The impact of conflict in Ukraine on global food security, help points for Ukrainian refugees in Moldova, Romania, and Poland, protection of civilians in Ukraine conflict. Here is what you missed from last week’s headlines in the international development sector:
The impact of conflict in Ukraine on global food security
At IFAD are following the situation in Ukraine with a heavy heart. The organization deplores the loss of life and displacement of populations, and they join the call of the UN Secretary-General to end military operations, restore peace and protect human rights.
Conflict and hunger are closely intertwined – when one escalates, the other usually follows. As in any crisis, it is the poorest and most vulnerable who are hardest hit, and in our globalized world, the impact of this conflict will reverberate across continents. At IFAD, we are very concerned that an extended conflict in Ukraine could limit the world’s supply of staple crops like wheat, corn, and sunflower oil, resulting in skyrocketing food prices and hunger. This could jeopardize global food security and heighten geopolitical tensions.
IFAD is committed to continuing its work to increase the food self-sufficiency and resilience of the world’s poorest countries, but in the short term, it will be difficult to mitigate the global impacts of this crisis. Stopping the conflict now is the only solution.
Help points for Ukrainian refugees in Moldova, Romania, and Poland
Since the 24th of February Ukraine has been dealing with a massive attack from Russia. Over half million Ukrainians fled the country seeking refuge. Ukraine’s neighbours: Poland, Romania, and Moldova, report increasing number of asylum seekers. International organizations, such as the United Nations agencies, and regional and local non-profits have mobilized to offer assistance.
DevelopmentAid aggregated the most important resources for refugees and those who are ready to become volunteers and make donations for refugees.
There are tons of social media pages, Telegram, Viber chats, and other communication channels that offer help. In our list, we spotted the major organizations that are providing assistance in a coordinated manner.
This list will be updated on regular basis.
Protection of civilians in Ukraine conflict
As a humanitarian organization, Oxfam is horrified by the loss of life being witnessed, and gravely concerned by the impacts of the conflict in Ukraine. The organization calls for an immediate end to hostilities. The protection of life is of paramount importance. It is vital that civilians everywhere are safeguarded and they stand in solidarity with all those affected by violence, wherever they may be.
As of, the UN estimates that 386,000 people have already fled Ukraine into Poland, Hungary, Romania, Moldova, and other surrounding countries. Without peace, these numbers will sharply increase as people are displaced both internally and outside of Ukraine’s borders.
All people have the right to flee from conflict, and to seek asylum in safe countries. As countries bordering Ukraine receive tens of thousands of asylum seekers, Oxfam appeals to all governments to ensure that they find safe refuge.
This must apply equally to all people fleeing conflict, whether from Ukraine, or to those in Yemen and Afghanistan, and beyond. At moments where there is the greatest peril to human life, Oxfam must stand together in the common humanity, united in the pursuit of peace and human rights for all people.
DevelopmentAid Editorials
Exclusive | Susi Dennison: “One very clear political message that comes out of the European response is that the idea of Europe extends to Ukraine”
Russia’s unprecedented attack on Ukraine has shattered peace in the whole Europe, forcing experts to speak about a new European order within just a few days since the beginning of the invasion. It also triggered a humanitarian crisis that needs to be urgently addressed both inside the country, as well as outside given the huge refugee flow. In an exclusive interview with DevelopmentAid, the Director of the European Power program within the European Council on Foreign Relations, Susi Dennison, reveals pertinent insights about the Russian invasion in Ukraine, opinions about the response from world leaders, and the threats and pressure that have affected the world during the last few days.
Key crops threatened by rising air temperatures
The rise in global temperatures will not only increase the number of extreme weather events, it will also affect agriculture, including certain important crops whose production could be adversely affected if counter measures to mitigate the impact of climate change are not introduced. This is the conclusion of research published in the peer-reviewed scientific journal, PLOS One, which focused on three crops that are key for both farmers and consumers – avocados, cashews, and coffee.
Six tips to check how fair your salary is
Knowing a colleague gets paid more for doing exact same job can be frustrating. The more this happens, the more time employees spend wondering if now is the moment to change job or ask for a salary increase. According to the Netherlands National Salary Survey 2021, pay is the most important motive for considering changing jobs (men 60%, women 50%). Although money should never be the only reason for quitting, everyone wants a reward that is appropriate for their role. To find out if a position is being underpaid, consider the tips below offered by specialists from the Nyenrode Business University in the Netherlands.
