MSF/Médecins Sans Frontières [to 2 July 2016]
http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/news-stories/press/press-releases

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Press release
60,000 Trapped Along Syria/Jordan Border Desperately Need Aid, Protection
June 30, 2016
Amman, Jordan—About 60,000 people trying to flee Syria are trapped without aid in extremely harsh conditions near Jordan’s northeastern border, the international medical humanitarian organization Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) said today, calling for an immediate resumption of humanitarian assistance and international efforts to protect and relocate this population.

OXFAM [to 2 July 2016]
http://www.oxfam.org/en/pressroom/pressreleases

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27 June 2016
Growing humanitarian crisis in Niger as more civilians displaced by Boko Haram attacks
With at least 40,000 civlians displaced by two major Boko Haram attacks in the last 6 weeks, this situation in the Diffa region of Niger is becoming a growing humanitarian crisis – a total of 280,000 people have been forced to flee their homes since the conflict began two years ago.

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27 June 2016
Just five food commodities produce more greenhouse gases than any country except emissions giants China and the US
Rice, soy beans, corn, wheat and palm oil together lead to more greenhouse gas emissions than any country’s individual footprint, apart from China and the United States, according to new Oxfam research into the food industry and climate change.

Partners In Health [to 2 July 2016]
http://www.pih.org/blog

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Jul 01, 2016
A Cancer Crisis, A Good Solution
Inshuti Mu Buzima executive director Dr. Alex Coutinho writes about new radiation therapy service.

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Jun 27, 2016
Deputy Chief Medical Officer Discusses Social Medicine
Dr. Michelle Morse, deputy chief medical officer for Partners In Health, talks live about social medicine.

Save The Children [to 2 July 2016]
http://www.savethechildren.org/site/c.8rKLIXMGIpI4E/b.9357111/k.C14B/Press_Releases_2016/apps/nl/newsletter2.asp

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June 30, 2016
Save the Children Celebrates Unanimous Passage of Foreign Aid Accountability Bill in the Senate

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June 30, 2016
South Sudan Faces Highest Levels of Food Insecurity since Onset of Conflict in 2013, Warns Save the Children

SOS-Kinderdorf International [to 2 July 2016]
http://www.sos-childrensvillages.org/about-sos/press/press-releases

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28.06.2016
New report: “In the Blind Spot”
SOS Norway launches report on the situation of children without parental care or at risk of losing it
28.06.2016 – An estimated 151 million children worldwide have lost one or both parents. Millions more are at risk of losing parental care. Nevertheless, these children are often not recognised in international development policies. In a new report, SOS Children’s Villages Norway puts the spotlight on children who cannot be raised by their parents or are at risk of losing parental care…

Tostan [to 2 July 2016]
http://www.tostan.org/latest-news

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June 28, 2016
Celebrating the Rights and Needs of All Children During the “Week of the African Child”
The crowd bursts into laughter as minors at the Diourbel prison in Senegal present a skit, with interjections from local actor and comedian Sonokho….
This play was part of the celebration for the Day of the African Child on June 16, organized by Tostan’s Prison Project in partnership with the prison administration, UNFPA Senegal, and the Association of Women Doctors of Senegal (AWDS). It contextualized and underscored the importance of current efforts to provide positive support structures that enable detainees to reintegrate and become functional members of society.

This special day marked the start of an entire “Week of the African Child” in many African Union countries. In Senegal, specialists, government officials and local organizations, like Tostan, met across various forums to celebrate and raise awareness for children’s rights and child protection initiatives around the country. Most discussions focused on the importance of quality education and the implementation of national protection strategies as means to protect all children, especially those at high risk…

Women for Women International [to 2 July 2016]
http://www.womenforwomen.org/press-releases

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Press Release
In Iraq, Refugee Crisis Worsens as Displaced Syrian and Yezidi Women’s Needs Are Not Addressed, Says Women for Women International
Organization supports critical psychosocial services and business training to help women recover from trauma and provide for families in camps and host communities.
June 20, 2016, Washington, D.C. – Displaced Syrian and Yezidi women in northern Iraq are facing deepening crises and lack of critical support that threaten their basic security, economic well-being, and survival, says Women for Women International (WfWI) on World Refugee Day.

