UN Secretary-General: World threatened by dangerous and unacceptable levels of risk from disasters
The 2015 Global Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction (GAR15) is launched today by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

04 March 2015, NEW YORK – UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today warned that “growing global inequality, increasing exposure to natural hazards, rapid urbanization and the over-consumption of energy and natural resources threaten to drive risk to dangerous and unpredictable levels with systemic global impacts.”

The 2015 Global Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction (GAR15), prepared by the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR) and launched today by the Secretary-General, states that economic losses from disasters are now reaching an average of US$250 billion to US$300 billion annually.

In connection with the report’s findings, the Secretary-General said: “We are playing with fire. There is a very real possibility that disaster risk, fuelled by climate change, will reach a tipping point beyond which the effort and resources necessary to reduce it will exceed the capacity of future generations.”…

– Global Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction 2015 website
– Download press release in PDF
– Third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction

World Bank Acknowledges Shortcomings in Resettlement Projects, Announces Action Plan to Fix Problems
PRESS RELEASE
March 4, 2015
WASHINGTON, March 4, 2015 —Acting on internal World Bank reports that identified serious shortcomings in the implementation of its resettlement policies, the World Bank today released a plan that will improve the oversight and management of resettlement practices to ensure better protection of people and businesses affected by Bank-funded projects.

Three reports, which reviewed over two decades of World Bank projects involving possible resettlements, found that oversight of those projects often had poor or no documentation, lacked follow through to ensure that protection measures were implemented, and some projects were not sufficiently identified as high-risk for populations living in the vicinity.

“We took a hard look at ourselves on resettlement and what we found caused me deep concern,” said World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim. “We found several major problems. One is that we haven’t done a good enough job in overseeing projects involving resettlement; two, we haven’t implemented those plans well enough; and three, we haven’t put in place strong tracking systems to make sure that our policies were being followed. We must and will do better.”

The action plan released Wednesday proposes to strengthen systems, staffing, and policy implementation. The plan focuses on improving preparation, supervision and implementation of resettlement, given the disruptive impact it can have on the lives of the people.

The plan is aligned with the World Bank’s ongoing safeguards review process, and is largely based on recommendations from three reports: a 2014 Internal Audit Department (IAD) Advisory Review of the Bank’s Environmental and Social Risk Management; and two internal draft working papers – Involuntary Resettlement Portfolio Review Phase l and Phase ll.

Since late 2012, the World Bank has been consulting with stakeholders on strengthening its environmental and social safeguard policies, including its policies regarding land acquisition and resettlement. On March 1, the World Bank concluded the second phase of consultations on the proposed Environmental and Social Framework, which would strengthen, update and clarify our existing safeguard policies.

On resettlement, World Bank operational teams are already implementing many of the measures identified in the action plan released today, including a comprehensive review of its current policies, additional staff guidance, a systematic risk management framework, and strengthened accreditation of specialist staff.

The plan also includes the use of a new Tracking Social Performance (TSP) Database, in response to a weakness found in two of the reviews that information on the scale and scope of project impacts is difficult to obtain in World Bank systems. This database was developed to better track resettlement issues for all Bank-funded projects with involuntary resettlement, and enable resettlement reports to be generated in real time. A similar tracking system is also now in place for environmental issues.

“Our policy is that if we resettle someone from their home, we will assist efforts to improve, or at least to restore, their incomes and living standards,” Kim said. “Strong policies like ours require strong execution and it requires properly funding reviews and empowering those who work on safeguards. That will change with our action plan.”
More information: fact sheet, and n FAQ on the World Bank’s Involuntary Resettlement Policy

What is involuntary resettlement?
Involuntary Resettlement refers to two distinct but related processes. Displacement is a process by which development projects cause people to lose land or other assets, or access to resources. This may result in physical dislocation, loss of income, or other adverse impacts. Resettlement or rehabilitation is a process by which those adversely affected are assisted in their efforts to improve, or at least to restore, their incomes and living standards.

Sphere Board unveils strategic plan 2015-2020
09 March 2015 | Sphere Project

Sphere 2020, the Sphere Project strategic plan for the coming six years, has just been published. The plan defines an ambitious agenda for Sphere to continue fulfilling its unique role within the humanitarian sector as a leading standards-setting initiative.

