Hello, I’m Jessica bringing you Geneva Solutions’ Peace and Humanitarian news coverage.

Today, we talk to the head of Geneva Centre of Humanitarian Studies about a new approach to educating aid workers around the globe. It’s two months since the Beirut explosion, and we check in with Swiss NGOs working to rebuild the city. And we take a look at Western governments’ interest in the overlooked conflict in the Sahel.

06.10.2020

Today’s reason for hope

A South Sudanese refugee collects water at Bidibidi refugee settlement in Yumbe district of Northern Uganda, 2017. Photo: UNHCR/Jiro Ose

Engineers from Uganda and Geneva teamed up to create a reliable, tech-based way to provide water to refugees living in UNHCR camps. Now their work has won a one million-euro prize from the European Commission’s European Innovation Council (EIC). UNHCR plans to use the money to expand the project beyond the five countries where it’s used today.

UNHCR (EN)

Peace and Humanitarian News

Stepping up to aid the Sahel. Western governments are pledging funds to Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, signaling an appetite to continue humanitarian funding in the teeth of a global recession.

Geneva Solutions (EN)

A new way of teaching new humanitarians. The Geneva Centre of Humanitarian Studies launches its updated take on humanitarian education.

Geneva Solutions (EN)

Swiss aid helps a still struggling Beirut. Swiss NGOs on the ground are still working to support the people of Beirut two months on from the blast.

Geneva Solutions (EN)

Here's what else is happening

COVID-19 is disrupting mental health services in most countries. The pandemic has disrupted or halted critical mental health services in 93% of countries worldwide, says the WHO.
WHO (EN)
UN urges need for peace in Libya. António Guterres has called on all those involved directly or indirectly in the Libya conflict to focus on reaching a ceasefire.
UN (EN)
Suicide bomber targets Afghan governor. A car bomber has targeted the convoy of a provincial governor in eastern Afghanistan, killing at least eight people, including four civilians.
Al Jazeera (EN)
Eight African migrants dead and several injured off Horn of Africa. More victims have been reported from the recent wave of people attempting the dangerous journey from Yemen.
IOM (EN)
Pandemic could cause 11 percent dive in GDP in Ecuador. The UNDP says the first Latin American country hit by COVID-19 needs support to recover.
UNDP (EN)

Image of the day

Credit: EPA/ David Ghahramanyan/ NKR Infocenter/ Pan Photo

A simmering territorial conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on 27 September and shows few signs of cooling down. This woman’s home was damaged after shelling by Azerbaijani artillery in the territory known as Nagorno-Karabakh.

Geneva Solutions (EN)

Next on the agenda

6 October | Online: Security and Law Webinar. The authors of Human Shields: A History of People in the Line of Fire will discuss 150 years of human shielding.

Geneva Centre for Security Policy (EN)

6-8 October | Online: Global CHS Exchange. What is the future of accountable aid, five years since the Core Humanitarian Standard (CHS) was created? This virtual conference will discuss.

Global CHS Exchange (EN)

8 - 9 October | Online: Annual Social Forum. Ways to combat poverty and inequality are the focus of this year’s annual gathering.

Human Rights Council (EN)

2 - 6 November | Online: Geneva Peace Week. This year’s theme is "rebuilding trust after disruption: pathways to reset international cooperation".

Geneva Peace Week (EN)

For more content from The New Humanitarian, visit thenewhumanitarian.org

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Have a good day!

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