Even if the ongoing war between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas in Gaza&nbsp;was to end today, it would take until 2040 to rebuild all the homes that have been destroyed so far, said the United Nations in a report, on Thursday (May 2).&nbsp;

<h2>Around 16 years to rebuild&nbsp;homes in Gaza: UN</h2>

With nearly seven months of Israel’s bombardment and ground offensives in Gaza, images and videos show most of the Palestinian enclave turned to rubble. The&nbsp;rebuilding of Gaza would also cost around $30 billion to $40 billion and require an effort on a scale the world has not seen since World War II, said a UN official.&nbsp;

WATCH |&nbsp;Over 16,000 academics condemn Israel's scholasticide in Gaza

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The report by the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) details the damage to Gaza’s infrastructure and the socio-economic impact since the beginning of the war triggered by Hamas’ October 7 attack on southern Israel.&nbsp;

It also estimates the impact of the war at six months, with estimates of what would happen if the war were to continue. “Every additional day that this war continues is exacting huge and compounding costs to Gazans and all Palestinians,” said UNDP administrator Achim Steiner.

According to the report at least 370,000 housing units in Gaza have been damaged, including 79,000 destroyed completely. The rate of housing after the previous Israel-Hamas conflicts was 992 units per year.&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bogota-severs-diplomatic-ties-with-israel-over-genocidal-gaza-campaign-israel-dubs-move-anti-semitic-717189">Bogota severs diplomatic ties with Israel over 'genocidal' Gaza campaign</a>

The report noted that even if Israel allows a five-fold increase of construction material to enter the blockaded Palestinian enclave, it would take until 2040 to rebuild destroyed houses, without fixing the damaged ones.

<h2>Cost of rebuilding and impact on economy</h2>

The UNDP estimates the cost of reconstruction of Gaza to surpass $30 billion and could reach up to $40 billion, said UN Assistant Secretary-General Abdallah al-Dardari, as per AFP.&nbsp;

“The scale of the destruction is huge and unprecedented...this is a mission that the global community has not dealt with since World War II,” he added.&nbsp;

According to the UNDP report, the Israeli offensive has virtually shut down the economy in Gaza which around 81 per cent in the last quarter of 2023. The “productive basis of the economy has been destroyed,” with sectors experiencing losses of more than 90 per cent, the report noted.&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/us-unleashes-wave-of-sanctions-targets-russian-circumvention-via-china-717249">US unleashes wave of sanctions, targets Russian circumvention via Chinese companies</a>

If the war were to continue for nine months, according to the UNDP projections, the poverty is estimated to more than double with over&nbsp;1.86 million being pushed into poverty.

In 2024, the Palestinian economy – which includes both Gaza and the West Bank – contracted nearly 26 per cent and if the war continues until July, that number would reach 29 per cent with the estimated losses of $7.6 billion, according to the report.&nbsp;

“Unprecedented levels of human losses, capital destruction, and the steep rise in poverty in such a short period of time will precipitate a serious development crisis that jeopardizes the future of generations to come,” said Steiner.&nbsp;

Gaza, which is home to around 2.3 million people, has been blockaded by Israel and Egypt since Hamas’ 2007 takeover with strict control on what enters and exits the territory.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

Even if the ongoing war between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas in Gaza was to end today, it would take until 2040 to rebuild all the homes that have been destroyed so far, said the United Nations in a report, on Thursday (May 2).

Even if the ongoing war between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas in Gaza was to end today, it would take until 2040 to rebuild all the homes that have been destroyed so far, said the United Nations in a report, on Thursday (May 2). Around 16 years to rebuild homes in Gaza: UN With nearly seven months of Israel’s bombardment and ground offensives in Gaza, images and videos show most of the Palestinian enclave turned to rubble. The rebuilding of Gaza would also cost around $30 billion to $40 billion and require an effort on a scale the world has not seen since World War II, said a UN official. WATCH | Over 16,000 academics condemn Israel's scholasticide in Gaza The report by the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) details the damage to Gaza’s infrastructure and the socio-economic impact since the beginning of the war triggered by Hamas’ October 7 attack on southern Israel. It also estimates the impact of the war at six months, with estimates of what would happen if the war were to continue. “Every additional day that this war continues is exacting huge and compounding costs to Gazans and all Palestinians,” said UNDP administrator Achim Steiner. According to the report at least 370,000 housing units in Gaza have been damaged, including 79,000 destroyed completely. The rate of housing after the previous Israel-Hamas conflicts was 992 units per year. Also Read | Bogota severs diplomatic ties with Israel over 'genocidal' Gaza campaign The report noted that even if Israel allows a five-fold increase of construction material to enter the blockaded Palestinian enclave, it would take until 2040 to rebuild destroyed houses, without fixing the damaged ones. Cost of rebuilding and impact on economy The UNDP estimates the cost of reconstruction of Gaza to surpass $30 billion and could reach up to $40 billion, said UN Assistant Secretary-General Abdallah al-Dardari, as per AFP. “The scale of the destruction is huge and unprecedented...this is a mission that the global community has not dealt with since World War II,” he added. According to the UNDP report, the Israeli offensive has virtually shut down the economy in Gaza which around 81 per cent in the last quarter of 2023. The “productive basis of the economy has been destroyed,” with sectors experiencing losses of more than 90 per cent, the report noted. Also Read | US unleashes wave of sanctions, targets Russian circumvention via Chinese companies If the war were to continue for nine months, according to the UNDP projections, the poverty is estimated to more than double with over 1.86 million being pushed into poverty. In 2024, the Palestinian economy – which includes both Gaza and the West Bank – contracted nearly 26 per cent and if the war continues until July, that number would reach 29 per cent with the estimated losses of $7.6 billion, according to the report. “Unprecedented levels of human losses, capital destruction, and the steep rise in poverty in such a short period of time will precipitate a serious development crisis that jeopardizes the future of generations to come,” said Steiner. Gaza, which is home to around 2.3 million people, has been blockaded by Israel and Egypt since Hamas’ 2007 takeover with strict control on what enters and exits the territory. (With inputs from agencies)

Israel-Hamas war: Rebuilding all homes destroyed in Gaza would take at least 16 years, says UN

Children are taking over local weather reports today to present an urgent forecast for 2050. Watch in for more details!

UNDP's future weather forecast hopes to drive climate action

India's latest position in the Human Development Index (HDI) reveals a promising trajectory, as outlined in the 2023-24 Human Development Report (HDR) by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Despite grappling with the multifaceted challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and other global crises, India's HDI value surged to 0.644 in 2022, positioning it 134th out of 193 countries worldwide.

Key indicators on the rise

The HDR sheds light on India's commendable progress across crucial HDI indicators.

Life expectancy at birth has risen to 67.7 years, reflecting an enhancement in healthcare accessibility and quality.

Additionally, expected years of schooling and mean years of schooling have seen positive growth, reaching 12.6 and 6.57, respectively.

Moreover, there has been a substantial increase in Gross National Income (GNI) per capita, climbing from $6,542 to $6,951.

Recognising efforts&nbsp;for&nbsp;gender equality

India's endeavours in reducing gender inequality have garnered recognition in the HDR. With a Gender Inequality Index (GII) value of 0.437, India surpasses both the global and South Asian averages.

Acknowledging India's progress, Caitlin Wiesen, Resident Representative of UNDP India, said, "India has shown remarkable progress in human development over the years."&nbsp;

However, challenges persist, particularly concerning gender disparities in labour force participation, where a large gap of 47.8 percentage points exists between men and women.

Global trends and persistent inequalities

While India celebrates its progress, the HDR unveils concerning global trends, notably the resurgence of inequality.

After two decades of convergence, the gap between the wealthiest and poorest nations has begun widening since 2020.

This inequality is aggravated by economic concentration, with a handful of countries dominating global trade.

India, along with the rest of South Asia, faces losses in HDI due to inequality, highlighting the urgency for targeted interventions to address disparities.

Urgent call for collective action

Achim Steiner, Administrator of the UNDP, stressed the importance&nbsp;of collective action to break the current gridlock in global development.

"The failure of collective action to advance action on climate change, digitalisation, poverty, and inequality not only hinders human development but also worsens polarisation and further erodes trust in people and institutions worldwide," he said.

The HDR proposes immediate action in areas such as climate stability, digital equity, and innovative financial mechanisms to reignite a commitment to a shared future.

India's role as a global leader

India's proactive engagement in fostering global cooperation is lauded in the HDR.

From championing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) during its G20 Presidency to initiatives like vaccine diplomacy amid the pandemic, India has showcased leadership in advancing international collaboration for global public goods.

"India is already a frontrunner in utilising Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) to increase citizens' access to essential services", Wiesen said, highlighting India's potential to shape agile, global responses to emerging challenges.

India's latest position in the Human Development Index (HDI) reveals a promising trajectory, as outlined in the 2023-24 Human Development Report (HDR) by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

India's latest position in the Human Development Index (HDI) reveals a promising trajectory, as outlined in the 2023-24 Human Development Report (HDR) by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Despite grappling with the multifaceted challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and other global crises, India's HDI value surged to 0.644 in 2022, positioning it 134th out of 193 countries worldwide. Key indicators on the rise The HDR sheds light on India's commendable progress across crucial HDI indicators. Life expectancy at birth has risen to 67.7 years, reflecting an enhancement in healthcare accessibility and quality. Additionally, expected years of schooling and mean years of schooling have seen positive growth, reaching 12.6 and 6.57, respectively. Moreover, there has been a substantial increase in Gross National Income (GNI) per capita, climbing from $6,542 to $6,951. Recognising efforts for gender equality India's endeavours in reducing gender inequality have garnered recognition in the HDR. With a Gender Inequality Index (GII) value of 0.437, India surpasses both the global and South Asian averages. Acknowledging India's progress, Caitlin Wiesen, Resident Representative of UNDP India, said, "India has shown remarkable progress in human development over the years." However, challenges persist, particularly concerning gender disparities in labour force participation, where a large gap of 47.8 percentage points exists between men and women. Global trends and persistent inequalities While India celebrates its progress, the HDR unveils concerning global trends, notably the resurgence of inequality. After two decades of convergence, the gap between the wealthiest and poorest nations has begun widening since 2020. This inequality is aggravated by economic concentration, with a handful of countries dominating global trade. India, along with the rest of South Asia, faces losses in HDI due to inequality, highlighting the urgency for targeted interventions to address disparities. Urgent call for collective action Achim Steiner, Administrator of the UNDP, stressed the importance of collective action to break the current gridlock in global development. "The failure of collective action to advance action on climate change, digitalisation, poverty, and inequality not only hinders human development but also worsens polarisation and further erodes trust in people and institutions worldwide," he said. The HDR proposes immediate action in areas such as climate stability, digital equity, and innovative financial mechanisms to reignite a commitment to a shared future. India's role as a global leader India's proactive engagement in fostering global cooperation is lauded in the HDR. From championing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) during its G20 Presidency to initiatives like vaccine diplomacy amid the pandemic, India has showcased leadership in advancing international collaboration for global public goods. "India is already a frontrunner in utilising Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) to increase citizens' access to essential services", Wiesen said, highlighting India's potential to shape agile, global responses to emerging challenges.

