CBD Convention on Biological Diversity [to 27 February 2016]
http://www.cbd.int/press-releases/

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2016-02-26
Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-sharing edges closer to reaching goal of 100 ratifications by year’s end
Montreal, 26 February 2016 – Ratifications by Togo and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland has brought the total number of ratifications to the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization to 72.

USAID [to 27 February 2016]
http://www.usaid.gov/news-information/press-releases

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February 22, 2016
New Antiretroviral Ring Safely Reduces HIV Infection by 31 Percent
A new vaginal ring providing sustained release of the antiretroviral (ARV) dapivirine was shown to help reduce the chance of HIV infection during vaginal sex among women ages 18 and older. USAID, through the United States President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, provided $25 million in support for the trial and ring licensure.

DFID [to 27 February 2016]
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-international-development

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23 February 2016
UK and GSMA partner on mobile technology to fight global poverty
DFID Press release
Innovative mobile technology will provide life-enhancing services to millions of people in poverty as part of a new partnership between the UK government, the GSMA Foundation, and the GSMA, the organisation that represents mobile operators worldwide.

The UK’s Department for International Development (DFID) will provide financial support to develop and roll out new technologies that can improve response to natural disasters, help women obtain financial services and boost access to safe water and clean energy across the developing world.

The partnership will make significant contributions to nine of the Global Goals including ending extreme poverty, promoting decent work and economic growth, innovation and infrastructure, affordable and clean energy, clean water and sanitation and addressing gender inequality…

African Union [to 27 February 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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February 26, 2016
AU delegation arrives Saharawi Refugee Camps to celebrate 40th anniversary of Saharawi Republic proclamation
Saharawi Republic – 25 February 2016: An African Union delegation, led by the Commissioner for Social Affairs, Dr. Mustapha Sidiki Kaloko, has arrived in the Saharawi refugee camps near Tindouf, Algeria, ahead of celebrations marking the 40th anniversary of the proclamation of the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR).

The Commissioner is due to deliver a solidarity message on behalf of the AU Commission Chairperson, Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, during a solemn ceremony planned for 27 February 2016, in Dakhla Refugee Camp in Tindouf…

…The SADR, also known as Western Sahara, is Africa’s last colony, which has been under Morocco’s occupation since 1975. For forty years, most Saharawis have been living in exile in refugee camps in Southwest Algeria. The SADR, however, controls the eastern third of the country.

At the 26th Ordinary Session of the Assembly, AU Heads of State and Government reiterated their call on the United Nations to set a date for the organisation of the referendum on self-determination for the people of Western Sahara.

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February 24, 2016 | Press Releases
African ministers and leaders are discussing progress toward expanding immunization coverage at the African Union
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 24 February 2016 – African leaders, including ministers of health, finance, and other line ministries, have gathered in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, for the Ministerial Conference on Immunization in Africa – the first-ever ministerial-level convening with a singular focus on ensuring that people across the continent can get access to life-saving vaccines.

The conference – hosted by the World Health Organization Regional Offices for Africa (AFRO) and the Eastern Mediterranean (EMRO) in conjunction with the African Union Commission – will provide a powerful platform for African policymakers and advocates to celebrate progress toward expanding immunization coverage; discuss strategies for tackling the biggest challenges facing vaccine efforts; foster country ownership for sustainable financing for immunization; and advocate for greater engagement with all stakeholders to ensure sustainable demand for immunization…

…In her remarks, Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa said for Africa to achieve its full potential and secure a bright future, “we must unite to ensure that every child on the continent receives the vaccines he or she needs to survive” adding that “It is unacceptable that one in five African children lack access to lifesaving vaccines”…

ASEAN Association of Southeast Asian Nations [to 27 February 2016]
http://www.asean.org/news
[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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February 24th, 2016|ASEAN Secretariat News, Press Release
ASEAN Ramps Up Regional Cooperation in Higher Education
BANGKOK, 24 February 2016 – Today, ASEAN and the European Union (EU) Support to Higher Education in ASEAN Region (SHARE) Programme commenced their second in a series of SHARE policy dialogues. In cooperation with the ASEAN University Network (AUN) and hosted by Chulalongkorn University, this two-day event brings together more than 150 high-level education officials, academics and students from ASEAN Member States and the EU.

