UNIDO United Nations Industrial Development Organization [to 12 March 2016]
http://www.unido.org/news-centre/news.html

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Thursday, 10 March 2016
Global manufacturing growth remains low amid declining trends in emerging industrial economies – UNIDO report
VIENNA, 10 March 2016 – World manufacturing production growth further slowed in the last quarter of 2015 with the growth of developing and emerging industrial economies weakening…

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Tuesday, 08 March 2016
Japan demonstrates strong support for UNIDO projects in Africa, Middle East
VIENNA, 8 March 2016 – The Government of Japan has provided a contribution of over USD 7.4 million in response to the needs of communities affected by humanitarian crises and the influx of displaced peoples…

International Organization for Standardization (ISO) [to 12 March 2016]
http://www.iso.org/iso/home/news_index.htm

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10 March 2016
World Bank Group and ISO partnership highlights how countries benefit from international standards

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8 March 2016
Robots and humans can work together with new ISO guidance
Human and robot system interaction in industrial settings is now possible thanks to ISO/TS 15066, a new ISO technical specification for collaborative robot system safety.

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7 March 2016
Putting traditions to the test
Despite being in existence for so long, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is still clouded in mystery and myths.

UNWTO World Tourism Organization [to 12 March 2016]
http://media.unwto.org/news

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9 March 2016
Safe and seamless travel, technology and sustainability: priorities for tourism
Ensuring safe and seamless travel, enhancing the opportunities brought by technology and accelerating the shift towards a more sustainable sector are the priorities for the sector said UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai, opening the 50th edition of ITB Berlin. (Berlin, Germany, 8 March 2016).

ITU International Telecommunications Union [to 12 March 2016]
http://www.itu.int/net/pressoffice/press_releases/index.aspx?lang=en#.VF8FYcl4WF8

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9 March 2016
ITU strengthens ties between technology, business and policy
Economic and policy requirements to play a greater role in informing ITU standardization
Geneva, – The international community is looking to ITU’s unique public-private partnership of members for a neutral platform to strengthen the ties between technical innovation, business needs and economic and policy requirements.

ITU has intensified its efforts to ensure congruent technical innovation and policy development, addressing concerns that technology too often races ahead of policy, with the result that governance frameworks fall out of step with market realities. Challenges to fair market competition may arise as a result, and legislation may no longer afford adequate protection to consumers.

Growing interest among ITU members in building greater cohesion in the progression of technology and policy is very evident in the work of ITU-T Study Group 3, ITU’s standardization expert group responsible for economic and policy issues relevant to international telecommunications…

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11 March 2016
Harnessing mobile technology to achieve inclusive, equitable, better quality education
Policy Forum calls for better mobile learning policy environment
Geneva,– A joint ITU/UNESCO Policy Forum on mobile learning brought together for the first time Ministers of Education and Ministers of Information & Communication Technology (ICT) to examine the role that policies and cross-sectoral collaboration can play in fostering innovation and the use of mobile technology to improve the quality, equity and accessibility of education.

Held under the framework of ITU’s m-Powering Development Initiative, the Forum was a highlight of this year’s UNESCO Mobile Learning Week (MLW), which had the theme “Innovating for Quality”…

DFID [to 12 March 2016]
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-international-development

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12 March 2016
Justine Greening statement on 5 years of conflict in Syria
DFID Press release

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10 March 2016
International Development Minister Nick Hurd stresses the importance of fair elections in the DRC
DFID Press release

ECHO [to 12 March 2016]
http://ec.europa.eu/echo/en/news

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11/03/2016
European Commission releases €1 million in humanitarian aid to support victims of Cyclone Winston in Fiji
The European Commission has made available €1 million in humanitarian funding to provide emergency assistance to families impacted by Tropical Cyclone Winston in Fiji.The funds are used to provide the most vulnerable people with shelter, food…

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Refugee crisis: Commission welcomes Member States’ agreement on Emergency Assistance instrument for faster crisis response within the EU
09/03/2016
The European Commission welcomes the fast agreement Member States reached today on its proposal for an ‘Emergency Assistance Instrument’ to provide faster means of support to EU countries facing major humanitarian crises, such as dealing with large…

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Stories of courage and strength: Celebrating women and girls on International Women’s Day
08/03/2016
Disasters and conflicts exacerbate women’s vulnerabilities as women can become victims of violence or suffer the ill effects of gender inequality. Three fifths of all maternal deaths take place in humanitarian crisis situations according to the UN…

