Ukraine has introduced the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine into its national immunization schedule for the first time, offering a single dose to girls aged 12–13. The move marks the first addition of a new vaccine to the country’s routine immunization programme in nearly two decades. Despite the ongoing war, the rollout began in early 2026,… [Read More]
Pakistan Campaign Protects Millions from Measles, Rubella and Polio
A nationwide vaccination campaign in Pakistan successfully combined protection against measles, rubella, and polio, demonstrating how integrated public health efforts can reach vulnerable populations more effectively. Supported by the World Health Organization, the campaign in late 2025 delivered measles–rubella vaccines to about 34 million children while also administering oral polio vaccines to more than 19… [Read More]
WHO Warns Conflict Is Worsening Middle East Health Crisis
The ongoing escalation of conflict in the Middle East is placing significant strain on health systems across the region, according to the World Health Organization. More than ten days after the latest surge in violence, rising casualties, displacement, and continued attacks on healthcare facilities are worsening the humanitarian situation and increasing public health risks. Health… [Read More]
EU–UNEP Back Nature-Based Climate Action in Central Asia
Under a European Union–funded regional initiative focused on addressing climate and environmental risks in Central Asia, eight local civil society organizations were selected in August 2025 through a competitive call for proposals to support community-led actions. The initiative is implemented with technical assistance from the United Nations Environment Programme and aims to strengthen peace and… [Read More]
UN Official Warns Middle East War Costs $1 Billion Per Day
Tom Fletcher, the United Nations’ top emergency relief coordinator, has warned that humanitarian crises are escalating faster than aid agencies can respond as violence spreads across multiple regions. Speaking to reporters in Geneva, he described the situation as a “moment of grave peril,” stressing that without additional international support, millions of vulnerable people could lose… [Read More]
Ontario Launches Disaster Recovery Funding for Gravenhurst
The Government of Ontario is providing the Town of Gravenhurst with up to $780,000 to help cover emergency response and cleanup costs following extreme snowfall in November 2024. The financial assistance is being delivered through the Municipal Disaster Recovery Assistance Program, which supports municipalities facing unexpected natural disasters. The funding forms part of the province’s… [Read More]
Bulawayo Hospital Brings Hope Under Cloudy Skies
Mater Dei Hospital in Bulawayo has commissioned a solar photovoltaic hybrid system aimed at ensuring reliable electricity for critical healthcare services, marking an important step toward strengthening Zimbabwe’s health infrastructure. The system was launched during a ceremony attended by government officials, United Nations representatives, community leaders, and partners from the Old Mutual Group. Designed to… [Read More]
ILO Study Finds Over Half of Workers Face Violence in West Africa
A new International Labour Organization report highlights the widespread prevalence of violence and harassment in workplaces across Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, and Senegal. The research reveals that more than half of workers in Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire, and nearly half in Burkina Faso, have experienced some form of violence or harassment at work. The findings… [Read More]
India–EU Migration Opportunities Workshop Held in Assam
The International Labour Organization recently convened the Linking India–EU Migration Opportunities with the Northeast Corridor workshop in Guwahati, Assam, as part of the EU–India Cooperation and Dialogue on Migration and Mobility Project. The event was organized in partnership with the International Centre for Migration Policy Development and the Indian Council of World Affairs, with support… [Read More]
Cambodia Advances Safer and Greener Construction Practices
Cambodia is taking steps to strengthen worker safety, promote green standards, and support long-term reforms in its rapidly expanding construction sector. On 4 March 2026, senior government officials, employers, workers’ representatives, and international partners met in Phnom Penh to review research findings that highlighted key challenges facing the sector, including policy gaps, skills mismatches, and… [Read More]
EU and ILO Drive Apprenticeships to Strengthen Skills in Zambia
Zambia is accelerating efforts to equip young people and workers with practical, industry-ready skills through the development of the pilot National Apprenticeship Programme. The initiative is being advanced by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security through the Skills Advisory Committee Secretariat and is anchored under the Ministry of Technology and Science. It is supported… [Read More]
Cambodia Discusses Reform of Labor Dispute Resolution Systems
