide rapid support to families affected by the devastating Beirut Port explosions, the UN Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon, Ms. Najat Rochdi, announced today. More…
COUNTERING TERRORISM DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
By Mr. Vladimir Voronkov, Under-Secretary-General, United Nations Office Of Counter-Terrorism The wide-ranging impacts of COVID-19 have the potential to exacerbate grievances, undermine social cohesion and fuel conflict, creating the conditions conducive to the spread of terrorism and violent extremism. Terrorists are exploiting the disruption, uncertainty and economic hardships caused by COVID-19 to spread fear, hate…
COVID 19 and the RULE OF LAW
By Alexandre Zouev The unprecedented threat from COVID-19 has caused unimaginable suffering around the world. This year also triggered a much-needed discussion on the role of law enforcement in societies. While the pandemic is first and foremost a public health crisis, there are related challenges that are consequential for containing it and for promoting a…
Brussels IV Syria Conference Joint Op-Ed Dr. Natalia Kanem, UNFPA and Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, UN Women Put women at the centre of Syria crisis response
As the Syria crisis enters its 10th year, the situation is especially dire for women and girls, with the effects of COVID-19 compounding the risks and hardships for millions of people inside the country and for refugees around the region. Today nearly 12 million people in Syria require urgent humanitarian assistance and around 4 million…
THE SECRETARY-GENERAL — VIDEO MESSAGE ON WORLD REFUGEE DAY 2020
Nearly 80 million women, children, and men around the world have been forced from their homes as refugees or internally displaced people. Even more shocking: ten million of these people fled in the past year alone. On World Refugee Day, we pledge to do everything in our power to end the conflict and persecution that…
THE SECRETARY-GENERAL — REMARKS TO THE UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL: “THE HIGHEST ASPIRATION: A CALL TO ACTION FOR HUMAN RIGHTS” Geneva, 24 February 2020
Distinguished President of the Human Rights Council, Madame High Commissioner, Excellencies, Colleagues, Friends, I would like to start by expressing my appreciation and admiration for the work being carried out by High Commissioner Michelle Bachelet and her Office. Her personal history… her understanding of what it means for a society and an individual to suffer…
Public Matters Lebanon NGO, UNIC Beirut launch environmental campaign entitled #Reduce
Beirut, 2 December 2019 (United Nations Information Centre) — In line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) launched by the United Nations in 2015, and based on the belief that every person can make a change, even if minor, for a better Lebanon, Public Matters Lebanon NGO, in collaboration with the United Nations Information Centre…