India climbs in global Human Development Index. Check rank here

A report by the United Nations released on Monday (June 12) shows&nbsp;that despite the rise in women’s rights groups and social movements over the past decade or so, progress towards gender equality has stagnated. &nbsp;

The report has&nbsp;noted that nearly 90 per cent of both men and women or almost nine out of 10 men and women worldwide&nbsp;hold “at least one” fundamental bias against women.&nbsp;

<h2>What was the report about?</h2>

The UN Development Programme released its latest Gender Social Norms Index (GSNI) report which revealed there has been no progress on biases against women in the last decade. Among both men and women, “biased gender social norms are prevalent worldwide: almost 90% of people have at least one bias” of the seven biases analysed by the UN agency.&nbsp;

This comes as the report noted that prejudices remain “deeply embedded” in society along with cultural biases and pressures that have continued to hinder women’s empowerment. These prejudices “are widespread among men and women suggesting that these biases are deeply embedded and influence both men and women to similar degrees,” the report stated.&nbsp; 
 
ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/world-rallies-for-international-womens-day-under-ukraine-war-shadow-460374/#kenya-460372">World rallies for International Women's Day under Ukraine war shadow</a> 
 
The report uses data from the international research programme World Values Survey (WVS) collected between 2010-2014 and 2017–2022 from 80 countries and territories accounting for at least 85 per cent of the global population.&nbsp;

According to the UNDP report, the index has shown “no improvement in biases against women in a decade,” adding that this is “despite powerful global and local campaigns for women’s rights,” such as MeToo. It is also worth noting that in 38 of the surveyed countries, people with “at least one bias” decreased to just 84.6 per cent from 86.9 per cent.

<h2>What are these biases?</h2>

More than half of the world’s population (69 per cent) believes that men make “better” political leaders when compared to women, said the UNDP report. Additionally, more than 40 per cent of people reportedly believe that men are better business executives than women.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/slow-progress-on-womens-rights-decried-at-un-summit-331912">Slow progress on women's rights decried at UN summit</a>

The report also noted that only 27 per cent of people believe that women having the same rights as men is essential for a democracy. Meanwhile, 25 per cent of people or one in four respondents believe that a man beating his wife is justifiable, the report also noted how more direct harm to women’s well-being could be seen from this&nbsp;view on violence.&nbsp;

According to the report, some 28 per cent believe that university is more important for men. This comes as education is seen as the key to improving women’s economic status. However, the UN report also said that the data showed a persistent gender pay gap even when education rates are high.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/breakthebias-this-is-why-we-celebrate-international-womens-day-460133">#BreakTheBias: This is why we celebrate International Women's Day</a>

Notably, in 57 out of the countries surveyed, where adult women are more educated than men the average income gap was reported high at 39 per cent.&nbsp;

<h2>‘Disappointing’: UN officials about the report</h2>

The report has prompted UN officials to raise concerns about the agency’s goal of gender parity by 2030. Heriberto Tapia, research and strategic partnership adviser at UNDP and co-author of the report, as per Reuters, has called the degree of improvement over the past decade or so “disappointing". 
&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Women still face an uphill battle. 
 
Our 🆕 Gender Social Norms Index shows that in the last decade, progress towards <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GenderEquality?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GenderEquality</a> has stagnated. 
 
Let’s level the playing field. It’s time to shift norms towards equality. <a href="https://t.co/2YRa8xXFt6">https://t.co/2YRa8xXFt6</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CheckYourBias?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CheckYourBias</a> <a href="https://t.co/Gimi9DIHuL">pic.twitter.com/Gimi9DIHuL</a>
— UN Development (@UNDP) <a href="https://twitter.com/UNDP/status/1668108362469330944?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 12, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Furthermore, the report also said that these “hurdles” which have been created by prejudices against women have “manifested in a dismantling of women’s rights in many parts of the world.” This&nbsp;has also been attributed to biased social norms and a broader human-development crisis to the COVID-19 pandemic, as per the report.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/womens-rights-have-gone-too-far-say-most-men-in-a-latest-survey-570905">Women’s rights have gone ‘too far’, now men feeling discriminated, says latest survey</a>

Meanwhile, Head of the UNDP’s Human Development Report Office, Pedro Conceicao said, “Social norms that impair women’s rights are detrimental to society more broadly, dampening the expansion of human development.” He added, “Lack of progress on gender social norms is unfolding against a human development crisis.”&nbsp; 
 
&nbsp;

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A report by the United Nations released on Monday (June 12) shows that despite the rise in women’s rights groups and social movements over the past decade or so, progress towards gender equality has stagnated.

A report by the United Nations released on Monday (June 12) shows that despite the rise in women’s rights groups and social movements over the past decade or so, progress towards gender equality has stagnated. The report has noted that nearly 90 per cent of both men and women or almost nine out of 10 men and women worldwide hold “at least one” fundamental bias against women. What was the report about? The UN Development Programme released its latest Gender Social Norms Index (GSNI) report which revealed there has been no progress on biases against women in the last decade. Among both men and women, “biased gender social norms are prevalent worldwide: almost 90% of people have at least one bias” of the seven biases analysed by the UN agency. This comes as the report noted that prejudices remain “deeply embedded” in society along with cultural biases and pressures that have continued to hinder women’s empowerment. These prejudices “are widespread among men and women suggesting that these biases are deeply embedded and influence both men and women to similar degrees,” the report stated. ALSO READ | World rallies for International Women's Day under Ukraine war shadow The report uses data from the international research programme World Values Survey (WVS) collected between 2010-2014 and 2017–2022 from 80 countries and territories accounting for at least 85 per cent of the global population. According to the UNDP report, the index has shown “no improvement in biases against women in a decade,” adding that this is “despite powerful global and local campaigns for women’s rights,” such as MeToo. It is also worth noting that in 38 of the surveyed countries, people with “at least one bias” decreased to just 84.6 per cent from 86.9 per cent. What are these biases? More than half of the world’s population (69 per cent) believes that men make “better” political leaders when compared to women, said the UNDP report. Additionally, more than 40 per cent of people reportedly believe that men are better business executives than women. ALSO READ | Slow progress on women's rights decried at UN summit The report also noted that only 27 per cent of people believe that women having the same rights as men is essential for a democracy. Meanwhile, 25 per cent of people or one in four respondents believe that a man beating his wife is justifiable, the report also noted how more direct harm to women’s well-being could be seen from this view on violence. According to the report, some 28 per cent believe that university is more important for men. This comes as education is seen as the key to improving women’s economic status. However, the UN report also said that the data showed a persistent gender pay gap even when education rates are high. ALSO READ | #BreakTheBias: This is why we celebrate International Women's Day Notably, in 57 out of the countries surveyed, where adult women are more educated than men the average income gap was reported high at 39 per cent. ‘Disappointing’: UN officials about the report The report has prompted UN officials to raise concerns about the agency’s goal of gender parity by 2030. Heriberto Tapia, research and strategic partnership adviser at UNDP and co-author of the report, as per Reuters, has called the degree of improvement over the past decade or so “disappointing". Women still face an uphill battle. Our 🆕 Gender Social Norms Index shows that in the last decade, progress towards #GenderEquality has stagnated. Let’s level the playing field. It’s time to shift norms towards equality. https://t.co/2YRa8xXFt6 #CheckYourBias pic.twitter.com/Gimi9DIHuL — UN Development (@UNDP) June 12, 2023 × Furthermore, the report also said that these “hurdles” which have been created by prejudices against women have “manifested in a dismantling of women’s rights in many parts of the world.” This has also been attributed to biased social norms and a broader human-development crisis to the COVID-19 pandemic, as per the report. ALSO READ | Women’s rights have gone ‘too far’, now men feeling discriminated, says latest survey Meanwhile, Head of the UNDP’s Human Development Report Office, Pedro Conceicao said, “Social norms that impair women’s rights are detrimental to society more broadly, dampening the expansion of human development.” He added, “Lack of progress on gender social norms is unfolding against a human development crisis.” WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Around 90% of people have at least one bias against women: UN report

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has warned that nine out of 10 Ukrainians could face extreme economic vulnerability if the Russian war goes on for another year.

The early projection released by the UNDP on Wednesday stated that the ongoing conflict can undo 18 years of socio-economic achievements, with almost one-third of the population living below the poverty line and a further 62 per cent at high risk of falling into poverty within the next 12 months.

“The war in Ukraine is causing unimaginable human suffering with a tragic loss of life and the displacement of millions of people. While the need for immediate humanitarian assistance to Ukrainians is of the utmost importance, the acute development impacts of a protracted war are now becoming more apparent,” said UNDP Administrator, Achim Steiner on the official website.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/struggling-russia-deploying-more-reinforcements-from-across-country-into-ukraine-uk-intel-462861">‘Struggling’ Russia deploying more reinforcements from across country into Ukraine: UK intel</a><o:p></o:p>

“An alarming economic decline, and the suffering and hardship it will bring to an already traumatised population must now come into sharper focus. There is still time to halt this grim trajectory.”

Before the launch of the Russian invasion, an estimated 2 per cent of Ukrainians lived under the poverty line, but the situation will get worse if the conflict goes on, according to Steiner.

"We estimate that up to 18 years of development gains of Ukraine could simply be wiped out in a matter of 12 to 18 months," Steiner said in an interview with Reuters.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/fox-news-veteran-war-zone-photographer-ukrainian-journalist-killed-in-ukraine-462764">Fox News veteran war-zone photographer, Ukrainian journalist killed in Ukraine</a><o:p></o:p>

Earlier, Ukraine’s government economic adviser Oleg Ustenko said that the Russian forces have destroyed $100bn worth of infrastructure, buildings, roads, bridges, hospitals, schools, and other physical assets.

It was further stated that 50 per cent of Ukrainian businesses had shut down completely.