The policy dialogue focuses on students’ learning outcomes in the context of the various degree structures across ASEAN universities and is an important stepping-stone on ASEAN’s path towards a more connected regional higher education system. “Building a regional higher education system with an effective and sustainable scholarship scheme at its core will not only benefit students and universities, but will form a cornerstone of a truly people-centred ASEAN community and contribute significantly to the competitiveness of ASEAN Member States as well as ASEAN as a whole,” said H.E. Vongthep Arthakaivalvatee, Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community…

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February 22nd, 2016|ASEAN Secretariat News, Press Release
Press Release of the ASEAN Commission on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women and Children (ACWC)
JAKARTA, 22 February 2016 – The Twelfth Meeting of the ASEAN Commission on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women and Children (ACWC) was convened on 16-19 February 2016 at the ASEAN Secretariat, Jakarta, Indonesia.

The Meeting reviewed the status of projects and activities under the ACWC Work Plan 2012-2016. The Meeting finalised the ASEAN Early Childhood Care, Development and Education (ECCDE) Quality Standards particularly for childcare services (birth to 4 years of age) and pre-school services (4-6 years of age). The ECCDE Quality Standards was developed under the coordination of Malaysia. The Meeting also finalised the ASEAN Guideline for a Non-Violent Approach to Nurture, Care, and Development of Children, in All Settings which was developed under the coordination of Thailand.

Another four draft outcome documents of the ACWC’s projects were reviewed by the Meeting, notably: a) draft Progress Report on Women’s Rights, Empowerment and Gender Equality led by the Philippines; b) draft Regional Review of the Laws, Policies and Practices within ASEAN Member States Relating to the Identification and Treatment of Victims of Trafficking, especially Women and Children led by Lao PDR; c) outline of the Baseline Study on Child Protection Systems in ASEAN Member States led by Indonesia; and d) outline of the Report on the ACWC Institutional Strengthening led by the Philippines. These four projects would be further discussed at the Special Meeting of ACWC on 31 March – 3 April 2016 in Bangkok, Thailand, with the view of finalising them…

European Union [to 27 February 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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Commission launches Action Plan to crack down on wildlife trafficking
Date: 26/02/2016
European – Press release Commission Brussels, 26 February 2016 Today the European Commission adopted an EU Action Plan to tackle wildlife trafficking within the EU and to strengthen the EU’s role in the global fight against these illegal activities.

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What is the Digital Economy and Society Index?
Date: 25/02/2016
European Commission – Fact Sheet Brussels, 25 February 2016 What is the Digital Economy and Society Index?

The Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI) is an online tool to measure the progress of EU Member States towards a digital economy and society. As such, it brings together a set of relevant indicators on Europe’s current digital policy mix.

The DESI is composed of five principal policy areas which represent overall more than 30 indicators:
:: Connectivity: how widespread, fast and affordable broadband is,
:: Human Capital/Digital Skills: the digital skills of the population and workforce,
:: Use of Internet: the use of online activities from news to banking or shopping,
:: Integration of Digital Technology: how businesses integrate key digital technologies, such as e-invoices, cloud services, e-commerce, etc. and
:: Digital Public Services: such as e-government and e-health.

To calculate a country’s overall score, each set and subset of indicators were given a specific weighting by European Commission experts. Connectivity and digital skills (‘human capital’), considered as foundations of the digital economy and society, each contribute 25% to the total score (maximum digital performance score is 1). Integration of digital technology accounts for 20%, since the use of ICT by the business sector is one of the most important drivers of growth. Finally, online activities (‘use of Internet’) and digital public services each contribute 15%.

The DESI online tool is flexible and allows users to experiment with different weightings for each indicator and see how this impacts overall rankings…

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Remarks by Commissioner Avramopoulos at the launch of the European Migrant Smuggling Centre
Date: 22/02/2016
European Commission – Speech – [Check Against Delivery] The Hague, 22 February 2016
Ladies and gentlemen, we are gathered at a critical moment here today. It is already commonly known that more than a million desperate people have entered in the EU in 2015 – risking their lives throughout the entire itinerary of the process.
Many of those have used smuggling networks to come here…

…Migrant smuggling is a phenomenon that transcends national borders – and can therefore only be eradicated effectively through a joint approach.

That is why today is a more than timely occasion for the launch of the European Migrant Smuggling Centre, at the 2nd Europol and Interpol Operational Forum on migrant smuggling.

The EU Action Plan against migrant smuggling, adopted in May last year, set the goal to turn this crime from a low risk, high profit business, into a high risk, low profit one.

