Miss Clark, who is head of the United Nations Development Programme, said this at the opening of the new Religious Diversity Centre in Wellington last week.

She is to be patron of the centre.

"Our world badly needs such models [as New Zealand]. On so many days now when I see the news headlines I often think how fortunate we are," she said in Wellington.

She referred to "societies ripped apart by violent extremists with the extremists claiming so often to act in the name of the faith and yet prepared to violate every single principle of those faiths".

"The world badly needs voices of reason and tolerance and those who will work to build dialogue and respect across faiths and beliefs.

"I do believe that New Zealand can show the way."

Miss Clark said the role of faith-based actors had special significance in those parts of the world where governance structures were very weak and the state could not give access to basic services like education, justice, health and security.

She said the UNDP acknowledges the role of the faith actors in local communities.

Faith organisations often deliver critical services.

And faith leaders can mobilise grassroots support and earn the trust of vulnerable communities.

"They also have the ability to influence very significantly cultural norms and social cohesion," Miss Clark said.

"What is said at the pulpit on Fridays and Saturdays and Sundays matters a lot to society."

Sources

• New Zealand Herald
• Image: UNDP

After the disaster struck, almost every affected family was left having to build a shelter for themselves.

A permanent housing strategy has been developed but it's yet to get Cabinet approval.

Temotu Premier Fr. Charles Brown Beu has expressed his gratitude to Red Cross, World Vision, UNDP, Oxfam, Live and Learn and all other organisations that have assisted.

"We just don't have the manpower or experience to completely manage everything on our own right now," he said.

Patterson Fakavai, the Director of the Solomons' Architecture and Building Division says the communities have generally shown great resilience but many still don't have a place to call home.

To assist with recovery and on-going disaster risk management, UNDP has provided the Temotu Provincial Disaster Council with extra support through its Pacific Risk Resilience Programme (PRRP).

A spokesperson from the UNDP in Solomon Islands says a lack of expertise within the National Disaster Management Office, the NDMO, has delayed the recovery for tsunami victims in Temotu province.

Source

• Solomon Star
• Radio Australia International
• Radio New Zealand International
• Image: Radio New Zealand International

Knut, the UNDP Resident Coordinator has urged the Government to "review its response to the (poverty) problem, saying government has not done enough. "There have been attempts in Fiji for various social welfare schemes, programs, assistance to elderly destitute and disabled but so far this has not been enough," he told Radio Australia. "In fact poverty has increased in Fiji from about 25% in 1990 to about 40% in 2008."

Dr Jiko Luveni, Minister for Social Welfare, Women and Poverty Alleviation said the UN has its own means of describing poverty rate but the Fiji Government has allocated a lot of money and sustainability and self sufficiency training programs for the poor to enhance the alleviation of poverty in Fiji.

"25 million dollars has been allocated for the Food Voucher Scheme and over 40 to 50 million dollars has been allocated to the ministry to help alleviate poverty in the country." Dr Luveni said.

Dr Luveni said poverty alleviation is not only addressed by the ministry but all other government ministries have united in the fight to eradicate poverty.

SOURCE:

The Peoples' Daily Online

Image: crosbiew.blogspot.com