African Union [to 12 March 2016]
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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March 11, 2016 Press Releases
African Union convenes joint coordination meeting with Regional Economic Communities (RECs), United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), African Development Bank (AfDB), The New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) and African Capacity

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March 10, 2016 | Press Releases
The African Union Commission and the Network for African National Human Rights Institutions Sign MOU to Strengthen Cooperation and Collaboration
…According to the signed MoU, the Commission and JWF will cooperate to explore opportunities for cooperation and non-exclusive partnership in the following areas:
:: Fostering participation of National Human Rights Institutions in policy development at the continental level;
:: Jointly promote and protect human and peoples’ rights in Africa;
:: Support the implementation of the AU Human Rights Strategy for Africa;
:: Support the implementation of Project 2016;
:: Information generation and dissemination on issues related to human rights.

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March 08, 2016 | Press Releases
AUC Chairperson Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma emphasises the importance to celebrate the determination of women around the world for equal rights and have their voices heard

European Union [to 12 March 2016]
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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Refugee crisis: European Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Christos Stylianides meets with the Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras
Date: 11/03/2016
European Commission – Press release Brussels, 11 March 2016 European Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Christos Stylianides met with the Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras in Athens © European Union 2016 Today European Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Christos Stylianides met with the Greek Prime Minister…

Refugee crisis: Commission welcomes Member States’ agreement on Emergency Assistance instrument for faster crisis response within the EU
Date: 09/03/2016
European Commission – Press release Brussels, 9 March 2016 The European Commission welcomes the fast agreement Member States reached today on its proposal for an Emergency Assistance instrument to provide faster means of support to EU countries facing major humanitarian crises, such as dealing with large numbers of refugees.

Commission launches a public consultation on the European Pillar of Social Rights
Date: 08/03/2016
European – Press release Commission Strasbourg, 8 March 2016 Today, the European Commission presents a first, preliminary outline of the European Pillar of Social Rights announced by President Juncker in September last year and launches a broad public consultation Today, the European Commission

Joint Statement on International Women’s Day
Date: 08/03/2016
European Commission – Statement Brussels, 8 March 2016 Today we celebrate women. We celebrate their role in society, at work, in our families and lives. We also remember their suffering, hardship and injustice, which for many is still a reality today.

OECD [to 12 March 2016]
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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10-March-2016
Tougher environmental laws do not hurt export competitiveness – OECD study
Countries that implement stringent environmental policies do not lose export competitiveness when compared against countries with more moderate regulations, according to a new OECD study that examines trade in manufactured goods between advanced and emerging economies.

10-March-2016
Active policies needed for a competitive and sustainable tourism sector
The tourism industry in OECD countries continues to grow strongly despite economic weakness in advanced economies, and outperformed tourism globally in 2014. However, active, innovative and integrated policies are needed to ensure that tourism remains a competitive and sustainable sector, says OECD.

8-March-2016
OECD countries confirm their drive to improve gender equality in public leadership
OECD countries have agreed to work towards greater gender equality in public life – including in governments, parliaments and judiciaries – with concrete measures to improve women’s access to leadership and decision-making roles and integrate more of a gender perspective into public policies.

Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) [to 12 March 2016]
http://www.oic-oci.org/oicv2/news/
[Selected Press Releases, Announcements]

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09/03/2016
Jakarta Summit supports the Palestinian reconciliation, calls for banning products of settlements and endorses Abbas’ call for an international peace conference
The Fifth Extraordinary Islamic Summit concluded in the Indonesian capital Jakarta expressing support for the call made by the Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to convene an international peace conference to end the Israeli occupation as an essential step towards ending the unsustainable and volatile situation, which would promote calm and revive hope in a peaceful solution to end occupation, and allow the Palestinian people to live in freedom and dignity in their Palestinian State, with Al-Quds as its capital…

IPU Inter-Parliamentary Union [to 12 March 2016]
http://www.ipu.org/english/news.htm

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9 MARCH 2016
African MPs take new steps towards tackling WMDs
Members of Parliament from across Africa have recommended fresh action to halt the spread of weapons of mass destruction (WMDs), after a seminar in Côte d’Ivoire. More than 70 MPs from 18 countries took part in the seminar, the first event to bring together MPs from one continent to discuss the implementation of UN Resolution 1540, which deals with the threat posed by WMDs especially when they are in the hands of non-State actors. The event was jointly organized by IPU and the Parliament of Côte d’Ivoire, in partnership with the 1540 Committee and the UN Office for Disarmament Affairs. It delivered practical information on the risks posed by WMDs, and how parliaments can act by implementing Resolution 1540. A roadmap will be developed in the light of the seminar’s conclusions, with MPs proposing that this should include practical tools on how to implement the resolution.

