The world had “one of three warmest Julys on record”, World Bank mobilizes additional financing for vital support to Ukraine and UNFPA is calling for funds to provide life-saving health care for women and girls in Sri Lanka. Here is what you missed from last week’s headlines in the international development sector.
World had “one of three warmest Julys on record”
The world had the third warmest July on record, with prolonged and intense heatwaves affecting parts of Europe. Antarctic sea ice was the lowest for July on record, according to Europe’s Copernicus Climate Change Service.
July 2022 was drier than average for much of Europe, with low precipitation records broken in some countries, hitting local economies, and agriculture and increasing the risk of wildfires. This unusually hot and dry weather is continuing in August.
The Copernicus Climate Change Service, which is implemented by the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) publishes monthly climate bulletins reporting on the changes observed in global surface air temperature, and sea ice cover, and hydrological variables. WMO uses data from ECMWF, and other internationally recognized datasets for its State of the Global Climate reports.
World Bank mobilizes $4.5 billion in additional financing for vital support to Ukraine
The World Bank Group announced $4.5 billion in additional financing mobilized for Ukraine under the Public Expenditures for Administrative Capacity Endurance in Ukraine (PEACE) Project, which aims to help the Government of Ukraine meet urgent needs created by the ongoing war. The financing package is comprised of a $4.5 billion grant provided by the United States.
The additional financing will contribute to sustaining the government’s administrative and service delivery capacity to exercise core functions at the national and regional levels. Specifically, the project will help the Government of Ukraine to cover social payments, healthcare services, and pensions, which are essential for the well-being of the country’s citizens in mitigating the social and economic impacts of the war.
UNFPA appeals for $10.7 million to meet the urgent needs of 2 million women and girls affected by the economic crisis in Sri Lanka
UNFPA, the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency, has launched an appeal for US$10.7 million to deliver lifesaving healthcare to more than 2 million women and girls in Sri Lanka in the next six months.
Sri Lanka is experiencing its worst socio-economic crisis since independence. The country’s once robust healthcare system is teetering on the edge of collapse amid debilitating power shortages and a lack of critical supplies, equipment, and medicine. This is severely impacting the delivery of sexual and reproductive health services, including maternal health care and access to contraception. Existing protection mechanisms for women and girls in need, including survivors of gender-based violence, have also been severely compromised. A UN survey in May 2022 indicates women and girls’ vulnerability to violence is increasing at the same time as services, including health, police, shelter, and hotlines, are declining due to a lack of financial resources.
DevelopmentAid Editorials
Global economy is in pain. What should we expect in 2022?
Following Vladimir Putin’s decision to invade Ukraine, Russia has become the most sanctioned economy in the world, with developed nations severing ties and forbidding any further business activity with the largest state on the planet. Nonetheless, the sanctions and the conflict itself are predicted to affect not only Russia, Ukraine and the neighboring states but the entire world as well as those countries that have deep roots in the global economy.
Six tips that can help you tailor your CV
If you want to increase the chances of landing that dream job of yours, it’s critical to avoid sending out the same old CV to organizations and choose to tailor it instead (along with a covering letter, if required). This will help your resume to get past any tricky filters that an organization may employ before it finally reaches a recruiter.
Will diabetes become the biggest pandemic of the century? | Experts’ Opinions
A new report from the International Diabetes Federation reveals that cases of diabetes are rising at an alarming rate. One in 10 adults worldwide, 537 million people, now live with the disease which is significantly higher than the 463 million in 2019. Furthermore, this number is predicted to rise to 643 million by 2030 and 783 million by 2045. This trend presents a significant global challenge to the health and well-being of individuals, families, and societies. What are the main causes of diabetes and how can we stop it? We discussed the topic with several global health specialists with expertise in diabetes.
Here’s what else has happened
The Ukraine crisis: It’s six months since the start of the Ukraine conflict, on 24 February 2022, and in that time the world has changed. Oil prices have shot up. Certain foods are scarce. People are panicking over even more cost-of-living increases. And for those in Ukraine, there has been utter devastation since the invasion: their homes have been bombed, loved ones have died and millions – mainly children and women – have been forced to escape their homes.
Germany: The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) signed two financing agreements for a total amount of EUR 28 million provided by the German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) through the KfW Development Bank.
UNCTAD: While these private digital currencies have rewarded some, and facilitated remittances, they are an unstable financial asset that can also bring social risks and costs. UNCTAD has released three policy briefs that delve into these risks and costs, including the threats cryptocurrencies bring to financial stability, domestic resource mobilization, and the security of monetary systems.
Palestine: The European Union confirmed its role as a long-standing, predictable, and reliable partner of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) and one of its largest donors.
Reports
Launch of first WHO position paper on optimizing brain health across life
The World Bank Group (WBG) announced details of its global crisis response package to help developing countries navigate multiple, compounding crises that are hitting the poor and most vulnerable the hardest.
Recovery in youth employment is still lagging, says ILO
Recovery in youth employment is still lagging, according to a new report by the International Labour Organization (ILO), which confirms that the COVID-19 pandemic has hurt young people more than any other age group.
The Global Employment Trends for Youth 2022: Investing in transforming futures for young people report finds that the pandemic has exacerbated the numerous labor market challenges facing those aged between 15 and 24 years, who have experienced a much higher percentage loss in employment than adults since early 2020. The total global number of unemployed youths is estimated to reach 73 million in 2022, a slight improvement from 2021 (75 million) but still six million above the pre-pandemic level of 2019, the report says.
Innovative finance is essential to tackle barriers to investment in Africa’s climate finance needs – at an average investment of USD 250 billion annually from 2020 to 2030
The African continent presents a massive investment opportunity for investors to advance the deployment of climate solutions in the coming decade according to a new report Climate Finance Innovation for Africa. However, this will require innovation in financing structures and the strategic deployment of public capital to ‘crowd-in’ private investment at levels not yet seen.
Events
SAMEA 8th Biennial Conference 2022
📅 21-23 September 2022
South Africa & Hybrid
Join SAMEA at the 8th Biennial Conference under the theme “Transforming monitoring and evaluation for an inclusive and sustainable world”.
GMCC Bitesize Session – Aid Funded Business Opportunities | Virtual
📅 26 October 2022 🕑10:00 – 11:00 BST
Online event
As part of the commitment to support businesses in Greater Manchester to navigate their international trade journey, the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce (GMCC) is pleased to launch a free series of Bitesize Sessions. The purpose of these sessions is to provide support and advice to businesses trading internationally during this time of change.
These sessions will provide an overview of a different topic each time including: general export and import processes, border controls, and export documentation, etc.
Registration deadline: 25/10/2022