World: UN and partners launch $16.4 billion humanitarian appeal to bring aid to 57 million people in 2015
Geneva, 8 December 2014

Humanitarian organizations aim to help at least 57.5 million of the most vulnerable people in the world with assistance in 2015 and require US$16.4 billion to do so. “Over 80 percent of those we intend to help are in countries mired in conflict where brutality and violence have had a devastating impact on their lives,” said Valerie Amos, UN Under-Secretary- General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, as she launched the 2015 global humanitarian appeal. “We will continue to put people at the centre of our relief efforts and do everything we can to respond quickly and effectively,” she said, “but the rising scale of need is outpacing our capacity to respond”.

In 2014, there was a sharp rise in the number of people affected by conflict and millions were forced to flee and became dependent on humanitarian aid for their survival. The crises in Central African Republic, Iraq, South Sudan and Syria will remain top humanitarian priorities next year. Combined with the impact in their regions, these crises account for over 70 percent of the funding requirements launched today…

The other major crises covered by the appeal are Afghanistan, Democratic Republic of Congo, Myanmar, occupied Palestinian territory, Somalia, Sudan, Ukraine and Yemen. “This is not business as usual in the humanitarian world,” said António Guterres, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees. “Today’s needs are at unprecedented levels, and without more support there simply is no way to respond to the humanitarian situations we’re seeing in region after region and in conflict after conflict.”

In February next year the strategic response plans covering requirements in West Africa’s Sahel region and Djibouti will be launched. This will increase the number of people to be reached and the financial requirements for 2015.

International donors provided $9.4 billion in funding in 2014 but that was only half of what the aid community requested and there were large differences in the levels of funding provided for specific countries. “Every year we ask our donors to do more – and they do. But as crises become more complex and go on longer, the gap between needs and resources grows. I hope we can close it in 2015 because if we don’t raise the money it means that we are able to help fewer children, women and men with medicine, food and shelter; the basics they need to survive,” said Ms. Amos.

Global Humanitarian Overview 2015 documentation is available on www.unocha.org/2015appeal and www.humanitarianresponse.info/appeals

Trends in income inequality and its impact on economic growth
OECD
– New Approaches to Economic Challenges Initiative – Working paper
PDF – A four-page summary is available at http://www.oecd.org/social/inequality-and-poverty.htm
09 Dec 2014 :: 65 pages
DOI: 10.1787/5jxrjncwxv6j-en
Abstract
In most OECD countries, the gap between rich and poor is at its highest level since 30 years. Today, the richest 10 per cent of the population in the OECD area earn 9.5 times the income of the poorest 10 per cent; in the 1980s this ratio stood at 7:1 and has been rising continuously ever since. However, the rise in overall income inequality is not (only) about surging top income shares: often, incomes at the bottom grew much slower during the prosperous years and fell during downturns, putting relative (and in some countries, absolute) income poverty on the radar of policy concerns. This paper explores whether such developments may have an impact on economic performance.

Drawing on harmonised data covering the OECD countries over the past 30 years, the econometric analysis suggests that income inequality has a negative and statistically significant impact on subsequent growth. In particular, what matters most is the gap between low income households and the rest of the population. In contrast, no evidence is found that those with high incomes pulling away from the rest of the population harms growth. The paper also evaluates the “human capital accumulation theory” finding evidence for human capital as a channel through which inequality may affect growth. Analysis based on micro data from the Adult Skills Survey (PIAAC) shows that increased income disparities depress skills development among individuals with poorer parental education background, both in terms of the quantity of education attained (e.g. years of schooling), and in terms of its quality (i.e. skill proficiency). Educational outcomes of individuals from richer backgrounds, however, are not affected by inequality.

It follows that policies to reduce income inequalities should not only be pursued to improve social outcomes but also to sustain long-term growth. Redistribution policies via taxes and transfers are a key tool to ensure the benefits of growth are more broadly distributed and the results suggest they need not be expected to undermine growth. But it is also important to promote equality of opportunity in access to and quality of education. This implies a focus on families with children and youths – as this is when decisions about human capital accumulation are made — promoting employment for disadvantaged groups through active labour market policies, childcare supports and in-work benefits.

