The Global Agriculture and Food Security Program (GAFSP) has announced $38.75 million in new grant funding to support smallholder farmers in low-income countries across Africa, Asia, and the Americas. The funding is aimed at improving food security, raising farmer incomes, and strengthening resilience to climate change, economic instability, and other shocks affecting vulnerable agricultural communities…. [Read More]
Vital Support at Risk for Thousands Amid Political Deadlock
Voluntary and community sector organisations across Northern Ireland have warned of an immediate crisis as a 64% cut to essential community-based services under the new Local Growth Fund (LGF) is due to take effect within 48 hours. Sector leaders are calling on political representatives to intervene urgently, warning that time is running out to prevent… [Read More]
£340K Boost for Charities Helping Young People
Charities supporting young people in Suffolk are celebrating after receiving a share of a £340,000 funding pot through the Suffolk Futures Fund (SFF). The fund was launched in 2025 to mark the 20th anniversary of the Suffolk Community Foundation and is designed to support organisations working with young people aged 16 to 25. A total… [Read More]
Continued Adult Social Care Funding for 2026/27
Learning and development remains a key priority in adult social care, as it helps staff build skills, achieve recognised qualifications, and progress in their careers. This not only improves the quality of care provided but also makes the sector a more attractive and rewarding place for people to join and remain in. For the financial… [Read More]
UK Fund Supports Early Drought Response in Guatemala
Start Ready has released £725,000 (approximately US$978,750) to support early action against drought in Guatemala, marking the first time the country has received funding from the international pooled mechanism. Supported by bilateral donors and philanthropic partners, including the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), the fund is designed to help humanitarian actors respond earlier… [Read More]
Burkina Faso: Crimes Against Humanity by All Sides
Human Rights Watch has accused the Burkina Faso military, its allied militias, and the Al Qaeda-linked armed group Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wa al-Muslimin (JNIM) of committing grave atrocities that may amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity. In a major report released on 2 April 2026, the organization said these forces have killed more… [Read More]
Haiti Massacre Exposes Failure to Protect Civilians
Amnesty International has condemned the 29 March 2026 massacre in Petite-Rivière de l’Artibonite, in Haiti’s Artibonite department, describing it as another devastating example of the authorities’ and international community’s failure to protect civilians from escalating gang violence. The attack was reportedly carried out by Gran Grif, one of Haiti’s most violent gangs, and has drawn… [Read More]
EIF, Erste Bank Croatia Unlock €58 Million for SMEs
The European Investment Fund (EIF), part of the European Investment Bank (EIB) Group, and Erste Bank Croatia have signed an agreement in Zagreb to unlock up to €58 million in new financing for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Croatia. Under the deal, EIF will expand its existing guarantees to Erste Bank Croatia by €29… [Read More]
Middle East War Triggers Energy Crisis in Vulnerable Nations
The widening Middle East conflict has triggered a sharp global energy shock, with Brent crude remaining above $100 per barrel and placing growing pressure on vulnerable countries. Just over four weeks after Israeli-US bombing of Iran began, disruption to tanker traffic in the Persian Gulf quickly reduced global oil shipments and then spread to natural… [Read More]
Middle East War: UN’s Türk Decries Free Speech Restrictions
UN human rights chief Volker Türk has warned that repression of civic space and freedom of expression has sharply intensified across the Middle East, worsening an already fearful atmosphere created by multiple conflicts and crises. He said the region is seeing growing restrictions on dissent, with governments using arrests, prosecutions, and intimidation to silence critical… [Read More]
World News Brief: Lebanon, Haiti and Somalia Crises
UN officials have strongly condemned the recent deaths of peacekeepers serving with the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), after three personnel were killed within 24 hours at the end of March. The incidents were described as unacceptable, with calls for full accountability, and the UN stressed that attacks on peacekeepers may constitute war crimes… [Read More]
New Sea Route Brings 106 Tonnes of Aid to Gaza
A 106-tonne shipment of health supplies sent through the World Health Organization’s Humanitarian Bridge Initiative in Cyprus has arrived at Ashdod port in Israel and is now being prepared for onward distribution to Gaza. WHO described the delivery as a major operational milestone that strengthens its humanitarian logistics capacity across regions affected by the ongoing… [Read More]