IPU Secretary General Martin Chungong told the seminar: “The danger of terrorist groups making use of weapons of mass destruction to advance their criminal causes is very real… It really takes an effort in global cooperation for MPs in every country to realize that they have an obligation to act and to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.” Other speakers included Isidor Marcel Sene of the 1540 Committee; Jean Albert Agbre, Delegated President of the IPU national group; and Olatokunbo Ige, Director of the UN Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Africa (UNREC), who was also representing the UN Office for Disarmament affairs (UNODA). The Speaker of the National Assembly of Côte d’Ivoire, Guillaume Soro, opened the seminar.

WMDs are most likely to spread in areas of conflict and terrorist activity. Resolution 1540 (PDF) obliges governments to implement effective laws, rules and regulations to prevent terrorists and other non-State actors from acquiring them.

World Bank [to 12 March 2016]
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 President Jim Yong Kim’s statement on the Fifth Anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami
Date: March 11, 2016 Type: Press Release

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7 Million More Jobs Each Year in East Asia if Cities Are More Competitive
More competitive cities can help boost growth in the region
SINGAPORE, March 10, 2016—More than 7 million more jobs can be created each year in East Asia if the cities improved their competitiveness…
Date: March 10, 2016 Type: Press Release

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World Bank Group and ISO Partnership Highlights How Countries Benefit from International Standards: Open Trade, Access to Markets and Innovation
WASHINGTON, March 10, 2016—The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the World Bank Group announced today the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to help increase countries’ awareness and involvement in the development, adoption and use of international standards that promote open, fair and transparent trade.

The MoU serves as the foundation for future cooperation in the areas of knowledge generation and dissemination; encouraging research and promoting awareness; improving monitoring and evaluation; and enhancing capacity around international standards that give countries the opportunity to participate in global trade and that contribute to economic development, social progress and protection of the environment….
Date: March 10, 2016 Type: Press Release

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World Bank and Global Environment Facility (GEF) launch new multi-million dollar ‘Global Platform for Sustainable Cities’
International community invests in the Sustainable Cities of the Future
SINGAPORE, March 9, 2016―City leaders from around the world met in Singapore today for the launch of the ‘Global Platform for Sustainable Cities’, or GPSC, which is part of an initiative funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) that is expected to mobilize up to $1.5 billion over the next five years for urban sustainability programs in 11 developing countries, including Brazil, Cote D’Ivoire, China, India, Malaysia, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, Senegal, South Africa, and Vietnam.

Coordinated by the World Bank and supported by multilateral development banks, UN organizations, think tanks and various city networks, the GPSC is a knowledge sharing program that will provide access to cutting-edge tools and promote an integrated approach to sustainable urban planning and financing. The GPSC will work with a core group of 23 cities, but will reach many more by sharing of data, experiences, ideas, and solutions to urban challenges, and by linking the knowledge to finance that will influence investment flows toward building cities’ long-term urban sustainability.
Date: March 9, 2016 Type: Press Release

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Emerging Economies Drive Global Trade Volatility in 2015
WASHINGTON, March 9, 2016—After dramatically declining in the first half of 2015, global trade recovered but at a slower pace over the rest of the year, so that world imports grew by only 1.7 percent in 2015 compared to 3 percent in 2014.

According to a new World Bank Group paper, Global Trade Watch: Trade Development in 2015, by World Bank Group Economists Cristina Constantinescu, Aaditya Mattoo and Michele Ruta, global trade in 2015 reflected persistently weak demand and structural changes in world trade, compounded by falling commodity prices and China’s transition to a new growth path.
Date: March 9, 2016 Type: Press Release

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Countries Meet with World Bank to Discuss Carbon Pricing and Build Carbon Markets
ZURICH, March 8, 2016 – Just months after the Paris Agreement at COP21, the World Bank today brought together over 30 developed and developing countries at the Carbon Pricing: Sustaining the Momentum after COP21 conference in Zurich to take stock and discuss opportunities and challenges to use carbon pricing to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Date: March 8, 2016 Type: Press Release

