Candelario migrated to Costa Rica at the age of 90, and Juan Carlos did the same when he was 10 years old. They both arrived looking for opportunities to fulfill their dream of starting a better life. With the support of the State, the community and the United Nations, today they are achieving it in their own terms.
From legal protection to healthcare access to social inclusion and more, LGBQI+ people encounter numerous challenges that threaten their dignity and equality. When combined with aspects of race, income, age, ability/disability, LGBTQI+ people are often more vulnerable yet are often excluded from social policies and planning.
To measure the socioeconomic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the poorest population of the Dominican Republic and improve the joint response and recovery efforts, the United Nations system conducted a Socio-Economic Impact Assessment (SEIA).
United Nations country teams around the world continue to provide medical, logistical and socio-economic support to local authorities, coordinating resources to respond to the COVID-19 crisis. Through stronger coordination, these teams are mobilising local, regional, and global partners to provide life-saving medical supplies to vulnerable communities, combat misinformation on vaccine efficacy, and ensure equitable distribution of vaccine through the COVAX programme.
UN teams continue to work with national and local authorities worldwide to ensure the safety and dignity of refugees and migrants, indigenous communities and children. Their efforts support the betterment of countries' health and socio-economic conditions, including better living conditions for those most at risk, lifesaving training, supplies and equipment, human rights protection and aid in ensuring no adult or child is left behind.
It is crucial to address the structural causes of displacement in the countries of origin, promoting human rights, peace, peaceful coexistence, and fostering sustainable development and social justice in the region. No country can face these challenges alone. Leaders must take serious steps to respond to this challenge and reach firm agreements which comply with international commitments. In this sense, multilateral cooperation is a transformative agent of change in tackling the challenges of human mobility.
Our UN teams are on the ground in 162 countries and territories, coordinating joint programmes and tackling a range of priorities and initiatives — from climate action and food security to gender equality and safety of civilians.
Supporting vulnerable groups and communities with up-to-date services and information is among the key areas that UN Volunteers contribute to in Europe and Central Asia.
The decision for any head of family anywhere around the world to leave their home country behind is hard and heartfelt. According to official figures there are nearly 6 million migrants and refugees from Venezuela worldwide. Countries in Latin America and the Caribbean are displaying their solidarity by hosting around 80 per cent of them.