Core Humanitarian Standard on Quality and Accountability
HAP International, People In Aid and the Sphere Project
First edition: 2014 [December] :: 24 pages
ISBN: 978-2-8399-1564-9
Foreword
The Core Humanitarian Standard on Quality and Accountability (CHS) is a direct result of the Joint Standards Initiative (JSI) in which the Humanitarian Accountability Partnership (HAP) International, People In Aid and the Sphere Project joined forces to seek greater coherence for users of humanitarian standards. The JSI consulted more than 2,000 humanitarian workers in head offices, regions and in disaster-prone countries. The feedback highlighted the need for the harmonisation of standards, with communities and people affected by crisis at the centre and humanitarian principles as the foundation.

The CHS is the result of a 12-month, three-stage consultation, during which humanitarian workers, communities and people affected by crisis, several hundred Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and networks, governments, United Nations and donor agencies,
and academics rigorously analysed the content of the CHS and tested it at headquarters and field level.

The feedback from each consultation was then considered and the revisions approved by a 65-person Technical Advisory Group representing a broad spread of constituencies and areas of technical expertise in humanitarian action and standards development.
It is the intention of the boards of HAP International, People In Aid and the Sphere Project that the CHS will replace the 2010 HAP Standard in Accountability and Quality Management, the People In Aid Code of Good Practice in the Management and Support
of Aid Personnel and the Core Standards section of the Sphere Handbook.

The Nine Commitments and Quality Criteria
vii. Commitments, Actions and Responsibilities
1. Communities and people affected by crisis receive assistance appropriate and relevant to their needs.
2. Communities and people affected by crisis have access to the humanitarian assistance they need at the right time.
3. Communities and people affected by crisis are not negatively affected and are more prepared, resilient and less at-risk as a result of humanitarian action.
4. Communities and people affected by crisis know their rights and entitlements, have access to information and participate in decisions that affect them.
5. Communities and people affected by crisis have access to safe and responsive mechanisms to handle complaints.
6. Communities and people affected by crisis receive coordinated, complementary assistance.
7. Communities and people affected by crisis can expect delivery of improved assistance as organisations learn from experience and reflection.
8. Communities and people affected by crisis receive the assistance they require from competent and well-managed staff and volunteers.
9. Communities and people affected by crisis can expect that the organisations assisting them.

Global status report on violence prevention 2014
WHO, United Nations Development Programme, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime
December 2014
English [pdf 9.56 MB]
The Global status report on violence prevention 2014, which reflects data from 133 countries, is the first report of its kind to assess national efforts to address interpersonal violence, namely child maltreatment, youth violence, intimate partner and sexual violence, and elder abuse. The report reviews the current status of violence prevention efforts in countries, and calls for a scaling up of violence prevention programmes; stronger legislation and enforcement of laws relevant for violence prevention; and enhanced services for victims of violence.

New study highlights need to scale up violence prevention efforts globally
News release excerpt
10 December 2014 ¦ Geneva – The ” that 475,000 people were murdered in 2012, and homicide is the third leading cause of death globally for males aged 15–44 years, highlighting the urgent need for more decisive action to prevent violence.
Despite indications that homicide rates decreased by 16% globally between 2000 and 2012, violence remains widespread. Non-fatal acts of violence take a particular toll on women and children. One in four children has been physically abused; one in five girls has been sexually abused; and one in three women has been a victim of physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence at some point in her lifetime.

Key findings
The report indicates that:
:: only one third of the 133 countries surveyed are implementing large-scale initiatives to prevent violence, such as bullying prevention programmes, visits by nurses to families at risk, and support to those who care for older people;
:: just over half the countries are fully enforcing a set of 12 laws generally acknowledged to prevent violence, although 80% of countries have enacted them;
:: only half of all countries have services in place to protect and support victims of violence.
The consequences of violence on physical, mental, sexual and reproductive health often last a lifetime. Violence also contributes to leading causes of death such as cancer, heart disease and HIV/AIDS, because victims are at an increased risk of adopting behaviours such as smoking, alcohol and drug misuse, and unsafe sex…

WHO: Ebola response roadmap – Situation report 10 December 2014
Summary [Excerpt]
A total of 17 942 confirmed, probable, and suspected cases of Ebola virus disease (EVD) have been reported in five affected countries (Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Sierra Leone, and the United States of America) and three previously affected countries (Nigeria, Senegal and Spain) up to the end of 7 December. There have been 6388 reported deaths. Reported case incidence is slightly increasing in Guinea (103 confirmed and probable cases reported in the week to 7 December), declining in Liberia (29 new confirmed cases in the 3 days to 3 December), and may still be increasing in Sierra Leone (397 new confirmed cases in the week to 7 December). The case fatality rate across the three most-affected countries in all reported cases with a recorded definitive outcome is 76%; in hospitalized patients the case fatality rate is 61%.