IMF [to 12 March 2016]
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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March 12, 2016
Asia’s Advancing Role in the Global Economy
Speech by Christine Lagarde
Managing Director, International Monetary Fund
New Delhi, India, March 12, 2016
Conference: Advancing Asia: Investing for the Future
New Delhi, India
March 11–13, 2016

African Development Bank Group [to 12 March 2016]
http://www.afdb.org/en/news-and-events/press-releases/

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10/03/2016
Legislation and training crucial for tackling cybercrimes targeting women
Cyber-based violence against women was the focus of a forum hosted by the African Development Bank (AfDB) in commemoration of the International Women’s Day on March 8, 2016.

AfDB approves over US $36 million support package for Djibouti
09/03/2016 – The African Development Bank Group will help Djibouti to diversify its economy, improve governance and create employment for the country’s young population.
These commitments were agreed in the 2016-2020 Country Strategy Paper (CSP) for Djibouti approved by the Bank’s Board of Directors on Wednesday, March 9, 2016 in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.

AfDB receives Green Climate Fund accreditation to increase low-carbon and climate-resilient development in Africa
09/03/2016 – The African Development Bank announced its accreditation on Wednesday, March 9 as a multilateral implementing entity and intermediary to the Green Climate Fund (GCF), further enabling it to scale-up financing necessary to address the impacts of climate change.

New AfDB partnership to stem gender-based cyber violence
08/03/2016 – The African Development Bank (AfDB) has launched a partnership with Facebook, the Kenya ICT Authority, Judiciary and the Kenya Police to increase awareness on cyber-based gender violence.

AfDB releases new report on the impact of Ebola on women
07/03/2016 – On the occasion of International Women’s Day, March 8, 2016, the Office of the African Development Bank’s Special Envoy on Gender, Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi, has launched a report on “Women’s Resilience: Integrating Gender in the Response to Ebola.”

Asian Development Bank [to 12 March 2016]
http://www.adb.org/news

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News Release | 11 March 2016
ADB President Says India to Remain Fastest-Growing Large Economy in 2016
ADB President Takehiko Nakao today met India’s Finance Minister, Arun Jaitley, and praised India’s strong economic performance in the face of weak global growth and turmoil in commodity and financial markets.

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News Release | 9 March 2016
ADB Sells $3 Billion 5-Year Global Benchmark Bond
MANILA, PHILIPPINES — The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has returned to the US dollar bond market with the pricing of a $3 billion 5-year global benchmark bond, proceeds of which will be part of ADB’s ordinary capital resources and used in its non-concessional operations.

“This is another stellar outcome for ADB against a challenging market backdrop that has prevailed since the beginning of 2016. Strong demand for the transaction allowed us to size a $3 billion new issue in line with our strategy of providing the market with liquid benchmark bonds across the curve,” said ADB Treasurer Pierre Van Peteghem. “We were pleased by the broad participation across geographical regions from the investor community, which is itself a testament to the institution’s robust credit fundamentals and loyal global following in the capital markets.”…

Amref Health Africa [to 12 March 2016]
http://amref.org/news/news/

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Published: 10 March 2016 Carolyne Khamala
Amref supports 12th ECSACON Biennial Conference
Amref Health Africa is partnering with the Kenyan Ministry of Health and the ECSACON organising committee to host the 12th ECSACON (East, Central and Southern Africa College of Nursing) Biennial Conference. This is one of the most esteemed forums in the East, Central and South African region for bringing together policy makers and professionals from around the world to promote strategic professional collaboration in nursing and midwifery practice. It will run from September 7-9, 2016, in Nairobi, Kenya at the Safari Park Hotel…

Danish Refugee Council [to 12 March 2016]
https://www.drc.dk/news

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11.03.2016
Severe drought in Somalia and Somaliland
Nearly 4.7 million people (38 per cent of the population) in drought-hit Somalia are acutely food insecure and are at risk of starving if they do not receive urgent support. The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is gearing up its efforts to respond and assist the thousands of communities at risk of being severely affected by the drought particularly in Puntland (Somalia) and Somaliland.

