There has been a lot of misinformation on COVID-19: no, putting pepper in your soup won’t help and house flies do not transmit the virus, these are some of the rumours. Help us put it straight – stamp out the rumours – be properly informed – have a look at the WHO myth buster page.
You can also find more information and keep
up to date on the UN Coronavirus Global
Emergency Site.
Science, Solidarity, Solutions.
Pacific communities are coming together through song and music in just a few hours’ time, to help beat back the coronavirus pandemic and assist vulnerable nations in the region build a better future.The Pacific Unite Concert, on Saturday, will be paying tribute to essential workers for their lifesaving effort, and supporting all islanders to play their part in preventing transmission.
One of the musicians taking part is Mia Kami, from Fiji, who’s also a climate change activist with the 350.org international grassroots movement. She spoke to Julia Dean from our UN Country Team in Australia, about what she hoped the concert would achieve. Audio
The World Health Organization (WHO) said on Thursday that six months after first sounding the international alarm over COVID-19, the UN agency is now intensely focused on shepherding global vaccine candidates through the necessary trials, and guaranteeing rapid, fair and equitable access to them for all countries. More
Let me begin by thanking the Indonesian Presidency for convening this open debate on pandemics and the challenges of sustaining peace.The concept of sustaining peace is essentially about positive peace as opposed to simply ending wars.
In other words, it is the idea that the international community accompanies a country well beyond the point of simply putting down guns to the point where people feel protected and represented. Continue reading
The theme of this year’s International Youth Day – “Youth Engagement for Global Action” — spotlights the ways in which the voices and activism of young people are making a difference and moving our world closer to the values and vision of the United Nations Charter. More
Inclusion and participation of the world’s 476 million indigenous peoples must be ensured in the response to the COVID-19 pandemic and on the road ahead towards recovery, UN Secretary-General António Guterres has underscored. More
6 August 2020
NADI, Fiji – Countries and territories of the Pacific Islands and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) reached a milestone today with the launch of the humanitarian air service in the region. The first flight, from Nadi, Fiji to Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, completed this morning, delivered 44 cubic metres of essential medical supplies that will be used in the Government of Papua New Guinea’s response to COVID-19.
The supplies, including protective masks, suits and gloves, thermometers, and ventilators were transported on behalf of the Pacific Islands Forum, in support of the Pacific Humanitarian Pathway on COVID-19 – a regional coordination platform established by the 18 countries of the Forum to facilitate timely and rapid movement of medical and humanitarian assistance across the region.
“The humanitarian air service flights are a welcome demonstration that the Pacific Humanitarian Pathway on COVID-19 is doing what leaders intended – protecting citizens and supporting health systems,” said Dame Meg Taylor, Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General. “We welcome continued partnership and support as the Pathway provides a mechanism led by and for Pacific nations to help meet their needs while respecting COVID-19 border shutdowns, special entry protocols and safety for our Pacific nations.”
The closure of airports and grounding of aircrafts as a result of COVID-19 prevention measures has dramatically reduced commercial air services, placing stress on the region’s supply chains and making it increasingly challenging for humanitarian and health organizations to get vital supplies and personnel to where they are needed most.
“For the countries and territories of the Pacific islands, air and sea transport is nothing short of a lifeline,” said Jo Pilgrim, Director of WFP Pacific Multi-Country Office. “WFP is proud to be working with Pacific Island governments and humanitarian partners to restore certainty to the supply chain and ensure the delivery of urgently-required medical supplies to the frontlines of the pandemic. I would like to thank our donors, including the Government of Australia for their continued support to WFP’s operations in the Pacific, and for making this air service a reality.”
The Pacific humanitarian air service is part of the greater Pacific Humanitarian Team COVID-19 Response Plan – a comprehensive regional response plan that seeks to consolidate efforts by UN agencies, governments, regional and multilateral organizations, NGOs, donors and development partners.
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The Pacific Islands Forum is the region’s premier political and economic policy organisation. Founded in 1971, the Forum’s 18 member nations work towards a vision of a region of peace, harmony, security, social inclusion and prosperity so that all Pacific people can lead free, healthy, and productive lives.
Follow us on Twitter @ForumSEC or Facebook @Pacific.Islands.Forum
The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, saving lives in emergencies, building prosperity and supporting a sustainable future for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.
Follow us on Twitter @wfp_media @wfp_AsiaPacific
For more information please contact:
WFP: Monica Salvitti, WFP/Pacific, monica.salvitti@wfp.org + 61 400 406 886
Kun Li, WFP/Bangkok, kun.li@wfp.org +66 84 555 8994
Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat: Lisa Williams-Lahari- Auckland, media@forumsec.org,
+64 210642704
I am honoured to greet the Peace Memorial Ceremony and to pay tribute to the victims of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima.
Seventy-five years ago, a single nuclear weapon visited unspeakable death and destruction upon this city.
The effects linger to this day. Continue reading
The United Nations has said that it is “actively assisting” in the response to the horrific explosions that ripped through the port area of Beirut on Tuesday, reportedly leaving dozens dead and thousands wounded, among them some UN naval peacekeepers. More
Education is the key to personal development and the future of societies.
It unlocks opportunities and narrows inequalities.
It is the bedrock of informed, tolerant societies, and a primary driver of sustainable development. Continue reading
