BRAC [to 12 December 2015]
http://www.brac.net/#news

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6 December 2015
Young coders develop app solutions on social problems
“BRACathon”- BRAC’s first ever hackathon attracted more than 120 budding app developers and students to compete for prize and developing useful mobile applications to contribute in social innovation. The 36 hour long BRACathon took place from 4-5 December 2015 in BRAC University. 27 teams including IT students and tech start-ups participated.

The theme of BRACathon was technology for social good. The participating teams were given 11 problems including TB prevention, micro-learning, microfinance data access, crowdsourcing information for city roads improvement, bKash user interface etc. Students from BRAC University, NSU, IUB, BUET, Ahsanullah University and technology start-ups including EMPOWER, Miyaki participated in this competition…

CARE International [to 12 December 2015]
http://www.care-international.org/news/press-releases.aspx

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Investing in the future of South Sudan must bring peace
SOUTH SUDAN
11 DECEMBER 2015
CARE’s new briefing note – “Our small peace cannot survive alone”. Lessons in peacebuilding and economic development in South Sudan – argues that the Compromise Peace Agreement signed in August presents an opportunity for South Sudanese authorities and the international community to adopt a new approach, one that balances community reconciliation with economic development.

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Global countdown starts for Paris climate deal
FRANCE
10 DECEMBER 2015
The endgame for the UN climate deal has begun with only a few days left until countries are expected to adopt a new agreement to tackle climate change. In response to the draft Paris outcome text released on the 9th of December.

Heifer International [to 12 December 2015]
http://www.heifer.org/about-heifer/press/press-releases.html

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Heifer International Weekly
Tuesday, Dec. 08, 2015

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Heifer International Awarded $1.5 Million Grant to Expand Disaster Risk Reduction Work
December 7, 2015 LITTLE ROCK, Ark.
Heifer International has received a $1.5 million grant to help fund phase two of the RISE-UP: Resilience Initiatives through Sustainable Enterprises and Upgrade of Community Preparedness project. The money will extend work in the Philippines while expanding the work to Guatemala, two of the most disaster-prone countries in which we work.

The grant from the Margaret A. Cargill Foundation will help strengthen the disaster preparedness and risk reduction capacities of up to 7,200 at-risk small-scale farming families—4,200 in Guatemala and 3,000 in the Philippines—by providing essential training and resources that sustain their livelihoods and increase their resiliency in the face of disaster.

HelpAge International [to 12 December 2015]
http://www.helpage.org/newsroom/press-room/press-releases/

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We can’t ignore the consequences of climate change and an ageing world, says HelpAge International
Adapting to climate change today will protect older people from natural disasters, droughts and famine tomorrow, says HelpAge International.
Posted: 09 December 2015

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Paris climate conference: first week sees positive commitments but neglects older people, says HelpAge International
The first week of the Paris climate change conference is a welcome step forward but the wellbeing of older people needs specific focus, says HelpAge International.
Posted: 07 December 2015

IRC International Rescue Committee [to 12 December 2015]
http://www.rescue.org/press-release-index

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Refugees in the U.S.: Latest IRC updates on Storify
Posted by The IRC on December 8, 2015
The United States has a long tradition of offering refuge to those fleeing persecution and war. Get the latest updates on the IRC’s refugee resettlement work in the U.S., including our response to Texas’s efforts to ban the arrival of Syrian refugees.

ICRC [to 12 December 2015]
https://www.icrc.org/en/whats-new

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Red Cross Red Crescent leaders and States take decisive steps to advance principled humanitarian action
News release
11 December 2015
The 32nd International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent has closed with a call for greater collaboration between States, humanitarian organizations and other stakeholders to address escalating humanitarian needs.

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No agreement by States on mechanism to strengthen compliance with rules of war
News release
10 December 2015
Geneva (ICRC) – After four years of extensive consultations, States have been unable to agree on a new mechanism proposed by the ICRC and the government of Switzerland to strengthen compliance with international humanitarian law (IHL). The decision was taken at the International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent, which draws to a close today in Geneva.

Instead, States agreed to launch an inter-governmental process to find ways to enhance the implementation of IHL. This process should culminate in four years, when the outcome will be presented at the next International Conference.

