Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) [to 1 August 2015]
http://www.oic-oci.org/oicv2/news/

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Selected Press Releases
OIC Strongly Condemns Arson Attack on Palestinian Child by Extremist Settlers
The General Secretariat of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) condemned in the strongest terms the horrendous crime by extremist settlers who attacked and burned a house in Nablus, in the West Bank, leading to the burning to death of a Palestinian child, Ali Dawabsheh, and the severe wounding of his family…
31/07/2015

OIC Organizes Roundtable Discussion on the Role of Civil Society in Electoral Processes
In collaboration with the United Nations Electoral Assistance Division (UNEAD), the OIC General Secretariat organized a Roundtable Discussion on the Role of Civil Society and Domestic Observer Groups in Enhancing the Integrity of Electoral Processes during the period of 27-29 July 2015…
29/07/2015

OIC Condemns Terrorist Attack in Bahrain
The Secretary General of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Iyad Ameen Madani, condemned the terrorist attack that occurred in Sitra village, Kingdom of Bahrain, on 28 July 2015, killing policemen and wounding others as they performed their duties of protecting the country and the people….
29/07/2015

Secretary General Strongly Condemns Incursion into Al-Aqsa Mosque and Attack on Worshipers
The Secretary General of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Iyad Ameen Madani, strongly condemned the incursion into and desecration of the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque by groups of extremist settlers under the protection of the Israeli occupation forces. The settlers blocked access to the mosque and savagely attacked the worshippers in the mosque’s compound, which is an act of provocation and blatant violation of relevant international resolutions and instruments…
26/07/2015

World Trade Organisation [to 1 August 2015]
http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news_e.htm
[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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DG Azevêdo: Expect “intense, relentless” engagement on DDA issues in September
Director-General Roberto Azevêdo told a meeting of all WTO members today (31 July) that there had not been sufficient progress to deliver a work programme on remaining issues of the Doha Development Agenda (DDA) by the 31 July deadline. He said that while this is a “very disappointing result”, it should not become an obstacle to achieving outcomes at the WTO’s Ministerial Conference in Nairobi in December. “This missed deadline does not represent a barrier to delivering in Nairobi – but it should be a wake-up call about our prospects for success,” he said.

World Bank [to 1 August 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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PRESS RELEASE
Boosting Regional Trade Policies to Bring Food Security to West Africans
WASHINGTON, JULY 28, 2015 ‒ A new World Bank report says that although 60% of West Africans work in agriculture, these countries still depend heavily on food imports which have tripled over the past 10 years. According to the Bank, West African farmers could expand agriculture production to feed the largest and fastest growing population if governments can work more closely with institutions such as the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to develop regional trade policies and remove cross border restrictions on food trade.

According to the report—Connecting Food Staples and Input Markets in West Africa: A Regional Trade Agenda for ECOWAS Countries—production of food staples in West Africa such as rice could double and maize could nearly triple if governments rethink their policies and support to agriculture and agribusiness by opening up trade within the region.
The report builds on the 2012 World Bank report, “Africa Can Help Feed Africa,” and explores the specific circumstances in West Africa, home to one-third of the continent’s population and many of the most vulnerable countries, and brings new analysis to the food staples trade, the multiple regional policies in place, and the implementation of those policies from the perspective of regional institutions…

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WBG and ILO co-launch a joint plan of action on Universal Social Protection
July 27, 2015
On June 30, 2015, World Bank Group (WBG) President Jim Yong Kim and International Labor Organization’s Director-General Guy Ryder co-launched a joint plan of action on Universal Social Protection to ensure that no one is left behind.

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Getting Quality Textbooks to Every Child in Sub-Saharan Africa is Possible
ABIDJAN, July 27 – Every child in sub-Saharan Africa can have access to affordable and good quality textbooks if policy measures are taken to reduce the cost of textbooks and sustainable financing is ensured…
Date: July 27, 2015 Type: Press Release

Aravind Eye Care System [to 1 August 2015]
http://www.aravind.org/default/currentnewscontent

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Aravind Pays Respect to Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam
[undated]
It was with great shock and grief that staff at Aravind received the news of Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam’s passing away on July 27. Dr. Kalam, a long-time friend of Aravind was familiar to many here that they felt like the loss of their own family member. Staff across the centres assembled to pay homage to this noble soul and great son of India.