Here’s what else has happened
CARE: More than 870,000 people fleeing Ukraine to neighboring countries are in urgent need of assistance. People in Need, the partner organization of CARE Austria, provides them with food and hygiene items. The first trucks with food, diapers, and sleeping bags have arrived in Lviv. A cargo train with relief goods is on its way from Prague.
UN: Well over 600,000 people have fled Ukraine in under a week since Russia’s military offensive began, UN humanitarians said, as they issued an appeal to protect civilians from further bloodshed.
USAID: The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is joining with UN agencies, national and international non-governmental organizations, and civil society to provide a comprehensive response to the escalating crisis in Ukraine both within the country and in neighboring countries that are receiving Ukrainian refugees. The Flash Appeal will support those affected inside Ukraine, while the Regional Refugee Response Plan will provide vital support to protect and assist those fleeing Ukraine.
Reports
Climate change: a threat to human wellbeing and health of the planet
Human-induced climate change is causing dangerous and widespread disruption in nature and affecting the lives of billions of people around the world, despite efforts to reduce the risks. People and ecosystems least able to cope are being hardest hit, said scientists in the latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report, released.
Regional policies a critical linchpin for marine protection – new report
A series of regional conventions and policies are playing an essential role in monitoring climate change and preparing for extreme weather events, preventing oil spills, reducing plastic and other waste, saving coral reefs and providing overall ocean protection and restoration of marine ecosystems. These are the key findings of a UN Environment Programme (UNEP) report, whose authors call for expanding the scope of collaboration on regional seas in the coming decade.
Events
Fragility Forum 2022 | Virtual
📅 7 – 15 March 2022
Virtual
The Fragility Forum is a biennial event that brings together policymakers and practitioners from humanitarian, development, peace, and security communities; public and private sector; academia; and civil society. The objective is to exchange innovative ideas and knowledge to improve development approaches in fragile, conflict, and violence-affected (FCV) settings to foster peace and stability.
European Climate Conference
📅 7 – 8 March 2022
Nantes, France
States, the European Commission, and the European Parliament. Prominent figures from civil society, the scientific community, businesses, and local governments will also join. The conference will be structured around talks and presentations given by high-level experts and scientists, as well as round tables and demonstrations.
How to Make Solar Projects in Rural Regions More Sustainable | Webinar
📅 07 March 2022 🕐 2 PM CEST
Virtual
In a 45 minute Webinar, an expert in the areas of integrated resource management for sustainable development of human and nature will explain the benefits of remote monitoring of solar and water systems in rural regions in developing countries.
Does AI advance gender equality? – A panel on The Effects of AI on the Working Lives of Women
📅 8 March 2022
Hybrid- Virtual/ Paris, France
These questions are more important than ever as AI begins to impact many areas of the employment lifecycle. By changing the types of skills the labor market demands, impacting how jobs are posted and employees are hired, and transforming work environments and opportunities for career progression, AI is impacting the working lives of women. Although much remains unknown about precisely how these transformations will occur, it is crucial that women are not left behind in the future of work.
Digital Transformation of Nonprofits: Opportunities and Risks | Webinar
📅 10 March 2022 🕟 4 PM (Brussels)/ 10 AM (Washington DC)
Virtual
DevelopmentAid, in collaboration with leading civil society and IT development organizations, invites all parties to attend a thematic webinar on the “Digital Transformation of Nonprofits: Opportunities and Risks” to learn how to build and implement effective digital transformation strategies and how to identify the appropriate digital solutions to use.
Key Takeaways:
• Discover how to develop and implement digital transformation strategies for nonprofits
• Learn how digital innovation can be applied at the program level
• Understand the importance of digital resilience
• Learn about the opportunities and risks involved in digital transformation
Speakers:
Paolo Palmerini, Programme Manager at Gnucoop Soc. Coop.
Maria Berenguer, Co-Team Leader Youth & ICT4D at SOS Children´s Villages
Host:
Ion Ilasco, External Relations and Events at DevelopmentAid
