The UNDP, the United Nations Development Programme:

In Ethiopia-Eritrea: After two years of drought and war:
- 10 million Ethiopians, 15.7% of the population, are currently living in conditions of extreme poverty.
- The UNCT, United Nations Country Team, appealed for assistance to the international community on three successive occasions in 2000 to address the most urgent problems in the fields of health, nutrition, water, hygiene and education.

In Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 243 sq.km., 1,145,000 inhabitants:
- Feminization of poverty: the national poverty rate is 6.5% and 19% for women.
- For the same work, women are paid up to 50% less than men.
- 20% of women are illiterate.

- The work market has become increasingly demanding since the Asian financial crisis of 1997.
- Women represent just 33.8% of the active population.
- Unequal social rights: no unemployment benefits or family allowance for women.
- The heads of almost 600,000 disadvantaged households are women.

Contact details:
Mr. Mohand Cherifi PNUD-Alliance Mondiale des villes contre la Pauvreté Palais des Nations
11-13 chemin des Anémones
CH 1211 Geneva 10
Switzerland
Tel: +41 22 917 85 34
Fax: +41 22 917 80 05
email: mohand.cherifi@undp.org

In Eritrea: Mr. Simon Nhougo, ÚNDP Asmara coordinator
Tel: +291 1 151 143
+ 291 1 151 166
Fax: +291 1 151 081
Email: foeri@undp.org

In Ethiopia: Mr Samuel Myambi, UNDP – Addis-Abeba co-ordinator
Tel: +251 1 515 177
Fax: +251 1 514 599
Email: samuel.nyambi@undp.org
Lianne Kuppens, WHO Ethiopia Manager
Tel: +412 279121 11
Email: lianne.kuppens@who.ch

In Malaysia: Mr. Maxime Olson, Representative of UNDP in Malaysia