IRC International Rescue Committee [to 21 November 2015]
http://www.rescue.org/press-release-index
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19 Nov 2015
International Rescue Committee laments passage of House bill that would restrict Syrian & Iraqi refugee resettlement
17 Nov 2015
The International Rescue Committee responds to U.S. governors on Syrian refugee resettlement
ICRC [to 21 November 2015]
https://www.icrc.org/en/whats-new
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The Guardian Friday 13 November 2015 05.09 EST
Urban warfare has altered the nature of humanitarian work, says Red Cross chief
Growth of violence in cities swollen by urbanisation has created challenges to which international community yet to respond, claims ICRC head Peter Maurer
Clár Ní Chonghaile
Yemen: Tropical cyclones compound humanitarian suffering
Two successive tropical cyclones hit Yemen’s southern coastal areas in November, heightening misery and worsening an already dire humanitarian situation.
20-11-2015 | Statement
ICRC president and vice-president re-elected
On 19 November at a meeting in Geneva, the supreme governing body of the International Committee of the Red Cross re-elected its president, Peter Maurer, and its vice-president, Christine Beerli, for a new term.
20-11-2015 | Article
50 years of the Fundamental Principles: A UK and Ireland perspective
The International Red Cross Red Cross Movement is celebrating 50 years of the seven Fundamental Principles that govern its work.
20-11-2015 | Article
Jamaica: Youth project aims to reduce impact of violence
Caracas / Kingston (ICRC) – The Jamaica Red Cross (JRC) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) are working together to provide local youth with solutions to mitigate the consequences of violence. “In Jamaica, urban violence is a maj
20-11-2015 | News release
Bosnia and Herzegovina: Almost 7,000 people still missing
Twenty years after the signing of the Dayton Peace Accords, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is urging institutions in Bosnia and Herzegovina to step up efforts to determine what happened to the nearl
19-11-2015 | News release
Syria: Surgeons share knowledge of treating weapon-wounded
A three-day seminar on surgical techniques for treating weapon-wounded patients, attended by 45 surgeons, ended today in Damascus.
19-11-2015 | News release
Pakistan: Launch of report on violence against health care in Karachi
A research report on violence against health care in Karachi was launched today by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), in collaboration with the APPNA Institute of Public Health of Jinnah Sindh Medical University, Jinnah Post Graduat
16-11-2015 | News release
Islamic Relief [to 21 November 2015]
http://www.islamic-relief.org/category/news/
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Discussing humanitarian assistance
November 18, 2015
Every year, the European Commission invites around 200 humanitarian partners to discuss developments, challenges and opportunities in the humanitarian sector. This annual conference serves as a platform for organisations to share their perspectives and experiences and participate in discussions about future actions and cooperation. Mousumi Saikia, from Islamic Relief, reports back.
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Islamic Relief backs Middle East Recovery Plan for G20
November 16, 2015
In a week in which the ever-widening fallout from the Syrian conflict has seen violent carnage on the streets of Paris and Beirut, Islamic Relief’s thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families – and with world leaders meeting in Austria to discuss resolving the Syrian conflict and in Turkey to discuss the refugee crisis that the conflict has created.
MSF/Médecins Sans Frontières [to 21 November 2015]
http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/news-stories/press/press-releases
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Press release
Burundi: MSF Treats 60 People Wounded in Grenade Explosions
November 18, 2015
BUJUMBURA, BURUNDI—The international medical humanitarian organization Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) treated 60 injured people at its trauma center on Monday after grenades exploded in several Bujumbura neighborhoods.
The MSF team launched a mass casualty plan on Monday morning to treat the rapid influx of wounded, triaging to treat the most serious cases first.
“We opened a second operating room and performed five emergency surgeries in the hours that followed,” said Richard Veerman, MSF program manager.
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Field news
South Sudan: A Dire Health Situation in Malakal
November 18, 2015
The number of patients treated by Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) on a weekly basis in the UN Protection of Civilians Camp (PoC) in Malakal, South Sudan, has tripled since June, as overcrowding and substandard living conditions in the camp continue to jeopardize people’s health.