“It is disappointing that States could not agree on the original proposal, which addressed all the concerns raised during the consultation process,” said ICRC president Peter Maurer. “International humanitarian law is flouted almost every day, in every conflict around the world. By failing to support this initiative, States missed an opportunity to help to protect millions of people.”

The new mechanism would have involved setting up an annual meeting of states party to the Geneva Conventions, a non-politicized forum for them to share best practices and technical expertise.

At the conference, many States reaffirmed their commitment to respecting IHL, including through bilateral dialogue with the ICRC. Mr Maurer welcomed this, and said that the ICRC will pursue a strengthened dialogue with States on their IHL obligations.

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More is needed to protect the dignity and safety of migrants, says Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement
News release
09 December 2015
Governments as well as aid and humanitarian organizations need to do more to protect and promote the dignity and safety of all migrants, and to ensure their access to essential services.

This was the message delivered today by leaders of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement during a high-level event on migration at the 32nd International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent.

IRCT [to 12 December 2015]
http://www.irct.org/

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News
UN Committee against Torture issues recommendations on rehabilitation and documentation of torture to Denmark and Jordan
11 December 2015

News
Freedom from Torture: A pioneer in torture rehabilitation celebrates 30th anniversary
09 December 2015

News
IRCT to mark Human Rights Day with exhibition on torture at UN headquarters
08 December 2015

News
Latest issue of Torture Journal examines use of counseling by paraprofessionals and the effect immigration status has on rehabilitation processes
07 December 2015

Islamic Relief [to 12 December 2015]
http://www.islamic-relief.org/category/news/

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Food, health, and water
Plans are being made to help more people in Yemen access food, health and safe water.
[undated[
…Islamic Relief is currently working in 16 of the 22 governorates affected since March, and has distributed goods to 3,042,922 people.

In a new project that will be rolled out until April, food, health and hygiene goods will be distributed to nearly 7,000 families. This includes food baskets, medicines and medical supplies for six health facilities, bringing in safe water, and distributing hygiene kits containing items such as toothpaste and soap.

Islamic Relief has already provided food to more than 2.5 million people, and has equipped 21 hospitals and clinics across the country, even negotiating blockades, to support doctors and nurses working to treat the unwell and injured in difficult circumstances.

On Universal Children’s Day, on November 20, experts in Yemen provided a free medical check up to more than 1,500 children who had been orphaned, giving medicines where required…

MSF/Médecins Sans Frontières [to 12 December 2015]
http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/news-stories/press/press-releases

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Press release
MSF Delivers Petition Calling For Investigation Into Kunduz Hospital Attack
WASHINGTON, D.C., DECEMBER 9, 2015 — The international medical humanitarian organization Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) today delivered a petition signed by more than 547,000 people to the White House, calling for President Obama to consent to an independent investigation of the deadly U.S. airstrikes on MSF’s trauma hospital in Kunduz, Afghanistan.

Press release
Syria: Increased Fighting and Bombing Jeopardize Medical Care and Essential Aid
December 07, 2015
BARCELONA, SPAIN/GAZIANTEP, TURKEY—An upsurge in fighting and bombing over the past week in northern Syria’s Azaz District, near the Turkish border, is jeopardizing medical activities in the few hospitals and health posts that are still functioning, the international medical humanitarian organization Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) said today, warning that it may be forced to close its own hospital in Aleppo province.

Field News
Chad: MSF Teams Provide Support after Deadly Attack in Koulfoua Island
December 07, 2015
A triple suicide attack that took place on the island of Koulfoua in the Lake Chad area in Chad on Saturday morning has reportedly killed 30 people and wounded up to 200. Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) teams in the area immediately mobilized to provide support to the Chadian Ministry of Health.

Mercy Corps [to 12 December 2015]
http://www.mercycorps.org/press-room/releases

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Mercy Corps Applauds UN Security Council Adoption of Youth, Peace and Security Resolution
December 10, 2015
Historic move underscores the essential role youth play in promoting peace and countering violent extremism
Portland, Ore — The global organization Mercy Corps commends the United Nations Security Council for adopting a new resolution prioritizing youth and youth-led organizations in peacebuilding and violence prevention efforts, and thanks the government of Jordan and the 10,000 young peace builders who participated in this year’s first-ever Global Forum on Youth, Peace, and Security for leading this landmark initiative.

