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Add to Preferred SourcesNagorno-Karabakh, one million children are out of school in Burkina Faso and the targets to address harm from chemicals and waste. Here is what you missed from last week’s headlines in the international development sector.
Karabakh: Humanitarians respond to growing health needs
The humanitarian response to the Karabakh crisis continued apace as UN agencies and partners warned of urgent health needs among the more than 100,000 refugees who have entered Armenia.
Concerns also remain for those unable to leave the Karabakh Region town of Khankendi – known as Stepanakert among Armenians – which the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said was close to empty. Its priority remains finding those too vulnerable to help themselves.
“The city is now completely deserted. The hospitals, more than one, are not functioning. The medical personnel have left. The water board authorities left. The director of the morgue…the stakeholders we were working with before, have also left. This scene is quite surreal,” said Marco Succi, ICRC Head of Rapid Deployment.
Mr. Succi confirmed that electricity and water were still available in the city and that the priority was to find those “extremely vulnerable cases, elderly, mentally disabled people, the people left without anybody”.
Burkina Faso: New academic year starts with one million children out of school due to ongoing violence and insecurity – UNICEF
On the first day of the new 2023-2024 academic year in Burkina Faso, UNICEF warns that at least 1 in 4 schools – or 6,149 – remain shut due to ongoing violence and insecurity in parts of the country. As a result, an estimated one million children are out of school and exposed to many threats.
More than 31,000 teachers and over one million children can no longer go back to their classrooms, fearing for their safety. Meanwhile, at least 230 schools currently serve as temporary shelters for more than 52,000 internally displaced persons, further deteriorating access to education for thousands of children.
“Having so many children still unable to return to school due to violence and insecurity, and so many schools closed, is very upsetting. We need to continue our work and ensure every child in Burkina Faso can access education and fulfil their dreams in peace and safety,” said John Agbor, UNICEF Representative in Burkina Faso.
As soon as insecurity becomes rife in certain conflict hotspots, schools are immediately closed, and teachers, parents, and children are forced to flee their homes to find refuge elsewhere.
Global framework agreed in Bonn sets targets to address harm from chemicals and waste
The Fifth International Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM5) concluded in Bonn, Germany, with the adoption of a comprehensive global framework that sets concrete targets and guidelines for key sectors across the entire lifecycle of chemicals.
A unique international negotiating process – where representatives from governments, the private sector, Non-Governmental Organizations, intergovernmental organizations, youth, and academia participated at the same level – resulted in the historic decision to establish the “Global Framework on Chemicals – For a planet free of harm from chemicals and waste.”
Based on 28 targets, the framework outlines a roadmap for countries and stakeholders to collaboratively address the lifecycle of chemicals, including products and waste.
“Everyone on this planet should be able to live and work without fear of falling sick or dying from chemical exposure. Nature, free from pollution, should be able to thrive and support humanity for millennia to come,” said Inger Andersen, Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP). “This is why this framework provides a vision for a planet free of harm from chemicals and waste, for a safe, healthy, and sustainable future.”
DevelopmentAid Editorials
DFI Files: China Development Bank and its impact on International Development
The China Development Bank (CDB) is a state-owned and state-funded development finance institution recognized as being one of the largest in the world, as well as being the biggest Chinese bank in terms of long-term lending, bond issuance, and partnerships in international investment and financing.
The Nexus of finance and climate: Air quality funding
Although it is often an afterthought for many living in the developed world, air pollution is actually the largest immediate global environmental threat to human health, estimated to kill at least seven million people a year, far more than even Covid-19 at the height of the pandemic. Indeed, air pollution is the fourth-biggest cause of death around the world. Air pollution also exacerbates climate change, negatively affects critically important ecosystems, lowers crop yields, and is highly detrimental to economic growth.
How can aid for trade address poverty around the world?
Since ancient times, trade has been one of the most important economic activities, driving development and progress. No wonder that nowadays it is not just perceived as a source of a country’s national income, it is also seen as an important development instrument for the least developed and poorest countries on the planet. ‘Aid for Trade’ is one of the programs that aims to boost commercial relations among nations in order to foster economic development and reduce poverty.