Watch |&nbsp;Zelenskyy: Russia-Ukraine Peace talks 'sound realistic'

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/zelenskyy-russia-ukraine-peace-talks-sound-realistic-462871/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

(With agency inputs)

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has warned that nine out of 10 Ukrainians could face extreme economic vulnerability if the Russian war goes on for another year.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has warned that nine out of 10 Ukrainians could face extreme economic vulnerability if the Russian war goes on for another year. The early projection released by the UNDP on Wednesday stated that the ongoing conflict can undo 18 years of socio-economic achievements, with almost one-third of the population living below the poverty line and a further 62 per cent at high risk of falling into poverty within the next 12 months. “The war in Ukraine is causing unimaginable human suffering with a tragic loss of life and the displacement of millions of people. While the need for immediate humanitarian assistance to Ukrainians is of the utmost importance, the acute development impacts of a protracted war are now becoming more apparent,” said UNDP Administrator, Achim Steiner on the official website. Also read | ‘Struggling’ Russia deploying more reinforcements from across country into Ukraine: UK intel “An alarming economic decline, and the suffering and hardship it will bring to an already traumatised population must now come into sharper focus. There is still time to halt this grim trajectory.” Before the launch of the Russian invasion, an estimated 2 per cent of Ukrainians lived under the poverty line, but the situation will get worse if the conflict goes on, according to Steiner. "We estimate that up to 18 years of development gains of Ukraine could simply be wiped out in a matter of 12 to 18 months," Steiner said in an interview with Reuters. Also read | Fox News veteran war-zone photographer, Ukrainian journalist killed in Ukraine Earlier, Ukraine’s government economic adviser Oleg Ustenko said that the Russian forces have destroyed $100bn worth of infrastructure, buildings, roads, bridges, hospitals, schools, and other physical assets. It was further stated that 50 per cent of Ukrainian businesses had shut down completely. Watch | Zelenskyy: Russia-Ukraine Peace talks 'sound realistic' (With agency inputs)

Nine out of 10 Ukrainians could be pushed into poverty if war continues: UNDP

The Japanese government and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have partnered to provide oxygen to India's northeast, specifically by procuring eight Pressure Swing Absorption (PSA) oxygen generation plants.

The development comes even as India faces a devastating surge of Covid impacting many through the length and breadth of the country. The oxygen generation plants will be installed in the northeastern states of Meghalaya, Nagaland, and Tripura. Together, these oxygen plants can support 1,300 beds.&nbsp;

Japanese envoy to India, Satoshi Suzuki, said, "Japan stands with India, our friend, and partner, in her efforts to fight against COVID-19 pandemic in this critical time".

"India’s northeast occupies a special place for Japan-India relations and I sincerely hope that the oxygen generation plants will help those people in need in the northeastern region of India.”&nbsp;

As of now, installation sites are being prepared so that oxygen production can start as soon as possible. Meanwhile, any excess oxygen will be distributed to health facilities near the installation plant. Amid the Covid crisis, India's focus has been to get oxygen or oxygen production and carrying units like generators and tankers. Over the weekend, Japan has gifted 100 oxygen concentrators to India and has told New Delhi that it is ready to provide additional items worth $50 million to deal with Covid crisis. &nbsp;

Resident Representative of UNDP India Shoko Noda said, “I would like to thank the people of Japan for this critical support that will allow UNDP to ensure uninterrupted flow of oxygen in hospitals and health centers in the region, especially those in hard-to-reach areas." &nbsp;

It is important to remember that Japan's support to India's northeast is not new and the country is developing mega infrastructure and connectivity projects in the region, which could in future connect to neighboring countries like Bangladesh. &nbsp;

Both sides also meet regularly under the Act East Forum that is co-chaired by Foreign secretary Harsh Shringla and the Japanese envoy to India Suzuki Satoshi. Japanese Official Development Assistance (ODA) stands at over Rs 1600 crore in India's northeast and is supporting projects in several states in the north east. &nbsp;

For example, in Guwahati, it is helping in sewerage projects and in Sikkim, in road development. Japan is also supporting the construction of the Dhubri-Phulbari bridge, whose foundation laying ceremony took place earlier this year. The bridge is going to be the longest river bridge in India and will cut short travel time across the Brahmaputra River from more than 8 hours to less than 30 minutes. &nbsp;

The Japanese government and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have partnered to provide oxygen to India's northeast, specifically by procuring eight Pressure Swing Absorption (PSA) oxygen generation plants.

The Japanese government and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have partnered to provide oxygen to India's northeast, specifically by procuring eight Pressure Swing Absorption (PSA) oxygen generation plants. The development comes even as India faces a devastating surge of Covid impacting many through the length and breadth of the country. The oxygen generation plants will be installed in the northeastern states of Meghalaya, Nagaland, and Tripura. Together, these oxygen plants can support 1,300 beds. Japanese envoy to India, Satoshi Suzuki, said, "Japan stands with India, our friend, and partner, in her efforts to fight against COVID-19 pandemic in this critical time". "India’s northeast occupies a special place for Japan-India relations and I sincerely hope that the oxygen generation plants will help those people in need in the northeastern region of India.” As of now, installation sites are being prepared so that oxygen production can start as soon as possible. Meanwhile, any excess oxygen will be distributed to health facilities near the installation plant. Amid the Covid crisis, India's focus has been to get oxygen or oxygen production and carrying units like generators and tankers. Over the weekend, Japan has gifted 100 oxygen concentrators to India and has told New Delhi that it is ready to provide additional items worth $50 million to deal with Covid crisis. Resident Representative of UNDP India Shoko Noda said, “I would like to thank the people of Japan for this critical support that will allow UNDP to ensure uninterrupted flow of oxygen in hospitals and health centers in the region, especially those in hard-to-reach areas." It is important to remember that Japan's support to India's northeast is not new and the country is developing mega infrastructure and connectivity projects in the region, which could in future connect to neighboring countries like Bangladesh. Both sides also meet regularly under the Act East Forum that is co-chaired by Foreign secretary Harsh Shringla and the Japanese envoy to India Suzuki Satoshi. Japanese Official Development Assistance (ODA) stands at over Rs 1600 crore in India's northeast and is supporting projects in several states in the north east. For example, in Guwahati, it is helping in sewerage projects and in Sikkim, in road development. Japan is also supporting the construction of the Dhubri-Phulbari bridge, whose foundation laying ceremony took place earlier this year. The bridge is going to be the longest river bridge in India and will cut short travel time across the Brahmaputra River from more than 8 hours to less than 30 minutes.

India Covid crisis: Japan, UNDP reach out to northeast states with oxygen 

Are UN employees being denied their right to protest? According to a report, the United Nations Development Program issued a 'gag order' - asking employees to steer clear of public demonstrations. WION's Palki Sharma tells you more.

Gravitas: Are UN employees being denied the right to protest?

The coronavirus pandemic&nbsp;has starkly exposed inequalities worldwide and could set back human development for the first time since 1990, the United Nations said on Wednesday.

It said the crisis had, though, revealed the strength of collective action in the face of a common threat and urged the world to show the same force on climate change.

''The Covid-19 pandemic is unleashing a human development crisis,''&nbsp;the UN Development Programme (UNDP) said in a report.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-covid-19-vaccine-produces-antibodies-in-mice-guinea-pigs-300037">US: COVID-19 vaccine produces antibodies in mice, guinea pigs</a>

Other shocks such as the financial crisis of 2007-2009 or the Ebola outbreak in West Africa in 2014-2016 have dealt a blow but did not prevent year-on-year development gains overall, said UNDP head Achim Steiner.

''Covid-19, with its triple hit to health, education, and income, may change this trend,''&nbsp;he added.

Besides deaths from Covid-19, which have now topped 320,000, the crisis could indirectly mean an extra 6,000 children die each day from preventable causes in the next six months, UNDP said.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science-tech/nasa-finds-evidence-of-parallel-universe-where-time-runs-backward-299949" hreflang="en">NASA finds evidence of parallel universe where time runs backward</a>

Six out of 10 children globally are not getting an education due to school closures, and with deep recessions hitting most economies, the decline in UNDP's human development index would be equivalent to erasing all the progress of the past six years.

The decline is affecting rich and poor nations, but is expected to be far steeper in developing countries that are less able to cope with the pandemic’s social and economic fallout.

''If we fail to bring equity into the policy toolkit, many will fall further behind,''&nbsp;said Pedro Conceição, director of the UNDP office that produces its annual Human Development Report.

''This is particularly important for the 'new necessities'&nbsp;of the 21st century, such as access to the internet, which is helping us to benefit from tele-education, telemedicine, and to work from home,''&nbsp;he added in a statement.

UNDP estimated that 86 per cent of children in primary education are effectively out of school in countries with low development, because they lack the tools for web-based learning, compared with just 20 per cent in the wealthiest nations.

Expanding access to the internet in low- and middle-income countries would cost US$100 billion, about 15 per cent of the income they will lose this year and 1 per cent of the fiscal stimulus the world has committed in response to Covid-19, the report said.

The coronavirus pandemic has starkly exposed inequalities worldwide and could set back human development for the first time since 1990, the United Nations said on Wednesday.

The coronavirus pandemic has starkly exposed inequalities worldwide and could set back human development for the first time since 1990, the United Nations said on Wednesday. It said the crisis had, though, revealed the strength of collective action in the face of a common threat and urged the world to show the same force on climate change. ''The Covid-19 pandemic is unleashing a human development crisis,'' the UN Development Programme (UNDP) said in a report. Also read: US: COVID-19 vaccine produces antibodies in mice, guinea pigs Other shocks such as the financial crisis of 2007-2009 or the Ebola outbreak in West Africa in 2014-2016 have dealt a blow but did not prevent year-on-year development gains overall, said UNDP head Achim Steiner. ''Covid-19, with its triple hit to health, education, and income, may change this trend,'' he added. Besides deaths from Covid-19, which have now topped 320,000, the crisis could indirectly mean an extra 6,000 children die each day from preventable causes in the next six months, UNDP said. Also read: NASA finds evidence of parallel universe where time runs backward Six out of 10 children globally are not getting an education due to school closures, and with deep recessions hitting most economies, the decline in UNDP's human development index would be equivalent to erasing all the progress of the past six years. The decline is affecting rich and poor nations, but is expected to be far steeper in developing countries that are less able to cope with the pandemic’s social and economic fallout. ''If we fail to bring equity into the policy toolkit, many will fall further behind,'' said Pedro Conceição, director of the UNDP office that produces its annual Human Development Report. ''This is particularly important for the 'new necessities' of the 21st century, such as access to the internet, which is helping us to benefit from tele-education, telemedicine, and to work from home,'' he added in a statement. UNDP estimated that 86 per cent of children in primary education are effectively out of school in countries with low development, because they lack the tools for web-based learning, compared with just 20 per cent in the wealthiest nations. Expanding access to the internet in low- and middle-income countries would cost US$100 billion, about 15 per cent of the income they will lose this year and 1 per cent of the fiscal stimulus the world has committed in response to Covid-19, the report said.

Coronavirus pandemic may reverse human development for first time in three decades: UN

The villagers of Hassanabad live in constant fear.

Above them, the vast Shisper glacier dominates the landscape, a&nbsp;river of jagged black ice moving towards them at as much as four meters per day.

Climate change is causing most glaciers worldwide to shrink, but due to a meteorological anomaly, this is one of a few in the Karakoram mountain range in northern <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/there-are-no-takers-for-your-malware-india-blasts-pakistan-at-un-debate-273339">Pakistan</a> that is surging.

This means hundreds of tonnes of ice and debris are pushing down the valley at ten times the normal rate or more, threatening the safety of the people and homes below.

"People's lives, properties, and animals are in danger," warns villager Basir Ali.

Flash floods caused by glacial lakes, ice, and rockfall and a lack of clean and accessible water are all serious risks for those close to its path.

