Climate Change Could Trigger More Landslides in High Mountain Asia (NASA)

More frequent and intense rainfall events due to climate change could cause more landslides in the High Mountain Asia region of China, Tibet and Nepal, according to the first quantitative study of the link between precipitation and landslides in the region.

High Mountain Asia stores more fresh water in its snow and glaciers than any place on Earth outside the poles, and more than a billion people rely on it for drinking and irrigation. The study team used satellite estimates and modeled precipitation data to project how changing rainfall patterns in the region might affect landslide frequency.

‘Spectre of poverty’ hangs over tribes and indigenous groups: UN labour agency

Indigenous and tribal communities are around three times more likely to face extreme poverty than others with women “consistently at the bottom of all social and economic indicators”,- UN labour experts said on Monday.

Highlighting new data showing that disproportionate numbers of indigenous people live on less than $1.90 a day – 18.2 per cent versus 6.8 per cent of non-indigenous people - the International Labour Organization (ILO) insisted that millions are being held back by a “spectre of poverty”.

The problem warrants global attention because this at-risk population is significantly larger than was previously thought, ILO insists.

According to the UN organization, there are more than 476 million indigenous people globally, the majority of whom live in relatively prosperous countries.

China goes into emergency mode as corona virus casualties clock thousands

The death toll from the Wuhan coronavirus now stands at 80, with almost 2,800 cases confirmed across China, as the country initiates emergency procedures to try and rein in the pathogen's global spread.

Making that task more difficult is the fact that the virus can be spread before any symptoms appear, Chinese health authorities said Sunday, meaning carriers may not realize they are infected before they transmit the virus to others.

Across China, 15 cities with a combined population of over 57 million people -- more than the entire population of South Korea -- have been placed under full or partial lockdown.

Rising inequality affecting more than two-thirds of the globe, but it’s not inevitable: new UN report

The World Social Report 2020, published by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), shows that income inequality has increased in most developed countries, and some middle-income countries - including China, which has the world’s fastest growing economy.

The challenges are underscored by UN chief António Guterres in the foreword, in which he states that the world is confronting “the harsh realities of a deeply unequal global landscape”, in which economic woes, inequalities and job insecurity have led to mass protests in both developed and developing countries.

“Income disparities and a lack of opportunities”, he writes, “are creating a vicious cycle of inequality, frustration and discontent across generations.”

Nearly half a billion people can’t find decent work; unemployment set to rise: new UN labour report

After nine years of relatively stable global unemployment, the World Employment and Social Outlook: Trends 2020 puts the rising jobless numbers down to a stagnating global economy.

The number of people unemployed around the world stands at some 188 million. In addition, 165 million people don’t have enough paid work, and 120 million have either given up actively searching for work or otherwise lack access to the labour market.

Earlier in January, a UN report on the economy showed that developed countries are experiencing slow growth, and some African countries are stagnating. The consequence is that not enough new jobs are being created to absorb the growing labour force as it enters the market. In addition, many African countries are experiencing a drop in real incomes and a rise in poverty. 

2019, the second warmest year as confirmed by the UN

“The average global temperature has risen by about 1.1°C since the pre-industrial era and ocean heat content is at a record level,” said WMO Secretary-General Petteri Taalas.  

At the current trend of CO2 emission rate, we are headed towards between a 3 to 5 degree increase in temperature by the end of the century.

2019, as reported by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) was 1.1°C warmer than the pre industrial era.

Only 2016 was hotter, due to a very strong El Niño which causes warming, combined with long-term climate change. 

UN moves to tackle ‘hidden abuse’ and violence against Europe’s children

Each year, at least 55 million children in Europe suffer some form of physical, sexual, emotional or psychological violence - the UN health agency (WHO).

And despite the magnitude of this figure, “it is well established that incidents of interpersonal violence are widely underreported”, according to the World Health Organization’s European Region office.

