The International Finance Corporation (IFC) has announced plans to invest up to $25 million in the African Transition Acceleration Fund (ATAF), a move aimed at advancing Africa’s clean energy transformation. The investment, pending board approval on November 27, 2025, will provide seed capital to help ATAF secure a first close of approximately $100 million. Based… [Read More]
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Advancing Sustainable Development: EU and UN Drive Circular Economy in Georgia
The European Union, in collaboration with a United Nations-led consortium, has launched a new initiative to accelerate Georgia’s transition to a circular economy. Backed by EUR 4.4 million in EU funding, the two-year project (2025–2027) will be implemented by UNDP, UNIDO, and the Environment Agency Austria, with technical support from Avfall Sverige, Sweden’s trade association… [Read More]
UN Committee: France Failing to Protect Unaccompanied Migrant Children
The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC) has found that France is responsible for grave and systematic violations of the rights of unaccompanied migrant children. Many of these children are left homeless, deprived of basic care, and forced to live in conditions described as “degrading” and contrary to human dignity. While France… [Read More]
Chad’s Democracy at Risk Amid Controversial Constitutional Amendments
Chad’s recent constitutional amendment abolishing presidential term limits represents a serious setback for the rule of law and democratic governance, Human Rights Watch said. The change enables President Mahamat Idriss Déby to remain in power indefinitely, undermining prospects for competitive elections and the rights of citizens to vote and participate politically. Experts warn that removing… [Read More]
Historic U.S. Refugee Policy Reversal Signals Major Shift
The Trump administration is planning a major overhaul of U.S. refugee resettlement, combining steep reductions in numbers with a selective approach to admissions. Refugee admissions are set to drop dramatically from 125,000 in the previous fiscal year to just 7,500, while resettlement priorities would shift to favor individuals deemed able to “fully and appropriately assimilate.”… [Read More]
Alaska Typhoon Response: Direct Relief Sends Medicines and $50,000 in Emergency Funds
Direct Relief has been coordinating with local healthcare providers and tribal organizations across Alaska to address ongoing medical needs following the recent typhoon. On Wednesday, the organization shipped emergency medical aid to the Alaska Native Heritage Center (ANHC) in Anchorage, which is part of a statewide coalition working to support directly impacted individuals. ANHC is… [Read More]
Mexico Floods: Direct Relief Delivers Urgent Medical Support and Emergency Funding
Dozens of communities across central Mexico were severely affected by Tropical Storm Raymond, which made landfall last weekend, bringing heavy rains and flooding. The storm has resulted in at least 70 fatalities, 72 people reported missing, and nearly 100,000 homes destroyed. Search and rescue operations are ongoing, while storm conditions continue to impact central Mexico… [Read More]
Asia-Pacific Accelerates Food Fortification to Boost Nutrition and Health
Suryakali Vishwakarma, a mother in northern India’s Uttar Pradesh, relies on fortified rice and wheat supplied through government village shops to provide essential vitamins and minerals to her family. These fortified staples have become crucial for her children’s health and nutrition, illustrating how enriched grains are transforming diets across India and the wider Asia-Pacific region…. [Read More]
Healthy Nature, Stronger Food Systems: UN Awards New Global Restoration Flagships
Rome, 15 October 2025 – The United Nations has named four new World Restoration Flagships under the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, highlighting global efforts to rehabilitate degraded ecosystems, boost community incomes, and support resilient food systems. The announcement took place at a high-level side event during the World Food Forum in Rome, ahead of… [Read More]
$100 Million UNEP Programme Set to Boost Climate and Environmental Solutions Worldwide
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), together with the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the Development Bank of Latin America (CAF), and the Asian Development Bank (ADB), has launched the Net-Zero Nature-Positive Accelerator Integrated Programme, backed by $100 million in GEF funding and $700 million in co-financing. The initiative aims to align climate and biodiversity goals… [Read More]
Fiji, Tonga, and Vanuatu Receive UNFPA Pacific and New Zealand Support for Reproductive Health
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Pacific, in partnership with the Government of New Zealand, has launched a new three-year initiative (2025–2027) aimed at advancing sexual, reproductive, maternal, newborn, and adolescent health for women, adolescents, and youth across Fiji, Tonga, and Vanuatu. The project seeks to strengthen health systems and expand access to essential, life-saving… [Read More]
Global Efforts to End Poverty: International Day for the Eradication of Poverty 2025
