Monthly Archives: June 2015

The African Development Bank Group [to 13 June 2015]

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The African Development Bank Group [to 13 June 2015]
http://www.afdb.org/en/news-and-events/press-releases/

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Member States Endorse the ECOWAS Policy for Gender Mainstreaming in Energy Access
11/06/2015 – Countries of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), represented by the Ministries of Energy, validated on 4-5 June 2015 in Dakar, Senegal, the regional Policy to mainstream gender in all energy programmes, projects and initiatives implemented in the Member States, including large scale energy infrastructure projects and investments.

AfDB with GEF support continues to strengthen resilience to climate change in Africa
09/06/2015 – The Global Environment Facility (GEF) approved USD 35 million in funding to improve climate resilience to be channeled through the African Development Bank for programs in Côte d’Ivoire, Chad, Zambia, in addition to one which spans several countries. The announcement was made at the recent 48th session of the GEF Council Meeting during which the largest GEF work program in its 23 years of history – USD 709 million – was endorsed.

Payment for Environmental Services, a promising new tool to sustain long-term green investments
09/06/2015 – The African Development Bank launched on Tuesday, June 9, its report, Payment for Environmental Services: A promising tool for natural resources management in Africa, the first of a new AfDB-Climate Investment Funds knowledge series. The report details the tool’s potential to improve natural resources management efficiency, ensure the flow of environmental services for the businesses and infrastructure that rely upon them and establish new sustainable finance for conservation.

European Union [to 13 June 2015]

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European Union [to 13 June 2015]
http://europa.eu/newsroom/index_en.htm
[We generally limit coverage to regional and global level initiatives]

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Joint Statement on the occasion of the World Day Against Child Labour
Employment and social rights / External relations and foreign affairs |
12/06/2015 12:00 | European Commission

EU announces new funding for the Caribbean
Brussels, 11 June 2015
Today, EU High Representative/Vice-President of the Commission Federica Mogherini signed a €346 million new regional funding programme with the Caribbean region until 2020. This represents more than a doubling of the funds that were available in previous years (€165 million euros).
The programme, designed together with the Caribbean representative organisation CARIFORUM, establishes jointly agreed priorities for bi-regional cooperation….

Press release – Human rights: child pregnancies in Paraguay; Palmyra; children in Nepal
External relations and foreign affairs | 11/06/2015 13:00 | European Parliament

Press release – Gender equality strategy: MEPs call for clearer targets and better monitoring
Employment and social rights | 09/06/2015 17:53 | European Parliament

OECD [to 13 June 2015]

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OECD [to 13 June 2015]
http://www.oecd.org/newsroom/publicationsdocuments/bydate/
[We generally limit coverage to regional and global level initiatives, recognizing that a number of country-level announcements are added each week]

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Finance and Inclusive Growth: A lecture by OECD Chief Economist Catherine L. Mann: London on 17 June at 2 p.m.
Finance is a vital ingredient for economic growth, but new OECD research suggests that different types of finance can have varying, and oftentimes negative effects on growth and inequality.
9-June-2015

Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) [to 13 June 2015]

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Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) [to 13 June 2015]
http://www.oic-oci.org/oicv2/news/

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OIC and Russian Federation reiterate increased bilateral cooperation
Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Iyad Ameen Madani emphasized the need to advance cooperation between the Islamic world and the Russian Federation while speaking at a meeting of the Russia-Islamic World Strategic Vision Group in Moscow on June 11, 2015…
12/06/2015

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OIC Secretary General Urges Religious and Political Leaders to Work Together to Address Root Causes of Terrorism and Extremism
Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Iyad Ameen Madani attended and delivered a statement at the opening session of the 5th Congress of World and Traditional Religions on June 10, 2015 in Astana, Kazakhstan.

During his speech, Madani highlighted the contemporary challenge faced by the international community vis-à-vis the rising trend of extreme violence that is aimed at undermining the multicultural character of societies and because of which interracial and interreligious tensions have been on the increase.

To confront the problem, the OIC Secretary General called on religious and political leaders to better understand context and work in conjunction to address the root causes of terrorism and extremism. He further assured participants that domination is the common enemy in the struggle to defeat the problem.

