Interviews

Although Afghanistan’s COVID-19 crisis is “vast”, what people really want are jobs and security, according to a senior UN relief official. 

In an interview with UN News’s Daniel Johnson, the UN Development Programme’s representative there, Abdallah Dardari, explains how the agency is already helping the Government to confront the pandemic, and supporting the rising number of families falling into poverty. 

Digital finance is transformational, and promises huge benefits to the world’s most vulnerable citizens, says Achim Steiner, who heads up the UN Development Programme, UNDP.

Mr. Steiner spoke to Conor Lennon from UN News ahead of the launch of a new report from a special UN task force, which spells out how digital finance can empower citizens.

August 19th marks World Humanitarian Day, a day to commemorate humanitarian workers worldwide, who dedicate themselves to protecting and saving the lives of millions around the globe.  

2020 has been a particularly challenging year, as a result of the restrictions brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

With around 15 million people in need of assistance, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is one of the biggest humanitarian crises in the world; it is also one of the most underfunded.

In an interview with UN News’s Daniel Johnson for World Humanitarian Day on Wednesday, veteran UN aid coordinator Diego Zorrilla explains what’s most important for Congolese communities today.

Pacific communities are coming together through song and music in just a few hours’ time, to help beat back the coronavirus pandemic and assist vulnerable nations in the region build a better future.

The Pacific Unite Concert, on Saturday, will be paying tribute to essential workers for their lifesaving effort, and supporting all islanders to play their part in preventing transmission.

One of the musicians taking part is Mia Kami, from Tonga, but based in Fiji, who’s also a climate change activist with the 350.org international grassroots movement. 

In early July, the UN Secretary-General António Guterres, announced the names of seven young climate leaders – between the ages of 18 and 28 years old – who will be advising him regularly on how best to accelerate global action and ambition to tackle the worsening climate crisis.

Archana Soreng, from India, was among them, joining a prestigious circle of advocates and activists, as part of the UN’s Youth Strategy aiming to “show the world what bold leadership looks like”.

A new humanitarian air service launched on Thursday will boost COVID-19 response in the Pacific, according to Governments and the World Food Programme (WFP).

Flights will transport essential medical supplies at a time when commercial aviation across the region has been affected by airport closures and other measures to contain the disease.

Julia Dean of the UN Country Team in Australia, spoke to Jo Pilgrim, Director of WFP’s Pacific Multi-Country Office, which is based in Fiji.

It’s widely accepted that peaceful protests are a key tool in democratic societies that allow people to put issues on the public agenda. But what is legal – and what is illegal – when it comes to demonstrations around the world? Can you wear a mask, for example?

That’s a question for Christof Heyns, who led discussions on the issue for the UN Human Rights Committee, with Member States and NGOs.

UN peacekeepers in Lebanon has been busy helping the authorities in the aftermath of the devastating explosion in Beirut on Tuesday that’s left dozens dead and thousands injured.

Although UNIFIL - the UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon – is based in the south of the country, a ship from its Maritime Task Force that was docked in the port was damaged, leaving some of the Mission’s sailors seriously injured.