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Add to Preferred SourcesEU “Team Europe” package to support partner countries, IOM launches expanded COVID-19 response plan and UNDP and Hackster.io partner to launch a global innovation challenge. Here is what you missed from last week’s headlines in the international development sector:
EU “Team Europe” package to support partner countries
The European Union has launched its “Team Europe” package to support partner countries in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic and its consequences.
The objective of the “Team Europe” approach is to combine resources from the EU, its Member States, and financial institutions, in particular the European Investment Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.
UNDP and Hackster.io partner to launch a global innovation challenge to tackle COVID-19
The fight against COVID-19 is at a crucial tipping point, so the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Hackster.io, an Avnet company and the largest online open-source technology hardware community, are taking action.
The two organizations have partnered to launch the COVID-19 Detect and Protect Challenge to create open-source technology that developing countries can leverage in the fight against this global pandemic.
The new design challenge is a call to action for all hardware and software developers, product designers, scientists, hackers, makers, innovators and inventors to come up with innovative ideas to cost-efficiently support COVID-19 response efforts in developing countries. There will be prizes and recognition awarded to the top ten solutions, and Avnet will provide support to accelerate the winners’ time to market by offering business consultation and access to engineering, design and manufacturing resources.
“The COVID-19 Detect and Protect Challenge aims to surface innovative solutions that developing countries can immediately use to tackle the pandemic — that could be everything from new 3D-printable protective equipment to software that can detect future outbreaks,” said UNDP Administrator, Achim Steiner.
IOM launches USD 499 million expanded COVID-19 response plan to help address critical socio-economic impacts of pandemic
The fight against COVID-19 is at a crucial tipping point, so the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Hackster.io, an Avnet company and the largest online open-source technology hardware community, are taking action.
The two organizations have partnered to launch the COVID-19 Detect and Protect Challenge to create open-source technology that developing countries can leverage in the fight against this global pandemic.
The new design challenge is a call to action for all hardware and software developers, product designers, scientists, hackers, makers, innovators and inventors to come up with innovative ideas to cost-efficiently support COVID-19 response efforts in developing countries. There will be prizes and recognition awarded to the top ten solutions, and Avnet will provide support to accelerate the winners’ time to market by offering business consultation and access to engineering, design and manufacturing resources.
DevelopmentAid Editorials
Associate Writer | The future of humanitarian workers after COVID-19
“Where have you been recently?” is a common question during a small talk in the hallways of international organizations. For a community of professionals who see travel as essential to their work (missions, field visits, delegations..etc.) COVID-19 is making a significant cultural and operational shift in the humanitarian sector.
COVID-19 added extra difficulties on humanitarian access, contact with vulnerable populations, operational capacity, and put travel restrictions to many counties.
Tenders and grants related to the health sector on the rise in Q1 2020
Over 930 tenders and 340 grant notices related to the health and humanitarian and emergency sectors were posted on developmentaid.org in Q1 2020. These numbers increased by 18% and 60% respectively, compared to Q4 2019 when 786 tenders and 213 grants were available. Procurement information related to COVID-19 can be accessed without restriction on developmentaid.org until the end of May 2020.
Here’s what else has happened
ADB: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) announced the release of a $6 million ($13.9 million pa’anga) grant from its Pacific Disaster Resilience Program (Phase 2) to help finance the Government of Tonga’s response to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
EIB Group: The EIB Group is set to play a key role in the fight against the economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Board of Directors of the European Investment Bank (EIB) backed the creation of a €25 billion European COVID-19 guarantee fund. The fund will enable the EIB Group to scale up its support for European companies up to an additional €200 billion – with a focus on SMEs.
Ukraine: As the conflict in eastern Ukraine enters its seventh year, the European Commission announces €13 million to support the most vulnerable people affected by the ongoing hostilities. At the same time, EU-funded humanitarian projects will also help address the coronavirus outbreak.
Niger: The World Bank approved a $13.95 million to prevent, detect and respond to the threat posed by COVID-19 and strengthen national systems for public health preparedness in Niger.
Reports
UN chief calls for greater protection for children caught up in COVID-19 crisis
The looming global recession resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic could cause hundreds of thousands of additional child deaths this year, effectively reversing recent gains in reducing infant mortality, a new UN report has revealed.
In a statement on the new findings, UN Secretary-General António Guterres called for urgent action to support the world’s children amid the universal crisis.
Read and download the Policy Brief: The Impact of COVID-19 on children.
UNWTO launched report on COVID-19 related travel restrictions
The scale of disruption caused by COVID-19 to global tourism is shown in a comprehensive new report on travel restrictions from the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).
The landmark report, published at a time of unprecedented disruption for the sector, shows that almost all global destinations have imposed restrictions on travel since January 2020, including complete bans on all travel as they work to contain the pandemic.
Read and download the UNWTO’s report: COVID-19 Related Travel Restrictions a Global Review for Tourism.