Weekly Roundup | Top international development headlines

Weekly Roundup | Top international development headlines

Drought and conflict force 80,000 to flee Somalia for Kenya’s Dadaab refugee camps, thousands displaced by escalating conflict in South Sudan’s Greater Upper Nile Region and UNICEF appeals for US$10.3 billion emergency funding to support children affected by conflict and climate crises.  Here is what you missed from last week’s headlines in the international development sector.

Drought and conflict force 80,000 to flee Somalia for Kenya’s Dadaab refugee camps

More than 80,000 people have arrived in Kenya’s Dadaab refugee camps, the majority arriving over the past two years fleeing ongoing insecurity in Somalia and the unrelenting drought – the longest and most severe in decades. Despite a recent decrease in the pace of daily arrivals, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and partners in Dadaab estimate that some 24,000 people have arrived since the end of September.

Local communities and refugees already living in the refugee camps in Dadaab have been generously welcoming the new arrivals and sharing the limited resources they have. Adequate space in the camps, where the newly arrived are sheltered is running out, forcing many to reside in makeshift shelters along the outskirts where clean water and sanitation facilities are either grossly insufficient or non-existent.

Thousands displaced by escalating conflict in South Sudan’s Greater Upper Nile Region

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is alarmed by the escalating armed conflict in South Sudan’s Upper Nile state which has displaced at least 20,000 people since August, some of them forced to flee for their lives up to four times as the conflict rages. At least 3,000 people have already fled to neighboring Sudan, further intensifying South Sudan’s refugee crisis, the largest in Africa.

The armed conflict erupted in the village of Tonga in Upper Nile on 15 August 2022. Violence has since spread further in Upper Nile, northern parts of Jonglei, and Unity states. It is currently advancing in Upper Nile’s Fashoda county and is threatening the town of Kodok.

“Desperation is rising, and more people are fleeing as conflict intensifies,” said UNHCR’s Representative in South Sudan, Arafat Jamal. “Civilians are under attack in this ruthless conflict; we must ensure their protection.”

UNICEF appeals for US$10.3 billion emergency funding to support children affected by conflict, catastrophe and climate crises around the world

UNICEF launched a US$10.3 billion emergency funding appeal to reach more than 173 million people – including 110 million children – affected by humanitarian crises, the enduring effects of the COVID-19 pandemic worldwide, and the growing threat of climate-impacted severe weather events.

“There are more children in need of humanitarian assistance than at any other time in recent history,” said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell. “Across the globe, they are facing a deadly mix of crises, from conflict and displacement to disease outbreaks and soaring rates of malnutrition. Meanwhile, climate change is making these crises worse and unleashing new ones. It is critical that we have the right support in place to reach children with decisive and timely humanitarian action.”

DevelopmentAid Editorials


Human trafficking in the context of armed conflicts. Risks and solutions | Experts’ Opinions

Human trafficking in the context of armed conflicts. Risks and solutions | Experts’ Opinions

Armed conflicts increase the risk of human trafficking in poor countries. Approximately a quarter of the world’s population are currently living in conflict areas which means that women, children and other vulnerable groups may become victims of trafficking.

Additional crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change further exacerbate these risks. How can the international community at least halt the increase in human trafficking? This is the question we asked several international development experts. Check out their responses below.

Check the full article here

The world’s top 5 fastest developing countries

The world’s top 5 fastest developing countries

Although the world still bears the heavy burden of the coronavirus and its variations, many countries have nevertheless managed to tackle the effects of the pandemic, bringing their manufacturing and export sectors back to life, and restoring jobs.

The year 2021 offered a ray of optimism and IMF statistics for 193 countries in 2021 showed that 170 were forecasting a GDP increase of 1% or higher. Although since the end of February of 2022 the international economy has been hit by the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the war that followed, it is a little too early to analyze the effects of this.

