Six years ago, Dilafruze Hudoikulova relied on daily medication to manage constant stomach pain caused by a chronic ulcer. Over time, she transformed her health by adopting small, practical changes in her diet, physical activity, and overall approach to wellness, allowing her to reduce her dependence on medication. Working at the Republican Center for Healthy… [Read More]
Lao PDR Launches Action Plan to Strengthen Food Security and Climate Resilience
Vientiane, Lao PDR – On 2 March 2026, the Government of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, in partnership with the United Nations Resident Coordinator’s Office, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and the Asian Development Bank (ADB), launched the National Action Plan on Transition toward Sustainable Food Systems Transformation (2025–2030). The plan was unveiled by… [Read More]
IOM Flags Rising Humanitarian Crisis on Afghanistan–Pakistan Border
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has raised alarm over escalating hostilities along the Afghanistan–Pakistan border and their growing humanitarian impact. The ongoing conflict along the Durand Line has caused civilian casualties, damaged critical infrastructure, and displaced nearly 66,000 people in eastern and southeastern Afghanistan. These developments threaten further displacement, accelerate returns, and place additional… [Read More]
Greece Ratifies Key Occupational Safety and Forced Labour Protocols
On 3 March 2026, Greece formally ratified the Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155), the Safe and Healthy Working Environment (Consequential Amendments) Convention, 2023 (No. 191), and the 2014 Protocol to the Forced Labour Convention, 1930, depositing the instruments with the ILO Director-General, Mr Gilbert F. Houngbo. Ambassador Ioannis Ghikas highlighted that full… [Read More]
Pathways to Pay Equity: Laws, Wages, and Social Dialogue
The global gender pay gap remains persistently high despite decades of commitments, and closing it requires coordinated action and deliberate policies, according to a new publication from the International Labour Organization (ILO). The report, Pay Equity: A Comprehensive Response to the Gender Pay Gap, introduces a Theory of Change and Intervention Model emphasizing that laws,… [Read More]
Ethiopia Expands Safety Net Programs to Boost Jobs and Resilience
WASHINGTON, March 3, 2026 — The World Bank has approved a new phase of support for Ethiopia’s safety nets under the Productive Safety Net Project 6 (PSNP 6), designed to strengthen food security, build climate resilience, create jobs, and support vulnerable households. Ethiopian families are facing mounting pressures from frequent droughts, rising food prices, and… [Read More]
World Bank Supports Tunisia’s Urban Flood Resilience Plans
TUNIS, March 4, 2026 — The World Bank and the Government of Tunisia are expanding their partnership to strengthen the country’s climate and disaster resilience through an additional US$50 million financing for the Tunisia Integrated Disaster Resilience Program (ResCat), bringing the total program to US$125 million. This scale-up focuses on urban flood protection in Western… [Read More]
Somalia’s Climate Resilience Plan to Boost Jobs and Growth
NAIROBI, March 5, 2026 — The World Bank Group’s latest report emphasizes that targeted, cost-effective investments in climate-smart agriculture, resilient cities, disaster risk management, and stronger institutions could cut Somalia’s projected economic losses by half while creating stable, productive jobs. Launched jointly with the Somali government, the Country Climate and Development Report (CCDR) highlights how… [Read More]
WFP Gears Up for Middle East Relief as Humanitarian Needs Surge
GENEVA – The humanitarian situation across the Middle East is rapidly evolving due to ongoing security developments, and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is operational and ready to scale its response as needs grow. Emergency preparedness measures have been activated across the region, allowing WFP country offices in Iran, Türkiye, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon,… [Read More]
Afghanistan Crisis Deepens Amid Rising Insecurity: WFP Warning
Afghanistan is facing a worsening humanitarian crisis as insecurity escalates along its borders. Fighting has intensified on the eastern and southern frontier with Pakistan, while violence continues on the western border with Iran, putting immense pressure on communities already weakened by years of conflict, natural disasters, and chronic poverty. The renewed violence has displaced approximately… [Read More]
Belize Secures New IDB Country Strategy to Strengthen Private Sector
The Inter-American Development Bank Group (IDB Group) has approved Belize’s new country strategy for 2026–2030, aligned with the National Development Plan “Plan Belize 2.0.” The strategy aims to promote sustained, inclusive growth and fiscal stability by boosting private-sector-led investment, with a particular focus on leveraging Belize’s natural capital. Building on strong recent performance in tourism,… [Read More]
ADB Launches Partnership to Boost Jobs and Growth in Tajikistan
