A programme of mental health lessons for primary school children on the Isle of Man has received a two-year funding boost to help equip students with practical coping strategies and build their self-esteem. Isle Listen, which operates in all 32 state-funded primary schools on the island, has been granted £74,664 to cover the cost of… [Read More]
Civil Society Sustainability Amid Changing Development Finance Landscapes
The year 2025 began with a profound shock for civil society organisations (CSOs) following the closure and issuance of a stop-work order for all USAID-funded projects. This abrupt halt of ongoing programmes highlighted the vulnerability of CSOs heavily dependent on foreign aid and underscored the urgent need to diversify resources and rethink sustainability strategies. The… [Read More]
Humanitarian Response Under Pressure: Challenges and Consequences
In 2025, humanitarian funding experienced its sharpest decline in a decade, dropping below 2016 levels due to significant cuts from major donors, including the United States, France, Germany, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. This dramatic reduction forced humanitarian organizations to make difficult decisions, prioritizing assistance for people with the most life-threatening needs and leaving millions… [Read More]
UN Warns of Clear Violations in Lebanon Following Recent Israeli Airstrikes
The latest Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon occurred amid ongoing efforts by the Lebanese Armed Forces to control unauthorized weapons and infrastructure in the region, marking a year since the announced cessation of hostilities. The UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) urged the Israel Defense Forces to use established liaison and coordination channels and cautioned… [Read More]
After Pakistan’s Worst Floods, Communities Face Long Road to Recovery
Since June 2025, Pakistan has been grappling with unusually heavy monsoon rains that have affected over six million people and claimed nearly 1,000 lives, including around 250 children. The floods have devastated communities, sweeping away homes, livestock, and infrastructure, leaving many displaced in government-run camps or with host families already stretched beyond capacity. In northern… [Read More]
Illicit Finance Summit 2025: Building an International Coalition Against Money Laundering
The United Kingdom is set to host a major international summit next summer to tackle the global flows of dirty money that threaten both national security and public safety. Scheduled for 23–24 June at Lancaster House in London, the Illicit Finance Summit will bring together governments, civil society organizations, and private sector representatives, including major… [Read More]
Ethiopia Strengthens Fight Against Antimicrobial Resistance with New NAP at WAAW 2025
Ethiopia marked World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week (WAAW) 2025 with a high-level national event at the Africa CDC Headquarters in Addis Ababa, officially launching the Fourth National Action Plan for the Prevention and Containment of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) 2026–2030. The event, held under the global theme “Act Now: Protect Our Present, Secure Our Future,” brought… [Read More]
Senegal Battles Rift Valley Fever: Strategies to Safeguard Communities
Since September 2025, Senegal has been facing an outbreak of Rift Valley Fever (RVF), a viral disease transmitted by mosquitoes or contact with infected animals, affecting both humans and livestock, particularly in pastoral and transhumance zones. By late November, health authorities had confirmed 500 human cases, including 31 deaths, and 425 animal cases with over… [Read More]
Local Food Sourcing from Smallholder Farmers Enhances Nutrition and Food Security in Latin America and the Caribbean
The World Food Programme (WFP), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) have released a report highlighting the potential of local public food procurement from smallholder farmers to strengthen food security and nutrition in the region. Smallholder farms, which account for 81 percent of agricultural… [Read More]
$533 Million Investment Set to Transform Ontario’s Agri-Food Manufacturing Industry
The Ontario government has welcomed a $533 million investment from Lee Li Holdings Inc. to expand its existing operations and build a new, state-of-the-art bottling and packing facility in Mississauga. The project will create 275 well-paying jobs and strengthen Ontario’s position in the agri-food manufacturing sector by establishing an end-to-end supply chain for food and… [Read More]
$85 Million Investment to Strengthen Ontario’s Advanced Manufacturing Sector
The Ontario government has welcomed an $85 million investment from Sandvik, a global engineering group, to establish a state-of-the-art maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facility in Greater Sudbury. The project will sustain 400 existing jobs and create more than 60 new positions, reinforcing Northern Ontario’s leadership in next-generation tools and technologies to support critical mineral… [Read More]
Sustainable Travel as a Key Driver for Indonesia’s Small Business Sector