Response activities in the three intense-transmission countries continue to progress in line with the UNMEER aim to isolate and treat 100% of EVD cases and safely bury 100% of EVD-related deaths by 1 January. At a national level, there is now sufficient bed capacity in EVD treatment facilities to treat and isolate all reported EVD cases in each of the three intense-transmission countries, although the uneven distribution of beds and cases means there are serious shortfalls in some areas. Similarly, each country has sufficient and widespread capacity to bury all reported EVD-related deaths; however, because not all EVD-related deaths are reported, and many reported burials are of non-EVD-related deaths, it is possible that some areas still have insufficient burial capacity. Every district that has reported a case of EVD in the three intense-transmission countries has access to a laboratory within 24 hours from sample collection. All three countries report that more than 80% of registered contacts associated with known cases of EVD are being traced, although contact tracing is still a challenge in areas of intense transmission and in areas of community resistance. Rapidly increasing capacity for case finding and contact tracing in areas with low and moderate levels of transmission will be necessary to end local chains of transmission….

United Nations – Selected Press Releases [to 13 December 2014]
Secretary General, Security Council, General Assembly
http://www.un.org/en/unpress/

Secretary General
12 December 2014
SG/SM/16421-HR/5237
Secretary-General, at Launch of Action Plan, Says Human Rights Education Strengthens Values, Increases Chance for Peace
Following is UN Secretary General Ban Ki moon’s remarks at the launch of the National Plan of Action for Human Rights Education, in Lima today.

12 December 2014
SG/SM/16422
Secretary-General Tells Peruvian Congress He Cannot Overstate Importance of Foundation Being Laid at United Nations Climate Conference in Lima
Following is UN Secretary General Ban Ki moon’s address, as prepared for delivery, to the Congress of Peru, in Lima, today.

10 December 2014
SG/SM/16413-HR/5234-OBV/1418
Secretary-General Encourages Concerted Action to Uphold Human Rights, Improve Lot of Afrodescendants, in Message for International Observance
Following is UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s message, as delivered by Valerie Amos, Emergency Relief Coordinator and Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, at the launch of the Decade for People of African Descent, in New York today.

10 December 2014
SG/SM/16414-ENV/DEV/1478
Secretary-General, at Lima Conference, Says All Stakeholders Must Join Forces to Make Climate Change Opportunity for Creating Safer, Healthier Planet
Following are UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s remarks at the Head of State segment of the twentieth session of the Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, in Lima today.

8 December 2014
SG/SM/16404-OBV/1416
Marking Global Anti-Corruption Day, Secretary General Urges ‘Breaking the Chain’ as Eliminating the Scourge Remains ‘Crucial’ to World’s Well-Being
Following is UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s message on International Anti-Corruption Day, to be observed 9 December.

UNICEF [to 13 December 2014]
http://www.unicef.org/media/media_71508.html

Media Releases [selected]
One year after conflict, children still under daily threat in South Sudan
JUBA/GENEVA, 12 December 2014 – The future for a generation of children in South Sudan is being stolen by the year-long conflict in the country, which has driven hundreds of thousands of children from their homes, schools and communities; subjecting them to violence, malnutrition and disease, the UNICEF said today.

To boost fight against Ebola and strengthen community-based services for the future, UNICEF raises appeal to US$500 million
NEW YORK/GENEVA, 12 December 2014 – UNICEF today announced an expanded fight against the Ebola virus in West Africa over the next six months, costing a total of US$500 million – of which just 24 per cent ($125.7 million) has been secured.

