World News in Brief: Reducing disaster risk for persons with disabilities, Afghan quake latest, global aid funding off track

World News in Brief: Reducing disaster risk for persons with disabilities, Afghan quake latest, global aid funding off track

Persons with disabilities face a “shocking lack of support” with no progress in the last decade, despite a huge increase in climate disasters worldwide, the new UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) report states, and that lack of progress could be a violation of international law. Persons with disabilities make up 16 per cent…

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Protecting older persons’ rights benefit everyone: UN chief

Protecting older persons’ rights benefit everyone: UN chief

In a message commemorating Sunday’s International Day of Older Persons, the UN chief underscored the pervasive issue of ageism in society and the vulnerability of older persons in the face of crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic, poverty and climate emergencies. “Addressing these and other issues is a human rights imperative that will benefit everyone,”…

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Protecting older persons’ rights benefit everyone: UN chief

Protecting older persons’ rights benefit everyone: UN chief

In a message commemorating Sunday’s International Day of Older Persons, the UN chief underscored the pervasive issue of ageism in society and the vulnerability of older persons in the face of crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic, poverty and climate emergencies. “Addressing these and other issues is a human rights imperative that will benefit everyone,”…

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Celebrate diverse contributions of persons with autism, UN chief says

Celebrate diverse contributions of persons with autism, UN chief says

“Today and every day, let us fully recognize the active and diverse contributions of persons with autism to our societies,” UN Secretary-General António Guterres said. “Let us work together with persons with autism to build an inclusive and accessible world for all.” ‘We must do better’ Despite important progress, he said, persons with autism continue…

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In Lebanon, UN deputy chief explores first-hand, challenges facing children and persons with special needs

In Lebanon, UN deputy chief explores first-hand, challenges facing children and persons with special needs

She added: “We want to make sure that street children are an issue of the past. That’s what we will be working for day-in and day-out.” Recognizing the unprecedented economic hardship that people in Lebanon are facing and renewing the UN’s commitment to supporting Lebanon to respond to increasing needs, are two main issues addressed…

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UN expert calls for ‘new philosophy’ to better serve persons with disabilities

UN expert calls for ‘new philosophy’ to better serve persons with disabilities

In his latest report to the Council, the UN Special Rapporteur on the rights of persons with disabilities, Gerard Quinn, outlined how more inclusive policy approaches and innovative private sector involvement can spur progress. “States and societies at large must move away from systems that were historically built to provide a material safety net and…

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