State councillors Nathalie Fontanet and Delphine Bachmann at a press conference at Geneva’s Hôtel de Ville, 12 February 2025. (Keystone/Martial Trezzini)

🛟Geneva to provide CHF 10m for NGOs reeling from US funding freeze. Cantonal authorities announced an action plan on Wednesday for international Geneva, including a CHF 10 million emergency aid package to help NGOs cope with the blow dealt by US president Donald Trump’s freeze on foreign assistance.

🇧🇩Former Bangladesh gov’t behind possible ‘crimes against humanity’, says UN. An inquiry by the UN human rights office requested by the interim authorities found that over 1,400 people were killed in the 45-day-long protest crackdown overseen by deposed leader Sheikh Hasina.

💼Danish Refugee Council announces ‘emergency termination’ of staff. Some 2,000 jobs – a quarter of its workforce – are in jeopardy, according to an internal announcement. This follows the Norwegian Refugee Council’s decision to suspend work in 20 countries.

🇺🇦Dismantling of US foreign aid plunges Ukraine into humanitarian and economic crisis. UN operations in the war-torn country, from human rights to humanitarian aid, have been heavily affected.

🌈ICYMI: UN migration agency expunges website of DEI catchphrases. References to sexual and reproductive health rights, gender-based violence, LGBTQ+, and diversity, equity, and inclusion have disappeared in a bid to see US funding restored after the review period.