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Add to Preferred SourcesWhat causes world hunger? The six drivers of food insecurity, Ukraine reconstruction is a ‘long road’ but it must start now, adapting to climate change can save lives & livelihoods. Here is what you missed from last week’s headlines in the international development sector:
What causes world hunger? The six drivers of food insecurity
Despite the fact that the overall number of people suffering from hunger was decreasing before the COVID-19 pandemic, hundreds of millions currently still face this issue on a daily basis.
The causes of hunger are numerous, complex, and often interlinked. However, six of these causes can be described as the ‘origins’ of this deadly phenomenon.
Our planet is home to almost 8 billion people of whom 811 million face hunger on a daily basis. Moreover, if the current trends persist, this number could exceed 840 million by 2030. Another few stats that are worth mentioning before we look deeper into the root causes of world hunger are:
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- 47 nations will not achieve low hunger status by 2030
- 135 million people are suffering from severe hunger mainly due to military conflicts
- Around 161 million people from 42 nations and regions faced critical levels of food insecurity in 2021, an almost 4% increase from the previous year.
While there’s little chance that world hunger will end by 2030, there is still much that could be done to tackle the issue. At the same time, it is worth noting that each of the numerous causes of hunger are complex and interlinked. Of the almost 8 billion people in the world, over 800 million are suffering from hunger which is mostly due to various conflicts. This figure will grow if no significant steps are taken.
Ukraine reconstruction is a ‘long road’ but it must start now: Guterres
UN chief António Guterres lent his support to international efforts to rebuild Ukraine, as a conference began in Switzerland to garner support for the war-shattered country.
In addition to the UN, international financial institutions such as the European Investment Bank attended the meeting. On the agenda, are projects to promote climate protection, the digital economy, and the diversification of energy sources.
Large numbers of civilian casualties and massive destruction to civilian infrastructure caused by the Russian military – and on a much smaller scale by Ukrainian armed forces – are not in compliance with International Humanitarian Law, said UN human rights chief Michelle Bachelet, in a report presented at the Human Rights Council in Geneva.
The report examines the human rights situation in Ukraine from the start of the Russian invasion on 24 February to 15 May.
The findings are based on information gathered by the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine during 11 field visits, visits to 3 places of detention, and 517 interviews with victims and witnesses of human rights violations, as well as other sources of information.
Adapting to climate change can save lives & livelihoods
Adapting to the impacts of climate change, such as hurricanes, drought, and wildfires, is receiving increasing global attention as more intense climate impacts are felt in every corner of the world.
Adaptation has become a key feature of international climate talks, including at the Bonn Climate Change Conference held last month. Important topics including the work on the Global Goal on Adaptation and the provision of financial support to developing countries to take adaptation action were high on the agenda in Bonn.
The Least Developed Countries Expert Group (LEG) provides direct support to LDCs on the formulation and implementation of NAPs. Governments requested the expert group to continue collaborating with the GCF secretariat on further enhancing access to funding. Discussions on funding the implementation of NAPs will continue at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP27) in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, in November.
DevelopmentAid Editorials
Is monkeypox the next big pandemic? (Part I) | Experts’ Opinions
As the number of registered cases of monkeypox grows people are becoming more worried about the disease. Since May 2022, the global tally of monkeypox cases has passed 800 in under one month and continues to increase across more than two dozen countries where the virus is not typically found, according to the latest report from the World Health Organization. Should we be worried about a monkeypox pandemic? Let’s see how global health experts respond to that question.
How to protect institutional knowledge when employees leave using the Tenderwell app (Part II)
The world is racing against time to try to reduce carbon emissions into the atmosphere. Global warming is already a daily problem, causing natural disasters across the planet. One of the mechanisms devised to help with this task is the carbon sales market. In 2021, global revenues from carbon pricing soared by almost 60% compared to 2020, reaching US$84 billion according to the World Bank‘s annual “State and Trends of Carbon Pricing”.
Why does land grabbing trigger poverty in developing countries?
The rapid growth of the world’s population and recurring global food crises have prompted large-scale cross-border investments in farmland. The primary reason for such dynamics relates to the acute need to develop and establish crop production chains that are able to produce food at the levels necessary to meet global demand. The financial aspects of such transactions are also a key element. Often, companies from capital-rich countries with land and water constraints are at the forefront of such investments. The phenomenon that involves abusive and unjust land acquisitions undertaken in violation of human rights is often referred to as land grabbing. This article defines land grabbing, introduces the socio-economic implications, and highlights some relevant statistics and facts.
Here’s what else has happened
UN: Preliminary monitoring of the conflict in Ukraine points to significant impacts on urban and rural environments that could leave the country and region with a toxic legacy for generations to come, according to initial impact monitoring conducted by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and partner organizations.