The OIC Secretary General also emphasized that the OIC is always at the forefront of condemning all acts of terrorism, as well as denouncing the ideology of terrorist groups which use religion and beliefs to acquire cultural superiority.

The 5th Congress of World and Traditional Religions was opened by President of Kazakhstan H.E. Nursultan Nazarbayev and is being attended by senior dignitaries and over 200 delegates representing numerous faith communities. Participants at the event—which is being held under the theme of “Dialogue of Religious Leaders and Politicians for the Sake of Peace and Development”—have convened to discuss ways of promoting global dialogue among traditional religions…
11/06/2015

IMF [to 13 June 2015]

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IMF [to 13 June 2015]
http://www.imf.org/external/news/default.aspx
[We generally limit coverage to regional and global level initiatives, recognizing that a number of country-level announcements are added each week]

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Public Debt Management Forum Considers Recent Sovereign Bond Volatility, Deterioration in Market Liquidity and Longer Term Challenges
Press Release: June 12, 2015

Managing Water Challenges
Presentation by David Lipton, First Deputy Managing Director, IMF
Launch of IMF Study on Managing Water Challenges and Policy Instruments
World Resources Institute, Washington, D.C., June 8, 2015

World Bank [to 13 June 2015]

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World Bank [to 13 June 2015]
http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/all
[We generally limit coverage to regional and global level initiatives, recognizing that a number of country-level announcements are added each week]

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Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger and the Economic Community of West African States – Sahel Malaria and Neglected Tropical Diseases Project
IDA Grant: US $121.0 million equivalent Project ID: P149526 Project Description: The objective of the project is to increase access to community-level health services to prevent and treat cases of malaria and neglected tropical diseases.

Regional Integration to Help the Middle East and Africa Move Beyond Conflict and Achieve Greater Economic Growth—World Bank Group President
Date: June 10, 2015

Developing Countries Face Tough Transition in 2015 with Higher Borrowing Costs and Lower Prices for Oil & Other Commodities
Impending rise in US interest rates could reduce capital flows, spur financial market volatility in developing countries WASHINGTON, June 10, 2015 – Developing countries face a series of tough challenges in 2015, including the looming prospect of higher borrowing costs as they adapt to a new era of low prices for oil and other key commodities, resulting in a fourth consecutive year of disappointing economic growth this year, says the World Bank Group’s latest Global Economic Prospects (GEP) report, released today. As a result, developing countries are now projected to grow by 4.4 percent this year, with a likely rise to 5.2 percent in 2016, and 5.4 percent in 2017. “Developing countries were an engine of global growth following the financial crisis, but now they face a more difficult economic environment,” said World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim.
Date: June 10, 2015

The East Africa Community, The World Bank and Partners Discuss Integrated Solutions to the Development of Key Trading Corridors
Date: June 9, 2015

USAID, World Bank, WHO, Countries and Partners Align on New Way Forward to Measure Impact of Country Health Programs
Date: June 9, 2015

Reaction to the G7 Communique from World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim
SCHLOSS ELMAU, June 8, 2015

CARE International [to 13 June 2015]

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CARE International [to 13 June 2015]
http://www.care-international.org/news/press-releases.aspx

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Governments’ Snail’s Pace to Paris is too Slow for World’s Poorest People
GLOBAL
12 JUNE 2015
Governments need to agree a new climate deal in Paris in December to set the world on a course for committed climate action.

CARE Urges for End to Commercial Blockage as Millions Struggle to Survive
YEMEN
12 JUNE 2015
As peace talks between Yemen’s conflicting parties convene on June 14, humanitarian agency, CARE, calls on all parties to reach a permanent ceasefire and bring an end to the blockade on commercial imports, as 20 million people in Yemen are now in desperate need of humanitarian

Growing Humanitarian Crisis in Northern Mali
MALI
12 JUNE 2015
Thousands of Malian families have fled their homes in recent weeks because of armed conflict and attacks in the northern regions of Timbuktu, Mopti and Gao

Syrian Refugees Facing Risks as Child Labourers, and from Loss of Education, Highlights CARE
JORDAN
12 JUNE 2015
On the occasion of the World Day Against Child Labour, 12 June, the humanitarian agency CARE is highlighting concerns that Syrian refugee children, with few options and little choice, are being forced to enter the labour market, losing educational opportunities and facing increased protection risks.