“The new strategy,” says Sphere Board Chair Unni Krishnan, “will enable the worldwide community of Sphere practitioners to rise to today’s humanitarian challenges through its new focus on network and innovation, as well as its renewed emphasis on learning, advocacy and standards coherence.”

Building on nearly two decades of organic growth, Sphere 2020 sets about to transform Sphere into a vigorous, deeply connected network of practitioners and organisations which will act as a global catalyst for humanitarian quality and accountability.

Four strategic priorities will enable this ambitious goal:
:: Priority 1: The establishment of a robust, inclusive network of Sphere practitioners will allow humanitarian actors and first responders to develop greater capacity to put humanitarian principles and standards into practice.
:: Priority 2: The collective ability of the Sphere network to carry out training and advocacy will be strengthened, targeting first responders, traditional and new humanitarian actors, international systems as well as local and national authorities.
:: Priority 3: A revision of the Sphere Handbook will offer the opportunity to sharpen the relevance and usability of Sphere standards by consolidating the evidence base and aligning them with innovative best practice in the sector as well as new technologies.
:: Priority 4: The progressive formalisation of a global standards alliance will improve coordinated action, allowing humanitarian standards to better influence humanitarian response, building greater ownership by individuals, communities and organisations.

In support of its strategic priorities, Sphere 2020 makes a point of developing dynamic communications and fundraising strategies….

Download Sphere 2020 (English, French, Spanish).

President Shalala Tapped to Lead Clinton Foundation
Bill Clinton made the announcement at the opening of the Clinton Global Initiative University event Friday night.
University of Miami News
CORAL GABLES, Fla. (March 06, 2015) — For University of Miami President Donna E. Shalala, her old boss has come knocking again.

In front of an audience of thousands at the opening of the Clinton Global Initiative University on the UM campus Friday night, former President Bill Clinton announced that Shalala is being recruited to head the Clinton Foundation.

“She’s a remarkable person,” Clinton said of Shalala, who served for eight years in Clinton’s cabinet as secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services.

Clinton said Shalala’s appointment as president and chief executive officer of the foundation has the full support of him, his wife Hillary, and their daughter Chelsea, but has to be voted on by the board of directors. “I think they’ll vote for her,” he said. “I think anyone who has the chance would vote for her.”

Chelsea Clinton, who is vice chair of the foundation, referred to Shalala as an “extraordinary leader” in her opening remarks at the BankUnited Center.
Shalala announced in September that she is stepping down as president of the University of Miami at the end of this academic year, ending a 14-year tenure.

Financing Investments in Young Children Globally
Summary of a Joint Workshop by the Institute of Medicine, National Research Council, and The Centre for Early Childhood Education and Development, Ambedkar University, Delhi (2015)
March 6, 2015 :: 108 pages ISBN: 978-0-309-31610-1
Pdf dowmload: https://www.nap.edu/login.php?record_id=18993&page=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nap.edu%2Fdownload.php%3Frecord_id%3D18993
Overview
On August 26–27, 2014, the Forum on Investing in Young Children Globally hosted its second workshop, in New Delhi, India. The forum’s first workshop, titled “The Cost of Inaction,” was held in Washington, DC, in April 2014 and focused on the science of promoting optimal development through investing in young children and the potential eco-nomic consequences of inaction. This second workshop, on financing investments for young children, built on the first workshop and brought together stakeholders from such disciplines as social protection, nutrition, education, health, finance, economics, and law and included practitioners, advocates, researchers, and policy makers.

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FORUM ON INVESTING IN YOUNG CHILDREN GLOBALLY – OVERVIEW
In January 2014, the Board on Children, Youth, and Families of the Institute of Medicine (IOM) and the National Research Council (NRC), in collaboration with the IOM Board on Global Health, launched the Forum on Investing in Young Children Globally. At this meeting, the participants agreed to focus on creating and sustaining, over 3 years, an evidence-driven community of stakeholders that aims to explore existing, new, and innovative science and research from around the world and translate this evidence into sound and strategic investments in policies and practices that will make a difference in the lives of children and their caregivers.

Forum activities will highlight the science and economics of integrated investments in young children living in low-resourced regions of the world across the areas of health, nutrition, education, and social protection.

As a result, the forum will explore a holistic view of children and caregivers by integrating analyses and disciplines that span from neurons to neighborhoods and discuss the science from the microbiome to culture. Moreover, the forum will support an integrative vision to strengthen human capital. This work will be done through the forum and will engage in a series of stakeholder consultative sessions or public workshops, each focusing on specific aspects of science integration, bridging equity gaps, and implementing and scaling evidence-informed efforts.

