5 JUL 2024 · This week British voters head to the polls to elect the country’s new prime minister, with the Labour Party set to end 14 years of Conservative rule. While Keir Starmer’s government ishttps://www.devex.com/news/uk-election-labour-rules-out-aid-department-or-early-return-to-0-7-107788 to immediately restore development spending to 0.7% of gross national income, nor https://www.devex.com/news/uk-labour-leader-starmer-backs-off-pledge-to-restore-aid-department-105657, we discuss whether a change in leadership will affect the country’s aid and migration policy. The United Kingdom is not the only country cutting its aid budget. During the European elections we saw citizens across the continent elect right-wing leaders, who are opting to prioritize European interests. We also take a look at what we expect from the European Commission's development policy, which is set to emphasize an https://www.devex.com/news/how-to-read-europe-s-future-development-vision-107514 For the latest episode of our weekly podcast series, Devex’s Managing Editor Anna Gawel sits down with U.K. Correspondent Rob Merrick to discuss what elections across Europe mean for the global development sector.  https://www.devex.com/account/newsletters to the Devex Newswire and our other newsletters.

27 JUN 2024 · This week we look back at an article we wrote earlier this month on the https://www.devex.com/organizations/who-foundation-164054, which has https://www.devex.com/news/the-foundation-bringing-in-private-sector-finance-to-who-107580 to the https://www.devex.com/organizations/world-health-organization-who-30562 since its launch in 2020. We examine the foundation’s strategy, including its plans to ensure that donor funding to WHO is seamless and aligned with its priorities.  Also on the topic of global health, https://www.devex.com/organizations/global-alliance-for-vaccines-and-immunisation-44118 launched its https://www.devex.com/news/gavi-launches-9b-replenishment-target-107826. We examine the key takeaways from the organization’s next five-year strategy and highlight the pledges made so far. We also reflected on the main talking points from last week’s https://www.devex.com/news/what-s-next-for-the-climate-and-health-agenda-107836, which took place in Baku, Azerbaijan. With the city also set to host the https://www.devex.com/organizations/united-nations-un-41567 Climate Conference, COP 29, later this year, the event was an opportunity to bring global health to the forefront of discussions around climate change. For the latest episode of the This Week in Global Development podcast,, Devex President & Editor-in-Chief Raj Kumar sits down with Anil Soni, CEO of the WHO Foundation, and Senior Reporter Sara Jerving, to dig into these stories and others.  https://www.devex.com/account/newsletters to the Devex Newswire and our other newsletters. 

20 JUN 2024 · This week we take a look at https://www.devex.com/news/the-republican-plan-to-rightsize-us-foreign-aid-in-a-trump-presidency-107403 in the upcoming U.S. presidential elections in November. From implementing cuts to changing the United States’ foreign aid priorities, we dig into what a second Trump presidency would mean for the global development sector.  We also reported on https://www.devex.com/news/usaid-going-backward-on-localization-funding-agency-report-shows-107782 which shows that just 9.6% of the agency’s eligible dollars were channeled toward local groups last year — rather than major international development contractors — down from 10.2% the year prior. With one year left before USAID’s ambitious 2025 deadline to channel 25% of its funding to local organizations, it seems very unlikely that the agency will hit its goal.  On the topic of USAID, we also discuss an opinion piece by the agency’s chief, Samantha Power, in which she outlines https://www.devex.com/news/opinion-how-usaid-is-working-to-hit-its-localization-targets-107808. To dig into these stories and others, Devex President and Editor-in-Chief Raj Kumar sits down with Managing Editor Anna Gawel and Reporter Elissa Miolene for the latest episode of the podcast series.  https://www.devex.com/account/newsletters to the Devex Newswire and our other newsletters. 