Operation Smile [to 21 November 2015]
http://www.operationsmile.org/press-room
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:: Program Schedule
Here’s what we’re doing worldwide to make a difference in the lives of children who deserve every opportunity for safe surgical care.
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Welcome to the Center for Safety in Global Surgery’s blog
November 17, 2014
The Center for Safety in Global Surgery (CSGS) was founded with the belief that the delivery of safe surgical care should be an essential health service accessible to all individuals, regardless of location or income level. The reality, however, is that two billion people lack access to surgery and it is likely that billions more lack access to safe, well-timed and effective surgery.
Even when surgical care is available in low and middle income countries, safety is a serious problem. Unsafe surgery causes an estimated one million deaths and seven million complications each year.[i] While high income countries have a death rate of up to 0.8% during inpatient surgical procedures, low and middle income countries have death rates between 5% and 10%.[ii] In fact, the risk of death while under general anesthesia is as high as one in 150 in parts of Sub-Saharan Africa.[iii] Today, the risk of death while under general anesthesia in high income countries is one in 200,000. Thus, going into surgery in a resource poor environment means that a person’s risk of anesthesia-related mortality is 100 to 1,000 times higher than if that procedure were performed in a high income country. This points to significant lack of equitable access to safe anesthesia and safe surgical care.[iv]
Operation Smile and CSGS are committed increasing access to essential surgical care. This increase in the quantity of surgical procedures must also be accompanied by an increase in the safety of surgical care and resource limited environments. In the pursuit of equitably increasing access to surgery, the concepts of quantity and quality are inextricably intertwined. Access can only be equitable if a person has the ability to receive safe, well-timed and effective wherever she lives and regardless of her socioeconomic status. Safe surgery should be available to every patient, no matter the location of operating room.
CSGS established this blog in order to start a dialogue around safety and global surgery. We want to convene a conversation with providers, patients, partners and stakeholders around the world about equitably increasing access to surgery. Thanks for joining in the conversation.
Norwegian Refugee Council [to 21 November 2015]
http://www.nrc.no/
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New Report
Heat, Light and Power for Refugees: Saving Lives, Reducing Costs
Tuva Raanes Bogsnes (17.11.2015)
First ever global analysis of refugees’ energy use. High costs and poor supply undermine humanitarian assistance.
Almost 90% of the approximately 9 million people living in camps have no access to electricity and many lack any form of lighting at night, says a Chatham House report for the Moving Energy Initiative. Energy poverty in refugee settlements is not on the radar of international initiatives and humanitarian agencies are ill- equipped to deal with the scale of need.
“Heat Light and Power for Refugees: Saving Lives, Reducing Costs” zooms in on the energy needs of refugees and displaced people worldwide, and presents the first ever estimates of the volume and costs of what they use…
Pact [to 21 November 2015]
http://www.pactworld.org/press-releases
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Pact releases second Belarus customer survey results
[Undated, but pdf link incorporates 20 November 2015 date]
Today, Pact released the results of the second consecutive customer survey of its program in Belarus. The purpose of the survey is to assess the level of customers’ satisfaction in respect to Pact assistance to Belarusian organizations and receive recommendations regarding improvement of Pact operations, making Pact work more effective and relevant to local demands. The survey was conducted during August and September 2015 among 141 stakeholders who were directly involved in Pact’s Belarus program throughout the last year.
Full text of the analysis of customer survey results is available in English and Russian.
http://www.pactworld.org/sites/default/files/BelarusCustomerSurveyReport_20Nov15.pdf
Plan International [to 21 November 2015]
http://plan-international.org/about-plan/resources/media-centre
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Publications & Research
Are Schools Safe and Equal Places for Girls and Boys in Asia? Research Findings on School-Related Gender-Based Violence
Plan International and the International Centre for Research on Women (ICRW) undertook research in five countries in Asia (Cambodia, Indonesia, Nepal, Pakistan and Vietnam), to assess the prevalence, nature, response and reporting of various forms of school-related gender-based violence (SRGBV) in, around and on the way to school.
