Rescue teams are urgently heading to Kunar province in eastern Afghanistan following a devastating earthquake that has killed at least 600 people and injured more than 3,000, many of whom are children. The death toll is expected to rise as rescue operations continue amid difficult conditions, according to Save the Children. The earthquake struck during… [Read More]
Archives for 2025
Protecting Nature Fuels Economic Growth and Jobs, Finds New Global Report
A new World Bank report reveals that 90% of the global population lives with at least one major environmental challenge—degraded land, unhealthy air, or water stress—while in low-income countries, 80% of people lack access to all three. The report, Reboot Development: The Economics of a Livable Planet, highlights how these environmental deficits are not just… [Read More]
Unlocking Private Sector Investment to Boost Job Creation and Sustainable Growth
Togo has experienced steady and robust economic growth over the past decade, but it now faces new challenges amid increasing regional and global uncertainties, according to the World Bank’s latest economic update. To navigate these uncertainties and accelerate development, the report recommends that Togo deepen structural reforms, implement its fiscal consolidation strategy, and attract greater… [Read More]
Thailand’s Blue Economy Boosted by World Bank Support and Coastal Protection Funding
Thailand is intensifying its efforts to harness the potential of its blue economy with significant technical support from the World Bank. A key part of this initiative includes plans to issue the country’s first sovereign blue bond, which will finance sustainable, ocean-based development. Given Thailand’s 23 coastal provinces and over 3,000 kilometers of coastline, marine… [Read More]
Afghanistan Earthquake: Latest Updates, Impact, and How You Can Help
A powerful 6.0 magnitude earthquake has struck eastern Afghanistan, resulting in the deaths of at least 800 people across four provinces. The disaster has caused widespread destruction to homes and health infrastructure, compounding an already dire situation in the region. Many of the worst-hit areas have been completely devastated, with entire villages wiped out. Prior… [Read More]
Humanitarian Aid in Crisis: Budget Cuts Threaten Millions Worldwide
Severe budget cuts in international aid are leaving the world’s most vulnerable populations without essential support. Across Europe and the United States, governments are slashing foreign aid budgets, redirecting funds toward domestic priorities or military spending. France has reduced its development assistance by hundreds of millions, while the United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands, and Belgium… [Read More]
Zimbabwe Rights Activists Acquitted After Year-Long Trial
A Zimbabwe court recently acquitted three human rights activists—Robson Chere, Namatai Kwekweza, and Samuel Gwenzi—on disorderly conduct charges more than a year after their arrest, drawing attention to the misuse of the criminal justice system against dissenting voices, Human Rights Watch stated. The activists had been detained in July 2024 after being pulled off a… [Read More]
ReSea Project Advances Gender-Inclusive Governance and Climate Resilience in Pemba
The ReSea Project, implemented through a partnership between Mission Inclusion, IUCN, and Women Fund Tanzania Trust (WFTT) in collaboration with the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar, recently concluded a five-day in-situ training focused on Inclusive Governance and Nature-based Solutions (NbS) for climate adaptation. The training was conducted over two days in Kusini Pemba and two days… [Read More]
IFC and Ayala Land Strengthen Sustainability Financing to Boost Green Buildings in the Philippines
The International Finance Corporation (IFC) and Ayala Land, Inc. (ALI) are expanding their partnership to scale green and resilient buildings in the Philippines, combining sustainability with financial innovation while supporting job creation. IFC is providing a second sustainability-linked loan (SLL) of up to PHP12.87 billion (US$225 million equivalent) to ALI, reinforcing sustainable finance in the… [Read More]
Finnfund Invests $4M in Poa Internet to Expand Affordable Broadband in Kenya
Finnfund has completed a $4 million debt investment in Poa Internet Kenya Ltd., a Kenyan internet service provider, to expand its network and increase internet accessibility. The funding aims to bridge the digital divide by delivering affordable broadband to underserved communities, enabling more inclusive access to education, healthcare, financial services, remote work, and opportunities for… [Read More]
Libya Launches Sahara Desert’s First Solar Power Plant to Boost Renewable Energy
Libya has officially commissioned its first solar power facility in the remote southeastern town of Kufra, located deep in the Sahara Desert near Egypt, Sudan, and Chad. Developed by Infinity Libya in partnership with the Al-Jouf Free Zone, the 1 MW installation became fully operational just eight months after the agreement was signed in September… [Read More]
ADB President Approves $3 Million Emergency Grant for Pakistan Flood Relief
