UNICEF - UNESCO PRESS RELEASE The future of 800 million children across Asia at risk as their education has been severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic At least 27 million students in the region were not able to attend any in-school education since the beginning of the pandemic. BANGKOK/KATHMANDU, 19 October 2021 — The education of more than 800 million children – 400 million in South Asia, 260 million in East Asia and 140 million in Southeast Asia – across Asia has been disrupted due to school closures since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020, and of that number, more than 27 million children have been waiting for more than a year to return to their classrooms, according to the report, ‘Situation Analysis on the Effects and Responses to COVID-19 on the Education Sector in Asia’ (hereafter ‘Report’ or ‘SitAn Report’), released today by UNICEF and UNESCO.  The Report highlights the continued impact of the pandemic on children’s education and features various regional government’s programmes and initiatives to respond to it. At a time of the year when children traditionally should have returned to school from annual holidays, the report urges governments to reopen schools as soon as it is safe to do so. Responding to the advent and spread of the pandemic in 2020, schools in Asia were fully closed on average for 50 per cent of teaching days. In some countries, for example the Philippines schools have been closed throughout the entire pandemic to date, leaving an estimated 27 million students in pre-primary to secondary education without any in-person learning, a continuous period running from early 2020 to the present for over a year and counting. In Bangladesh, schools have been closed throughout the entire pandemic until 12 September, when they reopened again. Even now, as the world enters the last quarter of 2021, many children are facing an unprecedented second year of school closures as new variants of the coronavirus spread across the region. The associated consequences of such continuous school closures are staggering and include learning loss; mental distress; missed school meals and routine vaccinations; heightened risk of drop out of structured education; increased, child labour; and increased child marriage. Many of these dire consequences are already affecting countless children, and many will continue to be felt in the years to come. “We cannot overlook the impact that the disruption of education services has had on children, particularly the most vulnerable. When schools remain closed, children miss out on the biggest opportunity to learn and develop to their full potential. The future of an entire generation is at stake; therefore, we need every effort to ensure a safe reopening of schools as soon as possible. Otherwise, the learning loss will be difficult to overcome,” stated Marcoluigi Corsi, UNICEF Regional Director a.i. for East Asia and Pacific. While countries across Asia are taking actions to provide students with distance learning, at least 28 per cent, or 220 million pre-primary to upper secondary students in the region, are not being reached. In addition to the lack of material assets and support to access technology, other significant obstacles that prevent disadvantaged children, and many girls, from accessing distance learning during these difficult times include a generally poor learning environment, an increase in pressure to take up domestic household chores and being forced to work outside the home. This is why the report underscores the importance of delivering equitable and inclusive distance learning at scale to reach all children during full or partial school closures, while providing a package of support to ensure children’s health, nutrition and wellbeing. It also calls on governments and partners to strengthen teaching and teacher support, so as to address current low levels of learning and help narrow the learning divide, and protect and preserve education funding. Unless mitigation measures are swiftly implemented, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) estimates an economic loss of USD $1.25 trillion for Asia, which is equivalent to 5.4 per cent of the region’s 2020 gross domestic product (GDP). Existing evidence shows that the cost of addressing learning gaps are lower and more effective when they are tackled early on in a crisis, and that ongoing investments made in education will support economic recovery, growth and prosperity. “Governments, partners and the private sector will need to work together, not only to get the strategies and levels of investment right, but to build more resilient, effective and inclusive systems that are able to deliver on the promise of education as a fundamental human right for all children, whether schools are open or closed,” said George Laryea-Adjei, UNICEF Regional Director for South Asia. Estimates indicate that 7 million schoolchildren in Asia are at risk of dropping out of school due to the pandemic – reversing progress made in school enrolment in recent decades. According to the Report, education budgets in the region will need to increase by an average of 10 per cent to catch up with such losses if Asia is to reach the education targets of the UN 2030 Agenda’s Sustainable Development Goals in the next nine years. “While major efforts are needed to mitigate the learning loss of those children who return to school in the post-COVID-19 recovery phase, we must also remember that 128 million children in Asia were already out of school at the onset of the pandemic; this figure represents roughly half of all out-of-school children globally. This is a learning crisis which needs to be addressed,” said Shigeru Aoyagi, Director of UNESCO Bangkok. Since the start of the pandemic, UNICEF and UNESCO have supported national governments to maintain and improve interventions to ensure continuity of children’s learning and to safely reopen and operate schools. UNICEF and UNESCO would like to acknowledge the generous financial contribution of the Global Partnership for Education (GPE), without which this SitAn would not have been possible. ##### For more information, please contact: Maria Fernandez, UNICEF EAPRO, mfernandez@unicef.org Pravaran Mahat, UNICEF ROSA, pmahat@unicef.org Nyi Nyi Thaung, UNESCO Bangkok, nn.thaung@unesco.org

