The global economy has largely moved past the pandemic recession, but many fragile and conflict-affected situations (FCS) have not experienced a full recovery. Instead, these economies continue to face repeated shocks, including new global disruptions driven by conflict in the Middle East, rising energy prices, tighter financial conditions, and heightened uncertainty. As a result, the… [Read More]
Liberia Focuses on Safety and Economic Growth
In rural Montserrado County’s Morris Farm in Liberia, community activist Betty Moore walks through her neighborhood using illustrated posters to spark conversations about household relationships, decision-making, and power dynamics. As one of 250 activists supported by the Liberia Women Empowerment Project (LWEP), she works to promote a vision where women are not only safe but… [Read More]
SHAPE’s Role in Age-Inclusive Humanitarian Action
When crises strike, local organisations are often the first responders, but they frequently operate with limited resources, recognition, and decision-making power. Older people, in particular, have often remained on the margins of humanitarian responses. Over the past five years, HelpAge International has worked with its network members to address this gap by strengthening local organisations… [Read More]
Angola Celebrates World Health Day with Focus on Equity
On World Health Day 2026, Angola organized a national roundtable to explore how scientific evidence can be transformed into accessible, equitable, and high-quality healthcare for all citizens. Held under the theme “Together for Health. Support Science,” the event emphasized the importance of linking research, innovation, and public policy to improve health outcomes and address national… [Read More]
Ghana Launches Maternal Mental Health Policy
Ghana has officially launched its Maternal Mental Health Policy (MMHP), marking a major effort to close a long-standing gap in the country’s healthcare system. The initiative, led by the Mental Health Authority in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), national stakeholders, and supported by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (UKFCDO), was introduced… [Read More]
Niger Makes Major Progress Against Polio
In the outskirts of Gueskérrou in Niger’s Diffa region, displaced residents like Amina, a 34-year-old mother, continue to live in fragile conditions after fleeing insecurity. Living in a refugee camp near the Nigerian border, she had been uncertain about whether her children would still have access to essential healthcare. The arrival of vaccination teams brought… [Read More]
Angola Enhances Cholera Response with UN Support
The Government of Angola, in partnership with the World Food Programme (WFP) and the World Health Organization (WHO), has conducted a three-day workshop in Luanda to strengthen warehouse management and digital health logistics for medical supplies as part of the national cholera response. The training, held from 30 March to 1 April, brought together 40… [Read More]
OECD Data Shows Record Drop in Aid, Rockefeller Calls for Response
Official preliminary data from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) shows that global official development assistance (ODA) fell by 23% between 2024 and 2025, marking one of the steepest single-year declines in decades. The drop exceeds earlier projections and signals a significant setback for international development financing, particularly for low- and middle-income countries… [Read More]
Saint Vincent Hot Pepper Value Chain Gets FAO Training Boost
A series of intensive training sessions on hot pepper production was conducted from March 16 to 25 across the Windward and Leeward regions of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, including key sites such as Dumbarton and Orange Hill. The initiative was implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in collaboration… [Read More]
Multi-Million Dollar Boost for Zambezi River Basin Projects
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Zambezi Watercourse Commission (ZAMCOM) have launched a new initiative through an inception meeting in Harare, Zimbabwe, to advance the Strategic Basin Investment Programme (SBIP). The programme aims to unlock multi-million-dollar investments to strengthen climate resilience, water security, and sustainable livelihoods across the Zambezi… [Read More]
European Union Funds Accredited Solar Skills Training
The European Union (EU), through the Accelerated Industries Climate Response Sri Lanka (AICRSL) Project implemented by UNIDO, has handed over advanced Solar PV training and demonstration equipment to five Technical Colleges in Sri Lanka. The initiative was formally marked at the Department of Technical Education & Training (DTET) in Colombo and was carried out in… [Read More]
India, IFAD Sign $46M Deal for Climate Farming in Mizoram
The Government of India and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) have signed a US$45.78 million agreement to strengthen inclusive, market-led and climate-resilient agricultural value chains in Mizoram, in northeast India. The initiative, titled Fostering Climate Resilient Upland Farming Systems in the Northeast (FOCUS 2.0), will support sustainable rural development in line with Mizoram’s… [Read More]