A set of forum goals includes supporting the development of integrated science on children’s health, nutrition, education, and social protection and working with policy makers, practitioners, and researchers to raise awareness of integrated approaches to improve the lives of children and their caregivers. Forum objectives to meet these goals are as follows:

1. To shape a global vision of healthy child development across cultures and contexts, extending from preconception through at least age eight, and across currently siloed areas of health, nutrition, education, and social protection.

2. To identify opportunities for intersectoral coordination among researchers, policy makers, implementers, practitioners, and advocates to improve quality practices in public and private settings and bring these practices to scale, in the context of the economics of strategic, integrated investing in young children.

3. To inform ongoing conversations and activities of groups working on issues related to young children globally, such as the sustainable development goals and indicators being developed.

4. To identify current models of program and policy financing across health, education, nutrition, and social protection within the framework of reproductive, maternal, newborn, and child health that aim to improve children’s developmental potential.

This information could be used to illuminate opportunities for new financing structures and forms of investments that may be more effective in improving child outcomes and potentially drive economic development.

EBOLA/EVD [to 7 March 2015]
Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC); “Threat to international peace and security” (UN Security Council)

WHO: Ebola Situation Report – 4 March 2015
Corrigendum as of 6 March 2015
[Excerpt; Editor’s text bolding]
COUNTRIES WITH WIDESPREAD AND INTENSE TRANSMISSION
:: There have been over 23,900 reported confirmed, probable, and suspected cases cases of EVD in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone (table 1), with over 9800 reported deaths (outcomes for many cases are unknown). A total of 51 new confirmed cases were reported in Guinea, 0 in Liberia, and 81 in Sierra Leone in the 7 days to 1 March.

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Ebola vaccine efficacy trial ready to launch in Guinea
Joint news release WHO/MSF/NIPH
5 March 2015 ¦ GENEVA – Based on promising data from initial clinical trials in late 2014, WHO with the Health Ministry of Guinea, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), Epicentre and The Norwegian Institute of Public Health (NIPH), will launch a Phase III trial in Guinea on 7 March to test the VSV-EBOV vaccine for efficacy and effectiveness to prevent Ebola. The vaccine was developed by the Public Health Agency of Canada. A second vaccine will be tested in a sequential study, as supply becomes available.

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From emergency to recovery: EU mobilises efforts to end Ebola and alleviate its impact
European Commission – Press release
Brussels, 03 March 2015
The “Ebola: from emergency to recovery” conference was held in Brussels under the organisation and patronage of the European Union. While international efforts have reduced the number of Ebola infections in recent months, it is critical to maintain the momentum to prevent a sharp increase in new cases. The conference today aims to sustain the international mobilisation and to plan the next steps in the fight both against the current outbreak and the Ebola virus in general.

The Ebola conference is co-chaired by the European Union, the Presidents of Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, the United Nations, the African Union and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). It brings together all key international players to prepare the actions needed now to bring the number of Ebola infections down to zero – and the measures to help the affected countries recover from the severe blows that the epidemic has dealt their people and economies…

Risking Repetition: Are We Ignoring Ebola’s Lessons?
International Rescue Committee
New York 02 Mar 2015 –
IRC report outlines significant missteps in the global response to Ebola

Over-focus on treatment, insufficient support for community-led engagement and lack of protection and support for local health workers slowed international response
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) today published a set of recommendations in response to the devastating Ebola outbreak as high-level delegates gather at the European Commission in Brussels to “take stock of the fight against the outbreak, coordinate further action for the total eradication of the disease and discuss the recovery process in the most affected countries.”

“The lesson of this crisis is that if you lose the trust of the community then you can’t run an effective health system. This is the warning we have to take on board to avoid the risk of repetition,” said IRC president and CEO, David Miliband.

The report highlights three key areas that are essential in stopping an outbreak like Ebola in the future:

:: Local Leadership is essential: Quarantines are a salient example of the essential role of local leadership. Enforced quarantines, such as the disastrous closure of the Monrovia neighborhood of West Point, served to fuel the epidemic. In contrast, self-imposed quarantines such as the ones organized in partnership between the IRC and local communities in Lofa Country played a significant role in stopping the epidemic. By and large, local leaders and volunteers were the most effective agents of change.

