Riyadh, 28 July 2020 - UN-Habitat’s first Regional Goodwill Ambassador for the Arab States has called for the international community to turn the COVID-19 crisis into a trigger to address inequalities and build a better future in cities.

HRH Princess Lamia AlSaud, Secretary General of Alwaleed Philanthropies, who became UN-Habitat Arab States Goodwill Ambassador in February 2020, is urging communities to come together to build resilient cities and a safer future.

“As the world prepares to go back to normal, it’s important to know that what we do today will shape the post-pandemic cities of tomorrow,” she said in a video message.

“We have the opportunity to turn this crisis into a trigger for addressing longstanding challenges and deeper inequalities in our cities, to build a better, more sustainable future for all.”

UN-Habitat continues to work with partners to carry out immediate action in poor and densely populated areas to protect people against COVID-19 and the effects of the pandemic. 

Together with Alwaleed Philanthropies, UN-Habitat will work on strengthening COVID-19 responses in disadvantaged urban areas in Iraq, Palestine, Sudan, Syria and Tunisia through the improved provision of adequate shelter and water, sanitation and hygiene services for people living in informal settlements, displaced populations and vulnerable communities in the targeted countries.