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The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) have signed a landmark Partnership Agreement to strengthen regional cooperation and integration across the Pacific. The agreement was signed in Suva, Fiji, by ADB President Masato Kanda and Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General Baron Waqa, establishing a comprehensive framework to align the institutions’ resources… [Read More]

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) have formally assumed joint leadership of the newly established Global Shelter, Land and Site Coordination (SLSC) Cluster, introducing a more integrated structure for humanitarian shelter response worldwide. The new cluster consolidates shelter assistance, site coordination, and housing,… [Read More]

The Ministry of Defence, in partnership with the Wales Office, has announced a landmark £50 million Wales Defence Growth Deal aimed at positioning Wales as the UK’s primary launchpad for autonomous defence technology. The agreement is designed to strengthen Britain’s capabilities in uncrewed systems, including intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance platforms, while creating thousands of high-skilled… [Read More]

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and international partners have issued a joint ministerial statement expressing grave concern over escalating violence against civilians and humanitarian operations in Sudan. Heavy fighting across the Kordofan and Darfur states has intensified, with drone and aerial attacks reportedly striking displaced communities, health facilities, food convoys and areas near humanitarian… [Read More]

The UK Government has announced a record £73.4 million in funding for 2026–27 to strengthen protective security at Jewish, Muslim and other faith sites across the country. The funding, confirmed by the Home Office and HM Treasury, will support security personnel and physical protection measures such as CCTV systems, fencing, intruder alarms and floodlighting. The… [Read More]

The World Food Programme (WFP) is intensifying its emergency operations in South Sudan’s Jonglei state, where escalating conflict has displaced hundreds of thousands and worsened an already severe hunger crisis. Approximately 60 per cent of the population in the area—around 1.2 million people—are acutely food insecure. Aid is being transported primarily through river routes, but… [Read More]

The UNICEF has called for the immediate release of children detained during the recent public unrest in Iran, voicing serious concern over reports that minors arrested in connection with protests remain in custody. The demonstrations, which began in late December 2025, were triggered by soaring inflation, rising food prices and the collapse of the national… [Read More]

Ireland has submitted its fourth payment request under the European Union’s Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), seeking approximately €249 million to support key reforms and investments. The announcement was made by Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, marking another step in the country’s implementation of its National Recovery and Resilience Plan… [Read More]

Estonia has become the first country in the world to embed the WHO Global Competency Standards for refugee and migrant health into its national medical education system. The milestone was achieved through the integration of the standards into the curriculum at the University of Tartu, where they are offered as a referenced elective e-course. This… [Read More]

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) recorded a milestone year for its risk-sharing framework (RSF) in Central Asia and Mongolia, significantly expanding access to finance for local businesses. Under the RSF model, the EBRD shares up to half of the credit risk on loans issued by partner financial institutions, enabling banks to extend… [Read More]

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is strengthening competition and private sector development in Uzbekistan’s food-service industry through new financing for ABN-MB Group, a leading operator of coffee shops and restaurants across the country. The initiative aims to enhance operational capacity and improve market efficiency in the rapidly growing hospitality sector. Under the… [Read More]

In January 2026, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), in partnership with the Caribbean Society for Biosafety and Biosecurity (CSBB), conducted a four-day mission in Saint Kitts and Nevis to strengthen biosafety and biosecurity in public and private laboratories. This initiative is part of the Pandemic Fund project for Eastern Caribbean Countries, which supports national… [Read More]

Kingstown, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, 13 February 2026 – The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) continued its support to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines’ national laboratory system through a technical mission under the Pandemic Fund Project for Eastern Caribbean Countries. The initiative focuses on strengthening core capacities required under the International Health Regulations (IHR… [Read More]

PAHO Belize was honored with the Resilience and Disaster Risk Reduction Award at the UK-Belize Climate and Nature Legacy Awards 2026, recognizing its leadership in strengthening climate resilience in the health sector. The award, funded by the UK Climate & Nature Diplomacy Fund and presented at the British High Commissioner’s residence in Belmopan, highlighted PAHO… [Read More]

The Ministry of Mental Health, Wellness and Religious Affairs of Grenada, in collaboration with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), recently held a technical meeting to advance the country’s mental health reform and finalize its National Mental Health Policy. The meeting brought together senior officials from the Ministry and PAHO’s technical team, including Dr. Taraleen… [Read More]

Journalists in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) often report on traumatic events while experiencing trauma themselves, facing conflicts, corruption, and gender-based violence daily. Despite this exposure, mental health support in newsrooms is rare, and the psychological toll is frequently dismissed as part of the job, fostering a culture of silence. In December 2025,… [Read More]

Geneva/Amman, 18 February 2026 – The International Organization for Migration (IOM) and Muslim Charity are providing urgent support to displaced Palestinian families in Gaza by delivering emergency tents to those living without safe or adequate shelter. A contribution of USD 300,000 from Muslim Charity will allow IOM to procure and distribute 448 tents, reaching an… [Read More]

Geneva/Amman, 18 February 2026 – The International Organization for Migration (IOM) and Muslim Charity are providing urgent support to displaced Palestinian families in Gaza by delivering emergency tents to those living without safe or adequate shelter. A contribution of USD 300,000 from Muslim Charity will allow IOM to procure and distribute 448 tents, reaching an… [Read More]

A new USD 91 million appeal has been launched to support migrants travelling along key migration routes in Africa, with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) leading the effort alongside 48 partners. The appeal aims to provide life-saving assistance to migrants from the Horn of Africa moving along the Eastern Route to Yemen and the… [Read More]

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has launched its second annual Ramadan campaign, “Share the Blessings,” expanding the Islamic Philanthropy Fund (IPF) to support migrants and displaced families affected by crises. Building on last year’s initiative in Sudan, the campaign now extends assistance across multiple emergency contexts, addressing growing humanitarian needs driven by conflict, climate… [Read More]

The ocean, one of the most biodiverse spaces on Earth, covers over two-thirds of the planet’s surface and houses more than 90 per cent of Earth’s habitat by volume. International seabeds and high seas are unique in that no single country has jurisdiction over them. Instead, a complex system of international laws and cooperation seeks… [Read More]

Black leaders across the U.S. are driving innovative, community-rooted climate action that centers equity, health, and justice. These leaders combine scientific expertise, policy advocacy, organizing, and coalition building to address environmental challenges that disproportionately affect communities of color, while ensuring those communities play a central role in developing solutions. Their work spans clean energy, flood… [Read More]

Research shows that around 215,000 children in England are not receiving the free school meals they are entitled to, missing out on the nutritional, educational, and financial benefits these meals provide. Families face multiple barriers, including stigma, shame, and the administrative burden of applying, which prevents many eligible children from accessing their entitlement. To address… [Read More]