The European Migrant Smuggling Centre should boost the fight against ruthless migrant smuggling networks all across Europe.
:: It builds upon analytical and operational expertise developed within Europol over the years.
:: It also builds on the Joint Operation Team focused on the Mediterranean so called JOT MARE, which was officially launched in March 2015.

With the European Migrant Smuggling Centre, we want to go beyond the Mediterranean to cover the whole of the EU, and all forms of smuggling and routes
The Centre will be the European information hub to combat migrant smuggling.
:: It will provide support through analysis, cross-matching of data as well as through deployment of experts, operational meetings and joint actions.
:: It will enable Europol to be more operational on the ground.
:: Its presence in the hotspots will be strengthened through the deployment of EU Mobile Investigation Support Teams…

OECD [to 27 February 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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22-February-2016
Global economy urgently needs a stronger and more coherent policy response to promote robust and inclusive growth
Policymakers need to deploy broad-based reform plans that incorporate monetary, fiscal, and structural policies to stimulate persistently weak demand, re-launch productivity growth, create jobs and build a more inclusive global economy, according to the OECD’s annual Going for Growth report.

22-February-2016
All interested countries and jurisdictions to be invited to join global efforts led by the OECD and G20 to close international tax loopholes
The OECD today agreed a new framework that would allow all interested countries and jurisdictions to join in efforts to update international tax rules for the 21st Century. The proposal for broadening participation in the OECD/G20 Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) Project will be presented to G20 Finance Ministers at their next meeting on 26-27 February in Shanghai, China.

22-February-2016
Urgent research needed into risks from nanomaterials in household waste
Urgent research is needed to assess the possible risks to human health and ecosystems from the ever-increasing amounts of engineered nanomaterials going into household waste and ending up in the environment, according to a new OECD report.

Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) [to 27 February 2016]
http://www.oic-oci.org/oicv2/news/

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26/02/2016
OIC Cosponsors Central African Republic Intra-Muslim Dialogue Conference at KAICIID
The General Secretariat of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation cosponsored and supported the Central African Republic Intra-Muslim Dialogue and Capacity Building Conference being hosted by King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz International Centre for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue (KAICIID) in Vienna on 25-26 February 2016…
23/02/2016
The OIC Welcomes US-Russia Agreement on Cessation of Hostilities in Syria
The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) welcomed the agreement reached by US President Barak Obama and Russian President Vladimir Putin to impose a cessation of hostilities in Syria to be respected by all parties involved in military and paramilitary operations as of 27-2-2016. Such an agreement should contribute to the resumption of UN-sponsored Geneva negotiations to reach a political settlement for the Syrian crises, bring an end to the suffering of the Syrian people and the killings as well as the forced displacement to which they have been subjected for the last five years…

23/02/2016
OIC Calls Upon Afghani Ulama to Play their Role in the Efforts to Eradicate Polio from Afghanistan
An International Ulama Conference on Eradication of Polio was opened in Kabul, Afghanistan on 22 February 2016. The Conference has attracted over 100 Ulama (Islamic Scholars) from all parts of Afghanistan and beyond…

Group of 77 [to 27 February 2016]
http://www.g77.org/

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25 February 2016
Remarks on behalf of the Group of 77 and China by Ms. Pilanya Niyomthai, Counsellor, Permanent Mission of Thailand to the United Nations, at informal meeting on the ECOSOC Dialogue on Longer-term Positioning of the UN Development System in the context of 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (New York, 25 February 2016)

World Bank [to 27 February 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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Opinion
Closing the Gender Gap: Lessons from Africa
February 25, 2016
Makhtar Diop and Cristina Duarte The Huffington Post
We hear that girls in Africa don’t have the same opportunities as boys to get a decent education, that discrimination is shutting women out of the jobs and assets they need to provide a better standard of living for their families, that the benefits of economic growth are being wiped out because women are having too many children, and that thousands of women are dying in childbirth because they don’t have access to basic healthcare.
While all of these things are true, they also hide something that you rarely hear – that Africa has been making significant progress and even has a thing or two to teach the rest of the world…

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World Bank Ready to Support Fijian Government Following Tropical Cyclone Winston
SYDNEY, February 21 2016 – The World Bank is deeply concerned for the people of Fiji as reports come in about the damage caused by Category 5 Tropical Cyclone Winston. The World Bank’s disaster risk management…
Date: February 21, 2016 Type: Press Release Language: English

IMF [to 27 February 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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February 22, 2016
Revenue Mobilization and International Taxation: Key Ingredients of 21st-Century Economies
Speech by Christine Lagarde, Managing Director, International Monetary Fund
Arab Fiscal Forum
Abu Dhabi,

African Development Bank Group [to 27 February 2016]
http://www.afdb.org/en/news-and-events/press-releases/

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25/02/2016
AfDB Board approves 2016-2020 Country Strategy Paper for Tanzania
The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) will support Tanzania’s economic transformation to inclusive and green growth with an indicative concessional resource assistance package estimated at over US $1.1 billion over a five-year period.