Cyclone Pam Three Months On: CARE Highlights the Role of Women
VANUATU
10 JUNE 2015
Three months after Cyclone Pam devastated Vanuatu on March 13, CARE Australia is running a forum that will reflect on the strengths and contribution of women in response to the country’s biggest ever natural disaster.

ICRC [to 13 June 2015]

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ICRC [to 13 June 2015]
https://www.icrc.org/en

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Oman: ICRC establishes a presence in the Sultanate
News release
10 June 2015
Kuwait (ICRC) – The president of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Peter Maurer, called today for a stronger response to the needs of civilians affected by the ongoing conflict in Yemen.

South Sudan: Starvation threatens unless urgent action is taken
News release
10 June 2015
Juba/Geneva (ICRC) – The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has warned that urgent action needs to be taken to save hundreds of thousands of people in South Sudan from starvation. It is estimated that more than a hundred thousand people have been forced to leave their homes during the past four weeks because of an upsurge in violence.

Philippines: Electronic system launched to help reduce jail congestion
News release
09 June 2015
Manila (ICRC) – As part of ongoing efforts to reduce jail congestion, an electronic system for computing inmates’ good conduct time allowance will be rolled out by the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) in six pilot jails.

Yemen: Tragic death of yet another Red Crescent aid worker
News release
08 June 2015
The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is deeply saddened by the death of Jameela Naji Burut, a volunteer with the Yemen Red Crescent Society, who was killed in an explosion on 29 May in the north-western city of Hajjah.

IRCT [to 13 June 2015]

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IRCT [to 13 June 2015]
http://www.irct.org/

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News
Attack on member’s office in Chechnya reiterates the need for proper investigation
09 June 2015

Statements & declarations
IRCT calls upon the authorities in Israel to ensure full access to medical records in cases of torture allegations
08 June 2015
The IRCT calls upon the authorities in Israel to ensure full access to medical records in cases of torture allegations and investigate the case of Mr. Hamzah Zahran, a former prisoner of the State of Israel.
The medical files that were transmitted to Mr. Zahran and his legal counsel, the Public Committee Against Torture Israel (PCATI), were incomplete, and the IRCT is deeply concerned that this may have obstructed Mr. Zahran’s ability to raise his allegation of ill-treatment and torture with the Inspector of Interrogee Complaints.
In this context, the IRCT draws attention to the Expert Statement “On the Right of Access to Relevant Medical and Other Health Records and Relevant Legal Records for Forensic Medical Evaluations of Alleged Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman Or Degrading Treatment and Punishment” (Expert Statement on Right of Access), which was issued by the Independent Forensic Expert Group (IFEG).
The Expert Statement argues that the full disclosure of medical and health records is particularly important when the individual alleges that s/he has been ill-treated or tortured and has requested access to his/her medical and health files in support of those allegations.
Read the full letter here.

News
Philippines Government should urgently implement recommendations from torture prevention body
08 June 2015

Islamic Relief [to 13 June 2015]

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Islamic Relief [to 13 June 2015]
http://www.islamic-relief.org/category/news/

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Working with others to provide relief
June 9, 2015
The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) and Islamic Relief Worldwide (IRW) have joined forces to provide shelter for 12,000 of the most vulnerable and marginalised people in the 14 worst-affected areas following the earthquakes in Nepal in April and May.

Services for life in Kenya
June 9, 2015
Islamic Relief has improved basic services for people living in Africa’s largest refugee complex, as well as local communities.
The Dadaab complex, in Kenya, is reportedly home to about 500,000 people, largely from neighbouring Somalia – some of whom have been sheltering in the camp for over two decades. Living conditions are tough inside Dadaab, which is overcrowded, underfunded, and currently facing closure…

Iraq in Crisis
June 8, 2015
A year after conflict in Iraq spiked – plunging the country into one of the world’s most grave humanitarian crises – Islamic Relief is renewing its appeal for humanitarian aid and action to end the violence.

