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	International School Meals Day by Yasmine Sherif Director, Education Cannot Wait, agencies   Statement of International School Meals Day by Education Cannot Wait Director Yasmine Sherif:   Millions of children worldwide are going hungry, and we all know that hungry children cannot learn. On International School Meals Day, we are calling on donors to significantly scale-up funding for school feeding to ensure every child can go to school, every child can access at least one nutritious meal a day, and every child can concentrate, develop and achieve.   Our investment in school meals saves lives through education in emergencies. It also offers significant economic returns that pave the way for strong economies and increased global security.   In fact, according to the World Food Programme (WFP) State of School Feeding Worldwide Report, every dollar invested in school meals has a $9 return. These returns cut across numerous sectors, including agriculture, education, health and nutrition, and social protection.   The benefits for learners are significant. According to WFP: “Every day, over 100 million children in low- and lower-middle-income countries are going hungry. Millions go to school on an empty stomach – hunger affects their concentration and ability to learn.   There are also millions – particularly girls – who simply do not go to school because their families need them to help in the fields or perform domestic duties. In conflict-affected countries, children are twice as likely to be out of school than their peers in stable countries – 2.5 times more likely, in the case of girls.”   Investing in healthy school meals – especially in crisis contexts – is an investment in local economies and an investment in local human capital. It’s an investment in the future engineers, teachers and technicians that will drive positive change to end repeated cycles of hunger, displacement and poverty.   Working together with partners, Education Cannot Wait provides investments each year in school feeding.   In Ethiopia, ECW investments reached around 100,000 children through school feeding programmes. Recognizing that poverty was a crucial factor keeping children out of school, the programme involved families and community members to manage the programme and provide in-kind contributions like building kitchen houses or providing firewood to cook the hot meals.   In Cameroon and Haiti, ECW funding delivered by WFP is focused on local procurement from smallholder farmers. This not only ensures nutritious meals for young learners, but also strengthens the local food system and local economy.   In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, over 39,000 students in 69 schools have received nutritious meals through an ECW-funded programme delivered by UNICEF.   The needs are skyrocketing. With ongoing conflicts in places like the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Sudan creating ripple effects across Africa – and indeed across the globe – we must ensure that school meals in education investments remain at the top of the international humanitarian funding agenda.   Education Cannot Wait connects across various sectors to accelerate the collective impact of humanitarian funding. Together, we can keep hope alive for the 234 million crisis-impacted children that urgently need our support.   http://www.educationcannotwait.org/news-stories/directors-corner/our-investment-in-school-meals-our-investment-in-education http://www.wfp.org/school-meals http://schoolmealscoalition.org/why-school-meals http://schoolmealscoalition.org/stories/brazils-minister-wellington-dias-school-meals-key-ending-hunger-and-poverty http://schoolmealscoalition.org/stories http://policybasket.endhungerandpoverty.org/index.php/School_meals_programmes http://odi.org/en/publications/school-feeding-and-the-sustainable-development-goals-an-agenda-to-combat-child-hunger-boost-education-transform-food-systems-and-strengthen-equity/ http://tinyurl.com/4kk573hy Visit the related web page
	UN regrets US exit from global cooperation on health by UN News, BMJ, Doctors without Borders, agencies   Apr. 2025   The World Health Organization (WHO) issues warning on health service disruptions reported in 70% of its surveyed country offices as a result of sudden suspensions and reductions in official development assistance (ODA) for health.   The findings, based on rapid WHO assessment of the fast-evolving situation, raise concern for potentially deeper and prolonged effects on health systems and services across the world, especially in vulnerable and fragile settings. This requires urgent action and international response.   The stock take conducted in March–April 2025 with 108 WHO country offices, primarily in low- and lower-middle-income countries, shows that 24% of WHO Country Office responses indicate budget cuts are already translating into increased out-of-pocket payments. The poor and vulnerable likely bearing the additional brunt of these impacts.   “These results paint a worrying picture about the impact of the sudden and unplanned cuts to aid on the health of millions of people,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “These cuts are a shock, with Many countries are seeking WHO’s support to cope with the disruptions".   Key findings from the stock take show the following.   The suspensions and reductions in ODA are disrupting all health system functions, with the most frequently reported impacts being on health emergency preparedness and response (70%), public health surveillance (66%), service provision (58%), humanitarian aid (56%), and the health and care workforce (54%).   Health services are being disrupted across the board in at least one third of the responding countries, with high levels of disruptions reported in outbreak detection and response, malaria, HIV, tuberculosis, sexually transmitted infections, family planning, and maternal and child health services.   The nature and scale of service disruptions are comparable to those observed during the peak periods of the COVID-19 pandemic in some settings.   Critical shortages in the availability of medicines and health products are leaving one third of responding countries without commodities for major service areas. The pause in ODA has led to job losses for health and care workers in over half of responding countries, and significant disruptions to trainings.   Information systems are particularly impacted as key health data collection is disrupted. Over 40% of countries experienced disruptions to key information systems, including collaborative surveillance and emergency systems, health management information systems, disease-specific reporting systems, lab information systems, and household/population surveys.   Eighty-one of the 108 WHO country offices have expressed the need for support across a broad range of health areas, including funding and resource mobilization, technical assistance and support.   http://www.who.int/publications/m/item/the-impact-of-suspensions-and-reductions-in-health-official-development-assistance-on-health-systems http://www.justsecurity.org/114839/us-foreign-aid-cuts-world-must-respond/   Mar. 2025   Funding cuts jeopardize global fight against tuberculosis, WHO warns. (UN News)   The UN World Health Organization (WHO) warns that severe funding cuts – particularly in the United States – are threatening decades of progress in the fight against tuberculosis (TB), still the world’s deadliest infectious disease.   The health agency highlighted that essential prevention, testing and treatment services are collapsing, leaving millions at risk.   The hardest-hit regions include Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Western Pacific, where national TB programmes depend heavily on international support.   “Any disruption to TB services – whether financial, political or operational – can have devastating and often fatal consequences for millions worldwide,” said Tereza Kasaeva, Director of WHO Global Programme on TB and Lung Health.   Last week, UN Secretary-General António Guterres also raised the alarm over funding cuts, noting the immediate impact on key health programmes combatting HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and cholera.   Over the past two decades, global TB programmes have saved more than 79 million lives, averting approximately 3.65 million deaths last year alone.   A significant portion of this success has been driven by US Government funding, which has provided about $200 to $250 million annually – approximately a quarter of the total international donor funding secured. The US has been the largest bilateral donor for programmes combatting the disease.   However, newly announced cuts for 2025 through executive orders will have devastating impacts on TB response efforts in at least 18 high-burden countries, where 89 per cent of expected US funding was allocated for patient care. The impact will be particularly devastating in Africa, where treatment disruptions and staff layoffs could exponentially increase TB transmission rates.   Early reports from TB-affected countries indicate that funding constraints are already dismantling essential health services.   Among the most pressing concerns are health worker layoffs, drug shortages and supply chain breakdowns, data and surveillance systems are collapse, and disruptions to TB research and funding.   “Without immediate action, hard-won progress in the fight against TB is at risk. Our collective response must be swift, strategic and fully resourced to protect the most vulnerable and maintain momentum toward ending TB,” urged Dr. Kasaeva.   