DFID [to 10 October 2015]
https://www.gov.uk/government/latest?departments%5B%5D=department-for-international-development
Selected Announcements

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Statement opposing female genital mutilation
Updated 7 October 2015 Guidance DfE, DFID, DH, Home Office and MOJ
This outlines what FGM is, the legislation and penalties involved and the help and support available. The statement is often referred to as a health passport.
PDF, 217KB, 7 pages: Statement opposing female genital mutilation

Giving women a voice in Kenya
Published 7 October 2015 Case study DFID and FCO

ECHO [to 10 October 2015]
http://ec.europa.eu/echo/en/news

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EU boosts humanitarian funding for refugee crisis in the Western Balkans
08/10/2015
The EU today approved €7 million in humanitarian aid for Serbia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, bringing the emergency assistance for refugees transiting through the countries to €8.74 million.

African Union [to 10 October 2015]
http://www.au.int/en
[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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Oct.05.2015 Ambassadors briefed on Africa’s health policy direction Pledge to support the 2016 Global Fund Replenishment efforts

The African Development Bank Group [to 10 October 2015]
http://www.afdb.org/en/news-and-events/press-releases/
[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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African Development Bank to triple Annual Climate Financing to nearly $5 billion by 2020
09/10/2015 – The President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Akinwumi Adesina, announced on Friday, October 9 that the AfDB would nearly triple its annual climate financing to reach $5 billion a year by 2020. AfDB’s climate spending will increase to 40% of its total new investments by 2020.

AfDB President calls for enhanced partnerships to unlock Africa’s energy potential as G20 adopts Action Plan on Energy Access in Sub-Saharan Africa
08/10/2015 – African Development Bank Group (AfDB) President Akinwumi Adesina delivered the special keynote address at the first G20 Energy Ministers meeting held in Istanbul, Turkey, on October 2, 2015. The meeting organized under the theme “Inclusive Energy Collaboration: Delivering on the G20 Principles” was officially opened by Recep Tayyip Erdogan, President of Turkey, under the aegis of Turkey’s current G20 Presidency.

European Union [to 10 October 2015]
http://europa.eu/rapid/search-result.htm?query=18&locale=en&page=1
[We generally limit coverage to regional and global level initiatives]

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EU approves additional €17 million to help Serbia and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia cope with refugee influx
Date: 08/10/2015
European Commission – Press release 8 October 2015 EU approves additional €17 million to help Serbia and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia cope with refugee influx Today the European Commission has detailed its support of €17 million to help Serbia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia cope with…

Draft Action Plan: Stepping up EU-Turkey cooperation on support of refugees and migration management in view of the situation in Syria and Iraq
Date: 06/10/2015
European Commission – Fact Sheet Brussels, 6 October 2015 This Action Plan reflects the agreement between the EU and the Republic of Turkey to step up their cooperation on support of refugees and migration management to address the unprecedented refugee crisis.

Funding of migration-related activities in the Southern Neighbourhood region
Date: 06/10/2015
European Commission – Fact Sheet Brussels, 6 October 2015 Updated with the most recent data available on 6 October 2015 The Global Approach on Migration and Mobility (GAMM) adopted in 2011 provides the general framework for the EU engagement in migration in the EU’s Southern Neighbourhood.

Funding to main migration-related activities in the Western Balkans and Turkey
Date: 06/10/2015
European Commission – Fact Sheet Brussels, 6 October 2015 Updated with the most recent data available on 6 October 2015 For candidate countries (Albania, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Turkey) and potential candidates (Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo), the EU provides both financial and technical support.

OECD [to 10 October 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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G20 finance ministers endorse reforms to the international tax system for curbing avoidance by multinational enterprises
9-October-2015
G20 finance ministers endorsed the final package of measures for a comprehensive, coherent and co-ordinated reform of the international tax rules during a meeting on 8 October, in Lima, Peru.

Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) [to 10 October 2015]
http://www.oic-oci.org/oicv2/news/

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Selected Press Releases
Secretary General Seeks Partnership With All Stakeholders Towards Popularising Islamic Financial Products
The need to promote active collaboration among the various stakeholders has been identified as necessary for the popularisation of Islamic financial products, with a view to addressing the challenge of financial exclusion facing the peoples of OIC member states. In his keynote address before the Global Islamic Economic Summit, which concluded its proceedings in Dubai, United Arab Emirates on 6th October 2015, the OIC Secretary General observed that the OIC is currently working on mobilizing governments of OIC member states, public sector operators, members of the intelligentsia and research centers to fashion out ways and means of deepening their engagements in these critical sectors of Islamic Finance. These include such areas as Islamic Banking and Finance, the Halal Food and Pharmaceutical industries, Islamic Tourism, Fashion and Arts, and Islamic Social Finance. …
08/10/2015

UNCTAD [to 10 October 2015]
http://unctad.org/en/Pages/AllPressRelease.aspx

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Press Releases
06 Oct 2015 – As volatile financial markets create rumblings in developing countries, UNCTAD report calls for fresh policy thinking

06 Oct 2015 – Rich countries need to boost demand if global slowdown to be avoided, UNCTAD report argues

06 Oct 2015 – Bolder financial regulation and a more stable, diversified international monetary system needed to get a grip on globalized finance, UNCTAD report says

06 Oct 2015 – Global economy needs fair and efficient sovereign debt workout mechanism – sooner rather than later, UNCTAD report says

06 Oct 2015 – Investing long-term needs right kind of financing vehicles – UNCTAD calls for greater support for development banks

World Bank [to 10 October 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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World Bank Group Pledges One-Third Increase in Climate Financing
At Annual Meetings, institution announces annual funding could total $29 billion LIMA, Peru, October 9, 2015—The World Bank Group today announced it will increase climate financing to potentially $29 billion…
Date: October 9, 2015 Type: Press Release

Statement from World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim on 2015 Nobel Peace Prize Winners, Tunisia’s National Dialogue Quartet
LIMA, October 9, 2015— World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim today congratulated the Tunisian National Dialogue Quartet on being awarded the 2015 Nobel Prize for Peace in Stockholm, Sweden: “The…
Date: October 9, 2015 Type: Press Release

The World Bank Group Integrity Update Highlights Continued Progress Driven by the Impact of Sanctions, Enhanced Investigative, Forensic and Preventive Tools and Diligent Compliance Monitoring
This year’s integrity Annual Report underscores the Value of early warning systems and knowledge exchange as key elements in support of a Global Movement to End Corruption WASHINGTON, October 9, 2015-…
Date: October 9, 2015 Type: Press Release

Finance Ministers from the Americas and the Caribbean Discuss Challenges Amid Global Slowdown
Lima, October 8, 2015– Finance Ministers from the Americas and the Caribbean met today to exchange ideas on the challenges that the region faces amid an uncertain macroeconomic context, and to assess…
Date: October 8, 2015 Type: Press Release

World Undergoing Major Population Shift with Far-reaching Implications for Migration, Poverty, Development: WB/IMF Report
LIMA, October 7, 2015 — As migrants and refugees from Africa and the Middle East continue to arrive in Europe in unprecedented numbers, a new World Bank/IMF report says that large-scale migration from…
Date: October 7, 2015 Type: Press Release

Africa Faces the Challenge of Sustaining Growth amid Weak Global Conditions
WASHINGTON, October 5, 2015— Sub-Saharan Africa countries are continuing to grow, albeit at a slower pace, due to a more challenging economic environment. Growth will slow in 2015 to 3.7 percent from 4.6…
Date: October 5, 2015 Type: Press Release

Statement on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Agreement
WASHINGTON, October 5, 2015—The World Bank Group welcomes the conclusion of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations. In a statement today, Anabel González, Senior Director of the World Bank Group’s…
Date: October 5, 2015 Type: Press Release

World Bank Forecasts Global Poverty to Fall Below 10% for First Time; Major Hurdles Remain in Goal to End Poverty by 2030
WASHINGTON, October 4, 2015 – The number of people living in extreme poverty around the world is likely to fall to under 10 percent of the global population in 2015, according to World Bank projections…
Date: October 4, 2015 Type: Press Release