Women Leaders Unite for Gender Equality and Multilateralism
Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed recently brought together women leaders in Manhasset, Long Island, for their fifth annual meeting to reaffirm a shared commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), women’s rights, gender equality, and the principles of the UN Charter. The gathering highlighted the importance of collective action at a time when global progress on… [Read More]
Canada Increases Federal Support to Address Homelessness
Across Canada, homelessness remains a pressing challenge, with many individuals lacking safe and stable housing. Addressing this crisis requires immediate action to expand deeply affordable and supportive housing, reduce barriers, and deliver faster solutions for those most in need. To tackle unsheltered homelessness and encampments, the federal government is investing $125 million to extend the… [Read More]
Canada Supports Indigenous Cultures and Languages in Quebec
Language is a core part of culture, shaping identity and enabling the transmission of knowledge, values, and traditions. Recognizing this, the Government of Canada continues to support Indigenous peoples in reclaiming, revitalizing, maintaining, and strengthening their languages. The Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages, visited Kahnawà:ke… [Read More]
UK and Madagascar Strengthen Trade Partnership for Growth
The United Kingdom’s trade partnership with Madagascar is anchored in two complementary frameworks: the expanded Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS) and the UK–Eastern and Southern Africa Economic Partnership Agreement (UKESA EPA). Together, they provide Malagasy exporters with some of the world’s most generous trade preferences, including 100% tariff-free access on thousands of products, simpler and… [Read More]
Ireland Provides Extra €40M Aid to Support Ukraine
The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Helen McEntee TD, has announced an additional €40 million in humanitarian and long-term development aid for Ukraine in response to Russia’s ongoing war of aggression. This funding builds on a €25 million contribution announced in February for Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, bringing Ireland’s total support for 2026 to €65… [Read More]
Building Better Nutrition: Costa Rica’s Food System Transformation
In Costa Rica, transforming agri-food systems has moved from theory to practice, particularly in the cantons of Buenos Aires and Guatuso. These areas illustrate how integrated, nutrition-sensitive agri-food systems can enhance diets, strengthen local economies, and advance the human right to adequate, affordable, and accessible food. Buenos Aires and Guatuso are rich in agricultural potential… [Read More]
Boosting Labour Market Policy in Cambodia Through Data-Driven Approaches
The International Labour Organization (ILO), in collaboration with Cambodia’s Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training (MLVT), has launched a training program to strengthen the country’s capacity for evidence-based policymaking in skills development, employment, and active labour market policies. The four-day course, held in Siem Reap from 30 March to 2 April 2026, brought together 40… [Read More]
Tunisia Launches Major Initiative to Boost Water Security and Resilience
The World Bank has approved two projects in Tunisia to improve potable water services, modernize irrigated agriculture, and support jobs and livelihoods in rural areas. The projects, financed with a US$332.5 million commitment, form the first phase of the Tunisia Water Security and Resilience Program, addressing both rural and urban water challenges. The program is… [Read More]
World Bank Launches EUR Sustainable Development Bond for Italian Investors
The World Bank (International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, IBRD) has raised EUR 21,386,000 from Italian retail investors through a 5-year fixed-rate callable Sustainable Development Bond due March 31, 2031. UniCredit Bank GmbH acted as the dealer for the bond issuance. The proceeds will support eligible sustainable development activities in developing countries, aiming to generate… [Read More]
Bhutan Gains World Bank Support to Boost Jobs and Growth
The World Bank has approved $25 million in financing to help the Royal Government of Bhutan strengthen policies aimed at creating jobs and boosting economic resilience. The First Growth and Jobs Development Policy Financing will support a stronger policy and institutional framework for private sector-led job creation by improving fiscal and debt management, enhancing worker… [Read More]
New World Bank Initiative to Transform Congo Basin Forest Economies
The World Bank Group has approved the Sustainable Congo Basin Forest Economies Program (SCBFEP), a new $394.83 million operation funded by the International Development Association (IDA) to transform forest economies in Central Africa. Phase 1 of the program will improve forest management, strengthen forest value chains, and create 220,000 jobs across the Republic of Cameroon,… [Read More]
