ASEAN Association of Southeast Asian Nations [to 24 October 2015]
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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Press Release of the ASEAN Commission on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women and Children
MAKATI, 22 October 2015 – The Eleventh Meeting of the ASEAN Commission on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women and Children (ACWC) was convened on 18 20 October 2015 in Makati, the Philippines.

The Meeting reviewed the Terms of Reference of ACWC, and implementation of the Work Plan 2012-2016 including the three on-going thematic studies. The Regional Study on Child Protection System under the UN CRC Implementation in ASEAN Member States led by Indonesia is currently on-going. The preliminary draft Report, which was considered by the Meeting, provides an analysis on the characteristics of the child protection systems in ASEAN Member States including the legal framework, programmes, and resources.

The regional assessment on the laws, policies and practices within ASEAN Member States relating to the identification and treatment of victims of trafficking, especially women and children, is on-going under the coordination of Lao PDR. The regional consultant, national researchers and regional project coordination had been recruited and met on 16-17 October 2015 in Makati to discuss the national research plan including national report outline, methodology, guiding questions and timeline for incountry data gathering in ASEAN Member States in November 2015.

The draft Progress Report on Women’s Rights, Empowerment and Gender Equality was reviewed by the ACWC. The draft Report was scheduled for completion and launching on 8 March 2016 in time of the 50th Anniversary of ASEAN. The study reviews the progress in advancing women’s political, economic and social rights at regional and national levels…

European Union [to 24 October 2015]
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 Issues Opinion on Temporary Reintroduction of Controls at Internal Borders: Germany and Austria acting in compliance with Schengen Borders Code
Brussels, 23 October 2015
The European Commission has published today its Opinion on the temporary reintroduction of controls at internal borders by Germany and Austria. The Commission has concluded that the initial reintroduction of controls at internal borders by Germany and Austria, as well as the subsequent prolongations, are in compliance with the Schengen Borders Code.

The Opinion assesses the necessity and proportionality of the measures introduced by Germany on 13 September and Austria on 16 September. The two Member States resorted to this extraordinary measure, foreseen in the Schengen Borders Code, to cope with a large influx of persons seeking international protection.
In particular, the Commission recognises that the German and Austrian decisions were “motivated by the serious threat to the internal security and public policy caused by the extraordinary influx of persons seeking international protection, crossing the borders[…] in a spontaneous manner, often without necessary documents and/or without adequate recording in Eurodac upon their first arrival in the EU” and that the reintroduction of border controls was intended “to maintain the control over the extraordinary number of arriving persons by means allowed under national and EU law”.

The Commission is of the opinion that the sudden increase in the number of persons seeking international protection at the borders of these countries did lead to a threat of public policy and internal security, which justified the application of the extraordinary measures available under the Schengen Borders Code. Therefore, according to the Commission, the decisions taken by the German and Austrian authorities were necessary and the measures were proportionate…

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President Juncker calls Leaders’ Meeting in Brussels on refugee flows along the Western Balkans route
European Commission – Announcement Brussels, 21 October 2015
President Juncker calls Leaders’ Meeting in Brussels on refugee flows along the Western Balkans route In view of the unfolding emergency in the countries along the Western Balkans migratory route, there is a need for much greater cooperation, more extensive consultation…

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New phase launched of EU programme to increase social cohesion in Latin America
Date: 19/10/2015
European Commission – Press release Brussels, 19 October 2015
The European Commission launched today EUROsociAL+, a new phase of the EU programme to increase social cohesion in Latin America, at an event in Madrid, bringing together representatives of the EU and its Latin American counterparts….

Organization of American States (OAS) [to 24 October 2015]
http://www.oas.org/en/media_center/press_releases.asp

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OAS Countries Reaffirm Commitment to Sustainable Development, 2030 Agenda and Addressing Climate Change
October 20, 2015 E-316
The countries of the Organization of American States (OAS) today adopted the Declaration of Tela, Honduras to promote a sustainable development agenda for the Americas in line with the objectives for the 2030 Agenda of the United Nations, and with a full commitment to address climate change.