"When a glacial lake bursts there is an enormous amount of not only ice, water and debris that falls through, but also mud and this has devastating effects, it basically destroys everything that comes in its way," said Ignacio Artaza of UNDP Pakistan.

But repercussions of the Shisper glacier surge extend far beyond its path: The mighty Indus River is reliant on seasonal melt for more than half of its flow and changes in Pakistan's ice fields affect this.

That has implications not just for those living in its basin, but for the whole nation, which relies on it for much of its food.

Shifting water levels also have implications for the fragile relationship between nuclear-armed neighbors Pakistan and India.

Already ranked among the planet's most water-stressed nations according to the World Resources Institute, both need the Indus and its tributaries.

Their access to the water is governed by the 1960 Indus Water Treaty, which aims for fair usage.

But there have long been fearing India, which sits upstream, could weaponize the resource, it has threatened more than once to restrict Pakistan's access&nbsp;including just last year.

The Karakoram, which contains some of the world's tallest mountains including K2, is just one of the mountain ranges that criss-cross the Hindu Kush-Himalayan region.

Sometimes called The Third Pole, the region holds more ice than anywhere other than the Arctic or <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/antarctica-bound-plane-disappears-with-38-aboard-chilean-air-force-267324">Antarctica</a>.

But a third of the glaciers here are expected to melt by 2100, endangering the lives of hundreds of millions, according to this year's Hindu Kush-Himalaya Assessment Report.

Rising in Tibet, the Indus crosses through India and Pakistan fed by a multitude of tributaries before it reaches the Arabian Sea.

The waterway's basin produces 90 percent of Pakistan's food, according to the UN, and agriculture is dependent on irrigation from the river, which heavily relies on meltwater from the ice sheets.

With its surging population experts warn the nation faces "absolute water scarcity" by 2025, with the loss of the Himalayan glaciers a key threat.

While scientists cite climate change and topography, it's not clear exactly what causes the Karakoram anomaly where glaciers are surging and in some cases growing.

But many say these changes will also impact the Indus because they alter meltwater patterns, causing flash flooding or water shortages that are difficult to predict and manage.

"The Shisper glacier is increasing its length and width, furthermore it is also moving downhill," explained Shehzad Baig of the Gilgit-Baltistan Disaster Management Authority.

He warned climate change meant there was heavier snowfall during the winters and warmer temperatures in the summers, leading to the ice mass producing more meltwater, swelling the Hunza River, a churning mountain tributary of the Indus.

"This may cause harm to the local community and deprive the people of the Indus basin blocking or disturbing drinking water and irrigation channels," Baig warned, adding that changing weather patterns were also creating more glacial lakes.

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/reconstruction-drive-in-rural-nepal-provides-opportunity-for-women-to-come-forward-268758">UNDP</a> estimates that more than 3,000 glacial lakes have been formed in the region, with 33 posing an imminent threat of 'outburst floods', known as GLOFs, that could impact as many as seven million people.

Last year the surging Shisper glacier effectively dammed a meltwater stream from a neighboring glacier creating a large lake. Authorities were forced to issue safety warnings to Hassanabad and local villages before the water was drained.

But satellite data shows the lake is already reforming, leaving residents fearing not only the progression of the crushing ice sheet but that they will be swept to their deaths in flash floods.

"This whole area will be devastated, the whole population and people's properties will go into river," cautions&nbsp;villager Didar Karim.

Professor Andreas Kääb from the University of Oslo says Pakistan must adapt its "monitoring and response strategies, and risk management in general" to contend with both surging and shrinking glaciers.&nbsp;

Authorities, working with the UN, are setting up early warning systems using sensors positioned on top of the Shisper glacier and downstream to alert communities.&nbsp;

But the challenge for Pakistan extends beyond crisis management to the long-term water conservation and storage, experts say.

"Pakistan has to increase its water storage capacity which is now 33 days,&nbsp;it should be at least 100 days to ensure sustainable development," cautions Dr. Ghulam Rasul of the&nbsp;International Center for Integrated Mountain Development.

He estimates that 60 percent of water is currently lost as run-off to the sea.

With few functioning resevoirs the nation is ill-equipped to harness the short-term excess water as climate change causes more glaciers to melt, or from the increasingly erratic monsoon deluges.&nbsp;

And by 2050, with so much of the ice sheets lost scientists say the flow of the Indus will dramatically decrease, leaving Pakistanis more vulnerable than ever.&nbsp;

Rasul says: "Water is the capital of agrarian economies and guarantees food and energy security. Shortage of water against increasing demand could lead to conflict."&nbsp;

The villagers of Hassanabad live in constant fear. Above them, the vast Shisper glacier dominates the landscape, a river of jagged black ice moving towards them at as much as four meters per day.

The villagers of Hassanabad live in constant fear. Above them, the vast Shisper glacier dominates the landscape, a river of jagged black ice moving towards them at as much as four meters per day. Climate change is causing most glaciers worldwide to shrink, but due to a meteorological anomaly, this is one of a few in the Karakoram mountain range in northern Pakistan that is surging. This means hundreds of tonnes of ice and debris are pushing down the valley at ten times the normal rate or more, threatening the safety of the people and homes below. "People's lives, properties, and animals are in danger," warns villager Basir Ali. Flash floods caused by glacial lakes, ice, and rockfall and a lack of clean and accessible water are all serious risks for those close to its path. "When a glacial lake bursts there is an enormous amount of not only ice, water and debris that falls through, but also mud and this has devastating effects, it basically destroys everything that comes in its way," said Ignacio Artaza of UNDP Pakistan. But repercussions of the Shisper glacier surge extend far beyond its path: The mighty Indus River is reliant on seasonal melt for more than half of its flow and changes in Pakistan's ice fields affect this. That has implications not just for those living in its basin, but for the whole nation, which relies on it for much of its food. Shifting water levels also have implications for the fragile relationship between nuclear-armed neighbors Pakistan and India. Already ranked among the planet's most water-stressed nations according to the World Resources Institute, both need the Indus and its tributaries. Their access to the water is governed by the 1960 Indus Water Treaty, which aims for fair usage. But there have long been fearing India, which sits upstream, could weaponize the resource, it has threatened more than once to restrict Pakistan's access including just last year. The Karakoram, which contains some of the world's tallest mountains including K2, is just one of the mountain ranges that criss-cross the Hindu Kush-Himalayan region. Sometimes called The Third Pole, the region holds more ice than anywhere other than the Arctic or Antarctica. But a third of the glaciers here are expected to melt by 2100, endangering the lives of hundreds of millions, according to this year's Hindu Kush-Himalaya Assessment Report. Rising in Tibet, the Indus crosses through India and Pakistan fed by a multitude of tributaries before it reaches the Arabian Sea. The waterway's basin produces 90 percent of Pakistan's food, according to the UN, and agriculture is dependent on irrigation from the river, which heavily relies on meltwater from the ice sheets. With its surging population experts warn the nation faces "absolute water scarcity" by 2025, with the loss of the Himalayan glaciers a key threat. While scientists cite climate change and topography, it's not clear exactly what causes the Karakoram anomaly where glaciers are surging and in some cases growing. But many say these changes will also impact the Indus because they alter meltwater patterns, causing flash flooding or water shortages that are difficult to predict and manage. "The Shisper glacier is increasing its length and width, furthermore it is also moving downhill," explained Shehzad Baig of the Gilgit-Baltistan Disaster Management Authority. He warned climate change meant there was heavier snowfall during the winters and warmer temperatures in the summers, leading to the ice mass producing more meltwater, swelling the Hunza River, a churning mountain tributary of the Indus. "This may cause harm to the local community and deprive the people of the Indus basin blocking or disturbing drinking water and irrigation channels," Baig warned, adding that changing weather patterns were also creating more glacial lakes. The UNDP estimates that more than 3,000 glacial lakes have been formed in the region, with 33 posing an imminent threat of 'outburst floods', known as GLOFs, that could impact as many as seven million people. Last year the surging Shisper glacier effectively dammed a meltwater stream from a neighboring glacier creating a large lake. Authorities were forced to issue safety warnings to Hassanabad and local villages before the water was drained. But satellite data shows the lake is already reforming, leaving residents fearing not only the progression of the crushing ice sheet but that they will be swept to their deaths in flash floods. "This whole area will be devastated, the whole population and people's properties will go into river," cautions villager Didar Karim. Professor Andreas Kääb from the University of Oslo says Pakistan must adapt its "monitoring and response strategies, and risk management in general" to contend with both surging and shrinking glaciers. Authorities, working with the UN, are setting up early warning systems using sensors positioned on top of the Shisper glacier and downstream to alert communities. But the challenge for Pakistan extends beyond crisis management to the long-term water conservation and storage, experts say. "Pakistan has to increase its water storage capacity which is now 33 days, it should be at least 100 days to ensure sustainable development," cautions Dr. Ghulam Rasul of the International Center for Integrated Mountain Development. He estimates that 60 percent of water is currently lost as run-off to the sea. With few functioning resevoirs the nation is ill-equipped to harness the short-term excess water as climate change causes more glaciers to melt, or from the increasingly erratic monsoon deluges. And by 2050, with so much of the ice sheets lost scientists say the flow of the Indus will dramatically decrease, leaving Pakistanis more vulnerable than ever. Rasul says: "Water is the capital of agrarian economies and guarantees food and energy security. Shortage of water against increasing demand could lead to conflict."

Glacier melt at Karakoram mountain range threatens Pakistan's future

Radha Ramtel is among the eight women who are helping in building the earthquake resilient houses after attending training provided by <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-seals-agreement-with-un-to-build-homes-for-nepal-quake-victims-35113">UNDP</a> Nepal which has undertaken the Nepal Housing Reconstruction Project. The project is funded by the Indian government.

"When the earthquake first struck we stayed in the cowshed. Then after we got a tarpaulin and we all locals shared the makeshift house. As tremors hit constantly there was no point in building a house. But later we built a house (temporary) surrounded by tins," Radha Ramtel, resident of Gorkha District, recalled.

It has been four years since the earthquake jolted Nepal. Ramtel and other Gorkha residents have been shifted to newly built houses. The houses are constructed as per regulations laid out by the Nepal government that demands house to be earthquake resilient.

"Earthquake resilient house with two rooms has been built now, there are no worries about the earthquake and is fit to live-in. I have been living in there with my children," Ramtel, a mother of three children who has been supporting her husband financially by working as the mason, further added.

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/nepal-hit-by-55-magnitude-earthquake-9417">earthquake of 2015</a> that shook the Himalayan nation of Nepal claimed nearly 10,000 lives, injuring thousands and displacing over half-a-million people. The epicentre of the earthquake was in Gorkha.

As millions of houses were destroyed, hundreds of families were forced to sleep under the open sky or in temporary settlements which were full of dangers.

The available human resource for reconstruction also was semi-skilled and technically there were a lot of flaws in their work but the training provided under the Nepal Housing Reconstruction Project upskilled them.

