News


War-Related Damage to Environment Devastating for Health, Well-Being, Secretary-General Says in International Observance Message

Nov 6, 2017 | UN

War is a dirty business.  Smoke plumes from burning oil wells, looted industrial facilities, abandoned munitions and collapsed buildings are among the hallmarks of conflict.…


Governments Can No Longer Ignore War’s Impact on People - and Planet

Nov 6, 2017 | Doug Weir

Since its inception in 2001, the United Nations' International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict on November 6th has mainly…


When the Sheep Turn Black, War's Toxic Legacy Can No Longer Be Ignored

Nov 6, 2017 | Erik Solheim

The smoke that billowed from the burning oil fields was so thick it blocked out the sun. By the time I reached Qayyarah, where Islamic State fighters…


Protect Environment from Wars and Conflicts, UN Urges on International Day

Nov 6, 2017 | UN

Commemorating the international day for lessening the impact of armed conflicts and wars on the environment, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres underscored the need to…


Afghanistan: Afghan National Saffron Conference Held in Kabul

Nov 6, 2017 | Zhou Xin, Xinhua

A national saffron conference was held in Afghanistan's capital Kabul on Monday, aiming at creating jobs, particularly for the women, in the poverty-stricken country. "Fortunately,…


Iraq/Kurdistan: Iraq Cabinet Plans to Cut Kurdistan Share in 2018 Federal Budget

Nov 6, 2017 | Ahmed Rasheed and Raya Jalabi, Reuters

Iraq’s cabinet proposed on Sunday to slash the Kurdish share of the country’s revenue in the 2018 federal budget, a move that Kurdish officials said…


DRC: DRC’s State Mining Company Hiding Revenues – Carter Center

Nov 6, 2017 | Martin Creamer, Mining Weekly

Certain revenues of Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) State mining company Gécamines are not directed to the public treasury and are largely beyond the realm…


Sudan: West Kordofan Herders Refuse to Hand in Their Weapons

Nov 6, 2017 | Radio Dabanga

West Kordofan nomad herders are refusing to hand their weapons to the authorities in the current disarmament campaign. Misseriya and other pastoralists, in particular those…


South Sudan: Project Manager WASH - Maban

Nov 5, 2017 | ACTED

Since 1993, as an international non-governmental organization, ACTED has been committed to immediate humanitarian relief to support those in urgent need and protect people’s dignity,…


Jordan: Emergency Program Manager

Nov 5, 2017 | Mercy Corps

Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible. In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries…


Somalia: Portfolio Manager (Resilience & Climate Change)

Nov 5, 2017 | UNDP

UNDP Somalia is about to launch a new Country Programme (2018-2020) which rests on three outcome areas: inclusive political processes; accountable and transparent service delivery…


Nigeria: Emergency Coordinator

Nov 5, 2017 | Catholic Relief Services

Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. Our Catholic identity is…


Yemen: Country Director

Nov 5, 2017 | Norwegian Refugee Council

The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is a non-governmental, humanitarian organization with 60 years of experience in helping to create a safer and more dignified life…


Colombia: Farmers in Colombia’s Troubled Northeast Agree to End Shut-Down

Nov 5, 2017 | Adriaan Alsema, Colombia Reports

Farmers in northeast Colombia agreed to end a shut-down of their province after the government on Sunday vowed to respect a peace agreement with Marxist…


Afghanistan: Above 18,000 Acres of Land Saved from Grabbing: MoJ

Nov 4, 2017 | Naheed Bashardost, Pajhwok Afghan News

Government land measuring at least 18,000 acres across the country has been prevented from being usurped during the past three years, the Ministry of Justice…


Sudan/South Sudan: South Sudan Agrees to Pay Sudan $262M Oil Debt

Nov 4, 2017 | Parach Mach, Anadolu Agency

South Sudan’s government has agreed to pay $262 million it owes for the transfer of oil through Sudan, according to South Sudan media reports. Most…