The Third Inter-American Meeting of Ministers and High Authorities on Sustainable Development adopted by acclamation a strategic framework for updating the Inter Development Program (PIDS) with six strategic areas for action: disaster risk management; sustainable management of ecosystems; integrated water resources management; sustainable cities and communities; sustainable energy management, prioritizing the promotion of clean, renewable, environmentally sustainable energy efficiency; and strengthening and capacity building for efficient, effective, accountable and inclusive institutions for sustainable development.

The countries also highlighted the need to continue working together to achieve a climate agreement at COP-21-the UN Conference on Climate Change to be held in December in Paris, France, and to continue to address the effects of climate change in the near future…

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The OAS Deploys 125 Observers to Haiti for October 25 Elections
October 20, 2015
The Electoral Observation Mission of the Organization of American States (EOM/OAS) for this Sunday’s elections in Haiti, headed by Brazil’s former Foreign Minister and Defense Minister Celso Amorim, will complete its deployment this week with the arrival of 125 international experts and observers from 27 different countries.
This team joins the specialists who have been in the country since October 1 to observe preparations for the presidential, legislative, and local elections on Sunday, October 25…

Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) [to 24 October 2015]
http://www.oic-oci.org/oicv2/news/

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Selected Press Releases
OIC Secretary General Congratulates Egypt and Senegal on their Election into the UNSC
The Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Mr. Iyad Ameen Madani has congratulated the Arab Republic of Egypt and the Republic of Senegal for their well-deserved election as non-permanent members of the United Nations’ Security Council for the period 2016-2017…
19/10/2015

IMF [to 24 October 2015]
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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Speech: Catalyst for Change: Empowering Women and Tackling Income Inequality by Christine Lagarde, IMF Managing Director
Oxfam America, Washington D.C., October 22, 2015
[Excerpt]
Good evening, everyone—I am delighted to be here. Let me congratulate Oxfam America on the opening of their new offices!
Oxfam has come a long way since it was founded at 17 Broad Street in Oxford 73 years ago. Today, you work in over 90 countries, with 17 national chapters—including Oxfam America. Oxfam is a longstanding advocate for social justice on many fronts.

Personally, I have been especially struck by your recent work on inequality, including your finding that last year “the world’s richest 80 people had the same wealth as the bottom half of the world’s population.” Your work in this area is deservedly attracting attention.

We at the IMF have also intensified our focus on the macro-critical dimensions of inequality. This evening, I would like to take this opportunity to launch a new IMF Staff Discussion Note—“Catalyst for Change: Empowering Women and Tackling Income Inequality”, our third paper on gender equity in the past 2 years. Copies are available in the room, and on our website…

World Bank [to 24 October 2015]
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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The World Bank Group Welcomes Sudan’s Decision to Join the World’s Largest Agricultural Research Partnership
KHARTOUM, October 23, 2015 — The World Bank welcomes Sudan’s decision to join the CGIAR Fund, the world’s largest public vehicle for financing the agricultural research advances needed to tackle complex global development challenges. CGIAR, formerly known as the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research, is a global partnership with over 40 years of experience generating cutting-edge science and technology to reduce poverty, increase food security, improve health and nutrition, and ensure the sustainable management of natural resources across the developing world….

