Cyprus: Bringing down barriers to peace

Cyprus leaders release doves at opening of new road connecting Limnitis/Yeşilırmak and Kato Pyrgos, 2010

Recently, women from the village of Limnitis/Yeşilırmak came to Kato Pyrgos for a manicure, and men drank coffee together in the local coffee shop. People from Kato Pyrgos took part in a strawberry festival in Limnitis/Yeşilırmak.

The two villages are just seven kilometres away from each other, but until October 2010, the road connecting the two villages was closed, when Cyprus was divided in 1974, separated by a United Nations-controlled buffer zone.

Azerbaijan: A national capacity for mine action

The Azerbaijan National Agency for Mine Action (ANAMA) has grown from a fledgling institution to one fully equipped to clear mines, provide mine risk education and assist survivors of mine accidents.

Since 1999, ANAMA has cleared nearly 186 square kilometres of land, destroying over 665,000 mines and other explosive weapons. More than 160,000 people displaced by conflict have been resettled as a result.

Armenia: Reducing the risk of disaster

"At this age I am left without shelter"
 

For years, the people of Sipanik expanded the area of land under cultivation in an attempt to grow more food. But each time, the Hrazdan River thwarted the efforts of this small, remote community, situated in one of the most disaster-prone areas of Armenia. It swelled and flooded their crops, and the people had to start over once more.

"Over the past 72 years I witnessed hundreds of natural disasters that have not only smashed roads, houses, and crops, but also gradually diminished our hope for a better life," said Hovhannes Arakelyan, a resident of Sipanik.

"I always thought that we must be prepared for the next time, rather than act after disaster knocks at our door."

Preventing floods in Ljubinje

LJUBINJE, Bosnia and Herzegovina - 13 June, 2012 - Flooding in the town of Ljubinje town is no longer a problem for more than 300 households, thanks to joint efforts of Ljubinje Municipality and the United Nations. People were illegally dumping their garbarge in the drainage ditch, which was prevented once the ditch was cleaned and covered over.

Natural Disaster Risks in Central Asia

Background

Bratislava, SLOVAKIA - 24 April 2012 -Central Asia is highly exposed and vulnerable to natural hazards including earthquakes, landslides, floods, mudslides and droughts. Both exposure to natural hazards and the vulnerability of populations, infrastructure, and economies has risen in the last few decades. Over the last ten years, Central Asian governments and the international community have undertaken an increasing number of disaster reduction initiatives to address the risks posed by these factors. However, many of these efforts are based upon a limited understanding of disaster risks.

The study “Natural Disaster Risks in Central Asia: A Synthesis” prepared for the 2011 Central Asian Regional Risk Assessment (CARRA) conference by UNDP, clarifies and outlines the natural disaster risks facing Central Asia.  The study offers a baseline analysis for identifying disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate risk management (CRM) interventions in the region. Outlining five distinct issues - exposure, climate change, vulnerability, risk assessments and policy making – it reaches the conclusion that there is substantial work to be done to reduce vulnerability in the region in terms of understanding the risks, as well as addressing them.  Many risks are transboundary in nature and can be best analyzed and addressed at regional level.

Celebrating diversity in Kumanovo

KUMANOVO, FYR Macedonia – 27 December, 2011– Kumanovo, the country’s biggest municipality - and one of its most ethnically diverse - has become a role model for other cities throughout the country on how to improve inter-ethnic relations.

From disaster relief to risk reduction

YEREVAN, Armenia, 30 November 2011 –Armenia is prone to natural disasters. Eight out of every 10 persons in the country face the probability of experiencing a natural disaster such as an earthquake, landslide or flooding. The country incurs $33 million in damage from such disasters every year. But thanks to recent efforts, Armenia has shifted from reactive relief to proactive risk reduction.

Passing the baton of democracy in Kyrgyzstan

by Kori Udovički

24 October, 2011 - Presidential elections will be held on 30 October in the Kyrgyz Republic—a poor, landlocked country in post-Soviet Central Asia. This vote will be Central Asia’s first presidential election in which the incumbent faithfully respected a fundamentally democratic constitution.  

Chernobyl – 25 years later - what have we learned?