14 JUN 2024 · This week we take a look at the humanitarian crisis in Haiti, where 578,000 have been displaced, mostly due to violence. We explore what is being done to address the hardships faced by the affected population, including bringing essential food supplies, as well as discuss what life is like on the ground.  On the topic of food insecurity, we also dig into a https://www.devex.com/organizations/united-nations-children-s-fund-unicef-20131 report, which found that https://www.devex.com/news/1-in-4-young-children-deprived-of-nutritious-food-unicef-says-107749 — which can have lifelong consequences for their health and development. We stress the importance of having programs that prioritize the providing of a balanced diet to malnourished children. On a more positive note, we also report on https://www.devex.com/news/how-crispr-gene-editing-technology-could-change-the-way-we-eat-107585 by making crops tastier, more nutritious, and more resilient to climate change. Nonetheless, questions remain on the extent to which the technology will be available to farmers who need them the most.  For the latest edition of the podcast series, Devex President and Editor-in-Chief Raj Kumar sits down with Jean-Martin Bauer, country director of the https://www.devex.com/organizations/world-food-programme-wfp-44564 in Haiti, and Devex Global Reporter Elissa Miolene to discuss these stories and others.  https://www.devex.com/account/newsletters to Devex Newswire and our other newsletters.

6 JUN 2024 · This week we reported on https://www.devex.com/news/us-lawmakers-spar-over-international-human-rights-funding-transparency-107736 in which Republicans tried to paint the U.S. government’s entire approach to foreign assistance as wasteful and counterproductive — but they faced pushback from Democrats who argued that human rights grants are critical in the global contest between democracy and autocracy.  The hearing took place against the backdrop of a proposed House of Representatives budget bill that would impose https://www.devex.com/news/damaging-foreign-affairs-budget-cuts-funding-fuels-partisan-politics-107735, which would be 19% less than what President Joe Biden requested. The proposed funding bill cuts “wasteful spending” and “continues reestablishing American leadership” where the Biden administration has been lacking.  We also look back at https://www.devex.com/news/us-national-security-adviser-details-white-house-s-development-goals-107727, during which U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan discussed tackling humanitarian crises, adapting to the rise of artificial intelligence, and partnering with other nations to drive development through debt relief and infrastructure "corridors" connecting regions. Meanwhile, during the https://www.devex.com/news/small-island-states-seek-world-s-full-support-for-resilience-strategy-107710, concerned countries called for debt relief and more concessional funding to deliver on a 10-year strategy to achieve Sustainable Development Goals and build resilient economies. We highlight how a lack of support could decimate local livelihoods and lead to climate-induced migration. For the latest episode of the podcast series, Devex President and Editor-in-Chief Raj Kumar sits down with Liz Hume, executive director at the https://www.devex.com/organizations/alliance-for-peacebuilding-76061, as well as Devex Managing Editor Anna Gawel, to discuss this week’s top global development stories.  https://www.devex.com/account/newsletters to the Devex Newswire and our other newsletters.

31 MAY 2024 · In 2020, https://www.thenewhumanitarian.org/2020/09/29/exclusive-more-50-women-accuse-aid-workers-sex-abuse-congo-ebola-crisis and an independent investigation revealed one of the largest sexual misconduct scandals in U.N. history, in which more than 50 women accused ebola aid workers — including World Health Organization staffers — of sexual exploitation and abuse during the 10th Ebola outbreak in the Democratic of Congo.   At last year’s World Health Assembly, WHO’s Dr. Gaya Gamhewage https://www.devex.com/news/who-cleans-house-after-sexual-misconduct-scandals-but-questions-linger-105613 about the organization's new policies for addressing sexual misconduct allegations. Gamhewage was appointed to lead a new unit investigating such claims in 2021. In the final podcast episode from WHA77, Devex Associate Editor Rumbi Chakamba is joined by Dr. Gamhewage to discuss the progress her department is making, the challenges faced, and the lessons other agencies and NGOs can learn from WHO.