World Bank Forecasts a Slowdown in Migrant Remittances in 2015
Amid global slowdown, economic migrants will send less money home
WASHINGTON, October 22, 2015–Weak economies in Europe, especially Russia, are slowing the growth of remittance flows in 2015. Weaker currencies vis-à-vis the US dollar, and lower oil prices are further restricting the ability of many migrants to send money back to family and friends, according to the World Bank’s latest Migration and Development Brief.
Remittances to developing countries are expected to reach $435 billion in 2015, registering a modest growth rate of 2 percent from last year. This represents a significant slowing in the growth of remittances from the rise of 3.3 percent in 2014 and of 7.1 percent per year from 2010 -13. Global remittances, sent home from some 250 million migrants, are projected to grow by 1.3 percent to $588 billion.
The Migration and Development Brief and the latest migration and remittances data are available at http://www.worldbank.org/migration

World Bank: Economic Indicators Failed to Predict Arab Uprisings
WASHINGTON, October 21, 2015 – A longtime reliance on economic indicators as a barometer of progress in Middle Eastern and North African countries masked the level of frustration and dissatisfaction in the region ahead of the ‘Arab Spring,’ according to a new World Bank report released today…

Leaders Unite in Calling for a Price on Carbon Ahead of Paris Climate Talks
WASHINGTON, Oct 19, 2015 – For the first time, an unprecedented alliance of Heads of State, city and state leaders, with the support of heads of leading companies, have joined forces to urge countries…

IPU – Inter-Parliamentary Union [to 24 October 2015]
http://www.ipu.org/english/news.htm

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Selected Press Releases/Briefings
World’s MPs commit to action on digital freedom and fairer migration – 21 October 2015

Concerns grow over imprisoned Iraqi and other MPs across world – 21 October 2015

Pioneering child rights policy from Zanzibar wins distinguished international award – 20 October 2015

Protection of refugees must be stepped up in wake of unprecedented crisis – 20 October 2015

Fiji re-joins global parliamentary community – 18 October 2015

International Criminal Court (ICC) [to 24 October 2015]
http://www.icc-cpi.int/en_menus/icc/Pages/default.aspx

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23/10/2015
Fourth Joint African Union – International Criminal Court Seminar concludes in Ethiopia
On 23 October 2015, representatives of African Union Member States gathered in Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) for a joint seminar co-hosted by the African Union (AU) and the International Criminal Court (ICC) to establish greater engagement and mutual understanding

CARE International [to 24 October 2015]
http://www.care-international.org/news/press-releases.aspx

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CARE Warns of Life-Threatening and Deteriorating Conditions for Refugees in the Balkans
SERBIA
22 OCTOBER 2015
The onset of winter across the region where temperatures drop to below freezing is a serious and potentially life-threatening worry, with many of those arriving unprepared for the cold. The biggest needs are warm blankets and clothes. Proper shoes are also a critical need as many have made the journey is flimsy trainers and flip flops.

People in Nepal Still Struggling Six Months After Earthquake
NEPAL
22 OCTOBER 2015
Having gotten through the heavy rains of the Monsoon in temporary shelters, 2.8 million people in Nepal are soon to face freezing temperatures with the onset of winter. CARE is particularly concerned by the situation for pregnant women and infants lacking proper housing, clothes and blankets.

CARE Ready to Provide Assistance After Typhoon Koppu
PHILIPPINES
17 OCTOBER 2015
CARE is closely monitoring the typhoon situation and coordinating with UNOCHA, the National Disaster Risk Reduction & Management Council and international non-government organization networks in Manila. CARE emergency staff in Manila, and partners in Northern Luzon are ready to respond if needed.

Danish Refugee Council [to 24 October 2015]
https://www.drc.dk/

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Newly opened Child-Friendly Spaces in Serbia
the beginning of 2015 up to the 23 of September, 137,520 persons registered in Serbia, predominantly originating from refugee-producing countries as Syria, Afghanistan and Iraq. A constant flow of around 5,000 refugees and persons likely in need of international protection moves through Serbia trying to reach Western European countries. There is an increasing number of families with small children, pregnant women, the elderly and the sick.
07.10.15

IRC International Rescue Committee [to 24 October 2015]
http://www.rescue.org/press-release-index

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Press Release
22 Oct 2015
New localized website connects refugees in Europe to vital information
The IRC, in partnership with Google and Mercy Corps, has launched RefugeeInfo.eu, a website accessible by mobile phone that provides up-to-date, location-specific information to refugees arriving in Europe.

