OECD [to 2 April 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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1-April-2016
Rising tax revenues are key to economic development in African countries
Tax revenues in African countries are rising as a proportion of national incomes, according to the inaugural edition of Revenue Statistics in Africa. In 2014, the eight countries covered by the report – Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Mauritius, Morocco, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa and Tunisia – reported tax revenues as a percentage of GDP ranging from 16.1% to 31.3%.

30-March-2016
Consumer protection laws need updating to improve trust in e-commerce
Countries should modernise their consumer protection laws to address new risks posed by online commerce, including “free” apps and peer-to-peer Internet transactions, according to new OECD guidelines for member countries and emerging economies.

29-March-2016
Global mayors join forces to address inequalities and foster inclusive growth in cities worldwide
Mayors from cities across the United States, Asia, Europe, Africa and Latin America gathered in New York to launch a global campaign to address rising inequalities and foster inclusive growth in their cities, in their countries and worldwide.

Organization of American States (OAS) [to 2 April 2016]
http://www.oas.org/en/media_center/press_releases.asp

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March 28 2016
OAS and UNDP to Launch Practical Guide for Early Warning and Response Systems Design for Social Conflicts
The Organization of American States (OAS) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for Latin America and the Caribbean will present, on Thursday, March 31, the Practical Guide for “Early Warning and Response Systems Design for Social Conflicts,” which is intended for national and local governments, as well as civil society organizations in the region…

…In times of paralleled economic uncertainty and increasing social demands, the Guide offers a system for getting ahead of the outbreak and spreading of conflicts, with the premise that it is better to work in preventing conflict before it erupts and worsens.

Early Warning and Response Systems (EWRS) process data and issue warnings, provide recommendations on when and how to proceed and help identify institutions responsible for carrying out the responses.

IPU Inter-Parliamentary Union [to 2 April 2016]
http://www.ipu.org/english/news.htm

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31 MARCH 2016
Central and East European Parliaments follow up on SDGs
MPs from Central and East European Parliaments will continue work on defining opportunities and challenges they and their parliaments face in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) when they meet in Romania next month. The gathering on 18-19 April follows on from a similar sub-regional meeting in June 2015 at which parliamentary action on a number of key areas, including addressing environmental risk and climate change, was called upon. Participating parliaments will report on what action they have taken on the SDGs since the 2015 meeting.
This year’s event will lay emphasis on SDG 16, which highlights the importance of effective institutions, including parliaments, in implementing all 17 goals through coherent policies that capture and build on synergies. Key issues such as effective governance, citizen engagement on the SDGs, inclusive political participation, as well as ways to tackle the risk to environmental security by reducing disaster risk and switching to green energy, will also be addressed…

New name for IPU women MPs’ group
31 MARCH 2016
IPU’s Meeting of Women Parliamentarians, which for more than 30 years has been a unique opportunity for women MPs globally to meet in person and provide input into international decision-making, has a new name – the Forum of Women Parliamentarians. Its organizing body, the Co-ordinating Committee of Women Parliamentarians will now be known as the Bureau of Women Parliamentarians. The changes were agreed by MPs attending the 134th IPU Assembly in Lusaka and were aimed at better communicating the remit and functioning of the group…

World MPs discuss boosting women in politics
31 MARCH 2016
MPs from across the world called for a paradigm shift in attitudes to women’s participation in political processes within parliaments, political parties and society. The call came at the 134th IPU Assembly in Lusaka last week during a session on women’s freedom to participate in politics and how genuine partnership with men can contribute to this. The debate, organized by IPU’s Committee on Democracy and Human Rights, explored the current obstacles to women’s participation, including discriminatory stereotypes, patriarchal culture and party concerns about whether seats are “winnable” with women candidates…

IMF [to 2 April 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 28, 2016
Press Release: IMF Publishes Work on the State of the Global Financial Safety Net

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) today published the paper “The Adequacy of the Global Financial Safety Net,” which the IMF’s Executive Board discussed during an informal session as part of the Fund’s ongoing review of the international monetary system. The paper assesses the strengths, weaknesses and challenges of the Global Financial Safety Net (GFSN) –comprised of international reserves, central bank swap arrangements, regional financing arrangements, Fund resources (complemented by other multilateral and bilateral development partners), and market-based instruments.

The paper establishes that the GFSN today is much larger and more multi-layered than before, reflecting the accumulation of reserves, the expansion of bilateral and multilateral arrangements, and greater access to Fund resources. Several features of the GFSN have also been enhanced over time. Notably, the refinements to the IMF’s surveillance and lending frameworks have filled important gaps in the system. However, the study also recognizes that there is scope for improving the current configuration of the safety net, to enhance the predictability, reliability and speed of insurance and financing mechanisms against shocks, and provide the right incentives for countries to implement sound macroeconomic policies…

African Development Bank Group [to 2 April 2016]
http://www.afdb.org/en/news-and-events/press-releases/

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01/04/2016
AfDB Group announces US $549-million drought response package for Eastern and Southern Africa
– The African Development Bank (AfDB) Group President, Akinwumi Adesina, announced Friday a relief package of US $549 million in support of 14 countries most affected by the ongoing drought in Eastern and Southern Africa. The AfDB acknowledged the severe impact of the El Niño weather pattern that is associated with abnormally high temperatures and the worst drought the region has seen in decades, leaving almost 36 million people in need of food assistance.