Working with at-risk women in the region, WfWI urges immediate investment in services that target women and families to help them stabilize and begin to rebuild their lives.

“The situation on the ground is quickly becoming desperate for many Syrian and Yezidi women living in camps and host communities,” says Mandana Hendessi OBE, WfWI Country Director for Iraq. “Many women tell us their families are starving, they have no way to earn money, they are not safe, and they are struggling each day with the debilitating effects of extreme trauma. We are trying to help them address both their immediate and long-term needs.”…

Amnesty International [to 2 July 2016]
https://www.amnesty.org/en/search/?q=&resourceType=pressrelease
Selected Press Releases, Statements

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Press Release
Brazil: Huge spike in number of deaths committed by Police in Rio ahead of the Olympic Games
1 July 2016, 14:59 UTC

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Press Release
Malaysian entrepreneur Tony Fernandes joins Amnesty International’s Global Council
1 July 2016, 00:00 UTC
Malaysian entrepreneur and founder of AirAsia, Tony Fernandes is joining Amnesty International’s prestigious Global Council, the organization announces today.

The Global Council was established in 2013 to help raise public support and the financial resources to fuel the organization’s expansion in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East…

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Press Release
Mexico: Sexual violence routinely used as torture to secure “confessions” from women
28 June 2016, 05:00 UTC
An unprecedented Amnesty International investigation of 100 women arrested in Mexico reveals that they are routinely sexually abused by the security forces who want to secure confessions and boost figures in an attempt to show that they are tackling rampant organized crime.

All of the 100 women held in federal prisons who reported torture or other ill-treatment to Amnesty International said they had experienced some form of sexual harassment or psychological abuse during their arrest and interrogation by municipal, state or federal police officers or members of the Army and Navy. Seventy-two said they were sexually abused during their arrest or in the hours that followed. Thirty-three reported being raped.

Sixty-six of the women said they had reported the abuse to a judge or other authorities but investigations were opened in only 22 cases. Amnesty International is not aware of any criminal charges arising from these investigations…

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Press Release
Reject dangerous migration response plan, more than 100 NGOs tell EU leaders
27 June 2016, 10:48 UTC
The European Union (EU) is set to open a dark chapter in its history unless it rejects the European Commission’s proposal on migration, a coalition of more than 100 NGOs warned on Monday. Shifting towards a foreign policy that serves the single objective of curbing migration, the EU and its member states risk further undermining their credibility and authority in the defence of human rights, the organizations say. They call on European leaders to reject the Commission proposal that would cement this approach, making deterrence and return of people the main objective of the EU’s relationship with third countries.
[See Week in Review above for more detail]

Freedom House [to 2 July 2016]
https://freedomhouse.org/news
Selected Press Releases, Statements

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Press Release
Freedom House Applauds Appointment of UN Gender, LGBTI Expert
July 1, 2016
The United Nations Human Rights Council’s passage of a resolution appointing an independent monitor to protect LGBTI individuals from violence.

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Press Release
Russia Targets Human Rights Activist with Criminal Charges, ‘Foreign Agents’ Law
June 28, 2016
Russia launched criminal proceedings against the head of human rights non-profit organizations “Women of the Don” for alleged violation of Russia’s “foreign agents” law.

CONCORD [to 2 July 2016]
http://concordeurope.org/news-and-events/
[European NGO confederation for relief and development]

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Jun 28, 2016
First Agenda 2030 national reviews ready
Will Estonia, Finland, France and Germany lead the way towards Sustainable Development?
Governmental representatives from around the world gather in New York this July to review progress made to deliver on Agenda 2030 in the first 10 months. Four EU Member States – Estonia, Finland, France and Germany – are among the first 22 countries to report on their national preparation for implementing the 2030 Agenda. National platforms of CONCORD have analysed the respective reports of their countries and pointed out their pros and cons.

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Jun 27, 2016
Reject dangerous migration response plan, 110 NGOs tell EU leaders
Ahead of the EU Council on June 28th and 29th, CONCORD Europe, together with 108 other NGOs, strongly condemns the “New Migration Partnership Framework” which would undermine the right to asylum internationally and reorient Europe’s development aid towards stopping migration.