We spoke to more than 9,000 girls and boys across these countries about their experiences of violence and gender equality in schools. The findings from this research have been pivotal in designing an effective programme that responds to the real needs, priorities and interests of girls and boys in these countries.
SRGBV includes any form of violence based on gender stereotypes or that targets students on the basis of their sex. It includes, but is not limited to, rape, unwanted sexual touching, unwanted sexual comments, corporal punishment, bullying and verbal harassment.
The research has found that students’ inequitable gender attitudes are a main driver of SRGBV, with boys having more regressive gender attitudes than girls. The high prevalence of violence in schools and at home (including emotional violence) makes students feel unsafe and increases the likelihood of their perpetration of violence.
Research findings point to the need for focusing on gender equality in education and the need for a multi-level approach addressing barriers at the individual, community, school and policy levels if we are to tackle SRGBV in a sustainable way.
Programming to achieve gender equality and prevent gender-based violence is as much about empowering girls as it is about redefining masculinity and ideas of manhood. School focused efforts must be accompanied by policy and advocacy as well as community-based awareness building.
Download: https://plan-international.org/are-schools-safe-places-girls-and-boys#download-options
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Publications & Research
Thematic Report: Unrecognised Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children in Child, Early and Forced Marriages
Parents who marry their children before they reach legal age are typically motivated by predetermined social and sexual norms, low value attached to daughters, poverty or humanitarian crises.
Confronted with social pressure and family hardship, they may seek in marriage a form of protection to shield their children from destitution, household food insecurity and, ultimately, sexual harassment.
In the reality of the 700 million women alive today who were married before their 18th birthday, however, child, early and forced marriage (CEFM) may have been a route to systematic, albeit unrecognised, sexual abuse and exploitation. No longer children, not yet adults, child brides tend to be denied fulfilment of their fundamental rights and access to social services otherwise granted to unmarried children and married women.
The marginal social roles assigned to married girls discontinue the privileges of childhood, while precluding access to powers granted to adult members of their communities.
This report by ECPAT International and Plan International aims to contribute to deepening the appreciation of the interconnections linking CEFM to sexual abuse and exploitation of children and make suggestions for advocacy and programming activities that are committed to ending this practice.
Tostan [to 21 November 2015]
http://www.tostan.org/latest-news
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November 20, 2015
Standing With 52 Communities at a Pubic Declaration in Médina Sabakh, Senegal
A girl draped in red walks amongst her peers, the blade of the traditional cutter’s knife in her left hand catching the sun as she moves.
November 17, 2015
Women of West Africa: Finding the Courage to Lead
In the 2014 local elections in a conservative region of eastern Senegal, 63 Tostan program participants were elected as Rural Councilors for that region. 41 of them were …
November 16, 2015
Press Release: HRH Crown Princess Mary of Denmark witnesses ceremony to abandon female genital cutting
Today (15th November 2015), over fifty communities in the Kaolack region of Senegal have come together to declare an end to the centuries-old practice of female genital cutting.
The declaration ceremony was witnessed by over 1,000 people, including HRH Crown Princess Mary of Denmark. She was joined by representatives of UNICEF and UNFPA as well as local representatives of the Government.
Women for Women International [to 21 November 2015]
http://www.womenforwomen.org/press-releases
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Dr. Denis Mukwege Denounces ANC’s Efforts to Leave the International Criminal Court
Receiving Women for Women International’s Champion of Peace Award, Dr. Mukwege called for an end to impunity for sexual violence around the world and encouraged men to stand with women in the fight for basic, fundamental rights.
November 16, 2015, Washington, D.C. — Speaking at the Women for Women International (WfWI) 2015 Gala, Dr. Denis Mukwege, award-winning human rights advocate and founder of Panzi Hospital in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, denounced efforts in South Africa to withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC).
“The recent announcement from South Africa’s African National Congress party wishes to withdraw [their nation] out of the ICC – disregarding and violating all that Nelson Mandela fought for,” said Dr. Mukwege, arguing that weakening the ICC promotes a culture of impunity for atrocities.
