United Nations in Pakistan

Pakistan affirmed its commitment to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development by adopting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as its own national development agenda through a unanimous National Assembly Resolution in 2016. Since then, the country has made considerable progress by mainstreaming these goals in national policies and strategies and developing an institutional framework for SDGs implementation in Pakistan. SDG support units have been established at federal and provincial levels with the planning institutions (Ministry of Planning Development and Special Initiatives and Provincial Planning and Development Departments) to guide SDGs implementation and monitoring it progress. In 2018, the Government designed and approved a National SDGs Framework that envisages a national vision to prioritize and localize SDGs. Localized provincial SDG Frameworks are being formulated. The focus of the government is on mainstreaming SDGs in planning processes, ensuring strong monitoring and reporting on SDGs, ensuring public financial allocations are aligned to SDGs and alternate financing modalities are being explored, and to benefit from use of technology to accelerate progress towards SDGs.

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Publication

02 September 2022

2022 Pakistan Floods Response Plan - FRP

Pakistan has been enduring severe monsoon weather since June 2022, which saw areaweighted rainfall 67 per cent above normal levels in that month alone. As of 27 August, rainfall in the country is equivalent to 2.9 times the national 30-year average. This has caused widespread flooding and landslides, with severe repercussions for human lives, property and infrastructure. To date, 72 districts across Pakistan have been declared ‘calamity hit’ by the
Government of Pakistan. These numbers remain dynamic given the ongoing rains, and the number of calamity-declared districts is expected to increase.

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Story

18 June 2020

Pakistan: Further desert locust damage forecast in coming agricultural seasons

The Government of Pakistan’s preliminary estimate of monetary losses due to desert locusts over the two coming agricultural seasons in 2020 and 2021 may range from US$3.4 billion to $10.21 billion. Locust damage has significantly affected many farmers already, with further significant locust damage forecast at the end of summer. In late January, the Government of Pakistan declared the desert locust a national emergency and set up the National Action Plan for Desert Locust Control and Surveillance and a high-level National Locust Control Centre. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is providing technical advice and procurement support to the Government for locust surveillance and control activities, including locust threat forecasts and control operation strategies. FAO and the World Food Programme and partners, in coordination with the Government, will access needs in the worst-impacted districts, which have also experienced multiple shocks over the past 18 months, including drought, flash flooding, a cold wave and COVID-19. The Government of Pakistan needs $372 million over the coming three years in additional funding to survey, control and recover from the locust damage. FAO launched the Desert Locust Upsurge Global Response Plan 2020, which includes $12.5 million for Pakistan for crisis response, of which only $1.9 million has been funded. More than 3 million people in Pakistan are facing severe acute food insecurity, with the situation particularly precarious in Balochistan. It is estimated that approximately 34,000 households will need of emergency livelihood and food-security assistance due to crop losses. Many more people may be indirectly affected by crop losses leading to price rises in key commodities.

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Story

16 June 2020

A Coordinated Response to Coronavirus

On Wednesday, 11 March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) characterized the coronavirus (COVID-19) viral disease a pandemic, but it is a pandemic that can be controlled. Coronavirus (COVID-19) is the infectious disease caused by the most recently discovered coronavirus. Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who heads the UN agency, said, in his statement, “Let me be clear: describing this as a pandemic does not mean that countries should give up.” The UN Secretary-General urged all countries to take a comprehensive approach tailored to their circumstances – with containment as the central pillar. COVID-19 is affecting thousands of people, impacting countries’ health systems and having widespread social and economic effects. The UN entities working on development, the United Nations Sustainable Development Group, are supporting countries in their preparedness and response plans. This page convenes sources of information and guidance from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations (UN) regarding the current outbreak of novel coronavirus (COVID-19). WHO is working closely with global experts, governments and partners to track the spread and to provide guidance to countries and individuals on measures to protect health and prevent the spread of this outbreak. To stay up to date with the latest information, please visit: United Nations Covid-19 Response: https://www.un.org/coronavirus World Health Organization: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019 Latest news on the United Nations’ response: https://news.un.org/en/events/un-news-coverage-coronavirus-outbreak WHO guidance for countries: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/technical Coronavirus (COVID-19) Situation: https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/685d0ace521648f8a5beeeee1b9125cd