The Elders [to 2 July 2016]
http://theelders.org/news-media

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Press release 29 June 2016
Former President of Chile Ricardo Lagos to join The Elders
Ricardo Lagos, former President of Chile, announced as a new member of The Elders.

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News 29 June 2016
Observing change at the United Nations
Change at the UN usually proceeds at a glacial pace, but our Programme Officer Tom Brookes observes that over the past 18 months, the status quo appears to be slowly changing.

END Fund  [to 2 July 2016]
http://www.end.org/news
Selected Press Releases and Major Announcements

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2015 Annual Report.
Since our founding in 2012, we have worked across 22 countries and reached over 85 million people who needed treatment. We have mobilized more than $50 million in new commitments, making the END Fund the fastest growing source of new private funds to the NTD sector

Gavi [to 2 July 2016]
http://www.gavialliance.org/library/news/press-releases/

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30 June 2016
Gavi Board reappoints WHO’s Flavia Bustreo as vice-chair
Board also confirms appointment of four new members and two alternates.
Geneva, 30 June 2016 – Dr Flavia Bustreo, WHO’s Assistant Director-General for Family, Women’s and Children’s Health, has been reappointed as Vice-Chair of the Board of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. Dr Bustreo has held the role since January 2015, and is also the chair of the Governance Committee.

Dr Bustreo has been instrumental in the early stages of the implementation of Gavi’s 2016-2020 strategy, which aims to support developing countries to immunise a further 300 million children against life threatening diseases, leading to 5 to 6 million lives being saved…

The Gavi Board also approved the following appointments:
:: Irene Koek of the United States as Board Member representing the United States
:: Helen Rees as an Unaffiliated Board Member
:: Ramjanam Chaudhary, Minister for Health and Population, Nepal, representing the developing country constituency
:: David Loew, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Sanofi Pasteur, as a Board Member representing the vaccine industry industrialised countries

Additionally, the Board approved the reappointment of Donal Brown of the United Kingdom as Board Member representing the United Kingdom.

The following Alternate Board Members were also appointed
:: Jason Lane of the United Kingdom as Alternate Board Member to Donal Brown
:: Bounkong Syhavong, Minister of Health, Lao PDR, as Alternate Board Member to Ramjanam Chaudhary

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26 May 2016
Gavi welcomes price trend for pentavalent vaccine
Latest price information published by UNICEF.
Geneva, 26 May 2016 – Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance welcomes the continued trend of decreasing prices for five-in-one pentavalent vaccine. Prices for pentavalent doses to be supplied to Gavi-supported countries over the next two years have been published by UNICEF following the completion of the first stage of a multi-stage tender.

The pentavalent vaccine protects against five major infections in one shot: diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, hepatitis B and Haemophilus influenza type b (Hib). It remains a cornerstone of Gavi’s immunisation efforts and is the first vaccine to have been introduced into the routine immunisation systems of all Gavi-supported countries.

Between 2000 and 2015, more than 200 million children living in the world’s poorest countries were protected with the pentavalent vaccine. Gavi estimates that investment in pentavalent vaccination between 2011 and 2020 will avert 5.6 million deaths.

In recent years the pentavalent market has become highly competitive – and more stable – through an increasing number of prequalified vaccines, new vaccine presentations, and production capacity that now exceeds aggregate demand. This increasing competition and the high level of predictable demand from Gavi-supported countries have contributed to a decreasing pricing trend.

Through this tender Gavi seeks to cultivate a healthy vaccine market to ensure that the supply of high-quality, affordable vaccines meets demand and that the developing countries’ needs are fully met through continued innovation. The tender also aims to preserve long-term market competition with multiple suppliers and to achieve low and sustainable prices for developing countries, including those that have transitioned from Gavi support. See UNICEF Request for Proposal section 2.2. for full description of tender objectives.

The multi-phase tender covers the three year period 2017 to 2019. It is an innovative procurement method for vaccines where manufacturers are invited to submit offers and are awarded volumes in phases, with UNICEF publishing prices after finalisation of each phase. The first phase of the tender is now complete, resulting in UNICEF – as the procuring body – awarding a large portion of the forecasted volume in 2017 as well as a portion of volumes in 2018. The second phase will commence in June, when all manufacturers who took part in the first phase of the tender will be able to re-submit offers. At the end of the second phase of the tender UNICEF and Gavi will have a clear picture on whether the full tender objectives for the first 2 years of supply have been met.

