The World Habitat Day is observed on the first Monday of October month every year. The United Nations General Assembly had declared in 1985 the first Monday in October as World Habitat Day. The day is celebrated to recognise the basic right of all humanity to have a adequate shelter and to encourage grassroots action in order to end poverty housing. The day is being celebrated under the theme- Housing for All-A better Urban Future
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Key Facts
- The day was first celebrated in 1986 at Nairobi under the theme Shelter is My Right.
- World Habitat Day is celebrated in countries including India, China, Poland, Mexico, Uganda, Angola and the United States.
- Several activities are organised on the occasion in order to examine and investigate the problems of rapid urbanization and its impact on the environment and human poverty.
- A new theme is selected every year for this day celebration as decided by the United Nations based on ongoing issues on the topic of habitat.
Significance
Around 1.8 billion people lives in the slum and around 3 billion people lack basic hand washing facilities. They face the problems of homelessness and inadequate housing in the cities. So the day finds its significance in order for the people to know about their rights.
United Nations Human Settlements Programme
The programme is aimed at making cities socially and environmentally sustainable. It focuses on making efficient cities, well-planned and governed human settlements. It seeks to provide universal access to basic services including sanitation, water and energy. It also provided the world’s most prestigious human settlements award Habitat Scroll of Honour which was launched in 1989.