UNHCR [to 13 December 2014]
http://www.unhcr.org/cgi-bin/texis/vtx/hom

Focus on saving lives, says UNHCR, as numbers of people taking to the seas in search of asylum or migration passes 348,000 globally
8 December 2014

UNHCR, IOM, IMO, UNODC and OHCHR Joint Statement on Protection at Sea in the Twenty-First Century
8 December 2014

Donors pledge an initial US$ 500.8 million for UNHCR operations in 2015
8 December 2014

Governments pledge to take in around 100,000 Syrian refugees
8 December 2014

WHO & Regionals [to 13 December 2014]
:: The Weekly Epidemiological Record (WER) 12 December 2014, , vol. 89, 50 (pp. 561–576) includes:
– Meeting of the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on immunization, October 2014 – conclusions and recommendations

:: World Malaria Report 2014
WHO, 2014 :: 242 pages ISBN: 978 92 4 156483 0
Overview
The World Malaria Report 2014 summarizes information received from malaria-endemic countries and other sources, and updates the analyses presented in the 2013 report.
The World Malaria Report is WHO’s flagship malaria publication, released each year in December. It assesses global and regional malaria trends, highlights progress towards global targets, and describes opportunities and challenges in controlling and eliminating the disease. Most of the data presented in this report is for 2013.

:: New study highlights need to scale up violence prevention efforts globally
10 December 2014 — The “Global status report on violence prevention 2014” reveals that 475 000 people were murdered in 2012, and homicide is the third leading cause of death globally for males aged 15–44 years, highlighting the urgent need for more decisive action to prevent violence.

WHO Regional Offices
WHO African Region AFRO
:: Democratic Republic of the Congo: The country that knows how to beat Ebola
In DRC there was long experience with Ebola – this was the seventh outbreak of the disease here. The country had the knowledge and the people needed to stop an outbreak – plus strong technical assistance and support from WHO.
:: Liberia: Sharing his experience fighting Ebola – 09 December 2014

WHO Region of the Americas PAHO
:: First-ever Universal Health Coverage Day urges “Health for all – everywhere” (12/12/2014)
:: Developing countries in Latin America and the Caribbean have world’s highest homicide rates (12/10/2014)
:: PAHO/WHO provides training in risk communication for possible Ebola introduction (12/09/2014)

WHO South-East Asia Region SEARO
:: WHO targets implementation of new guidelines for indoor air quality 11 December 2014
:: Address at the Ebola Preparedness Partners Meeting 5 December 2014, SEARO, New Delhi
Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, WHO Regional Director for South-East Asia

WHO European Region EURO
[website unreachable]

WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region EMRO
:: WHO delivers six tonnes of medicines to west Harasta in Syria
8 December 2014 – As part of an UN inter-agency convoy, WHO, in collaboration with the Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC), has delivered 6 tonnes of medicines and other items to west Harasta in Syria for a population of 2200 families. Since the beginning of the crisis, WHO has supported local health authorities, SARC and nongovernmental organization partners with the provision of medicines and medical equipment, including surgical supplies for over 12.5 million people across the country. It was the first time that medical support has reached west Harasta since October 2011.
:: Government of Saudi Arabia provides support for purpose-built mobile medical clinics in Erbil, Iraq 11 December 2014
:: Afghanistan’s midwifery report highlights need for still greater investment 10 December 2014
:: Vaccinators, health educators and volunteers in Aden: working enthusiastically with vulnerable groups 8 December 2014

UNDP United Nations Development Programme [to 13 December 2014]
http://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/presscenter.html

11 Dec 2014
Helen Clark, Speech on “Democratic Governance, Human Rights, and Development”. Keynote address at The Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad) Annual Conference on Development Cooperation: Democracy and Human Rights, Oslo, Norway

11 Dec 2014
Millions at risk of losing their incomes in Ebola-affected countries, says UNDP
The Ebola outbreak is threatening the livelihoods of millions of women and men, according to a just released United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) study on the socio-economic impact of the disease in West Africa.

09 Dec 2014
Community volunteers in Liberia are limiting the spread of Ebola
The number of new cases of Ebola in Liberia is decreasing each day and community volunteers’ work has contributed substantially to this result. UNDP Liberia has recruited 1,300 volunteers who are being paid $80 per month to go door to door, every day in their communities, to track down anyone who shows symptoms of the disease and get urgent medical help.

