The Learning and Inclusion for Transformation (LIFT) programme in Rwanda is transforming the educational landscape for out-of-school children and youth by embedding Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) principles into every aspect of its work. Using implementation science, LIFT ensures that data drives actionable policy shifts and practical interventions, enabling government and communities to… [Read More]
Advancing Rural Women’s Roles in Kosovo’s Farming and Agritourism Sectors
This publication presents the key findings and recommendations from the Promoting Rural Women’s Empowerment in Kosovo project, jointly implemented by UN Women and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), with support from the Austrian Development Agency. The project tackles structural barriers, entrenched gender norms, and inequalities that limit rural women’s participation in economic activities, access… [Read More]
Shaping Tomorrow: Kenya’s 2025 Conservation Efforts and Achievements
In 2025, AWF Kenya focused on practical solutions to reduce pressure on both people and ecosystems amid increasingly scarce water resources, especially during the driest months in northern Kenya. By strengthening water access, supporting livelihoods, engaging youth, and promoting transparent governance, the organization worked across Marsabit County, key wildlife corridors, and community conservancies—including the Tsavo… [Read More]
Lessons from Startups: Successfully Transitioning to a Remote-First Model
Remote work has evolved from a temporary trend to a defining feature of modern business, particularly for startups. Accelerated by the global pandemic, many startups have successfully adopted fully distributed models, navigating both challenges and opportunities. By examining case studies, startups can glean practical insights to guide their transition to remote work, helping maintain productivity,… [Read More]
Lessons From Brazil’s Water People on Indigenous Conservation and Survival
In Brazil’s Amazonas state, the revival of the pirarucu fish has become a powerful symbol of how Indigenous knowledge and science can work together to restore nature and protect livelihoods. The Paumari people, who live along the Purus River and call themselves “the people of the water,” once faced a devastating crisis when the pirarucu—an… [Read More]
Climate Change Drives Growing Water Challenges Across Africa
Securing reliable water supplies has long been a challenge across Africa, and the situation is expected to worsen as droughts grow more frequent and severe. Past crises in other regions, such as Iran’s warning of potential evacuations due to water shortages and Cape Town’s near ‘Day Zero’ scenario in 2018, underscore the urgency. Recent dry… [Read More]
EU Awards €35.8M Grant to Accelerate Clean Energy Projects in Tunisia
The European Union (EU) is intensifying its support for Tunisia’s energy transition with €35.8 million in grant financing through the Neighbourhood Investment Platform (NIP) to accelerate renewable energy generation and electricity infrastructure development. Contribution agreements of €20.4 million with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and €15.4 million with the European Investment Bank… [Read More]
FAO Receives Strategic Agrifood Recommendations from Latin America and Caribbean Experts
Representatives from the scientific and academic sector in Latin America and the Caribbean participated in the Regional Preparatory Consultation for the 39th Session of the FAO Regional Conference (LARC 39), a forum organized by FAO to gather technical and strategic inputs for regional food and agriculture priorities. The virtual meeting brought together universities, research centers,… [Read More]
Lithuania Introduces Sugar Tax to Promote Public Health
Lithuania has introduced an excise tax on sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs), effective 1 January 2026, marking a significant step toward reducing preventable diseases and premature deaths linked to excess sugar consumption. This policy aligns Lithuania with a growing number of countries using fiscal measures to encourage healthier consumption habits. The sugar tax is designed to address… [Read More]
Gaza Strip Kicks Off Second Round of Routine Immunization with UNICEF and WHO Support
On 16 January 2026, the second round of a routine immunization catch-up campaign began in the Gaza Strip, led by UNICEF, UNRWA, WHO, and partners in collaboration with the Ministry of Health. Scheduled from 18 to 29 January 2026, the campaign targets children under the age of three, aiming to strengthen protection against vaccine-preventable diseases… [Read More]
Pakistan Expands Child Nutrition Services: WHO and BISP Open 40 New Treatment Centres
On 18 January 2026, the World Health Organization (WHO), in collaboration with Pakistan’s Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), announced the establishment of 40 new nutrition stabilization centres to provide life-saving treatment for children under five suffering from severe acute malnutrition with medical complications. Since November, these centres have been set up to expand access to… [Read More]
Somalia: Health Worker Training Supported by WHO and ECHO to Combat Child Malnutrition
