COVID-19 and other recent health emergencies have underscored the importance of strong regional cooperation, demonstrating that even well-prepared countries cannot manage future crises alone. To strengthen preparedness, countries and areas in the Western Pacific are working to enhance regional tools, interoperable systems, and cross-border coordination. Through the Asia Pacific Health Security Action Framework (APHSAF), 38… [Read More]
WHO
Building a Resilient Emergency Workforce: Turning Gaps into Action
Since the beginning of 2025, WHO has assisted countries across the Western Pacific in managing 72 acute health emergency events, emphasizing that a capable workforce is the foundation of any effective response. This commitment is reflected in initiatives such as the Global Health Emergency Corps, which aims to strengthen expertise and readiness across the region…. [Read More]
Flu Season Starts in WHO European Region: WHO Recommends Immediate Vaccination
Influenza season has begun around four weeks earlier than usual in the WHO European Region, but current patterns remain consistent with those seen during the 2022–2023 season. Activity levels vary across countries, with some experiencing early increases in cases while others have yet to see significant rises. Alongside influenza, continued circulation of COVID-19, RSV and… [Read More]
WHO Unveils Policy Brief on Improving Priority Setting for Tuberculosis Planning
The World Health Organization has released a new policy brief designed to help national tuberculosis programmes set clear priorities and allocate resources more effectively using evidence-based and people-centred approaches. The brief introduces a structured framework that promotes transparency, inclusion, data-driven decision-making and accountability, all of which are essential for equitable and impactful TB programme planning…. [Read More]
African Nations and Experts Endorse New 10-Year Health Workforce Roadmap
African countries have reached a unified agreement on the key priorities that will guide the Africa Health Workforce Agenda 2026–2035, marking a major milestone in efforts to transform how the continent plans for, trains and retains its health workers. During a regional consultation held in Pretoria from 24 to 26 November 2025, representatives from governments,… [Read More]
Ghana Strengthens School Health System Through WHO Global Standards Training
Ghana is advancing efforts to strengthen its school health system as it works to revise the national School Health Policy in alignment with the WHO-UNESCO Global Standards for Health-Promoting Schools. Supported by the World Health Organization and funded by Fondation Botnar, this process aims to ensure that schools provide safe, inclusive, and health-supportive environments that… [Read More]
Ghana Launches Landmark Quality of Care Report to Strengthen Health Services and Advance UHC
Ghana has strengthened its push toward Universal Health Coverage with the launch of its first National Quality of Care Report, a comprehensive assessment of the standard of health services across the country. Developed by the Ghana Health Service with support from the World Health Organization and funding from the United Kingdom, the report provides essential… [Read More]
New Hepatitis B Birth Dose Vaccine Introduced in Ethiopia to Protect Newborns
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 25 November 2025 – Ethiopia has officially launched the national introduction of the Hepatitis B Birth Dose (HepB BD) vaccine, a major step toward strengthening newborn immunization and preventing mother-to-child transmission of Hepatitis B virus. The rollout is supported technically and financially by the World Health Organization (WHO), Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance,… [Read More]
Philippines Receives £1 Million from UK for Typhoon Recovery and Relief
The United Kingdom is providing £1 million (PHP 77 million) in humanitarian assistance to support communities in the Philippines affected by Typhoons Tino and Uwan. This funding will deliver life-saving services and essential supplies, including multi-purpose cash assistance and shelter repair kits, to the most impacted populations. British Ambassador Sarah Hulton OBE emphasized the UK’s… [Read More]
New Funding Injection Speeds Up the Fight Against Malaria
Research to eliminate malaria, one of the world’s deadliest diseases, is set to accelerate with a USD $4.7 million grant from the Gates Foundation awarded to scientists at The Kids Research Institute Australia and The University of Western Australia (UWA). Global malaria cases surged to an estimated 263 million in 2023, resulting in over 597,000… [Read More]
Inter-American Development Bank Honored with 2025 Knowledge Management Award
The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has been honored with the International Knowledge Management Award 2025 by Knowledge Management Austria and the global Knowledge for Development Partnership (K4DP), recognizing its leadership in knowledge management for sustainable development and its role in linking evidence, learning, and action across Latin America and the Caribbean. For over six decades,… [Read More]
Aid Cuts Fuel Rising Hunger Among Displaced Communities in CAR and Cameroon
A convoy carrying returning families arrives in the Central African village of Beloko, marking the end of a long journey home for refugees like Nafissa, who fled violence more than a decade ago. After years in Cameroon, she and thousands of others are choosing to return to the Central African Republic (CAR) as support in… [Read More]
