Global Scans · Poverty · Weekly Summary

WHAT'S NEXT?: Due to a deteriorating global economic outlook, more than 130 out of 189 countries will experience reduced income growth, with the average global GDP growth rate falling from 4.1 percent to 3.1 percent between 2011 and 2030. Almost all of the countries with large numbers remaining in extreme poverty in 2030 will be in sub-Saharan Africa or South Asia.

• [New] The risk of famine increases each day that there is intense fighting and a lack of humanitarian access to Gaza. The National
• [New] The House of Representatives on Saturday passed a bill that includes more than $14 billion in military aid to Israel and more than $9 billion in humanitarian aid, much of which will go to Gaza. Insider
• [New] House members will hold separate votes on four bills that represent $95bn in funding altogether - including roughly $26bn in aid for Israel, $61bn for Ukraine, $8bn for US allies in the Indo-Pacific region and $9bn in humanitarian assistance for civilians in war zones, such as Gaza. The Guardian
• [New] Top Biden administration officials, including President Joe Biden, have told Israeli officials they must do more immediately to address the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza or risk changes in US policy. CNN
• [New] The United Nations and partners now warn of imminent famine for more than 1 million people in Gaza as humanitarian workers urge Israel to loosen restrictions on the delivery of aid overland, the only way to meet soaring needs as some Palestinians forage for weeds to eat. Los Angeles Times
• [New] UN agencies and humanitarian aid groups have warned that many of Gaza's 2.4 million people are on the brink of famine, and donor countries have sporadically trucked in and airdropped food. Yahoo News
• [New] Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel has downplayed U.S. fears of a humanitarian catastrophe if Israel launches a planned ground invasion into Gaza's southernmost city, saying civilians would be able to flee the fighting into other parts of the war-torn territory. AP News
• [New] By harnessing the power of AI-driven innovation, Member States can unlock new opportunities for inclusive growth, enhance access to essential services, and address pressing global challenges such as poverty, inequality, and climate change. OpenGov Asia
• USAID teams have been working day and night to address the catastrophic humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where nearly the entire population is living under the threat of Famine. U.S. Agency for International Development
• The lack of food in Gaza - where the UN has warned of imminent famine - meant many sick and injured people were not strong enough to fight off infection or heal properly from their wounds. BBC News
• The UN and other agencies have reported a catastrophic humanitarian crisis in northern Gaza, where the threat of famine is imminent due to a lack of aid. CNN
• The international Freedom Flotilla Coalition will sail in mid April with multiple vessels, carrying 5500 tons of humanitarian aid and hundreds of international human rights observers to challenge the ongoing illegal Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip. Freedom Flotilla
• A total of 280,142 metric tons of humanitarian aid are expected to be distributed over the next three months, of which 251,384 metric tons through the Egypt corridor and 28,758 metric tons through the Jordan corridor. ReliefWeb
• Israel has pushed back on last month's UN-backed food security classification that warned of looming famine in northern Gaza, arguing that there is more food and water in Gaza than humanitarian workers have claimed. The Times of Israel
• The military is moving ahead with plans to build a pier off the Gaza coast to increase the delivery of humanitarian aid, and initial operations will probably be ready to start by the third week of this month. AP News
• People in Myanmar continue to face an unprecedented political, human rights and humanitarian crisis that is posing grave protection risks for civilians, limiting access to vital services including healthcare, safe water and education, and driving deep food insecurity. ReliefWeb
• Israel has been warned by several allies, including the United States and Germany, against launching an offensive in Rafah due to a worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza. DW.COM
• The US and its allies view a ceasefire as essential to allowing more humanitarian aid to get into Gaza amid fears of famine among the Palestinians there. Gulf Times
• The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has grown increasingly dire, with people facing extreme hunger and the World Health Organization declaring that parts of the Palestinian enclave could spiral into full-blown famine by May. The Washington Post
• The port of Ashodod, about 30 km from Gaza, will be used to increase humanitarian supplies into Gaza, and the Erez crossing will be reopened into northern Gaza, where there are concerns that famine is imminent. BBC News
• Biden indicates to Netanyahu during the call that Washington's policy regarding the war in Gaza will fundamentally change if Israel does not implement a series of concrete steps to address the humanitarian crisis and protect aid workers. The Times of Israel
• The humanitarian situation in war-torn Gaza has become so difficult that officials within the US government's Agency for International Development warned in an internal assessment that famine is likely already happening in parts of Gaza and deaths are likely to accelerate due to hunger. HuffPost UK
• The UK expects to see immediate action by Israel to end restrictions on humanitarian aid, deconflict with the UN and aid agencies, protect civilians and repair vital infrastructure like hospitals and water networks. Kent Online

Last updated: 26 April 2024