Myanmar: Jade Export Earnings Down

Nov 4, 2017 | Eleven

Myanmar has earned US$251.16 million (342.65 billion kyat) from exports of jade as of October 20, down US$70 million compared with jade export earnings of…


Colombia: Colombia Signs $300m UN Deal to Fight Cocaine Production

Nov 4, 2017 | BBC

Colombia has signed a $300m (£230m) agreement with the United Nations aimed at reducing the production of cocaine. Farmers who switch from growing coca -…


Iraq/Kurdistan: Iraq's Oil Export Talks with Turkey Vexed by $4-Billion Kurd Debt

Nov 3, 2017 | Kadhim Ajrash, World Oil

Baghdad’s talks with Turkey about ramping up oil exports from northern Iraq, including the semi-autonomous Kurdish region, is complicated by a $4 billion debt that…


Iraq/Kurdistan: Iraqi Kurds’ Independence Vote Exposed Risks to Energy Strategy

Nov 3, 2017 | Stanley Reed, New York Times

Iraqi Kurdish leaders have long sought to craft an energy policy independent of the federal government in Baghdad, courting international companies and offering lucrative deals…


Myanmar: Major Dutch Timber Company Found Guilty of Dealing in Illegal Teak

Nov 2, 2017 | Mongabay

An investigation has revealed a major Dutch timber company placed illegally sourced teak from Myanmar on the European market, prompting the Dutch Food and Safety…


Myanmar: Myanmar Land Rights Activist Beaten to Death by Mob in Shan State

Nov 2, 2017 | Radio Free Asia

A Myanmar land rights activist who challenged illegal land grabs in northern Shan State was beaten to death this week by a mob of some…


Iraq/Kurdistan: Iraq Wants Control of Kurdish Region's Oil Exports: State Firm

Nov 2, 2017 | Reuters

Iraq wants the Kurdistan region to stop independent crude exports and to hand over sales operations to the Iraqi state-oil marketer SOMO, the company’s director…


Myanmar: Campaign Targets Myanmar Elephant Poaching

Nov 2, 2017 | Zue Zue, Irrawaddy

A six-month campaign raising awareness of elephant poaching and wildlife smuggling will launch on Nov. 4 in response to an alarming rate of elephant poaching…


Colombia: Colombia's Land Battles Shatter the Peace in Cauca Valley – in Pictures [Photos]

Nov 1, 2017 | Guardian

As the peace deal opens up new areas to extractive industries, a long-running fight for land and the environment has erupted anew as indigenous communities…


Myanmar: Photo Essay: Along Myanmar’s Charcoal Highway [Photos]

Nov 1, 2017 | Nathan Siegel, Mongabay

Charcoal and firewood are the most common fuel sources in Myanmar – indeed, in much of the developing world. Farmers burn small trees under piles…


Iraq/Kurdistan: Tensions Rise as Iraq Halts Kirkuk Oil Exports

Nov 1, 2017 | Tsvetana Paraskova, OilPrice.com

Since the Iraqi army took control of the fields in the oil-rich Kirkuk area in mid-October, reports of disruptions in oil flows have been a…


Afghanistan: Afghanistan Woos Farmers with Saffron to Sap Poppy Production [Photos]

Oct 31, 2017 | Hindustan Times

The Afghan government and international aid agencies have been trying to wean farmers from the lucrative poppy cultivation and transition instead to saffron for a…


Myanmar: Land-Seizure Bill Contains Compensation, Resettlement: MP

Oct 31, 2017 | Eleven

The bill regarding land seizure contains clauses for giving compensation and rehabilitating people who have lost their land, says an Upper House MP. Ba Myo…


Jordan: Jordan Water Crisis Worsens as Mideast Tensions Slow Action

Oct 31, 2017 | Karin Laub, Associated Press

Jordanians don't need scientists to tell them that they live in one of the world's driest countries in the center of the planet's most water-poor…