ritu

Climate-related shocks are becoming increasingly frequent and severe worldwide, disproportionately affecting low- and middle-income countries. Beyond the immediate loss of life, these disasters can destroy livelihoods, displace communities, and damage critical infrastructure. In response, the humanitarian sector has emphasized anticipatory action—proactive measures taken before crises occur to reduce their impact. Mobile and digital technologies are… [Read More]

Trust is a fundamental yet often overlooked asset in development, shaping whether initiatives succeed or falter. As public trust in leaders and institutions erodes globally, its influence on development outcomes becomes increasingly visible. Surveys such as Edelman’s Trust Barometer highlight a retreat into insularity, where economic uncertainty, geopolitical tensions, and climate crises encourage societies and… [Read More]

Pastoralists and agropastoralists living in fragile and conflict-affected situations (FCAS) face unique challenges, with women and girls often experiencing heightened marginalization. Addressing women’s empowerment in these contexts was the focus of an action research initiative carried out by three locally-led projects in Nigeria and South Sudan. The projects were funded by the International Development Research… [Read More]

In 2023, the Start Network was approached by members of the UK Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) to design a locally led pooled fund in Ukraine, motivated by the fact that, despite a crisis receiving abundant funding, only 1% of humanitarian resources had reached local organisations. By 2025, the Ukraine Pooled Fund (UPF) had been launched,… [Read More]

2026 is shaping up as a critical year for global AI governance, as artificial intelligence evolves at a pace that challenges existing international frameworks. The Global Digital Compact negotiations offer important lessons in translating technical complexity into political consensus, highlighting the need for multilateral cooperation and shared understandings to guide AI development responsibly. UN Secretary-General… [Read More]

Thirty-seven international humanitarian organizations operating in the occupied Palestinian territory have been ordered by Israeli authorities to cease operations by the end of February 2026 under revised registration rules. In response, these organizations have jointly petitioned the Israeli High Court, seeking to suspend the closures to prevent immediate and irreparable harm to civilians who rely… [Read More]

Mira Sarker grew up along the Kapotaksha River in southern Bangladesh, where her childhood was shaped by frequent cyclones, disasters, and displacement. Living near the coast, she and her community have faced persistent challenges, reflecting a broader trend: in the past three decades, Bangladesh has experienced over 200 natural hazards. Extreme weather events are becoming… [Read More]

JAKARTA, 24 February 2026 – The ASEAN Centre for Active Ageing and Innovation (ACAI) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Asia-Pacific Regional Office have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to strengthen regional cooperation on population ageing and promote active, healthy, and productive ageing across ASEAN. The signing took place during a high-level roundtable,… [Read More]

The second call for proposals under the BESTLIFE2030 Programme will allocate over €8 million to support 81 locally led biodiversity projects across the European Union’s outermost regions (ORs) and Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs). This achievement highlights strong interest in the Programme and marks an important step in delivering its overall €23.4 million budget, which… [Read More]

The International Disability Alliance and the World Health Organization are hosting a webinar titled “Breaking Barriers: Advancing Health Equity for Persons with Disabilities in HIV Care and Treatment” on 26 February 2026, from 11:00 to 12:30 CET. The event aims to address persistent health inequities faced by persons with disabilities, a group that makes up… [Read More]

Climbing Mount Kenya in December, I visited the Lewis Glacier near the summit and was struck by how small and vulnerable it appeared. This glacier, one of Africa’s last, has persisted for 10,000 to 30,000 years but is now reduced to the size of just two football fields. Scientists predict it will disappear within three… [Read More]

In Viet Nam, a comprehensive initiative is underway to eliminate harmful substances from the healthcare and manufacturing sectors, ensuring that the country’s fast-growing industries develop without threatening public health or the environment. The four-year project, Reduce the Impact and Release of Mercury and POPs in Viet Nam through Lifecycle Approach and Ecolabel, targets mercury, persistent… [Read More]

Pacific countries have emphasized the critical need for strengthened international partnerships and financing to help Small Island Developing States (SIDS) address escalating climate and environmental challenges. This commitment was highlighted at the opening of a regional meeting hosted by the Government of Fiji in collaboration with the Global Environment Facility (GEF). Deputy Prime Minister and… [Read More]

The World Bank Group has launched a $6 billion insurance-backed facility to expand lending to micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in emerging markets, supporting job creation and private sector growth. Through this initiative, participating insurers share credit risk on a portion of eligible loans made by IFC, the World Bank Group’s private sector arm,… [Read More]

On 25 February 2026, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, announced a USD 25 million equity commitment to Seraya Partners Fund II, a private equity infrastructure fund managed by Seraya Partners. This commitment anchors the Fund’s Southeast Asia Emerging Markets sleeve, targeting critical infrastructure investments across Indonesia, Malaysia, the… [Read More]

On 14 January 2026, the Bangladesh Forest Department (BFD) and IUCN Bangladesh officially launched the project “Updating the Faunal Red List of Bangladesh,” marking a key step in strategic national conservation planning. This initiative aims to provide an up-to-date assessment of the conservation status of the country’s wildlife, supporting evidence-based policymaking and biodiversity protection efforts…. [Read More]

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and CGIAR have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen collaboration in transforming global food and agricultural systems towards a nature-positive approach. The partnership will focus on promoting sustainable production landscapes, land restoration, and the integration of biodiversity conservation into food and agricultural practices. With billions… [Read More]

The second call for proposals under the BESTLIFE2030 Programme will channel over €8 million to support 81 locally led biodiversity projects across the European Union’s outermost regions (ORs) and Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs). This milestone reflects strong interest in the Programme and contributes to the overall €23.4 million budget, which is expected to fund… [Read More]

Israeli authorities plan to bar 37 international nongovernmental organizations (INGOs) from operating in Gaza and the West Bank starting March 1, 2026, after the groups refused to provide lists of their staff and biodata under new registration requirements. Humanitarian organizations argue that these rules undermine the principles of neutrality and independence, threatening the delivery of… [Read More]

Iraq’s recently amended Personal Status Code has significantly weakened legal protections for women and girls, particularly by facilitating child marriage and creating a parallel religious legal system. Drawing on court observations and survivor testimonies, it is evident that unregistered religious marriages, previously illegal, are now legitimized, exposing underage brides to abuse and undermining state oversight…. [Read More]

The resilience of Canadian democracy and the rule of law is both fragile and invaluable, serving as a cornerstone for protecting communities, sovereignty, and the economy. Bill C-15, presented as the federal government’s response to economic challenges, contains provisions that pose a direct threat to this constitutional framework, undermining the principles of democratic governance. Within… [Read More]

Human Rights Watch has raised concerns over a bill passed by Angola’s parliament on January 22, 2026, aimed at regulating nongovernmental organizations (NGOs). The legislation, formally titled the Law on the Statute of Non-Governmental Organizations, grants broad administrative powers to the government, allowing authorities to authorize, monitor, suspend, and impose financial restrictions on NGOs. Human… [Read More]

Human Rights Watch has documented systematic targeting, abuse, and killings of people with disabilities by Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) during and after their takeover of El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, on October 26, 2025. Survivors and witnesses reported that RSF fighters singled out people because of physical or cognitive disabilities, accused them… [Read More]