Latest stories
Phase 1 at United Nations Headquarters: A staff member’s walkthrough
On 20 July, United Nations Headquarters will enter Phase 1 of its plan for personnel to return to UN premises in New York. Maximum occupancy will increase to about 400 people, roughly 10 per cent of that in normal times, and the complex will be ready to welcome back the next group of UN staff. Earlier this week, I visited the premises for the first time in four months to check out the safety and health measures in place during this phase. Here’s my step-by-step account of what I experienced, from entry to exit, photographed by my colleague, Manuel Elias of UN Photo.
Former World War I battleground calls for ceasefire during COVID-19
At the onset of the coronavirus pandemic António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, called for an immediate ceasefire to protect the world’s most vulnerable communities from the virus. This included women, children, persons with disabilities and displaced persons in conflict zones.
LGBTIQ community faces new challenges during COVID-19
When the first case of COVID-19 was discovered in Myanmar in late March, quarantine centers were set up in sites around the country. People arriving in a town—such as migrant workers returning home—had to quarantine at their local center for 21 days.
Portraits: UN interpreters adapt to new work modes during COVID-19
This story, with portraits taken remotely by UN Photo, shows how United Nations interpreters are responding to new challenges COVID-19 added to their already daunting job of providing simultaneous interpretation in six UN official languages – Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish.
Christ the Redeemer statue lights up to remember COVID-19 victims
Rio de Janeiro’s iconic Christ the Redeemer was illuminated with the names of victims lost to COVID-19 in an online ceremony called “For Every Life” that paid tribute to the 60,000 victims lost in Brazil and 500,000 lost worldwide. About 87,000 Brazilians heard messages of hope and solidarity combined with music and prayer in a live broadcast over social media. It recognized the losses of families and selfless work of healthcare workers and others helping the country through the pandemic.
Building back better requires transforming the development model of Latin America and the Caribbean
As COVID-19 continues to spread throughout the world, parts of Latin America and the Caribbean have become a hotspot of the pandemic. In a context of already gaping inequalities, high levels of informal labour and fragmented health services, the most vulnerable populations and individuals are once again being hit the hardest.
Adaptation and teamwork, the lessons of the pandemic: health personnel
As the pandemic continues to rage, it is making clear that people around the world are surprisingly alike. No matter what divides us, gratitude for health care personnel for their titanic work is one thing we all have in common. In their name, authorities around the globe have asked people to follow the recommendations, to ignore false information and to protect them from discrimination. Their dedication to their calling has inspired the rest of us to help them succeed by doing our part.
COVID-19 used to mask domestic horrors
For Mexican investigative reporter Alejandra Crail, who’s just been awarded the prestigious Breach-Valdez prize for Journalism and Human Rights, the COVID-19 quarantine has been a chance to reassert her conviction that the truth must be told about both the virus and other darker issues that she says have been ignored for too long. It’s a message that’s shared by the head of the UN Information Centre, Giancarlo Summa, writes UN Geneva’s Solange Behoteguy Cortes.
Global Wake-Up Call
From COVID-19 to climate disruption, from racial injustice to rising inequalities, we are a world in turmoil. At the same time, we are an international community with an enduring vision – embodied in the United Nations Charter, which marks its 75th anniversary this year.
Podcasts fight misinformation in Egypt
As countries around the world are grappling with COVID-19 pandemic, the role of young people becomes more important than ever in efforts to stop the spread of the virus and help mitigate its different consequences. For Egypt, a country where youth constitute about 60 percent of population, finding ways to engage young people and empower them can be decisive in the battle against the pandemic.
Nursing student protects her indigenous community against COVID-19
María Micaela Jiménez participated in the 5th United Nations Regional Conference for Youth in Latin America and the Caribbean in Mexico City organized by UNIC México eight years ago. Today, she is on the front lines of Esperanza Porvenir’s battle against COVID-19. A nursing student and the only person in her indigenous community of 500 people with any health training, Micaela is translating information into Chol, the indigenous community’s mother tongue, explaining COVID-19 prevention measures.
Never waste a crisis: Companies invest to ‘recover better’ from COVID-19
Smart businesspeople never let a crisis go to waste. As profits plummet and operations shutter due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the United Nations’ corporate partners are capitalizing on the downturn to build a safer, greener, fairer and more resilient global economy.
COVID-19 photo essay: We’re all in this together
The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated the interconnected nature of our world – and that no one is safe until everyone is safe. Only by acting in solidarity can communities save lives and overcome the devastating socio-economic impacts of the virus. In partnership with the United Nations, people around the world are showing acts of humanity, inspiring hope for a better future.
COVID and the Rule of Law: A dangerous Balancing Act
2020 has been a year like no other in recent memory. The unprecedented threat from COVID-19 has caused unimaginable suffering around the world. This year also triggered a healthy and much needed discussion on the role of law enforcement in societies.
Luxembourg Grand Duke thanks refugee for sewing masks
As the coronavirus pandemic unfolded, Iraqi refugee Mohammed Alhashimi and his wife Smaher sat down and discussed how they could help their new country of Luxembourg.