Movingbeyond
crisis

For millions of people, crisis is not a passing emergency.

It can last for years, even decades. Conflicts stretch across generations, displacement becomes prolonged, and communities can remain dependent on short-term humanitarian relief.

Today, more than 160 million people are living without the support they need to rebuild, while nearly 118 million people are displaced worldwide, and more than 250 million need humanitarian assistance.

With global aid falling by 23 percent in 2025, the gap between surviving a crisis and rebuilding a life is becoming harder to close.

 
160
million people
are living without the support they need to rebuild
 
118
million people
are displaced worldwide
 
250
million people
need humanitarian assistance
The first line of defence.

After the emergency hits, there comes the long list of things that make everyday life possible.

A child needs a school. A farmer needs safe land. A family needs a home. A business needs electricity, roads and customers.

For millions, these things remain out of reach long after the immediate danger has passed.

UNDP works with governments and communities to get these systems moving again, while crisis is still unfolding.

Faster
data

Venezuela
When two severe earthquakes struck Venezuela, the Government could not wait weeks to understand what had been damaged.

Using satellite imagery, artificial intelligence, seismic models and local data, UNDP’s RAPIDA platform produced an early picture of the disaster within hours, helping authorities plan the response. As more evidence became available, the assessment was refined to support recovery planning.

“UNDP was offering something the recovery process urgently needed: a common operational picture.” — Luis Francisco Thais, UNDP Resident Representative in Venezuela

Safe communities

Ukraine
Ukraine remains one of the most heavily contaminated countries in the world with explosive ordnance.

With UNDP support, the Government of Ukraine and its partners are working to clear contaminated land and strengthen the systems needed for recovery.

Since 2022, more than 40,000 km² of land has been returned to productive use. Farmers can return to fields that were once too dangerous to use.

40,000 km2

of land has been returned to productive use

 
Bearded man in a blue protective vest sits amid rubble, with war-damaged buildings behind him under a bright sky.
Photo:
UNDP / Giles Clarke
Syria
In Syria, explosive ordnance remains beneath streets, farmland and buildings.

Hassan Telfah lost his leg while clearing explosive remnants during the conflict. Today, he continues clearing contaminated sites and training debris removal teams to recognize danger. UNDP has also provided risk education to teams working to clear approximately 3.15 million tonnes of rubble for reconstruction.

Restoring everyday life

Afghanistan
In Kandahar, Afghanistan, entrepreneur Fatima Akbari runs a food processing business.

Through UNDP’s Community Resilience Programme, she showcased her products at a national trade fair, met buyers and secured new markets.

 
Split image: smiling child in a pink hat and teal clothing on the left; a woman wearing a black hijab and hygiene mask presenting trays of food on the right

Visitors, farmers and entrepreneurs gather at the 2026 Agricultural and Livestock Exhibition in Kabul, creating new opportunities to connect with customers and markets.

Photo:
UNDP Afghanistan
 
Gaza
In Gaza, Mayyada has been displaced repeatedly, moving from home to school, from school to tent.

Expecting twins, she wanted a safe place where her family could be together.

Through UNDP’s neighbourhood recovery approach, her family received temporary housing alongside debris removal, restored services and safer public spaces. Outside her shelter, she planted flowers.

“I’m trying to create a sense of stability.” — Mayyada, Gaza resident

Women at the centre

Nigeria
In north-east Nigeria, women are showing what development looks like for communities recovering from conflict.

In Gwoza, Ngala and Gulak, women’s groups are helping drive education, health awareness, peacebuilding, women’s rights and community safety.

“We are not just here to talk, we act.” — Hadiza, Women’s subgroup member in Gulak

From supporting survivors of violence to advocating for safer communities, women are turning local leadership into practical solutions.

 
Portrait collage of three African women in colourful traditional headscarves and clothing, smiling at the camera.

Falmata, Fanta and Hazida (left to right) are among the women leading recovery efforts and building safer, more inclusive communities across north-east Nigeria.

Photo:
UNDP Nigeria/Amalachukwu Ibeneme

Development must begin from day one

The challenge is growing. Fifty-nine percent of the world’s extreme poor will soon live in countries affected by fragility, conflict and violence.

UNDP’s Crisis Action Agenda focuses on development from day one of a crisis, alongside life-saving assistance, rather than waiting for the emergency to end. Our approach spans three complementary areas:

01
Respond & Recover

restores essential services, livelihoods and local economies from day one.

02
Transition & Transform

strengthens institutions and supports nationally led investment for lasting stability.

03
Prevent & Prepare

helps countries anticipate risks, strengthen resilience and reduce future humanitarian need.

Crisis upends lives. Development rebuilds them.

A business finding customers. A farmer returning to safe land. Women strengthening their communities. A family planting flowers outside a transitional home. Small steps, but powerful signs that recovery is taking root.

The goal is to help people survive a crisis, return home, reopen a business, send their children to school and plan for tomorrow.

This is how we move beyond crisis.