Policy Updates

On May 3, 2024, Canada announced CAD65 million (US$48 million) in international assistance funding to Lebanon, including CAD38 million (US$28 million) in development assistance funding and CAD27 million (US$20 million) in humanitarian assistance funding.

The humanitarian assistance will help provide WASH services, health care including SRH services, and protection services including for survivors of SGBV.

The development funding includes:

• CAD20 million (US$15 million) to the UN FAO to improve the capacities of farmers and increase food security in response to climate change and economic shocks;
• CAD13 million (US$10 million) to UNDP to improve the economic security and prosperity of women-led micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises in sectors with high growth and export potential; and
• CAD5 million (US$4 million) to UN Women and UNDP to address barriers facing women’s representation in decision-making and leadership positions, specifically for women in parliament and municipal councils.

On April 25, 2024, JICA finalized a loan agreement with the Turkish government, amounting to JPY60 billion (US$389 million), aimed at supporting the Emergency Earthquake Disaster Reconstruction Project to respond to the earthquake that struck southeastern Türkiye in February 2023, causing widespread damage to critical WASH infrastructure, housing, and emergency services.

The reconstruction project encompasses a wide range of initiatives, including the restoration of damaged infrastructure and the construction of new facilities. It will focus on rebuilding water and sewage systems, constructing local housing units, establishing emergency medical-care stations, and procuring new ambulances. The project aims to not only stabilize the lives of affected residents but also foster sustainable social and economic development in the impacted regions.

On April 16, 2024, UK Deputy Foreign Minister Andrew Mitchell announced an additional GBP100 million (US$119 million) in humanitarian assistance to Ethiopia.

The funding is slated to be used to support Ethiopia’s access to primary healthcare services, support communities in becoming more climate resilient, and provide help for people displaced due to drought and extreme weather.

The pledge was made at the UK co-hosted Ethiopia pledging conference with OCHA. Ethiopia is facing one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises, with over 21 million requiring assistance, 15 million people facing food insecurity, and 4 million people internally displaced.

On April 15, 2024, Canadian Minister of International Development Ahmed Hussen participated in the International Humanitarian Conference for Sudan and its Neighbours, where he announced CAD132million (US$96 million) in international assistance funding to Sudan and neighbouring Central African Republic, Chad, Ethiopia, and South Sudan.

The announcement included nearly CAD101 million (US$73 million) in humanitarian assistance and nearly CAD32 million (US$23 million) in development assistance amid the ongoing armed conflict in Sudan. The funding is slated to provide crisis-affected people with emergency health services, food and nutrition assistance, protection services for gender-based violence survivors, and other assistance including shelter, water, and sanitation services. The development assistance will support critical programming in SRHR and education infrastructure.

On April 4, 2024, Japan and Pakistan formalized additional grant agreements totaling approximately US$10 million for climate and hleath related projects.

Installation of Meteorological Radar in Sukkur City saw funding increase from JPY2 billion (US$13 million) to JPY2.8 billion (US$18 million). The grant Expansion of Maternal and Child Health Facilities in Sindh Province increased from JPY3.4 billion (US$22 million) to JPY4.1 billion (US$27 million). These adjustments reflected the necessity to address rising equipment costs and enhance the impact of these initiatives.

The meteorological radar project is slated to respond to Pakistan’s vulnerability to frequent natural disasters, including floods and landslides. With its geographical features making it prone to such calamities, Pakistan faces significant challenges in disaster management. The project aims to bolster the country’s disaster preparedness by installing a modern meteorological radar system in Sukkur City, located in Sindh Province. This upgrade will enhance Pakistan’s ability to monitor weather patterns accurately, issue timely warnings, and implement effective disaster risk reduction strategies.

The MNCH project is slated to address critical gaps in healthcare infrastructure, particularly in maternal and child health services. Pakistan’s healthcare system, especially in Sindh Province, faces challenges in providing adequate maternal and child care, leading to high maternal and infant mortality rates. The project focuses on establishing a new maternal and child health center and upgrading medical equipment at Liaquat University Hospital in Hyderabad, Sindh Province. By strengthening diagnostic and treatment capabilities, this initiative aims to improve healthcare access and outcomes for mothers and children in Pakistan, contributing to the country’s overall health system resilience and development.

