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UN development chief says conflict often driven by poverty

Agadez - On the last day of her visit to Niger, UNDP Administrator Helen Clark traveled to the ancient city of Agadez where armed rebellions in the 1990s led to a period marked by violence and instability, resulting in increased poverty and vulnerability for the population.  Agadez is also a tr more

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UNDP steps up Afghan capacity ahead of major transitions

New York -- The UN Development Programme (UNDP) is strengthening its ability to support Afghanistan ahead of the expected withdrawal of international forces. We recognize that we are entering a totally new phase and we need to be prepared for what's coming," UNDP Associate Administrator Rebeca more

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South Sudan: UNDP Board approves first ever country programme for new state

In yet another milestone for the world’s newest country, South Sudan has its own first ever United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) plan crafted together with the new government, and approved by the organisation’s governing board last night. The two-year programme will support the government’s p more

Famine in Somalia may be over, but 2.3 million people still in crisis

Nairobi, Kenya  – The combination of a  massive scale-up in humanitarian assistance and an exceptional harvest have helped relieve famine conditions in Somalia, but interrupting assistance risks these gains, according to analysis released today by the Food and Agricultural Organisation’s F more

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Earthquake preparedness works, Indonesians show

Banda Aceh, Indonesia - When a powerful 7.6 magnitude earthquake hit the Aceh province in the northern tip of Indonesia on 10 January there was no damage or casualty—a very different situation compared to seven years earlier when a devastating quake and tsunami killed more than 230,000 people across more

Haiti must play lead role in quake rebuilding, UNDP official says

WASHINGTON—International organizations are playing a key role in rebuilding Haiti two years after a devastating earthquake, but long-term success requires ownership by citizens of the Caribbean island nation, UN Development Program (UNDP) Associate Administrator Rebeca Grynspan said. “You cannot reb more

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Strong institutions, inclusive processes crucial for peace in crisis-affected countries

New York —Building responsive institutions that deliver essential services and investing in inclusive political processes are among key ways to restore the social contract between states and citizens in crisis-affected countries, and consolidate peacebuilding gains. These recommendations are put for more

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Haitians recycle rubble into new communities

Port-au-Prince/New York – Two years after the devastating earthquake Haitians have recycled over 20 percent of more than half of the total quake rubble removed so far, helping affected communities build new houses or rebuild damaged ones, pave sidewalks and put up more than 2,000 metres of walls and more

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Post-earthquake assistance in Haiti shifts to reconstruction

The allocation of resources for Haiti’s recovery from the devastating earthquake two years ago has shifted to reconstruction, infrastructure restoration, debris removal, job creation and capacity building, senior United Nations officials said today, noting, however, that considerable humanitarian ne more

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Top UN aid official calls for scaling up of humanitarian efforts in Philippines

The United Nations relief head called today on countries and international organizations to scale up humanitarian efforts in the Philippines, which was ravaged by a storm last weekend, leaving almost half a million people in need of assistance. “The Government responded quickly to the disaster with more