The role of space technology in addressing global challenges | Experts’ Opinions
The past few decades have been marked by important scientific discoveries and technological innovations in the space industry bringing impact for the international development sector among many others. From discovering new planets to launching missions to Mars, significant milestones in space exploration have been achieved. World Space Week, an annual holiday observed from October 4 to 10, is officially defined as “an international celebration of science and technology, and their contribution to the betterment of the human condition.” Let us find out more about the impact of space discoveries on international development from Abdul Khaleq Al-Qasaily, Entrepreneurship and Innovation Specialist.
Here’s what else has happened
FAO Food Price Index: The overall measure of international food commodity prices was broadly stable in September, with declines in quotations for vegetable oils, dairy, and meat offset by a notable increase in those for sugar and maize, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) reported.
IFAD and Malawi: As Malawi’s food insecurity worsens due to ongoing multiple crises, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the Government of Malawi signed additional funding of US$57 million to increase support to small-scale farmers and micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).
UNAIDS: UNAIDS applauds the government of Colombia for declaring the HIV medicine dolutegravir of public interest. This important breakthrough in public health measures will allow the government to issue a compulsory license, breaking the monopoly, and making it much more affordable for the Colombian government to purchase or manufacture. The new decision could mean that the price of the life-saving medicine is reduced by as much as 80%.
1 in 10 babies: An estimated 13.4 million babies were born early (before 37 full weeks of pregnancy) in 2020 – which is around 1 in 10 of all live births – according to a detailed study published in the Lancet by authors from the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.
CARE: Two strong earthquakes hit Nepal damaging houses and infrastructure and creating significant humanitarian needs among the affected communities. CARE Nepal’s Acting Country Director, Mona Sherpa, shared the organization’s immediate response plan.
Qatar Charity: Qatar Charity (QC) responded to the appeal of the government of Chad by providing support to Sudanese refugees at the Farchana camp, adjacent to the Sudan-Chad border. For the second time, it delivered 1315 food packages containing essential food items to meet the needs of refugee families.
Reports
Weather-related disasters led to 43.1 million displacements of children over six years – UNICEF
Weather-related disasters caused 43.1 million internal displacements of children in 44 countries over a six-year period – or approximately 20,000 child displacements a day – according to a new UNICEF analysis released.
Children Displaced in a Changing Climate is the first global analysis of the number of children driven from their homes between 2016 and 2021 due to floods, storms, droughts, and wildfires, and looks at projections for the next 30 years.
IOM and UNODC release new guidance to help combat human trafficking through data
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) have published the first global technical guidance for administrative data on trafficking in persons.
An acute lack of quality evidence and research for the development of national policies and programs to combat human trafficking is a major setback facing Governments and other counter-trafficking actors in mobilizing evidence to inform targeted interventions.
This is largely due to the lack of available data on human trafficking, which is a complex, clandestine crime designed to be undetected. Where data on human trafficking exist, the data sources are often diverse, mostly disconnected, and limited in scope, creating silos and leading to fragmented knowledge.
Through the International Classification Standard for Trafficking in Persons Administrative Data (ICS-TIP) and its accompanying guidance manual, ‘Making each case count’, IOM and UNODC aim to support governments and other counter-trafficking stakeholders to address these challenges.
Girl activists fear for safety: gains come at personal cost
One in five girl and young women activists have feared for their safety while carrying out their work, the latest research finds. One in five (17%) girl and young women activists have feared for their safety while carrying out their work, according to new research by girls’ rights NGO Plan International.
The global study – which involved over a thousand young female activists from 26 countries, aged between 15 and 24 – lays bare how girls face a multitude of challenges as they campaign for change, facing risks ranging from hostility from community members to oppressive policing and online abuse.
One in 10 (9%) have faced threats of physical violence as a result of their work, while 15% have experienced online harassment and abuse.