ILO International Labour Organization [to 13 December 2014]
http://www.ilo.org/global/lang–en/index.htm

Universal Health Coverage Day
Global health protection crisis leaves almost 40% of the world’s population without any coverage
12 December 2014
New ILO study reveals large health coverage gaps, including in West African countries, where 80 per cent have no coverage.

USAID [to 13 December 2014]
http://www.usaid.gov/

United States Announces Results of Grand Challenge to Fight Ebola
December 12, 2014
Innovative personal protective equipment solutions selected for funding, testing and deployment
The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) announced today the first nominees for awards in the Fighting Ebola: a Grand Challenge for Development. Following a rigorous selection process, these innovators have been identified for the solutions they presented to increase the protection and comfort of healthcare workers battling Ebola.

DFID [to 13 December 2014]
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-international-development
Selected Releases

Global Summit to End Sexual Violence in Conflict Report published
10 December 2014 DFID, FCO and OLHC Press release

OECD [to 13 December 2014]
http://www.oecd.org/

Inequality hurts economic growth, finds OECD research
9 December 2014
Reducing income inequality would boost economic growth, according to new OECD analysis. This work finds that countries where income inequality is decreasing grow faster than those with rising inequality.

World Bank [to 13 December 2014]
http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/all

500+ Organizations Launch Global Coalition to Accelerate Access to Universal Health Coverage
On first-ever Universal Health Coverage Day, all countries urged to make quality health coverage accessible to everyone, everywhere.NEW YORK, 12 December 2014 – A new global coalition of more than 500 leading health and development organizations worldwide is urging governments to accelerate reforms that ensure everyone, everywhere, can access quality health services without being forced into poverty. The coalition was launched today, on the first-ever Universal Health Coverage Day, to stress the importance of universal access to health services for saving lives, ending extreme poverty, building resilience against the health effects of climate change and ending deadly epidemics such as Ebola.Universal Health Coverage Day marks the two-year anniversary of a United Nations resolution, unanimously passed on 12 December 2012, which endorsed universal health coverage as a pillar of sustainable development and global security. Despite progress in combatting global killers such as HIV/AIDS…
Date: December 12, 2014

Statement from World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim on 2014 Nobel Peace Prize Winners Malala Yousafzai and Kailash Satyarthi
WASHINGTON, December 10, 2014—World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim welcomed the awarding of the 2014 Nobel Prize for Peace to Malala Yousafzai and Kailash Satyarthi today in Stockholm: “Malala Yousafzai and Kailash Satyarthi have inspired the world with their their courageous efforts on behalf of children everywhere—for their fundamental right to be educated, to live free of fear and exploitation, to fulfill their unique potential. Malala’s bravery in raising her young voice and standing up to brutal extremism has given new hope to girls everywhere. Kailash Satyarthi’s Bachpan Bachao Andolan–the Save Childhood Movement—has peacefully shone a spotlight on the unconscionable exploitation of countless children, rescuing them from slavery and restoring them to childhood. “Both follow in the tradition of Nobel Peace laureates before them, championing the most fundamental rights of all human beings, including and especially the youngest and most vulnerable among us.
Date: December 10, 2014

World Bank Hosts 2nd Urbanization and Poverty Reduction Research Conference
In his keynote address on Cities in the Developing World, Edward Glaeser (Harvard University) told a packed audience that the rise of poor country urbanization is the defining development statistic today. He highlighted the need for strong institutions to manage the pressures of urbanization in the future. “There are demons of urbanization, and they need to be tamed. But the future is not rural poverty,” Glaeser said. In the second keynote address on The Power of the Grid, Paul Romer (New York University) emphasized the need for countries to plan in advance for urban expansion. In his presentation on “The Power of the Grid” he used New York City as an example of how urban planning decisions made two centuries ago still affect the development of the city’s infrastructure and commercial activities to this day. Romer urged policy practitioners to “focus on dimensions that can have enormous impact, and that explain why some countries are rich and some are poor…
Date: December 8, 2014

ECPAT [to 13 December 2014]