CHERNOBYL, Ukraine – 26 April, 2011 – On 26 April, 1986 a massive chemical explosion, estimated to be more than 100 times powerful than the atomic weapons used in World War II, released more than 500 dangerous radionuclides into the atmosphere. See: our photo essay on Chernobyl in Ukraine Watch: video of UN Secretary-General in Ukraine, honouring those who helped to "save the world" in the aftermath of the accident Watch: UNDP Goodwill Ambassador Maria Sharapova's video message of hope on Chernobyl anniversary

International day for mine awareness and assistance in mine action - Mines still a threat in the region

BRATISLAVA, Slovakia - 4 April, 2011 - "The International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action is a timely reminder that clearing land of explosive remnants of war saves lives and protects livelihoods," said United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, in his message on international day for mine awareness. Find out about UNDP mine action support to countries in Europe and CIS, including: Albania now free from the threat of mines, mine action in Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cyprus and Tajikistan. Have a look at: photos from mine action in Cyprus and photos from mine action in Azerbaijan Watch: mine action videos from Albania, Azerbaijan and Cyprus Learn: more about Mine Action

Mine Action in Azerbaijan

BAKU, Azerbaijan – 4 April, 2011 – Since 1999, the Azerbaijan National Agency for Mine Action (ANAMA) has cleared 158,374,397 square metres of land and destroyed 650,836 mines and unexploded ordnance (UXOs). In 2011, ANAMA is expected to clear approximately 27 million square metres of land contaminated by mines and UXOs.

Albania free from the threat of mines

TIRANA, Albania – 23 February, 2011 – After a decade of mine clearance, Albania is officially free from the threat of mines. A total of 12,452 anti-personnel mines, 152 anti-tank mines and 4,965 unexploded ordnance (UXOs) were found and destroyed. Watch: Video on a mine free Albania See: mine action photos

Serbia: Beginning of a new life for internally displaced persons and refugee families

NOVA CRNJA, Serbia – 7 February 2011 – After years of living in collective centers, 13 internally displaced persons and refugee families have moved into new homes. View: photos of the families, and their new homes

From crisis to development in Georgia – EU, UNDP complete early recovery programme

GORI, Georgia – 10 November 2010 – With 4.4 million euros in European Union funding, UNDP rehabilitated or fully rebuilt more than 20 infrastructure sites, such as water supply, irrigation and drainage systems, schools, and roads. View: Photos from the project Watch: Videos - A Year After the War and From Small Beginnings

Women, peace and security get renewed commitment from Parliamentarians in the region

CETINJE, Montenegro – 28 June 2010 – Parliaments in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro, Slovenia and Serbia have joined forces to make sure that women are able to contribute to peace and security.

Mine Fields Now Orchards in Croatia

Zagreb, Croatia, 7 April 2010-Fruit is taking root in Croatian soil, replacing mines and explosives planted on what was once agricultural land. Now, the United Nations Development Programme and Croatian agronomists have launched a new project to plant fruit in the place of the mines along the Kupa River as a part of a broader effort to demine Croatia.

Dogs Join Fight Against Weapons in Kosovo

Lebane, Kosovo-UN Administered Territory Under UNSC 1244, 11 March 2010-Dogs are the latest weapon in an ongoing battle against small arms and light weapons in Kosovo. As part of a United Nations Development Programme/Kosovo Police initiative, the dogs are to help sniff out an estimated 350,000 small arms and light weapons in circulation in Kosovo.

Albania is Now Mine Free

Tirana, Albania, February 2010-More than a decade after the 1999 Kosovo conflict left behind a trail of mines and unexploded ordinances along Albania’s northern border, the country has been declared officially mine-free thanks to a joint United Nations Development Programme and Albanina government demining programme that also provides assistance to mine victims. Watch: Albania Demining video

 

Turkmenistan Helps Haiti With Earthquake Relief

Albania Floods Leave Thousands in Need of Aid

Tirana, Albania, January 2010-Torrential rain and heavy flooding have forced thousands of people to flee from rising waters in northern Albania. In response to the emergency, the United Nations in Albania is contributing US$270,000 to help with the government's emergency relief efforts. View: Photos of Albania floods and relief efforts