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Population: UN seeks support for homeless, vulnerable groups

By Tunde Alao and Emmanuel Badejo, with Agency report
19 July 2015   |   11:32 pm
World Population Day is observed annually on July 11, which seeks to raise awareness of global population issues. The theme for 2015 World Population Day is vulnerable populations in emergencies AS the world population soars, the United Nations has said it would raise more awareness and engage nations on how to evolve practicable plans to…
Effects of population explosion in Asian Continent

Effects of population explosion in Asian Continent

World Population Day is observed annually on July 11, which seeks to raise awareness of global population issues. The theme for 2015 World Population Day is vulnerable populations in emergencies

AS the world population soars, the United Nations has said it would raise more awareness and engage nations on how to evolve practicable plans to protect vulnerable groups – women and children.

Speaking on the his year’s World Population Day last week with a team, ‘Vulnerable Populations in Emergencies’ in the Kazakh capital of Almaty in Bangkok, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said nations needed to rise to meet the needs of women and girls, being the most vulnerable groups.

“Not since the end of the Second World War have so many people been forced from their homes across the planet,” said in his message on the Day.

Not since the end of the Second World War have so many people been forced from their homes across the planet.

“With nearly 60 million individuals having fled conflict or disaster, women and adolescent girls are particularly vulnerable. Violent extremists and armed groups are committing terrible abuses that result in trauma, unintended pregnancy and infection with HIV and other diseases. Shame and accountability rest squarely on the shoulders of the perpetrators who wage cowardly battles across the bodies of innocents.

“We must staunchly protect women’s health, including their sexual and reproductive health, and address their needs as a priority in emergency relief operations. At the same time, we must continuously advance women’s human rights in times of both turmoil and calm in order to enable them to help avert conflict, stand strong should it strike, and foster the healing that is so badly needed in war-torn societies.” Ki-moon said.

He urged that as the United Nations marks its 70th anniversary this year, countries should commit to bold results that will make 2015 a time of global action, putting people first so that they help build resilience, peace and sustainable prosperity for generations to come.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki- moon urged countries to give support to the most vulnerable so that they help build sustainable prosperity for generations to come.

In Ban’s message on the World Population Day, he said women and adolescent girls are particularly vulnerable, with nearly 60 million individuals having fled conflict or disaster.

“Violent extremists and armed groups are committing terrible abuses that result in trauma, unintended pregnancy and infection with HIV and other diseases,” he said.

In this regard, Ban called for protection of women’s health, including their sexual and reproductive health, as well as continuous advancement of women’s rights in times of both turmoil and calm.

“On this World Population Day, I urge countries to commit to bold results that will make 2015 a time of global action, putting people first so that they help build resilience, peace and sustainable prosperity for generations to come,” he said.

World Population Day is observed annually on July 11, which seeks to raise awareness of global population issues. The theme for 2015 World Population Day is vulnerable populations in emergencies.

The Executive Director of the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), Babatunde Osotemehin, in his message, said that one of the priorities of his agency was to empower and safeguard the well-being of women, adolescent girls, and young people and address their specific needs and concerns.

As part of its emergency response, “UNFPA deploys hygiene kits, obstetric and contraceptive supplies, trained personnel and other support to vulnerable populations,” Mr. Osotemehin said. “It also works to ensure the needs of women, adolescent girls and young people are served through both an emergency and the reconstruction phase.”

“On this World Population Day, we call on the international community to redouble efforts to protect the health and rights of women and girls,” he said.

As part of its outreach efforts to raise awareness this year, UNFPA has started plans to hold a panel discussion in Bangkok on meeting on the needs of vulnerable people in humanitarian crises and in Kazakhstan, a festival convened with Hard Rock Cafe Almaty, Red Crescent Society and Department of Emergency of Almaty, will include flash mobs, information sessions on responsible behaviours in emergencies, trainings on emergency assistance, and theatrical performances by youth organizations.

US Secretary of State, John Kerry observed that World Population Day was not just another day to mark on the calendar; it was a reminder of our common responsibility to build a more sustainable and just future.

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