:: Health Care Workers Must be Paid and Properly Resourced: From Lofa County, Liberia, to Bo District in Sierra Leone the IRC heard directly from doctors and nurses who have not received a regular salary in months. When Ebola struck Liberia, health care workers had just been on strike to protest a lack of wages. With donor support, the governments of both countries must commit to paying their employees a regular and reliable salary. The ongoing response and future recovery must ensure that health care workers receive ongoing training, monitoring, mentorship and supervision.

:: Infection prevention and control across the board: Over five hundred health care workers died fighting Ebola. The IRC recognized that health care workers were putting their lives on the line to fight Ebola and instituted rigorous infection and prevention control trainings across Kenema district. It is imperative that we don’t let up. Practices put in place now must be continued and supported. These efforts need to be extended to schools and other public facilities. This is important as a means to restore the public’s trust…

WHO & Regionals [to 7 March 2015]

:: Ten top issues for women’s health
6 March 2015 — International Women’s Day is a day to celebrate women and their achievements. It’s also a day to take stock of how women’s rights, especially the right to health, are fulfilled in the world. Women still face many health problems. 8 March is an opportunity to re-commit to addressing issues ranging from cancer to reproductive health, from mental health to HIV. That’s why WHO and its partners are developing a new global strategy for women’s, children’s, and adolescents’ health.
Read about the top 10 health issues for women

:: WHO Regional Offices
WHO African Region AFRO
:: WHO strives to provide universal access to immunization in the African Region by 2020
Brazzaville, 6 March 2015 – In efforts to prevent vaccine preventable diseases, health experts concluded a four-day meeting from 2 to 5 March that aimed to ensure that every child in the African Region has access to life-saving vaccines. It is estimated that over three million children under five years of age die each year in the Region and a significant number of these deaths could be prevented by vaccines.
One of the recent developments in the field of immunization is the existence of a Regional Strategic Plan for Immunization 2014–2020, endorsed by Member States during the 64th session of the Regional Committee meeting in November 2014, which provides policy and programmatic guidance to Member States for their immunization programmes. This strategic plan addresses the challenges countries in the WHO African Region and their partners need to overcome to provide universal access to immunization for all eligible populations by 2020…
…The two-day meeting, which was well attended, had immunization partners like the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), U.S. Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC), USAID, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Rotary International, Gavi the Vaccine Alliance, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), the Network for Education and Support for Immunization (NESI) as well as the different Immunization Advisory Bodies in the Region, namely, the Task Force on Immunization (TFI) in Africa, the African Regional Certification Committee (ARCC), the Measles and Rubella Technical Advisory Group among others present.

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WHO Western Pacific Region
:: WHO First Embrace campaign to save more than 50 000 newborn babies a year in the Region
MANILA, 5 March 2015 – The World Health Organization (WHO) Region for the Western Pacific launched First Embrace today — a campaign highlighting simple steps that will save more than 50 000 newborn lives, and prevent hundreds of thousands of complications each year from unsafe practices in newborn care in the Region.
– Read the news release

UNDP United Nations Development Programme [to 7 March 2015]
http://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/presscenter.html

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08 Mar 2015
Helen Clark: Statement on International Women’s Day
New York, New York
…Twenty years on, we can see both progress and challenges in the twelve areas of critical concern laid out in the Beijing Platform for Action. Gender parity in primary education has been achieved, but completion rates and the quality of education are not high across all countries. More women have been elected to public office – about 21% of the world’s parliamentarians are women, up from about 11% in 1995 – but we are still far from parity. More women than ever before are participating in the work force, but women generally earn less than men and, in rich and poor countries alike, carry a disproportionate burden of unpaid care work which deprives them of time for valuable pursuits like earning money, gaining new skills, and participating in public life. And, while more laws exist to protect women from violence, sexual and gender-based violence continue to occur on every continent and in every country, often reaching horrific levels where there is war and conflict.

Fortunately, there is encouraging momentum not only to renew the promises of Beijing, but to address issues which were not in the spotlight in 1995, such as the need to ensure women’s participation in responding to climate change, building peace and security, and helping their countries recover from crises. These issues are central to UNDP’s efforts to help partner countries build resilience to sustain development results. By promoting gender equality and empowering women as agents of change and leaders in the development processes which shape their lives, UNDP envisages a more inclusive, sustainable, and resilient world….