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Press Release
21 Oct 2015
Backlog of refugees stranded on Lesbos has added further stress to an already volatile situation, says the IRC

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Blog
Thousands of refugees still risking sea crossing to Europe, even as winter nears
Posted by The IRC on October 20, 2015
Despite bitter cold and choppy seas, refugees from Syria and other conflict-ridden countries continue to risk the perilous six-mile boat journey from Turkey to Greece—a devastating testament to their desperation.

ICRC [to 24 October 2015]
https://www.icrc.org/en/whats-new

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Yemen: ICRC deeply concerned by the impact of fighting in Taiz
News release
22 October 2015
Geneva / Sana’a – The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is deeply concerned about the humanitarian impact of increasingly intense fighting in the city of Taiz, where there has been indiscriminate shelling of civilian areas and essential supplies are being blocked from entering the city…

Syria: Emergency aid reaches thousands of people trapped in besieged areas
News release
19 October 2015
Damascus (ICRC/SARC) – The Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), together with the United Nations, have delivered lifesaving medical items to treat seriously injured and sick patients in the besieged towns of Zabadani and Madaya in rural Damascus. Simultaneously, SARC delivered relief items to the besieged towns of Foua and Kifraya in northwestern Syria’s Idleb governorate…

Islamic Relief [to 24 October 2015]
http://www.islamic-relief.org/category/news/

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Health for displaced people
October 23, 2015
Temporary help is being offered to families who have been displaced by conflict in Kunduz, northern Afghanistan.

Cholera outbreak in Iraq
October 21, 2015
In the last month, there have been 1,500 confirmed cases of cholera in Iraq. Islamic Relief’s Project Coordinator Rouwaida Majid discusses the outbreak.

Reducing the impact of disasters
October 20, 2015
Disaster risk reduction experts have come together to discuss ideas and priorities to reduce the impact of disasters in Pakistan.
The event, held on Tuesday, October 13, to mark International Day for Disaster Reduction (DRR), was led by Islamic Relief’s Pakistan office and saw a panel of experts discussing ways to reduce mortality, economic loss, and damage to infrastructure in a disaster, and increase resilience substantially by 2030.

MSF/Médecins Sans Frontières [to 24 October 2015]
http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/news-stories/press/press-releases

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MSF Forced to End Activities in Donetsk, Leaving Thousands Without Health Care
October 23, 2015
Brussels—On October 19, Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) received written notification from the Humanitarian Committee of the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) that its accreditation in the self-proclaimed state had been withdrawn. The international medical humanitarian organization was asked to immediately stop its activities. It was not provided with a reason for the decision.

Field news
Kunduz: Death Toll from Attack on MSF Hospital Still Rising
October 23, 2015
Nearly three weeks on from the US bombing of the Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) trauma center in Kunduz, Afghanistan, on October 3, MSF today announces with sadness that the death toll is still rising, with one more MSF staff member confirmed to have been killed. As of October 23 the revised figures now stand at 13 MSF staff members dead and one presumed dead; 10 patients dead and two patients presumed dead. Efforts are ongoing to determine the identities of seven other unrecognizable bodies found in the wreckage of the hospital, all of whom have now been buried.

Field news
Papua New Guinea: Treating TB in a “Land Without Land Cruisers”
October 21, 2015
Traversing the seas off the coast of Papua New Guinea’s Gulf Province can be treacherous. For around five months a year, the South East trade winds—known locally as laura bada—regularly howl at around 30 knots per hour, whipping up huge waves and ensuring many of the small open boats used in these parts remain moored.

Field news
Chad: From One Nutrition Crisis to the Next
October 20, 2015
With international attention focused on the displacement crisis in the Lake Chad area of western Chad, where tens of thousands of people continue to seek refuge from Boko Haram violence, another chronic emergency continues. Chad is in the grip of a malnutrition crisis—not just in the Lake region and not for the first time. There are estimates that some 3.4 million people lack reliable access to food, with 495,000 children across the country at risk of acute malnutrition.

