Mounting violence forces one million to flee homes in Burkina Faso This is a summary of what was said by UNHCR spokesperson Babar Baloch – to whom quoted text may be attributed – at today's press briefing at the Palais des Nations in Geneva. https://www.unhcr.org/afr/news/briefing/2020/8/5f3b84914/mounting-violence-forces-million-flee-homes-burkina-faso.html

The High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, visited Beirut to support and listen to the plight of all those affected by the devastating blast. Beyond the immediate and longer-term impact of the tragic explosion of 4 August, UNHCR is concerned about the combined effect of a severe economic crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic in the country. These three factors together are harming the most vulnerable and poorest parts of the population throughout the country.

Developing nation debt has more than doubled in the past decade and left more than 50 countries facing a repayment crisis, according to a campaign group. Data from the Jubilee Debt Campaign shows that even without taking full account of the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, there has been a sharp jump in the number of poor countries in debt distress since 2018. Developing nation debt has more than doubled in the past decade and left more than 50 countries facing a repayment crisis, according to a campaign group. https://data.jubileedebt.org.uk/

New Guidelines for designing concept notes for comprehensive country responses using the graduation approach have been developed by the Poverty Alleviation Coalition’s “Technical Advisory Group”. Coordinated by the UNHCR HQ, this group consists of senior experts from BRAC, Concern Worldwide, HIAS, Trickle Up and World Vision. The guidelines, that are uploaded here, should serve as inspiration for country working groups developing responses rather than a strict set of rules to adhere by. The guidance includes a list of questions to ask, a checklist, budget guidance, template for the concept note, and a monitoring framework.

The European Investment Bank (EIB) and the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) are channeling €300 million (US$344 million) to sub-Saharan African countries to support recovery and resilience efforts in their COVID-19 responses. The package includes a reallocation of €200 million (US$229 million) toward sectors most impacted by the pandemic, as well as an additional €100 million (US$115 million) of new funds. The funds will go toward working capital for businesses to keep jobs and maintain imports. At least a quarter of the funds will be dedicated to climate action, some will help enable cross-border trade of medical supplies and equipment, and some will target businesses owned or managed by women. https://donortracker.org/policy-updates/eib-and-african-export-import-bank-provide-us344-million-financing-sub-saharan

In a press release, UNHCR welcomed Canada’s announcement to open pathways to permanent residency for asylum-seekers in the healthcare sector who have worked on the frontlines of the country’s COVID-19 response.

ETHIOPIA - UNHCR plants trees in refugee camps as part of #GreenLegacy. Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Initiative has given a new impetus to UNHCR’s environmental rehabilitation and reforestation programme to plant additional trees. So far during the current rainy season, UNHCR has coordinated the planting of over 755,000 multipurpose trees in the 26 refugee camps across the country, as well as in the neighbouring host community sites. This will continue during the rest of the rainy season. Earlier this month, UNHCR joined regional and local authorities, representatives of the government refugee agency – ARRA, NGO partners and refugees in planting a variety of tree seedlings at the Bambasi refugee camp in the Benishangul-Gumuz region. The camp shelters approximately 18,000 Sudanese refugees. https://reliefweb.int/report/ethiopia/unhcr-plants-trees-refugee-camps-part-greenlegacy

After the deadly and devastating blast in Beirut on 4 August, UNHCR rushes to support the government-led response. The list of more than 200 fatalities also includes at least 34 reported refugee victims so far. The massive explosion adds to the already severe economic crisis that had pushed many Lebanese and refugees deeper into poverty, further aggravated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The WB Fragility Forum 2020 is back – on your screen. Starting the week of June 8, the Fragility Forum Virtual Series will provide an online alternative to share practical solutions and concrete approaches to maximize the collective impact of humanitarian, development, security and peacebuilding actors to help prevent conflict, build resilience, and sustain peace. The Virtual Series covers the topics initially planned for the Forum, in line with the newly published World Bank Group Strategy for Fragility, Conflict, and Violence, with an added focus on the implications of COVID-19 in fragile and conflict-affected settings. The Forum will use various formats such as podcasts, experts' interviews, workshops, trainings and live events. https://www.worldbank.org/en/events/2020/03/02/fragility-forum-2020

Na’amal in cooperation with MIT ReACT, integrating their programming in skills training for remote work, professional mentorship as well as links to the remote private sector for internships and employment into their Data and Computer Science Certificate Program. Applications are open to all refugees and displaced people. https://react.mit.edu/apply/