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Add to Preferred SourcesRich countries should donate at least 1 billion vaccine doses, these five cities are taking aim at the air pollution and Afghan children ‘at greater risk than ever’. Here is what you missed from last week’s headlines in the international development sector:
Rich countries should donate at least 1 billion vaccine doses, says WHO panel
Rich countries must share their supplies of COVID-19 vaccines quickly, in line with recommendations made earlier this year by an independent panel appointed by the World Health Organization (WHO), the former co-chairs said.
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, former President of Liberia, and Helen Clark, former Prime Minister of New Zealand, expressed deep concern over the slow pace of vaccine redistribution from high-income to low-income countries.
The two former leaders served as co-chairs of the Independent Panel on Pandemic Preparedness and Response (IPPPR), launched by WHO in July 2020. Its final report was published in May.
These five cities are taking aim at air pollution
Around the world, more than 90 percent of people breathe in air that the World Health Organization (WHO) considers potentially harmful. While the source of air pollution varies – some come from vehicle emissions, some from power plants, some from crop burning – the outcome is the same: airborne contaminants are a dire threat to human health.
Every year, they cause about 7 million premature deaths from ailments such as stroke, heart disease, and lung cancer. Many air pollutants, like carbon dioxide, are also potent greenhouse gases that feed climate change.
That has made it all the more important for cities to improve their air quality, said Maria Neira, the Director of Environment, Climate Change and Health with the WHO.
“We need to reconsider the way we consume resources and the way our cities are built. This is at the heart of the future development of our society.”
Many urban areas are beginning to do exactly that. From implementing ultra-low emissions zones to banning cars, here are five cities that are taking innovative steps to clean their air.
Afghan children ‘at greater risk than ever’, top UNICEF official warns
With the needs of Afghan children greater than ever before, the world “cannot abandon them now”, a senior official with the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said after concluding a visit to the country.
George Laryea-Adjei, Regional Director for UNICEF South Asia, said children have paid the heaviest price in recent weeks of increased conflict and insecurity. Not only have some been forced from their homes, and cut off from their schools and friends, they have also been deprived of basic healthcare that can protect them against polio, tetanus, and other diseases.
“Now, with a security crisis, skyrocketing food prices, a severe drought, the spread of COVID-19, and another harsh winter just around the corner, children are at greater risk than ever,” he warned.
UNICEF has predicted that if the current trend continues, one million under-fives in Afghanistan will face severe acute malnutrition, a life-threatening condition.
Mr. Laryea-Adjei said more than four million children, including 2.2 million girls, are out of school.
Around 300,000 youngsters have been forced to flee their homes, some of whom were in bed sleeping, “and too many of them have witnessed scenes that no child should ever see. Children and adolescents are struggling with anxieties and fears, in desperate need of mental health support,” he said.
DevelopmentAid Editorials
Humanitarian visa versus asylum visa
As the number of people displaced in the wake of conflicts and climate change is on the rise, many countries have decided to grant humanitarian visas to people seeking shelter to enable them to obtain legal status in emergency situations. Applying for a humanitarian visa takes less time and is less complicated than asylum application procedures but these visas are also for a limited length of time.
Uneven patterns of global post-pandemic economic recovery
The latest World Economic Outlook Update released by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in July forecasts a deep divergence in the recovery paths of developed and emerging economies. While progress for advanced countries has been predicted to grow in 2021, in contrast, emerging economies are expected to experience a decreased expansion. The deviation is due to the level of vaccinations in different countries, states the IMF.
International community suspends development assistance for Afghanistan
After the Taliban took power in Afghanistan, Germany, the EU and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) decided to suspend any development assistance for the country that desperately needs it due to rising levels of hunger and poverty.
UN human rights experts call for steps to prevent enforced disappearances
To mark the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances on 30 August, the United Nations (UN) human rights experts have called on states to further recognize the connection between enforced disappearance and economic, social, and cultural rights (ESCR), in order to better prevent enforced disappearances in a holistic way.
Here’s what else has happened
Canada: The first shipments of Canada’s pledge of over 40 million doses to COVAX are arriving with Nigeria (801,600 doses), Kenya (459,300), and Niger (100,800) the first to receive deliveries of Canadian-donated doses. This comes alongside a pledge of CAD 440 million to the COVAX Advance Market Commitment for procurement of vaccines and CAD 75 million for readiness and delivery by the Government of Canada (including CAD 5 million for operationalization of the COVAX dose sharing mechanism), making Canada one of the largest donors to COVAX.