ECPAT Releases New CMRs for Latin America
12/11/2014
On December 11th during the XXI Pan-American Congress of the Organisation of American States (OAS) in Brasilia, ECPAT International and the Inter-American Children’s Institute (IIN), a specialised body of the OAS, will call public attention to the gravity of the situation of CSEC in the region and to the fact that it has not been adequately addressed by the majority of OAS Member States.
To support its call for action, ECPAT International is releasing ten Country Monitoring Reports (CMRs) on December 11th focused on various Latin American countries as well as a Regional Overview on the situation of CSEC throughout Latin America. The Country Monitoring Reports have been produced for Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Colombia, Guatemala, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay (with the Dominican Republic and Nicaragua to be released in the near future). These publications provide a comprehensive baseline of information, as well as an assessment of achievements, challenges and priority actions necessary to assist in the formulation of a successful strategic framework…

IRCT [to 13 December 2014]

IRCT calls on the US to ensure access to rehabilitation to the victims of the CIA torture program
10-12-2014
The IRCT calls for a firm commitment by the United States on granting reparations to the victims of the CIA torture including granting access to rehabilitation services.
The upcoming executive summary of the CIA torture report from the US Senate Intelligence Committee confirms many of the earlier claims made about CIA’s torture program post 9/11. The report reveals the repeated use of torture by the agency including threats, beatings, waterboarding, cloaking and sleep deprivation, and, most importantly, that the use of torture was unnecessary and yielded no critical intelligence on terror plots.
However, one question remains unanswered: will the victims be granted access to rehabilitation?
“The torture used by the CIA throughout the years has had a traumatic and life-changing impact on the victims, which will require multiple interventions in order to restore their dignity and enable them to be as fully functional as possible,” said Miriam Reventlow, IRCT Director of Advocacy.
Throughout the timeline of this report, and in the production of the report itself, the victims have had no say, and the reparations to the victims, including access to health-based rehabilitation and redress have not been a priority for the US government.
The victims of the CIA torture program have suffered a serious violation of their rights and have an explicit right to rehabilitation under international human rights and international humanitarian law, as referred to in Article 14 of the UN Convention against Torture.
Furthermore, the lengthy political process to release this report has created an unacceptable delay in truth and justice.
The IRCT calls on the government of the United States to fulfil its obligation under international human rights and international humanitarian law to ensure that the victims have free and prompt access to rehabilitation services.

MSF/Médecins Sans Frontières [to 13 December 2014]

Press release
Doctors Without Borders Distributes Antimalarial Drugs in Sierra Leone
December 10, 2014
FREETOWN, SIERRA LEONE—As part of its ongoing emergency response to Ebola in West Africa, Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has begun its largest-ever distribution of antimalarials in Sierra Leone, alongside the Ministry of Health, the medical humanitarian organization announced Wednesday. Teams distributed 1.5 million antimalarial treatments to residents of Freetown and five districts in the surrounding Western area over four days, with the aim of protecting people from malaria during the disease’s peak season.
“In the context of Ebola, malaria is a major concern, because people who are sick with malaria have the same symptoms as people sick with Ebola,” said Patrick Robataille, MSF field coordinator in Freetown. “As a result, most people turn up at Ebola treatment centers thinking that they have Ebola, when actually they have malaria. It’s a huge load on the system, as well as being a huge stress on patients and their families.”
Sierra Leone has the fifth highest prevalence of malaria globally, and the disease is the biggest killer of children under five in the country. Malaria symptoms include high fever, dizziness, headaches, muscle aches and fatigue, many of which are similar to the symptoms of early-stage Ebola.
The antimalarial drug artesunate amodiaquine can be used both to prevent and to treat malaria. Its widescale use is recommended in the context of an Ebola outbreak by the World Health Organization (WHO).
At 1.5 million treatments, this is the largest-ever distribution of antimalarials in an Ebola outbreak, as well as the largest ever conducted in Sierra Leone.
“The size of this campaign is in proportion to the scale of the Ebola epidemic –it’s massive,”said Robataille….

GAVI Watch [to 13 December 2014]
http://www.gavialliance.org/library/news/press-releases/

:: Gavi commits to purchasing Ebola vaccine for affected countries 
Vaccine Alliance ready to begin procurement as soon as WHO recommends a vaccine for use
Geneva, 11 December 2014 – Plans to purchase millions of doses of an Ebola vaccine to support large-scale vaccination efforts were today agreed by the board of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. Today’s decision means that Gavi will be ready to act as soon as a safe, effective vaccine is recommended for use by the World Health Organization.
The Gavi Board endorsed plans that could see up to US$ 300 million committed to procure the vaccines, to be used to immunise at risk populations in affected countries. Up to an additional US$ 90 million could be used to support countries to introduce the vaccines and to rebuild devastated health systems and restore immunisation services for all vaccines in Ebola-affected countries.