Citing increased violence in Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, across the continent of Africa, and around the world, Dr. Mukwege argued that the most vulnerable populations during conflict need the world to commit to justice and accountability and show that it will not tolerate mass crimes. This is why, he argued, it is important to strengthen the ICC.
“To weaken the ICC is to vote in favor of impunity, opening the door to more violence,” Dr. Mukwege said.
Read Dr. Mukwege’s full speech at the Women for Women International Annual Gala
CONCORD [to 21 November 2015]
European NGO confederation for relief and development
http://www.concordeurope.org/news-room
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New Neighborhood Policy: step up effort to promote civil society space
(Brussels, 18/11/2015) Today Europe’s Foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini and Neighbourhood policy Commissioner Johannes Hahn presented their review of the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) to the members of the Foreign Affairs Committee in the European Parliament. CONCORD welcomes the new approach shifting towards strengthen partnerships to tackle common challenges and seize common opportunities in the Eastern and Southern Neighborhood.
The Elders [to 21 November 2015]
http://theelders.org/news-media
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News 19 November 2015
How much do you know about violence against women?
25 November is the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women (EVAW). To mark this day and launch 16 Days of Activism we have complied a few questions on the subject. So take the quiz and test yourself. You may be surprised by some of the answers.
News Nigel Pearce 15 November 2015
How can we deter our young from the lure of violent extremism?
In the wake of terrorist attacks in Paris and Beirut, the need to understand why our young are lured to violent extremism is more acute than ever. Our Middle East Analyst, Nigel Pearce recently attended a conference in Spain on ‘Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism’, hosted by Club de Madrid. Here are some of his insights on how education and youth empowerment could prevent this “new normal.”
InterAction [to 21 November 2015]
http://www.interaction.org/media-center/press-releases
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What You Need to Know about the Syrian Conflict – InterAction Resources
Nov 19, 2015
Following the devastating attacks that took place last week in France and Lebanon, the international community must stand together to protect vulnerable people around the world… To help provide more information about the broader activities of InterAction members to assist Syrian refugees and displaced populations as well as help responding organizations interested in collaborating, InterAction has compiled a list of online resources related to the crisis in Syria and refugees.
Start Network [to 21 November 2015]
http://www.start-network.org/news-blog/#.U9U_O7FR98E
[Consortium of British Humanitarian Agencies]
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Be Safe: Strengthened Ebola communications in Senegal and Guinea-Bissau
November 20, 2015
Posted by Helen James in News.
Participants of training on preparing for and preventing Ebola, have created their own videos to communicate the dangers of the disease and how to avoid it.
Filmed in Creole the message of this video is “ Ebola is real “ and was based on several focus group respondents who did not believe that Ebola existed.
The training is part of the Be Safe project by CAFOD and Catholic Relief Services, which focuses on communications to contribute to the fight against Ebola and other water-borne illnesses and infectious diseases, such as diarrhea and cholera. As well as training, the project creates educational communication materials such as this comic book.
This project is part of the DFID funded Start Ebola Virus Disease preparedness programme.
CHS International Alliance [to 21 November 2015]
http://chsalliance.org/news-events/news
20/11/2015
Resource: Revised Guidelines for Investigations now available in English and French
The Guidelines for Investigations are designed to assist those in humanitarian and development contexts who conduct or manage investigations into serious allegations, including sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), fraud and corruption, committed by humanitarian and development staff.
EHLRA/R2HC [to 21 November 2015]
http://www.elrha.org/resource-hub/news/
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TEDx Talk: Three Key Elements for Health Systems to Thrive
17.11.2015
Karl Blanchet from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and author of the R2HC Humanitarian Health Evidence Review releases his TEDx talk. This talk focuses on the importance of distinguishing between the complicated and complex by introducing three key elements: information, decisions and social networks. These allow people to respond more quickly in changing environments and allow health systems to thrive.
Center for Global Development [to 21 November 2015]
http://www.cgdev.org/
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Press Release
Nancy Birdsall to Step Down as CGD President
November 16, 2015
The Center for Global Development today announced that Nancy Birdsall is to step down as president in 2016, once a successor is in place. Birdsall, CGD’s founding president, will stay with the Center as a senior fellow.
