The UN country teams continue their efforts to provide local and national authorities worldwide support in the fight against COVID-19. Today, we highlight some of those efforts.
Many years ago, as a little girl, Heni Dwi Windarwati was out walking with her parents when a stranger approached them on the street. “He walked towards me, seemingly out of the blue, and kissed me on my forehead. I remembered not feeling scared because my parents did not react strongly to it,” she remembers. Her parents explained that the man had a severe mental health condition and did not mean any harm. Years later, this interest in mental health inspired her to get a doctorate in psychiatric nursing.
On 1 May, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has appointed Silvia Rucks of Uruguay as the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Brazil, with the host Government’s approval.
You’ve seen it before. Probably many times. Panel discussions featuring men only. Maybe they’re talking about economics or policy or community engagement or health. The panelists may be experts in their fields, but the panels are missing something. Women.
As a 42-year-old man, who has worked for almost three decades in local construction, Jonathan acknowledges that it wasn't strange that women that walk passed a construction job site were victims of all kinds of personal attacks - insults, hisses, catcalling – and other forms of harassment.
Thanks to collective efforts and the safe classroom and remote learning models set in place, more than a million students returned to school in Costa Rica. With the United Nations' support, Costa Rica has become one of the first countries to open its educational institutions on time, providing security and inclusion for thousands of children, adolescents, and young people.
Yemenis currently live through the world’s largest humanitarian crisis, a disaster compounded by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and severe economic crisis. Two thirds of Yemenis need humanitarian assistance to survive. More than 16 million people will face hunger this year.
Candelario migrated to Costa Rica at the age of 90, and Juan Carlos did the same when he was 10 years old. They both arrived looking for opportunities to fulfill their dream of starting a better life. With the support of the State, the community and the United Nations, today they are achieving it in their own terms.
They were sexually abused as children. Now, as adults, these two have taken their experience and are helping to make sure that no kids today suffer the same. For that, they’re getting the support of the UN.