Aravind Eye Care System [to 10 October 2015]
http://www.aravind.org/default/currentnewscontent

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Prof Allen Foster Honoured with Dr. G. V Endowment Award
Madurai, October 1
Aravind Eye Care honoured Prof Allen Foster, Co-Director of the International Centre for Eye Health as well as the International Centre for Evidence in Disability, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine at a spectacular ceremony held at Dr. G. Venkataswamy Eye Research Institute on October 1…

Prof Allen delivered the oration titled Leadership: Relevance to Eye Health. Prof Allen chairs the Commonwealth Eye Health Consortium Steering Group and is a member of Standard Chartered Bank Eye Innovation Fund Advisory Board. He is a renowned name in the realm of global eye care for more than thirty years. His contributions mainly focused on prevention and treatment of blindness and providing easy access to health services for persons with disabilities. He was deeply involved in eye care projects in Asia, Africa and Latin America. Allen helped develop training courses in Community Eye Health, in developing countries. His areas of interest include research and education to improve eye care and also healthcare for persons with disabilities, with a focus on low-income countries. The award has been given in recognition of his commitment and outstanding contribution to eye care in the developing world.

Instituted since 2009 in memory of Dr. G. Venkataswamy, Founder Chairman, Aravind Eye Hospitals, the award recognises outstanding professionals in ophthalmology and vision sciences who have taken humanity a step forward towards the goal of elimination of needless blindness in the community. The award is being given every year on October 1, the birth anniversary of Dr. Venkataswamy.

IRC International Rescue Committee [to 10 October 2015]
http://www.rescue.org/press-release-index

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Press Release
Resurgence of violence in Bangui: People trapped, humanitarian workers targeted
05 Oct 2015 – The below statement is signed by the following 19 organizations:
International Rescue Committee (IRC), DRC, NRC, Alima, ACF, ACTED, ASF, COOPI, FIN CHURCH AID, INTERSOS, SOLIDARITE, JRS, THE LUTHERAN WORLD FEDERATION, DAN CHURCH AID, MERCY CORPS, OXFAM, PREMIERE URGENCE, SAVE THE CHILDREN, ASF, TRIANGLE…
[Excerpt]
…We are calling for:
:: The international community as a whole to strongly and publicly condemn the attacks and violence against humanitarian organizations.
:: All parties to the conflict to respect the neutrality and impartiality of humanitarian workers, and to facilitate at all times the carrying out of their mission. Health facilities, as well as all structures necessary for the survival of the population (water infrastructures, etc…) must be preserved and respected by all in accordance with International Humanitarian Law.
:: The MINUSCA to perform its role of securing and protecting the population by demonstrating anticipation and responsiveness.
:: The international community – which gathered at the UN in New York- to seriously strengthen their response and support to the ongoing crisis in CAR and immediately increase its aid to help reconstitute resources and stocks which are essential to ensure response capacity. Emergency assistance to IDPs must be set up and a real contingency plan defined with financial
:: All stakeholders to defend, promote and respect the distinction between political action and humanitarian intervention. This is essential to stop the confusion faced by NGOs because of the strong resentment against the international community.

ICRC [to 10 October 2015]
https://www.icrc.org/en/whats-new

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Fundamental Principles: Reaffirming our Humanity, Reasserting our Neutrality and Impartiality
The 50th anniversary of the adoption of the Fundamental Principles is an opportunity to reflect on the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement’s role in shaping principled humanitarian action in the past, present, and future.
08-10-2015 | Statement

Ukraine: Aid for war-torn communities in Lugansk and Donetsk stepped up as winter looms
Kiev/Lugansk (ICRC) – The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is scaling up its activities in Ukraine, in particular in the opposition-held territory of Lugansk Region, after having suspended them for more than a month. Today over 2,000
07-10-2015 | News release

Afghanistan: ICRC welcomes greater efforts to respect international humanitarian law
The ICRC has said it would welcome all impartial investigations which could help to determine the facts behind the bombing of a hospital run by the charity MSF in Kunduz, Afghanistan and to try to make sure such tragedies are not repeated.
07-10-2015 | News release

