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]

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]

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]

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]

Flooding, displacement, and ongoing economic hardship are significantly increasing humanitarian needs across Yemen, affecting vulnerable communities nationwide, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM). Years of conflict have already created a severe crisis, with widespread displacement and limited access to basic services, and recent conditions have further worsened the situation. In 2026, more than… [Read More]

Nepal’s economic growth is projected to slow to 2.3 percent in FY26, down from 4.6 percent in FY25, according to the World Bank’s latest Nepal Development Update. The slowdown is attributed to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and the lingering effects of domestic unrest in September 2025. The services sector is expected to… [Read More]

India’s economy is projected to grow at 6.6 percent in FY27, according to the World Bank’s latest India Development Update, even as higher global energy prices driven by the Middle East conflict and ongoing supply chain disruptions weigh on economic activity. Despite the moderation, India is expected to remain one of the fastest-growing major economies… [Read More]

Bhutan’s economy is expected to maintain strong growth over the medium term, with the World Bank projecting real GDP growth of 7.1 percent in FY25/26 and 6.4 percent in FY26/27, driven mainly by hydropower expansion, including major projects such as Punatsangchhu-II, Dorjilung, and Khorlochhu. Despite this positive outlook, the report highlights rising challenges, including youth… [Read More]

Mongolia’s economy is projected to grow by 5.0 percent in 2026, following strong performance in 2025, according to the latest World Bank Mongolia Economic Update. The economy expanded by 6.9 percent in 2025, supported by a rebound in agriculture and strong mining output, particularly copper production at Oyu Tolgoi, which helped offset weaker coal performance…. [Read More]

The World Health Organization (WHO) has convened the first-ever Global Forum of its Collaborating Centres, bringing together more than 800 designated institutions across over 80 countries to strengthen global scientific cooperation in public health. The forum highlighted growing global health challenges in an increasingly fragmented world, while also emphasizing new opportunities for collaboration and innovation…. [Read More]

The World Food Programme (WFP) has announced the return of its Sudan Country Office to Khartoum, three years after its premises were destroyed at the start of the 2023 conflict. The announcement followed a meeting between WFP Deputy Executive Director Carl Skau and Sudan’s Prime Minister Kamil Idris, with the agency’s new Country Director Abdallah… [Read More]

More than one million Sudanese refugees in Chad are facing severe cuts to essential humanitarian assistance as UNHCR and the World Food Programme warn of a critical US$428 million funding shortfall. The agencies say that without urgent financial support, life-saving services such as food, clean water, shelter, healthcare, and protection will be drastically reduced in… [Read More]

The Asian Development Bank’s Asian Development Outlook (April 2026) projects a sharp slowdown in Maldives’ economic growth due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which is affecting tourism, raising energy costs, and tightening fiscal and external buffers. Growth is expected to fall significantly to 1.0% in 2026 from 5.4% in 2025, before gradually… [Read More]

The Tropical Andes Fund has demonstrated how community-led approaches can drive meaningful progress in conservation and land rights across Latin America. Between 2022 and 2025, the Rights and Resources Initiative (RRI), the Global Alliance of Territorial Communities (GATC), and Campaign for Nature supported 76 projects across Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia with funding from the… [Read More]

Morgan Stanley is driving meaningful change in India by investing in community development through strategic partnerships focused on education, healthcare, water conservation, and disaster relief. Since the introduction of India’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) law in 2014, which mandates eligible companies to allocate 2% of their average net profits toward social initiatives, the firm has… [Read More]

Texas faces a wide array of climate threats, from extreme heat and flash floods to wildfires, severe storms, and hurricanes, making it one of the most climate-vulnerable states in the U.S. In South Central Texas, communities, local governments, and businesses are proactively addressing these risks rather than waiting for the next disaster. The recent third… [Read More]

Civil society organisations (CSOs) in Ghana are increasingly seeking ways to sustain their work amid declining traditional donor funding, with sector leaders highlighting crowdfunding and strong community trust as key to long-term resilience. This discussion was central to the second session of the CSO Sustainability Webinar Series, held on 19 March 2026 and organised by… [Read More]

In the Taoudenni region of northern Mali, nomadic pastoralist communities live in a harsh desert environment, moving regularly in search of grass and water for their herds. This mobility defines their identity and sustains their livelihoods. The region, located near the Algerian border and known for its ancient salt mines, faces multiple conflicts that displace… [Read More]

Public health institutions around the world are increasingly under threat from populist governments that strip funding, undermine independence, and fuel disinformation. In countries from Hungary to Indonesia, this erosion of trust in scientific expertise has contributed to the resurgence of preventable diseases like measles and whooping cough. The United States has experienced similar challenges, with… [Read More]

Small Island Developing States (SIDS) face some of the most acute impacts of the global climate crisis, confronting a mix of environmental, economic, and institutional challenges that threaten their sustainable development. Despite contributing minimally to global greenhouse gas emissions, these countries have shown strong climate ambition through their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris… [Read More]

Boulder County has awarded $2 million in emergency Community Partnership Grant funding to eight local nonprofits to support residents affected by federal cuts to Medicaid and SNAP. The grants aim to strengthen food and health care access for community members facing increased health care costs and reduced eligibility for essential benefits. The emergency funding was… [Read More]

As the Middle East conflict disrupts key maritime routes and ports, essential commodities like food, fuel, and fertilizer are becoming increasingly expensive. WFP Shipping Chief Henrik Hansen explains that the organization is working around the clock to reduce rising costs, shorten transit times, and implement creative transport solutions to deliver aid to millions of vulnerable… [Read More]

In 2018, Richmond voters approved Measures E and K, also known as the Richmond Kids First Initiative, which established the Richmond Fund for Children and Youth (RFCY). The fund sets aside 3% of the city’s general fund to support programs and services for youths from birth to age 24. It also created the Richmond Department… [Read More]