Nearly one billion people in Africa still lack access to clean cooking, relying heavily on charcoal, firewood, and kerosene. This widespread dependence exposes households to toxic smoke containing particulate matter and carbon monoxide, with women and children facing the highest health risks. In Sub-Saharan Africa, about four in five households still do not have access… [Read More]
Australians for Mental Health Welcomes $517 Million Disability Support Program
Australians for Mental Health (AFMH) has welcomed the Federal Government’s $517 million Disability Peer Support and Connections Program, describing it as a significant step toward strengthening community-based mental health support across Australia. The initiative aims to fund organisations delivering peer support, capacity building, and social connection services for people with disability under the age of… [Read More]
Malawi Flood Crisis: Heavy Rains Displace Tens of Thousands
Vulnerable communities across Malawi are facing severe humanitarian consequences after weeks of intense rainfall triggered widespread flooding across the country. The disaster, which has unfolded throughout March, has affected more than 200,000 people, with tens of thousands displaced as homes, farmland, and essential infrastructure have been destroyed. One of the worst-affected areas is Chikwawa District… [Read More]
Falconer Unveils Fresh Aid for Displaced Communities in Lebanon (EN/AR)
The United Kingdom has announced £20.5 million in new humanitarian assistance to support Lebanon’s crisis response, marking a significant expansion of its ongoing aid efforts. The funding was unveiled by UK Minister for the Middle East Hamish Falconer during his visit to Lebanon, where he also renewed calls for a ceasefire and urged continued diplomatic… [Read More]
Sudan: NGOs Urge Action as Conflict Impacts Worsen Regionally
Almost 4.5 million people have fled Sudan since the outbreak of conflict in April 2023, making it the world’s largest and fastest-growing displacement crisis. According to a joint statement by NGO networks and the East and Central Africa Inter Agency Working Group, refugees are often exposed to violence, exploitation, and severe hardship during their journey,… [Read More]
Lower-Income Countries Set Record Investment in Immunisation Programmes
Lower-income countries have reached a record milestone by contributing US$302 million in 2025 toward Gavi-supported vaccine programmes, reflecting a significant rise in domestic investment in immunisation. According to new data from Gavi, this marks the highest annual contribution to date and comes amid global aid cuts and increasing pressure on external health financing. Over the… [Read More]
UAE Plans Thousands of Jobs in Non-Profit Sector with Dh100M Fund
The UAE has launched a Dh100 million fund aimed at strengthening the non-profit sector and enhancing its contribution to national development. Announced by Shamma Al Mazrui, Minister of Community Empowerment, the initiative is designed to support organisations working in areas such as education, health, environment, community development, and family welfare, while also helping them generate… [Read More]
Funding Boost for Hundreds of Grassroots Groups to Unite Communities
Hundreds of grassroots organisations across England have received funding through the latest Common Ground Awards, with more than £2 million allocated to 211 community groups. The support recognises local efforts to strengthen social cohesion, reduce divisions, and create opportunities for people from different backgrounds to connect and build trust within their communities. The Common Ground… [Read More]
EU Supports Ukrainian Civil Society Project to Strengthen Justice Reforms
The Anti-Corruption Action Centre (AntAC), together with partner civil society organisations, has launched a new EU-funded initiative titled “Frontline for Justice: Civic Action to Safeguard Rule of Law and Institutional Integrity.” The project aims to strengthen oversight of justice sector reforms in Ukraine by monitoring legislation, protecting the independence of anti-corruption and judicial institutions, tracking… [Read More]
UK and IFC Partner to Boost Agribusiness and Job Creation in the DRC
The United Kingdom, through the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, and the International Finance Corporation have signed a four-year agreement to strengthen agribusiness financing and job creation in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The initiative is designed to expand access to finance for small and medium enterprises, support farmers, and stimulate investment across agricultural value… [Read More]
IFC, Santander Brazil Join Forces to Expand Eco Invest Sustainable Financing in Brazil
IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, and Banco Santander Brasil have announced a strategic partnership to support Brazil’s Eco Invest program, a government-led initiative aimed at attracting foreign private capital to accelerate the country’s transition toward a resilient and sustainable economy. The program is coordinated by Brazil’s Ministry of Finance and Ministry of… [Read More]
Africa Vaccine Manufacturing Boost: IFC, EIB Group and EU Support Biovac Expansion
