Japan and IOM ink $4.4M deal to aid Rohingyas in Cox’s Bazar
The Government of Japan and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) signed an agreement to provide $4.4 million in multi-sectoral support assistance for Rohingya and host communities in Cox's Bazar. An Exchange of Notes was signed by ITO Naoki, ambassador of Japan to Bangladesh, andFathima Nusrath Ghazzali, officer in charge of IOM Bangladesh at IOM country office in Dhaka on Thursday (24 February), read a press release. The Rohingya and host communities in Cox's Bazar face significant challenges due to the lack of sufficient shelters, access to healthcare, latrines and safe water. In addition, Cox's Bazar is geographically vulnerable to natural disaster, with cyclones occurring annually. The project, titled "The Project for upgrading shelter and improving living conditions for forcefully displaced persons from Myanmar and the vulnerable host communities in Cox's Bazar District", will support the upgrading of shelters for nearly 50,000 Rohingyas in the camps, as well as almost 1,380 people in host community. It will assist with the maintenance of two primary healthcare facilities and nine health posts, along with capacity building for volunteers on mental healthcare, the maintenance of 92 latrines and10 water drainage systems in the camps, and the construction of 40 deep tube wells in host community areas. Furthermore, the project will contribute to the maintenance of 11 cyclone shelters in host community areas as well as capacity building for female volunteers for disaster risk reduction. "The Rohingyas currently live in congested camps who face limited opportunities and complex challenges. Host communities also confront issues that increase their vulnerability, including strained resources, limited market access, few employment opportunities, insufficient infrastructure, and recurring environmental shocks," said Ghazzali. "Building on past programming, with the support from Japan, IOM will provide life saving support to both Rohingya and host communities, contributing to improved social harmony and human security. This will include the provision of essential services with shelter; disaster risk reduction; health facilities; and water, sanitation & hygiene," she added.
India targets net-zero carbon emissions by 2070, says Modi
India’s economy will become carbon neutral by the year 2070, the country’s prime minster has announced at the COP26 climate crisis summit in Glasgow. The target date is two decades beyond what scientists say is needed to avert catastrophic climate impacts. India is the last of the world’s major carbon polluters to announce a net-zero target, with China saying it would reach that goal in 2060, and the United States and the European Union aiming for 2050.
COP26: What climate summit means for one woman in Bangladesh
China's carbon emissions are vast and growing, dwarfing those of other countries. Experts agree that without big reductions in China's emissions, the world cannot win the fight against climate change. In 2020, China's President Xi Jinping said his country would aim for its emissions to reach their highest point before 2030 and for carbon neutrality before 2060. His statement has now been confirmed as China's official position ahead of the COP26 global climate summit in Glasgow. But China has not said exactly how these goals will be achieved.
Why China's climate policy matters to us all
China's carbon emissions are vast and growing, dwarfing those of other countries. Experts agree that without big reductions in China's emissions, the world cannot win the fight against climate change. In 2020, China's President Xi Jinping said his country would aim for its emissions to reach their highest point before 2030 and for carbon neutrality before 2060. His statement has now been confirmed as China's official position ahead of the COP26 global climate summit in Glasgow. But China has not said exactly how these goals will be achieved.
Deliver on promises, developing world tells rich at climate talks
A crucial U.N. conference heard calls on its first day for the world's major economies to keep their promises of financial help to address the climate crisis, while big polluters India and Brazil made new commitments to cut emissions. World leaders, environmental experts and activists all pleaded for decisive action to halt the global warming which threatens the future of the planet at the start of the two-week COP26 summit in the Scottish city of Glasgow on Monday. The task facing negotiators was made even more daunting by the failure of the Group of 20 major industrial nations to agree ambitious new commitments at the weekend.