AfDB-Seychelles: New development strategy targets diversification and resilience
25/02/2016 – The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank (AfDB) on Wednesday, February 24, 2016 approved the 2016-2020 Country Strategy Paper (CSP) for Seychelles, which aims to foster a more diversified economy with greater resilience to external shocks and job creation for youth.

AfDB and World Bank meet to discuss way forward for Africa Hydromet Program
22/02/2016 – Faced with drought, flooding, and climate-resilient infrastructure, adequate hydro-meteorological services are necessary to support resilient growth across a range of sectors in Sub-Saharan Africa. But given 80 percent of such services on the continent are under-funded, have weak capacity and deteriorated infrastructure, collaboration is seen as the only viable solution to help turn the situation around.

Adesina received by the Egyptian President during Africa 2016 forum in Sharm el-Sheikh
22/02/2016 – On February 20, 2016, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi received African Development Bank (AfDB) President Akinwumi Adesina during the “Africa 2016” forum held in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt.

First meeting of insurance bodies urges closer cooperation to boost investments in Africa
22/02/2016 – Over 30 participants from 18 institutions that provide guarantees and insurance in Africa gathered in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, from February 15 to 16, 2016 for the Abidjan Union, the first pan-African meeting of export credit and investments insurers in Africa.

Asian Development Bank [to 27 February 2016]
http://www.adb.org/news

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News Releases
26 February 2016
ADB, New Zealand Help Boost Education Services in Ha’apai, Tonga After Cyclone Ian
Officials today participated in an opening ceremony and formal handover of schools rebuilt and refurbished after they were damaged by Cyclone Ian in 2014.

26 February 2016
More Than 3,000 Madang Villagers Complete Financial Literacy Course
More than 3,000 residents of Madang Province celebrated the completion of a financial literacy course today, bringing the total number of course graduates to almost 100,000.

25 February 2016
Faster Public Investment Crucial for Nepal’s Recovery – ADB President
ADB President Takehiko Nakao today met with Nepal’s Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli and Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel to discuss Nepal’s economic recovery and social development after the earthquakes in 2015.

24 February 2016
ADB, LOMC Sign $25 Million Loan to Boost Credit Access, Support Sri Lankan Micro Business
ADB and LOMC, one of Sri Lanka’s leading non-bank microfinance institutions, today signed a $25 million loan agreement to boost access to credit for individuals and micro enterprises.

23 February 2016
ADB President Announces Scaled-Up Support for Sri Lanka to Over $2 Billion for 2016-2018
ADB President Takehiko Nakao today met with Sri Lanka’s President Maithripala Sirisena and other government officials, reaffirming ADB’s strong commitment to support Sri Lanka’s continued development.

23 February 2016
ADB to Provide $2 Million Emergency Assistance to Fiji After Cyclone Winston
ADB will provide $2 million in emergency assistance to help the government and people of Fiji to cope with and recover from the damage caused by Tropical Cyclone Winston.

23 February 2016
Innovative Auctions to Channel Funds to Small Sri Lanka Firms
ADB will provide $100 million through innovative bank auctions to help channel more funds to smaller Sri Lankan firms that struggle to access the finance they need to grow.

23 February 2016
ADB to Help Sri Lanka Expand Colombo Port Operations Using PPP
ADB and the Sri Lanka Ports Authority today signed a transaction advisory services agreement to develop the East Container Terminal of Colombo Port through a public–private partnership.

Amref Health Africa [to 27 February 2016]
http://amref.org/news/news/

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Published: 25 February 2016
Can A Bath Of Milk And Honey Replace Female Genital Mutilation?
[Alternative rites of passage]

Aravind Eye Care System [to 27 February 2016]
http://www.aravind.org/default/currentnewscontent

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[Undated]
Farm Fest Award for Aravind – Pondicherry
Pondicherry
The Department of Agriculture, Government of Puducherry conducted 30th Flower, Vegetable and Fruit show 2016 from 24th to 26th January 2016. Aravind Eye Hospital, Pondicherry participated and won First Prize for Ornamental and Kitchen Garden, as well as Second Prize for Herbal Garden. Certificates and a memento were given by the Department of Agriculture, Puducherry. Staff got First Prize for Vegetable and Fruit Carving second prize for Rangoli. It is for the six consecutive year that Aravind – Pondicherry receives first prize for Ornamental Garden.