BRAC [to 1 August 2015]
http://www.brac.net/content/stay-informed-news#.VPstwC5nBhV

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Minimum age of marriage for girls should be 18
28 July 2015, Dhaka. At the seminar on ‘Way forward to stop child marriage’, experts demanded that the minimum age for marriage should be kept18 years. The seminar, organised by BRAC on 28 July 2015, was attended by government representatives, local representatives, Nikah registrars (kazis), religious leaders (Imams), and representatives from human rights organisations, non-government organisations and media. Sheepa Hafiza, director of BRAC’s gender justice and diversity and migration programme…

CARE International [to 1 August 2015]
http://www.care-international.org/news/press-releases.aspx

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CARE Report Calls for Increased Attention to Refugee Skills Development and Livelihoods Support in Camps
JORDAN
29 JULY 2015
A report by CARE Jordan says current livelihood programs in Azraq refugee camp have closed economic gaps but more must be done to support refugee self-reliance.

Danish Refugee Council [to 1 August 2015]
http://drc.dk/news/archive/

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Diaspora actors can improve emergency effectiveness (28.07.15)
Diaspora groups are already heavily involved in development activities in their home countries. A recently launched innovative project explores how they act as providers of humanitarian aid and improve coordination mechanisms between Diasporas and conventional humanitarian aid providers. Together with the European Commission’s Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection Department (ECHO)/European Union, the Danish Refugee Council, AFFORD and the Berghof Foundation jointly investigate opportunities for diaspora communities as providers of humanitarian aid and relief in Somalia, Sierra Leone and Syria…

Casa Alianza [to 1 August 2015]
Covenant House [to 1 August 2015]
http://www.casa-alianza.org.uk/news
https://www.covenanthouse.org/

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Honduras: Human rights abuses rise amid militarisation
27th Jul 2015
Allegations of human rights abuses have sky-rocketed in Honduras alongside a rise increase in militarisation in the violence-plagued Central American country. Since a military coup overthrew of left-leaning elected president Manuel Zelaya in 2009, there has been a rising recent years has led to a flood of alleged abuses at the hands of soldiers. Allegations include arbitrary detentions, murder, torture and rape. Militarisation spiked in Honduras after the coup in the name of increasing…

IRC International Rescue Committee [to 1 August 2015]
http://www.rescue.org/press-release-index

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29 Jul 2015
No water, no food, no healthcare – refugees arriving on Lesbos not receiving help is a ‘serious concern’, say aid agency
:: International coordination needed to identify and help all arrivals
:: Aid still slow in arriving at Kara Tepe transit camp
:: The IRC able to provide interviews and meet with media at Kara Tepe

ICRC [to 1 August 2015]
https://www.icrc.org/en/whats-new

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Lebanon: ICRC and Lebanese University partner to improve weapon-wounded care
The ICRC and the Lebanese University signed a partnership agreement today to launch the new Faculty of Medical Sciences module on clinical management of the war-wounded.
31-07-2015 | News release

Humanitarian aid workers and their protection under international law
Humanitarian aid, by definition, is provided in complex and insecure settings. Therefore humanitarian workers, including health-care personnel, often face tremendous risks to provide assistance and care to people in need.
30-07-2015 | Article

Syria: Survival in the devastated city of Aleppo
The humanitarian situation in Aleppo is very dramatic. Syria’s most populated city and one of the main commercial hubs before the conflict erupted in 2011, Aleppo is today a city devastated by the fighting, de facto partitioned into zones controlled
29-07-2015 | Video

Central African Republic: Over a thousand people still searching for loved ones
One of the tragic consequences of the armed conflict in the west of the Central African Republic is that families have become separated and dispersed as they fled.
28-07-2015 | Article

Yemen: International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement condemns attack on ambulance in Taiz
The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement condemns in the strongest possible terms the attack on a Yemeni Red Crescent Society (YRCS) ambulance in the city of Taiz on Thursday 23 July, which killed two people.
28-07-2015 | News release

Ukraine: Staying safe, despite mines and explosive remnants of war
On both sides of the line of contact in eastern Ukraine, mines and explosive remnants of war lie in wait for unsuspecting passers-by.
27-07-2015 | Video

Humanity in action
Humanity in action 2014 explains the ICRC’s wide-ranging activities and how it spends its money, gives an overview of the impact of ICRC action during the year and introduces some of the people who benefited.
27-07-2015 | Publication

Ensuring the preparedness and security of health-care facilities in armed conflict and others emergencies
This publication is intended as a practical manual for governments, hospital managers and others concerned, with a view to helping them prepare for and manage situations that could jeopardize their objective of assisting the wounded and sick and main
27-07-2015 | Publication

Islamic Relief [to 1 August 2015]
http://www.islamic-relief.org/category/news/

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Christian and Muslim leaders played “essential role” in tackling the Ebola virus
July 30, 2015
Faith leaders in Sierra Leone and Liberia played an “essential role” in stemming the spread of the Ebola virus, according to a new report, but the delay in involving them in the response cost lives.