"Before being provided training, some of them in earlier times have had attended similar kind of consultation programs. In order to overcome common mistakes they were making we have provided them new kind of training on the site which helped in improving the lapses in the work," Uttam Baniya, site engineer for the Nepal Housing Reconstruction Project underway in Gorkha of Nepal.

A number of women enthusiasts for the reconstruction drive in Gorkha have come forward at their own will. The local body at first had issued a notice inviting application for the training which encouraged women like Radha Ramtel.

Ramtel's husband, who is in driving business, has supported her in getting into construction work. Ramtel's mother-in-law is also in the same business and defied the patriarchal mindset that is deep-rooted in mostly rural areas of Nepal.

The training provided by UNDP not only gave local women an opportunity to learn new skills but has also supported them economically and helped them overcome dependency on their families to meet expenses.

"I had to rely on my husband for small expenses but now I can incur it on my own. I have added on a skill. I have been able to make earthquake-resistant model houses, take care of children on my own and also been able to manage the house expenses on own," Radha further added.

Following the earthquake of 2015, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/rebuilding-lives-after-earthquake-9">reconstruction</a> drive kick-started in the Himalayan nation. Engineers providing training and technical assistance to locals of Gorkha found the women's participation more encouraging.

After being exposed to a new profession of building earthquake resilient house Radha Ramtel said that she committed to continue her job as the mason. 
The "first thing is that I would continue this profession. Continuation would sharpen me more and I would also give my learning to others," one of the women masons of Gorkha concluded.

The Indian government is supporting the construction of 50,000 houses in Gorkha (26912 beneficiaries) and Nuwakot (23088 beneficiaries) districts of Nepal. The government has appointed UNDP and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/india-hands-over-21-bn-to-nepal-government-to-reconstruct-houses-155163">UNOPS</a> as socio-technical facilitation consultants for Gorkha and Nuwakot district, respectively, in March 2018.

The reconstruction drive initiated by the Government of India with UNDP's consultation in Gorkha district of Nepal has brought happiness for the beneficiaries here.

The Indian Government had committed USD1 billion for the reconstruction of Nepal in the form of grant and Line of Credit. USD 150 million was allocated for reconstruction in the housing sector, USD 100 million as grant and USD 50 million to be drawn from Line of Credit.

Radha Ramtel is among the eight women who are helping in building the earthquake resilient houses after attending training provided by UNDP Nepal which has undertaken the Nepal Housing Reconstruction Project.

Radha Ramtel is among the eight women who are helping in building the earthquake resilient houses after attending training provided by UNDP Nepal which has undertaken the Nepal Housing Reconstruction Project. The project is funded by the Indian government. "When the earthquake first struck we stayed in the cowshed. Then after we got a tarpaulin and we all locals shared the makeshift house. As tremors hit constantly there was no point in building a house. But later we built a house (temporary) surrounded by tins," Radha Ramtel, resident of Gorkha District, recalled. It has been four years since the earthquake jolted Nepal. Ramtel and other Gorkha residents have been shifted to newly built houses. The houses are constructed as per regulations laid out by the Nepal government that demands house to be earthquake resilient. "Earthquake resilient house with two rooms has been built now, there are no worries about the earthquake and is fit to live-in. I have been living in there with my children," Ramtel, a mother of three children who has been supporting her husband financially by working as the mason, further added. The earthquake of 2015 that shook the Himalayan nation of Nepal claimed nearly 10,000 lives, injuring thousands and displacing over half-a-million people. The epicentre of the earthquake was in Gorkha. As millions of houses were destroyed, hundreds of families were forced to sleep under the open sky or in temporary settlements which were full of dangers. The available human resource for reconstruction also was semi-skilled and technically there were a lot of flaws in their work but the training provided under the Nepal Housing Reconstruction Project upskilled them. "Before being provided training, some of them in earlier times have had attended similar kind of consultation programs. In order to overcome common mistakes they were making we have provided them new kind of training on the site which helped in improving the lapses in the work," Uttam Baniya, site engineer for the Nepal Housing Reconstruction Project underway in Gorkha of Nepal. A number of women enthusiasts for the reconstruction drive in Gorkha have come forward at their own will. The local body at first had issued a notice inviting application for the training which encouraged women like Radha Ramtel. Ramtel's husband, who is in driving business, has supported her in getting into construction work. Ramtel's mother-in-law is also in the same business and defied the patriarchal mindset that is deep-rooted in mostly rural areas of Nepal. The training provided by UNDP not only gave local women an opportunity to learn new skills but has also supported them economically and helped them overcome dependency on their families to meet expenses. "I had to rely on my husband for small expenses but now I can incur it on my own. I have added on a skill. I have been able to make earthquake-resistant model houses, take care of children on my own and also been able to manage the house expenses on own," Radha further added. Following the earthquake of 2015, reconstruction drive kick-started in the Himalayan nation. Engineers providing training and technical assistance to locals of Gorkha found the women's participation more encouraging. After being exposed to a new profession of building earthquake resilient house Radha Ramtel said that she committed to continue her job as the mason. The "first thing is that I would continue this profession. Continuation would sharpen me more and I would also give my learning to others," one of the women masons of Gorkha concluded. The Indian government is supporting the construction of 50,000 houses in Gorkha (26912 beneficiaries) and Nuwakot (23088 beneficiaries) districts of Nepal. The government has appointed UNDP and UNOPS as socio-technical facilitation consultants for Gorkha and Nuwakot district, respectively, in March 2018. The reconstruction drive initiated by the Government of India with UNDP's consultation in Gorkha district of Nepal has brought happiness for the beneficiaries here. The Indian Government had committed USD1 billion for the reconstruction of Nepal in the form of grant and Line of Credit. USD 150 million was allocated for reconstruction in the housing sector, USD 100 million as grant and USD 50 million to be drawn from Line of Credit.

Reconstruction drive in rural Nepal provides opportunity for women to come forward

As per a report published by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), India has climbed up a spot - from 130 - on the 2019 human development global index.&nbsp;

At 129, India follows countries like Iraq (120), Indonesia (111), Libya (110), Maldives (104) among other countries.

The index includes a total of 189 nations and is topped by Norway followed by Switzerland, Ireland, Germany, Hong Kong and &nbsp;Australia in the top slots.&nbsp;

Sudan, Haiti and Afghanistan were placed at the last three spots of the index respectively.&nbsp;

With respect global powers, Canada secured the 13th spot while the UK and the US stood at number 15 and 16 respectively.&nbsp;

China came 85th, Russia at the 49th spot.

In South Asia, Pakistan stood at 152, Nepal came 147th and Myanmar secured the 145th spot.&nbsp;

At number 71, Sri Lanka was ahead of most South Asian countries like Bangladesh (135) and Bhutan (134).

"The demonstrations sweeping across the world today signal that, despite unprecedented progress against poverty, hunger and disease, many societies are not working as they should, The connecting thread, is inequality." said the UNDP in its report.

The report analyses human development and inequality in three steps: "beyond income, beyond averages, and beyond today and proposes a battery of policy options to tackle it".

As per a report published by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), India has climbed up a spot - from 130 - on the 2019 human development global index. At 129, India follows countries like Iraq (120), Indonesia (111), Libya (110), Maldives (104) among other countries.

As per a report published by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), India has climbed up a spot - from 130 - on the 2019 human development global index. At 129, India follows countries like Iraq (120), Indonesia (111), Libya (110), Maldives (104) among other countries. The index includes a total of 189 nations and is topped by Norway followed by Switzerland, Ireland, Germany, Hong Kong and Australia in the top slots. Sudan, Haiti and Afghanistan were placed at the last three spots of the index respectively. With respect global powers, Canada secured the 13th spot while the UK and the US stood at number 15 and 16 respectively. China came 85th, Russia at the 49th spot. In South Asia, Pakistan stood at 152, Nepal came 147th and Myanmar secured the 145th spot. At number 71, Sri Lanka was ahead of most South Asian countries like Bangladesh (135) and Bhutan (134). "The demonstrations sweeping across the world today signal that, despite unprecedented progress against poverty, hunger and disease, many societies are not working as they should, The connecting thread, is inequality." said the UNDP in its report. The report analyses human development and inequality in three steps: "beyond income, beyond averages, and beyond today and proposes a battery of policy options to tackle it".

India climbs up a spot, moves to 129 in human development index: UNDP report 

India, in the last decade, has lifted 271 million people out of poverty, a United Nations report said on Thursday. The report was based on the multidimensional poverty index, which saw India recording the fastest reduction, the UN Development Programme (UNDP) said.

More than 21 per cent of India's 1.3 billion people lived on less than $1.90 a day in 2011, when the last census was taken, according to the World Bank.

But this time, the UN studied 101 countries and said 1.3 billion people are "multidimensionally poor", which means that poverty is defined not simply by income, but by a number of indicators, including poor health, poor quality of work and the threat of violence.

Of these 101 countries, the reduction of poverty was fastest in 10, namely Bangladesh, Cambodia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Haiti, India, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru and Vietnam, the report said.

"In India, there were 271 million fewer people in poverty in 2016 than in 2006, while in Bangladesh the number dropped by 19 million between 2004 and 2014," it said.

India reduced deprivation in nutrition from 44.3 per cent in 2005-06 to 21.2 per cent in 2015-16, child mortality dropped from 4.5 per cent to 2.2 per cent, people deprived of cooking fuel reduced from 52.9 per cent to 26.2 per cent, deprivation in sanitation from 50.4 per cent to 24.6 per cent, those deprived of drinking water reduced from 16.6 per cent to 6.2 per cent.

Further, more people gained access to electricity as deprivation was reduced from 29.1 per cent to 8.6 per cent, housing from 44.9 per cent to 23.6 per cent and assets deprivation from 37.6 per cent to 9.5 per cent. The trends in these 10 countries also shine a light on where poverty reduction has been uneven, despite the good progress overall, it said.

The Indian government had said in April this year that fast economic growth and rapid urbanisation would slash the number of people in extreme poverty by 2021 and end it completely in the decade after that.

Economic growth in recent years had generated enough revenue for states to work more on poverty alleviation, job creation and improving healthcare and education, the then finance minister Arun Jaitley had said.

(With inputs from agencies)

India, in the last decade, has lifted 271 million people out of poverty, a United Nations report said on Thursday. The report was based on the multidimensional poverty index, which saw India recording the fastest reduction, the UN Development Programme (UNDP) said.