Efforts to strengthen labour dispute prevention and resolution in Cambodia are gaining momentum following the presentation of new research that proposes reforms to improve industrial relations and dispute settlement mechanisms. The research was presented during a validation and consensus-building workshop held in Phnom Penh on 5 March 2026, bringing together government officials, representatives of employers… [Read More]
New Project to Transform Burkina Faso’s Agricultural Sector
The World Bank has approved a $215.9 million project to support the transformation of Burkina Faso’s agricultural sector and strengthen food security, job creation, and private sector development. The Burkina Faso Agricultural Transformation Project aligns with the country’s national priorities and aims to enhance the productivity, competitiveness, and sustainability of key agricultural activities. The initiative… [Read More]
World Bank Backs Waste Management Modernization in Bosnia and Herzegovina
The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors has approved a €46 million (approximately US$54 million) loan to support improvements in solid waste management in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The funding will support the Sustainable Waste Management Project, which aims to help communities benefit from cleaner surroundings and a healthier environment by modernizing waste management systems across… [Read More]
World Bank Provides $137M for Digital Integration in West Africa
The World Bank Group’s Board of Directors has approved a $137 million regional initiative aimed at accelerating digital integration and job creation in Benin, Liberia, and Sierra Leone. The project is the second phase of the Western Africa Regional Digital Integration Program and seeks to strengthen the foundations of a dynamic digital economy across the… [Read More]
World Bank Supports Social Protection and Jobs in São Paulo
The World Bank’s Board of Directors has approved a new project to strengthen social protection and expand economic opportunities in the municipality of São Paulo, Brazil’s largest city. The initiative aims to increase access to social assistance services for vulnerable populations, modernize the city’s social protection infrastructure, and improve the systems that support residents living… [Read More]
World Bank Supports Nepal Clean Air and Prosperity Project
The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors has approved a $52 million credit to support the Nepal Clean Air and Prosperity Project, which aims to reduce air pollution and strengthen air quality management across the country. The initiative will focus on lowering emissions of fine particulate matter (PM2.5), particularly from industrial and commercial boilers and… [Read More]
$20M Grant to Strengthen Public Financial Management in Syria
The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors approved a US$20 million grant from the International Development Association (IDA) to support Syria in strengthening the efficiency, transparency, and accountability of its public financial management systems. The funding will support the Syria Public Financial Management Capacity Strengthening Project, which aims to improve core financial management and procurement… [Read More]
$5.52M Grant to Strengthen Tax Administration in West Africa
The African Development Bank Group has signed a $5.52 million grant agreement with the West African Tax Administration Forum (WATAF) to launch the Strengthening Tax Administration Capacity Project in West Africa (STACP-WA). The initiative aims to strengthen the ability of six West African countries to mobilize, manage, and protect domestic revenues more effectively. The funding… [Read More]
UNDP and Italy Back Green Climate Projects in Senegal
Senegal has emerged as a central hub for climate finance and economic cooperation in Africa, strengthening its climate policy framework to translate environmental commitments into concrete development and investment opportunities. Under its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to the Paris Agreement, Senegal aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 7% unconditionally and up to 29% with… [Read More]
West Africa Faces Lassa Fever Crisis as Cases Go Undetected
Lassa fever, a viral haemorrhagic illness endemic in parts of Nigeria, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and neighbouring countries, kills thousands each year in West Africa, yet many infections go undiagnosed until it is too late. The disease, primarily spread by rodents, can also be transmitted through contact with infected blood or bodily fluids. Travellers returning from… [Read More]
$1.76M Grants Announced for Women Entrepreneurs by WEIDE Fund
To mark International Women’s Day on 8 March, the Women Exporters in the Digital Economy (WEIDE) Fund announced on 6 March that it will disburse US$ 1.76 million in the first quarter of 2026 to support 219 women-led enterprises in the Dominican Republic, Mongolia, and Nigeria. This first disbursement launches the WEIDE Fund’s innovative grant… [Read More]
£2.2 Million Funding Boost to Strengthen Volunteering in Scotland
More than 100 grassroots organisations across Scotland will share £2.2 million through the Volunteering Support Fund 2025-27 to recruit and support volunteers in their communities. Over the next two years, small and medium-sized third sector organisations from the Highlands to the Borders will receive grants of up to £20,000 for projects that make a tangible… [Read More]