DESA United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs [to 7 March 2015]
http://www.un.org/en/development/desa/news.html

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27th meeting of the Interagency and Expert Group on MDG indicators (IAEG-MDG),
New York, 9-10 March 2015
UNSD will convene the 27th meeting of the Interagency and Expert Group on MDG indicators (IAEG-MDG), in New York, from 9 to 10 March 2015. The IAEG-MDG has been responsible for data development, compilation and analysis for the assessment and monitoring of progress towards the MDGs. The 27th Meeting will discuss preparations for the final global MDG monitoring report and related outputs. During the Meeting, transitioning from the MDGs to the SDGs will also be discussed. As the last meeting of the IAEG-MDG, steps toward the conclusion of the IAEG-MDG work will be addressed.

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Expert Group Meeting on the indicator framework for the post-2015 development agenda,
New York, 25-26 February 2015
The United Nations Statistics Division is organizing an Expert Group Meeting on the indicator framework for the post-2015 development agenda, to be held on 25-26 February 2015 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, back-to-back with the forty-sixth session of the United Nations Statistical Commission (3-6 March 2015).
The Expert Group Meeting, with broad participation of representatives from national statistical systems and international and regional organizations, will discuss the development of the indicator framework for the post-2015 development agenda. The objective is to reach a common understanding of how this work will be conducted within the available time frame. Statistical experts from civil society, academia and private sectors will also participate. The outcome of the meeting will be presented to the Statistical Commission at its forty-sixth session under agenda item 3, Data in support of the post-2015 development agenda.

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Statistical Commission Friday Seminar on “The Development of an Indicator Framework for the post-2015 Development Agenda: Towards a nationally owned monitoring system for the SDGs”,
New York, 27 February 2015
A Statistical Commission Friday Seminar on “The Development of an Indicator Framework for the post-2015 Development Agenda” will take place on 27 February 2015 to further the discussion on issues related to the development of indicators to monitor the post-2015 development agenda and hear from both data producers and data users. The Seminar will take place at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.

For additional information please refer to the following website: http://unstats.un.org/unsd/statcom/statcom_2015/seminars/post-2015/default.html

UNODC United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime [to 7 March 2015]
http://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/press/allpress.html?ref=fp

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04/03/2015 – Urgent action needed to stop organized crime preying on migrants, says UNODC chief at irregular migration meeting
London/Vienna, 04 March 2015 – We must act to stop the horrific treatment of migrants by criminal smugglers said Yury Fedotov, the Executive Director of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), today at an international meeting on the movement of irregular migrants by sea.

He told his audience that overcrowded boats, makeshift vessels capsizing and sinking; unguided cargo ships abandoned, with migrants left to their fate at sea; women, men and children drowning or dying of hypothermia were part of a global tragedy.

“We cannot allow desperate people, escaping conflict and humanitarian disasters, to fall prey to organized crime. We need urgent and resolute action to save lives and punish the criminals,” said Mr. Fedotov.

To help counter criminal networks and safeguard the rights of migrants, Mr. Fedotov said UNODC has developed a new strategy that would contribute to overall international efforts in the Mediterranean. He said the strategy was founded on five essential pillars: research and analysis, strengthening countries’ abilities to develop effective criminal justice responses, promoting cooperation, building coordination and protecting migrant rights.

So far, he said, 185 countries have signed the UN Convention on Transnational Organized Crime and 141 have signed its protocol on migrant smuggling, but Mr. Fedotov said that full implementation of these instruments was needed…

IMO International Maritime Organization [to 7 March 2015]
http://www.imo.org/MediaCentre/Pages/Home.aspx

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UN agencies meet to address unsafe mixed migration by sea
Briefing: 4, March 4, 2015
United Nations agencies are meeting in London today (Wednesday, 4 March) to discuss concerted ways to address the high numbers of lives being lost at sea in unsafe craft, particularly in the Mediterranean Sea, where hundreds of people are reported to have died in recent weeks alone on dangerous and unregulated sea passages.

The High-Level Meeting to Address Unsafe Mixed Migration by Sea is being hosted at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Headquarters in London and aims to facilitate dialogue and promote enhanced cooperation and harmonization between United Nations agencies, international organizations, non-governmental organizations, Governments and the shipping industry.

