cat

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has launched a new Enterprise Security Enhancement (ESE) initiative in Ukraine aimed at strengthening the resilience of businesses and households affected by the ongoing war. The program is being implemented in partnership with leading Ukrainian banks and is designed to address critical financing challenges caused by widespread… [Read More]

When the earthquake struck Myanmar in March 2025, it compounded existing humanitarian and labour market crises, leaving communities facing displacement, job losses, and prolonged uncertainty. Recovery required more than immediate relief—it demanded decent work opportunities, skills development, and lasting capacities to rebuild livelihoods. In the year following the disaster, the ILO’s Employment Intensive Investment Programme… [Read More]

Spain has announced a humanitarian contribution of EUR 10 million to the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) to address worsening food insecurity linked to conflict and the ripple effects of the escalation in the Middle East. Approved by Spain’s Council of Ministers on 14 April and channelled through the Spanish Agency for International Development… [Read More]

The United Nations has launched a new joint initiative called Weaving Afghanistan’s Hope and Displacement Actions Together (WAHDAT) to support returnees, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and vulnerable host communities in Afghanistan’s western provinces of Herat and Farah. The project is designed to address urgent humanitarian needs while supporting long-term recovery and community resilience. The initiative… [Read More]

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent address to the nation marked a significant shift in India’s economic strategy, calling for rigorous austerity measures to counter mounting global pressures. He emphasized rationing fuel consumption and encouraging a return to remote work patterns, drawing parallels to the COVID‑19 pandemic response. By reducing commuting and increasing reliance on public… [Read More]

The International Water Management Institute (IWMI) highlights a new approach to conserving Colombo’s urban wetlands by focusing on the power of stories, cultural heritage, and community memory. This initiative brings attention to how local histories and lived experiences can play a central role in strengthening environmental protection efforts. Colombo’s wetlands are a vital ecological system… [Read More]

At the 48th ASEAN Summit in Cebu, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) announced it will mobilize $30 billion by 2030 to support ASEAN’s long-term development priorities and resilience against external shocks. ADB President Masato Kanda emphasized that the bank, as ASEAN’s main financial partner, is channeling financing and expertise to deliver tangible benefits across the… [Read More]

Digital Asset Holdings is reportedly raising fresh capital at an estimated valuation of $2 billion in a funding round led by Andreessen Horowitz through its crypto investment arm, a16z crypto. According to reports, the financing round is expected to raise approximately $300 million, although the final amount could still change before closing. Founded in 2014,… [Read More]

Antier Solutions has secured $3 million in funding in a round led by GVFL, marking the company’s first institutional investment after operating as a bootstrapped business for more than ten years. The investment is expected to support the company’s expansion in enterprise blockchain infrastructure across government, banking, and corporate sectors. Antier Solutions specializes in developing… [Read More]

The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a coordinated response following the identification of hantavirus cases linked to a cruise ship operating in international waters. The situation involves a cluster of severe respiratory illnesses, including confirmed and suspected infections, which were reported after passengers began developing symptoms during and after the voyage. WHO has been… [Read More]

On World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day, the theme “United in Humanity” is reflected in the daily commitment of volunteers across Gabon, Sao Tome and Principe, and Cameroon, who work tirelessly to support their communities despite immense challenges. In Cameroon, volunteers are responding to food insecurity that affects them personally as well as the… [Read More]

The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and Japanese sustainable construction company Tagawa Shikkui Labs Co. Ltd. have announced a new partnership to support environmentally sustainable reconstruction efforts in Ukraine. The initiative focuses on deploying innovative low-carbon construction technologies while promoting circular economy practices and local economic recovery. The… [Read More]

The European Investment Bank (EIB) and the European Investment Fund (EIF), together known as the EIB Group, have partnered with Ameriabank to expand access to finance for micro, small, and medium‑sized enterprises (MSMEs) in Armenia. The initiative involves a partial portfolio guarantee that will enable Ameriabank to build a portfolio of new loans worth up… [Read More]

The World Health Organization (WHO) has verified more than 3,000 attacks on healthcare in Ukraine since the start of the full-scale invasion. These incidents have been systematically recorded through WHO’s Surveillance System for Attacks on Health Care, which applies global verification standards to document impacts on health infrastructure, workers, and services. According to WHO, the… [Read More]

Ukraine has adopted a new government resolution establishing a unified legal framework for the management and use of peatland areas. The measure is designed to strengthen environmental protection, support climate resilience, and align the country more closely with European Union environmental and climate standards. The resolution was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine… [Read More]

The European Investment Fund (EIF), part of the EIB Group, has signed a new InvestEU‑backed guarantee agreement with Quotanda and eight European universities, education providers, and non‑profits to unlock up to €55 million in student financing. The initiative allows students to begin their studies without paying tuition fees upfront, repaying only after graduation and employment,… [Read More]

Nearly 5 million children die each year and around 700 women die daily from pregnancy-related causes, most of them in low- and middle-income countries. These deaths are largely preventable, making maternal and child health central to the World Bank Group’s ambition to reach 1.5 billion people with health services by 2030. During the recent World… [Read More]

Somalia is facing a worsening humanitarian emergency as prolonged drought, irregular seasonal rains, flash floods and rising fuel prices continue to increase food insecurity and displacement across the country. According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), millions of people are struggling with severe shortages of food, water and basic… [Read More]

Belgium and the World Health Organization (WHO) have launched a new Country Cooperation Strategy (CCS) for 2026–2030, marking a renewed partnership focused on strengthening the country’s health system and addressing emerging public health challenges. A major priority of this strategy is tackling youth nicotine addiction, alongside broader efforts to improve prevention, health equity, and system… [Read More]

Health systems worldwide are under pressure from workforce shortages, tight budgets, rising chronic diseases, and growing public expectations. Saudi Arabia faces similar challenges as it advances its Vision 2030 Health Sector Transformation Program, prompting the question of how to ensure health policies truly improve people’s lives. To address this, the Saudi Health Council and the… [Read More]

Business owners across Somalia are showing resilience and determination, but many remain frustrated by the barriers preventing growth. Surveys conducted in 2023 and 2024 across five cities—Mogadishu, Baidoa, Beledweyne, Bosaso, and Kismayo—captured the experiences of 700 formally registered firms. These findings, supported by the Somalia Multi Partner Fund and complemented by the World Bank’s diagnostics,… [Read More]

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) is supporting Caribbean countries through a new capacity-building initiative focused on strengthening mortality coding using the International Classification of Diseases, 11th Revision (ICD-11). The training aims to improve the quality, accuracy, and consistency of mortality data, which is essential for public health planning and decision-making across the region. The… [Read More]

The World Bank Group has approved US$1 billion in financing to support Egypt’s efforts to boost private sector–led job creation, strengthen fiscal resilience, and advance its transition to a greener economy. The package includes a US$200 million credit guarantee from the United Kingdom, reflecting strong international support for Egypt’s reform agenda. Egypt has faced successive… [Read More]