Keeping the Faith, a joint report by CAFOD, Christian Aid, Tearfund and Islamic Relief, shows that Christian and Muslim leaders were able to deliver health messages in parts of the two countries that governments and NGOs could not reach. As trusted sources of information, they quashed rumours about the disease – such as that the disease was man-made and being spread deliberately – and encouraged communities to accept life-saving advice from health workers. They also played a crucial role in counselling survivors and challenging stigma.

But many of those interviewed believe that faith leaders should have been involved far sooner. According to a senior member of the Ebola Task Force in Kenema District in Sierra Leone, the country “would have saved more lives and more money had religious leaders been engaged at an earlier stage of the disease outbreak.”…

MSF/Médecins Sans Frontières [to 1 August 2015]
http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/news-stories/press/press-releases

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Press Release
MSF to TPP Trade Ministers: Don’t create new monopolies for biologic medicines at the ‘final’ TPP negotiations in Hawaii
July 30, 2015
Maui Hawaii, July 28, 2015—At the secret Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations taking place this week in Maui, Hawaii, trade ministers from the U.S. and 11 Pacific-Rim countries are reportedly on the verge of agreeing to include new and additional periods of monopoly exclusivity for biologic health products, which would block access to the latest medical advances for millions around the world.

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Field News
Tanzania: MSF Vaccinates 130,000 Refugees Against Cholera
July 30, 2015
Kigoma/Geneva, 30th July 2015—A cholera vaccination campaign to protect Burundian and Congolese refugees in the overflowing Nyarugusu camp in Tanzania has been completed by the international medical organization Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) this week.

OXFAM [to 1 August 2015]
http://www.oxfam.org/en/pressroom/pressreleases

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Blockade and violence in Yemen pushing an additional 25,000 people into hunger daily
28 July 2015
Since the start of the conflict, nearly 25,000 additional people are going hungry each day in Yemen as the blockade and fighting restrict food, fuel and other vital supplies, Oxfam warned today.

Norwegian Refugee Council [to 1 August 2015]
http://www.nrc.no/

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Iraq
Distributing emergency aid to Anbar´s displaced families
Elisabeth Koek (29.07.2015)
On the morning of 27 and 28 July 2015, NRC’s distribution teams provided emergency food and hygiene items to more than 700 Iraqi families, living in and around the town of Shaqlawa, north-east of Erbil in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KR-I).

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Somalia
Securing vocational opportunities for youth
Perrine Piton and Abdalla Hashi (27.07.2015)
The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) commemorates one year since launching its humanitarian mission in Kismayo, South Central Somalia in 2014. A new centre for youth vocational training has been opened and 200 learners have enrolled for courses.

Plan International [to 1 August 2015]
http://plan-international.org/about-plan/resources/media-centre

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25/07/2015:
New report: Children express fears and insecurity following devastating Nepal earthquakes

Save The Children [to 1 August 2015]
http://www.savethechildren.org/site/c.8rKLIXMGIpI4E/b.6150563/k.D0E9/Newsroom.htm

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18 States Still Lack Basic Protections for Children, Save the Children’s 2015 Disaster Report Card Finds [U.S]
July 27, 2015

SOS-Kinderdorf International [to 1 August 2015]
http://www.sos-childrensvillages.org/about-sos/press/press-releases

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New technologies help increase literacy among children in Kenya
29.07.2015 –
A partnership between companies, governments and civil sector groups is helping to share the benefits of technology with disadvantaged communities in Kenya.

Gavi [to 1 August 2015]
http://www.gavialliance.org/library/news/press-releases/

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31 July 2015
Encouraging trial results offer significant hope for rapid availability of Ebola vaccine to end current outbreak
Ring vaccination trial data suggests vaccine is highly effective.

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30 July 2015
Reimbursement of misused amounts identified in Gavi Cash Programme Audit in Nigeria
Statement from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.

CHS International Alliance  [to 1 August 2015]
http://chsalliance.org/news-events/news

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29/07/2015
Humanitarian and development staff worldwide trained on the Core Humanitarian Standard
The CHS Alliance has delivered numerous training workshops and dissemination events in 2015 to ensure humanitarian and development staff are aware of and can apply the Core Humanitarian Standard (CHS) in their work with crisis-affected and vulnerable people.

Global Humanitarian Assistance (GHA) [to 1 August 2015]
http://www.globalhumanitarianassistance.org/

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Acute malnutrition in Mauritania
2015/07/30
On 30 July 2015 we responded to a funding alert for acute malnutrition in southeast regions of Mauritania – Hodh El Chargui and Assaba. Both regions suffer from chronic poverty and high food insecurity due to severe drought…