It has been agreed that a mechanism will be established, to enhance inter-agency communication with respect to the maritime aspects of mixed migration. The meeting is also discussing joint projects, for example, the establishment of joint databases to share and collate information and statistics on irregular movements and suspect vessels; quantifying the effects of irregular and unsafe crossings on the shipping industry; and improving maritime situational awareness.

IMO Secretary-General Koji Sekimizu said that the issue of mixed migration by sea, including irregular migration, had, in recent years, reached epidemic proportions, to the extent where the whole system for coping with such migrants was being stretched up to, and sometimes beyond, its breaking point…

ECHO [to 7 March 2015]
http://ec.europa.eu/echo/en/news

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Ebola conference: From emergency to recovery
03/03/2015
While international efforts to fight Ebola have recently reduced the number of infections, action is still needed to avert a new possible increase in cases. Today, the European Union is hosting a high-level conference “Ebola: From emergency to recovery” to continue mobilise international support and plan the next steps against the epidemic.

Today’s conference aims to review progress in the international response and outline concrete steps to ensure that funds already pledged are made available, and that international support continues until there are no more cases of Ebola.

The goal is to define actions which will bring the number of Ebola infections down to zero, and prepare measures which can help affected countries recover from the severe blows. At the conference, the governments of Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone are presenting their assessments and plans for national recovery.

Another objective of the event is to find ways to make the response more mobile and flexible. Crucial in this respect is fostering regional cooperation and assisting West African countries in prevention, containment and preparedness – to help secure that no other epidemic will have such devastating impact in future.

The priority areas for recovery include resuming and improving basic services (health, education, water, sanitation) and the need to return to sustainable economic development.
The event brings together representatives from all institutions, international and non-governmental organisations, private sector and the scientific community who have been closely involved in reacting to the epidemic.

The conference is co-chaired by the European Union, the Presidents of Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, the United Nations, the African Union and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)…

World Bank [to 7 March 2015]
http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/all
[We limit coverage to regional and global level initiatives, recognizing that a number of country-level announcements are added each week]

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PRESS RELEASE
World Bank Acknowledges Shortcomings in Resettlement Projects, Announces Action Plan to Fix Problems
March 4, 2015
WASHINGTON, March 4, 2015 —Acting on internal World Bank reports that identified serious shortcomings in the implementation of its resettlement policies, the World Bank today released a plan that will improve the oversight and management of resettlement practices to ensure better protection of people and businesses affected by Bank-funded projects.

Three reports, which reviewed over two decades of World Bank projects involving possible resettlements, found that oversight of those projects often had poor or no documentation, lacked follow through to ensure that protection measures were implemented, and some projects were not sufficiently identified as high-risk for populations living in the vicinity.

“We took a hard look at ourselves on resettlement and what we found caused me deep concern,” said World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim. “We found several major problems. One is that we haven’t done a good enough job in overseeing projects involving resettlement; two, we haven’t implemented those plans well enough; and three, we haven’t put in place strong tracking systems to make sure that our policies were being followed. We must and will do better.”

The action plan released Wednesday proposes to strengthen systems, staffing, and policy implementation. The plan focuses on improving preparation, supervision and implementation of resettlement, given the disruptive impact it can have on the lives of the people.

The plan is aligned with the World Bank’s ongoing safeguards review process, and is largely based on recommendations from three reports: a 2014 Internal Audit Department (IAD) Advisory Review of the Bank’s Environmental and Social Risk Management; and two internal draft working papers – Involuntary Resettlement Portfolio Review Phase l and Phase ll.

Since late 2012, the World Bank has been consulting with stakeholders on strengthening its environmental and social safeguard policies, including its policies regarding land acquisition and resettlement. On March 1, the World Bank concluded the second phase of consultations on the proposed Environmental and Social Framework, which would strengthen, update and clarify our existing safeguard policies.

On resettlement, World Bank operational teams are already implementing many of the measures identified in the action plan released today, including a comprehensive review of its current policies, additional staff guidance, a systematic risk management framework, and strengthened accreditation of specialist staff.

The plan also includes the use of a new Tracking Social Performance (TSP) Database, in response to a weakness found in two of the reviews that information on the scale and scope of project impacts is difficult to obtain in World Bank systems. This database was developed to better track resettlement issues for all Bank-funded projects with involuntary resettlement, and enable resettlement reports to be generated in real time. A similar tracking system is also now in place for environmental issues.

