International cooperation initiates worldwide restoration project for communities affected by crises, led by the United Nations Development Programme and the Republic of Korea
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Government of the Republic of Korea have unveiled a new global initiative called REVIVE (Relief, Employment and Vital Infrastructure for the Vulnerable in Emergencies). This ambitious project focuses on early recovery and resilience in communities severely affected by conflicts, disasters, or displacement.
REVIVE's key goal is to bridge the critical gap between immediate emergency relief and long-term sustainable recovery from day one of a crisis. The initiative targets three main areas: restoring damaged infrastructure, creating emergency jobs and revitalizing small businesses, and reestablishing essential services such as electricity, clean water, healthcare, and waste management.
The initiative is strategically funded and globally implemented, designed to act swiftly, scale quickly, and adapt to varying needs directly on the ground. REVIVE will support early recovery efforts in crisis-affected countries like Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Gaza, Syria, Ukraine, and others.
The initiative was launched in July 2025 at the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development. It is funded initially with USD 64 million from Koreaβs Ministry of Foreign Affairs, signaling a commitment to catalytic financing emphasizing nationally led planning and local solutions for sustained peace and development.
Implementation leverages UNDPβs extensive presence across more than 170 countries, particularly in fragile and conflict-affected settings. Through this broad network, REVIVE aims to reach approximately 5.8 million people, including 2.5 million directly benefiting within its first year.
In the DRC, REVIVE will support survivors of violence to access vital services and build back stronger. In Syria, the programme will help families return home safely through mine clearance and rebuilding efforts. In Gaza, REVIVE will clear rubble, restore services, and support displaced families. In Afghanistan, the focus will be on food security and winter preparedness in hard-to-reach communities. In Ukraine, REVIVE will repair power grids, schools, and hospitals damaged by war.
As the world grapples with a rising number of people requiring humanitarian assistance, with almost 310 million people projected to require assistance in 2025, initiatives like REVIVE are crucial in helping communities transition from emergency relief towards stable, sustainable recovery.
[1] UNDP. (2025). REVIVE: Relief, Employment and Vital Infrastructure for the Vulnerable in Emergencies. [Online]. Available: https://www.undp.org/revive
[2] UN News. (2025). UNDP and Korea Launch Global Initiative to Support Early Recovery and Resilience in Crisis-Affected Communities. [Online]. Available: https://news.un.org/en/story/2025/07/1094632
[3] Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs. (2025). Press Release: Korea Commits USD 64 Million to UNDPβs REVIVE Initiative. [Online]. Available: https://mofa.go.kr/eng/brd/m_1027/view.do?seq=1711573
- In its broad network spanning over 170 countries, REVIVE, the UNDP's new global initiative, aims to incorporate education-and-self-development programs to empower the communities it serves, fostering well-rounded growth in addition to physical infrastructure repairs.
- To further enhance the quality of life in crisis-affected communities, REVIVE plans to collaborate with the private sector, integrating carbon-reducing technology into restoration efforts, thus promoting sustainable development while providing essential services such as electricity and clean water.
