Water project making life easier for Ekipe villagers

Many local communities in Vanuatu use fresh water as their water source, but rising sea levels had increased the salinity of fresh water in Ekipe, causing many health problems especially among women and children.

Justice for all in Georgia

Kakha Kisishvili had spent a year in police detention after being charged with theft. Thanks to Georgia's new Legal Aid Service, Kakha was able to retain a public lawyer who cleared him of all the charges.

Ballots delivered for historic Southern Sudan referendum

The ballots will be used in the referendum on 9 January 2011, in which Southern citizens will choose whether to remain united with the North or to secede and form their own independent country.

Survivors of Pakistan’s flood lay foundations for new homes and lives

Struggling to help her husband with a long-term respiratory illness when their wooden house was swept away, Gul Numa, over 80 years old, survived the initial weeks of August in a makeshift camp.

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Côte d’Ivoire: Senior UN officials concerned over incitement to hatred, violence
30 December - Two United Nations civilian protection officials today expressed concern over the situation in Côte d’Ivoire, where they said some leaders are instigating violence and hatred between communities. They also warned that those responsible will be held accountable under international law.

Russia's fragile far-east gets eco-boost from small grants to communities
16 December - Aimed at cutting unprecedented levels of poaching that threaten the unique and fragile habitat of Russia’s far-east Kamchatka peninsula, communities of mostly women and indigenous people are using funds from a global environment initiative to set up long-term conservation projects.

With the right economic and social policies, Arab countries can achieve MDGs by 2015
14 December - The Arab region has achieved progress in many Millennium Development Goals, including significant strides in health and education, says a recently launched UN Report.

MasterCard Foundation, UNCDF increase access to financial services for young people in Africa
13 December - The MasterCard Foundation and the UN Capital Development Fund announced YouthStart, an initiative to increase access to financial services for 200,000 low-income youth in Sub-Saharan Africa. YouthStart was catalyzed by a four year, $12 million contribution from The MasterCard Foundation.

UNDP helps Mexican villagers face disaster and climate risks
13 December - Forty participants at international climate talks last week in Cancun, Mexico, traveled to the site of a project supported by UNDP that has helped as many as 900,000 people prepare to face the impact of disasters.

UNDP around the world

Timor-Leste

Timor-Leste launches the Department of Peace-Building and Social Cohesion

Cambodia

Weaving a better future

Ethiopia

Small loan project “lights up” a town

Asia & the Pacific

Women with HIV face discrimination and lack legal protection