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26 May 2016
Gavi welcomes contribution of US$ 76 million from Government of Japan
New multi-year commitment will help Vaccine Alliance partners towards goal of immunising 300m children by 2020.

Global Fund [to 2 July 2016]
http://www.theglobalfund.org/en/news/?topic=&type=NEWS;&country=

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27 June 2016
Italy Makes Strong Commitment to Global Fund
ROME – The Government of Italy announced today a pledge of €130 million to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria for the three-year period beginning in 2017, highlighting Italy’s leadership in global health.

The commitment, an increase of 30 percent over Italy’s last contribution of €100 million, is a strong signal as the Global Fund prepares for a Replenishment conference in September. With the support of countries like Italy, the Global Fund is accelerating the end of the three diseases while building resilient and sustainable systems for health.

“For Italy, these three epidemics are a cause and a consequence of poverty,” said Benedetto Della Vedova, Under-secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. “It is very important that the Global Fund remains on track to reach 22 million lives saved by the end of 2016. Italy is at the forefront alongside the Global Fund, both politically and financially.

Taking decisive action means putting a strong focus on human rights and on the vulnerable groups most affected by the diseases, starting with children, women and girls. Italy’s International Cooperation strongly supports the Global Fund’s commitment to promote gender equality and access to health for all, without discrimination.”…

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26 June 2016
France Pledges €1.08 billion to Global Fund
PARIS – The Government of France announced today it will contribute €1.08 billion to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria for the three-year period beginning in 2017, demonstrating strong leadership in global health.

France is the second leading donor to the Global Fund, and has consistently played a pioneering role in scientific research, promoting human rights and serving people affected by HIV. The new pledge, which represents a sustained commitment of France’s previous support, represents a significant contribution to the Global Fund’s three-year replenishment.

“This contribution demonstrates the strong commitment of France in the fight against pandemics and to strengthen health systems, especially in African countries,” the announcement said.

France has contributed more than €3.8 billion to the Global Fund since it was established in 2002 to accelerate the end of the epidemics…

InterAction [to 2 July 2016]
http://www.interaction.org/media-center/press-releases

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Jun 30, 2016
InterAction Agriculture & Food Security Resources and Reports
Globally, almost 800 million people are hungry, and malnutrition causes half of all deaths of children under the age of 5 (nearly 3 million). Hunger and malnutrition rob women and men of healthy, productive lives, and stunt the mental and physical development of future generations. This underscores the importance of agricultural development and food and nutrition security programs in vulnerable countries. Investments in food and nutrition security and agricultural development can act as engines of economic growth and reduced poverty, directly addressing the root cause of acute hunger and malnutrition.

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Jun 27, 2016
InterAction: Online Tool Provides Analysis on FY2017 U.S. Foreign Operations Budget Priorities
WASHINGTON – Congressional leaders are working to finalize the U.S. State and Foreign Operations Budget for FY2017 with a mark-up in the Senate Appropriations State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Subcommittee scheduled for tomorrow, Tuesday, June 28 and full Senate Appropriations…

The Sphere Project [to 2 July 2016]
http://www.sphereproject.org/news/

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24 June 2016 | Sphere Project
How standards help humanitarian actors do the right things and do them well
Humanitarian standards help governments, communities and the humanitarian system at large put people affected by crisis or conflict at the centre of humanitarian response, but not without challenges. After decades of improvements within the sector, it is time to renew a collective commitment towards quality and accountability.

ODI [to 2 July 2016]
http://www.odi.org/media

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Press release | 1 July 2016
G20 fossil fuel subsidies will undermine the Paris climate agreement
G20 energy ministers, meeting in China, have put in jeopardy the UN climate agreement drawn up in Paris last year by refusing to set a date for ending fossil fuel subsidies.