India, in the last decade, has lifted 271 million people out of poverty, a United Nations report said on Thursday. The report was based on the multidimensional poverty index, which saw India recording the fastest reduction, the UN Development Programme (UNDP) said. More than 21 per cent of India's 1.3 billion people lived on less than $1.90 a day in 2011, when the last census was taken, according to the World Bank. But this time, the UN studied 101 countries and said 1.3 billion people are "multidimensionally poor", which means that poverty is defined not simply by income, but by a number of indicators, including poor health, poor quality of work and the threat of violence. Of these 101 countries, the reduction of poverty was fastest in 10, namely Bangladesh, Cambodia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Haiti, India, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru and Vietnam, the report said. "In India, there were 271 million fewer people in poverty in 2016 than in 2006, while in Bangladesh the number dropped by 19 million between 2004 and 2014," it said. India reduced deprivation in nutrition from 44.3 per cent in 2005-06 to 21.2 per cent in 2015-16, child mortality dropped from 4.5 per cent to 2.2 per cent, people deprived of cooking fuel reduced from 52.9 per cent to 26.2 per cent, deprivation in sanitation from 50.4 per cent to 24.6 per cent, those deprived of drinking water reduced from 16.6 per cent to 6.2 per cent. Further, more people gained access to electricity as deprivation was reduced from 29.1 per cent to 8.6 per cent, housing from 44.9 per cent to 23.6 per cent and assets deprivation from 37.6 per cent to 9.5 per cent. The trends in these 10 countries also shine a light on where poverty reduction has been uneven, despite the good progress overall, it said. The Indian government had said in April this year that fast economic growth and rapid urbanisation would slash the number of people in extreme poverty by 2021 and end it completely in the decade after that. Economic growth in recent years had generated enough revenue for states to work more on poverty alleviation, job creation and improving healthcare and education, the then finance minister Arun Jaitley had said. (With inputs from agencies)

India lifted 271 million people out of poverty between 2006 and 2016, says United Nations report

In a reconstruction bid for earthquake-ravaged Nepal, the Government of India has sealed an agreement with United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) to build 50, 000 homes for quake victims.

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The agreement signed will provide socio-technical facilitation to the earthquake victims of Gorkha, the epicentre of 2015&#39;s earthquake and the Nuwakot district of Nepal.

Sanjay Mathur, Regional Director, UNOPS, said, &quot;It is significant that the Indian Government has decided to partner with the United Nations in this effort between UNOPS and UNDP. We have covered every district affected by the earthquake. We have strong partnerships and have strong relationships with local governments and communities. The close collaboration with the Government of India, Government of Nepal, Provincial and Local Government and with our UNDP partners it is an essential part of this essence of this program.&quot;

As per the agreement sealed on Thursday, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) will build 26, 912 homeowners in Gorkha and 23, 088 homeowners in Nuwakot Districts of Nepal.

Yuvraj Bhusal, CEO, National Reconstruction Authority, Nepal, said, &quot;The Government of India is the largest donor in this regard, our near, next door neighbor and we are very much grateful to the Government of India and People of India for extending support to the cause of Nepal and Nepalese particularly for the earthquake victims.&quot;

As per the agreement, New Delhi will give $8.41 million to the UNOPS and $7.41 Million to the UNDP for the reconstruction of the 50,000 homes.

Manjeev Singh Puri, Ambassador of India to Nepal, said, &quot;The God, nature and our forefathers have bound us together in a manner perhaps this is not applicable to any other in the world. We all of us do not consider all of this even use the expression which is often claimed today as co-operation, we say this is a partnership we must have side by side solidarity. We must do what we can do for each other and your (Nepal&#39;s) prosperity lies gains for me and if I do well you have the right to pick and choose that from me and I think this brings whole life model for the people of India and people in Nepal. So we are very proud of this partnership and we are very very comfortable with this partnership let it be strengthened&nbsp; and let it be nurtured.&quot;

With the implementation of the agreement signed on Thursday a total of 16, 912 households in Gorkha and 23,088 households in Nuwakot will be benefitted.

The earthquake of 2015&#39;s April created havoc in Nepal which took the lives of about 10,000 people and 22,300 injuries. Gorkha and the Nuwakot were the districts which had the highest tolls and were enlisted as the &quot;Crisis-hit&quot; 14 districts.&nbsp;

The agreement signed will provide socio-technical facilitation to the earthquake victims of Gorkha

In a reconstruction bid for earthquake-ravaged Nepal, the Government of India has sealed an agreement with United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) to build 50, 000 homes for quake victims. × The agreement signed will provide socio-technical facilitation to the earthquake victims of Gorkha, the epicentre of 2015's earthquake and the Nuwakot district of Nepal. Sanjay Mathur, Regional Director, UNOPS, said, "It is significant that the Indian Government has decided to partner with the United Nations in this effort between UNOPS and UNDP. We have covered every district affected by the earthquake. We have strong partnerships and have strong relationships with local governments and communities. The close collaboration with the Government of India, Government of Nepal, Provincial and Local Government and with our UNDP partners it is an essential part of this essence of this program." As per the agreement sealed on Thursday, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) will build 26, 912 homeowners in Gorkha and 23, 088 homeowners in Nuwakot Districts of Nepal. Yuvraj Bhusal, CEO, National Reconstruction Authority, Nepal, said, "The Government of India is the largest donor in this regard, our near, next door neighbor and we are very much grateful to the Government of India and People of India for extending support to the cause of Nepal and Nepalese particularly for the earthquake victims." As per the agreement, New Delhi will give $8.41 million to the UNOPS and $7.41 Million to the UNDP for the reconstruction of the 50,000 homes. Manjeev Singh Puri, Ambassador of India to Nepal, said, "The God, nature and our forefathers have bound us together in a manner perhaps this is not applicable to any other in the world. We all of us do not consider all of this even use the expression which is often claimed today as co-operation, we say this is a partnership we must have side by side solidarity. We must do what we can do for each other and your (Nepal's) prosperity lies gains for me and if I do well you have the right to pick and choose that from me and I think this brings whole life model for the people of India and people in Nepal. So we are very proud of this partnership and we are very very comfortable with this partnership let it be strengthened and let it be nurtured." With the implementation of the agreement signed on Thursday a total of 16, 912 households in Gorkha and 23,088 households in Nuwakot will be benefitted. The earthquake of 2015's April created havoc in Nepal which took the lives of about 10,000 people and 22,300 injuries. Gorkha and the Nuwakot were the districts which had the highest tolls and were enlisted as the "Crisis-hit" 14 districts.

India seals agreement with UN to build homes for Nepal quake victims

<a href="https://twitter.com/sidchat1">Major Siddharth Chatterjee</a> (Retd) is&nbsp;the United Nations Resident Coordinator&nbsp;and the UNDP Resident Representative in Kenya.

A humanitarian and development professional, Mr Chatterjee has served in many war-ravaged and fragile parts of the world.

Speaking exclusively to WION,&nbsp;Mr Chatterjee&nbsp;talks about his&nbsp;passion for advancing gender equality, his impressions of Kenya, the United Nations (UN) reform, and his transition from the Indian Army to the UN.

Here is the full transcript of the interview:

Q. Why this passion about gender equality and women&rsquo;s empowerment?

Ans: I would say my passion for gender advocacy was cemented by my experiences in the Indian Army and at a personal level. My own grandmother was married at the age of 11 and had 15 children, 9 of whom survived. My early years in conflict settings also brought home the reality that women and children are worst effected during wars and natural disasters. While serving in the army as a young officer, I was horrified to find out that a soldier from my unit had raped a young girl.

I remember the sheer fear and trauma that girl went through, and the helplessness of her family.

It was a life changing moment for me. While the punishment that followed was swift and uncompromising, it was at that moment that I swore to fight all forms of misogyny, discrimination and violence.

In many of the countries I worked in, disease outbreaks, lack of water and sanitation were the order of the day. Reproductive health services, including midwifery outreach services, antenatal care, management of prenatal complications and sexually transmitted diseases including HIV/AIDS were not readily available in conflict regions. These problems had particularly harsh consequences among women and children.

The years I spent in fragile environments will always remain a poignant reminder of the disparate harm that women are predisposed to whenever one form or other of humanitarian crisis arises. &nbsp;Some were victims of rape and torture, others were widowed at young ages, their husbands murdered or kidnapped.

Regrettably, even in peace time, many societies still exhibit levels of patriarchy and misogyny that are simply appalling.&nbsp;The psychosocial status of the women who survived such atrocities are issues that continued to preoccupy me.

When I joined the UN in 1997, I felt the need to advocate against all forms of discrimination against women and children.

Q. What were your first impressions of Kenya?

Ans: Kenya is a beacon of hope in a region mired in instability and a regional economic hub was of course a good break for me, away from the war and conflicts of my earlier duty stations.&nbsp;

It was also a chance for me to continue with my personal mission of championing the causes and elimination of gender-based violence as well as Female Genital Mutilation(FGM) and child marriage, which is still an egregious practice in some parts of Kenya.

Kenya&rsquo;s prevalence of violence against women and girls is unacceptably high, with one in every four women having experienced physical or sexual abuse in her lifetime.&nbsp; The biggest problem in Kenya like many others, is the conspiracy of silence around gender based violence.&nbsp;&nbsp;

In Kenya, gender inequalities are revealed in various ways. Too many Kenyan women have no control over their own fertility. They cannot decide the number and timing of their children. A lot of the unpaid work within families falls on the shoulders of women therefore they are left as economic dependants. Many girls are uneducated, and those who go to school rarely proceed beyond primary level.&nbsp; In addition, men continue to occupy most positions of political and legal authority.

Yet it is clear that Africa&rsquo;s economic take-off will not happen if we do not invest in young people, especially adolescent girls. How to work with other stakeholders towards making Kenya lead the way towards gender equality was my challenge when I took office in UNFPA and now as the UN Resident Coordinator and the issues still need to be faced today.

&nbsp;

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Siddharth Chatterjee presents credentials as UN Resident Coordinator to the Foreign Minister of Kenya, Ambassador Amina Mohamed. October 2016. (Others)
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Q. Could you tell us about your work with the First lady of Kenya.

Ans: I must say I was very fortunate to begin my term at UNFPA almost at the same time that Her Excellency <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margaret_Kenyatta">Margaret Kenyatta</a> also came in as First Lady.&nbsp; Her personal mission in the plight of women, especially in regard to HIV and maternal mortality, dovetailed perfectly with the global mission of the UN family in Kenya.

Her leadership and personal involvement in the <a href="https://www.beyondzero.or.ke">Beyond Zero campaign</a> meant that the issues gained high level international and local visibility.&nbsp; It was unprecedented to see a First Lady so passionate about the rights of women and girls and who participated in the London Marathon as well as her initiative to run several Half Marathons to advance the cause.

As a whole, the government has recognised the central role of maternal health, leading to the programme of free delivery services in public health facilities.&nbsp; Within the first three years of that programme, deliveries under the care of health workers increased from 44 per cent to 61 per cent.

The government support was also crucial for us at the UN as it was a time when we came up with a project to enlist the support of the private sector to create new and more-effective products, services and technologies towards maternal health, especially in remote counties.&nbsp; For instance, just six out of the 47 counties in Kenya carry close to 50 percent of the maternal mortality burden in Kenya.