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Story

14 September 2022

Everyday Heroes – Stories from the Flood

Acres and acres of land is inundated by the floods in Pakistan, with one-third of Sindh (area and population) affected by the devastating floods. More than 1400 lives have been lost and 33 million are directly impacted. Many have lost their homes and everything they owned. Livestock and fields of crops have been wiped out. They have no food, no drinking water, no shelter. They are at increased risk of waterborne diseases, dengue and malnutrition. They have no access to health or education facilities. Life as they knew it has been snatched from them. In the words of the United Nations Secretary-General, “It’s not about numbers. It’s about people, about the farmers that have lost their crops, about those that have lost members of their family, about those that have seen their houses destroyed, about those that have lost their cattle, about those that have no money to pay the loans that they have contracted to be able to plant. It was these people that each one of you was rescuing, helping to escape these horrible floods.” “I come here to serve my people; this is my passion.” – Dr Sumeira Abasi Dr. Sumeira Abasi, a field medical officer in Larkana, Sindh, had been coming to the Taluka Headquarter hospital since the flooding began, and being a mother of three, she lamented that the situation was challenging for her. Even though her home was far and she had to travel through the flood waters that entered inside the rickshaw she travelled in, her spirits were not dampened. There was a time when her own home was flooded, but she did not stop and continued to meet the health care needs of the flood victims within the limited means available to her. As she put it: “I come here to serve my people; this is my passion.” “I rescued about three hundred people” - Mr. Muhammad Shifa Arijo When the ruthless floods hit Larkana, Muhammad Shifa Arijo, Secretary of Union Council Anwar Adab, Larkana, fearlessly and selflessly rushed to help people. He had risked his own life rescuing some 300 people from slums that had been in the path of the raging floodwaters, and subsequently helping to move them to Quaid-e-Awam Engineering University using boats. He had also been given the responsibility of delivering food each day to hundreds of people affected by the floods. Dr. Abasi and Arijo and many others like them, speak of the enormous courage, generosity and solidarity that people have shown during this time of extreme crisis. The mammoth floods were relentless in their destruction, yet these brave men and women went above and beyond and provided timely help, saving hundreds of lives. They need the help of everyone across the world. The world needs to respond with assistance for these innocent people suffering the consequences of a climate change induced catastrophe that they hardly contributed to.

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07 September 2022

UN Women puts women and girls at the heart of flood response in Pakistan

When the recent floods hit Fatimah Gul’s house, everything happened so quickly that she was unable to bring any belongings or food supplies. The elderly widow lost most of her belongings when her village was one of the very first to be hit by floods in Swabi District of the northern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Photo: UN Women/Aziz Ullah “This sudden flood has destroyed everything in my life,” said Fatimah with tears in her eyes. “I don’t have utensils and clothes. My bed and house are damaged.” She was already living on zakat (charity money) and suddenly left with nothing. She cannot afford to rebuild nor has she any income to survive. Fatimah is one of many women affected by the record floods in Pakistan. Most victims of natural disasters are the poor, and particularly women. The recent climate-changed floods in Pakistan have shown that the country is no exception. Heavy monsoon rains since June have left up to one third of the country under water, affecting 33 million of the country’s estimated 240 million inhabitants. Some 6.4 million people are estimated to need of assistance. Disasters such as this are worse for women, girls, and women with disabilities. They face the biggest challenges including access to humanitarian assistance. Furthermore, the needs and vulnerabilities of women and girls are often distinct during disasters. UN Women Pakistan is putting women like Fatimah at the heart of its flood response. So far, UN Women has distributed non-food items for immediate relief, including shelter, kitchen utensils, medical aid, and sanitary products for flood-affected women in Swabi. In addition, providing cash grants worth PKR 20,000 (USD 91) each to the most vulnerable women including young girls, women headed the house, women without income and women with disabilities Another woman from the same village as Fatimah, Romania Bibi, says she feels exposed to danger and her privacy can no longer be maintained. Half of her house was damaged during the floods. “I cannot sleep at night because flood damaged the boundary walls of my house. I am using bed sheets to cover the broken walls,” said Romania. In the coming days, UN Women plans to scale up its flood response to provide life-saving relief in Sindh and Balochistan provinces and the Gilgit-Baltistan region. The scaling services include temporary women’s centres, and services for the prevention of and response to gender-based violence (GBV), with a focus on psychosocial support to GBV survivors. Photo: UN Women/Aziz Ullah Story: UN Women

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کیپشن: موسلادھارمون سون بارشوں کے بعد شمالی پاکستان میں فاطمہ گل کا گھر۔فوٹو: یواین ویمن/عزیزاللہ

Story

08 November 2021

Pakistan celebrates the 76th UN Day with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and UN Agencies in a ‎colorful ceremony ‎

The 76th anniversary of the United Nations was recently celebrated in a colorful event organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in collaboration with the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator in Islamabad. The Foreign Secretary, Mr. Sohail Mahmood, was the Chief Guest while a video message of the UN Secretary General, Mr. António Guterres, was featured at the event. The Resident Coordinator, Mr. Julien Harneis, also addressed the audience comprising of heads of diplomatic missions and UN agencies based in Islamabad, as well as senior government officials and members of the UN staff. Speaking on the occasion, the Foreign Secretary reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to multilateralism, with the UN playing a central role for promoting peace, security, development and human rights for all. The Foreign Secretary highlighted Pakistan’s contributions to the work of the UN including in the areas of peacekeeping, refugee protection, humanitarian action, climate change, and international cooperation for sustainable development. He also thanked all the UN agencies working in Pakistan for advancing its socio-economic development. The UN Resident Coordinator, Mr. Julien Harneis, appreciated the constant support and assistance of the Government of Pakistan and highlighted the many accomplishments of the UN agencies working in Pakistan in a diversity of sectors. He also talked about the new 5-year plan, the UN Sustainable Development Framework 2023-2027 and how every effort was being made to ensure that it had realistic action plans that align with the needs of the people of Pakistan, the directions of the government and the support of the member states and development partners. A youth representative also shared her views on the expectations from the United Nations for meeting contemporary challenges. Many UN agencies set up displays around the venue to showcase their products and interventions in the areas of health, food security, environmental protection, capacity-building and socio-economic development. These exhibits invited a great deal of interest from the guests and served as an opportunity to showcase the many interventions and accomplishments of the UN in Pakistan. Photo Credit: UNDP