AfDB scouts for viable energy models for power-starved Africa
01/04/2016 – A major preoccupation of the just-concluded visit to Asia by an African Development Bank team led by its President, Akinwumi Adesina, was the search for an efficient energy system that can be easily adapted in some of the most energy-starved African countries.

AfDB approves US $228-million loan to rehabilitate strategic road linking Kenya and Tanzania
31/03/2016 – The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank approved on Wednesday, March 30, a US $228-million loan to the Government of Kenya to rehabilitate 172-kilometre road, linking the towns of Isebania and Ahero, an axis located southeast of Lake Victoria. The renovation of this route will facilitate trade between Kenya and Tanzania, while the social aspects associated with the project will accelerate the socio-economic development of the regions along the road, benefitting nearly two million people.

Sudan government launches online stock market with support from the AfDB
30/03/2016 – The Government of Sudan inaugurated an online trading system of its stock market on March 24, 2016 in the country’s capital, Khartoum – a landmark development in the Sudan’s financial history.

Asian Development Bank [to 2 April 2016]
http://www.adb.org/news/releases

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1 April 2016
ADB Frankfurt Annual Meeting to Focus On Cooperating for Sustainability
Over 3,000 government, business, media, and civil society representatives will gather on 2-5 May in Frankfurt for the 49th Annual Meeting of ADB’s Board of Governors.

30 March 2016
Pacific Economic Growth Slowed by Fiscal, Disaster Related Challenges
Pacific economies face lower growth and tighter fiscal conditions this year due to low commodity prices and severe cyclones, says a new ADB report launched today.

30 March 2016
ADB, JICA Establish $1.5 Billion Fund to Invest in Private Infrastructure
ADB today has entered into an agreement with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to establish a new fund to support private infrastructure investments across Asia and the Pacific.

BRAC [to 2 April 2016]
http://www.brac.net/#news

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Sunday, 27 March 2016 00:00
BRAC holds Frugal Innovation Forum 2016

BRAC held the fourth Frugal Innovation Forum from 23-24 March 2016 in Savar, Bangladesh with the theme of scaling resilience. The forum showcased financial, social, and technological innovations that non-governmental organisations and other implementers are using to strengthen communities that are facing the effects of climate change.

The forum was designed to explore effective innovations and create opportunities for dialogue among leaders in the global south…

Covenant House [to 2 April 2016]
http://www.casa-alianza.org.uk/news
https://www.covenanthouse.org/

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Friday, April 1, 2016
The Priceless Gift of Self-Esteem
“These kids are fighters. They’re strong. To give them one more tool to bring up their self-esteem is amazing.” Check out this NBC report to see how a caring orthodontist is helping twin brothers Covenant House recently rescued from the streets of Los Angeles.

Danish Refugee Council [to 2 April 2016]
https://www.drc.dk/news

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27.03.2016
Yemen: After a year of war, the world must no longer ignore the human suffering
More than 80 percent of the population of Yemen has been severely affected by the ongoing and brutal armed conflict that further escalated one year ago.

The time is now for world leaders to push for a permanent ceasefire and a sustainable, inclusive political solution in Yemen before one year turns into many more years of war resulting in further violence, displacement and loss of life, the Yemen INGO Forum, of which the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a member, says…

ICRC [to 2 April 2016]
https://www.icrc.org/en/whats-new
Selected News Releases and Articles

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Philippines: Largest mass screening for TB held in New Bilibid Prison
Manila (ICRC) – The largest mass screening for tuberculosis (TB) in the country is being held for about 5,700 inmates in New Bilibid Prison (NBP), Muntinlupa City, as part of efforts to end TB in Philippine jails and prisons. The mass screening in t
29-03-2016 | News release

Western Balkans: Deep concern over numbers of people still missing in Kosovo
The working group on persons unaccounted for in connection with events in Kosovo in 1998 and 1999 held its 42nd session in Belgrade today.
25-03-2016 | News release

Iraq: Aid reaches thousands of displaced people in war-ravaged west Ramadi
Baghdad/Geneva (ICRC) – International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) staff distributed aid today to more than 12,000 displaced people surviving in desperate conditions in west Ramadi, central Iraq, having fled fighting in the nearby city of Hit.
24-03-2016 | News release

IFRC [to 2 April 2016]
http://www.ifrc.org/en/news-and-media/press-releases/

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1 April 2016
Central African Republic: Red Cross volunteers “show the power of humanity”

30 March 2016
More funding needed to help those affected by Cyclone Winston

IRC International Rescue Committee [to 2 April 2016]
http://www.rescue.org/press-release-index

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31 Mar 2016
In the global response to the refugee crisis, European leaders are lagging behind

29 Mar 2016
Open Letter to Global Leaders in advance of the UNHCR High Level Meeting on Global Responsibility Sharing through Pathways for Admission of Syrian Refugees on March 30 in Geneva

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

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Press Releases
At EU-India Summit, India Must Defend Its “Pharmacy of the Developing World”
March 29, 2016
MSF urges Indian Prime Minister not to cave into pressure from EU to accept trade deal that could prevent millions of people from accessing lifesaving medicines.