South Sudan: ICRC forced to withdraw from Leer County following threats and looting
Juba, 5 October 2015 – The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has been forced to withdraw all its staff from a humanitarian compound in Leer County, Unity State after it was looted and its aid workers threatened.
05-10-2015 | News release

New report: Urban services during protracted armed conflict
50 million people in urban areas face protracted and repeated armed violence.
05-10-2015 | Report

Islamic Relief [to 10 October 2015]
http://www.islamic-relief.org/category/news/

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Support for Syrian refugees across Europe
October 6, 2015
Islamic Relief offices are supporting refugees arriving in Europe.
Every day more than 1,000 Syrian refugees are arriving in Sweden, and Islamic Relief is meeting them in Malmö, Gothenburg and Stockholm to offer help.
Aid stations have been established in either the railway stations or ferry terminals of three cities where Islamic Relief offers advice and support. Those who are passing through Sweden on their way to either Norway or Finland are offered short-term shelter…

Faith groups a force for peace in international aid
October 6, 2015
The role of faith-based organizations as major contributors to humanitarian work will be the topic of a panel discussion by the Lutheran World Federation and Islamic Relief Worldwide at a side event at the annual United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Executive Committee meeting.
The discussion, People of Faith for People in Need, will take place from 08.00-10.00 on 8 October 2015 at the United Nations’ Palais des Nations in Geneva…

MSF/Médecins Sans Frontières [to 10 October 2015]
http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/news-stories/press/press-releases

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Press Release
MSF Denounces Blatant Breach of International Humanitarian Law
October 06, 2015
Statement by Dr Joanne Liu, President, MSF International
For four years, the MSF trauma center in Kunduz was the only facility of its kind in northeastern Afghanistan, offering essential medical and surgical care. On Saturday, October 3, this came to an end when the hospital was deliberately bombed. Twelve MSF staff and 10 patients, including three children, were killed, and 37 people were injured, including 19 members of the MSF team. The attack was unacceptable.

Press release
Statement by MSF on the Conclusion of TPP Negotiations in Atlanta
October 05, 2015
Statement by Judit Rius Sanjuan, US Manager & Legal Policy Adviser, MSF Access Campaign

Press release
MSF Response to Spurious Claims That Kunduz Hospital Was “A Taliban Base”
October 04, 2015
Following an earlier statement Sunday morning reiterating MSF’s call for an independent investigation of the bombing of its hospital in Kunduz, MSF General Director Christopher Stokes released this additional statement on Sunday, in response to claims from Afghan officials that MSF’s hospital in Kunduz was routinely used by the Taliban for military purposes:

Press release
Statement on Kunduz Hospital Bombing
October 04, 2015
Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) issued the following statement today from Christopher Stokes, MSF General Director, on the bombing of MSF’s hospital in Kunduz, Afghanistan:
“Under the clear presumption that a war crime has been committed, MSF demands that a full and transparent investigation into the event be conducted by an independent international body. Relying only on an internal investigation by a party to the conflict would be wholly insufficient.

Mercy Corps [to 10 October 2015]
http://www.mercycorps.org/press-room/releases

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Russian Entry Significantly Impacts Humanitarian Response in Syria, Says Mercy Corps
Syria, October 8, 2015
Military involvement poses a serious danger to civilian lives and disrupts already strained aid efforts
Washington, DC —The growing involvement of Russia in the Syrian conflict is likely to lead to even greater civilian displacement and further complicates delivery of lifesaving humanitarian assistance, warns the global organization Mercy Corps in testimony to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa. In addition, the possible redeployment of armed opposition groups to areas targeted by Russian strikes will likely have a major impact on the fragile balance of power in places like Aleppo city and North Aleppo governorates. This shift leaves areas vulnerable to the possibility of ISIS gaining footholds in additional territory.