On the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) reaffirmed its commitment to eliminating poverty and promoting shared prosperity. The 2025 observance focuses on the theme, “Ending social and institutional maltreatment by ensuring respect and effective support for families,” emphasizing the importance of protecting the dignity of every family…. [Read More]
New Multidimensional Poverty Index Report Links Climate Hazards to Nearly 80% of Global Poor
The 2025 Global Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) report, released by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Oxford Poverty and Human Initiative (OPHI), reveals that nearly 8 in 10 people living in multidimensional poverty—887 million out of 1.1 billion globally—are directly exposed to climate hazards, including extreme heat, flooding, drought, and air pollution. The… [Read More]
Transforming rural livelihoods: IFAD pledges support for 70 million farmers through AgriConnect
Rome/Washington, 14 October 2025 – The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) has pledged to reach at least 70 million small-scale farmers and transform their lives by 2030 through increased incomes, improved productive capacity, and enhanced market access. This commitment was made at the launch of the World Bank’s AgriConnect initiative during the Bank’s Annual… [Read More]
Scaling Up Youth Jobs in Africa: IFAD Calls for Increased Investments and Partnerships
Youth leaders, policymakers, and development partners from across Africa convened in Naivasha, Kenya, on 15–16 October 2025 to call for expanded partnerships and increased investments in the Agribusiness Hubs (ABH) programme. The forum, titled “From Learning to Policy Action – Scaling Youth Employment through Systems Change,” brought together financing partners including the International Fund for… [Read More]
Boosting smallholder livelihoods: IFAD’s sorghum mechanization pilot in Zimbabwe
Harare, 16 October 2025 – The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), together with the Government of Zimbabwe and private sector partners, has launched the pilot phase of the Food and Agriculture Resilience Mission Pillar 3 (FARM P3), aiming to strengthen Zimbabwe’s sorghum value chain. The initiative seeks to reduce post-harvest losses of up to… [Read More]
$115M US Bridge Funding to Keep South Africa’s HIV Programs Running
South Africa welcomed a U.S. bridging plan worth $115 million to continue funding HIV treatment and prevention programs until the end of March, viewing it as a positive sign of bilateral cooperation despite recent tensions. The U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) has saved over 25 million lives globally, with South Africa having… [Read More]
Communities in Free State Rally for Urgent Measures Against Crime
Members of the Bohlokong Community against Drugs and Crime in Bethlehem, Free State, staged a march on Wednesday to the magistrates court and local police station to submit memorandums demanding urgent action on crime. The group has warned that they may shut down the town if the departments of justice and police fail to respond…. [Read More]
Young Job Seekers Take to Streets in Nigel Over Unemployment Crisis
On Thursday, around 60 young people from Alra Park in Nigel staged a protest outside the City of Ekurhuleni offices, demanding employment as cleaners. The protesters are members of the Arla Park Youth Unemployment group, which has 77 members, and they claim that cleaning and waste collection jobs have been given to outsiders, despite their… [Read More]
Special Education in KwaZulu-Natal at Standstill After Subsidy Payments Are Delayed
Parents and the South African National Association for Special School Education (SANASE) have closed 76 special schools in KwaZulu-Natal after the provincial Department of Education failed to pay subsidies on time. The delayed funding has disrupted the daily operations of these schools, leaving them unable to pay for essential services such as water, electricity, school… [Read More]
R124-Million Funding Boost from Lottery to Tackle HIV and TB in South Africa
The National Lotteries Commission (NLC) has committed R124-million to support organisations combating HIV and tuberculosis (TB) in South Africa, aiming to fill the funding gap left by the withdrawal of support from the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). Commissioner Jodi Scholtz highlighted that the funds will be directed toward programmes and frontline… [Read More]
Last-Mile Vaccination: Mali Red Cross Reaches Children in Hard-to-Access Areas
In remote communities across Mali, Red Cross volunteers are overcoming significant challenges to identify zero-dose and under-vaccinated children, ensuring they receive life-saving immunizations. Vaccines are crucial in preventing infectious diseases, yet fewer than half of Mali’s children receive all essential childhood vaccines, leaving them vulnerable to diseases such as diphtheria, measles, and tetanus. Many factors… [Read More]
Expanding Access: IFC and Bank of Bhutan Support Micro and Small Enterprises Nationwide
IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, has announced a US$20 million investment in Bank of Bhutan (BoB), the country’s oldest and largest bank, marking a significant milestone for Bhutan’s financial sector. This five-year fixed-rate financing, supported by the International Development Association’s Private Sector Window, will enable BoB to expand lending to micro and… [Read More]