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30 May 2021

Pakistan ramps up Protected Areas

From the Himalayas in the north to the deserts of Balochistan in the west, to the mangroves of Sindh in the south, Pakistan’snatural diversity is spellbinding, but it is also under threat. In 2018, only 12 per cent of the country was classed as an environmentally protected area. According to Bloomberg, it was one of the six countries in the world most at risk from climate change. The country had one of the lowest forest covers in the region, with only 5 per cent cover. This was compared to a global average of 31 per cent. This put the country at increased risk from environmental dangers such as flooding, melting glaciers and droughts. However, change is underway. In 2020, Pakistan’s government launched the ‘Protected Area Initiative’ which aims to increase protected areas such as national parks, wetlands and wildlife reserves to 15 per cent of the country’s total area by 2023. In the last two years, protected area coverage has already increased to 13.9 per cent and further progress looks assured. Pakistan is following a global trend, according to the United Nations Environment Programme’s (UNEP) flagship report Protected Planet. Since 2010, 21 million km2of protected and conserved areas, or 42 per cent of the global total, has been added. “Protected areas offer a range of environmental benefits – they safeguard biodiversity by protecting plant and animal habitats; protect against climate change by building resilience to natural disasters and providing carbon storage, and can help maintain food and water security,” said Susan Gardner, Director of UNEP’s Ecosystems division. “Their positive impact also extends to economies as protected areas can drive eco-tourism and create green jobs in developing countries.” Sustainable Protected Areas While the growth of protected areas is a welcome development, as the Pakistan government is aware, in order for them to be effective, the areas must be managed and controlled. While globally the target of 17 per cent of land protection has been met (Pakistan is behind the global average), less than 8 per cent, against a target of 10 per cent, of coastal and marine areas have been conserved. Pakistan’s national parks date back to 1972 with the creation of Lal Suhanra, one of South Asia’s largest. Lal Suhanara is now one of Pakistan’s 31 parks which include desert, mountains, wetlands and coastal ecosystems. They are home to a wide array of species including the elusive and endangered snow leopard. However, many had fallen into disrepair and were parks and protected areas only in name. Part of the Protected Area Initiative is to ensure that these valuable environmental areas are operating and functional. “It is key for Pakistan to not only increase the protected areas but to ensure that all areas that are protected are more than just paper parks. By this we mean they are fully functioning with community buy-in and staff to operate and protect them,” said Dr. Raja Omer, the Deputy Inspector General (Forests) in Pakistan. In order to do this Pakistan is adding 7000 jobs to manage and work in the parks, a key boost after job losses due to COVID-19. UNEP’s Protected Planet Report 2020 finds that in order to be fully effective, jobs in protected areas must draw from and benefit the local communities and fully embrace women at all levels of planning and implementation. “These jobs will ensure community buy-in and agency for the protected areas,” said Dr. Omer. As Pakistan prepares to hold World Environment Day on June 5, in partnership with UNEP, the country continues to make positive progress. Last year Prime Minister Khan announced the creation of nine new National Parks and the rehabilitation of a further six. Pakistan aims to have at least seven of its national parks registered under the IUCN 'Green List of Protected Areas,' the gold standard for conservation. “We have made good progress and we are confident we will meet our targets,” said Dr. Omer. Story via UNEP

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19 May 2021

Pakistan restores mangroves for economy and ecosystem benefits

Tahir Qureshi had many nicknames. Father of the Mangroves. Mangrove Man. The mangrove hero of Pakistan. All reflect a life dedicated to the conservation and restoration of Pakistan’s mangroves. As Pakistan prepares to host World Environment Day on June 5, ecosystem restoration, which includes critical ecosystems like mangrove forests, will be the focus. Mr Quershi, who sadly passed away in December 2020, played a key role in the development of mangrove restoration in Pakistan and will be fondly remembered at the event. “He was a magnificent man. He understood the importance of mangroves in environmental conservation, he dedicated his life to them” said Mahmood Akhtar Cheema, the country representative of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) a United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) partner, “He literally planted millions of mangroves.” Mangroves are also a central part of the Pakistan government’s ambitious ‘Ten Billion Tree Tsunami’ drive. Led by Prime Minister Imran Khan and supported by UNEP, Pakistan has committed to planting 10 billion trees by 2023. Millions, if not billions, of these trees will be mangroves. By the end of June, this year one billion trees will have already been planted. Ecosystem and economic benefits Mangroves are one of the most productive and diverse ecosystems on the planet, without which, 39 per cent more people would be flooded annually. The IUCN estimates that mangroves provide exceptional carbon storage - three to five times that of tropical forests – and support livelihoods for over 120 million people globally. They are also home to more than 3,000 fish species are found in their ecosystem. “Mangroves are an important tool in the fight against climate change. They reduce carbon in the atmosphere and they also make financial sense. Restoring mangroves is five times more cost effective than building ‘grey infrastructure’ such as flood walls, which also don’t help with climate change,” said Makkio Yashiro, regional ecosystems coordinator for UNEP. But mangroves are under threat. Climate change, logging, agriculture, aquaculture, pollution and coastal development are all eroding their habitats. UNEP and partners found that over 67% of mangroves have been lost or degraded to date. Restoring a critical ecosystem Restoring mangroves helps support not only nature but also, economies. A hectare of mangroves is estimated to be worth between $33,000 and $57,000 per year. UNEP studies find that every dollar invested in mangrove restoration there is a benefit of four dollars. Simply put they are one of the most efficient, cost effective Nature-based Solutions (NbS). In Pakistan, as well as the Ten Billion Tree Tsunami, organisations such as the IUCN have instigated a number of mangrove restoration projects. The IUCN has worked on projects including one with the Pakistani Navy to plant seven million mangrove plants and also public-private enterprises with Engro Elengy Terminal Private Limited (EETPL) in the Port Qasim area of Karachi. As we enter the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, which will run from 2021 to 2030 and aims to prevent, halt and reverse the degradation of ecosystems worldwide, mangroves have a key role to play in its success. Story via UNEP