MSF/Médecins Sans Frontières [to 13 June 2015]

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MSF/Médecins Sans Frontières [to 13 June 2015]
http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/news-stories/press/press-releases

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Press release
MSF Launches Global Campaign Urging India to Protect Access to Affordable Medicines
June 12, 2015
New Delhi/Geneva—The international medical humanitarian organization Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) today launched a global campaign urging Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to stand strong in the face of intensifying multinational pressure to change India’s laws and policies that would severely restrict production of affordable medicines, upon which millions of people around the world depend.

Press release
TPP Trade Deal Moves Toward Completion, Threatening Access to Medicines for Millions
June 12, 2015
Damaging Health Provisions Must be Removed Immediately

Press release
Yemen: More than 100 Injured in Shelling of Aden Residential Area
June 11, 2015
ADEN, YEMEN—Amid ongoing shelling in the Yemeni port city of Aden, hospitals are overwhelmed as civilians come under increasing fire, said the international medical humanitarian organization Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), which treated more than 100 people injured in shelling yesterday.

Press release
Iraq: Millions of Displaced Face Worst Humanitarian Crisis in Decades
June 08, 2015
GENEVA/NEW YORK—Intense fighting has forced almost three million people to flee war-torn areas of central and northern Iraq in the last year, and many are now stranded in areas without the most basic humanitarian assistance, the international medical organization Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) warned today.

Field News
In Memoriam: Sandeep Mahat, Jessica Wilford, and Sher Behadur Karki
June 12, 2015
On Tuesday, June 2, three of our colleagues lost their lives in a helicopter crash in Nepal. Sandeep Mahat, Jessica Wilford, and Sher Bahadur Karki (Raj) were flying back to Kathmandu after delivering much-needed medical and humanitarian assistance to earthquake-affected villages in Sindhupalchowk district when the accident occurred. We miss them all tremendously.

Field news
Q&A on the Consequences of Unsafe Abortion
June 10, 2015
Unsafe abortion is one of the top four causes of maternal mortality, along with hemorrhage, sepsis and hypertensive disorder.

Field news
Ivory Coast: A Maternity Unit for Emergency Care
June 10, 2015
In Ivory Coast, years of instability have severely weakened health services and led to a lack of both facilities and trained staff. The dearth of options available to expectant mothers and their babies has resulted in particularly high levels of maternal mortality. In July 2014, Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)—already working in maternity units in Duékoué and Abobo—opened a program to care for pregnant women and newborns at Katiola Regional Hospital Center (RHC), north of Bouaké.

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NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS–USA
NEW YORK, JUNE 3, 2015 – The US section of the international medical humanitarian organization Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) today announced the appointment of Mr. Jason Cone as its new executive director.

Mr. Cone, who officially began his new tenure on June 1, has an extensive background in crisis and advocacy communications. He assumes leadership of MSF-USA following 11 years with the organization, the last six-and-a-half as communications director.

In his former role, he oversaw emergency and advocacy communications campaigns on issues ranging from the West African Ebola outbreak and Haiti earthquake and cholera epidemic, to global childhood malnutrition and HIV/AIDS. He returned last month from meeting with MSF field teams, diplomats, and journalists while visiting MSF’s surgical and mental health programs in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, and its medical programs for war-affected Syrian refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, and Turkey…

Mr. Cone replaces Sophie Delaunay, with whom he has worked for the past six years. Ms. Delaunay led MSF-USA through a period of incredible growth of the organization. Fundraising for field programs grew from $144 million in 2009 to $347 million in 2014 under her stewardship. She also helped stabilize MSF-USA through the 2009 financial crisis, which greatly impacted the non-profit sector, and led the organization during major humanitarian emergencies in the Central African Republic, Haiti, South Sudan, and, most recently, the Ebola outbreak in West Africa. She departs MSF after 22 years working with the organization, both in the field and in headquarters….

OXFAM [to 13 June 2015]

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OXFAM [to 13 June 2015]
http://www.oxfam.org/en/pressroom/pressreleases

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African Union should call on South Africa to protect refugees and migrants from xenophobic attacks
12 June 2015
The African Union (AU) should call on the South African authorities to provide a long-term security guarantee for refugees, migrants and asylum seekers living in the country, Oxfam, Amnesty International and other 11 civil society organizations said today at a side event during the AU Summit underway in Pretoria and Johannesburg.

