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There can be no peace without development, and there can be no development without peace

How UNDP responded to crises in 2024

By United Nations Development Programme

December 27^th, 2024

2024: Marked by profound crises

2024 was marked by profound crises from conflicts in the Middle East, Haiti, Sudan and Ukraine to the devastating effects of extreme weather fuelled by climate change. By mid-year, over 120 million people had been forcibly displaced worldwide, as communities grappled with the challenges of violence, instability and climate change.

Yet, even amidst the despair, there were stories of hope, reminding us of humanity’s extraordinary ability to rise above adversity. Communities came together with an unwavering resolve to create a better future. They were resourceful. They were inspirational.

UNDP stood with them – supporting early recovery, rapid stabilization, solutions to forced displacement, resilience and transformative development.

Early recovery for lasting change

When crisis struck, UNDP worked with communities and governments to rebuild homes, livelihoods and infrastructure. By addressing immediate needs while laying the foundation for resilience, communities could recover more quickly.

In Gaza, conflict left almost everyone without a home and devastated basic services. Rotting garbage and waste were a major health risk. With the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) and Joint Service Council for Solid Waste Management (JSC-KRM), we kept waste collection operations going.

Photo: UNDP PAPP/Abed Zagout

Photo: UNDP PAPP/Abed Zagout

In Sudan, 26 million people did not have enough to eat, and 8 out of 10 women went hungry. Farmers like Mashaer Mohammed Abdalla provided much needed food through climate-resilient crops while strengthening the local economy.

In Africa’s Sahel Region, violent insurgency and shrinking resources, especially of water, threaten lives and livelihoods. Dicko Aissatou Hama from Burkina Faso expanded her skills, from advanced gardening to community conflict prevention. A cash-for-work programme is helping Amina Moussa Adoum, a mother of eight from Chad, take care of her family until she can return home. In north-west Nigeria, young women improved their incomes after learning how to install solar energy equipment.

Dicko Aissatou Hama Photo: UNDP Burkina Faso

Amina Moussa Adoum Photo: UNDP Sudan

Harnessing the power of women's leadership

By ensuring women were integral to the emergency response, we supported communities in overcoming crises. In Ukraine, Oleksandra Yevdokimova is clearing landmines, while young Karina is learning to drive a tractor to fill the gaps in the workforce. In Afghanistan, UNDP’s support to 80,000 businesses, with a special focus on women-led enterprises, has created over 900,000 jobs and benefitted 4.5 million people.

Karina Photo: UNDP Ukraine

Oleksandra Yevdokimova Photo: UNDP Ukraine/Giles Duley

Photo: UNDP Afghanistan

Strengthening justice, rebuilding trust

Strengthening the rule of law and the justice system is key to restoring stability and repairing the social contract. In Ethiopia’s Tigray region, the Supreme Court is rehabilitating infrastructure, digitizing legal processes and retraining judges, staff and registrars, fast tracking resolution to cases related to human trafficking, land disputes, and sexual and gender-based violence.

Photo: UNDP Ethiopia

Photo: UNDP Ethiopia

In the capital city of Dhaka in Bangladesh, the city’s walls have become a canvas for youth to raise their voice towards resolving the country’s political crisis and building peace and security. Through visual arts, young people are raising awareness on strengthening human rights and social justice, empowering citizens to speak up and rebuild social harmony.

Photo: UNDP Bangladesh

Photo: UNDP Bangladesh

From conflict to cooperation

Maintaining peace requires addressing the root causes of conflict and building social cohesion. UNDP supports communities to mediate disputes, resolve conflicts and secure livelihoods, rooted in trust and collaboration. At the same time, the capacities of governments to anticipate and respond to risks are being strengthened.

In Papua New Guinea’s Highlands, a decade-long tribal conflict ended through inter-clan mediation supported by UNDP. Women are playing a critical role in these peacebuilding efforts, strengthening social harmony and ensuring agreements are upheld.

Photo: UNDP Papua New Guinea

Photo: UNDP Papua New Guinea

Anticipate, mitigate and adapt

Supporting community resilience helps prevent crises, reduces the impact and helps communities recover stronger.

Early warning systems and community-based trainings minimize losses during floods and cyclones. In the Asia-Pacific region, tsunami preparedness drills trained 200,000 students, teachers and community members across 24 countries.

In Cuba, recovery from Hurricane Ian is incorporating climate-smart agricultural practices and safer construction materials, reducing vulnerabilities and creating a blueprint for sustainable rebuilding.

Photo: UNDP Indonesia

Photo: UNDP Cuba

Photo: UNDP Cuba

A better future is possible

We live in a world fractured by conflict, growing poverty and inequality, in the backdrop of the rising threats of climate change and environmental destruction.

Yet, there is hope. Through our global development support, UNDP is demonstrating pathways out of crises. In 2025, some of our priorities include intensifying efforts to address forced displacement, offering durable solutions for governments, host communities and displaced families. We are also scaling up transition processes from crisis to peace, ensuring that UN humanitarian and peacekeeping mission withdrawals leave communities stronger and better prepared for the future.

The UN Secretary-General’s Pact for the Future calls on all of us to act urgently, addressing the immediate needs of those most affected while enabling access to water, clean energy, livelihoods and a chance for a better life. Let’s act boldly and make the message clear: there can be no peace without development, and there can be no development without peace.

© 2026 United Nations Development Programme

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