30 MAY 2024 · This week Devex’s editorial team was on the ground in Geneva, Switzerland, closely following the conversations taking place at the 77th World Health Assembly. As well as attending the summit itself, we also hosted https://pages.devex.com/devex-checkup-at-wha-77.html, our very own event happening on the sidelines of the main event. From following the https://www.devex.com/news/will-the-pandemic-treaty-get-more-time-or-will-it-go-down-the-toilet-107697 to addressing global health issues, we provide an update from the conference that brings together health leaders from around the world.  We also discuss the https://www.devex.com/organizations/world-health-organization-who-30562’s announcement of a https://www.devex.com/news/who-launches-first-investment-round-asking-for-11-billion-107666 to usher in this finance. This is a new approach for the world’s leading public health agency as it hopes to raise $11.1 billion to fund its work over the next four years.  To look at the key stories from WHA 77, Devex President and Editor-in-Chief Raj Kumar sits down with Fatema Sumar, executive director of the Center for International Development at https://www.devex.com/organizations/harvard-university-42053, as well as Devex Senior Reporter Jenny Lei Ravelo for the latest episode of our This Week in Global Development podcast series.  https://www.devex.com/account/newsletters to the Devex Newswire and our other newsletters.

28 MAY 2024 · During the COVID-19 pandemic, the health of populations across Africa were put at risk because of dysfunctional global health systems. For example, African nations were at the back of the queue for medical countermeasures, including vaccines. In the wake of the pandemic, leaders across the continent have worked to build stronger health systems — but there are still barriers at the international level standing in the way.  At this week’s World Health Assembly in Geneva, health leaders from across the continent are calling for changes to global health systems. These include more equitable access to health innovations and financing that aligns with country priorities. “Those who can do more should agree to give in order for us to meet each other at a level where everyone will feel safe,” said Dr. Magda Robalo, President and co-founder of The Institute for Global Health and Development. In this podcast episode, Devex global health reporter Sara Jerving speaks with Dr. Robalo and Dr. Githinji Gitahi, chief executive officer of Amref Health Africa, about changes needed at the international level.

27 MAY 2024 · A two-year negotiation process for a pandemic treaty concluded on Friday https://www.devex.com/news/5-issues-to-watch-at-the-77th-world-health-assembly-107665, as countries remained divided on numerous provisions, including technology transfer and equitable access to medical products. This week, health officials at the 77th World Health Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland, will need to determine the next steps. Before Friday’s decision, Devex Senior Reporter Jenny Lei Ravelo spoke with K.M. Gopakumar, legal adviser for the Third World Network, an independent international nonprofit network that advocates for the needs of people from the global south, about the contentious issues in the negotiations and how https://www.devex.com/news/what-is-the-pandemic-treaty-and-what-would-it-do-106577 in some countries impacted the process. For front-line and behind-the-scenes reporting on global health, sign up to the Devex CheckUp newsletter: https://www.devex.com/newsletters/devex-checkup

23 MAY 2024 · This week we report on https://www.devex.com/news/us-sen-chris-coons-on-kenyan-president-s-visit-africa-policy-and-trade-107643, the first by an African leader since 2008. We dig into what the occasion means for the relationship between Kenya and the wider African continent, including whether it will lead to closer economic ties between the United States and Africa as a whole. During the conversation, we also look back at our interview with Sen. Chris Coons about the visit, in which we discussed the African Growth and Opportunity Act, or AGOA, and the U.S. Africa policy. We are also https://www.devex.com/news/devex-dish-vanuatu-uses-old-strategies-to-meet-new-food-systems-challenges-107650 — a $1.5 trillion piece of legislation that shapes food assistance both within the United States and abroad. While the legislation largely focuses on domestic policy, it also governs the operations of Food for Peace, a flagship food assistance program that distributes American-grown commodities across the globe.  However, it has been proposed that at least 50% of funds should go toward U.S.-grown commodities and ocean freight. As the reauthorization negotiations continue, we explore the importance of these funds for communities in the global south and contemplate what the potential outcomes of the discussions could be.  On the topic of food systems, we also look at a story that explores how https://www.devex.com/news/how-tech-and-tradition-are-cyclone-proofing-vanuatu-s-food-systems-107542 by combining traditional practices with modern technology. For the latest episode of the podcast series, Devex Managing Editor Anna Gawel sits down with David Barth from https://www.devex.com/organizations/save-the-children-international-48089 and Devex Senior Reporter Adva Saldinger to discuss these stories and others. https://www.devex.com/account/newsletters to the Devex Newswire and our other newsletters.