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Press Release

23 September 2022

Media Update: United Nations Pakistan, 22 September 2022

UNICEF PRESS RELEASE Over half a billion dollars pledged to tackle severe wasting since July in unprecedented international response to deepening child malnutrition crisis At least 60 per cent of commitments will directly support UNICEF’s work in 15 countries hardest hit by the food and nutrition crisis Multimedia content available to download here NEW YORK, 22 September 2022 — Governments, philanthropies, and private donors have pledged approximately US$577 million since July in response to the deepening child malnutrition crisis – with at least 60 per cent of that amount committed to directly supporting UNICEF’s work. Roughly US$280 million of the over half billion raised was pledged today at The Child Malnutrition Crisis: Pledging to Save Lives – a high-level event co-hosted by UNICEF, United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF), and the government of Senegal at UNICEF Headquarters in New York. The governments of Canada, Ireland, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom; and the Aliko Dangote Foundation, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF), the Eleanor Crook Foundation, the Greta Thunberg Foundation, Humanitarian Services of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and King Philanthropies came together at the high-level event during the 77th annual United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) to address the growing food crisis. The commitments were made as climate-driven drought, conflict, and rising food prices continue to drive up emergency levels of severe wasting in young children worldwide. In 15 countries hardest hit, including in the Horn of Africa and the Sahel, a child is being pushed into severe malnutrition every minute, according to a recent analysis by UNICEF. “An escalating malnutrition crisis is pushing millions of children to the brink of starvation – and unless we do more, that crisis will become a catastrophe,” said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell. “UNICEF is immensely grateful for the pledges we have received, but we need further unrestricted funding to reach children before it is too late. We cannot stand by and let children die – not when we know how to prevent, detect, and treat severe wasting.” Today’s commitments build upon pledges made in July, when USAID Administrator Samantha Power announced an unprecedented contribution of US$200 million to UNICEF to detect and treat severe child wasting. At that time, an additional US$50 million was pledged by private philanthropies including Philanthropist and Chair of the Children's Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF) Sir Chris Hohn, the Eleanor Crook Foundation (ECF), The CRI Foundation, and The ELMA Relief Foundation, to address the malnutrition crisis. “The truth is that the majority of children facing severe malnutrition, nearly two-thirds of children, live in places that don’t normally receive humanitarian aid,” said USAID Administrator Samantha Power. “We are working to change that, to recognize that treatment for severe malnutrition should be accessible not just in humanitarian settings, but in non-crisis settings as well.” Severe wasting – which makes children dangerously thin – is the most visible and lethal form of undernutrition. Weakened immune systems increase the risk of death among children under 5 by up to 11 times compared to well-nourished children. In response, UNICEF has scaled up its efforts in 15 countries most affected by the malnutrition crisis. Afghanistan, Burkina Faso, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Haiti, Kenya, Madagascar, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, and Yemen are included in an Acceleration Plan calling for US$1.2 billion to help avert a rise in child deaths and mitigate the long-term damage of severe wasting. The pledges to UNICEF will help provide services for the early prevention, detection and treatment of child wasting, and expand access to life-saving ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF) and other essential nutritious commodities needed during crises. During today’s event, UNICEF and partners also launched an expansion of the Child Nutrition Fund, a long-term multi-partner financing mechanism to support the early prevention, detection and treatment of child wasting. By working with governments to consolidate and strategically allocate financial resources, the Child Nutrition Fund aims to accelerate global progress and end the cycle of severe child wasting. “We are witnessing an unprecedented child malnutrition crisis. The fact that many millions of children have to experience severe malnutrition in their first few years of life is unacceptable,” said Co-founder and Chair of CIFF Chris Hohn. “We already know many of the solutions for prevention, early detection and treatment of child wasting but we need to do more to ensure these solutions are scaled. This requires sustainable long-term and coordinated funding. The early success of the Child Nutrition Fund is incredibly encouraging and its expansion into becoming the largest centralised response to combat child wasting at scale is exactly what’s needed. I am pleased to announce the CIFF intends to allocate an additional $40 million for addressing child wasting.” “As we face global challenges, including the ripple effects of COVID-19, we should always keep acute malnutrition and stunting as priorities on the multilateral agenda,” said Minister Counsellor at the Permanent Mission of Senegal to the United Nations Diamane Diome. “Working