Field news
Jordan: MSF Opens new Clinic to treat Chronic Diseases near Syrian Border
March 31, 2016
New York/Amman, March 31, 2016—Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) officially opened a new health center in the northern Jordanian town of Al Ramtha on Thursday, to meet some of the chronic health needs of Syrian refugees and vulnerable Jordanians in the town.

Field news
Lake Chad: Too Much Violence, Too Little Aid
March 30, 2016
More than 2.7 million people have been forced from their homes by violence in the Lake Chad basin, which is now the site of one of the African continent’s largest humanitarian crises.

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

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29 March 2016
Recent Western Sahara developments pose a threat to regional stability
Oxfam today expressed its deep concern that recent events could exacerbate Western Sahara tensions and put the region on the brink of armed conflict. These developments include the expulsion from Western Sahara of 73 civilian peacekeepers and the closure of the Dakhla liaison office to the Western Sahara peacekeeping mission. Parties must return to negotiating table and work to resolve 40-year-old conflict.

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Rich countries have resettled just 1.39% of Syrian refugees, need to step up efforts
29 March 2016
Rich countries have resettled only 1.39 percent of the nearly five million Syrian refugees, a fraction of the 10 percent of people who need to be urgently offered a safe haven. As wealthy states meet in Geneva on 30 March to discuss the Syria refugee crisis, Oxfam urges them to redouble their efforts and offer their ‘fair share’ of support to hundreds of thousands of refugees.

Norwegian Refugee Council [to 2 April 2016]
http://www.nrc.no/

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Cote d´Ivoire
Leaving Cote d´Ivoire
Ane Høyem (01.04.2016)
After nine years of assisting refugees and internally displaced people in Cote d´Ivoire, the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) has closed down its operations in the country.

“Our programme has had a positive impact on the population of Côte d’Ivoire and our achievements make me proud,” says Cheick Ba, NRC´s Country Director in Cote d´Ivoire.

NRC has been present in Cote d´Ivoire since 2006, after various crises resulted in massive displacements in the country. At the height of the crisis, about 250,000 people were refugees in neighbouring countries.

Today, Cote d´Ivoire is once again stable and security is ensured in almost the entire country. As a result, most of the refugees have returned home. The economy is also blooming.

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Press Release
Agencies criticise rich countries’ failure to resettle more Syrians
(31.03.2016)
Oxfam, Save the Children and Norwegian Refugee Council criticised the deeply disappointing outcome of the international pledging conference for resettlement of refugees fleeing the ongoing crisis in Syria.

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

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Apr 01, 2016
Remembering Ti Joseph: Patient, Friend, and HIV Advocate
Joseph Jeune was an iconic symbol of the power of ART and the importance of delivering it to patients all over the world—regardless of income or social status.

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

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[Undated]
Over 175 NGOs call on UN to count vulnerable children
Over 175 children’s and disabilities rights organisations and academics from across the world have intensified their demands on the UN to ensure that all children are counted as part of the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
[FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE]
In a letter to UN statistical bodies – reissued with a three-fold increase in signatories since it was first sent last year – the organisations argue that it is vital to ensure that there is no ‘data gap’ and that the framework for monitoring the implementation of the SDGs captures “children living outside of households and/or without parental care.”

The diverse group of civil society organisations claim that some of the world’s most vulnerable children, those without parental care or at risk of being so, have “fallen off the statistical map” and will be left behind by the SDGs if the data gap is not filled. SOS Children’s Villages International is among the signatories, which also include other major child-focused NGOs and INGOs…

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

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April 1, 2016
Accompanying Communities in Mauritania as they Initiate Real Social Change
Tostan’s Chief Operating Officer (COO) Alexander Davey recently visited Mauritania. The purpose was largely to see firsthand how Tostan’s Community Empowerment Program (CEP) is being received, or not being received, on the ground—in a country that has its fair share of challenges.

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

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Press release 31 March 2016
The Elders welcome Myanmar’s new civilian government
The Elders’ statement on Myanmar’s new civilian government.

Hilton Prize Coalition [to 2 April 2016]
http://prizecoalition.charity.org/
An Alliance of Hilton Prize Recipients

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March 30, 2016:
Hilton Prize Coalition Fellow in Nepal Receives National Award