“In places fraught by conflict, instability, violence and economic crisis, youth are critical partners to help move their communities toward stability, prosperity and resilience,” says Andrea Koppel, vice president of Global Engagement and Policy at Mercy Corps. “Recognition by the United Nations of the urgent need to engage youth directly in decision making is essential to prevent violence and create lasting peace.”

Mercy Corps has worked with the United Network of Young Peacebuilders since 2011 to advocate for the inclusion of youth and youth-led organizations in peace-building initiatives and lay the foundation for this resolution…

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Mercy Corps-Managed Microfinance Program Yields Unprecedented Return for Mongolia
Mongolia, December 10, 2015
$10 million return to be invested in Mongolia Resilient Communities Program
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia – A program that started with a small investment to support pastoral herders has grown into one of the country’s major financial institutions in less than 15 years. As a result of this unprecedented financial success — and in cooperation with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) — $10 million will be redeployed for the benefit of Mongolians in a resilience program designed and administered by Mercy Corps. The funds will come from shares sold this week to the National Bank of Canada.

TenGer Financial Group evolved from an international development project implemented as the country transitioned from a centralized state to a free-market economy. Funded initially with roughly $1 million from USDA and USAID and managed by Mercy Corps, the program has helped tens of thousands of pastoralists and small businesses to access fundamental financial tools such as savings accounts, lines of credit and insurance policies…

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Airstrikes along Turkish Border Jeopardize Cross-Border Aid to Syria, Says Mercy Corps
Syria, December 7, 2015
Mercy Corps continuing aid efforts amid increasing danger
Portland, Ore.— The ongoing violence in Syria, which has resulted in nearly five years of catastrophic conditions for the country’s citizens, is now severely restricting the delivery of humanitarian assistance. Intensification in airstrikes against towns located between Aleppo City and the Syria-Turkey border threatens critical supply routes for humanitarian aid. Because of its large team working closely with local partners and the prepositioning of aid and supplies, Mercy Corps is able to continue providing assistance in the war-torn nation.

OXFAM [to 12 December 2015]
http://www.oxfam.org/en/pressroom/pressreleases

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Yemen: Women are key to finding political solution at peace talks
11 December 2015
Negotiations to end a bloody conflict in Yemen have a far better chance of long term success if women have a place at the table, says Oxfam. The current conflict has had a devastating impact on women and girls with millions hungry, out of school and lacking vital healthcare. Women are also facing a rise in sexual and domestic violence. Yet political discussions about peace and the country’s future are still largely run by men and those who have taken up arms…

Norwegian Refugee Council [to 12 December 2015]
http://www.nrc.no/

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Climate Change – COP21
NRC in Paris
Ane Høyem (10.12.2015)
NRC will advocate towards negotiators at COP21 to ensure that displacement and human mobility is included in the agreement. NRC will also play a role by organizing or presenting at 11 different events in Paris over the next two weeks.

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Kampala Convention
Tool to protect
Tuva Raanes Bogsnes (10.12.2015)
Internal displacement continues to impose hardship upon millions of people in Africa. The Kampala Convention continues to provide a solid hope and the collective resolve in alleviating continued suffering.

The African Union Convention on the Protection and Assistance of Internally Displaced Persons in Africa – more commonly known as The Kampala Convention obliges African governments to protect the rights of people who are forced to flee their homes by armed conflict, violence, human rights violations and disasters…

Pact [to 12 December 2015]
http://www.pactworld.org/press-releases
Selected Press Releases, Blog Posts

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December 10, 2015
Helping vulnerable people exercise their voice, access their rights
“Our Rights. Our Freedoms. Always.” That’s the theme for this year’s Human Rights Day. At Pact, we believe all individuals are entitled to fair treatment under the law and protection from harm. That’s why, across Africa, Asia and Latin America, we help people understand and seize their rights. In South Sudan, the world’s newest country, more than…

Partners In Health [to 12 December 2015]
http://www.pih.org/blog

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Dec 10, 2015
House Calls Help Mother Continue Treatment in Russia
PIH ensures women who are HIV-positive receive daily medication and food at home in Russia.

Dec 07, 2015
Meet University Hospital’s OB-GYN Residents
Zanmi Lasante, as Partners In Health is known in Haiti, began training obstetrics and gynecology residents at University Hospital in 2014. Read about the first class here.

Dec 07, 2015
Addressing the Root Cause of Illness
PIH fights illness and the poverty that causes it.

