April 10, 2021 No comments
The more you learn, the more you earn: education and poverty alleviation in Thailand
INTERNATIONAL, 10 April 2021, Culture and Education - A good education is often seen as a route out of poverty, but many disadvantaged children are unable to finish school. In Thailand, a project involving the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, UNESCO, is linking academic achievement to cash rewards, providing tangible benefits to marginalized families, and helping kids to stay in school. Chaisri Taya, a teacher in the mountainous north-west province of Mae Hong Son, is a testament to the power of education. Born stateless, he completed a bachelor’s degree and obtained Thai citizenship. He has since become a role model in his community, sharing his experience with children and youth in a language they can relate to. UNESCO/Pornpilin Smithveja Chaisri Taya is teaching children...
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April 09, 2021 No comments
UN rights office urges protection, investigation, after latest clashes in West Darfur
INTERNATIONAL, 9 April 2021, Human Rights - The UN human rights office, OHCHR, has urged authorities in Sudan to protect citizens “without discrimination” in the wake of the latest resurgence of deadly violence in West Darfur. Clashes between Masalit and Arab communities in Al Geneina, which erupted last weekend, have killed nearly 90 people and injured more than 190 others, Spokesperson Marta Hurtado reported on Friday. She said the situation was reminiscent of previous violence in late 2019 and this past January, and that similarly, the authorities failed to stop the fighting despite the presence of security forces in the town. Obligation to disarm “We urge the authorities to fully uphold their role to protect the population without discrimination. In this regard, we call on the...
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April 09, 2021 No comments
Low-income countries have received just 0.2 per cent of all COVID-19 shots given
INTERNATIONAL, 9 April 2021, Health - The vast majority of COVID-19 vaccines administered have so far gone to wealthy nations, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported on Friday. Although more than 700 million vaccine doses have been administered globally, richer countries have received more than 87 per cent, and low-income countries just 0.2 per cent. “There remains a shocking imbalance in the global distribution of vaccines”, said WHO chief Tedros Adhanonom Ghebreyesus, speaking during the agency’s regular briefing from Geneva. “On average in high-income countries, almost one in four people has received a vaccine. In low-income countries, it’s one in more than 500. Let me repeat that: one in four versus one in 500.” Bilateral deals hurt COVAX The global solidarity initiative, COVAX, has also experienced a shortage of vaccines....
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April 09, 2021 No comments
Without access to vaccines, COVID will continue widening inequality everywhere
INTERNATIONAL, 9 April 2021, Economic Development - The COVID-19 pandemic has caused unprecedented public health, economic and social crises, threatening the lives and livelihoods of millions and exacerbating inequalities throughout the world, the World Bank said at the COVID-19: Vaccines for Developing Countries event on Friday. “Without access to vaccines, the gap will widen further”, warned the UN multi-faceted agency, calling for “strong partnership and cooperation at the national, regional and global levels”. Debt inequality World Bank President David R. Malpass, pointed out that inequality runs deep, encompassing not only vaccinations but also median income, interest rate differentials, bankruptcy processes and access to credit – all of which put poorer countries at a stark disadvantage. Fully recognizing “the debt problem facing the poorer countries”, he updated the event on his recent...
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April 09, 2021 No comments
UN chief welcomes IMF and World Bank measures to address COVID-related debt crisis
INTERNATIONAL, 9 April 2021, SDGs - The UN Secretary-General on Friday welcomed steps announced by the International Monetary and Finance Committee (IMFC) and the World Bank Group Development Committee, to address debt crises and other financial distress to economies arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, “as a sign of hope and renewed multilateralism.” In a statement issued via his Spokesperson, António Guterres said developing economies had struggled to secure enough financial resources to cope with the onset of the coronavirus crisis, “let alone to recover from it.” Since the beginning of the crisis, the Secretary-General has called for liquidity, the statement continued, through a large issuance of Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) – an instrument created by the International Monetary Fund to help supplement cash reserves - for those most in need,...
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