“Our policy is that if we resettle someone from their home, we will assist efforts to improve, or at least to restore, their incomes and living standards,” Kim said. “Strong policies like ours require strong execution and it requires properly funding reviews and empowering those who work on safeguards. That will change with our action plan.”

More information, including a fact sheet, and an FAQ on the World Bank’s Involuntary Resettlement Policy, is also available.

What is involuntary resettlement?
Involuntary Resettlement refers to two distinct but related processes. Displacement is a process by which development projects cause people to lose land or other assets, or access to resources. This may result in physical dislocation, loss of income, or other adverse impacts. Resettlement or rehabilitation is a process by which those adversely affected are assisted in their efforts to improve, or at least to restore, their incomes and living standards.

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Jobs Umbrella Trust Fund Call for Proposals
March 4, 2015
The World Bank Group is pleased to announce a first Call for Proposals under the Umbrella Trust Fund for Jobs (UTF-JOBS). The Fund aims to generate global knowledge and innovative solutions to help promote job creation, improve the productivity and quality of jobs, and connect people to jobs.
Applications must be for projects that fall under the following Windows of the UTF-JOBS:
– Data, Diagnostics, Evaluations and Strategies (Window 1)
– Jobs for Youth (Window 3)
– Jobs in Fragile and Conflict Affected Countries (Window 4)
Successful proposals can receive funding of up to $1,000,000.00 depending on Project objectives.
The UTF-JOBS aims to generate global knowledge and innovative solutions to support the implementation of multi-sector country strategies and programs that promote job creation; improve the productivity and quality of jobs; and connect people to jobs. This first call for proposals only covers 3 of the 5 Windows of the UTF-JOBS. A call for proposals under Actionable Research for Jobs (Window 5) will be made at a later date. Activities under The Let’s Work Global Partnership (Window 2) are allocated separately.
Eligibility
The call is open to World Bank Group staff and those from institutions working in partnership with the World Bank Group. However, all applications, on the attached template, must be submitted by a World Bank Group staff member.
Selection Criteria
As this is the first call for funding under the UTF-JOBS, we are seeking projects that are of the highest quality and that will set an exceptional standard for future activities under this Trust Fund…

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World Bank Group Announces Expert Panel to Advise on Diversity and Inclusion
WASHINGTON, March 3, 2015—The World Bank Group today announced the creation of its first External Advisory Panel for Diversity and Inclusion, which will provide a conduit between the World Bank Group and the global community, serve as a sounding board, and advise on matters relating to diversity and inclusion. While conducting a study of the diversity and inclusiveness of the World Bank Group’s workforce, an organizational review of external best practices found that the institution should explore new ways to become more diverse and could benefit from an outside perspective. The World Bank Group, in selecting members of an External Advisory Panel, sought leaders who had demonstrated success in both diversity and inclusion in the workplace. The External Advisory Panel will review and advise President Jim Yong Kim and his senior management team on the organization’s strategies and measures to achieve a diverse and inclusive workplace…
Date: March 3, 2015

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World Bank Approves $500 Million Project to Improve Access to Finance for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises
WASHINGTON, DC, March 3, 2015 – The World Bank approved last week a $500 million loan for the MSME Growth Innovation and Inclusive Finance Project to improve access to finance for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in manufacturing and services sector, from early to growth stage, including through innovative financial products. In India, MSMEs account for more than 80 percent of total industrial enterprises, produce over 8000 value-added products and employ an estimated 60 million people. It contributes around 45 per cent to manufacturing output and about 40 percent to exports, both directly and indirectly. In addition, over 50 percent of MSMEs are rural enterprises and widely distributed across low-income states making them an important sector for promoting economic growth and poverty reduction.However, lack of adequate finance is one of the biggest challenges facing the MSME sector…
Date: March 3, 2015

Amref Health Africa [to 7 March 2015]
http://amref.org/news/news/

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Amref Health Africa Expands Facilities to Train Health Workers – and Announces Plans for a University
Kenya’s Cabinet Mr James Macharia yesterday opened a newly constructed Annex at the Amref Health Africa Training Centre and Headquarters in Nairobi that will expand the organisation’s capacity to train health workers from across the continent.
The new building, funded by USAID’s American Schools and Hospitals Abroad programme at US$400,000, has a capacity of 215 students, as well as information and communications technology to support eLearning and mLearning…
…The Chair of Amref Health Africa’s International Board of Directors, Mr Omari Issa, announced that that the organisation’s International Board of Directors had decided to set up a university to train health workers.
The decision, he said, and construction of the new annex, were in line with Amref Health Africa’s plans to expand its training portfolio and increase access to health care training. “We are investing in training people because we recognise that people are the most important element of the health system.”

