Joana, a 60-year-old woman from Northern Mozambique, transformed her life and those of her four nephews and nieces by starting a food and drink business with the help of a cash transfer programme funded by the Austrian Development Agency, highlighting the profound impact of community support and resilience.

This article shows how on World Toilet Day, November 19, 2024, World Vision, in collaboration with the Nyanga and Kitangua health zones in DR Congo’s Kasai province, organised an event to raise awareness about the importance of hygiene and sanitation. More than 150 participants participated in workshops and discussions on promoting clean and functional sanitation facilities. The event was part of the USAID-funded GAINS-TUYA KUMPALA project, which aims to improve the region's sanitation, food security, and health.

This study “Public protection system in Ukraine: Oblast level mapping, assessment and services research” is made possible by the generous support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) under Grant Agreement: Providing multi-sectoral humanitarian assistance to conflict-affected populations in Ukraine (2023-2024)” lead by Acted.

In the last ten days, the conflict in Lebanon has seen intensified attacks across the country. On World Children’s Day, Lebanon mourned the tragic killing of 200 children since the escalation, underscoring the profound human cost of this crisis. Negotiations have resumed in an effort to reach a ceasefire. At the moment, no agreement has been confirmed, and hostilities continue unabated. Amid these negotiations, heavy bombings have escalated to unprecedented levels. Recent airstrikes targeted highly populated neighbourhoods without prior evacuation orders in central Beirut—Basta, Mar Elias, and Zokak el-Blat—areas sheltering internally displaced families. These strikes killed 48 people, injured over 150, and displaced hundreds of families for a second time. In southern Lebanon, entire villages have been destroyed, leaving critical infrastructure—water, sanitation, and electricity systems—completely inoperable. Heavy bombings in Tyre, Baalbek, Hermel and Beirut’s suburbs have further deepened the destruction. Economic and physical damages are now estimated at $8.5 billion, and even with a ceasefire, it will take at least a year of repairs before families can return home. Over 170,000 people face imminent job losses due to the destruction of infrastructure and livelihoods. According to Lebanon’s Ministry of Public Health, as of 24 November, 3,754 people have been killed, including at least 230 children, and more than 15,626 have been injured.

Jordan is recognized for its stability in a turbulent region. The country hosts over 1.3 million Syrian refugees - representing nearly 15% of Jordan’s total population - making it the second-highest host country of refugees per capita in the world. Jordan has demonstrated a commitment to providing refuge for those fleeing conflict. While not a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention, Jordan has maintained a favourable protection environment for refugees, ensuring fundamental human rights through national frameworks. The country has also included refugees in critical sectors such as education, health care, and even the national COVID-19 health response and vaccination program. However, the protracted nature of the Syrian Crisis and regional dynamics have strained Jordan’s resources and infrastructure. Since 2015, The government-led Jordan Response Plan (JRP) has helped guide the partnership between the country and the international community as it responds to the Syrian Crisis in Jordan. Jordan’s policy towards refugees has mainly been inclusive, with the government taking steps to provide free work permits to Syrian refugees and adjusting the legal framework for Syrian-owned home-based businesses. Despite these positive steps, challenges remain, especially in employment where women and youth are disproportionately affected. The 2023 strategic objectives emphasize humanitarian-development coherence, reinforcing protection principles, and aligning with Jordan’s development goals. The focus is on integrating the needs of all vulnerable populations into national recovery plans, enhancing self-reliance, and building the capacity of national institutions. The aim is to transition the refugee population to economic opportunities, strengthen data analysis for evidencebased planning, and ensure refugee inclusion in national systems.

Breaking Traditions: Ethiopia’s Fight Against Child Marriage

Dominican Republic Brief

At A glance: Number of People Reached as of August 2024 Ukraine - 1,257,709  Moldova - 374,302  Romania - 334,293  Georgia - 31,164 

Fighting Early Marriage: Mozambique's Commitment to Protecting Girls