New publication from our student Dr. Gusha Belako Birbirsa (MD, MPH, MA, MBA, MSc-HSE, ICHA, DS): "Humanitarian Gaps in Child Malnutrition Response in Ethiopia" In 2024, UNICEF reported that in Ethiopia 21.4 million people required some form of humanitarian support, including 10.8 million children in need of assistance, 3.45 million Internally Displaced People (IDPs), and 972,835 refugees and asylum seekers. Given this immense scale of need, understanding how humanitarian nutrition responses are structured and where they fall short is essential. To map the existing evidence and identify these gaps, I conducted a scoping review using the five-stage framework proposed by Arksey & O’Malley (2005), which is well suited for examining evidence in complex humanitarian contexts. I reviewed published articles, reviews, and reports identified through comprehensive searches of relevant databases, search engines, and reference lists. Only studies published in English between 2013 and 2024 were included. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/dakWuk44 #Health #humanitarian #humanitarianaid #monitoring #Nutrition #Project #management #resilience #ethiopia

A strategic meeting was held today between the Honourable Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Yusuf Tanko Sununu, and a delegation from Bio Panda, led by Dr. Angela Okemena Unufe-Kennedy and Mr. Phillip McKee. The impactful session laid a solid foundation for transformative health and humanitarian initiatives aimed at improving the lives of vulnerable Nigerians. The discussion focused on advancing rapid diagnostic testing as a cost-effective preventive tool for early disease detection, while emphasizing the importance of partnership and collaboration to strengthen alignment between Biopanda and the Ministry. Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to education and training through Training of Trainers (ToT) programmes and youth empowerment initiatives designed to build sustainable local capacity. The meeting also highlighted the crucial need for psychosocial support in addressing mental health challenges, particularly among Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), and underscored the role of data-driven, evidence-based interventions to ensure ethical and efficient service delivery. Furthermore, preventive health was prioritized as a central strategy, shifting the focus from reactive treatment to awareness, education, and early intervention. The Honourable Minister expressed the Ministry’s openness to reviewing BioPanda’s proposals for hospital support and improved cancer care in displaced communities. The Biopanda team commended Dr. Sununu’s visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to humanitarian and health causes, describing the meeting as a pivotal moment in strengthening collaboration for national impact. Both parties expressed their shared vision to elevate service delivery, reduce poverty, and empower future generations through sustainable health and humanitarian strategies. *_Office of the HMSHAPR._* *October 13, 2025* Ayotomi Elemide Biopanda Reagents UK in Nigeria Dr. Michelle BarryMary KurekAlina Pelka

Powerful alignment around smarter, more equitable healthcare for Nigeria. The dialogue between Dr (Hon)Angela .O.Unufe-Kennedy BA BSc MSc PhD , Yusuf Tanko Sununu, Honourable Minister of State for Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, and Poverty Alleviation , and the Biopanda Diagnostics team reflects a shared commitment to prevention, mental health, and sustainable capacity development. At CTI Africa LifeHealth , we’re advancing this shared vision through AI-enabled, community-based care models designed to ensure impact from the ground up. #HealthEquity #DigitalHealth #PublicPrivatePartnerships #Nigeria #AIforGood

We are proud to announce the successful completion of household data collection in Forcibly Displaced Myanmar Nationals (FDMN) Camps, Cox’s Bazar. Over the past months, our dedicated teams worked across all 33 camps in Ukhiya and Teknaf, gathering critical data from households and venous blood from children aged 6–59 months. This effort—conducted in close collaboration with UNICEF Bangladesh, the Government of Bangladesh, and key partners—marks an important step in generating robust evidence on the nutritional and non-nutritional causes of anaemia among children in refugee settings.

