CID Weekly: Global poverty warning, new Manaaki round and more.

+ Worlds poorest getting poorer

'Thousands could starve in the world’s most fragile states as the pandemic comes on top of existing crises, warns a new report which found aid workers are deeply pessimistic about the coming year,' reports Kaamil Ahmed in the UK Guardian

The survey of aid workers by the Disaster Emergency Committee (DEC) found that they believed humanitarian conditions were at their worst in a decade.

The report focused on Syria, Yemen, Somalia, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Afghanistan, as well as the Rohingya refugee camps in Bangladesh.

The number of people in Somalia requiring humanitarian assistance had risen by 700,000 but aid had been difficult to provide in some areas because of restrictions. He also said 190,000 children aged under one had missed their vaccinations last year.

+ PNG COVID systems at risk of failure

'There are holes in Papua New Guinea's COVID-19 quarantine systems, and "critical functions" at its pandemic control centre are "at risk of collapsing" because some staff haven't been paid, leaked documents reveal,' reports  Natalie Whiting at the ABC.

+ Most Syrian refugees suffer PTSD

More than three-quarters of Syrian refugees may be suffering serious mental health symptoms, 10 years after the start of the civil war, reports the UK Guardian.

Calls for more funding for mental health services are increasing.

A survey of 721 Syrians living in Lebanon, Turkey and in Idlib in Syria’s north-west found 84% had at least seven out of 15 key symptoms of PTSD.

According to Syria Relief’s report, only 15% of refugees in Lebanon say mental health support is available for them. Among displaced Syrians in Idlib the figure falls to 1%.

+ 'Does it matter if PIF falls apart?'

"If the vaunted “unity” of the Pacific is really so fragile to fall apart over a job application (Micronesian countries stormed out of the PIF when they didn't get the job of Secretary General), what chance does the Forum have to confront true challenges – like climate change?" writes Daniel Flitton of the Lowy Institute.

Read Jonathan Pryke's excellent summary of the PIF tiff here.

"(The rift) is incredibly damaging for Pacific regionalism and unity, the repercussions of which will be felt for years to come. The very fabric of Pacific regionalism looks to be tested unlike any time in recent history," says Jonathan Pryke.

"Outsiders can be forgiven for thinking the Pacific is a unified bloc, thanks to their prominent advocacy on climate change. (This rift) however, reveals just how divided the Pacific can be."

+ 3 ways to shift the power in governance

What are the key barriers within the international development system that we need to address to promote locally-led development?

UK BOND has come up with three key priorities:

• More inclusive and diverse Boards
• Pay local and international staff in-country in local currency
• Locally-led leadership culture 

+ Oxfam presents petition for 'People's Vaccine'

Last week, Green Party spokesperson on Human Rights and Foreign Affairs Golriz Ghahraman accepted a petition from Oxfam calling on a fair and equitable global distribution of a COVID-19 vaccine.

The petition calls for the Government to help developing nations access the Covid-19 vaccines, saying it’s "deeply disappointing" trade rules haven't been relaxed in order to assist.

"The sooner populations across the world are vaccinated, the sooner we will all be safe... We must ensure that this vaccine is the People's Vaccine,”

+ Ākina tool kit for social enterprises

Ākina has just launched a new set tools to help social enterprises start up and grow.

There are a range of short videos, case studies, short guides and templates covering subjects such as impact, mission lock, social procurement and impact investment.

+ New 'Manaaki' round announced

+ Raratonga in lockdown after NZ community cases

The largest of the Cook Islands has gone into lockdown in response to the latest community cases of Covid-19 in Auckland.

The Cook Islands Government ordered all bars and restaurants on the island to close on Saturday (Cook Islands time), cancelled all sports events and large gatherings, asked people to stay indoors, and ordered people to refrain from singing in churches, and social distance.

+ Covid-19 death in French Polynesia 

Another person has died in French Polynesia from Covid-19.

At the end of last week the death toll had reached 139, and there were 35 known active cases including 10 in hospital with six in intensive care.