http://www.who.int/news/item/20-03-2025-who-calls-for-urgent-action-to-address-worldwide-disruptions-in-tuberculosis-services-putting-millions-of-lives-at-risk http://www.who.int/news/item/07-04-2025-aid-cuts-threaten-fragile-progress-in-ending-maternal-deaths-un-agencies-warn http://www.who.int/news/item/26-03-2025-new-study-highlights-the-potential-impact-of-funding-cuts-on-the-hiv-response http://www.who.int/news/item/25-03-2025-decades-of-progress-in-reducing-child-deaths-and-stillbirths-under-threat--warns-the-united-nations http://www.msf.org/after-first-100-days-us-aid-budget-cuts http://www.msf.org/msf-calls-sustained-investments-fight-against-tuberculosis-children http://www.emro.who.int/afg/afghanistan-news/eighty-percent-of-who-supported-facilities-in-afghanistan-risk-shutdown-by-june.html   Mar. 2025   U.S. to End Vaccine Funding for Poor Children. (NYT, agencies)   The Trump administration intends to terminate the United States’ financial support for Gavi, the organization that has helped purchase critical vaccines for children in developing countries, saving millions of lives over the past quarter century, and to significantly scale back support for efforts to combat malaria, one of the biggest killers globally.   Gavi is estimated to have saved the lives of 19 million children since it was set up 25 years ago with the US contributing 13% of its budget, the New York Times said.   The terminated U.S. grant to Gavi was worth $2.6 billion through 2030. Gavi was counting on a pledge made last year by President Joseph R. Biden Jr. for its next funding cycle.   New vaccines with the promise to save millions of lives in low-income countries, such as one to protect children from severe malaria and another to protect teenage girls against the virus that causes cervical cancer, have recently become available, and Gavi was expanding the portfolio of support it could give those countries.   The loss of U.S. funds will set back the organization’s ability to continue to provide its basic range of services — such as immunization for measles and polio — to children in the poorest countries, let alone expand to include new vaccines.   By Gavi’s own estimate, the loss of U.S. support may mean 75 million children do not receive routine vaccinations in the next five years, with more than 1.2 million children dying as a result.   Dr. Sania Nishtar, Gavi’s chief executive, said that she hoped the Trump administration would reconsider the decision to end its support. Gavi’s work keeps people everywhere, including Americans, safe, she said. In addition to protecting individual children, vaccination reduces the possibility of large outbreaks. The organization maintains global stockpiles for vaccines against diseases such as Ebola and cholera, deploying them in rapid response efforts for epidemics.   “The US has historically been one of Gavi’s biggest donors and I hope that longstanding champions on Capitol Hill will urge the administration to reverse course,” said Janeen Madan Keller, policy fellow and deputy director of the global health policy program at the Center for Global Development.   “Gavi is one of the most impactful global health initiatives. We know that vaccinating children is one of the most cost-effective ways to improve health and save lives – which is exactly why Gavi has enjoyed bipartisan support to date.   “This latest move will turn back years of hard-won progress and stymie Gavi’s efforts to stop the spread of infectious disease outbreaks before they reach the US border.”   Mark Suzman’s CEO of the Gates Foundation said:   "I am deeply disturbed by news reports that the U.S. Administration is considering withdrawing its support for Gavi. If true, and if Congress allows this to happen, the impacts will be devastating, including possibility of hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of preventable deaths, especially among mothers and children. We are going to do everything possible to convince the Administration and the Congress to reverse these actions".   Dr Austin Demby, health minister of Sierra Leone, told the New York Times he was shocked by the decision. “This is not just a bureaucratic decision, there are children’s lives at stake, global health security will be at stake,” he said.   http://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/26/health/usaid-cuts-gavi-bird-flu.html http://www.gavi.org/our-alliance/about http://www.gavi.org/news/media-room/statement-global-high-level-summit-support-gavi-replenishment http://www.cgdev.org/article/statement-janeen-madan-keller-response-trump-administrations-decision-cut-funds-gavi http://www.gatesfoundation.org/ideas/media-center/press-releases/2025/03/us-gavi-withdrawal http://www.who.int/news/item/24-04-2025-increases-in-vaccine-preventable-disease-outbreaks-threaten-years-of-progress--warn-who--unicef--gavi   * 2025 report of the Lancet Countdown to 2030 for women's, children's, and adolescents' health: tracking progress on health and nutrition: http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(25)00151-5/abstract http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(25)00558-6/abstract   21 Jan. 2025   The US withdrawal from the World Health Organization: a global health crisis in the making. (British Medical Journal)   In a major blow to global health, the US administration has announced plans to withdraw from the World Health Organization.   