with national and international stakeholders, such as USAID, UNICEF, the World Food Programme and other multilateral and bilateral partners, Senegal has made great progress in this regard. This shows that we can overcome the challenge of child acute malnutrition and stunting, if we work collaboratively and with a sense of urgency, on the basis of our shared values. Senegal is committed to sharing the experience and lessons it has learned in the process. That is why I am happy to take part in this timely meeting alongside USAID and UNICEF.” ### Canada’s Minister of International Development and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency Harjit S. Sajjan said: “Acute malnutrition can be prevented, and the effects mitigated, if detected and treated early. Together we can put a stop to this—but we must act now. Working alongside allies like USAID and with partners like UNICEF, the World Food Programme and Nutrition International, Canada continues to be part of the solution.” Ireland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney T.D. said: “The world has reached a crossroads where climate change, continuous conflict in many regions, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and now the war in Ukraine have converged to deepen and accelerate global food and nutrition insecurity. Together we must do more - and do it urgently. Today Ireland was pleased to announce a pledge of €50 million over three years towards accelerating the global response for the prevention, early detection, and treatment of child wasting. This will be additional to Ireland’s commitment made at the 2021 Nutrition for Growth Summit of €800 million over five years. We look forward to working closely with USAID, UNICEF and other global partners on this critical work in the months and years ahead.” Kingdom of the Netherlands’ Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Liesje Schreinemacher said: “To ease the current food and nutrition crisis, we must all increase our efforts. That’s why the Kingdom of the Netherlands invests in a new partnership with UNICEF to focus on the prevention of undernutrition among children, women and adolescents in Sub-Saharan Africa.” CEO, Board Member of Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Mark Suzman said: “I’m encouraged by the unified response to today’s crisis, but it’s not enough for us to respond to this disaster. We must also do everything in our power to prevent the next one with long-term, sustainable investments. The foundation’s $20 million pledge to the UNICEF Child Nutrition Fund today doubles our previous commitment and will expand the fund’s focus to include life-saving nutrition products that prevent wasting for the most vulnerable. Together, we can create a future where every child can reach their full potential.” CEO of the Eleanor Crook Foundation William Moore said: "The Eleanor Crook Foundation is proud to be part of this incredible coalition of funders and make an additional commitment to combat the worsening child wasting crisis. With cost-effective and life-saving treatments like ready-to-use therapeutic food available, no child should suffer or die of malnutrition. In life, there are no silver bullets, but when it comes to keeping malnourished children alive, RUTF is as close as one comes. I applaud all of the donors who have stepped up during this moment of global crisis and plea for others to come to the table. This is progress but it's not the finish line, and millions more children need our help." Climate and environmental activist Greta Thunberg said: “Millions of children are currently being affected by the floods in Pakistan and the drought in Somalia, the latest signs of an accelerating climate crisis. People in these countries have done next to nothing to contribute to the crisis, yet they are among the ones being affected the most. We must all do what we can to support emergency relief work on the ground, and call on our governments to stop ignoring the climate crisis and prevent further suffering.” The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Director, Humanitarian Services, Sharon Eubank said: “The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is pleased to expand our long-term collaboration with UNICEF and pledge $5 million in support of the No Time to Waste Malnutrition campaign. This funding comes in small increments from hard-working families and from widows who have limited incomes and from little children themselves. It was given by Latter-day Saints so that mothers will have healthier pregnancies and births and they can offer therapeutic food and micronutrients to their children who might be at risk.” President and CEO of King Philanthropies Kim Starkey said: “At King Philanthropies, we deploy grants and impact investments to catalyze solutions at the intersection of climate change and extreme poverty. Malnutrition sits squarely and stubbornly at this intersection. Those who will be most affected by climate change are those in extreme poverty, who also suffer most significantly from malnutrition. These individuals did the least to cause climate change. Yet it gravely threatens their livelihoods in agriculture, food security, and the nutritional status of their families. Today, King Philanthropies enthusiastically says yes to this initiative to fight severe malnutrition and wasting.” Notes to Editors For further information, please contact: Helen Wylie, UNICEF New York, Tel: +1 917 244 2215, hwylie@unicef.org 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. For more information about UNICEF and its work for children visit www.unicef.org
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Press Release