Testimony of Michael Bowers to U.S. House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa
October 8, 2015
Michael Bowers, Vice President of Humanitarian Leadership and Response at Mercy Corps, testified before the United States House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa hearing on the Syrian humanitarian crisis.
Mercy Corps Testimony_HFAC.pdf

Mercy Corps Names Dara Royer Chief Development and Marketing Officer
October 6, 2015
Royer to lead global organization’s resource development team
Portland, Ore. — Mercy Corps has appointed Dara Royer to the position of Chief Development and Marketing Officer. In this role, Royer will lead Mercy Corps’ fundraising, marketing and communications teams to advance the work of Mercy Corps in over 40 countries…

OXFAM [to 10 October 2015]
http://www.oxfam.org/en/pressroom/pressreleases

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Utterly inadequate international response for Syrians both in and outside borders, says new Oxfam report
7 October 2015
The international community is proving utterly inadequate in helping Syrians both inside and outside their country. Oxfam’s damning verdict is in a new report today Solidarity with Syrians that analyses the “fair shares” of rich and powerful countries to provide money, resettlement places for refugees and leadership to end the bloodshed.

Norwegian Refugee Council [to 10 October 2015]
http://www.nrc.no/

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Statement
EU Should Ramp Up Its Refugee Response
08. oktober 2015
The European Union and its Member States must urgently scale up their responses to the refugee crisis in the Middle East and Europe as winter approaches before more lives get lost, five major humanitarian organisations said today.
As another high-level EU migration meeting convenes on October 8, the organisations – CARE International, Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), Welthungerhilfe, International Catholic Migration Committee (ICMC), and World Vision – called for a common and comprehensive approach that addresses root causes of displacement and prioritizes human rights…

Latest News
Thousands of refugees return to Syria from Jordan
06. oktober 2015
Close to 4000 refugees returned to Syria from Jordan in August, about twice as many as the previous month. “This is a very worrying trend, showing how hard the situation is for many families in Syria’s neighbouring countries”, said Petr Kostohryz, Country Director for the Norwegian Refugee Council in Jordan.

Pact [to 10 October 2015]
http://www.pactworld.org/press-releases

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New impact investing forum launched for INGOs
SAN FRANCISCO, CA, USA | October 7, 2015 – Today, InsideNGO, Pact and Mercy Corps jointly announced the establishment of a new forum for international nongovernmental organizations (INGOs) engaging in impact investing and social enterprise. This emerging space at the intersection of the private and nonprofit sectors allows for new types of organizational forms that blend social missions with financial returns in what is commonly termed the “double bottom line.”

The announcement was made at the annual SOCAP (Social Capital Markets) conference in San Francisco, which brings together entrepreneurs and cross-sector innovators for three days of learning and collaboration.

The new Forum will convene leaders from a wide range of international nonprofits who are engaging the emerging cross-sectoral spaces of impact investing and social enterprise. The Forum will provide a place for INGOs to learn, collaborate, conduct joint research and collectively advocate…

Partners In Health [to 10 October 2015]
http://www.pih.org/blog

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Oct 05, 2015
Safe House Helps Women Transition to Everyday Life in Peru
In July, Partners In Health established the first safe house for women living with schizophrenia in Lima.

Plan International [to 10 October 2015]
http://plan-international.org/about-plan/resources/media-centre

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Publications & research
Getting the Evidence: Asia Child Marriage Initiative
8 October 2015
Plan International and Coram Children’s Legal Centre have developed the Asia Child Marriage Initiative to gather in-depth and detailed evidence on the root causes of child marriage in Bangladesh, Pakistan and Indonesia. The research focused on exploring social attitudes, values and norms concerning child marriage, and identifying the structural and environmental factors which influence them…

Publications & research
Act to Adapt: The Next Generation Leads the Way
7 October 2015
Climate change represents a real and urgent threat to vulnerable children and their communities. The Earth’s atmosphere is warming, largely as a result of increased greenhouse gas emissions, creating uncertainty in weather patterns and increasing the likelihood of climate-related disasters and crises. These include rising temperatures and sea levels, changing rainfall patterns, more frequent extreme weather events such as severe floods or extended droughts and increasing intensity of storms…