Republic of Korea: The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is grateful for the generous contribution of USD 500,000 from the Republic of Korea to support relief efforts in the South of Haiti battered by a deadly earthquake on 14 August. WFP is stepping up its ongoing vital support to desperately food-insecure Haitians in the area and working with the Government of Haiti and partners to extend support to those newly in need.
African Development Bank and WHO: The African Development Bank has donated two cars to support South Sudan’s ongoing Covid-19 response as part of efforts by the Bank and its partners to ease the toll of the pandemic on vulnerable African states. The donation was made to the Ministry of Health through the World Health Organization (WHO), which is implementing the Bank-financed Covid-19 response project on behalf of the Government of South Sudan.
USAID: The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is continuing to get critical aid to Haitians impacted by the magnitude 7.2 earthquake that struck southwestern Haiti on August 14 by transporting additional relief items and medical supplies to Haiti.
Reports
More than 4 billion people still lack any social protection, ILO report finds
The World Social Protection Report 2020-22: Social protection at the crossroads – in pursuit of a better future gives a global overview of recent developments in social protection systems, including social protection floors, and covers the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The report identifies protection gaps and sets out key policy recommendations, including in relation to the targets of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Weather-related disasters increase over past 50 years, causing more damage but fewer deaths
According to the WMO Atlas of Mortality and Economic Losses from Weather, Climate, and Water Extremes (1970 – 2019), there were more than 11 000 reported disasters attributed to these hazards globally, with just over 2 million deaths and US$ 3.64 trillion in losses. The report is the most comprehensive review of mortality and economic losses from weather, water, and climate extremes to date. It assesses the entire 50-year period as well as by individual decade.
One in three countries in the world lack any legally mandated standards for outdoor air quality
Regulating Air Quality: The first global assessment of air pollution legislation is launched ahead of the International Day of Clean Air for blue skies examines national air quality legislation in 194 States and the European Union. Exploring various dimensions of legal and institutional frameworks, the report assesses their effectiveness in ensuring the attainment of air quality standards. The report concludes with key elements for a robust model of air quality governance to be considered in national legislation and makes the case for considering a global treaty on ambient air quality standards.
Events
The list of major upcoming events in development sector in September 2021
Keep up to the date key events about emerging funding strategies, environmental policies, climate change, technological development, labour standards and energy issues in the development sector via our compiled list.
Track events hosted by reputable international organisations, donors, NGO’s and IFIs that bring together the biggest change-makers and stakeholders in international development cooperation.
Save the date to register and attend the upcoming events in September 2021.
Download the comprehensive schedule of major online events.
2021 WIDER Development Conference | Virtual
📅 6 – 8 September 2021| Virtual
The COVID-19 pandemic has presented new challenges, and undone hard-earned progress on the pathway to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
The 2021 WIDER Development Conference takes place online during 6-8 September 2021. The three-day conference provides a platform for sharing knowledge on the effects of the pandemic in different regions across the Global South with the aim of connecting research and policy communities around the world to discuss how to move forward.
On day one Oriana Bandiera joins to discuss COVID-19 and extreme poverty. There is also a special session in honor of the late Benno Ndulu. Day two, 7 September, features a stellar line-up of experts in our policy panel on data gaps. On the final day Staffan Lindberg delivers a keynote on COVID-19 and democracy, the event closes with a panel discussion on recovery and the future of development post-pandemic.
2021 CCICED Annual General Meeting
📅 7 – 10 September 2021
Beijing, China, and Virtual
In addition, seven open forums will be held during the meeting, focusing on global and domestic hot topics, including Ecological Civilization: Building a Harmonious and Beautiful World for All, Implementing the 2030/2060 Carbon Targets and Empowering a High-Quality Development, Green BRI, and 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, Carbon Neutrality: the Role of Ocean, Technological Innovation Driven by Carbon Neutrality, From Biodiversity to Climate Change: Gathering New Impetus of Global Green Value Chains, and Managing River Areas in times of Climate Change.
World Hydropower Congress 2021 | Virtual
📅 7-24 September 2021
The World Hydropower Congress brings together the planet’s leading thought leaders, decision-makers, and innovators for a historic virtual summit to determine priorities for hydropower development.
Taking place over three weeks, the event will showcase how sustainable hydropower is part of the solution to climate change. Influential speakers will set out how investment is urgently needed now to build the smart, resilient, clean energy infrastructure of the future.
On the eve of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26), this is hydropower’s opportunity to demonstrate its critical role in the clean energy transition for decades to come.