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Press release | 29 June 2016
300,000 new jobs if western Africa invests in fisheries industry – new report
Investigation reveals development benefits of investment in western Africa’s maritime industry

World Economic Forum [to 2 July 2016]
https://agenda.weforum.org/news/
Selected Media Releases

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News 28 Jun 2016
The Global Economy is Failing 35% of the World’s Talent
:: The Human Capital Report 2016 finds that globally only 65% of the world’s talent is being optimized through education, skills development and deployment during people’s lifetimes
:: Finland, Norway and Switzerland hold the top spots, utilizing around 85% of their human capital. Japan leads when it comes to 55 year-olds and over
:: Report aims to assess how public and private sector investments in education and skills can best prepare workforces for the future and how big data and the gig economy might drive greater opportunity for workers
Download the full report here
[See Week in Review above for more detail]

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News 27 Jun 2016
Technology Pioneers Are Mixing Latest Technologies to Kickstart the Next Wave of Industry Disruption
:: The World Economic Forum today announced its list of the 30 most promising Technology Pioneers 2016, including fintech provider Blockchain, collaboration tool Slack and market trend visualizer Quid.
:: Other awarded pioneers blend existing innovations like drones, 3D printing and the Internet of Things to create real-world solutions in fields such as health, food, energy, IT and finance
:: 70 per cent of the recognized pioneers come from the US, a sign of the country’s continued strength in innovation; other nominees come from Canada, France, Israel, Luxembourg and Sweden

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News 27 Jun 2016
Blockchain a Game Changer for the Future of Financial Transactions
Tianjin, People’s Republic of China, 27 June 2016 – Unlocking blockchain will be a game-changer for the future of financial transactions, noted panellists in a session on the innovative digital ledger today at the Annual Meeting of the New Champions 2016 in Tianjin.
“Blockchain will revolutionize banking and financial services as we know it,” acknowledged Pierre Gramegna, Minister of Finance of Luxembourg, “I think it is possible that blockchain will replace the word ‘internet’. By the time our children have children, the only time they will see the word ‘internet’ is in science and history books.”
“Some say that blockchain is the new internet of the financial world,” pointed out Axel Lehmann, Group Chief Operating Officer and Member of the Group Executive Board, UBS Group, Switzerland.
Blockchain is a secure ledger database made up of data blocks that are shared by all users in an established, continually evolving platform. For financial organizations, blockchain allows for faster processing time, lower costs, fewer intermediaries, greater market insight and increased transparency and compliance…

Conrad N. Hilton Foundation [to 2 July 2016]
http://www.hiltonfoundation.org/news

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Press Release
Conrad N. Hilton Foundation Awards Close to $23 Million in Grants in the Second Quarter of 2016
June 27, 2016 By Julia Friedman
(LOS ANGELES) June 27, 2016– The board of directors of the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation announced today that it approved $22.9 million in grants during the second quarter of 2016…

Grants in the second quarter of 2016 were awarded to 13 organizations spanning across the Hilton Foundation’s priority areas, including organizations serving the most disadvantaged and vulnerable people both in the U.S. and internationally….

Grameen Foundation [to 2 July 2016]
http://www.grameenfoundation.org/news-events/press-room

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06/30/2016
Using Electronic Payments to Expand Financial Inclusion in Colombia
:: Government officials, NGOs and financial and technology companies convene to expand financial inclusion for rural poor
:: Experts highlight potential of digital technology to help meet crucial need for banking services among millions of small-scale farmers
government met today at the event “Taking Digital Payments to the Last Mile” to explore opportunities to expand electronic payments in the Colombian rural sector.

The aim is to accelerate efforts to enable farmers to use digital technology to access and use a broad range of financial services that can help them improve their livelihoods and their families’ lives.

”Financial exclusion limits growth and development in rural areas of Colombia. The problem lies in that a large part of this population does not rely on banking services. However, many of these people have a mobile phone, which has the potential to deliver financial services to reach this sector,” explained Marcela Carrasco, President of MasterCard for Colombia and Ecuador.

In Colombia more than 12 million of people depend on agriculture, of which only a minority are banked. In this context, the challenge consists of finding a viable channel for this population to access financial services, while ensuring comfort and confidence for users.

“Improving access to financial services in poor, rural communities is essential to reducing poverty and boosting Colombia’s economic growth. Colombia has made significant progress in expanding the use of digitally-based financial services in urban areas and must ensure that rural communities are part of that transformation, said Fernado Henao Velasaco, Grameen Foundation’s County Director for Colombia….