We were supported by the government to set up a major public &ndash; private initiative now going on in those six high-burden counties.&nbsp; Today, the Beyond Zero Campaign has delivered mobile clinics to all 47 counties in Kenya. I also commend Philips, Safaricom, Merck, GSK, Huawei and Kenya Health Care Federation who joined the initiative.

The campaign has been instrumental in raising the consciousness of the entire nation regarding the plight of many often underserved women and girls in desperate need of care.&nbsp; It was only fitting that Her Excellency the First Lady was voted as the 2014 UN Person of the Year in Kenya.&nbsp;

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Siddharth Chatterjee presents a communique to the First Lady of Kenya signed by 15 County Governors to improve maternal and adolescent health, in November 2014 (Others)
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Q. Why was there a particular focus on North Eastern Kenya?

Ans: Achim Steiner, the UNDP Administrator has emphasized, &ldquo;The critical importance of leaving no one behind and reaching the furthest behind first&rdquo;. Due to various historical, climatic, cultural and logistical challenges, the counties in Northern Kenya have the highest health and economic challenges in Kenya, and have been left behind.&nbsp;

For instance, 6 of the North Eastern counties in Kenya have a disproportionately heavier burden of reproductive, maternal and child health burden. It is with this in mind that the government and various partners have came together under what is called the RMNCAH(Reproductive Maternal, Neo Natal, Child and Adolescent Health) 6-County Initiative to address critical bottlenecks in the health systems in north eastern Kenya.

Under the stewardship of the National Government and respective County Governments the initiative has mobilized a multitude of partners across sectors to go there where not many went before and to collectively and holistically help increasing demand for and access to affordable quality RMNCAH care.

The Private Sector Health Partnership Kenya, which was launched in September 2015 at the global launch of the UN Secretary General&rsquo;s Strategy for every woman, child and adolescent health,&nbsp;is a clear demonstration of how the initiative has mobilized non-traditional players in the development sphere. &nbsp;

By engaging a wide range of partners from across sectors there is great potential to develop new models that offer the best of both public and private sector, with the potential for scaling-up the delivery of healthcare for vulnerable and poor populations in low-resource settings. It also provides opportunity to ensure long-term engagement of partners, and sustainability and scalability of new models, through shared value creation.

We are confident that there will be collateral gains, not just in health, but in sectors such as security, because the feelings of exclusion in these areas have created fertile ground for youth extremism.

Q. Kenya recently had elections. What would you say to the new governors who have been recently elected in Kenya?

Ans: At the <a href="http://www.unon.org">UN system in Kenya</a>, we will continue to work with the Nairobi county governments especially towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.&nbsp;It is known that more than half the population now lives in urban areas. However, it is in such areas where the problem of inequality is most visible.&nbsp;Too many urban residents grapple with extreme poverty, exclusion, vulnerability and marginalisation.

Like any African countries, urban settlement patterns in Kenya are changing as slums and informal settlements are emerging along the peripheries of cities. The majority of people who live in these slums have no proper sanitation, clean running water, housing, proper collection and disposal of waste, among other urban amenities. As a result, they are exposed to all kinds of diseases and sometimes even death.

An issue that is particularly close to my heart is the place of youth.&nbsp;Unemployment rates among the youth in Kenya are the highest in this region, and the country must create one million new jobs annually to accommodate those joining the labour market.

County governments must do all to prepare the youth to participate in the economy if the country is to reap the benefits of the demographic dividend.

Investments in health, education, skills, empowerment, employment and economic policies must be underpinned by good governance, the exercise of public authority which entails adherence to the rule of law and enhancement of human rights applied universally.

By ensuring healthy, educated, productive populations, do we have any chance at all of making the Kenyan dream of a prosperous middle to high income country a reality in our lifetimes, Achieve Vision 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals.

I have seen tremendous strides made in health care in Kenya. Kenya as a matter of fact can lead the way in achieving universal health coverage.

Q: UN reforms seem to be the order of the day. What are your views?

Ans: There are many thorny issues facing the world, and the UN Secretary General Mr Antonio Guterres and his Deputy Ms <a href="https://twitter.com/AminaJMohammed">Amina Mohamed</a> have called on the United Nations staff and member states of the UN to stand up and unite to tackle the challenges of extreme violence, large movement of refugees, underdevelopment and poverty, and civil strife.

They are together driving some of the boldest reforms of the UN system at the country level, which is where the UN makes a real difference. They are leading efforts to ensure that the UN is more effective, efficient, coherent, coordinated and a better performing United Nations country presence with a strengthened role of the UN Resident Coordinator and a common management, programming and monitoring framework.

I am privileged to be working with an incredible United Nations Country Team in Kenya, led by a highly professional and committed group of UN colleagues. I coordinate the work of 27 UN agencies represented here and our work, in a nutshell, is to work with the people and government of Kenya to achieve the national goals including what is known as Vision 2030 and the SDGs.&nbsp;

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The UN Country Team during a visit by former UNDP Administrator Helen Clark, in August 2016 (Others)
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We are committed to the Delivering as One process, therefore as the Resident&nbsp;Coordinator I am responsible for harmony in the outputs of our programs as the UN family in Kenya. This includes all objectives as identified in the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF), where we are supporting the government to deliver on its priority development milestones. Developed under the leadership of the Government, the UNDAF reflects the efforts of all UN agencies working in Kenya and is shaped by the five UN Development Group programming principles: Human Rights-based approach, gender equality, environmental sustainability, capacity development, and results-based management. The UNDAF working groups have developed a truly broad-based Results Framework, in collaboration with civil society,&nbsp;donors, and other partners.

We are also assisting the Government of Kenya by an&nbsp;appeal&nbsp;to respond to the current drought, ensure timely and effective humanitarian interventions and to build the resilience of communities in the face of climate-related hazards.

As a United Nations Country team in Kenya, we have come together to advance Mr. Antonio Guterres, the UN Secretary General&rsquo;s Prevention Agenda. With over 65 million people displaced around the world due to conflicts and natural disasters, there are increasing violations of international humanitarian law and human rights abuses. People are&nbsp;fleeing their homes on a scale not seen since the second world war and the scourge of violent extremism threatens every region.

In fact Kenya has been a victim of cross border terror stemming from instability, in the region. Meanwhile, climate change, a rapidly expanding youth bulge, rapid urbanization, food insecurity and water scarcity are adding to the tensions and instability in Kenya and the region. Kenya is also home to nearly 500,000 refugees. As the UN Country Team and we intend to sharpen our focus to assist the Government of Kenya in responding effectively to the above issues.

With a median age of 18 years, Kenya can lead the way in reaping a demographic dividend, ensuring gender equality and women&rsquo;s empowerment and achieve its Vision 2030. Vision 2030 aims to transform Kenya into a middle income country and providing a high quality of life for all its citizens by 2030. We have as a UN family in Kenya committed to walking this journey with the Kenyan government and the Kenyan people.

Q: Would you have a comment on&nbsp; the recent allegation being made against the UN Deputy Secretary General, Ms Amina Mohammed that despite a ban in force on the export of rosewood, an endangered resource, she signed thousands of certificates authorising the shipment of vast quantities of the wood?

I am not sure I am authorised to answer that question, but having been a target of malicious and fake news myself for close to 10 years, let me just begin by saying that I feel very sorry for Amina Mohammed. It is most unfair. This is yellow journalism and premeditated mendacity.

Rev. Charles Haddon Spurgeon (1855) said &ldquo;If you want truth to go around the world you must hire an express train to pull it; but if you want a lie to go around the world, it will fly; it is light as a feather and a breath will carry it.&rdquo;

In my view that is how this news is being spread.

Let me state unequivocally Amina Mohammed is a leader of highest and unquestionable integrity and character.

I applaud and admire <a href="https://twitter.com/antonioguterres">Mr Antonio Guterres</a>, the UN secretary-general, for having promptly and firmly come out in defence of his deputy, Amina Mohammed. He has stated categorically that she has his &ldquo;full support and confidence.&rdquo; A mark of a true leader.

She has explained with crystal clarity what happened in different media platforms and I would encourage people to read her interview in the <a href="http://www.pulse.ng/news/local/amina-mohammed-denies-involvement-in-illegal-wood-export-id7585149.html">Pulse</a>. The Government of Nigeria has also issued a detailed clarification in her defence.

Frankly what I am seeing being flung at her is careless, unsubstantiated rumours and meant to undermine her as a woman of substance and a phenomenal leader.

Q: You have had a unusual career track, from a soldier to a humanitarian and development professional. How did you manage this transformation?&nbsp;

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Siddharth Chatterjee was an Indian Army Special Forces Officer (Others)
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Ans: I owe my ability to adapt and embrace adversity and diversity to the foundations my alma mater, the National Defence Academy and to the Special Forces unit I served in. My year of study and reflection at Princeton University, was perhaps one of the most significant intellectual growth spurt and sharped my understanding of public policy. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity I had at Princeton. &nbsp;I encourage everyone to take a year off in their careers to pause and go back to school. It gives you the freedom to pursue your intellectual interests, develop new capabilities, expose yourself to new approaches and methods&nbsp;and advance your career.

Speaking exclusively to WION, Mr Chatterjee talks about his passion for advancing gender equality, his impressions of Kenya, the United Nations (UN) reform, and his transition from the Indian Army to the UN.

