Rubella, also known as German measles, is a highly contagious viral infection that poses serious risks for pregnant women, including miscarriage, stillbirth, or birth defects. However, it is preventable through safe and cost-effective vaccines. Nepal has now eliminated rubella as a public health problem, marking a major milestone in protecting maternal and child health. The… [Read More]
First Person: Scaling Up Humanitarian Aid in Haiti Cannot Wait
Women and girls are bearing the heaviest burden of Haiti’s deepening humanitarian crisis. Gender-based violence (GBV), including gang rape, is widespread, particularly in the capital, Port-au-Prince, and is further aggravated by dire conditions in displacement camps. Recent funding cuts have forced the closure of centres providing sexual and reproductive health services and GBV support, leaving… [Read More]
UNESCO Awards €240k to Safeguard World Heritage Sites Across the Country
Ireland has launched the Pilot World Heritage Strategic Investment Fund, awarding nearly €240,000 to conserve, protect, and promote key World Heritage properties and Tentative List sites across the country. The initiative, announced by Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne TD, and Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher O’Sullivan TD,… [Read More]
ILO Welcomes Malaysia’s First National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights to Advance Decent Work
Malaysia has adopted its first National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights (NAPBHR), reinforcing its commitment to eliminating forced labour, promoting fair recruitment, and protecting labour rights in business practices. The International Labour Organization (ILO) welcomed this milestone, highlighting that the inclusion of a labour pillar demonstrates Malaysia’s strong dedication to international labour standards… [Read More]
ILO Launches New Occupational Safety and Health Guide for Agriculture in Jordan
The International Labour Organization (ILO), in partnership with Jordan’s Ministries of Labour and Agriculture, has launched the final Arabic version of the “Guidelines on Occupational Safety and Health in the Agriculture Sector.” The new guide is a major step toward improving workplace safety, reducing risks, and promoting decent work for Jordan’s agricultural workforce, which operates… [Read More]
WHO Urges Africa to Cut Reliance on Imported Medicines at Regional GMP Training Workshop
Africa must prioritize self-reliance in pharmaceuticals by strengthening local medicine production that meets global quality standards, urged Dr. Owen Laws Kaluwa, WHO Representative to Ethiopia, during a keynote address at a regional training workshop on Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) in Addis Ababa. He stressed that Africa’s continued dependence on imported medicines poses major health security… [Read More]
Somalia Faces Disease Outbreak as Funding Cuts Leave 300,000 Without Safe Water
Hundreds of thousands of Somalis have been cut off from safe water in recent months due to severe humanitarian funding shortfalls, leaving entire communities at risk of deadly disease outbreaks, according to the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC). With water, sanitation, and hygiene services collapsing, preventable diseases such as cholera and acute watery diarrhoea are spreading… [Read More]
500 Global and UNDP Launch Innovation Programs to Strengthen Africa’s Startup Ecosystem
On August 18, 2025, in Nairobi, Kenya, 500 Global, one of the world’s leading venture capital firms, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) announced the launch of three joint founder programs to strengthen Africa’s innovation ecosystem. The initiative, hosted in Nairobi, is designed to support startups at various stages of growth, offering tailored acceleration… [Read More]
Africa’s Climate Change Challenges: Calls for Fair Fossil Fuel Phase-Out and Increased Climate Finance
Nearly 600 million Africans still lack access to electricity, while close to one billion rely on traditional biofuels for cooking. Despite contributing less than 5% of global greenhouse gas emissions over the last 170 years, Africa is one of the regions most vulnerable to climate change. Accelerating the transition to renewable energy is therefore a… [Read More]
World Water Week 2025: Global Conference on Water, Climate, and Sustainability
World Water Week 2025 will be held from August 24 to 28 in Stockholm, Sweden, with the option for global participants to join online. This year’s theme, “Water for Climate Action,” emphasizes the crucial role of water in addressing climate change and building sustainable futures. The event is organized annually by the Stockholm International Water… [Read More]
Africa-Japan Higher Education Partnership Matchmaking Seminar to Strengthen Academic Collaboration
Since 2018, the World Bank has supported Africa-Japan higher education partnerships through initiatives such as the Africa Centers of Excellence (ACE) program and the Partnership for Skills in Applied Sciences, Engineering, and Technology (PASET) Regional Scholarship and Innovation Fund. These programs focus on improving the quality of scientific research and innovation in Sub-Saharan Africa while… [Read More]
Ohio Invests $7.1M in Career Pathways to Prepare Students for High-Demand Jobs