DUSHANBE, TAJIKISTAN (4 March 2026) — Asian Development Bank (ADB) President Masato Kanda met with Tajikistan President Emomali Rahmon to reaffirm ADB’s commitment to supporting resilient, diversified, and inclusive growth that generates more and better jobs across the country. ADB plans to provide approximately $1.1 billion in support from 2026 to 2028, focusing on strengthening… [Read More]
AfDB Backs Regional Health Resilience Initiative in Southern Africa
The Board of Directors of the African Development Fund (ADF) has approved a $9.57 million grant to enhance health security and emergency preparedness across countries in the Southern African Development Community (SADC). Approved on 3 March 2026, this financing comes from the concessional window of the African Development Bank Group and will support the Resilient… [Read More]
New $153M Initiative Targets Poverty in At-Risk Communities
KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Government of Jamaica, in partnership with the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), has allocated $153 million in the 2026/27 fiscal year to the “Capacity Building for Education and Livelihoods Development Project,” implemented by the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF). The initiative focuses on reducing poverty in low-income, vulnerable communities through livelihood enhancement… [Read More]
New System Launched to Fight Poverty Across Cambridgeshire
Cambridgeshire County Council has approved the procurement of a new data-led system designed to provide more targeted support to low-income families and help prevent poverty. The decision follows recommendations from the 2025 Cambridgeshire Poverty Strategy Commission, which emphasized the need to ensure residents access all benefits they are entitled to while reducing avoidable financial outgoings…. [Read More]
Robin Hood Invests $13.8M to Protect New Yorkers in Poverty
Robin Hood, New York City’s largest poverty-fighting philanthropy, announced $13.8 million in Q1 2026 grants to support New Yorkers most at risk amid federal threats to critical safety net programs such as SNAP, Medicaid, and immigration protections. The funding aims to strengthen services across early childhood, education, young adult pathways, workforce development, housing, and public… [Read More]
Aga Khan Donates $1M to Support Mozambique Flood Victims
His Highness the Aga Khan has donated $1 million in humanitarian aid to support victims of severe floods in southern Mozambique. The disaster has affected over 860,000 people, caused 223 deaths, displaced more than 94,000 individuals, destroyed 441,000 hectares of crops, and impacted 365,000 farmers. The emergency response will focus on stabilizing livelihoods, providing rapid… [Read More]
Trump’s Foreign Aid Ideology and Its Global Impact
The Promoting Human Flourishing in Foreign Assistance Policy, announced by U.S. Vice President JD Vance on January 23, reflects a major shift in U.S. foreign aid under the Trump administration. Critics argue that the policy uses foreign assistance as a political tool to enforce ideological positions, regulate identity-related issues, and pressure organizations worldwide to align… [Read More]
Digital Era Challenges: Risks and Opportunities for Civic Space
Civil society organizations (CSOs) play an important role in promoting fair, inclusive, and resilient societies. They advocate for human rights and good governance, hold institutions accountable, deliver essential services, and represent the voices of communities that may otherwise remain unheard. Through these efforts, CSOs help strengthen democratic systems and ensure that social and economic development… [Read More]
UNDP and Italy Launch New Youth4Climate Funding Round
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in partnership with the Government of Italy, has launched the Youth4Climate Call for Solutions 2026, marking the fourth edition of this global initiative that supports young people in turning innovative climate ideas into practical solutions. The programme offers funding and learning opportunities for youth-led projects that aim to address… [Read More]
Gilead Foundation Invests $12M in HIV Prevention Programs in 14 States
The Gilead Foundation has announced a $12 million investment to support 33 community-based organizations across 14 states and the District of Columbia through its Community Health Worker Comprehensive HIV Prevention Initiative. The two-year program aims to expand community health worker-led prevention models that improve access to HIV education, screening, care navigation, and related health services… [Read More]
IFC and Fasanara Partner to Expand Finance for MSMEs in Emerging Economies
Fasanara Capital and the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, have announced plans to launch a new lending strategy aimed at expanding access to finance for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in emerging markets. The initiative seeks to provide affordable and flexible financing to small businesses, particularly those led… [Read More]
ReFarm Invests €205,000 in Farm Biodiversity Projects in 2025
More than €200,000 was invested in biodiversity projects on 80 farms across 21 counties in 2025 through the ReFarm organisation, supporting farmers in implementing nature-friendly practices on their land. The initiative combines private sector investment with public funding to create scalable and sustainable approaches to improving biodiversity in agriculture. ReFarm was co-founded by investment professional… [Read More]
