Aid agencies call for urgent funds in aftermath of deadly Afghan earthquakes; US announces it will provide $US12 million
Kabul, Afghanistan Reuters Aid agencies launched fresh appeals for funds to deal with the fallout of deadly earthquakes in Afghanistan as local authorities called on Thursday for urgent help for thousands of people left homeless in the aftermath of the tremors. Multiple earthquakes struck in the western province of Herat on Saturday and Wednesday, destroying […]
Libya’s flood-ravaged Derna struggles to cope with thousands of corpses
Derna, LibyaReuters Residents and rescue workers in the devastated Libyan city of Derna are struggling to cope with the thousands of corpses washing up or decaying under rubble, after a flood that smashed down buildings and swept people to sea. The World Health Organization and other aid groups urged authorities in Libya to stop burying […]
Red Cross warns aid groups not enough to stave off Afghan humanitarian crisis
Dubai, United Arab EmiratesReuters The Red Cross on Friday urged the international community to engage with Afghanistan’s new Taliban rulers, saying that aid groups on their own would be unable to stave off a humanitarian crisis. Afghanistan has been plunged into crisis by the abrupt end of billions of dollars in foreign assistance following the […]
Australian aid agencies join in new alliance to help disaster response
Geelong, Australia Sixteen Australian aid agencies, including some of the largest, have joined in a new alliance which aims to help them better raise funds to address large scale international emergencies. The move – which involves faith-based agencies including World Vision, Tearfund Australia, Anglican Overseas Aid, Baptist World Aid Australia and Caritas Australia – has […]
UK bans sex between government aid workers and recipients to rein in abuse
Dakar, SenegalThomson Reuters Foundation Britain has banned sexual relations between government staff giving aid and people receiving it, as lawmakers seek to stamp out abuse in the aid sector following a string of sex scandals. Britain’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has also banned staff exchanging money or jobs for sex, sexual relationships based on […]
UK lawmakers hear more reports of aid worker sex abuse in Congo
Dakar, SenegalThomson Reuters Foundation Britain’s charity watchdog said it has received reports of at least eight cases of sexual assault and abuse by aid workers in Democratic Republic of Congo, vowing to ensure “robust action”. It said the incidents were reported both before and after an investigation published last month by the Thomson Reuters Foundation […]
WHO names independent body to investigate Congo sex abuse claims
Dakar, SenegalThomson Reuters Foundation The World Health Organization said last week it was setting up a seven-person independent commission to investigate claims of sexual exploitation and abuse by aid workers during the recent Ebola outbreak in Democratic Republic of Congo. In an investigation published last month by the Thomson Reuters Foundation and The New Humanitarian, […]
Congo to investigate ‘jobs-for-sex’ accusations during Ebola outbreak
Dakar, SenegalThomson Reuters Foundation Democratic Republic of Congo will investigate accusations of sexual exploitation and abuse by aid workers that were uncovered by the Thomson Reuters Foundation and The New Humanitarian, the country’s health minister said on Friday. Five UN agencies and international NGOs have also launched inquiries after 51 women accused mainly foreign aid […]
Aid groups should face tougher action over sex abuse by staff – experts
London, UKThomson Reuters Foundation Aid organisations and humanitarian agencies should face tougher action including funding cuts if they do not tackle sexual abuse by staff, aid experts told UK parliamentarians on Tuesday amid a sex-for-jobs scandal during an Ebola crisis in the Congo. There is a “culture of impunity” for abusers and organisations believe they […]
Updated: Australian aid agencies welcome increased COVID-19 support for neighbours but urge increased long term giving
Updated: 5:30pm Australian aid agencies and anti-poverty advocates have welcomed the Federal Government’s decision to set aside one-off support of almost $A305 million for the COVID-19 response and recovery in Pacific nations and Timor Leste as part of its Federal Budget but say the amount given to aid foreign nations doesn’t go far enough. Tim […]