21 September 2022

Media Update: United Nations Pakistan, 20 September 2022

UNICEF PRESS RELEASE UNICEF Geneva Palais briefing note on the harrowing situation children face as floods continue to devastate Pakistan This is a summary of what was said by UNICEF Pakistan Chief Field Officer in Balochistan, Gerida Birukila – to whom quoted text may be attributed - at today's press briefing at the Palais des Nations in Geneva. GENEVA/ISLAMABAD, 20 September 2022 – “Next week marks a month since catastrophic floods uprooted more than 3.4 million children from their homes. The violent rapids have already claimed the lives of more than 550 children. Without a significant surge in support, we fear many more children will lose their lives. “Even after three weeks, large parts of the flood-affected areas are still submerged under water. Many of the roads and bridges have either been washed away or damaged. Thousands of families in the 81 calamity-hit districts are still cut off and desperately need support. Families have no food, clean water or medicines. “Lack of food means a lot of the mothers are now anaemic and malnourished and have very low-weight babies. UNICEF has been on the ground since Day 1 supporting the Government of Pakistan’s flood response. Immediately following the floods, we dispatched US$ 1 million in prepositioned supplies, with an additional US$ 3million of supplies delivered and being dispatched to the worst affected districts. We have set up 71 mobile health camps, and have set up temporary learning centres to help children cope with trauma.
“The world needs to come together and help the children in Pakistan. Our funding appeal for US$ 39 million is still less than a third funded, and the needs of children will only continue to grow. Together we can save lives by delivering lifesaving health, nutrition, WASH, protection, and education services to every child in Pakistan who needs it the most. ##### Notes for editors:  Multimedia materials (photos and b-roll) are available here. Find out more about UNICEF's response to the floods in Pakistan (Link). Latest Pakistan Humanitarian Situation Report (Link). 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, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube For more information, please contact:  Pravaran Mahat, UNICEF South Asia, +977 98020 48256 / pmahat@unicef.org  Abdul Sami Malik, UNICEF Pakistan, +92 300 855 6654 / asmalik@unicef.org Joe English, UNICEF New York, +1 917 893 0692 / jenglish@unicef.org UNODC MEDIA ADVISORY High-level Consultation of National and Provincial Trafficking in Persons Committees At Crystal Ballroom, Marriot Hotel Islamabad on Wednesday 21 September 2022 at 9:30 hrs. 20 August 2022, Islamabad - UNODC Country Office Pakistan in coordination with the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), Government of Pakistan shall be jointly organizing a single day high-level consultation of National and Provincial Trafficking in Persons (TIP) committee tomorrow on 21 September 2022 at the Crystal Ballroom, Marriott Hotel Islamabad. The purpose of this high-level national consultation is to provide a platform to all the relevant stakeholders to discuss the issues related to Trafficking in Persons (TIP). It will also provide an opportunity for all the committee members to meet and do deliberations around objectives of these committees. The national consultations and meetings followed by it will also serve as a platform where the committee members will be briefed on TIP, the enacted laws, and its rules, as well as the importance of monitoring and reporting systems. It is also hoped that there would be increased synergies and reduced duplication of efforts. Honorable Minister for Interior Rana Sanaullah has kindly consented to be the chief guest of the event. Representative UNODC Dr Jeremy Mislom, Director General FIA Mohsin Hassan Butt, Chief of Mission IOM, Ms Mio Sato, Deputy Head of Delegation of the European Union in Pakistan H.E. Mr Thomas Seiler, will also give their remarks at the event. Senior representatives of the FIA, UNODC, the European Union, IOM and conveners, co-conveners, and members of Punjab provincial and district level committees are invited to attend the high-level consultation. You are cordially invited to do the media coverage and attend the High-level Consultation of National and Provincial TIP Committees at Crystal Ballroom, Marriot Hotel Islamabad tomorrow, Wednesday 21 September 2022 at 09:30 hrs. For further queries please contact Ms. Rizwana Rahool, Communications Officer, UNODC Pakistan, cell: 0301 8564255, email: rizwana.rahool@un.org