WFP: The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) welcomes a £5 million contribution from the United Kingdom to support the provision of emergency cash to Moldovan families hosting refugees affected by the conflict in neighbouring Ukraine. Going forward, WFP will continue to support the government with the emergency response to the conflict, while gearing up efforts to address the increasing needs of vulnerable Moldovans through programs designed to address the impacts of rapidly rising prices of food, fuel, and other basic needs.
IOM, UNHCR and UNICEF: Detention has a profound and negative impact on a child’s health and well-being and can have a long-lasting negative impact on children’s cognitive development. Placement in detention is known to exacerbate psychological distress and children held in detention are at risk of suffering depression and anxiety as well as violence and abuse. The recommendations set forth by the three agencies include expanding alternatives to detention for children and families, investing in reception conditions and national child protection systems, and enhancing national data collection and monitoring capacities within States as well as the European Union.
Reports
Global natural gas demand set for slow growth in coming years as turmoil strains an already tight market
High prices and supply disruptions following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine lead to downward revision and cast doubt on natural gas prospects in energy transitions.
Global natural gas consumption is expected to contract slightly in 2022 and grow slowly over the following three years as Russia’s war in Ukraine pushes up prices and fuels fears of further supply disruptions, according to the IEA’s latest Gas Market Report.
LNG export capacity additions are set to slow down in the next three years as a result of curtailed investment plans during a period of lower prices in the mid-2010s and construction delays stemming from Covid-19 lockdowns. This raises the risk of prolonged tight market conditions. While there has been a recent surge in LNG investment decisions, the resulting infrastructure will not be operational until after 2025.
Gender and income inequalities driving teenage motherhood in developing countries, new report confirms
Almost one-third of women in developing countries had their first baby while they were still in their teens, a recently released report shows, with nearly half of those new mothers aged 17 and younger – still children themselves.
Gender-based and income inequalities are highlighted as key in fuelling teen pregnancies by increasing child marriage rates, keeping girls out of school, restricting their career aspirations, and limiting health care and information on safe, consensual sex.
Entrenching these inequalities are climate disasters, COVID-19, and conflict, which are all upending lives around the world, obliterating livelihoods and making it more difficult for girls to afford or even physically reach school and health services. This leaves tens of millions yet more vulnerable to child marriage and early pregnancy.
Convergence of conflicts, COVID and climate crises, jeopardize global goals
Intersecting global crises are threatening the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and impacting food supplies, health, education, and security across countries worldwide, according to a new UN report released.
The Sustainable Development Goals Report 2022 reveals that the convergence of increased fighting, the continuing COVID-19 pandemic, and the long-term climate crisis, could push an additional 75 to 95 million people into extreme poverty this year – compared with pre-pandemic projections – and jeopardize the SDG blueprint for more resilient, peaceful and equal societies.
Events
Global Gas Markets: Key trends and implications for Latin America
📅 11 July 2022 🕑 16:00—17:30 Paris Time
Virtual
Quarterly, the International Energy Agency releases a Gas Market Report, featuring a detailed review of gas supply and demand fundamentals, an analysis of recent seasonal developments in global gas markets, and a near-term outlook for the upcoming months.
Leveraging Africa’s green minerals for the energy transition: The role of regional integration and the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA)
📅 11 July 2022, 10:00 GMT
Virtual
The African Development Bank will host a webinar on green minerals and the energy transition on 11 July 2022 under the theme: Leveraging Africa’s green minerals for the energy transition: The role of regional integration and the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).
Women’s Leadership in Building back better from Covid 19 Pandemic | Virtual
📅 13 July 2022 🕑 9:00 am – 10:30 am EDT
Virtual
Against the backdrop of the HLPF, Women in Global Health and the Government of France are hosting a high-level 90-min virtual panel discussion on the role of women’s leadership in building back better from the COVID-19 pandemic.
How to do business with GIZ? Best practices in the recruitment process | Invitation to a Webinar
The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) is the German state’s main development agency, providing services and funding in the field of international aid and cooperation.
DevelopmentAid, in collaboration with GIZ, invites organizations and individuals interested in learning about avenues of working together with GIZ to join the webinar “How to do business with GIZ? Best practices in the recruitment process”. The event will offer a unique opportunity to learn about how the agency works with third-party experts as well as practical information about finding employment within GIZ.
DevelopmentAid and GIZ cordially invite you to attend the online webinar “How to do business with GIZ? Best practices in the recruitment process” which will take place on July 14, 2022, at 1600 CEST (Brussels time zone) or 10:00 AM Eastern (Washington, D.C. time zone).
Key takeaways
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- Understanding the diverse sectors of development aid that GIZ implements
- GIZ’s relationship with the Germany`s Government and the EU
- GIZ’s intern program
- GIZ’s trainee program
- What types of experts GIZ hires, including project managers, international professionals, country managers, technical specialists, and consultants
- How to apply for a job or contract with GIZ
Speakers
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- Tina Köhler, Senior HR Manager at GIZ
- Frank Seifarth, HR Officer for Employer Branding and Personnel Marketing at GIZ
Host
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- Elena Rata, External Relations and Events at DevelopmentAid