The Ministry of Tourism of Indonesia, in collaboration with the International Labour Organization (ILO), convened the Policy Forum on Green Tourism MSMEs in Jakarta on 5 December 2025 to accelerate the country’s shift toward sustainable tourism. Minister Widiyanti Putri Wardhana emphasized that this transition is essential for the future of Indonesia’s tourism sector, particularly for… [Read More]
ILO Highlights Urgent Need for G7 Action on Youth Employment and Future Work Skills
ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo has urged the G7 Labour and Employment Ministers to take bold measures to empower young people for the future of work, highlighting that one in five youths globally is not in education, employment, or training, with two-thirds of them being women. Speaking during an online meeting under Canada’s G7 presidency,… [Read More]
Advancing Mongolia’s E-Business Platform: Civil Servants Tackle Complexity
The third workshop on improving Mongolia’s E-business platform was held on 4 November 2025, gathering representatives from five ministries, 30 government agencies, IT specialists, and social partners. The event was jointly organized by the Ministry of Economy and Development (MED) and the International Labour Organization (ILO), highlighting the collaborative effort to modernize digital services for… [Read More]
Children in Northern Mozambique Face Trauma Amid Escalating Violence
In November 2025, over 100,000 people, including around two-thirds children, were displaced in northern Mozambique due to attacks on civilians by armed non-state actors. The largest displacements were reported in the Erati and Memba districts of Nampula province, reflecting a pattern of repeated population movements triggered by ongoing violence in Cabo Delgado and Nampula. Reports… [Read More]
Empowering Futures: SEWA Inspires Children to Pursue Higher Education
SEWA (Skill Education and Welfare Association) has been combating illiteracy in Amravati and Nagpur, Maharashtra, for decades, and its efforts have now expanded with a new initiative. The organisation’s women’s wing recently launched the “Ghar Ghar Dastak” campaign, aimed at inspiring youth to pursue higher education and build ambitious futures. SEWA’s approach is highly localized… [Read More]
Global Appeal 2026: Urgent Call to Support Millions in Need of Aid
In 2026, humanitarian responses are expected to face unprecedented pressure, with an estimated 239 million people in need of assistance and protection worldwide. Aid organizations plan to reach just over half of this population, but a lack of funding threatens to leave millions without crucial support, particularly in crisis-affected regions such as the Democratic Republic… [Read More]
UN Appeals for $33 Billion to Support Humanitarian Crises Worldwide
The United Nations and its partners have launched a global humanitarian appeal aimed at saving millions of lives affected by wars, climate disasters, earthquakes, epidemics, and crop failures. The 2026 appeal prioritizes supporting 87 million people with immediate lifesaving needs, while aiming to reach 135 million people across 50 countries with a total of $33… [Read More]
Nepalese Girls at Risk: How Reduced Funding Jeopardizes Education and Delays
In Nepal, millions of girls face the threat of early marriage, with 1.3 million married before age 15. Education for girls in underserved communities, such as the Musahar, Dalit, and religious minorities in Madhesh and Lumbini provinces, is not only a path to learning but a critical safeguard against child marriage. Programs like UDAAN, CARE’s… [Read More]
Red Kites Adapt Feeding Habits in Response to COVID-19 Restrictions
The COVID-19 pandemic significantly altered the feeding behaviour of red kites in Switzerland. During lockdowns, reduced traffic led to fewer roadkill animals, which some red kites typically relied on for food. A study by the Swiss Ornithological Institute in Sempach, canton Lucerne, revealed how the birds adapted to this change. Prior to the lockdowns, red… [Read More]
Tuberculosis Infections Increase in Switzerland: Health Authorities Issue Warning
Tuberculosis (TB) cases are increasing in Switzerland, largely driven by arrivals from regions where the disease is more common, according to the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH). As of early 2025, 475 cases have been reported, marking a 26% increase compared to 376 and 375 cases in the same period over the past two… [Read More]
Switzerland to Enforce Tobacco Advertising Ban to Protect Minors Starting 2027
Switzerland is moving forward with restrictions on tobacco and nicotine advertising to protect minors, following a decision approved by voters and cantons in February 2022. The popular initiative, “Children and Young People Without Tobacco Advertising,” called for a ban on all forms of tobacco advertising accessible to children. The Federal Council described the new measures… [Read More]
Storm Relief: Switzerland Sends Assistance and Specialists to Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka has issued an international appeal for assistance following extensive flooding and landslides, and Switzerland has responded by offering support, which the Sri Lankan authorities accepted. The Swiss foreign ministry confirmed that a six-member rescue team, primarily specialists in water, sanitation, and hygiene, has been deployed to the country. In addition, a disaster risk… [Read More]