Asian Development Bank (ADB) President Masato Kanda has expressed condolences for those affected by the recent severe monsoon rains and floods in Pakistan, announcing a rapid response grant of $3 million from the Asia Pacific Disaster Response Fund to support emergency relief efforts. This funding, to be provided at the request of the Government of… [Read More]
Preventing Youth Substance Use: How Communities Can Make a Difference
Canada has announced over $2.9 million in funding through the Youth Substance Use Prevention Program (YSUPP) to help communities develop tailored approaches for preventing substance use among youth. The program supports initiatives that reflect the unique needs of local populations, ensuring young people receive targeted support, opportunities, and safe environments to thrive. This funding follows… [Read More]
Concern Worldwide Provides Lifesaving Support to Displaced Communities in DR Congo
Concern Worldwide is providing urgent humanitarian support to nearly 29,000 people displaced by conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Operating in Masisi territory and North Kivu province, Concern’s team has partnered with a consortium of NGOs, funded by the EU, to address immediate needs including health, nutrition, water, sanitation, and protection for displaced… [Read More]
Concern launches new water filtration unit to support Gaza hospital
A new water filtration machine, funded and technically supported by Concern Worldwide and its local partner CESVI, is now supplying thousands of litres of clean water daily to Gaza’s last operational children’s hospital in Gaza City. The 150-bed Al Rantisis Hospital, which treats up to 350 patients daily, benefits from the reverse osmosis machine producing… [Read More]
Over USD 300,000 from WHO Drives Significant Decline in Mpox Cases in Sierra Leone
A WHO-supported nationwide house-to-house campaign in Sierra Leone, costing USD 300,000, has halved Mpox cases in just one month. Named the “Enhanced Integrated Mpox Response (EIMR),” the campaign ran from July 9 to August 3, 2025, under the leadership of the Ministry of Health, the National Public Health Agency, and District Health Management Teams. WHO… [Read More]
UK Pledges New Support for Women and Girls in Gaza
The United Kingdom has announced vital new funding to support pregnant women, new mothers, and girls in Gaza, providing midwives, emergency medical supplies, and menstrual hygiene kits. This aid, which could reach thousands, is contingent on Israel allowing a substantial increase in humanitarian access amid a catastrophic crisis, with the Famine Review Committee confirming famine… [Read More]
UNHCR Chief Urges Global Support for Refugees Returning to DR Congo and Rwanda
UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi concluded a week-long visit to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Rwanda, calling for increased international support to ensure refugees and internally displaced people (IDPs) can return home safely and rebuild their lives. Grandi emphasized that safe and dignified voluntary return remains the most durable solution… [Read More]
£2 Million Fund Granted to Community Organisations Following Pharmaceutical Branch Closure
A £2 million fund will be awarded to community organisations in Ulverston, Cumbria, following the closure of the GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) pharmaceutical branch at the end of June. The company pledged the donation as a legacy contribution to support local projects, with the GSK Task Force, established by Labour MP Michelle Scrogham, responsible for distributing the… [Read More]
Ukrainian Children on Frontlines Face Longer School Losses Than COVID-19 Closures
Children living in frontline areas of Ukraine have lost 25% more days of schooling due to the war than students experienced during the world’s longest COVID-19 school closures, according to Save the Children. Approximately 1.2 million school-aged children—about one in three—are beginning their fourth consecutive academic year with disrupted learning. Since the full-scale war began… [Read More]
Queenslanders Recognized at the 2025 Resilient Australia Awards
Outstanding contributions by Queenslanders to disaster resilience were celebrated at the 2025 Queensland Resilient Australia Awards, highlighting community-focused efforts to strengthen safety and preparedness for future disasters. Now in its eighth year, the awards showcased a strong spirit of innovation and collaboration across communities, schools, local councils, businesses, and government bodies throughout the state. Seven… [Read More]
Kyrgyzstan and Moldova Launch New Surveys to Combat Violence Against Women
Kyrgyzstan and Moldova have launched pilot surveys to measure the prevalence of violence against women, marking a key step in strengthening national responses to gender-based violence. These surveys, titled “Women’s Well-being and Safety,” are part of the regional programme “Empowering Equality: Strengthening Gender Data Systems in Europe and Central Asia,” implemented by UN Women, UNFPA,… [Read More]
How Youth Are Shaping the Future of Global Safety Net Systems
Economic vitality is often measured by the velocity at which money circulates, reflecting the dynamic exchange of goods, services, and opportunities. This principle extends beyond finance: movement and change in work, housing, and social participation are essential for societal progress. When these systems stagnate, crises arise, as human curiosity and iterative action are central to… [Read More]