Field news
Thousands of Refugees Exposed to Unnecessary Suffering Across the Balkans
October 19, 2015
Thousands of refugees and migrants in Serbia, stranded by delays at border crossings and registration points across the Balkans, have been exposed to conditions that pose a threat to their health as assistance fails to meet minimum standards. Unless adequate protections are urgently put in place, Doctors Without Bordesr/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) warns that thousands of pregnant women, young children, and elderly people will be exposed to extremely harsh conditions this winter with potentially life-threatening implications.

Mercy Corps [to 24 October 2015]
http://www.mercycorps.org/press-room/releases

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How to Build Peace and Manage Conflict? Start Early
Central African Republic, October 19, 2015
Recent Mercy Corps report in Central African Republic shows benefits of conflict-management programs
Bangui, Central African Republic — An assessment of a recent, 15-month effort by the global organization Mercy Corps in the Central African Republic (CAR) reveals that when it comes to conflict management and violence prevention, an early focus on conflict resolution makes a profound difference.

Mercy Corps launched a conflict management program in CAR in January 2014 at the height of violence between a mostly Muslim armed alliance, Séléka, and mostly Christian community defense militias, anti-Balaka. Thousands of men, women and children had been killed, and one million civilians displaced from their homes. Many communities feared the violence would spiral toward a protracted civil war or genocide. Fortunately, that has not happened.

A key aspect of the Mercy Corps program was to improve conflict-management skills among key community leaders, resulting in a shift toward peaceful resolution of individual conflicts.

OXFAM [to 24 October 2015]
http://www.oxfam.org/en/pressroom/pressreleases
Six months on from Nepal earthquake, delays in policy and fuel crisis holding up recovery efforts
23 October 2015
Relief for the 8 million people affected by the huge Nepal earthquake six months ago is still being disrupted by delays in reinstating the government’s National Reconstruction Agency, says Oxfam. An on-going fuel crisis is adding to the problems, putting at risk the health and safety of thousands of people as winter approaches. More than 8,600 people were killed and half a million houses destroyed by the quake.

UN Security Council should seize opportunity to restart Yemen peace process
19 October 2015
In an open letter sent today, Oxfam, Norwegian Refugee Council, Save the Children, Action Contre La Faim and seven other agencies urge the UN Security Council to press parties in the Yemen conflict to implement an immediate ceasefire and kick-start the peace process.

Paris climate summit showing green shoots of international cooperation
19 October 2015
The 150 countries that have now publicly committed to carbon reduction pledges show that December’s UN climate summit in Paris could, at last, be built on international cooperation rather than competition.

Typhoon Koppu hits the Philippines: We are ready to respond
18 October 2015
We are ready to dispatch rapid assessment teams to survey the damage left in the path of Typhoon Koppu, and assess and respond to the greatest needs if the Philippines Government requests international assistance.

Norwegian Refugee Council [to 24 October 2015]
http://www.nrc.no/

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Somalia
Paving the way for voluntary return
22. oktober 2015
More than one million Somali refugees remain trapped in protracted displacement in the region. “Insecurity is likely to be the greatest hindrance to voluntary return”, said Regional Director for the Norwegian Refugee Council Gabriella Waaijman, speaking at a conference on voluntary repatriation.

News
NRC is taken to court
(20.10.2015)
This week a former NRC employee, Steve Dennis, is pursuing legal action against NRC following the attack in Dadaab in 2012. The attack is the most serious event in the history of NRC. Although a number of efforts to settle the case have been made, it has not been possible to reach an agreement and the case has now come to court in Oslo.