African Workers at Risk: Trade Unions Call for Dedicated Humanitarian Fund
Trade unions across Africa are stepping up to play a more active role in fostering peace, stability, and democratic governance amid rising conflicts and political crises affecting at least 30 countries on the continent. African workers, who often bear the brunt of instability, are now committed to launching coordinated efforts in conflict prevention, peacebuilding, and… [Read More]
Global HIV Fight Faces ‘Perilous Risks’ as UNAIDS Reports Funding Shortfalls
The 2025 UNAIDS report, Overcoming Disruption: Transforming the AIDS Response, warns that abrupt funding cuts have created “perilous risks” for the global HIV response, threatening the health and well-being of millions worldwide. Service disruptions have led to deaths among people living with HIV, left millions at high risk without access to prevention tools, and forced… [Read More]
Chui Ventures Closes First Fund to Drive Inclusive Economic Growth Across Africa
Chui Ventures, a Pan-African seed-stage venture capital fund with a gender-inclusive mandate, has successfully closed its debut Fund I at $17.3 million, exceeding its original target of $10 million. The fund supports African founders developing mass-market, tech-enabled solutions across Sub-Saharan Africa, with commitments from foundations, family offices, and over 30 high-net-worth individuals, including the Mastercard… [Read More]
EU Funding Under Fire: NGOs Criticize Right-Wing MEPs’ Investigative Working Group
Ahead of the inaugural meeting of the European Parliament’s new scrutiny working group (SWG) on EU funding for NGOs scheduled for 26 November, environmental organisations have voiced strong concerns about the group’s mandate, composition, and purpose. They argue that the SWG’s narrow focus on NGOs, rather than all beneficiaries of EU funding, is unnecessary and… [Read More]
Violence Against Women: UN Reports Surge in Femicide and Online Abuse Worldwide
Ms. Tesfai recounted her experience of digital stalking during a UN event in New York commemorating the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. What began as anonymous online interactions escalated into physical stalking, with the perpetrator sending messages describing what she was wearing. Despite reporting the threats to the police, she was… [Read More]
Global Crisis: More Than 600 Million Children Face Domestic Violence, UNICEF Reports
UNICEF has warned that over 600 million children worldwide are exposed to violence at home, with the highest rates in Oceania, sub-Saharan Africa, and Central and Southern Asia. These figures reflect deep regional inequalities and the widespread abuse that women face globally. UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell emphasized that the safety and autonomy of women… [Read More]
WHO Africa Approves Strategic Roadmap for Safeguarding Communities During Health Crises
Pretoria—The World Health Organization (WHO) in the African region, together with Member States and partners, has endorsed a regional roadmap to protect communities during public health emergencies. This initiative marks the first time the region has formally established systems holding both governments and WHO jointly accountable for preventing and addressing sexual misconduct in their operations…. [Read More]
Ending Violence Against Women and Girls: IOM Urges Worldwide Commitment
Geneva, 25 November 2025 – As the world begins the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence (GBV), the International Organization for Migration (IOM) is calling on governments, humanitarian actors, and communities to strengthen efforts to prevent, address, and ultimately eliminate violence against women and girls globally. IOM emphasizes the urgency of placing women and… [Read More]
Ending Online Violence: Protecting Women and Girls in the Digital Age
Digital technologies and artificial intelligence (AI) offer transformative potential for human development and the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals, yet they also create new risks that disproportionately affect women and girls. From deepfakes to coordinated online harassment, digital violence amplifies existing gender-based abuse while introducing new forms of harm. These threats intersect with broader global… [Read More]
From Cost to Investment: Advancing Health Equity for People with Disabilities
Around 1.3 billion people with disabilities continue to face substantial health inequities, many of which are rooted in how health systems are financed. High out-of-pocket costs, limited benefit packages, and insufficient funding for accessibility and reasonable accommodations prevent many from accessing essential health services. To mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, the International… [Read More]
Improving Teaching Quality and Instruction Time to Boost Primary Education in Cambodia
PHNOM PENH, November 25, 2025 — Cambodia has made significant progress in enrolling children in school, but urgent improvements are needed in classroom teaching, according to two new World Bank reports. The studies examine both the quality and quantity of instruction in primary schools and provide recommendations to strengthen basic literacy and numeracy, ensuring all… [Read More]