Casa Alianza [to 7 March 2015]
Covenant House [to 7 March 2015]
http://www.casa-alianza.org.uk/news
https://www.covenanthouse.org/

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Creating A Haven for Young Trafficking Victims in Toronto
In his Huffington Post column, President Kevin Ryan announces the opening of a Covenant House transitional housing program designed especially for sex-trafficking survivors in Toronto early next year that will be another critical step in our work to fight the human trafficking of homeless youth.

Handicap International [to 7 March 2015]
http://www.handicap-international.us/press_releases

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March 03, 2015
Handicap International U.S. welcomes new Executive Director
Handicap International U.S.’ Board of Directors is pleased to announce the appointment of Jeff Meer as the next Executive Director of Handicap International U.S. With 27 years of experience working in the international humanitarian sector, Meer has held leadership roles at the U.S. Association for UNHCR, CHF International, and most recently, The Public Health Institute (PHI).

“Jeff’s commitment to humanitarian action and development, paired with his vision for Handicap International U.S. make him a clear choice to take the organization to new heights,” said Nancy A. Kelly, President of the Board. “His dedication to enhancing and protecting the rights of marginalized communities, be them people with disabilities or populations fleeing conflict, makes him a perfect match to the Handicap International family.”
Meer served on the Handicap International U.S. Board for the past year. He is also a long-time donor to the organization…

Heifer International [to 7 March 2015]
http://www.heifer.org/about-heifer/press/press-releases.html

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March 3, 2015
Elanco Supports East Africa Dairy Development Project with $1.5 Million Matching Challenge
GREENFIELD, Ind. March 3, 2015
Elanco Animal Health is continuing its commitment to break the cycle of hunger for those most in need with a $1.5 million matching challenge to help Heifer International fund Phase II of the East Africa Dairy Development Project (EADD).

ICRC – International Committee of the Red Cross [to 7 March 2015]
http://www.icrc.org/eng/resources/index.jsp

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South Sudan: “Snapshot book” helps children find loved ones
News release
05 March 2015
Unaccompanied boys and girls are among the hundreds of thousands of people who have been fleeing continuing violence, from South Sudan into neighbouring Ethiopia, Uganda, Sudan and Kenya. The use of a “snapshot book” by the ICRC and local Red Cross Societies is helping both adults and children find missing relatives. Since the beginning of the year, about 120 matches have been made.

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Red Cross Red Crescent denounces recent violence against its volunteers and staff
News release
05 March 2015
The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is deeply concerned about the recent spate of attacks against its volunteers and staff.
In the last month alone, two volunteers and one staff member were killed in Sudan. Volunteers have been attacked in Myanmar, and in Guinea teams fighting Ebola are being attacked by community members on average 10 times a month due to misinformation and stigma. In the Central African Republic and elsewhere, the emblems have not been universally respected and in some cases have even been targeted. In Syria, 47 volunteers have lost their lives since the beginning of the conflict.

Save The Children [to 7 March 2015]
http://www.savethechildren.org/site/c.8rKLIXMGIpI4E/b.6150563/k.D0E9/Newsroom.htm

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Almost 30 Countries Suffer From Weaker Health Systems Than Ebola-hit West Africa, Putting Millions At Risk
Fairfield, Connecticut (March 3, 2015) — Health systems throughout the developing world need to be strengthened to prevent another Ebola-style outbreak, or worse, warns Save the Children in its new report ‘A Wake Up Call: Lessons from Ebola for the world’s health systems’.

The report ranks the world’s poorest countries on the state of their public health systems, finding that 28 have weaker defenses in place than Sierra Leone where, alongside Liberia and Guinea, the current Ebola crisis has already claimed more than 9,500 lives.

The report also advises that prevention is better than cure, finding that the international Ebola relief effort in West Africa has cost $4.3bn, whereas strengthening the health systems of those countries in the first place would have cost just $1.58bn.

Ahead of an Ebola summit attended by world leaders in Brussels today, the charity warns that alongside immediate much needed support to Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea, lessons need to be learned and applied to other vulnerable countries around the world…