In Somalia, acute malnutrition remains a critical public health challenge, particularly affecting children under five, pregnant and breastfeeding women, and other vulnerable populations. In fragile and emergency settings, timely identification and early intervention are often the difference between life and death for malnourished children. To strengthen the country’s response, the World Health Organization (WHO), in… [Read More]
Tracking Measles Elimination in the United States and Mexico
The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has announced that the United States and Mexico will participate in a virtual meeting on April 13, 2026, to review their measles elimination status. This meeting comes in the wake of measles outbreaks reported in the United States starting January 20, 2025, and in Mexico beginning February 1, 2025…. [Read More]
Kenya Unveils Five-Year Action Plan to Eliminate Cervical Cancer
The Government of Kenya has officially launched the National Cervical Cancer Elimination Action Plan 2026–2030, a five-year strategy developed with support from the World Health Organization (WHO) to accelerate prevention, early detection, and treatment of cervical cancer. The plan is designed to strengthen national health systems, improve service coverage, and reduce the burden of this… [Read More]
Agroecology in Action: GAFSP Case Studies Spotlighted in UVM Report
Global food systems are deeply implicated in today’s interconnected crises, driving ecological degradation, climate change, declining public health, and persistent food insecurity. The dominant industrial model, focused on intensification, global trade, and economic growth, has become a major contributor to these crises. Recent research shows food systems are a leading factor in breaching seven of… [Read More]
African Union Must Take Strong Measures to Stabilize South Sudan
The African Union (AU) Peace and Security Council is urged to use its January 19 ambassadorial-level meeting to address the escalating human rights abuses and urgent protection needs in South Sudan. The meeting follows an assessment by the AU High-Level Ad Hoc Committee on South Sudan, which evaluated the implementation of the 2018 peace agreement…. [Read More]
Proposed Counterterrorism Law in Sri Lanka Raises Concerns Over Potential Abuses
Human Rights Watch has raised concerns over Sri Lanka’s proposed counterterrorism legislation, warning that it mirrors many of the abusive provisions of the existing Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) and risks enabling similar rights violations. The bill, officially titled the Protection of the State from Terrorism Act (PSTA), was published by the Ministry of Justice… [Read More]
Cambodia: Victims Need Protection Amid Mass Exodus from Fraudulent Compounds
Amnesty International has raised serious concerns following videos that appear to show mass releases and escape attempts from scamming compounds across Cambodia. Montse Ferrer, Amnesty International’s Regional Research Director, warned that thousands of individuals, likely victims of human trafficking and torture, are now stranded without support and at risk of being re-trafficked. She called on… [Read More]
Call for Justice: Stop Harassment of Pakistani Lawyers Imaan Mazari and Hadi Chatta
The bail of Pakistani lawyers and human rights defenders Imaan Mazari-Hazir and Hadi Ali Chattha was recently canceled, accompanied by an order for their immediate arrest in a case linked to alleged “anti-state” tweets. Amnesty International’s Deputy Regional Director for South Asia, Babu Ram Pant, condemned the proceedings as a misuse of the justice system…. [Read More]
Global Aid Organizations Respond to USAID Funding Slashes with Localized Strategies
Since the start of his second term on January 20, 2025, President Donald Trump significantly reduced U.S. foreign aid, beginning with a stop-work order that halted spending on programs ranging from tropical disease treatment in Mali to nutrition support in Nepal. By July 1, USAID had effectively ceased to exist, with 83% of its programs… [Read More]
Collaborating for Health: How Authentic Partnerships Combat Global Threats
Recent cuts to official development assistance (ODA) have dramatically altered the global health funding landscape. The UK reduced its ODA by 40%, while the United States has almost entirely ended its foreign assistance, and several European countries, including the Netherlands, Belgium, and France, have also implemented significant reductions. These changes have left affected countries with… [Read More]
$700 Million Investment in Ontario Water Infrastructure to Protect Homes and Communities
The Ontario government is investing an additional $700 million to help 127 municipalities and First Nations communities upgrade and expand aging water infrastructure across the province. This funding comes from the Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program (MHIP), which was increased to $4 billion last year to accelerate home construction and support community development. The new investment… [Read More]
Government of Canada Launches Grants to Enhance Accessibility in Workplaces
The Government of Canada is committed to creating inclusive workplaces where all Canadians have equal opportunities and barrier-free environments to contribute and thrive. Ensuring accessibility in workplaces and communities is a key part of building a stronger, more inclusive workforce. Minister Patty Hajdu, Minister of Jobs and Families and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic… [Read More]