Kent Buse, professor of health policy, Larry Gostin, distinguished professor of global health law, Martin McKee, professor of European public health and colleagues propose urgent actions for the international community to mitigate the damage.   When the previous Trump administration announced its withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO), the decision sent shockwaves throughout the world. While that decision was reversed by the incoming Biden administration, Trump has done it again. And this time around, he has sufficient time to complete the 12 month withdrawal process.   This severing of ties between the world’s largest economy and its foremost public health body represents a major setback for health diplomacy, scientific collaboration, and funding. The repercussions will ripple across borders, leaving WHO weaker and the US isolated when global health challenges demand unity.   For decades, WHO has stood as a beacon of international cooperation, coordinating outbreak responses, fostering scientific exchange, setting norms, and providing invaluable technical assistance. The benefits of membership are immense, including disease surveillance, health system strengthening, and health diplomacy.   The US helped create WHO and has been a core funder and leader for over 75 years. Historically, the US has been the world’s largest global health funder, supporting programmes to fight AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, pandemic preparedness and response, and to improve maternal and child health. Its withdrawal undermines not just WHO’s finances and programmes, but also America’s influence and standing in the world.   Withdrawal from WHO does not “Make America Healthy Again,” but severely diminishes American influence and standing in the world, while threatening its national interests and population health. As the WHO loses funding and expertise from perhaps its most prominent member, we ask how the global health community can support its continued effectiveness and resilience. We see three major pillars, where concerted action could support WHO.   The first is the narrative. Public health organisations, researchers, and civil society organisations must defend WHO and demonstrate its essential role in global health. Given President Trump’s populist instincts, much of this advocacy will fall to US scientists and organisations, emphasising the long term benefits of WHO to the US population.   The main audience should not be the new administration, many of whose members are sceptical of international organisations and science itself. Even those who do understand the importance of the US engaging in world affairs have strongly criticised WHO.   In the United States, public health is primarily a state function. State leaders, the media, and civil society should highlight the singular damage that will be done to health at home and abroad. This would lay the ground for broad support for an eventual reversal of this decision, whether by this administration or a future one.   The second is money. During Trump’s first term when he announced his intention to withdraw from WHO, several European countries helped fill the void in funding and leadership. This is unlikely to happen this time, given political realities facing the leading donors, the European Union, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom.   Moreover, the problems will likely be exacerbated if the Trump administration reduces funding to other global organisations in the health and development sectors. We especially envisage a major reduction of funding for sexual and reproductive health.   Philanthropic organisations and wealthy individuals may be able to bridge some of the funding gaps, but it is unrealistic to expect them to replace the US. The newly expanded BRICS nations have a poor track record in funding multilateral organisations.   Still, many have the capacity to significantly increase funding, especially with non-earmarked grants to WHO, including Brazil, China, India, and South Africa. The Gulf States have enormous financial capacities and should step up to support WHO, especially given their interest in addressing the health challenges in the Middle East. Their investments would demonstrate a shared commitment to global health security.   Beyond increased funding, governments can directly support WHO by seconding public health experts to the organisation. This would offset potential staffing shortages while ensuring continued technical collaboration between WHO and its member states.   The third is the exchange of scientific knowledge. If direct US engagement remains limited, informal channels must be explored. Many American organisations have existing links to WHO, either in their own right or as part of global bodies. Dozens of Collaborating Centres in universities, hospitals, research institutions, and laboratories are active in supporting WHO.   