Accounting for underreporting, WHO estimates that of the 204 million children under the age of 18 across the region, 9.6 per cent experience sexual exploitation, 22.9 per cent physical abuse and 29.1 per cent emotional harm. Moreover, 700 are murdered every year

“The cost of violence against children adds up”, WHO maintained, highlighting that an estimated $581 billion is spent annually on treating victims.

“Violence against children is chilling and distressing”

— WHO Spokesperson

Volcanic Eruption in the Philippines

There are reports of a volcano spewing Lava in the Philippines. In the early hours of Monday, a weak flow of lava began seeping out of Taal volcano - located some 70km (45 miles) south of the capital Manila.

The Taal Philippines volcano is considered the second most active volcano in the country, It is positioned on an Island in the middle of a lake, it is one of the world's smallest volcanoes and has recorded at least 34 eruptions in the past 450 years.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) has raised the alert level to four, meaning an "explosive eruption" could happen in the coming hours or days. Its highest alert level is five, indicating an eruption is taking place. - CNN

Inaction over climate emergency ‘not an option’ says UN Assembly chief

Tijani Muhammad-Bande was addressing the International Organization for Renewable Energy High-Level meeting on the particular threat faced by Small Island Developing States, or SIDS, and their partners in development. 

“Inaction will put at risk all life on earth as we know it”

Warned the veteran Nigerian diplomat. “Inaction will only lead to more severe and extreme weather events, land degradation and deforestation, loss of biodiversity, pollution and acidification of oceans, global food insecurity as well as drought and floods.” 

“Inaction will lead to continued sea level rise, risking the displacement of 280 million people from coastal areas and islands by 2050”

— Muhammed Bande

Spread of polio still an international public health concern

The opinion comes in a statement released on Tuesday following the latest meeting of the Emergency Committee convened by the World Health Organization (WHO) that provides technical advice on international public health emergencies.   

“The Committee unanimously agreed that the risk of international spread of poliovirus remains a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) and recommended the extension of Temporary Recommendations for a further three months”, it said.

The Emergency Committee, which met in December, expressed concern over “the significant increase” in cases of wild poliovirus 1 (WPVI), the last of three strains to be eliminated.   

There were 28 cases in 2018, compared to 113 as at mid-December last year, “with no significant success yet in reversing this trend.”

Transmission remains widespread in Pakistan, where challenges include continued refusal to accept vaccination by individuals and communities.  There was also evidence of further spread to neighbouring Afghanistan, where ongoing instability makes scores of children inaccessible, particularly in the south. 

66 People Have Died in Indonesia's Devastating Floods

From the Jakarta flood, Indonesia, dozens of people have been reported dead while  Landslides and flash floods have displaced more than 36,000 in Jakarta and the nearby provinces of West Java and Banten, according to the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance (AHA).

Mudslides and power blackouts have hampered the search for people missing in massive floods in Indonesia’s capital, where more than 60 people have died and some of the tens of thousands of evacuees are living in damp, cramped emergency shelters.

Reports say it is the worst flooding since 2007 which killed over 80 people, spanning over 10 days. More rain is forecast, with the potential for more extreme rainfall in the next month.

Economic impact of Australia's bushfires set to exceed $4.4bn cost of Black Saturday

Damages record of $4.4b from the 2009 Australian bush fire called Black Saturday is set to be broken by the intense wildfire currently battled in the Country, according to Moody Analytics.

The Moody’s economist Katrina Ell said the fires would further cripple Australia’s already anaemic consumer confidence, increasing the chances of a rate cut next month, as well as causing damage to the economy through increased air pollution and direct harm to industries such as farming and tourism.

Fires have charred about 8.4 million hectares of land compared to the 450000 from the 2009 Black Saturday blazes where about 173 people were killed. Currently, reports show that about 25 people have been killed by the ongoing fire.

Tourism in the country has already taken a significant hit during what is supposed to be a Peak season and Tourism bodies say it will cost billions to rebuild.

Record-breaking 4.9m hectares of land burned in New South Wales (Australia) this bushfire season

A record-breaking area of land has been burned in New South Wales this bushfire season, according to the latest figures released by the Rural Fire Service.