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Press Release

15 September 2022

Media Update: United Nations Pakistan, 14 September 2022

THE SECRETARY-GENERAL MESSAGE FOR THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE 21 September 2022 Peace is a noble and necessary pursuit, and the only practical pathway to a better, fairer world for all people. Yet in too many places, in too many contexts, we are failing the cause of peace. The theme of this year’s International Day of Peace — “End Racism, Build Peace” — reminds us of the many ways racism poisons people’s hearts and minds and erodes the peace we all seek. Racism robs people of their rights and dignity. It inflames inequalities and mistrust. And it pushes people apart, at a time when we should be coming together, as one human family, to repair our fractured world. Instead of fighting each other, we should be working to defeat our true enemies: racism, poverty, inequality, conflict, the climate crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic. We should tear down structures that sustain racism, and lift up human rights movements everywhere. And we should drown out the vicious voices of hate speech with a united and sustained cry for truth, understanding and mutual respect. On this important day, a time to observe 24 hours of non-violence and cease-fire, we renew our call for all people to do more than lay down their weapons. We call on them to re-affirm the bonds of solidarity we share as human beings and get down to the business of building a better, more peaceful world. *** UNWOMEN PRESS RELEASE UN Women, the Ministry of Law & Justice and the Bureau of International Narcotics & Law Enforcement Affairs Launch a New Programme: “TAHAFFUZ” Islamabad, 14 September 2022: UN Women in collaboration with the Ministry of Law & Justice and completely funded by the Bureau of International Narcotics & Law Enforcement (INL) of the US Department of State, jointly launched the initiation of a programme “Preventing and Protecting Women from Violence through Enhanced Access to Justice and Services, TAHAFFUZ”. The programme, which focuses on preventing violence against women and enhancing their access to justice will be implemented in 5 districts of Punjab and Sindh, as well as the Islamabad Capital Territory from 2022 till 2024. UN Women Deputy Country Representative Jacqui Ketunuti welcomed the distinguished participants and introduced the TAHAFFUZ programme to the audience. She said, “Building on the successes of the previous phase of this project, UN Women will address the issue of violence against women (VAW) through a holistic approach, targeting all the key stakeholders from government institutions, justice and security sector officials, as well as civil society. Using gender and social inclusion strategies, the programme will ensure VAW is addressed from all angles and institutions that facilitate women in accessing justice are strengthened to deliver accessible, quality and gender-responsive services.” The programme aims to tackle the issue of violence against women (VAW) in a holistic way through evidence-based legislation & policy interventions, strengthening capacity of duty bearers, enhancing coordination and increasing awareness. While addressing the National Launch Event of the Programme, INL Director Lori Antolinez said, “the U.S. government is awarding $1.5 million to UN Women to help Pakistani women better access justice and legal services via TAHAFFUZ. This continues years of INL’s support and partnership with the Pakistani government, Pakistani citizens, and UN Women. In 2016, INL was the sole funder for Phase One of the UN Women program, providing $3.5 million. Gender inclusivity and women’s empowerment in law enforcement and criminal justice is a top priority for INL in Pakistan. INL supports programs to improve women’s access to justice through improved law enforcement response to gender-based violence. More and better trained women law enforcement professionals mean superior delivery of justice to Pakistani women.” During the life of the programme, TAHAFFUZ will strengthen capacity of law enforcement officials through improving knowledge and attitudes on gender, enhancing handling of cases of VAW along with improved coordination between security and justice sector stakeholders, forensic officers, and medical examiners. In his keynote address, Federal Minister for Law and Justice Mr. Azam Nazeer Tarar highlighted the steps taken by the Government of Pakistan towards preventing and protecting women against violence. He thanked INL and UN Women for extending their support, said, “Many progressive laws have been enacted in Pakistan and a strong legislative framework exists – we need to make sure it is implemented in letter and spirit so that the citizens of our country, especially the women, are able to benefit from it. This programme will help create a safe and enabling environment for women and girls so that they may play an active role in national progress and sustainable development.” Chairperson National Commission on the Status of Women, Ms. Nilofar Bakhtiar, MNA and Parliamentary Secretary, MOLJ Ms Mehnaz Akbar Aziz also spoke at the National Launch Event. This year marks the 40-year anniversary of partnership between INL and Pakistan under the banner of “Justice, Security, and Prosperity,” with more than $1 billion invested over four decades by the United States government to improve public safety and enhance law enforcement, prosecutorial, and judicial capacity across Pakistan.  INL works in more than 60 countries to help combat crime and corruption; improve police institutions; and promote court systems that are fair and accountable. Find out more about INL at: http://www.state.gov/j/inl/. For further information about the TAHAFFUZ programme, contact: Erum Fareed, Communications Officer- UN Women at erum.fareed@unwomen.org, or 92 346 8502146

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Press Release

14 September 2022

Media Update-3: United Nations Pakistan, 13 September 2022

UNICEF PRESS RELEASE PBC and UNICEF form Synergy to Promote Family-Friendly Policies at Workplace Islamabad/Karachi, 13 September, 2022 - The Pakistan Business Council (PBC) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) today, to promote gender equity and family-friendly policies in the workplace amongst 94 corporate members of PBC and 150 affiliate organizations. The objective of this two-year partnership is to raise awareness on family-friendly policies in the workplace and in that regard, provide guidance and technical support to private sector companies. Additionally, this partnership would help support the development of gender conducive and family-friendly workplaces and increases awareness about child rights and responsible business practices through events and public advocacy. Emphasizing the need for businesses to acknowledge and incorporate family-friendly policies, said Mr. Ehsan Malik, Chief Executive Officer, PBC said, “Businesses are likely to attract and retain more female employees if they have a comprehensive maternity and childcare policies. PBC looks forward to partnering with UNICEF, to use their knowledge and expertise to advocate for better family-friendly policies in the private sector.” Placing women and children at the heart of business practices is aligned with international principles on responsible business. PBC and UNICEF are collaborating to bring Pakistan in line and at par with global trends, norms and best practices. “As the leading advocate for child rights in the world, UNICEF is committed and endeavours to protect families so their children could grow and develop to their full potential in a conducive environment,” said Mr. Abdullah A. Fadil UNICEF Representative in Pakistan. “By enhancing family well-being through workplace policies, UNICEF and PBC will work together to secure more positive outcomes for children,” he added. UNICEF works with the Government of Pakistan, civil society organizations and other partners in the country to advance children’s rights for their survival, protection, development and participation, guided by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, to which Pakistan is a signatory. ----
For further information, contact:
Sameen: Sameen Akhund, Email: sameen@pbc.org.pk
UNICEF: A. Sami Malik, Email: asmalik@unicef.org. Ph: 03008556654

