Outdated legislation, political divisiveness and uncomfortable coalitions: in today's political climate, foreign assistance faces many hurdles. At InterAction’s final Forum 2013 plenary, moderated by Cokie Roberts of NPR, Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA) and Carol Lancaster, Dean of the Georgetown School of Foreign Service, connected the political and budgetary realities to NGOs' increasingly difficult task of advocating for the world’s poor.
A recent convergence of government interest, private sector investment and available technology has renewed and highlighted the issue of clean cookstoves on the development agenda.
The newly formed Frontline Health Coalition has released a report calling for an increase in the number of U.S. supported frontline health workers to 250,000 by 2015. Frontline health workers strive to meet the health care needs of millions of families living in the developing world who have difficulty accessing hospitals and clinics.
InterAction President and CEO Samuel A. Worthington sent a letter to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton yesterday, on the second anniversary of the Haiti earthquake. In the letter Worthington urged the U.S. government to continue to use its diplomatic and programmatic influence to ensure the needs of the most vulnerable are reflected in the long term development strategies.
Off To Save The World: How Julia Taft Made A Difference, by Ann Blackman, is the story of one of the top U.S. humanitarian relief experts who, over three decades, became a legend in her field. Julia Vadala Taft held positions in USAID, the State Department and the UN, and served as CEO of InterAction twice, from 1992-1997 and again in 2006. The book paints a mosaic of a witty, determined, hard-charging and idealistic woman who left her mark on the development community.
InterAction member Oxfam America will host a panel discussion on progress in Haiti on Monday, Jan. 9, at the Ronald Regan Building and International Trade Center in Washington, D.C.
Two years since the devastating earthquake, Haiti’s government has still not implemented comprehensive plans to address key issues of shelter; sustainable access to water, sanitation, and hygiene; and secure livelihoods. At the same time, donors have delivered only half of the promised reconstruction funds, missing UN humanitarian appeals.
Peace Corps is halting its programs in the Honduras and bringing volunteers home in January, the BBC reports. Volunteers in Guatemala and El Salvador will stay, however training to both of those countries has been cancelled.
Honduras currently has the highest murder rate in the world, and has been experiencing increasing violence connected to drug trafficking.
The embattled Ivorian President Alassane Outtara, has gained control of the parliament with his RDR party and an allied party winning roughly four fifths of the seats. The RDR party won 127 seats in the National Assembly, PDCI a closely aligned party, took 77 seats. Voter turnout was 36%.
Outtara took power in April, after winning a November 2010 election. Conflicts had consumed the capitol when former President Laurent Gbago refused to step down.
Submitted by Zoe Plaugher on Thu, 08/11/2011 - 6:06pm
With so many free social media and online tools, which are the best for development and humanitarian organizations? The workshop “Communicating on a shoestring: get your message out in tough economic times,” brought together a panel of communicators creating and using tools for development, humanitarian, and international advocacy.
