The United Nations (UN) is this Saturday observing the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, placing a critical spotlight on the global housing crisis under the banner “Safe Homes for All.”
Marked annually on October 17 as part of the broader “United for Peace and Human Rights” initiative, this year’s focus highlights secure and affordable housing as a fundamental human right essential for dignity, health, and economic mobility. UN data reveals that over 2.8 billion people worldwide currently live in inadequate, overcrowded, or unsafe housing, severely limiting their access to education, healthcare, and employment opportunities.
Addressing the observance, UN Secretary-General António Guterres called on international leaders and governments to mobilise the necessary political will and investments to ensure everyone has a safe place to live. He pointed out that ending poverty is fundamentally tied to protecting human rights, stressing that effective policies must be developed alongside affected communities rather than designed without their input.
–ChannelAfrica/UN–