Despite this, the report – ‘Turning the World Around: Girl and Young Women Activists Leading the Fight for Equality’ – found that nearly all girl activists (95%) say campaigning has had a positive impact on their lives, making them feel proud, empowered, and capable.
Events
Winning Funding Strategies: Secure funding for your USAID projects | Webinar
📅 10 October 2023
Online
DevelopmentAid, in collaboration with AidKonekt, invites you to attend the webinar, “Winning Funding Strategies: Secure funding for your USAID projects” which will take place on 10 October 2023 at 4 pm (Brussels) / 10 am (Washington DC).
Key takeaways
- Winning Funding Strategies: Learn proven strategies to secure more funding for your USAID projects
- Navigating the USAID Landscape: Understand the nuances of USAID partnerships and business development
- Tips from the Expert: Gain invaluable tips and insights from Mike Shanley who has over two decades of experience in international development
Speaker:
Mike Shanley, CEO and Founder of Konektid International and AidKonekt Data boasts over two decades of experience. Mike is a frequent presenter on the most effective approaches to collaborating with USAID and has been a sought-after speaker for international aid organizations worldwide.
Host:
Elizaveta Gładun, External Relations & Events Coordinator at DevelopmentAid.
DevelopmentAid will attend Asian Development Bank’s business forum
📅 4 – 5 October 2023
Manila, the Philippines
September 4, 2023 – DevelopmentAid is proud to announce that it will be attending in-person the 11th annual ADB Business Opportunities Fair taking place from October 4-5, 2023 at the ADB’s headquarters in Manila, the Philippines.
The ADB Business Opportunities Fair is a one-stop forum for consultants, contractors, suppliers, and civil society organizations working in the field of sustainable development to network and discuss ongoing and future ADB projects. The ADB Business Opportunities Fair is the perfect place to meet with ADB specialists in a wide variety of sectors, including energy, transport, education, finance, health, public management, agriculture, and climate change.
Market Systems Symposium 2023
📅 14-16 November 2023
Cape Town, South Africa
Empower your market systems development practice with inspiration, innovation, and connection.
Get ready to be inspired, equipped, and connected like never before at Market Systems Symposium 2023! Engage with industry-leading experts in Market Systems Development from around the world as we explore cutting-edge research, innovative strategies, and real-world application in this dynamic and engaging forum.
Key Themes:
Given the significant impact of climate change, conflict and food insecurity on our world today, the core themes which we will be discussing, debating, collaborating, and innovating around at MSS2023 are:
- Climate Change & Adaptation
- Conflict-Affected Contexts
- Food Security and Food Systems
AidEx 2023 | The Global Humanitarian Aid Event
📅 25-26 October 2023
Palexpo, Geneva
The world’s leading humanitarian aid and disaster relief event – AidEx is featuring high-level conference sessions, workshops, discussion groups, impact sessions, case studies, relief and international development, and training programmes geared to solve the challenges in aid.
The main agenda theme of this year’s AidEx is ‘Addressing the forgotten crises – how can we manage and anticipate crises when so much of our focus is on Ukraine? The conference will shine a light on other crises that are obscured by the war in Europe and explore creative solutions to turn the tide on the crises that are not getting the attention they deserve.
AidEx is co-located with Development2030, bringing together global development actors to achieve the sustainable development goals. Together, both events will bring aid, relief and international development professionals all under the same roof to explore the latest innovations, meet new suppliers, share your experiences with your peers, build meaningful relationships and continue the conversation afterwards.
In 2022, 2800+ participants attended from 60+ countries including significant participation from UN agencies, the EU, Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, local and international NGOs, donors, foundations, private investors, government and the private sector.
Engaging with USAID – UK Partners Day
📅 23 October 2023 🕙 9:00 am to 4:30 pm (BST)
Join us for BEI’s Series of events engaging with USAID. We are delighted to be joined for a one-day event by 4 senior representatives from USAID as well as welcoming back Mike Shanley from Konektid International.
Our speakers will run 2 panel discussion in the morning followed by afternoon break-out sessions and 1-1 sessions which can be booked by members individually with each of the speakers.