At the G7 Foreign Ministers’ meeting in France, UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper announced an additional £2 million in humanitarian funding for Lebanon, bringing the total UK contribution to £9.5 million since the conflict began. The funding will support the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs’ Lebanon Humanitarian Fund, which provides essential assistance… [Read More]

The UN World Health Organization (WHO) reported that humanitarian aid shipments are gradually resuming from Dubai, a key logistics hub, after initial disruptions caused by Iranian attacks across the Gulf. Robert Blanchard, WHO Emergency Operations Team Lead, noted that although the first two weeks of the crisis caused significant delays, commercially scheduled cargo is now… [Read More]

The humanitarian situation in the Middle East continues to worsen, with growing civilian casualties, damage to infrastructure, and severe global economic impacts. The conflict is disrupting essential supply chains, and UN Secretary-General António Guterres has emphasized the urgent need to mitigate these consequences and support affected populations. The prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz… [Read More]

The Ontario government is providing the Township of Front of Yonge with up to $51,000 to cover emergency response and cleanup costs following a severe windstorm in June 2025. This support comes through the Municipal Disaster Recovery Assistance (MDRA) program, which helps municipalities restore essential services, protect communities, and maintain public safety after natural disasters…. [Read More]

Violence against women (VAW) remains a widespread human rights issue across Europe and Central Asia, yet much of it remains unreported and unmeasured. Eight out of 18 countries and territories in the region still lack nationally representative data on VAW, leaving millions of women’s experiences uncounted and unaddressed. As countries aim to meet the 2030… [Read More]

A new project funded by the Republic of Korea and implemented by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) will provide humanitarian assistance to over 6,000 migrants and members of border communities in Ecuador. The initiative targets vulnerable populations transiting key border crossings with Peru and Colombia, aiming to expand access to essential services and strengthen… [Read More]

As Nepal approaches its graduation from Least Developed Country (LDC) status in November 2026, the textile and garment sector faces growing pressure to meet evolving global market expectations. The industry, a key source of exports and women’s employment, must now comply with stricter labour rights standards and human rights due diligence, making social compliance essential… [Read More]

The World Bank has approved a $150 million IDA credit to support the continuity of essential health and education services in Mali, addressing the country’s recent climate, security, and economic challenges. The Emergency Access to Essential Services Project will fund the operational costs of national and regional health facilities, provide essential vaccines and medicines, and… [Read More]

The World Bank Group has approved the fourth phase of the West Africa Food System Resilience Program (FSRP), a $46 million initiative called Accelerating Innovation and Catalyzing Capacity for Resilience in Africa (AICCRA–FSRP4), to strengthen food security and boost job creation across Africa. The program, financed by the IDA, the PHRD Global South Pillar, and… [Read More]

The World Bank and the Government of Tunisia are strengthening the country’s social protection system with US$90 million in additional financing for the Tunisia Social Development Promotion Support Project. This new support aims to help vulnerable households build better opportunities, access livelihoods, and enhance the effectiveness and long-term sustainability of Tunisia’s social protection programs. The… [Read More]

Seychelles has achieved one of Africa’s strongest economic performances, and a new World Bank–Government of Seychelles report highlights how smart, resilient investments and reforms can sustain growth, create quality jobs, and safeguard livelihoods. The Country Climate and Development Report (CCDR) warns that without action, rising environmental and climate-related risks could reduce GDP by more than… [Read More]

The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors approved a €40 million loan to Montenegro to strengthen solid waste management, improve community living conditions, and support a cleaner, more attractive business environment. The Montenegro Waste Management Reform Project aims to modernize waste services, enhance institutional capacity, and align the sector with European Union standards, focusing on… [Read More]

At least five million farmers in the Philippines are expected to benefit from a new initiative aimed at boosting agricultural productivity, promoting diversification, and enhancing the climate resilience of agrifood systems. The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors approved funding for the Philippines Sustainable Agricultural Transformation Project (PSAT) to support sector-wide reforms that modernize farming… [Read More]

As Myanmar marks one year since the devastating earthquake last March, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) warns that recovery is being threatened by new global shocks. Rising fuel, food, and fertilizer prices linked to the ongoing Middle East crisis are pushing vulnerable families closer to hunger. WFP monitoring shows that in Sagaing and… [Read More]

Small farmers in nine Mexican states will receive support to enhance their resilience against extreme weather through an $8 million investment grant from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). The grant, approved by the IDB’s Board of Executive Directors, will finance nature-based agricultural projects that protect soils, water, and ecosystems while strengthening farm-level resilience, safeguarding rural… [Read More]

Asian Development Bank (ADB) President Masato Kanda met with Lao PDR President Thongloun Sisoulith to mark 60 years of partnership and outline a vision for the country’s sustainable growth. ADB announced nearly $1 billion in planned financing over the next three years to support Lao PDR’s transition from Least Developed Country status. Mr. Kanda emphasized… [Read More]

The African Development Bank Group launched its Country Strategy Paper (CSP) for the Kingdom of Lesotho, outlining a comprehensive development programme for 2025 to 2030. The launch in Maseru brought together senior government officials, diplomats, civil society representatives, and private sector stakeholders. Backed by an indicative operations programme valued at $209 million, the strategy prioritizes… [Read More]

The African Development Bank Group, together with key partners, convened a workshop to assess progress and plan the next phase of a regional agriculture initiative benefiting Burundi, Comoros, Somalia, and South Sudan. The Strengthening Emergency Preparedness and Response to Food Crisis (SEPAREF) project, funded by the Bank and implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization… [Read More]

The African Development Bank Group has reaffirmed its commitment to sustainable infrastructure in The Gambia with the commissioning of a new green ferry under the $20.56 million Banjul Port Expansion Project, financed through the African Development Fund. The ceremony, held in Barra and presided over by President Adama Barrow, brought together senior government officials, development… [Read More]

Beirut, Lebanon, March 26, 2026 — The sharp escalation of hostilities in Lebanon has intensified an already fragile situation, forcing people to flee their homes and increasing psychological distress across the country. Even before the current violence, Lebanon faced one of the highest rates of mental health conditions in the region, with nearly half the… [Read More]

In 2026, the government of China pledged USD 1.1 million (around CHF 900,000) to support the WTO’s Least-Developed Countries (LDCs) and Accessions Programme, also known as the China Programme, as well as the WTO’s general fund for technical assistance. The contributions were formalized on 25 March in Yaoundé, where WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and China’s… [Read More]

Agribusiness in Argentina is facing growing challenges due to rising global food demand, climate change, and environmental pressures. Circular economy models offer a promising approach to address these issues by improving resource efficiency, minimizing waste, and supporting sustainable development. This chapter examines the potential of circular economy practices within the Argentine agribusiness sector, focusing on… [Read More]

This briefing summarises reflections from mental health trust leaders on the development of neighbourhood health services in England. It draws on engagement since the publication of the 10-year health plan (10YHP) to explore how the government’s ambition for integrated, community-based care is being interpreted locally, its implications for mental health services, and the opportunities and… [Read More]