:: Dr Flavia Bustreo appointed Vice Chair of Gavi Board
11 December 2014
WHO Assistant Director-General will also chair the Board’s Governance Committee
Geneva, 11 December 2014 – Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance has today appointed World Health Organization Assistant Director-General for Family, Women’s and Children’s Health Dr Flavia Bustreo as the new Vice Chair of its Board.
Dr Bustreo has been a Gavi Board member since 2010 and will take up the position of Vice Chair on the January 1st 2015. As part of her responsibilities as Vice Chair of the Board, Dr Bustreo will also be the Chair of the Board’s Governance Committee and Vice Chair of the Executive Committee.
“I am very humbled by the Board’s decision, which is I believe is a reflection of the value of WHO’s critical role and contribution to the Alliance,” said Dr Bustreo. “I am also delighted that my appointment coincides with Human Rights Day and at a time when Gavi is embarking on its new strategy for 2016-2020, given that Gavi is such a critical instrument to saving and improving the lives of women and children and increasing equitable use of vaccines in lower income countries “
Dr Bustreo succeeds UNICEF Deputy Executive director Dr Geeta Rao Gupta who has served as Vice Chair since 2011.
“I am grateful to Geeta Rao Gupta for her strong support and counsel during a period of remarkable expansion of Gavi’s programmes,” said Gavi Board Chair Dagfinn Høybråten. “Geeta Rao Gupta was, along with Flavia Bustreo, a leading advocate in support of crucial board decisions including the approval of support for human papillomavirus vaccine and measles-rubella vaccine.”
“Flavia Bustreo’s appointment comes at an important moment for Gavi as we seek to secure funds for immunisation programmes between 2016 and 2020. We have a great deal of work to do if we are to reach every child with lifesaving vaccines and the knowledge and experience that Flavia will bring to her new role will help us address the challenges we face,” added Mr Høybråten.
Dr Bustreo has served as the WHO Assistant Director-General for Family, Women’s and Children’s Health since 2010. Her responsibilities include the oversight of WHO’s work on immunisation, reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health, social and environmental determinants of health, gender, equity and human rights and ageing.

Global Fund Watch [to 13 December 2014]
Press releases

:: 11 December 2014 – New Approach on Buying HIV Drugs Will Save $100 Million
GENEVA – The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria is putting into place a new agreement for purchasing HIV medication that will save close to US$100 million over two years, money that can be reinvested in lifesaving drugs and programs all over the world.
By using a Pooled Procurement Mechanism, the agreement means lower prices, swifter delivery and more predictable and sustainable long-term supply – delivering on the goals of the Global Fund’s Market Shaping Strategy.
It also yields greater transparency, reducing risks and expenses for countries that implement programs treating people with HIV. The new approach will also deliver better HIV medication options for children.
The improvements were achieved by bundling the purchase of, high volume drugs with lower volume ones which are sometimes more difficult to obtain. Negotiators also focused on improved shelf life and active pharmaceutical ingredient security.
The Global Fund is entering agreements with eight suppliers, with three of them as long-term strategic partnerships…

:: 10 December 2014 – Côte d’Ivoire Launches Giveaway of 13 Million Nets to Fight Malaria

:: 09 December 2014 – UNAIDS and Global Fund Sign Cooperation Agreement
GENEVA – UNAIDS and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria signaled their strong partnership with a renewed cooperation agreement to help countries achieve Fast-Track targets to end the AIDS epidemic as a global health threat by 2030.
At the core of the agreement is an improved way of collaborating that strengthens coordination mechanisms, and information-sharing at all levels and mutual accountability.
The UNAIDS Fast-Track approach emphasizes the need to focus on the countries, cities and communities most affected by HIV and recommends that resources be concentrated on the areas with the greatest impact. The new agreement will focus on maximizing support to countries and optimizing investments and impact at country level…