THE SECRETARY-GENERAL Message on the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty 17 October 2021 Poverty is a moral indictment of our times. For the first time in two decades, extreme poverty is on the rise. Last year, around 120 million people fell into poverty as the COVID-19 pandemic wreaked havoc on economies and societies. A lopsided recovery is further deepening inequalities between the Global North and South.  Solidarity is missing in action – just when we need it most. For example, vaccine inequality is allowing variants to develop and run wild, condemning the world to millions more deaths, and prolonging an economic slowdown that could cost trillions of dollars.  We must end this outrage, tackle debt distress and ensure recovery investment in countries with the greatest need. On this International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, we commit to ‘Building Forward Better’. This requires a three-pronged approach to global recovery: First, the recovery must be transformative – because we cannot go back to the endemic structural disadvantages and inequalities that perpetuated poverty even before the pandemic. We need stronger political will and partnerships to achieve universal social protection by 2030 and invest in job re-skilling for the growing green economy. And we must invest in quality jobs in the care economy, which will promote greater equality and ensure everyone receives the dignified care they deserve. Second, the recovery must be inclusive – because an uneven recovery is leaving much of humanity behind, increasing the vulnerability of already marginalized groups, and pushing the Sustainable Development Goals ever further out of reach. The number of women in extreme poverty far outpaces that of men. Even before the pandemic, the 22 richest men in the world had more wealth than all the women in Africa – and that gap has only grown. We cannot recover with only half our potential. Economic investments must target women entrepreneurs, provide greater formalization of the informal sector, focus on education, social protection, universal childcare, health care and decent work, as well as bridge the digital divide including its deep gender dimension. Third, the recovery must be sustainable – because we need to build a resilient, decarbonized and net-zero world. Through it all, we need to listen far more to the views and guidance of people living in poverty, address indignities and dismantle barriers to inclusion in every society. Today and every day, let us join hands to end poverty and create a world of justice, dignity and opportunity for all. ***   UNICEF PRESS RELEASE FACT SHEET: On Global Handwashing Day, UNICEF warns that 3 in 10 people do not have basic handwashing facilities at home to fight off infectious diseases NEW YORK, 15 October 2021 – Although handwashing with soap is critical in the fight against infectious diseases, including COVID-19, globally, around 3 in 10 people – or 2.3 billion – do not have handwashing facilities with water and soap available at home. The situation is worst in the least developed countries, with over 6 in 10 people without access to basic hand hygiene, UNICEF warned on Global Handwashing Day. “Global response efforts to the pandemic have created an unprecedented time for hand hygiene. Yet progress remains far too slow for the most vulnerable, underserved communities,” said UNICEF WASH Director Kelly Ann Naylor. “Hand hygiene cannot be viewed as a temporary provision to manage COVID-19. Further long-term investment in water, sanitation and hygiene can help prevent the next health crisis from coming. It also means fewer people falling ill with respiratory infections, fewer children dying from diarrheal diseases, and more pregnant mothers and newborns protected from preventable conditions like sepsis.” The latest data show that some progress has been achieved since 2015. For example, the global population with access to basic hand hygiene at home has increased from 5 billion to 5.5 billion, or from 67 per cent to 71 per cent. However, if current trends persist, 1.9 billion people will still not have access to basic hand hygiene by the end of the decade. According to the latest estimates: ·        Globally, 3 in 10 people – or 2.3 billion – do not have access to basic handwashing facilities with water and soap at home, including 670 million people without any facility at all. In the least developed countries, more than 6 in 10 people lack basic hand hygiene facilities at home. ·        2 in 5 schools worldwide do not have basic hygiene services with water and soap, affecting 818 million students, of which 462 million attend schools with no facility at all. In the least developed countries, 7 out of 10 schools have no place for children to wash their hands. ·        1 in 3 healthcare facilities worldwide does not have hand hygiene facilities at points of care where the patient, healthcare worker, and treatment involve contact with the patient. ·        The cost to provide hand hygiene in all homes in 46 of the world’s least-developed countries by 2030 is an estimated US$11 billion*. The cost to governments for hygiene promotion are estimated to be equal to 25 cents per capita per year. Deep inequalities exist across and within countries regarding access and progress, with the most vulnerable children and families suffering the most. Moreover, in fragile, conflict-affected, and refugee settings, progress is especially slow: ·        In fragile contexts, 1 in 5 people do not have any hand hygiene facility at home. ·        In 8 out of 20 countries for which UNHCR has data, more than 30 per cent of refugee households do not have access to soap. ·        Globally, current progress rates must quadruple to reach universal hygiene by 2030. In the least developed countries, the rate of progress would need to increase ten-fold, and in fragile contexts, it would need to accelerate by a factor of 23. UNICEF urges governments to commit to providing hand hygiene, not as a temporary response to the pandemic, but as an investment in public health and economic resilience. The latest joint UNICEF and WHO report identifies five accelerators that can enable governments to rapidly scale up access to hand hygiene, including good governance, smart public finance, capacity building, consistent data, and innovation. #####   Notes to Editors: * This estimate assumes that households would bear the cost of installing handwashing facilities and the cost associated with purchasing water and soap. Governments would bear the cost of hygiene promotion, both initial and ‘top-up’. Least Developed Countries: Afghanistan, Angola, Bangladesh, Benin, Bhutan, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Kiribati, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Niger, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tuvalu, Uganda, United Republic of Tanzania, Yemen, Zambia Download multimedia content here. Read the latest report on handwashing here. ­­About UNICEF  UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. Across more than 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone.  