IRC International Rescue Committee [to 12 March 2016]
http://www.rescue.org/press-release-index

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08 Mar 2016
Refugees Prevented from Crossing Greece’s Northern Borders at Increased Risk, Finds IRC

07 Mar 2016
There is a way through the refugee crisis for the EU, but border closures won’t work without safe and legal routes to refuge, effective relocation within Europe, and better aid for Syria’s neighbours

Posted by The IRC on March 8, 2016
The IRC expands its programs in Greece: latest updates on refugee crisis [Storify]
As countries across Europe shut their doors to desperate refugees seeking safety, the IRC today calls on governments to take action to protect the vulnerable and respect the rights and human dignity of all people arriving at their borders. Get the latest updates from our partners on the ground in Serbia…

ICRC [to 12 March 2016]
https://www.icrc.org/en/whats-new
Selected News Releases and Articles

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News release
11 March 2016
Pakistan: Campaign to make Karachi safer for ambulance services
Karachi (ICRC) – Today, a public-service campaign was launched in Karachi to get motorists to give way to ambulances and generally increase respect for ambulance services. Joining forces for this important cause are: the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Edhi Foundation, Aman Foundation, Indus Hospital, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre and Jinnah Sindh Medical University. Samaa TV and Samaa FM are the media partners for the campaign. The ICRC is also planning to work with government authorities to enact legislation requiring drivers to make way for ambulances on roads.

News release
10 March 2016
Colombia: Insidious violence on the rise in 2015
Bogotá (ICRC) – Although the fighting is abating between government forces and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia – People’s Army (FARC-EP), the International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) is continuing to register the same levels of violence in the country as in previous years. In a report released today about the humanitarian challenges facing Colombia in 2016, the ICRC underlined the high incidence of death threats, disappearances and sexual violence in 2015.

Article
10 March 2016
Tuvalu Red Cross Society becomes 190th National Society
Tuvalu was a hive of activity on 1 March as the Tuvalu Red Cross Society (TRCS) celebrated its recognition as part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. The celebrations were attended by the governor general, the prime minister, cabinet ministers, staff, volunteers and the public.

Article
08 March 2016
ICRC and EPFL launch Humanitarian Tech Hub
Geneva (ICRC / EPFL) – The Humanitarian Tech Hub is an ambitious research and development programme that is being launched by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL). The plans were unveiled today during ICRC President Peter Maurer’s visit to the EPFL campus in Lausanne.
The agreement between the two institutions sets out a four-year programme whose goal is to foster collaboration between the humanitarian and scientific sectors, as well as specialists in other fields, to develop technologies to tackle the humanitarian challenges facing the world today. There is no shortage of avenues to explore: energy, water, construction, logistics, the environment, information and communication technologies, and biomedical technologies, to name just a few. With more than 150 million people worldwide affected by humanitarian crises, the demand and potential applications are enormous…

News release
07-03-2016
Liberia / Côte d’Ivoire: ICRC resumes cross-border family reunifications
Fourteen Ivorian children who had sought refuge in Liberia five years ago were reunited with their families between 4 and 12 February.

Article
04 March 2016
ICRC and Novartis launch partnership to improve access to healthcare in fragile countries
Following the ICRC’s Global Partnerships for Impact and Innovation (GPHI2) event in Lausanne, the ICRC and Novartis launched a partnership, focusing on improving care and treatment to the most vulnerable populations in Lebanon (Syrian refugees, underserved Lebanese and Palestinian patients), suffering from non-communicable diseases (NCDs), also known as chronic diseases.

IRCT [to 12 March 2016]
http://www.irct.org/

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News
IRCT Member Red de Apoyo warns against Venezuelan amnesty law
11 March 2016
IRCT Member Red de Apoyo por la Justicia y Paz in Venezuela has issued a declaration warning against the Law on Amnesty and National Reconciliation. According to Red de Apoyo, the Amnesty law may result in impunity for perpetrators of a number of crimes, including human rights violations, and it will deny victims access to redress and full rehabilitation. In addition, the centre says it will be in direct breach of Article 26 of the Constitution of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela…

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Statements & declarations
IRCT condemns attack on Joint Mobile Group
11 March 2016
The IRCT is deeply concerned about the latest attacks against the Joint Mobile Group in the border region between Ingushetia and Chechnya where the group continues to document and expose severe human rights abuses. On 9 March, a car carrying two staff of the Joint Mobile Group, six journalists and a driver was attacked by masked men who severely beat them and set their car on fire. Later that day, the Ingushetia office of the Joint Mobile Group was attacked and damages are yet to be assessed…