Our Stories

UNDP supports computerization of the criminal justice system in Sudan

Over the years, poor management and administration of the criminal justice system were thought to be the genesis of injustice and social unrest amongst community members across Sudan. In addition, the capital Khartoum has witnessed high rural exodus and influx of immigrants from other countri more

Responding to the Crisis in Syria

Since March 2011, Syria has been witnessing an internal civil unrest that has directly resulted in losses of human lives, weakened social services, and destruction of basic social, economic and productive infrastructure. The deteriorating security situation also led to notable increase of humanitari more

Landmine risk awareness and victims assistance programme helps victims regain control over their lives in Egypt

Mines and explosive remnants of war contaminate a huge portion of Egypt’s Western Desert, affecting an area of about 2,680 square kilometres stretching from Alexandria to the Libyan border and 30 kilometres deep from the Mediterranean coastline. Only a small portion of mined areas are mapped more

A glimpse of hope for better times ahead

Raqqa, once a prosperous province that hosted one of the capitals of Harun Al-Rashid, the famous Abbasid Caliph, has seen a dramatic downturn in recent years. Even before the crisis in March 2011, the Raqqa population grappled with some of the worst development indicators in the country. The governo more

Nurturing entrepreneurship amidst destruction

J.H. never imagined that her home made business will flourish and the “baytoti” brand will become a household name in Raqqa and neighbouring villages. J., the eldest of her siblings, is the principal breadwinner in a family of six. At 43 and single, she has been earning little income from selling ho more

Peace Building Clubs connect Lebanese youth with their collective history

A group of Lebanese university students from different sectarian backgrounds set out from Martyr Square in Beirut, in June 2012, on a mission to discover The Bus that they have heard about so often. Its story was not in their history books, but they heard of it from their parents, who all na more

Legal aid for rape victim in Sudan

Garssila, a small village in war-torn Darfur, was the theatre of a shocking case in 2010, when a 13 year old girl was brutally raped by an adult man. Defying prevailing stereotypes and social taboos the girl and her family courageously took the case to court, seeking justice. To their shock, the Co more

Somali farmers win the battle against erosion

Farming communities in Sogsogley and Ashado valleys in Boroma have overcome serious land degradation problems through a UNDP project that provided them with employment opportunities. Under the Employment Generation for Early Recovery (EGER) project, the community members strategically fought the ero more

A smile from an internally displaced people’s camp

Ibrahim Farah Isaq* – a father of four – has lived in Bossaso since 1995. He was born in Qoryoley, Lower Shabelle in southern Somalia, where he completed intermediate school. His father owned farming land, houses and a small business before the outbreak of the civil war in 1991. Ibrahim’s fam more

From casual labourer to skilled worker

Ever since Mohamed Khalif*, 24, started on-the-job masonry training, he has been a different man. He is now all smiles and full of hope. Mohamed developed skills in masonry after being recruited as an unskilled worker in the Gaheyr School rehabilitation project, which is being impleme more

Featured Publications

Preventing Crisis, Enabling Recovery: BCPR Annual Report 2011

Disasters, violent conflict, and economic and climate-related turbulence continue to claim lives, destroy economies and livelihoods, and undermine development progress for millions of people. Crisis prevention, recovery and reducing the vulnerability of countries to catastrophe are cornerstones of UNDP’s work.

Governance for Peace: Securing the Social Contract

Based upon an extensive stocktaking of UNDP’s experience in crisis affected contexts, Governance for Peace: Securing the Social Contract provides insights on new approaches to governance promotion, analysis and programming adapted to the 21st century challenges of fragility.

Putting Resilience at the Heart of Development: Investing in Prevention and Resilient Recovery

Disasters cause human suffering, environmental and economic harm, and set back progress on eliminating poverty. If disaster risk isn’t well managed, the consequences are manifold. Disaster risk reduction is, therefore, an investment worth making by all countries. Every dollar spent reducing people’s vulnerability to disasters saves around seven dollars in economic losses.

Many of UNDP's relationships with countries and territories on the ground exceed 60 years. Find details on our successes and ongoing work.

Regional Presence

UNDP in Arab States