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Press Release

13 September 2022

Media Update: United Nations Pakistan, 13 September 2022

THE SECRETARY-GENERAL MESSAGE ON THE INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR THE PRESERVATION OF THE OZONE LAYER 16 September 2022 Today, we celebrate 35 years of the Montreal Protocol’s success in protecting the stratospheric ozone layer against synthetic chemicals that also cause climate heating. Thanks to a global agreement, humanity has averted a major health catastrophe due to ultraviolet radiation pouring through a massive hole in the ozone layer. The Montreal Protocol is a success because, when science discovered the threat we all faced, governments and their partners acted. We adopted a global environmental agreement that has been universally ratified and decisively implemented. The Montreal Protocol is a powerful example of multilateralism in action. With the many problems facing the world – from conflicts to growing poverty, deepening inequality and the climate emergency – it is a reminder that we can succeed in working together for the common good. The Montreal Protocol has already contributed to tackling the climate crisis. By protecting plants from ultraviolet radiation, allowing them to live and store carbon, it has avoided up to an extra 1 degree Celsius of global warming. The Protocol’s work to phase out climate-heating gases and improve energy efficiency through its Kigali Amendment can further slow climate disruption. But, only by mirroring the cooperation and speedy action of the Montreal Protocol elsewhere can we stop the carbon pollution that is dangerously heating our world. We have a choice: collective action or collective suicide. On this International Day, let us pledge to emulate the cooperation shown by the Montreal Protocol to end the climate crisis and all our common challenges. And let us continue to back the Montreal Protocol’s essential work. *** UNITED NATIONS MEDIA ADVISORY World Leaders to Make Ambitious Commitments to Transform Education at UN Summit New York, 9 September – The UN Secretary-General is convening Heads of State and Government, together with youth, non-governmental actors and the private sector to a Summit on Transforming Education on 16, 17 and 19 September 2022, during the 77th session of the UN General Assembly. The Summit is a key initiative of Our Common Agenda launched by the Secretary-General in September 2021. WHY: More than 90% of the world’s children have had their education interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Other crises — conflicts, a shrinking economy, the energy crunch and food insecurity — have deepened the global education crisis, which in turn, is provoking severely negative consequences on many fronts. It is also threatening gains in the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals and in particular, Goal 4 on Education. The Transforming Education Summit will seek to regain lost time and renew the collective commitment to education and lifelong learning as a pre-eminent public good. The Summit will be approached through 5 key topics: Schools, Curricula and Lifelong Learning, Teachers, Digital Transformation and Education Finance. OUTCOMES: Key outcomes will include the UN Secretary-General’s Vision Statement on Transforming Education, as well as a Global Youth Declaration. In addition, and following months of consultations, Heads of State and Government will make national commitments on 19 September. WHO: UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres UN Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed Special Adviser to the Secretary-General on TES, Leonardo Garnier TES Advisory Committee co-chair, Minister of Education of Sierra Leone, David Sengeh UN Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth, Jayathma Wickramanayake UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy on Disability and Accessibility, Maria Soledad Cisternas Reyes UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Education, Stefania Giannini UNICEF Global Director of Education, Robert Jenkins Youth champions and other experts (list available) All voices will be heard The Leaders Day on 19 September will be preceded by engagements on Mobilization and Solutions on Friday, 16 and Saturday, 17 September respectively. The Mobilization Day on 16 September will be youth-led and youth-organized and will serve to convey the collective recommendations of youth on transforming education to decision and policymakers, informed by the Summit Youth Declaration. The Solutions Day on 17 September will provide a platform for partners, including UN agencies, NGOs, civil society organizations and private sector partners, to mobilize collective support to launch or scale up initiatives connected to the 5 Thematic Action Tracks. During the Leaders Day, a limited number of thematic sessions will be held to place a focus on cross-cutting priorities for transforming education. WHEN: 16 September (9:30-18:00 EDT) The Mobilization Day 17 September (9:00-18:00 EDT) The Solutions Day 19 September (10:00 to 19:00 EDT) The Leaders Day WHERE: UN Headquarters, New York or live through webtv.un.org Media Accreditation: Please Pre-Register here before 16 September Watch Live: The event will be livestreamed on UN Web TV Key media moments Thursday 15 September, 12.10-12.50pm Curtain-raiser press briefing with Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed, Special Adviser to the SG on the Summit, Leonardo Garnier and UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Education, Stefania Giannini. Friday 16 September Performance by Sara Marley, singer Youth Declaration presentation to UN Secretary-General Delivery of a call to expand the international right to education from Avaaz to UN Secretary-General, backed by more than 60 Nobel Peace Prize winners, current and former UN Special Rapporteurs, the former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, and other leading experts. Arrival to the UN premises of Little Amal, the twelve-foot tall puppet depicting a refugee child, after her long journey from the Syria-Turkish border, calling for her right to learn. Monday 19 September SDG Moment leading to TES opening session, featuring: Summit Global Leaders session, featuring Nobel Peace Prize laureate and UN Messenger of Peace Malala Yousufzai Angelique Kidjo, Grammy award winning musician, UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and Co-Founder of Batonga Press briefing: United Nations Special Envoy for Global Education, Gordon Brown, on the new International Finance Facility for Education (IFFEd) (tbc) *** Key links for the Summit Summit Website: https://www.un.org/en/transforming-education-summit Transforming Education Knowledge Hub: https://transformingeducationsummit.sdg4education2030.org/ Watch Live: UN Web TV | UN Web TV Press kit *** For media enquiries or to arrange interviews, please contact: Abdel-Rahman Ghandour, Head of Communications and Advocacy, Transforming Education Summit Secretariat, ar.ghandour@unesco.org Langqi Zhao, Media Coordination, Transforming Education Summit Secretariat, l.zhao@unesco.org Francyne Harrigan, Chief, Sustainable Development and Human Rights, UN Department of Global Communications, harriganf@un.org For media accreditation, please contact: Media Accreditation and Liaison Unit, UN Department of Global Communications, malu@un.org

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