Major Siddharth Chatterjee (Retd) is the United Nations Resident Coordinator and the UNDP Resident Representative in Kenya. A humanitarian and development professional, Mr Chatterjee has served in many war-ravaged and fragile parts of the world. Speaking exclusively to WION, Mr Chatterjee talks about his passion for advancing gender equality, his impressions of Kenya, the United Nations (UN) reform, and his transition from the Indian Army to the UN. Here is the full transcript of the interview: Q. Why this passion about gender equality and women’s empowerment? Ans: I would say my passion for gender advocacy was cemented by my experiences in the Indian Army and at a personal level. My own grandmother was married at the age of 11 and had 15 children, 9 of whom survived. My early years in conflict settings also brought home the reality that women and children are worst effected during wars and natural disasters. While serving in the army as a young officer, I was horrified to find out that a soldier from my unit had raped a young girl. I remember the sheer fear and trauma that girl went through, and the helplessness of her family. It was a life changing moment for me. While the punishment that followed was swift and uncompromising, it was at that moment that I swore to fight all forms of misogyny, discrimination and violence. In many of the countries I worked in, disease outbreaks, lack of water and sanitation were the order of the day. Reproductive health services, including midwifery outreach services, antenatal care, management of prenatal complications and sexually transmitted diseases including HIV/AIDS were not readily available in conflict regions. These problems had particularly harsh consequences among women and children. The years I spent in fragile environments will always remain a poignant reminder of the disparate harm that women are predisposed to whenever one form or other of humanitarian crisis arises. Some were victims of rape and torture, others were widowed at young ages, their husbands murdered or kidnapped. Regrettably, even in peace time, many societies still exhibit levels of patriarchy and misogyny that are simply appalling. The psychosocial status of the women who survived such atrocities are issues that continued to preoccupy me. When I joined the UN in 1997, I felt the need to advocate against all forms of discrimination against women and children. Q. What were your first impressions of Kenya? Ans: Kenya is a beacon of hope in a region mired in instability and a regional economic hub was of course a good break for me, away from the war and conflicts of my earlier duty stations. It was also a chance for me to continue with my personal mission of championing the causes and elimination of gender-based violence as well as Female Genital Mutilation(FGM) and child marriage, which is still an egregious practice in some parts of Kenya. Kenya’s prevalence of violence against women and girls is unacceptably high, with one in every four women having experienced physical or sexual abuse in her lifetime. The biggest problem in Kenya like many others, is the conspiracy of silence around gender based violence. In Kenya, gender inequalities are revealed in various ways. Too many Kenyan women have no control over their own fertility. They cannot decide the number and timing of their children. A lot of the unpaid work within families falls on the shoulders of women therefore they are left as economic dependants. Many girls are uneducated, and those who go to school rarely proceed beyond primary level. In addition, men continue to occupy most positions of political and legal authority. Yet it is clear that Africa’s economic take-off will not happen if we do not invest in young people, especially adolescent girls. How to work with other stakeholders towards making Kenya lead the way towards gender equality was my challenge when I took office in UNFPA and now as the UN Resident Coordinator and the issues still need to be faced today. Siddharth Chatterjee presents credentials as UN Resident Coordinator to the Foreign Minister of Kenya, Ambassador Amina Mohamed. October 2016. (Others) × Q. Could you tell us about your work with the First lady of Kenya. Ans: I must say I was very fortunate to begin my term at UNFPA almost at the same time that Her Excellency Margaret Kenyatta also came in as First Lady. Her personal mission in the plight of women, especially in regard to HIV and maternal mortality, dovetailed perfectly with the global mission of the UN family in Kenya. Her leadership and personal involvement in the Beyond Zero campaign meant that the issues gained high level international and local visibility. It was unprecedented to see a First Lady so passionate about the rights of women and girls and who participated in the London Marathon as well as her initiative to run several Half Marathons to advance the cause. As a whole, the government has recognised the central role of maternal health, leading to the programme of free delivery services in public health facilities. Within the first three years of that programme, deliveries under the care of health workers increased from 44 per cent to 61 per cent. The government support was also crucial for us at the UN as it was a time when we came up with a project to enlist the support of the private sector to create new and more-effective products, services and technologies towards maternal health, especially in remote counties. For instance, just six out of the 47 counties in Kenya carry close to 50 percent of the maternal mortality burden in Kenya. We were supported by the government to set up a major public – private initiative now going on in those six high-burden counties. Today, the Beyond Zero Campaign has delivered mobile clinics to all 47 counties in Kenya. I also commend Philips, Safaricom, Merck, GSK, Huawei and Kenya Health Care Federation who joined the initiative. The campaign has been instrumental in raising the consciousness of the entire nation regarding the plight of many often underserved women and girls in desperate need of care. It was only fitting that Her Excellency the First Lady was voted as the 2014 UN Person of the Year in Kenya. Siddharth Chatterjee presents a communique to the First Lady of Kenya signed by 15 County Governors to improve maternal and adolescent health, in November 2014 (Others) × Q. Why was there a particular focus on North Eastern Kenya? Ans: Achim Steiner, the UNDP Administrator has emphasized, “The critical importance of leaving no one behind and reaching the furthest behind first”. Due to various historical, climatic, cultural and logistical challenges, the counties in Northern Kenya have the highest health and economic challenges in Kenya, and have been left behind. For instance, 6 of the North Eastern counties in Kenya have a disproportionately heavier burden of reproductive, maternal and child health burden. It is with this in mind that the government and various partners have came together under what is called the RMNCAH(Reproductive Maternal, Neo Natal, Child and Adolescent Health) 6-County Initiative to address critical bottlenecks in the health systems in north eastern Kenya. Under the stewardship of the National Government and respective County Governments the initiative has mobilized a multitude of partners across sectors to go there where not many went before and to collectively and holistically help increasing demand for and access to affordable quality RMNCAH care. The Private Sector Health Partnership Kenya, which was launched in September 2015 at the global launch of the UN Secretary General’s Strategy for every woman, child and adolescent health, is a clear demonstration of how the initiative has mobilized non-traditional players in the development sphere. By engaging a wide range of partners from across sectors there is great potential to develop new models that offer the best of both public and private sector, with the potential for scaling-up the delivery of healthcare for vulnerable and poor populations in low-resource settings. It also provides opportunity to ensure long-term engagement of partners, and sustainability and scalability of new models, through shared value creation. We are confident that there will be collateral gains, not just in health, but in sectors such as security, because the feelings of exclusion in these areas have created fertile ground for youth extremism. Q. Kenya recently had elections. What would you say to the new governors who have been recently elected in Kenya? Ans: At the UN system in Kenya, we will continue to work with the Nairobi county governments especially towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. It is known that more than half the population now lives in urban areas. However, it is in such areas where the problem of inequality is most visible. Too many urban residents grapple with extreme poverty, exclusion, vulnerability and marginalisation. Like any African countries, urban settlement patterns in Kenya are changing as slums and informal settlements are emerging along the peripheries of cities. The majority of people who live in these slums have no proper sanitation, clean running water, housing, proper collection and disposal of waste, among other urban amenities. As a result, they are exposed to all kinds of diseases and sometimes even death. An issue that is particularly close to my heart is the place of youth. Unemployment rates among the youth in Kenya are the highest in this region, and the country must create one million new jobs annually to accommodate those joining the labour market. County governments must do all to prepare the youth to participate in the economy if the country is to reap the benefits of the demographic dividend. Investments in health, education, skills, empowerment, employment and economic policies must be underpinned by good governance, the exercise of public authority which entails adherence to the rule of law and enhancement of human rights applied universally. By ensuring healthy, educated, productive populations, do we have any chance at all of making the Kenyan dream of a prosperous middle to high income country a reality in our lifetimes, Achieve Vision 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals. I have seen tremendous strides made in health care in Kenya. Kenya as a matter of fact can lead the way in achieving universal health coverage. Q: UN reforms seem to be the order of the day. What are your views? Ans: There are many thorny issues facing the world, and the UN Secretary General Mr Antonio Guterres and his Deputy Ms Amina Mohamed have called on the United Nations staff and member states of the UN to stand up and unite to tackle the challenges of extreme violence, large movement of refugees, underdevelopment and poverty, and civil strife. They are together driving some of the boldest reforms of the UN system at the country level, which is where the UN makes a real difference. They are leading efforts to ensure that the UN is more effective, efficient, coherent, coordinated and a better performing United Nations country presence with a strengthened role of the UN Resident Coordinator and a common management, programming and monitoring framework. I am privileged to be working with an incredible United Nations Country Team in Kenya, led by a highly professional and committed group of UN colleagues. I coordinate the work of 27 UN agencies represented here and our work, in a nutshell, is to work with the people and government of Kenya to achieve the national goals including what is known as Vision 2030 and the SDGs. The UN Country Team during a visit by former UNDP Administrator Helen Clark, in August 2016 (Others) × We are committed to the Delivering as One process, therefore as the Resident Coordinator I am responsible for harmony in the outputs of our programs as the UN family in Kenya. This includes all objectives as identified in the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF), where we are supporting the government to deliver on its priority development milestones. Developed under the leadership of the Government, the UNDAF reflects the efforts of all UN agencies working in Kenya and is shaped by the five UN Development Group programming principles: Human Rights-based approach, gender equality, environmental sustainability, capacity development, and results-based management. The UNDAF working groups have developed a truly broad-based Results Framework, in collaboration with civil society, donors, and other partners. We are also assisting the Government of Kenya by an appeal to respond to the current drought, ensure timely and effective humanitarian interventions and to build the resilience of communities in the face of climate-related hazards. As a United Nations Country team in Kenya, we have come together to advance Mr. Antonio Guterres, the UN Secretary General’s Prevention Agenda. With over 65 million people displaced around the world due to conflicts and natural disasters, there are increasing violations of international humanitarian law and human rights abuses. People are fleeing their homes on a scale not seen since the second world war and the scourge of violent extremism threatens every region. In fact Kenya has been a victim of cross border terror stemming from instability, in the region. Meanwhile, climate change, a rapidly expanding youth bulge, rapid urbanization, food insecurity and water scarcity are adding to the tensions and instability in Kenya and the region. Kenya is also home to nearly 500,000 refugees. As the UN Country Team and we intend to sharpen our focus to assist the Government of Kenya in responding effectively to the above issues. With a median age of 18 years, Kenya can lead the way in reaping a demographic dividend, ensuring gender equality and women’s empowerment and achieve its Vision 2030. Vision 2030 aims to transform Kenya into a middle income country and providing a high quality of life for all its citizens by 2030. We have as a UN family in Kenya committed to walking this journey with the Kenyan government and the Kenyan people. Q: Would you have a comment on the recent allegation being made against the UN Deputy Secretary General, Ms Amina Mohammed that despite a ban in force on the export of rosewood, an endangered resource, she signed thousands of certificates authorising the shipment of vast quantities of the wood? I am not sure I am authorised to answer that question, but having been a target of malicious and fake news myself for close to 10 years, let me just begin by saying that I feel very sorry for Amina Mohammed. It is most unfair. This is yellow journalism and premeditated mendacity. Rev. Charles Haddon Spurgeon (1855) said “If you want truth to go around the world you must hire an express train to pull it; but if you want a lie to go around the world, it will fly; it is light as a feather and a breath will carry it.” In my view that is how this news is being spread. Let me state unequivocally Amina Mohammed is a leader of highest and unquestionable integrity and character. I applaud and admire Mr Antonio Guterres, the UN secretary-general, for having promptly and firmly come out in defence of his deputy, Amina Mohammed. He has stated categorically that she has his “full support and confidence.” A mark of a true leader. She has explained with crystal clarity what happened in different media platforms and I would encourage people to read her interview in the Pulse. The Government of Nigeria has also issued a detailed clarification in her defence. Frankly what I am seeing being flung at her is careless, unsubstantiated rumours and meant to undermine her as a woman of substance and a phenomenal leader. Q: You have had a unusual career track, from a soldier to a humanitarian and development professional. How did you manage this transformation? Siddharth Chatterjee was an Indian Army Special Forces Officer (Others) × Ans: I owe my ability to adapt and embrace adversity and diversity to the foundations my alma mater, the National Defence Academy and to the Special Forces unit I served in. My year of study and reflection at Princeton University, was perhaps one of the most significant intellectual growth spurt and sharped my understanding of public policy. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity I had at Princeton. I encourage everyone to take a year off in their careers to pause and go back to school. It gives you the freedom to pursue your intellectual interests, develop new capabilities, expose yourself to new approaches and methods and advance your career.

WION exclusive: Kenya a beacon of hope, says UNDP representative to Kenya Siddharth Chatterjee

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