Biovac, a leading South African vaccine manufacturer, has secured a major financing package from the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the EIB Group, and the European Commission to establish Africa’s first end-to-end multi-vaccine manufacturing facility. The investment combines a $20 million IFC senior loan with additional mobilization underway and a €75 million quasi-equity investment from the… [Read More]
FAO Hosts Indigenous Consultation in Suriname for REDD+ Climate Finance Readiness
Indigenous, Tribal and Plantation Leaders from across Suriname gathered in Paramaribo for a two-day Gran Krutu, a national dialogue facilitated by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The meeting focused on shaping a climate finance proposal to the Green Climate Fund under the REDD+ framework, with the aim of ensuring that… [Read More]
FAO Urges Faster Action to Close Global Water and Sanitation Gaps
A session on Sustainable Development Goal 6 (clean water and sanitation) was held during the ninth meeting of the Forum of the Countries of Latin America and the Caribbean on Sustainable Development, organized by the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean. The discussion focused on accelerating sustainable, efficient and inclusive water resource management… [Read More]
Food Value Chain Losses: Where Food Is Wasted and How to Save It
In a warehouse on the outskirts of a city, crates of fresh produce arrive before dawn, but not all of it reaches consumers. Some items are damaged during transport, some remain unsorted for too long, and a portion is ultimately discarded. These losses, though often small at each step, accumulate across the food system and… [Read More]
Senegal Tackles Food Waste with FAO-Supported Touba Project
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in collaboration with Senegal’s Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Livestock, has launched a regional project in Touba aimed at improving post-harvest management across key agrifood value chains. The initiative seeks to reduce food losses and better utilize surplus food, which is estimated to represent… [Read More]
FAO Report Highlights Women’s Role in Africa’s Agrifood Systems
New data shows that women play a central role in sub-Saharan Africa’s agrifood systems, with 76 percent of working women employed in the sector, making it the highest share globally. Their participation is especially strong in off-farm activities, where rural women are four times more likely than men to be engaged. Beyond formal employment, women… [Read More]
Senegal: FAO Boosts Efforts to Cut Post-Harvest Losses
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has strengthened its collaboration with key development partners in Touba, Senegal, including Cheikh Ahmadoul Khadim University (UCAK) and the Touba Ca Kanam association, to tackle post-harvest losses and promote sustainable food systems. The engagement took place during a series of meetings linked to FAO’s project… [Read More]
Ghana Boosts Vaccine Manufacturing Ambition with Clinical Trials
A high-level gathering of policymakers, regulators, and researchers in Sogakope, Volta Region, brought renewed focus to Ghana’s efforts to transition from vaccine dependency to self-reliance. The discussion, guided by the World Health Organization (WHO) Representative to Ghana, Dr Fiona Braka, emphasized that strengthening vaccine manufacturing capacity is now a national priority shaped by lessons from… [Read More]
World Health Day 2026: How Nigeria Focused on People and Evidence
A 27-year-old mother, Godiya Tumba, travelled several kilometres with her two children to a temporary health outreach in Wuro Jabbe, Adamawa State, where both children received missed routine vaccinations. She said she had never properly understood the importance of vaccines until health workers explained it to her clearly. Her experience reflects a broader challenge in… [Read More]
Amnesty Calls on Maldives to Scrap Death Penalty Bill
A coalition of 10 Maldivian and international human rights organizations has urged the Maldives government to withdraw its proposed bill aimed at ending the country’s longstanding moratorium on the death penalty. The groups have also called for the repeal of recent amendments to the Drugs Act that expand capital punishment to drug-related offenses, and instead… [Read More]
Amnesty Warns India’s Digital Media Rules May Enable Abusive Powers
Amnesty International has warned that proposed amendments to India’s digital regulation rules could give authorities broad and intrusive powers to police, censor, and remove online content. The legal analysis highlights that the changes to the Information Technology (IT) rules, which are currently under public consultation, could significantly expand state control over digital platforms and user-generated… [Read More]
Over 100 NGOs Dissolved in Burkina Faso Crackdown on Civil Society
Amnesty International has expressed deep concern over the Burkina Faso government’s decision to dissolve 118 NGOs and associations, calling it a serious attack on the right to freedom of association. According to Senior Researcher Ousmane Diallo, the move contradicts both Burkina Faso’s constitution and its international human rights obligations, including commitments under the African Charter… [Read More]