Statement | Yemen
UN Security Council should seize opportunity to restart Yemen peace process
(19.10.2015)
In an open letter sent today, NRC, Oxfam, Save the Children, Action Contre La Faim and seven other agencies urge the UN Security Council to press parties in the Yemen conflict to implement an immediate ceasefire and kick-start the peace process. They also demand a new international monitoring mechanism to investigate mounting evidence of possible war crimes, and an expansion of the arms embargo to ensure that no military equipment supplied to any party can be used in Yemen.

PATH [to 24 October 2015]
http://www.path.org/news/index.php

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GSK and PATH joint statement on WHO advisory group recommendation on use of RTS,S malaria vaccine candidate
October 23, 2015—The World Health Organization’s Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE) and Malaria Policy Advisory Committee (MPAC) have today jointly recommended implementation of GlaxoSmithKline’s (GSK) malaria vaccine candidate RTS,S (Mosquirix™) through a number of pilot projects. This is an important step in the process toward making RTS,S available alongside existing tools currently recommended for malaria prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and control. GSK and PATH will now review the SAGE/MPAC advice as we wait for the final policy recommendation from the WHO expected by the end of 2015.

GSK and PATH stand ready to work with the WHO on the pilot implementation of the vaccine, in order to provide the additional information needed about how to best deliver the vaccine in a real-world setting, enabling implementation of a wider scale immunisation programme in children in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The results of a large scale phase III efficacy and safety trial of RTS,S, have shown that RTS,S could provide a meaningful public health benefit in reducing the burden of malaria when used alongside currently available interventions such as bed nets and insecticides.

The SAGE/MPAC joint recommendation comes after the vaccine candidate received a positive scientific opinion from the European regulators in July 2015 for the prevention of malaria in young children in SSA.

In 2013, there were an estimated 584,000 deaths from malaria with around 90 percent of these occurring in SSA, and 83 percent in children under the age of five.

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Press release | October 20, 2015
Visualize No Malaria campaign to prove malaria elimination possible in Africa
PATH & Tableau Foundation form unique partnership to aid elimination efforts in Zambia using data visualization

Plan International [to 24 October 2015]
http://plan-international.org/about-plan/resources/media-centre

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21 October 2015
Open Plan: Volume 1 | Issue 4 | July 2015
Open Plan is a quarterly research journal for Plan International. This edition features 2 articles relating to gender-based violence in and around school. The first is a study across 5 Asian countries, exploring the way in which education systems can be gender responsive with zero-tolerance to school related gender based violence. The second is a study undertaken in Thailand alongside Unesco and Mahidol University, investigating a range of issues in relation to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender bullying among Thai secondary school students.

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Nepal Earthquake Response: Six Month Review
20 October 2015
The Nepal Earthquake Response: Six Month Review highlights Plan International’s achievements and sector interventions in the aftermath of the 25 April earthquake in Nepal, which impacted the lives of more than 8 million people, including 3.2 million children.

In the last 6 months, Plan International has raised nearly €20 million to help 255,120 individuals, including 106,739 children impacted by the earthquakes in Nepal. Plan International’s response in Nepal focused on 6 key sectoral areas: Education in Emergencies; Child Protection in Emergencies; Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH); Shelter and Non-Food Items (NFIs); Health; and Food Security and Livelihoods.

Moving forward, Plan International will focus particularly on the education, protection and shelter needs of children and their families, aiming to reach more children and adults living in some of the most remote, devastated earthquake-affected areas of Nepal.

Save The Children [to 24 October 2015]
http://www.savethechildren.org/site/c.8rKLIXMGIpI4E/b.6150563/k.D0E9/Newsroom.htm

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More Than 4.6 Million Children in Ethiopia Facing Hunger from Unprecedented El Niño Drought
October 22, 2015

Aid Agencies: UN Security Council Should Seize Opportunity to Restart Yemen Peace Process
October 19, 2015

Up to 4.5 Million Children Affected by Typhoon Koppu in the Philippines, Warns Save the Children
October 18, 2015