Permanent Yemen ceasefire needed now to safeguard millions: call from international humanitarian agencies
11 June 2015
Humanitarian agencies are calling on the international community to support a lasting solution that could save the lives of millions of civilians in Yemen, as the United Nations prepares to host peace talks on Sunday June 14th in Geneva.

Save The Children [to 13 June 2015]

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Save The Children [to 13 June 2015]
http://www.savethechildren.org/site/c.8rKLIXMGIpI4E/b.6150563/k.D0E9/Newsroom.htm

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Statement on Pakistan office
June 12, 2015
On June 11, Save the Children confirmed that its office in Islamabad, Pakistan, had been closed and sealed off today by the Pakistani authorities.
Save the Children was not served any notice to this effect. We strongly object to this action and are raising our serious concerns at the highest levels.
Save the Children has worked in Pakistan for more than 35 years and we currently have 1,200 staff members working across the nation. Save the Children does not have any expatriate staff working in Pakistan, all our staff are Pakistani.
Last year, our programs in health, education, food security and livelihoods reached more than 4 million children and their families. All our work is designed and delivered in close collaboration with the government ministries across the country, and aims to strengthen public service delivery systems in health, nutrition, education and child welfare.

Sustainaville, The Charity-Driven Game From Save the Children, Enters Closed Beta
June 10, 2015

Thousands of Vulnerable Unaccompanied Children Arriving on Mediterranean Rescue Boats
June 9, 2015

How Flower Garlands Will Help Children in Post-Earthquake Nepal
June 8, 2015

Statement from Save the Children, Save the Children Action Network on G7 Summit
June 8, 2015

CONCORD [to 13 June 2015]

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CONCORD [to 13 June 2015]
European NGO confederation for relief and development
http://www.concordeurope.org/news-room

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CONCORD Europe boosted by 3 new members
(Brussels, 12/06/2015) CONCORD, the European confederation of Relief and Development NGOs, held its General Assembly on 10-11 June in Brussels, with three new organisations joining as well as board elections taking place.
The ‘Child Fund Alliance’ and ‘Habitat for Humanity International’ joined as international networks with ‘EAEA’ (European Association for Education of Adults) joining as associate member. This brings CONCORD membership to 28 national platforms – one per EU member state – and 20 international networks, plus 3 associate members…

ALNAP [to 13 June 2015]

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Active Learning Network for Accountability and Performance in Humanitarian Action (ALNAP) [to 13 June 2015]
http://www.alnap.org/

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Exploring coordination in humanitarian Clusters
ALNAP study
10 June 2015 :: 126pp
Full report
When a multitude of humanitarian actors are responding to a crisis, achieving effective coordination is an essential part of a successful humanitarian response. Sector-based Clusters are tasked with a multitude of activities, but what does ‘effective coordination’ mean for the humanitarian Clusters? And how do the Clusters achieve this success?
Using a spectrum of coordination, this study looks at these questions and at what is the right level of coordination for Clusters. It examines many factors that can contribute to achieving this level; from clear information management procedures, to trusting relationships and the role of the Cluster Lead Agency.
You can read a discussion starter of this report here, and find more resources on this topic here.

ODI [to 13 June 2015]

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ODI [to 13 June 2015]
http://www.odi.org/media

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Towards a better life? A cautionary tale of progress in Ahmedabad
Research reports and studies | June 2015 |
Tanvi Bhatkal, William Avis and Susan Nicolai
Ahmedabad, the fifth largest city in India, has achieved significant progress since the 1990s. The city provides a useful lens through which to explore the rural-urban transition and how its challenges can be addressed, particularly terms of improvement in material…

On the path to progress: improving living conditions in Peru’s slum settlements
Research reports and studies | June 2015 |
Julio Calderón Cockburn, Jesús Quispe Romero, Paula Lucci, Amanda Lenhardt
This case study explores the improvements in living conditions in slum settlements located in the outskirts of cities in Peru. This period saw significant progress in access to utilities in these areas, with positive changes recorded in water piped directly to…

Community-driven development in the slums: Thailand’s experience
Research reports and studies | June 2015 | Tanvi Bhatkal and Paula Lucci
This case study examines progress in the living conditions of slum dwellers in Thailand since the 1990s. Thanks to community-centred slum upgrading programmes, notably Baan Mankong, this period has seen improvements in tenure security, housing conditions and access to…