Crisis Prevention and Recovery

Focus on disasters in Southeast Asia and the Pacific

UNDP boosts recovery in earthquake-hit Padang
Padang, 4 November — As people in earthquake-hit West Sumatra look to rebuild their lives, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) boosted its recovery support here this week, bringing in more heavy equipment to remove badly damaged homes, schools, mosques, and by fielding experts to work alongside government to reduce the impact of future earthquakes. Read more...

UNDP continues recovery operations in disaster-affected Asia-Pacific countries
New York, 1 November - In just 13 days, beginning on 29 September 2009, more than 2,000 people in Southeast Asia and the Pacific were killed by a relentless barrage of typhoons, tsunamis, and earthquakes. In the ensuing weeks, the UNDP/BCPR channeled human and financial resources to the region, aiding in recovery activities and seeking to reduce the affected countries’ exposure to future such disasters. Read more...

UNDP is responding to the recent natural disasters in the Asia-Pacific region
New York, 14 October - More than 800 people have been killed by the 30 September earthquake in Sumatra, with hundreds more still missing. More than 135,000 homes were destroyed or severely damaged by the quake, and health facilities and government offices were also severely compromised. Read more...


UN's response to help countries battered by disasters across Asia
Bangkok, 5 October - UN Development Programme Administrator Helen Clark said today that in reaction to the widespread disasters that struck Asia and the Pacific last week, the United Nations is responding with rapid support teams in Bhutan, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, the Philippines, Samoa and Tonga to support governments helping millions of people hit by a relentless barrage of tropical storms, earthquakes and tsunamis. Read more...

UNDP Responds to Disasters in Southeast Asia and the Pacific
New York, 2 October - The last days of September brought destructive havoc to three countries in the Pacific rim. On 29 September a powerful undersea earthquake sent multiple tsunami waves speeding toward the island nation of Samoa, killing more than 100 people and destroying homes and businesses. Read more...

Focus on Sri Lanka

Access to justice in Sri Lanka: addressing the needs of the displaced
On 18 May 2009 the Sri Lankan government formally announced its military victory over the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and its regaining of complete territorial control over Sri Lanka. The final weeks of the conflict resulted in an estimated 200,000 people fleeing the fighting. Read more...

Listen to Douglas Keh, Country Director, UNDP Sri Lanka, discuss UNDP’s support to the internally displaced in the North of the country (streaming audio or mp3)

Focus on Pakistan

The situation in Pakistan has worsened considerably in recent weeks, with increased hostilities between government forces and armed insurgent groups forcing a mass displacement of civilians.  The heaviest fighting is currently in the Lower Dir, Swat, and Buner areas of Pakistan’s Northwest Frontier Province (NWFP). Read more...

Did you know?

• Since 2008 at least 577,167 people fled their homes in Pakistan’s Northwest Frontier Province.
  
  
• According to the latest registration information available, the current estimated number of people displaced is 2 million.
  
  
• Total funding requirement for the revised Pakistan Humanitarian Response Plan is USD 543 million.

Listen to Alvaro Rodriguez, UNDP Country Director, discuss the IDP crisis in Pakistan and early recovery funding needs. (streaming audio or mp3)

Pakistan Humanitarian Response Plan
2008-2009 (revision) (pdf)

Watch a video about UNDP response to both natural disasters and conflict in the region featuring Devanand Ramiah, Specialist for the Asia and Pacific Region.