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, along with Ohio Department of Education and Workforce Director Stephen D. Dackin, announced a $7.1 million investment to strengthen career-connected learning and planning across the state. The funding, launched through the Career Pathway Support Networks Request for Applications, will be implemented over two years and is designed to help students explore… [Read More]
China’s Poverty Reduction Prowess: A Global Impact Story
Recent reports and commentary are shedding light on China’s significant role in global poverty reduction, highlighting its unique development model and contributions to international cooperation. While global poverty has seen a dramatic decrease since 1990, questions are being raised about the metrics used to measure success and the effectiveness of certain economic policies. Rethinking Global… [Read More]
Kyrgyzstan: Rights Defender on Trial After Publishing Activist’s Letter
Rights Defender Faces Trial Over Published Letter A Kyrgyz human rights defender, Rita Karasartova, is set to go on trial on August 15, 2025, accused of organizing mass riots and inciting the violent seizure of power. The charges stem from her decision to publish a letter from an opposition activist on Facebook. Karasartova faces up… [Read More]
UNICEF Calls for Urgent Support as Violence in As-Sweida Deepens Crisis for Children and Families
Violence in Syria’s As-Sweida Governorate throughout July and into early August has had a devastating impact on children and families. At least 22 children were killed and 21 others injured, while five health centres were struck, two physicians lost their lives, and ambulances were obstructed or attacked. Vital infrastructure such as water, electricity, and fuel… [Read More]
UK Government Boosts Pharmacy Funding to Fight Obesity Epidemic
The UK government has launched a new £85 million programme to expand access to weight management care through pharmacies and online platforms, aiming to reduce the burden on GP services and improve patient safety. The initiative provides up to £50 million in government funding, with an additional £35 million in grants from pharmaceutical company Lilly,… [Read More]
Free Online WHO Academy Courses to Strengthen Newborn and Child Health
The WHO Academy is offering a range of free online courses designed to strengthen knowledge and skills in newborn and child health. These courses are accessible to healthcare professionals, caregivers, and others who are interested in improving maternal, newborn, and child well-being. Among the courses available are Infection Prevention and Control in Maternal and Neonatal… [Read More]
King Mswati Urges Collective Action to Tackle Africa’s Water Crisis
His Majesty, King Mswati III of Eswatini, has emphasized the urgent need for collective action to tackle persistent water challenges across Africa. Speaking at the African Union – Africa Water Investment Programme (AU-AIP) Water Summit 2025 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, the King highlighted water’s central role in Eswatini’s national development, supporting agriculture,… [Read More]
Africa Begins Historic Malaria Vaccine Rollout Despite Funding Challenges
In 2025, African countries are set to expand malaria vaccine coverage at unprecedented levels, marking a potential turning point in the fight against one of the continent’s deadliest public health threats. Uganda is leading the effort with Africa’s largest rollout, distributing 2.278 million doses of the R21/Matrix-M vaccine to 105 districts, targeting 1.1 million children… [Read More]
Supporting Homeless Women: Lessons in Dignity, Trust, and Culture
Severn Angels Housing & Support provides critical assistance to women facing some of life’s most fragile moments, including fleeing domestic abuse, recovering from homelessness, or living with no recourse to public funds. With the support of the Charles Plater Trust, the organisation has strengthened its culturally competent, trauma-informed care, transforming not just services but the… [Read More]
IFC and OTP Leasing Launch €50M Facility to Drive Ukraine’s Private Sector Growth and Green Energy Projects
IFC and OTP Leasing have launched a €50 million risk-sharing facility (RSF) in Ukraine to expand financing for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and midcap companies. The initiative targets sectors including agriculture, manufacturing, trade, energy, and logistics, with a strong focus on sustainable energy solutions to enhance the country’s energy resilience. The program also aims… [Read More]
IFC and Japan Launch Tokyo Business Hub to Drive Global Development
IFC and the Government of Japan have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to establish the Tokyo Business Development Hub (Tokyo Hub), aimed at strengthening partnerships with Japanese businesses and mobilizing private capital for global development. The Hub will focus on creating a pipeline of potential projects with Japanese partners, targeting key sectors such as… [Read More]
Laos Releases 130 Million Lab-Grown Mosquitoes to Combat Dengue Surge
More than 130 million lab-grown mosquitoes carrying a naturally occurring bacteria called Wolbachia are being released in Vientiane, Laos, to help reduce the spread of deadly viruses such as dengue, Zika, chikungunya, and yellow fever. The initiative comes after global dengue cases surged to a record 14.4 million in 2024, more than double the previous… [Read More]
