Nearly a quarter of the world’s urban population lives in slums, reports the United Nations (UN). And, now, as reports indicate cities have become “ground zero” for COVID-19, it’s time to take action, as these parts of the world cope with strained healthcare systems, inadequate clean water and more.
“Now is the moment to adapt to the reality of this and future pandemics,” said António Guterres, the UN’s secretary-general. “And now is our chance to recover better, by building more resilient, inclusive and sustainable cities.”
The United Nations suggests it’s time to:
- address inequality and encourage social cohesion
- bridge deeper cooperation between local and national authorities
- encourage cities to continue building “green, resilient and inclusive” economies
That is part of what we do at Children Believe, working with many partners, including local and national governments, to support thriving communities.
To learn more about our work during the pandemic, visit childrenbelieve.ca/covid-19.