PATH [to 12 December 2015]
http://www.path.org/news/index.php

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Press release
Leading global health innovator celebrates 35 years in Vietnam
US Deputy Chief of Mission attends PATH anniversary event

Hanoi, December 8, 2015—A leading US-based global health organization, PATH, celebrated 35 years of partnership and innovation in Vietnam. US Deputy Chief of Mission Susan Sutton joined the anniversary event to celebrate the milestone and highlight achievements of PATH partnerships. The event follows the recent 20th anniversary of US-Vietnam health cooperation and normalized bilateral relations.

“PATH’s work in Vietnam continues to represent the best in global health innovation. Our collaboration with the government and many development and private-sector partners has saved and protected many lives,” said PATH president and CEO Steve Davis. “Moving into a new era of health and development goals, PATH is committed to continue working with current and new partners to accelerate health innovation in Vietnam.”…

Plan International [to 12 December 2015]
http://plan-international.org/about-plan/resources/media-centre

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Publications & Research
Plan International Nepal Annual Highlights 2015
11 December 2015
Plan International Nepal works in Health, Water, sanitation and hygiene, Basic Education, Household Economic Security, Child protection and Child Centred Disaster Risk Management and has been working in Nepal since 1978. This report is a summary of progress made between July 2014 and June 2015.

The report covers Plan International’s response to the earthquake, and to-date we have reached 196,000 individuals including 82,000 children.

It also highlights the achievements made across all programmes, the Because I am a Girl campaign, sponsorship, partnerships and finances.

Save The Children [to 12 December 2015]
http://www.savethechildren.org/site/c.8rKLIXMGIpI4E/b.6150563/k.D0E9/Newsroom.htm

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Save the Children Condemns Fatal School Bombing in Northern Syria
December 11, 2015

The Noerr Programs Surpasses $1 Million in Donations for Save the Children’s U.S. Programs
December 11, 2015

Ethiopia Drought: Save the Children Urges International Community to Heed Early Warnings of Looming Hunger Crisis
December 7, 2015

Tostan [to 12 December 2015]
http://www.tostan.org/latest-news

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December 10, 2015
On Human Rights Day: A Look Back at How the Universal Declaration of Human Rights Fundamentally Changed Tostan’s Program
Tostan describes its work as a “nonformal, human rights-based educational program.” But what does that actually mean, and how important is the human rights aspect? As it …

December 8, 2015
Senegalese Youth Use Radio in Efforts To End FGC
Emerging from the group is the voice of a woman. She tells her story—that of a girl who was married at the age of 15 and became the mother of a baby girl by the time she was …

Women for Women International [to 12 December 2015]
http://www.womenforwomen.org/press-releases

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In Solidarity With Women, For Women
December 10, 2015 | Huffington Post
Model and humanitarian Philomena Kwao marks Human Rights Day by sharing how women are often denied their rights during conflict, and how Women for Women International’s model of investing in women leads to inspiring renewal and hope for survivors.

The Side of War That We Can’t Afford to Overlook Anymore
December 10, 2015 | Huffington Post
During an interview with Oprah Winfrey, WfWI Founder Zainab Salbi shares how women are key to keeping life going during war. “Peace is not the ending of fighting only,” Salbi says. “Peace is actually the building of life.”

“I Thought Only Men Had Rights”
December 9, 2015 | Huffington Post
Knowing their rights is the foundation of women’s economic, political, and social empowerment, but too many women worldwide don’t even know they have basic human rights. For Human Rights Day, WfWI CEO Jennifer L. Windsor shares the transformative stories of three women who learned their rights for the first time, and the changes they were able to bring to their lives.

ChildFund Alliance [to 12 December 2015]
http://childfundalliance.org/news/

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ChildFund is providing food and support for families in Ethiopia
Author Child Fund Alliance
[Undated]
Drought has struck East Africa and an estimated 8.2 million children and families in Ethiopia are suffering from a food shortage that is escalating by the day.
After two seasons of poor rains, crop growth has stalled, seeds are not germinating, vegetation is drying up and livestock are dying.

The drought has affected more than 211,421 people across ChildFund’s program areas, including 73,997 children, and is expected to get worse and continue well into 2016.
Our Members are providing support including the provision of protein-rich supplementary food to children under five and pregnant and breastfeeding mothers…