Check the full article here

The fastest way to identify and track a donor’s project and tender award history

The fastest way to identify and track a donor’s project and tender award history

If you are a company bidding on projects in the field of international aid and development, then you know exactly how crucial it is to review the previous projects and tenders from a donor organization or financing agency ahead of competition.

Indeed, researching and analyzing the completed projects and awarded tenders and grants is a critical first step for companies seeking to put together a successful bid on a development aid project.

In this article, we’ll show you just how easy it is to use the Tenderwell app to find and analyze current and historical activity of a donor organization or financing agency working in the field of international development.

Check the full article here

Here’s what else has happened


ILO, UNEP and IUCN: Twenty million jobs could be created by further harnessing the power of nature to address the major challenges facing society, such as climate change, disaster risk and food and water insecurity. Investing in such policies that support Nature-based Solutions (NbS), would generate significant employment opportunities, particularly in rural areas, says a new report by the International Labour Organization (ILO), the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

World Bank: The World Bank Group approved a total of $18 million in two additional financings from the International Development Association (IDA) to reinforce health systems and support effective disease surveillance in West Africa. These additional financings will support the implementation of the ongoing Regional Disease Surveillance Systems Enhancement Program (REDISSE) respectively in Benin ($6 million), Senegal ($7 million), and the West Africa Health Organization, WAHO ($5 million).

FAO, UNICEF and WFP: The number of hungry people in West and Central Africa is projected to reach an all-time high of 48 million people (including 9 million children) next year if urgent and long-lasting solutions to address this crisis are not delivered soon. The latest Cadre Harmonisé food security analysis shows that over 35 million people (including 6.7 million children) in the region – approximately 8 percent of the assessed population – are currently unable to meet their basic food and nutrition needs.

IOM and Microsoft: The International Organization for Migration (IOM) released the first publicly available dataset linking the profiles of trafficking victims and perpetrators whilst preserving the anonymity and privacy of survivors. The dataset is made possible by state-of-the-art technology developed in partnership with Microsoft Research and provides first-hand information on the relationships between victims and perpetrators.

IRC and Citi Foundation: As the number of asylum seekers in Mexico continues to increase, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) warns that technical and entrepreneurial training is necessary to support them in rebuilding their lives.

Reports


New UN report warns that global food crises ‘likely to increase’ in the future without wider systemic change

The world’s ability to nourish its burgeoning population is under threat and without broader socioeconomic and environmental change, sustainable agrifood systems will be impossible to achieve, according to a new report by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) issued.

The report, The Future of Food and Agriculture – Drivers and triggers for transformation, analyses current and emerging drivers of agrifood systems and their possible future trends. The report identifies the issues at stake and the threats and problems that have an impact on future food consumption and agrifood production.

The report urges decision-makers to think beyond short-term needs, warning that a lack of vision, piecemeal approaches, and ‘quick fixes’ will come at a high cost for everyone. A new mindset that prioritizes long-term objectives, sustainability, and resilience is urgently needed, it adds.

Overfishing falls in the Mediterranean and Black Sea, but fisheries resources remain under significant stress

Overfishing in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea has fallen significantly in the past decade, but exploitation of most commercial species is far from sustainable, according to a report by the General Fisheries Commission of the Mediterranean (GFCM) of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

The latest edition of The State of Mediterranean and Black Sea Fisheries (SoMFi) found excessive exploitation has diminished in the region, particularly for key species subject to multilateral management plans. However, 73 percent of commercial species are still overfished and fishing pressure, while lower than in the past, is still double what is considered sustainable.

World Bank releases its first report on the circular economy in the EU, says decoupling growth from resource use in Europe achievable within decade

The World Bank’s first comprehensive report on the circular economy in the European Union (EU)—“Squaring the Circle: Policies from Europe’s Circular Economy Transition”—states that the current “take-make-use-waste” linear model of economic expansion is increasingly unsustainable, not only on environmental terms but also from an economic security and inclusion dimension. The report concludes, however, that comprehensive policy packages can reduce material consumption while still maintaining growth and welfare creation.

