Interviews
Nature-based solutions are key to tackling water insecurity, says UN
The UN’s annual World Water Development Report 2018 has highlighted the need to use nature to combat the challenges of a growing population and climate change. In its detailed analysis, the reportdemonstrates...
Integrating local people in hunger and nutrition initiatives is key to sustainable development
Maria Jose Torres, the UN Resident Coordinator, has emphasised the significant role of community level interventions and community participation in achieving Zero Hunger and ending malnutrition in Malawi....
There could be 140 million ‘climate migrants’ by 2050
The World Bank has warned that climate change could push tens of millions of people in the developing world to migrate both inside and outside their own countries. The Bank analysed the impact of ‘slow-onset’...
Renewable energy gets a boost in Bangladesh
The government of Bangladesh has signed a $55 million agreement with the World Bank to expand the country’s use of renewable energy in rural areas. The financing comes as part of the Second Rural...
France boosts WFP’s fight against malnutrition in Cox’s Bazar
France has donated €400,000 to the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) to support nutrition activities for Rohingya refugees in Cox’s Bazar. The donation will increase WFP’s nutrition...
UN allocates $30 million for emergency relief in the Sahel
The UN’s Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) has released $30 million for relief efforts in the Sahel. The Sahel is currently suffering from an acute drought, high food prices and worsening insecurity....
World Bank and WHO unite to improve global health security
The World Bank and the World Health Organisation (WHO) have launched a new mechanism to improve global health security through independent reporting and monitoring of preparedness to overcome disease outbreaks,...
Nepal becomes first country in South East Asia to eliminate trachoma
The World Health Organisation has confirmed that Nepal has eliminated trachoma as a public health problem. The country is the first in the South East Asia region to overcome the leading infectious cause...
EU commits 10% of aid spend to education in emergencies
The European Union has set new targets to spend 10% of its humanitarian aid to education in emergencies in 2019. The commitment follows criticisms by numerous aid agencies that education in emergencies...
The number of Central American refugees increased 58% between 2016-2017
THE UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has noted an alarming increase in the number of people experiencing forced displacement in Northern Central America. Most of these are fleeing conflict and violence....
Grass is helping to protect Rohingya refugees against monsoon season
The UN Migration Agency, IOM, has distributed 2 million vetiver grass plants throughout Cox’s Bazar in the last 2 weeks in an effort to reduce soil erosion and the risk of landslides in the refugee...
$80 million needed to support flood affected communities of Somalia
The United Nations and Government of Somalia have appealed for $80 million to provide urgent assistance for those affected by recent flooding in Somalia’s centre and southern areas. The flooding was...