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Bhagawati Saraswati elected co-chair of the faith-based advisory council to UN

Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati, secretary-general of Global Interfaith WASH Alliance and president of Divine Shakti Foundation, Parmarth Niketan, Rishikesh has been elected as a co-chair of the faith-based advisory council to the United Nations.

She is among the 40 faith leaders who have been nominated to serve on the council.


She was in New York this week to speak at an event at the United Nations on women of faith as agents of transformation. The event was organised by the United Nations, the European Union and the KAICIID Centre for Interfaith and Intercultural Dialogue.

During her trip she also participated in the first face-to-face meeting of the advisory council.

The advisory council of faith-based organisations to the UN IATF-Religion is composed of the UN system’s faith-based partners, reflecting the diversity of religions, regional and national presence, and covering thematic areas which mirror the UN’s mandate.

This is the first time in the history of the UN system that a diverse group of UN system entities nominates its faith-based development, humanitarian and policy advocacy partners and then convene them in an advisory capacity to the whole of the UN system.

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Nearly 300,000 families face worst forms of homelessness in England, research shows

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  • 299,100 households experienced acute homelessness in 2024, up 21 per cent since 2022.
  • Rough sleeping and unsuitable temporary accommodation cases increased by 150 per cent since 2020.
  • Councils spent £732 m on unsuitable emergency accommodation in 2023/24.


Almost 300,000 families and individuals across England are now experiencing the worst forms of homelessness, including rough sleeping, unsuitable temporary accommodation and living in tents, according to new research from Crisis.

The landmark study, led by Heriot-Watt University, shows that 299,100 households in England experienced acute homelessness in 2024. This represents a 21 per cent increase since 2022, when there were 246,900 households, and a 45 per cent increase since 2012.

More than 15,000 people slept rough last year, while the number of households in unsuitable temporary accommodation rose from 19,200 in 2020 to 46,700 in 2024. An additional 18,600 households are living in unconventional accommodation such as cars, sheds and tents.

A national survey found 70 per cent of councils have seen increased numbers approaching them for homelessness assistance in the last year. Local authorities in London and Northern England reported the biggest increase.

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