UN raises over $US600 million to boost aid to Ethiopia
Geneva, Switzerland Reuters The United Nations on Tuesday received financial pledges for about two-thirds of the $US1 billion it was seeking to raise to boost humanitarian aid to Ethiopia, which has been hit by conflict, drought and floods. A UN-hosted pledging event, organised along with the governments of Ethiopia and the United Kingdom and held […]
Donors raise more than €2 billion for Sudan aid a year into war
Paris, France/Cairo, Egypt Reuters Donors pledged more than €2 billion for war-torn Sudan at a conference in Paris on Monday, French President Emmanuel Macron said, on the first anniversary of what aid workers describe as a neglected but devastating conflict. Efforts to help millions of people driven to the verge of famine by the war […]
Donors seek fast answers to allegations over UN agency in Gaza crisis
New York, US/Beirut, Lebanon/Geneva, Switzerland Reuters Any halt to operations by the UN Palestinian agency over Israeli accusations that some of its staff took part in the 7th October Hamas attack could hamstring the entire humanitarian effort in devastated Gaza, aid agencies say. Donors are demanding a swift investigation before resuming funding, though they have […]
Top Kenyan banker urges Uganda’s Anglican bishops to build sustainability amidst financial challenges caused by COVID-19
Mukono, Uganda The leadership of the Anglican Church of Uganda must work tirelessly to build a financially sustainable church or watch the institution die as others have in the wake of COVID-19, according to James Mwangi, CEO of Nairobi-based Equity Group Holdings. Speaking as the guest of honour during the five day 26th Provincial Assembly of the […]
UN raises $US2.44 billion for Afghan aid amid concerns on girls’ education
Reuters A total of 41 donor countries pledged more than $US2.44 billion towards the United Nations $US4.4 billion appeal for humanitarian aid in Afghanistan, the world body said on Thursday, as international concerns grew over the Taliban denying girls a secondary education. Belgium’s minister of development cooperation Meryame Kitir said: “Education empowers women and girls […]
US opposes plans to strengthen World Health Organization
Brussels, BelgiumReuters The United States, the World Health Organization’s top donor, is resisting proposals to make the agency more independent, four officials involved in the talks said, raising doubts about the Biden administration’s long-term support for the UN agency. The proposal, made by the WHO’s working group on sustainable financing, would increase each member state’s […]
World leaders pledge $US8 billion to fight COVID-19 but US steers clear
Brussels, BelgiumReuters World leaders and organisations pledged $US8 billion to research, manufacture and distribute a possible vaccine and treatments for COVID-19 on Monday, but the United States refused to contribute to the global effort. Organisers included the European Union and non-EU countries Britain, Norway and Saudi Arabia. Leaders from Japan, Canada, South Africa and dozens […]
Donors must rally behind Ethiopia-Eritrea after ending war – UN
Thomson Reuters Foundation Foreign donors must come forward to support Ethiopia and Eritrea after the long-time arch rivals ended a war which spanned two decades and hampered efforts to improve the lives of millions of people, a top United Nations official said on Monday. Ahunna Eziakonwa, head of the UN in Ethiopia, said moves taken […]
Australian Christian Lobby welcomes Victorian move to give donor-conceived children right to know biological parents
The Australian Christian Lobby has welcomed the introduction of a new law in Victoria ensuring children conceived using donor eggs or sperm have the right to access information about their donors and heritage. Prior to the introduction of the new law, which came into effect on 1st March, only people born from donated eggs or […]