Accumulated cases have reached nearly 18,400.

+ Vanuatu expecting slow vaccination rollout

Vanuatu health officials say the Covid-19 vaccination programme will take nearly three years to complete,.

The Daily Post reports that under the Ministry of Health's national deployment and vaccination plan, the first shots will be administered in April this year, but only the most vulnerable 20 percent of the population will get a jab in the first phase.

+ Watch CID Talk on Pacific Development 

Natia Tucker talked over Zoom about her recent research on Pacific Development.

Thank you to all who joined us for what was a very engaging and informative session!

You can watch the recording of Natia's CID Talk here.

You can also view Natia's research paper - 'Tatou o tagata folau. Pacific development through learning traditional voyaging on the waka hourua, Haunui'.

+ Register: CID Talk on Digital Connectivity in the Pacific

Join us virtually for a lunchtime CID Talk with Otago University's Darrin Brinsden, as he discusses his joint research with CID into digital access in the Pacific.

The findings of Darrin's research are sobering.

Digital access is patchy across the Pacific. Some countries like Vanuatu and Fiji have fast fibre optic connections, while others, like Niue and Tuvalu have slower satellite connection via mobile phones.

In some countries the cost of data is as much a barrier as the lack of up to date infrastructure. Understanding this digital ’tapestry’ across the Pacific will help INGOs and donors identify weaknesses, and work out the best platform, tool or application (app) to use, country by country when engaging and rolling out programmes with partners.

Date: Wednesday 10th March
Time: 12:00 - 1:00pm
Location: Online (Zoom)

For more details and to register, click here.

+ Registrations open for upcoming CID Training with Graham Teskey

We need to understand the political environment that we're working in if want to make long term change. But who and how do you influence? Why are reforms not implemented when it is clear to all that they are needed?

CID is hosting two workshop sessions where these questions will be examined through the lens of political economy analysis.

The workshops will be led by globally renowned governance expert, Graham Teskey from Abt Associates, and include presentations from MFAT.

Graham will share tools and techniques to get below the surface of things to help understand what is really going on and what drives individual and collective behaviour.

Dates: Wed 24th March & Thurs 25th March
Time: 12:00pm - 1:00pm (both days)
Location: Online (Zoom)

For more details and to register, click here.

+ SDG hui - sign up now

The online Hui - 'Be the change' will be held on Thursday, 25th March (7-9.30pm).

It is the second of 3 online hui preceding the SDG Summit in Ōtautahi Christchurch later this year. The series takes participants on a journey from individual to collective action we can take to tackle the issues of our time. 

Hui #2 will feature two parallel streams and will discuss how the SDGs can come alive within our own communities.

Stream A: 

• Panel 1: Ensure Sustainable Food Production Systems - this panel will engage the private and public sectors, as well as academics and mana whenua to speak about this highly contested yet very important topic for Aotearoa. 
• Workshop 1: How to implement the SDGs in your region: learning from Waikato 

• Te Tiriti o Waitangi and the SDGs - this panel will explore partnerships, specifically how Goal 17 potentially aligns with and complements Te Tiriti o Waitangi 
• Workshop 2: Growing Sustainability Culture in your Organisation: Sustainable Business Council 

Visit the official summit website or Facebook for more info. Tickets are $10 and $5 for youth under the age of 24. 

Get your ticket here.

+ Talking disability - BOND webinar

Exploring inclusive communciations

open discussion about how different organisations approach the language of inclusion and disability in their communications with the media and supporters. 
 

What you'll get:

• information and lessons on what works and doesn’t work
• knowledge and skills on communication style and language that you can practically apply to your work
• connect with colleagues and learn from peers about their work in this area

Register here.

+ Webinar: International Womens Day

The Royal Australian College of Surgeons Global Health will be hosting an online event to promote and celebrate International Women’s Day.

An opportunity to hear from leading female health professionals from the Pacific and shine a light on the challenges faced in accessing professional development opportunities, pathways, and barriers to career progression in the health workforce.

Register here.