WHO might usefully review its network of Collaborating Centres in the US, identifying ways to strengthen them. US based collaborating centres and other sympathetic entities could serve as intermediaries, facilitating collaboration between US experts and their global counterparts.   Nor must we forget the abundant risks to those promoting global public health in the US. Many American universities, which host many collaborating centres, may themselves face serious threats from the new administration whose members have portrayed them as bastions of a “woke” elite.   The global community will also have to contend with a vast increase in disinformation and science scepticism, which foment distrust in public health, including WHO. Public health agencies in the US are now being led by individuals with few qualifications who question basic scientific principles.   The threat to WHO and global health have perhaps never been greater. It is vital that the international community stand up to support a robust and resilient World Health Organization. http://www.bmj.com/content/388/bmj.r116   Jan. 2025   United Nations Foundation President and CEO Elizabeth Cousens on the U.S. withdrawal from the World Health Organization:   “Since the U.S. helped establish the World Health Organization nearly eight decades ago, WHO has proved a vital contributor to global stability, security, and prosperity — preventing the spread of infectious disease, coordinating response to health emergencies, and standing up global health initiatives that have saved millions of lives.   For less than the annual budget of some U.S. state health departments, WHO has led efforts to eradicate smallpox, eliminate malaria in numerous countries, immunize millions across the world from measles, polio, and other communicable diseases, and reduce child mortality, among many other accomplishments.   The U.S. also enjoys an outsized voice in WHO — with more Americans than any other nationality in leadership positions, and more UN procurement dollars flowing to the U.S. for medical products than to any other country. This critical work that impacts ordinary Americans creates an opportunity for the U.S. to use the coming months to engage WHO on precisely the issues that matter most to the health of Americans everywhere, and exercise leadership that will benefit Americans and the world.   “Everyday Americans, like citizens of any country, should always get a strong and convincing argument for why their government’s foreign policy serves their interests and values. Active U.S. investment in international institutions, like the UN, is in the interest of every American because it gives American values and influence unparalleled reach and is a surefire way to strengthen relationships with friends and allies worldwide, on climate, health, and many other issues".   Avril Benoit, CEO of Doctors Without Borders/Medecins Sans Frontieres in the United States (MSF USA):   "President Trump's decision to withdraw from the WHO could have life-threatening consequences for people in the humanitarian contexts where we work as well as in the US. The WHO plays a vital role in coordinating global medical research and information sharing, helping governments respond to urgent public health crises, and stopping the spread of disease outbreaks.   The US has long benefited from extraordinary leverage within the World Health Organization, as its largest financial backer and a major source of expertise. By choosing to cut off support for the WHO, the US would be relinquishing its ability to influence critical global health policies, including those related to preventing future public health emergencies.   Instead of playing politics with public health, the US should be strengthening its leadership on global health matters and working to ensure a safer, healthier future. The World Health Organization has led eradication efforts for some of history's cruelest diseases, including smallpox and polio—and plans to eliminate a further 20 diseases by 2030. As we see in our medical projects in more than 70 countries, disease knows no borders. We all benefit from international collaboration to confront global health challenges, share knowledge and expertise, and develop new medical tools and treatments.”   http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/latest/msf-statement-us-decision-withdraw-who http://www.gatesfoundation.org/ideas/media-center/press-releases/2025/01/us-withdrawal-world-health-organization http://www.cgdev.org/blog/26-countries-are-most-vulnerable-us-global-health-aid-cuts-can-other-funders-bridge-gap http://www.cgdev.org/blog/tuberculosis-doesnt-respect-borders-us-aid-cuts-could-fuel-global-health-crisis http://africacdc.org/news-item/africa-cdc-urges-immediate-action-to-protect-lives-amid-escalating-health-and-security-crises/ http://oneill.law.georgetown.edu/global-health-in-crisis-an-analysis-of-us-spending-on-life-saving-health-programs/ http://peoplesmedicines.org/resources/media-releases/pma-statement-renewing-our-vision-in-the-face-of-global-health-crisis/   21 Jan. 2025   UN regrets US exit from global cooperation on health. (UN News)   “The WHO regrets the announcement that the United States of America intends to withdraw from the Organization… We hope the United States will reconsider,” said WHO spokesperson Tarik Jasarevic, hours after the new President signed an executive order at the White House, bringing US involvement in the UN agency to an end in 12 months.   