UN Interviews

Echoing the UN Secretary-General, the head of the UN office in Papua New Guinea, Gianluca Rampolla, has appealed to the world's developed countries to support the most vulnerable nations.

Mr. Rampolla warned of the devastating impacts that outbreaks could have on countries such as Papua New Guinea, noting that the landscape could shift rapidly, and dangerously, from a health emergency to a humanitarian disaster.

The  UN is supporting the southwest Pacific nation by providing technical assistance and vital equipment in preparation of a possible COVID-19 outbreak. 

Julia Dean from our office in Canberra spoke to Mr. Rampolla via Skype, and began by asked about the current situation there.

Echoing the UN Secretary-General, the head of the UN office in Papua New Guinea, Gianluca Rampolla, has appealed to the world's developed countries to support the most vulnerable nations.

Mr. Rampolla warned of the devastating impacts that outbreaks could have on countries such as Papua New Guinea, noting that the landscape could shift rapidly, and dangerously, from a health emergency to a humanitarian disaster.

The  UN is supporting the southwest Pacific nation by providing technical assistance and vital equipment in preparation of a possible COVID-19 outbreak. 

Julia Dean from our office in Canberra spoke to Mr. Rampolla via Skype, and began by asked about the current situation there.

Imagine you’re an aid official in a massive developing country where COVID-19 is just the latest in a long list of life-threatening challenges to millions of people. The question is: what do you do first?

In an interview with UN News’s Daniel Johnson by Skype, UNICEF’s representative in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Edouard Beigbeder, explains what his priorities are and what kind of threat the new coronavirus poses so far.

Imagine you’re an aid official in a massive developing country where COVID-19 is just the latest in a long list of life-threatening challenges to millions of people. The question is: what do you do first?

In an interview with UN News’s Daniel Johnson by Skype, UNICEF’s representative in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Edouard Beigbeder, explains what his priorities are and what kind of threat the new coronavirus poses so far.

Lockdowns and school closures around the world due to COVID-19, are affecting children’s learning, mental health, and access to basic health services.

In the Pacific Islands, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the World Health Organization (WHO) are working with governments and partners to stop transmission and keep children and their families safe.

In an interview for UN News, UNICEF Pacific Representative, Sheldon Yett, painted a grim picture of parents and caregivers losing their jobs, compounding the problem of shuttered classrooms.

Speaking to Julia Dean from the UN’s Australia office, Mr. Yett highlighted the importance of focussing on how the pandemic is impacting children, and vulnerable families who rely on social services.

Lockdowns and school closures around the world due to COVID-19, are affecting children’s learning, mental health, and access to basic health services.

In the Pacific Islands, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the World Health Organization (WHO) are working with governments and partners to stop transmission and keep children and their families safe.

In an interview for UN News, UNICEF Pacific Representative, Sheldon Yett, painted a grim picture of parents and caregivers losing their jobs, compounding the problem of shuttered classrooms.

Speaking to Julia Dean from the UN’s Australia office, Mr. Yett highlighted the importance of focussing on how the pandemic is impacting children, and vulnerable families who rely on social services.

Six billion people – that’s the bulk of the developing world – look set to suffer from the economic impact of the new coronavirus pandemic, the UN trade and development organization, UNCTAD, says. 

In an interview with UN News’s Daniel Johnson by Skype, UNCTAD economist Richard Kozul-Wright outlines how a radical plan worth a staggering $2.5 trillion, could help avoid some of the worst financial consequences of COVID-19.

Six billion people – that’s the bulk of the developing world – look set to suffer from the economic impact of the new coronavirus pandemic, the UN trade and development organization, UNCTAD, says. 

In an interview with UN News’s Daniel Johnson by Skype, UNCTAD economist Richard Kozul-Wright outlines how a radical plan worth a staggering $2.5 trillion, could help avoid some of the worst financial consequences of COVID-19.

The COVID-19 pandemic is not being taken lightly in India as people comply with a complete lockdown to prevent further spread of the disease.

That’s the opinion of Argentina Matavel Piccin, Representative for the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) in India.

Anshu Sharma from UN News asked Ms. Piccin what the 21-day lockdown means for India and the world.

The COVID-19 pandemic is not being taken lightly in India as people comply with a complete lockdown to prevent further spread of the disease.

That’s the opinion of Argentina Matavel Piccin, Representative for the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) in India.

Anshu Sharma from UN News asked Ms. Piccin what the 21-day lockdown means for India and the world.