Media Update: United Nations Pakistan, 18 November 2022

THE SECRETARY-GENERAL

MESSAGE ON AFRICA INDUSTRIALIZATION DAY

20 November 2022

Countries across Africa are facing a perfect storm: armed conflicts, rising food and energy insecurity, skyrocketing inflation and debt, shrinking fiscal space, and mounting climate catastrophes.

Yet despite these challenges, Africa includes some of the world’s fastest growing economies with the potential to lead in the global energy transition.

Strengthened public-private partnerships and multilateral cooperation are needed to advance inclusive, resilient, and sustainable industrial development in Africa.

A new financial architecture with greater access to finance and lower cost of capital is key unlocking investments at scale.

We must work collectively to boost entrepreneurship, harness the potential of new technologies, expand opportunities for youth, women and girls, build climate resilience, and foster competitiveness and trade.

We must also work together to realize the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area, the African Union’s Agenda 2063, and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

On Africa Industrialization Day, let us join forces to build a more sustainable, peaceful, and prosperous continent for all.

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THE SECRETARY-GENERAL

MESSAGE ON THE WORLD TOILET DAY

19 November 2022 

Improving sanitation is a highly cost-effective way to transform people’s lives.

The benefits of better sanitation go far beyond public health. Safe toilets and sanitation improve nutrition, help to manage scarce water resources, and promote school attendance and work opportunities, particularly for women and girls.

Every dollar invested in toilets and sanitation is repaid five-fold in lower health costs and increased productivity, education, and jobs.

Yet we are seriously off track to keep our promise of safe toilets for all by 2030 – a crucial indicator in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Investment in sanitation systems is too low and progress remains too slow.  

3.6 billion people still suffer the indignity of living without a safe toilet. Every day, over 700 children die from diseases caused by poor sanitation, hygiene, and unsafe water.

On this World Toilet Day, we focus on the impact of inadequate sanitation systems on groundwater – how they spread human waste into rivers, lakes, and soil, polluting the water resources under our feet. 

This issue has been neglected for too long because it happens out of sight – underground, and amidst the poorest communities.

Today, let us shine a light on the vital role of safe toilets in all aspects of sustainable development – both visible and invisible.

And let us act with urgency and ambition to deliver on the basic human right to water and sanitation for all people, everywhere.

***

UNDP

PRESS RELEASE

UNDP and Islamic Relief partner to support the flood-affected communities in Sindh

Islamabad, 18 November 2022—In a signing ceremony today, UNDP and Islamic Relief announced a partnership to support the flood-affected communities in Sindh. The partnership will create income opportunities for households affected by the floods and support the construction of community infrastructures.

The devastating floods in Pakistan have affected 33 million people. Recently launched Post Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) highlights that millions have become homeless, livelihoods are heavily impacted, and critical infrastructure has been wiped out. Estimates of total damages and losses are around $30 billion.

Floods have particularly impacted the poorest and most vulnerable districts. Poverty rates for many flood-affected districts in Sindh and Balochistan, two of the most impacted provinces, were even higher. Before the floods, households in calamity-hit communities showed an average poverty rate of more than 31 percent, well above the national average of 21.9 percent.

In response, UNDP and Islamic Relief will help communities with cash for work opportunities. An initial target of 10,000 cash-for-work hours will be set, with an increased focus on the inclusion of women. Simultaneously, rehabilitation schemes will also be identified in the selected districts that can be started immediately.

While speaking at the signing ceremony, UNDP Pakistan Resident Representative Knut Ostby highlights, “Aligned with UNDP’s Flood Recovery Vision, through this partnership, we aim to revive livelihoods and rehabilitate critical infrastructure in impacted districts of Sindh.”

“The scale of devastation has been unprecedented for which no one was prepared. Islamic Relief strongly believes that collaborations and partnerships are vital in this hour of need to reach the most in need before another crisis emerges. Our strong community connections are helping us to reach the most in need,” states Mr. Asif Sherazi, Country Director of Islamic Relief Pakistan.

This collaboration is an extension of UNDP and Islamic Relief's global and regional partnership in reaching and building resilience in conflict-affected areas.

For additional information, please contact:

UNDP: Tabindah Anwar, tabindah.anwar@undp.org, +92 (51) 835 5650

Islamic Relief: Mansoor Ali, mansoor.ali@irp.org.pk, +92 300 8522942