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Last month, the world celebrated the fortieth anniversary of the eradication of smallpox. Many of the public health tools that were used successfully then are the same tools that have been used to respond to Ebola, and to COVID-19: disease surveillance, case finding, contact tracing, and mass communication campaigns to inform affected populations. To fight COVID-19, the United Nations and partners are drawing lessons from their response to past crises. Coordination and collaboration among UN entities, governments and the public are central to the current response.

Millions of lives must be saved in Yemen

Menstruation is misunderstood and stigmatized around the world, a fact likely to worsen under the COVID-19 pandemic. Here are you need to know about periods and the pandemic – and what the world needs to do about it.

Coronavirus puts 14 million people at risk in Latin America and the Caribbean

Bringing the classroom home in Pakistan

Since the COVID-19 outbreak was first reported in Wuhan, China in late December 2019, the disease has spread to more than 200 countries and territories. In the absence of a vaccine or effective treatment, governments worldwide have responded by implementing unprecedented containment and mitigation measures—. This in turn has resulted in large short-term economic losses, and a decline in global economic activity not seen since the Great Depression. Did it work?  analysis, based on a global sample, suggests that containment measures, by reducing mobility, have been very effective in flattening the “pandemic curve.” 

 is a United Nations initiative that calls on people around the world to become “information volunteers” and share UN-verified, science-based content to keep their families and communities safe and connected during the COVID-19 pandemic.  to join us and become an information volunteer.

Can bicycles be a solution towards an environmentally sound, healthy ‎and sustainable COVID-19 recovery? On this World Bicycle Day, the United Nations encourages Member States to develop a culture of cycling and organize initiatives such as bike rides, while promoting safety and cycling mobility. On 3 June, the world observes World Bicycle Day, to celebrate this affordable, reliable and sustainable means of transportation. The bicycle fosters environmental stewardship and good health, providing a cost-effective form of transport while reducing many health risks.

Observed on 1 June every year, the Global Day of Parents provides an opportunity to appreciate all parents for their commitment to children. This year, the consequences of the coronavirus outbreak are being felt around the world and family life been upended by the COVID-19 pandemic. As the anchors of the family and the foundation of our communities and societies, parents have the responsibility of sheltering their families from harm. To help parents navigate this crisis, is bringing together some of the world’s leading experts to provide guidance and tips for parents.

Uganda hosts 1.4 million refugees – more than 80,000 of them live and work in Kampala. Refugees who opt to live outside designated settlements are expected to be self-reliant and do not receive regular humanitarian assistance, in line with the government’s urban refugee policy. tells the story of Mariney Karemere, a Congolese refugee who made and sold her handbags before the lockdown. The single mother of three now survives on food handouts from a community church.

With more than 100 projects to develop a COVID-19 vaccine underway around the globe – eight of which have entered the clinical stage – hope is growing for a miracle breakthrough. But so is concern over who would and would not have access to the shot, if and when one is approved.  and the  have teamed up to respond to the urgent call to boost local production of essential medicines in developing countries.

A new report by , , and partners reveals that despite efforts to stop the harmful promotion of breast-milk substitutes, countries fall short in protecting parents from misleading information. Breastmilk saves children’s lives as it provides antibodies that give babies a healthy boost and protect them against many childhood illnesses. Agencies encourage women to continue to breastfeed during the COVID-19 pandemic, even if they have confirmed or suspected COVID-19.

Mobile phone partners of have stepped up to provide free access to online educational content for students affected by COVID-19 induced school closures.

In the face of the COVID-19 crisis, the urges policymakers to use the opportunity to make fundamental changes to protect the most vulnerable when future shocks inevitably occur.

Refugees at the Innovation Lab in Za’atari refugee camp have designed a robot prototype made from LEGO which automatically dispenses sanitiser so people don’t have to touch the bottle. Their aim is to help prevent coronavirus and contribute towards the global effort to control the disease.