Press Statement: DBI CEO HAILS DR. BERNARD MOHAMMED DORO’S APPOINTMENT AS MINISTER FOR HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS AND POVERTY REDUCTION In what he described as a “timely and strategic choice,” the Chief Executive Officer of the Digital Bridge Institute (DBI), Daser David, has congratulated Dr. Bernard Mohammed Doro on his appointment as the new Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Daser, known for his advocacy for youth-driven innovation and inclusion in governance, praised President Tinubu for once again demonstrating confidence in Nigeria’s vibrant young leaders. According to him, the appointment of Dr. Doro underscores the President’s belief that “young Nigerians possess the creativity, empathy, and intellectual stamina required to tackle the nation’s most pressing social challenges.” Speaking from Abuja, the DBI boss noted that Dr. Doro brings a refreshing blend of humanitarian commitment and developmental insight to the ministry, qualities that are crucial for driving President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. “Dr. Doro’s deep understanding of community resilience and his hands-on experience with humanitarian interventions give him a unique advantage,” Daser said. “This appointment is not just about filling a position, it’s about igniting a new vision for how government engages the poor and vulnerable, using data, technology, and human empathy.” He also emphasized the need for stronger institutional collaboration between public agencies and ICT-based organizations like DBI, noting that technology must play a central role in modern humanitarian response and poverty alleviation strategies. Daser expressed confidence that under Dr. Doro’s leadership, the ministry will pioneer smarter, more inclusive policies that truly empower citizens and build lasting social safety nets. He concluded with a note of optimism: “I have no doubt that Dr. Doro will bring passion, purpose, and progress to this crucial national assignment. His story is proof that when youth are given a chance, they can redefine public service for the better.” Signed: Soji Fagbemi Head, Public Affairs/Protocol Unit Digital Bridge Institute (DBI)

🌐 A major step for evidence-based policy on refugee inclusion. Innovations for Poverty Action will host a Solution Session at the UN #WorldSummit to present randomized evaluations of government-led programs for displaced populations in #Ethiopia. We will be joined by Oxford, LSE, and the World Bank. This event will show how policy, research, and partnerships can empower refugees and host communities through dignified work and sustainable development. 🔍 Read more in the post below! Caroline Lawton, Nessa Kenny

UNFPA Representative met with the technical team from the Norwegian Embassy to discuss crucial support for accountability mechanisms that can drive real, measurable progress in Lesotho’s development priorities. The discussion focused on three critical areas: 🌸 Maternal Health – tackling the country’s high maternal mortality rates 💜 Gender-Based Violence Prevention – ensuring women and girls live free from violence 💪 Youth Empowerment – expanding opportunities for young people’s SRHR and economic participation Strong accountability systems are key to ensuring commitments translate into impact — holding duty bearers responsible, improving transparency, and driving lasting change. With Norway’s partnership, alongside other development partners, we are working toward a healthier, safer, and more equitable Lesotho where every woman and young person can reach their full potential. #UNFPA #Norway #Partnership #Accountability #MaternalHealth #YouthEmpowerment #GBVPrevention #Lesotho #SDGs #TogetherForChange

Beyond Income: The Mental Health Value of Work Research from Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, suggests that employment opportunities can improve mental health up to four times more than receiving the same amount through cash transfers. Why? Because work provides more than income—it can provide psychosocial benefits that can help reduce depression and stress while strengthening well-being in ways that cash alone may not. This #WorldMentalHealthDay, IPA’s Displaced Livelihoods Initiative (DLI) spotlights this emerging evidence from Cox’s Bazar, where a DLI-funded study found that livelihood programs offering employment opportunities were associated with significantly greater improvements in mental health than cash transfers alone—highlighting the potential role of inclusion in work and community life in supporting well-being. These findings—shared by researchers Reshmaan Hussam and Fatima T. Zahra, Ph.D. during the DLI Webinar Series—are informing a growing research agenda, now expanding to Uganda, where researchers are examining how access to microcredit may affect both economic and psychosocial outcomes for refugees and host communities. 🔗 Learn more: https://lnkd.in/ddJtCMyd 🔗Checkout the Bangladesh study summary: https://lnkd.in/ePR_i-fd

This #WorldMentalHealthDay, Innovations for Poverty Action's Displaced Livelihoods Initiative (DLI) is spotlighting emerging evidence from Cox’s Bazar, where a DLI-funded study found that livelihood programs offering employment opportunities were associated with significantly greater improvements in mental health than cash transfers alone—highlighting the potential role of inclusion in work and community life in supporting well-being. The results of this evaluation can be used to inform social protection policies for the unemployed in low-income countries and refugee populations globally. 🔗 Learn more: https://lnkd.in/ePR_i-fd

In its monthly report for August, Bahar Organization provided assistance to 43,774 beneficiaries across northwest Syria, including 12,286 women, 8,683 men, and 22,805 children (girls and boys). The projects covered the sectors of Food Security (22,845), Health (7,522), Protection (6,183), Education (5,442), and Social Cohesion (3,147). Activities were implemented in 10 areas across 5 governorates and 19 sub-districts, through 14 humanitarian projects in 55 locations. #Bahar_NGO #HumanitarianAid #Syria #HumanitarianWork #BaharOrganization