Events


The list of major upcoming events in development sector in December 2022

Keep up-to-date on key events about emerging funding strategies, environmental policies, climate change, technological development, labor 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 December 2022.

Download the comprehensive schedule of major online events.

2022 Effective Development Co-operation Summit

2022 Effective Development Co-operation Summit

📅 12 – 14 December 2022
Geneva, Switzerland

Taking place at the midpoint of Agenda 2030, the Summit will put a spotlight on how better cooperation strengthens trust and transforms the way the world works together.

In a new era of global challenges – the pandemic, a deepening climate emergency, and many economic shocks – people must charter sustainable pathways for a just recovery across sectors and geographies.

Effective partnering is a compass and catalyst for using local, national, and global resources in the best possible way for the fastest and most sustainable impact as the world looks to achieve the SDGs. All co-operation partners need to balance ongoing short-term pressures with delivering on the vision for long-term well-being for the people and planet.

The Summit will underscore that effective cooperation that is country-owned, focused on results, involves all types of partners, and is transparent and accountable, strengthens trust that leads to impactful partnerships and better results in countries.

Only through actions based on country priorities can strengthen national systems and deliver sustainable development for all. Harnessing the power of partnerships is key to delivering results. Governments, parliamentarians, civil society, the private sector, and others – all play a distinct and crucial role in building resilient communities and targeting those most in need.

Link for Registration

T7 Japan 2023 Inception Conference

T7 Japan 2023 Inception Conference

📅 12 December 2022
Online

The virtual Think7 (T7) Japan 2023 Inception Conference will mark the first meeting of the Group of 7’s (G7) think tank engagement group, the T7, hosted by the Asian Development Bank Institute (ADBI) as part of Japan’s 2023 G7 presidency.

T7 Japan lead chair, ADBI Dean Tetsushi Sonobe, will explain the T7 agenda. This includes openness to participation by experts from G7 and non-G7 countries and focuses on the Global South to produce impactful research-based policy solutions for the G7 and partners under the T7 Japan theme Addressing Crises, Reigniting Sustainable Development.

The conference will also introduce the co-chairs of the 4 T7 Japan task forces, who will detail their topic coverage and approach. Dean Sonobe and think tank leaders from Think20 (T20) India 2023 will go on to explore T7-T20 linkages to optimize global policy innovation. The discussion will be followed by an audience question and answer session. Simultaneous Japanese interpretation will be provided.

Objectives:

  • Outline T7 Japan’s structure and roadmap for promoting research-based policy solutions to unfolding global challenges during Japan’s 2023 G7 presidency and beyond
  • Explain how T7 participation by experts from G7 countries and non-G7 countries, attention to developing country issues, and coordination with T20 can strengthen T7 and its impacts
  • Advance the policy research process administered by the T7 Japan Secretariat and task forces

Link for Registration

The Business Innovation for the SDGs Forum

The Business Innovation for the SDGs Forum

📅 13 – 14 December 2022
Bangkok, Thailand

The Forum is organized by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) in collaboration with the Agencia Presidential de Cooperación International de Colombia, 13-14 December 2022, Bangkok, Thailand.

The Forum will showcase how social and inclusive business, and impact investing, can accelerate progress on the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and facilitate South-South cooperation between the Latin America and Asia-Pacific regions on these agendas.

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are transforming how the private sector contributes to inclusive and sustainable development: Corporations are realigning their priorities based on the SDGs. Innovative business models such as social enterprises and inclusive businesses are emerging, which purposefully aim to address social and environmental challenges, as well as provide products and services to those at the base of the economic pyramid. And financiers are shifting from investing for profit to investing for impact.

Government policies have played a key role in promoting these business innovations and in directing the private sector toward inclusive and sustainable development. For example, it is government regulation that led to the emergence of collective benefit and interest companies, which have an obligation to create a positive impact on society and the environment. Similarly, targeted government policies are emerging to promote innovation within companies for a clean energy transition, supporting the ambitions of the Paris Agreement on climate change.