The US joined WHO in 1948 after a joint resolution was passed by both chambers of Congress. The resolution requires the country to provide one year’s notice to leave the organization. President Trump took steps to withdraw from the WHO in 2020 during his first term – but the move was reversed by the Biden administration.   Responding to journalists’ questions in Geneva, Mr. Jasarevic insisted that WHO “plays a crucial role in protecting the health and security of the world’s people, including Americans, by addressing the root causes of disease, building stronger health systems, and detecting, preventing and responding to health emergencies, including disease outbreaks, often in dangerous places where others cannot go.”   Asked about the impact of the US withdrawal, Mr. Jasarevic pointed out that he saw the executive order “this morning like everyone else” and that further analysis will be needed. He confirmed that the US was WHO’s largest single donor, accounting for 18 per cent of the agency’s budget in 2023.   UN humanitarian affairs office (OCHA) spokesperson Jens Laerke highlighted the UN health agency’s importance, saying that “the world lives longer, healthier, perhaps a little bit happier because of WHO. “The World Health Organization is in places where others cannot go,” Mr. Laerke said. “It is an indispensable part of the international humanitarian system.”   http://news.un.org/en/story/2025/01/1159266 http://www.who.int/news/item/21-01-2025-who-comments-on-united-states--announcement-of-intent-to-withdraw http://www.who.int/news/item/28-01-2025-who-statement-on-potential-global-threat-to-people-living-with-hiv   Jan. 2025   WHO launches US$ 1.5 billion Health Emergency Appeal to tackle unprecedented global health crises.   Conflict, climate change, epidemics, and displacement are converging to create an unparalleled global health crisis, with 305 million people in urgent need of humanitarian assistance in 2025. In response, the World Health Organization (WHO) is calling for US$ 1.5 billion for its 2025 Health Emergency Appeal (HEA), to support life-saving health interventions worldwide.   The appeal, launched by WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, outlines the critical priorities and resources needed to address 42 ongoing health emergencies, including 17 Grade 3 crises – the most severe emergencies requiring the highest level of response. With health systems stretched to their limits and global financial resources dwindling, the US$ 1.5 billion are needed to help people facing the most difficult situations.   “Conflicts, outbreaks, climate-related disasters and other health emergencies are no longer isolated or occasional – they are relentless, overlapping and intensifying,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. "This appeal is about enabling WHO to save lives, protect the right to health, and provide hope where there is none.”   WHO is committed to delivering emergency health assistance, including in conflict zones such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the occupied Palestinian territory and Sudan.   WHO’s response in emergencies is aligned with wider humanitarian efforts and prioritizes providing essential care and medical supplies; treating malnutrition and supporting maternal and child health; conducting vaccination campaigns to prevent disease outbreaks; and offering mental health support to populations impacted by trauma.   The Appeal highlights four key challenges facing the world currently: climate change, conflict, displacement and disease outbreaks. These are responsible for fueling deeper, longer lasting health crises and putting the world’s most vulnerable at greater risk.   With the support of donors and partners, WHO aims to fulfill its unique role in health emergencies, while upholding the principles of international humanitarian law, ensuring that no one is left behind even in the most challenging circumstances.   This appeal is about more than just funding – it is a call to action. As crises grow more frequent and severe, the gap between global needs and available resources continues to widen. Supporting WHO’s Health Emergency Appeal is a vital investment in global solidarity and health equity.   http://www.who.int/news/item/16-01-2025-who-launches-us-1.5-billion-health-emergency-appeal-to-tackle-unprecedented-global-health-crises Visit the related web page
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