CARE International [to 27 February 2016]
http://www.care-international.org/news/press-releases

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26th Feb 2016
Cyclone Winston: Women the backbone of Fiji’s disaster recovery
Fiji
As the international relief effort in Fiji continues, humanitarian organisation CARE says it is critical international aid targets the specific needs of women and girls.

SYRIA CRISIS: Aid and civilians attacked as leaders talk ceasefire
23rd Feb 2016 Syria
Just as the world’s leaders committed themselves to get aid delivered to millions of Syrians in need, aid agencies warn that this has been one of the worst months on record with many reports of indiscriminate attacks on aid and civilians.

ETHIOPIA EL NIÑO DROUGHT: In eight weeks, millions will have no food if funding gap persists
23rd Feb 2016 Ethiopia
Ethiopia is now firmly in the epicentre of the global El Niño crisis, with widespread drought severely impacting large swathes of the north, central and eastern highlands. With a gap in the supply fast approaching, over 10 million are at risk of going without food by April. …

FIJI CYCLONE WINSTON: CARE warns of disease outbreaks
22nd Feb 2016
After the devastation of tropical cyclone Winston on Fiji, CARE warns of disease outbreaks, with water supplies cut off and thousands still seeking emergency shelter.

Danish Refugee Council [to 27 February 2016]
https://www.drc.dk/news

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26.02.16
Danish Refugee Council provides emergency response after large scale destruction in Malakal, South Sudan
Around 30,000 internally displaced persons experienced another traumatic displacement when serious violence occurred last week in an established Protection of Civilians (PoC) site in Malakal, South Sudan. The site was populated by almost 50.000 South Sudanese who had sought protection from the civil war.

24.02.16
Closing of borders in Europe is the wrong way to go
The Danish Refugee Council warns against the closing of European national borders, which takes place in many places in Europe due to the current influx of refugees. It can result in large refugee camps in the countries at Europe’s outposts and could eventually force people to stay inside countries as Syria and Iraq. The latest example of the control of borders is that Afghans are now being rejected at the border between the Former Yugoslavia Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) and Greece.

IRC International Rescue Committee [to 27 February 2016]
http://www.rescue.org/press-release-index
Latest Press Releases

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25 Feb 2016
International Rescue Committee Disappointed by Austria, Balkan States’ Decision to Institute New Measures on Refugees Seeking Sanctuary in Europe

23 Feb 2016
Deterioration in southern Syria highlights urgency of President Obama’s meeting with King of Jordan

22 Feb 2016
IRC: Macedonia border closure to Afghans another example of arbitrary decisions which threaten the lives & wellbeing of refugees

22 Feb 2016
The International Rescue Committee welcomes the European Council’s commitment to making urgently needed humanitarian assistance available for refugee response within the EU

ICRC [to 27 February 2016]
https://www.icrc.org/en/whats-new
Selected News Releases and Articles

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Syria: “Time to end this horrendous war” says ICRC president
The president of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Peter Maurer, has urged the parties to the Syrian conflict to allow aid deliveries to all people in need and to continue to work towards a political solution to end the suffering o
26-02-2016 | News release

Ukraine crisis: ICRC participates in release and transfer of nine conflict-related detainees
Kiev/Donetsk (ICRC) – Today, nine detainees held in connection with the conflict in Ukraine were released and transferred back to their place of origin.
26-02-2016 | News release

Iran: National Societies meet to discuss how migrants can keep in touch
Tehran (ICRC) –The Iranian Red Crescent and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) hosted a conference on helping migrants maintain ties with family members.
25-02-2016 | News release

Paul Pogba to present €100,000 cheque to ICRC on behalf of UEFA
For the ninth consecutive year, UEFA has set aside €100,000 for the ICRC.
23-02-2016 | News release

IRCT [to 27 February 2016]
http://www.irct.org/

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News
US Court of Appeals: Rasmieh Odeh must be allowed to submit psychological evidence of torture
26 February 2016

News
Scientific Symposium: Megan Berthold from the Scientific Committee explains why an event like the Symposium is needed
22 February 2016