On April 3, 2024, due to deepening humanitarian needs in Lebanon, USAID announced an additional US$67 million in assistance to the people of Lebanon and Syrian refugees in the region.

The resources are slated to provide food, WASH, health care, and psychosocial and humanitarian support.

The ongoing humanitarian crises in the region have been exacerbated by the conflict in Gaza, which has internally displaced 91,000 Lebanese people. Food assistance will be delivered through the WFP. Health services will be provided through International Medical Corps and Relief International.

USAID, which already has provided over US$202 million in food assistance in FYs 2022 and 2023, called upon other donors to help meet the needs of the most vulnerable as demand outpaces resources.

On April 3, 2024, Oxfam Canada reported that people in northern Gaza are surviving on an average of 245 calories of food per day and called on the Canadian government to put greater pressure on Israel to support critical international assistance access for civilians.

The availability of food for Gazans at the time of reporting represented less than 12% of the recommended daily intake needed and is resulting in an imminent famine in the region. The situation is exacerbated by Israeli blockades that prevent the majority of food trucks entering Gaza from reaching civilians.

Oxfam Canada’s Executive Director Lauren Ravon stated that Israel is ignoring both the International Court of Justice order to prevent genocide as well as recent UN Security Council resolutions. She asserted that Canada must step up its pressure by immediately suspending all arms export permits to Israel to secure an immediate ceasefire and prevent famine.

Oxfam called for a permanent ceasefire, the return of all hostages, and access to humanitarian assistance to restore nutritious food systems, health services, and water and sanitation infrastructure for Palestinian civilians.

On March 28, 2024, UK Minister for Development and Africa Andrew Mitchell committed to increasing humanitarian ODA to Sudan to GBP89 million (US$106 million) in 2024/25 in the face of growing humanitarian need in the region.

The commitment was made by Mitchell while on a trip to Chad, where he acknowledged the growing number of refugees from Sudan arriving in the country.

Some of the funding is slated to go to UNICEF for emergency and life-saving food assistance and nutrition, water and hygiene services for 500,000 children and to support survivors of gender-based violence. The funding will also support the WFP to provide assorted food commodities, including cereals, pulses, oils, and salt for thousands of people.

On March 28, 2024, France announced it will host the next edition of the Nutrition for Growth Summit in Paris on March 27 and 28, 2025.

The summit aims to mobilize the international community, including private actors and civil society, in favor of nutrition and to achieve the UN SDGs.The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated in the announcement that malnutrition problems are worsening worldwide, including undernutrition, food deficiencies and obesity.

France announced its continued commitment to nutrition through its international strategy for food security, nutrition, and sustainable agriculture from 2019-2024. It highlighted concrete actions to improve the nutrition of vulnerable populations, including food assistance, the Muskoka Initiative on Maternal and Child Health, and the actions of the AFD in the health, agriculture, and WASH sectors.

On March 27, 2024, Sida announced the cessation of its agreements with about 20 CSOs by the end of 2024.

The move is part of a broader shift towards a new ODA distribution model emphasizing a more open and competitive application process, slated to commence on January 1, 2025. This restructuring was a direct response to governmental mandates aiming to enhance the efficiency and reach of Swedish development assistance.

The abrupt end to these longstanding partnerships sparked a wave of concern and criticism among the affected organizations and their global partners. With a current budget of SEK1.8 billion (US$15 million), these strategic partnerships were a cornerstone of Sweden's development assistance, extending support to nearly 2,000 organizations worldwide. The collaborations spanned a diverse array of sectors, including labor unions, faith-based groups, environmental advocates, and human rights organizations, primarily targeting support in low- and middle-income nations.

Critics, including CONCORD Sweden, argued that the sudden shift jeopardizes the sustainability of critical development projects and undermines the implementation of ongoing initiatives. This, according to critics, not only threatens the continuity of vital programs but also risks the effective use of Swedish taxpayer contributions to global development.