Mexico Advances Sovereign Path for Trans Rights
A 52-year-old trans woman from Villahermosa, Karla’s experience reflects the barriers faced by many trans people in Mexico when their identity documents do not match their gender identity. Despite graduating with honors in nursing and qualifying for a public hospital position in Tabasco, she was denied employment after officials pointed to a mismatch between her… [Read More]
Israeli Pressure Silences Palestinian Child Rights Group
Defense for Children International-Palestine (DCIP), one of the most prominent organizations documenting the impact of Israeli occupation on Palestinian children since 1991, has announced it is ending its operations. The group said its closure is the result of “challenges resulting from Israel’s targeted criminalization of Palestinian human rights organizations,” highlighting the growing pressure faced by… [Read More]
Russia Criminalizes Human Rights Work with Memorial Ban
Amnesty International has condemned the Russian authorities’ decision to designate the prominent human rights organization Memorial as “extremist” and ban its activities, calling it a direct attack on civil society and human rights work. Denis Krivosheev, Amnesty International’s Eastern Europe and Central Asia Deputy Regional Director, said Memorial has spent nearly four decades documenting state… [Read More]
Belarus Mirrors Russia’s Propaganda Strategy
Belarus’s parliament adopted a new law on April 2 banning the so-called “propaganda” of same-sex relationships, gender reassignment, and even “childlessness,” marking a further alignment with Russia’s restrictive political and legal approach. The legislation is part of a broader effort by both countries to stigmatize minority groups, control public discourse, and restrict freedom of expression… [Read More]
Social Protection Must Adapt to Changing World of Work: ILO
The International Labour Organization (ILO) has released a new report calling for a strong global expansion of social protection systems, warning that significant gaps in coverage, adequacy, and financing are leaving millions of workers exposed in an increasingly unstable global economy. The report, Universal social protection in changing labour markets: Protecting workers in all types… [Read More]
Strengthening Inclusive Organizing in Malaysian Trade Unions
Trade union representatives in Malaysia are enhancing efforts to promote more inclusive organizing, with a strong focus on increasing the participation and leadership of women and migrant workers. These initiatives were discussed during a two-day training workshop held in Kuala Lumpur on 16–17 March 2026, which brought together 25 representatives from around 10 unions affiliated… [Read More]
Sudan Refugees, Child Trafficking, Burundi Illness: World News Update
The UN refugee agency (UNHCR) and the World Food Programme (WFP) have warned that essential assistance for refugees could be drastically reduced in the coming months unless a $428 million funding shortfall is urgently addressed. The agencies highlighted the growing strain on humanitarian operations as displacement from Sudan continues to rise. Chad is currently hosting… [Read More]
Israeli Strikes Leave Lebanon Health System Overwhelmed
The World Health Organization (WHO) Representative in Lebanon, Dr. Abdinasir Abubakar, described Wednesday as one of the deadliest days in the current escalation of violence, following multiple strikes that hit densely populated areas in Beirut and other locations within minutes. He reported that civilians were caught off guard during the attacks, which struck during working… [Read More]
Global Development Finance Gap Risks Reversing Progress
The 2026 Financing for Sustainable Development Report evaluates progress on the Sevilla Commitment, a 2025 global agreement aimed at mobilizing the estimated $4 trillion required annually to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by the end of the decade. UN officials emphasized that implementing this commitment is critical to maintaining global cooperation and ensuring sufficient… [Read More]
Ireland Allocates €4.4M for Heritage Building Conservation
The Irish Government has announced €4.42 million in funding for 40 projects under the Historic Structures Fund (HSF) 2026 to support the repair, conservation, and protection of landmark and heritage buildings across the country. The announcement was made by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne TD, and the Minister of State… [Read More]
Rural Chile Digital Divide: Progress and Challenges in La Araucanía
xThe United Nations Resident Coordinator in Chile, María José Torres, visited the La Araucanía region from 30 March to 1 April to review the progress of the Connected Communities programme, supported by the Joint SDG Fund. The initiative aims to reduce the digital divide in rural areas and strengthen access to essential services such as… [Read More]