A total of 4.9m hectares – an area larger than Denmark – has been destroyed in the state during the nationwide fire crisis.

The total area burned across NSW, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania has now reached 8.4m hectares – an area larger than Scotland. At least 25 people have been killed, including three volunteer firefighters, and thousands of homes destroyed.

Statistics show that it has burned an estimated 8.4 million hectares (21 million acres; 84,000 square kilometres; 32,000 square miles), destroyed over 2,500 buildings (including over 1,300 houses) and killed 25 people as of 5 January 2020.

Investing in health workers yields ‘triple dividend - WHO chief says

“They are doing life-saving work every day, including during holidays when the rest of us are with our loved ones at home”, said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), in his video message for the new year.

“But the world needs to do a better job in supporting our health workers, paying them, training them and protecting them”.

WHO estimates that the world will need another 18 million health workers, mostly in low- and middle-income countries.

He recalled that 2020 is the Year of the Nurse and the Midwife, which celebrates the professionals who provide a wide range of health services “from the first moments of life to the last”.

There are 22 million nurses and two million midwives worldwide, who prevent, diagnose and treat diseases, provide expert care during childbirth and also serve people caught in humanitarian emergencies and conflicts, according to WHO. 

Secretary-General calls for global participation in UN75 dialogues for better future for all

The UN75 initiative is  described as a "global reality check" to spark conversations  around building a better future for all.

As the UN prepares to turn 75, we want to hear your views on how to tackle the biggest challenges of our time.

Four innovative data streams will capture discussions across the world, and in diverse settings, to build the first-ever repository of crowd-sourced solutions to major global challenges.  

The UN75 dialogues – together with a ‘One-minute Survey’, opinion polling in 50 countries, and an artificial intelligence sentiment analysis of traditional and social media in 70 countries – will generate compelling data to inform national and international policies and debate

UN Secretary-General António Guterres will present the views and ideas that are generated to world leaders and senior UN officials at a high-level event on 21 September to mark the Organization's 75th anniversary.

Sub-Saharan Africa faces grave hunger challenges in 2020: UN food relief agency

According to the World Food Programme (WFP) 2020 Global Hotspots Report, millions of people in Zimbabwe, South Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo and the Central Sahel region will require life-saving food assistance in the coming months – the sheer scale and complexity of which will stretch the UN food relief agency’s capacity to the limit and require generous donor support for a ramped-up humanitarian response.

WFP Executive Director David Beasley spelled out: “WFP is fighting big and complex humanitarian battles on several fronts at the start of 2020”.

“WFP is fighting big and complex humanitarian battles on several fronts at the start of 2020 ”

— WFP chief

“In some countries, we are seeing conflict and instability combine with climate extremes to force people from their homes, farms and places of work”, he elaborated. “In others, climate shocks are occurring alongside economic collapse and leaving millions on the brink of destitution and hunger.”

Why Is It So Difficult to Fund Infrastructure Development in Africa?

In a period of rapid advancement worldwide, Africa’s development needs remain huge. Why? Closing the infrastructure deficit in Africa entails recognizing the numerous barriers impeding economic growth and prosperity. Environmental, social and governance factors should not be ignored.

Over the past two decades, the region has expanded core infrastructure, such as telecommunications networks and access to safe potable water, but developmental progress has generally been too limited, with Africa remaining the only world region where there has been a decline in road network density and almost no improvement in per capita electricity-generating capacity. Investment in development infrastructure has also been insufficient: according to recent statistics,

Africa has a development financing gap of nearly USD 108 billion and an estimated need for infrastructure investment of between USD 130 billion and USD 170 billion.

Africa’s development gap and relatively slow progress present attractive investment opportunities for developmental projects focused on building intra-regional transport networks, creating power generation solutions, revolutionizing manufacturing and agro-processing, and achieving environmentally responsible natural resources extraction. But the chances of meeting this potential are hampered by fundamental challenges limiting the involvement of potential financiers. To successfully fund infrastructure development projects, financial investors need to identify, understand and overcome these challenges.