Follow UNICEF on Twitter and Facebook  For more information please contact:  Sara Alhattab, UNICEF New York, Tel: +1 917 957-6536, salhattab@unicef.org

UNDP PRESS RELEASE UNDP and Coca-Cola Foundation partner to #StopTheSpread Islamabad, 15th October 2021—United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Coca-Cola Foundation (TCCF) have designed a #StopTheSpread of COVID-19 project to increase awareness about Covid vaccinations. The $20 million TCCF’s global support under #StoptheSpread initiative will work with nonprofit organizations in response to the pandemic. Commenting on the initiative, Ms Saadia Madsbjerg, President of TCCF, said, “We are proud to use our resources to fund initiatives to help curb the spread of COVID-19 around the world, including this grant to support the important work of UNDP Pakistan”. The signing agreement for the project was announced yesterday at UNDP’s Islamabad Head Quarters. Ms Laura Sheridan, Programme Manager, Youth Empowerment Programme at UNDP said, “We have worked together with TCCF to design the project on international best practices. We are aiming to impact thousands of people by the end of this campaign to not just get vaccinated but also actively guide others to follow the NCOC registration process till the point citizens have their vaccination certificates.” To reduce exposure of participants, the event was live streamed with leading behavioural change scientists, digital media specialists, journalists and health experts who participated in a discussion on how to meet the pandemics fast-changing landscape. The #StopTheSpread project will involve training of youth volunteers facilitation of local hospitals to conduct mobile vaccination drives as well as coordination with the Government for vaccination registration drives for greater vaccine coverage in Pakistan, particularly in areas with little access to medical support. Close to 3,000 young healthcare workers will be trained on effective vaccine administration and side effects management. 
The project also includes distribution of personal protective equipment for health care workers and volunteers. It a will also engage at least 2 million people digitally with support from Google Ads and social media marketing for greater impact. For additional information, please contact Ayesha Babar at ayesha.babar@undp.org  or +92 (51) 835 5650

UNDP PRESS RELEASE Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and UNDP to establish a Forensic Science Laboratory in Peshawar Peshawar, 12 October 2021—The Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (GoKP) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) signed a Cost-Sharing Agreement to establish a Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) in Peshawar today. Under the cost sharing agreement that extends over three years (2021 to 2023), the GoKP will provide PKR 200 million, and UNDP will contribute PKR 600 million to strengthen rule of law, access to justice and forensic services in KP, including the Merged Areas. UNDP Strengthening Rule of Law for Peaceful, Just, and Inclusive Societies in Pakistan (Amn-o-Insaf Programme) is supporting the government in strengthening Rule Of Law institutions and access to justice in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. One of the key priority areas of the UNDP-Amn-o-Insaf programme is strengthening forensic science services in the province. A state-of-the-art Regional Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) has been established at Landaki Swat, with the support from Swiss Development Cooperation (SDC) and the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL). Secretary Home and Tribal Affairs Department Mr. Ikram Ullah Khan praised UNDP Amn-o-Insaf Programme for their efforts in strengthening the rule of law and justice system in the province. “A forensic science lab in the province is very important and I am happy that finally, the cost sharing agreement is signed. Hopefully, the dream of an autonomous and well equipped FSL will come true and the partnership with UNDP will prove to be helpful yet again’” Speaking on the occasion, UNDP Resident Representative Mr. Knut Ostby appreciated and recognized the partnership between UNDP and KP Home Department in strengthening rule of law in KP and NMDs. “I am thankful to the GoKP for showing interest in strengthening forensics services in the province and allocating land for the FSL in Peshawar. Resources allocated by the GoKP for the initial designing work of the FSL will pave the way for our work ahead and enhance opportunities to mobilize resources to construct and operationalize an autonomous FSL in Peshawar. UNDP appreciates the trust Secretary H&TAD and his entire team has put in our efforts and together we will deliver great results”.  The cost sharing agreement was signed by Secretary H&TAD Mr. Ikram Ullah Khan and UNDP Pakistan. Resident Representative Mr. Knut Ostby, UNDP Pakistan Deputy Resident Representative Ms. Aliona Niculita, Assistant Resident Representative Mr. Kaiser Ishaque, UNDP Programme Specialist Rule of Law Programme Mr. Arshid Jan, Additional Secretary H&TAD Mr. Usman Mehsud, and Deputy Secretary Development H&TAD Mr. Kashif Qayum were also present at the ceremony.  For additional information, please contact Ayesha Babar at ayesha.babar@undp.org  or +92 (51) 835 5650