UN report warns of multiple crises halting human development globally

JUBA – The latest UN report on Human Development released in Juba on Friday warns of multiple crises halting progress on human development globally.

The report published by the U.N. Development Program shows data from 191 countries with 90% failing to achieve a better, healthier, more secure life for their people in 2020 and 2021.

The 2021-2022 Human Development Report (HDR) entitled “Uncertain Times, Unsettled Lives. Shaping our Future in Transforming World” paints a picture of global society lurching from the crisis.

The report lists the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russian invasion of Ukraine as events causing major global disruption.

The Human Development Index on health, education, and standard of living have declined globally for two years in a row, according to the latest report released on Friday in Juba.

For the first time in 32 years, the UNDP’s Human Development Index, which measures a nation’s progress, finds human development has declined for two years running.

Karlo Ocum, First Undersecretary for the Ministry of Finance and Planning said COVID-19, political tension, and climate change are devastating manifestations of uncertainty in most countries.

“Human Development Report that we launched today focuses on uncertainty and disasters like desert locust, COVID-19 pandemic, political tension, tribal conflict, the war between Russia and Ukraine and we have climate change and floods,” Ocum said during the launch of the report in Juba on Friday.

Ocum Stressed the need for the government and other stakeholders to join hands to tackle immense human suffering.

“These uncertainties affect agriculture and food insecurity and to confirm the changes we face today as a government; we need to work with all stakeholders to address these challenges.”

Dr. Samuel Doe, UNDP Resident Representative said the report focus on improving human lives in most countries.

“The report also focuses on improving human lives while relieving out the paternity of the pressure from the way we do development and we have all seen the challenges now across the world,” Dr. Doe said.

Dr. Doe said the report indicates a decline in human value for consecutive two years in the wake of COVID-19.

“The Human Development Report for 2021/2022, therefore, shows for certain consecutive years that 90 percent of the countries shown the human development index decrease in either 2020 or 202.”

“While almost 1 billion roughly, one in each of us now live with a mental disorder. The report says 1 billion of 8 billion people can qualify as having mental stress, and trauma,” he said.