Against this backdrop, the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) and the Agencia Presidential De Cooperación Internacional de Colombia (APC-Colombia) are organizing the Business Innovation for the SDGs Forum.

Link for Registration

Fifth Regional Intergovernmental Conference on Aging and the Rights of Older Persons

Fifth Regional Intergovernmental Conference on Aging and the Rights of Older Persons

📅 13-15 December 2022
Santiago, Chile

The Conference is being held within the framework of the fourth review and evaluation cycle of the Madrid International Plan of Action on Aging and its main objective is to examine the achievements in fulfilling the commitments assumed by the member countries of ECLAC in the Charter of San José on the Rights of Older Persons in Latin America and the Caribbean.

In this conference, the countries of the region will present their advances in public policies aimed at the elderly and, in turn, will identify the key actions to expand the protection of the rights of the elderly in the next five years. The results of this conference will be presented within the framework of the 2023 world conference, where the perspective of Latin America and the Caribbean on the Elderly and the actions that are committed to improve and advance their well-being will be reported.

Link for Registration

Parliamentary Dialogue Series: Digital Money, Cryptocurrency and the Future of Finance

Parliamentary Dialogue Series: Digital Money, Cryptocurrency and the Future of Finance

📅 14 December 2022
Virtual

The fourth edition of the Parliamentary Dialogue Series, co-organized by the World Bank Group, the Parliamentary Network on the World Bank and IMF, and the International Monetary Fund, themed Digital Money, Cryptocurrency and the Future of Finance will take place on December 14 from 9:30-11:00 AM EST (Washington).

This timely event will be held against the backdrop of the increasing use of digital money, cryptocurrencies, and myriad innovative technologies of finance, all of which pose both opportunities and challenges to the people, governments, and central banks, with major public policy and regulatory implications.

Recent developments in the global financial market reveal that while promoting financial inclusion through digital technologies and currencies can enable poverty reduction and increased prosperity, their development should be accompanied by a wide range of legislative measures and public policies aiming to protect the people and create awareness about inherent benefits and risks.

Introducing digital currencies requires a delicate balance between developments on the design front and on the policy front. Getting the design right calls for time, resources, and continuous learning from experience, including shared experiences across countries. Policy aspects involve developing new legal frameworks, regulations, and case law.

Parliamentarians are key to the implementation and regulation of digital currencies and technologies to make sure they reach their intended objective of promoting transparency and financial inclusion. In this context, this event will bring parliamentarians together with leading experts from the World Bank and IMF to build awareness around the use of digital currencies, as well as best practices regarding their regulation.

Link for Registration

How Coordination Helps Improve the Delivery of Pharmaceuticals and Medical Supplies for an Effective Humanitarian Response

How Coordination Helps Improve the Delivery of Pharmaceuticals and Medical Supplies for an Effective Humanitarian Response

📅 15 December 2022 
Virtual

This webinar will discuss the benefits of coordination for improving the availability of pharmaceuticals and other health products. Will share experiences from the field to understand the enabling factors for effective coordination and look at recent examples that led to tangible results and increased supply chain management (SCM) coordination in humanitarian and crisis settings.

The event is joined by guest speaker Edith Muturi, health and nutrition advisor from Relief International (RI) in Yemen. This workshop is for anyone who works with procurement and management of health commodities in humanitarian settings.

This webinar is the sixth and final technical discussion in the 2022 HCL Community Education Series organized by the Humanitarian Commodities Logistics Community of Practice and the Building Capacity to Improve Health Commodity Management in Humanitarian and Disaster Settings project, with support from USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA).

This webinar is made possible by the generous support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The contents are the responsibility of JSI Research & Training Institute, Inc. (JSI) and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID/BHA or the United States Government.

Link for Registration