Climate and disaster risk financing helps vulnerable communities in Fiji
"Volunteerism can catalyze disaster risk reduction," says Karan Narayan, national UN Volunteer Project Support Officer with the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) in Fiji. Karan supports to building disaster resilient communities through market-based climate and disaster risk financing instruments.
Karan Narayan serves with UNCDF's Pacific Insurance and Climate Adaptation Programme (PICAP). PICAP's main objective is to provide swift financial relief to the most vulnerable following a natural disaster. This pilot initiative targets agriculture, fisheries, retail and tourism, with a special focus on women, youth, migrants, as well as micro, small and medium-sized enterprises.
"Being part of the process with youth is a highlight of my life," national UN Youth Volunteer from Nepal recounts
Every year on 12 August, the world observes Youth Day, this year's theme – Intergenerational Solidarity: Creating a world for all ages – was dedicated to youth and their role in bringing about a positive change to the world. One of these people bringing about positive change in Nepal is Kriti Thapa, national UN Youth Volunteer with the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF), who works with youth to raise awareness on social issues. And in doing so, she focuses on the crux of the Sustainable Development Goals – leaving no one behind!
According to the Nepal Population Distribution in 2021, more than 60 per cent of Nepal's population is between the age of 15-64 years. If utilized well, this important demographic can become a leading opportunity for the country's growth towards sustainable development.