“This is an exciting moment for me and for CGD,” said Birdsall. “The Center, though still youthful and disruptive, is in fact a mature and established institution. And the key to CGD’s success has always been hard-wired into its culture: a value-driven ‘think and do’ approach based on top-grade research and practical ideas. That’s bigger than any one person. Knowing that makes me confident that this transition will inspire change along with continuity.”
Birdsall, a former executive vice president at the Inter-American Development Bank and head of the World Bank policy research department, co-founded the Center in 2001 to analyze how the policies and actions of rich country governments and international financial institutions affect people in the developing world…
ODI [to 21 November 2015]
http://www.odi.org/media
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Central African Republic: civilians have more trust in armed rebels than peacekeepers
News | 16 November 2015
A new ODI report, “Central African Republic: addressing the protection crisis” found that civilians have more trust in armed rebels than peacekeepers.
Building paths for youth entrepreneurship
Research reports and studies | November 2015 | Claudia Pompa; Tiina Pasanen
This paper presents findings from a review of Raleigh International’s youth entrepreneurship pilot projects in Nicaragua and Tanzania.
Piecing together the MDG puzzle: domestic policy, government spending and performance
Working and discussion papers | November 2015 | Paula Lucci, Amina Khan and Chris Hoy
This paper assesses the influence of the Millennium Development Goals on setting domestic priorities across a range of low, lower-middle and upper-middle income countries.
National MDG implementation: lessons for the SDG era
Working and discussion papers | November 2015 | Moizza Sarwar
This paper explores the national responses to the Millennium Development Goals using five case study countries and suggests lessons for the implementation of the SDGs.
Understanding patterns of climate resilient economic development: Maputo, Mozambique
Research reports and studies | November 2015 | Mariana Matoso
This report examines Mozambique’s capital, Maputo, to understand how patterns of economic development affect vulnerability and exposure to the impacts of climate change.
Understanding patterns of climate resilient economic development: Cagayan de Oro, Philippines
Research reports and studies | November 2015 | Julian Doczi
Greater risk awareness following Tropical Storm Washi in 2011 has facilitated more climate resilient patterns of development, driven by conscious policy decisions.
Understanding patterns of climate resilient economic development: Rwanda
Research reports and studies | November 2015 | Helen Parker
Inclusive agricultural development in Rwanda has reduced poverty and improved the resilience of agriculture, but has not diversified the economy or climate risk.
Life insurance markets in sub-Saharan Africa
Research reports and studies | November 2015 | Judith Tyson
This report discusses benefits, policy options and related concerns of life insurance markets in sub-Saharan Africa.
Bridging Costa Rica’s green growth gap: how to support further transformation toward a green economy
Research reports and studies | November 2015 | Ilmi Granoff; Monica Araya; Philipp Ulbrich; Sam Pickard; Caroline Haywood
This report explores concrete results of economic and environmental performance in Costa Rica: a country seen as a green growth model.
Understanding patterns of resilient economic development in Senegal
Research reports and studies | November 2015 | Catherine Simonet, Guy Jobbins
Tourism has diversified Senegal’s economy and improved its drought resilience, but remains vulnerable to other climate risks.
BMGF – Gates Foundation [to 21 November 2015]
http://www.gatesfoundation.org/Media-Center/Press-Releases
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NOVEMBER 18, 2015
Gates Foundation Awards over $34 Million in Grants to Help Improve Teacher Preparation Programs
Five Transformation Centers will develop and scale practices that prepare new teachers to help students succeed.
Clinton Foundation [to 21 November 2015]
https://www.clintonfoundation.org/press-releases-and-statements
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Press Release
Clinton Presidential Center Celebrates 11 Years
November 18, 2015
November 18, 2015, marks the 11th anniversary of the Clinton Presidential Center. Opened on November 18, 2004, the Center has become a premiere educational and cultural venue, an extension of the classroom, and a cornerstone of the Little Rock community.
GE2P2 Global :: Knowledge Sharing; Ideas; Operations 