News
Rethinking Humanitarianism | The aid sector’s techno-colonialism problem
Experts unpack AI and new tech in crises, the fallback on “techno-utopian” solutions, and the risk of “techno-colonialism” and why it matters. Link: https://www.thenewhumanitarian.org/podcasts/2026/02/26/rethinking-humanitarianism-aid-sectors-techno-colonialism-problem :Cat-N
Greece Under Fire for Law Targeting Aid Groups
Click to expand Image Protesters hold placards in solidarity with humanitarians who were still detained in Greece, November 18, 2021. © 2021 Hesther Ng/SOPA Images via AP Photo Led by Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders Mary Lawlor, five United Nations experts have issued a damning cri... Link: https://www.hrw.org/news/2026/02/26/greece-under-fire-for-law-targeting-aid-groups :Cat-N
UN’s cash crisis is a collective security emergency
Liquidity issues at the United Nations are often dismissed as a technical budgetary complication. But the reality is that funding shortfalls undermine collective global security. The UN’s regular budget for peace and security, sustainable development and human rights promotion was cut roughly US$3.7... Link: https://asiatimes.com/2026/02/uns-cash-crisis-is-a-collective-security-emergency/ :Cat-N
How Hong Kong law ensures kids’ well-being when divorced parents split locations
I have a habit of re-watching movies during festive times. As we entered the Year of the Horse, one movie that I watched again during Chinese New Year was Marriage Story, a legal drama released on streaming platforms in 2019. The story centres on the divorce of the two lead characters and the result... Link: https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3344652/how-hong-kong-law-ensures-kids-well-being-when-divorced-parents-split-locations :Cat-N
‘Reimagining matter’: Nobel laureate invents machine that harvests water from dry air
A Nobel laureate has developed a sustainable technology that harvests clean drinking water from dry air, offering a resilient solution for water scarcity and disaster-prone regions affected by droughts and hurricanes. Link: https://www.preventionweb.net/news/reimagining-matter-nobel-laureate-invents-machine-harvests-water-dry-air :Cat-N
Early warning system network expanded and integrated into local operations in Tarlac City
The Philippine Preparedness Partnership expanded and integrated an early warning system network in Tarlac City, strengthening flood and earthquake monitoring and embedding real-time data into local disaster risk reduction operations. Link: https://www.preventionweb.net/news/early-warning-system-network-expanded-and-integrated-local-operations-tarlac-city :Cat-N
Why mental health is core to disaster risk reduction
As DRR frameworks increasingly recognize the importance of mental health in preparedness and recovery, there are some policy actions that can be taken to strengthen the resilience of individuals and communities. Link: https://www.preventionweb.net/drr-community-voices/why-mental-health-core-disaster-risk-reduction :Cat-N
First workshop of the Deployment and Engagement of Resources and Citizens for European Emergency Response project held in Gelsenkirchen, Germany
Prepared International (PPI) participated in the first workshop of DARE (Deployment and Engagement of Resources and Citizens for European Emergency Response) in Gelsenkirchen, Germany. Link: https://www.preventionweb.net/news/first-workshop-deployment-and-engagement-resources-and-citizens-european-emergency-response :Cat-N
Disaster risk reduction through geospatial information and land administration
The webinar will showcase country case studies, including experiences with integrating geospatial and land administration data, and will highlight how such approaches can strengthen risk assessment, planning and response capacities. Link: https://www.preventionweb.net/event/disaster-risk-reduction-through-geospatial-information-and-land-administration-0 :Cat-N
Experts reveal how a major food crisis might happen in the UK, and what we can do to stop it
A new report has set out how the UK might respond to major disruptions to food supplies triggered by events such as war, extreme weather, or cyber-attacks, and what can be done now to prevent such disruptions from escalating into a crisis. Link: https://www.preventionweb.net/news/experts-reveal-how-major-food-crisis-might-happen-uk-and-what-we-can-do-stop-it :Cat-N
Comprehensive framework for the assessment of multi-level pluvial flood risk
This study outlines a comprehensive, multi‑level framework for assessing pluvial flood risk in urban areas, placing disaster risk reduction at the centre of its approach. Link: https://www.preventionweb.net/publication/documents-and-publications/comprehensive-framework-assessment-multi-level-pluvial-flood :Cat-N
Early Warnings for All continues to reach more countries in 2026
EW4All held national consultative workshops in DR Congo and Malawi, bringing government and partners together to identify gaps, coordinate stakeholders, and develop national roadmaps to strengthen early warning systems. Link: https://www.preventionweb.net/news/early-warnings-all-continues-reach-more-countries-2026 :Cat-N
World News in Brief: UN humanitarian chief visits South Sudan, shelter fire risks in Gaza, West Bank violence
The UN Emergency Relief Coordinator arrived in South Sudan on Friday to visit one of the most under-reported humanitarian crises in the world, as clashes between government and opposition forces continue in Jonglei state. Link: https://news.un.org/feed/view/en/story/2026/02/1167014 :Cat-N #humanitarian #aid #relief #emergency #children #teenagers #asia
Heat stress and urban resilience: alternative cooling strategies to combat extreme heat in the urban environment
Solar-powered open-air cooling shelters can strengthen urban resilience to extreme heat by providing low-energy, outage-resilient relief, as shown through a pilot initiative in Philadelphia’s Hunting Park neighborhood. Link: https://www.preventionweb.net/publication/documents-and-publications/heat-stress-and-urban-resilience-alternative-cooling :Cat-N
Turkish scientist develops early warning system for weather risks
A Turkish meteorologist has developed an early warning system that can detect sudden-onset weather hazards up to 60 hours before they occur, a breakthrough that could strengthen disaster preparedness and reduce economic losses linked to extreme weather. Link: https://www.preventionweb.net/news/turkish-scientist-develops-early-warning-system-weather-risks :Cat-N
Strengthening resilience to extreme heat: an Adelaide case study
This place-based case study explores how heat manifests in an urban context through a systems lens, examining interconnected roles. A fictional family narrative runs alongside the analysis, bringing systemic risks to life. Link: https://www.preventionweb.net/resource/case-study/strengthening-resilience-extreme-heat-adelaide-case-study :Cat-N
Debilitating virus can spread in cool weather, increasing health risk in Europe
Chikungunya virus, a debilitating tropical disease caused by infected mosquito bites, poses a greater health threat in Europe than previously thought because it can be spread when air temperatures are as low as 13 degrees Celsius. Link: https://www.preventionweb.net/news/debilitating-virus-can-spread-cool-weather-increasing-health-risk-europe :Cat-N
World News in Brief: Conflict deepens hunger crisis in South Sudan, restrictions hinder aid delivery in Gaza, UN child rights envoy concludes first visit to Syria
The UN World Food Programme (WFP) is scaling up its emergency response in South Sudan’s Jonglei state, where escalating conflict has displaced hundreds of thousands of people and pushed hunger to critical levels. Link: https://news.un.org/feed/view/en/story/2026/02/1167005 :Cat-N
Understanding extreme heat and entry points for action
This report examines heat risk through the intersection of hazard, exposure, vulnerability and capacity, showing how impacts emerge across health, infrastructure, livelihoods and essential services. Link: https://www.preventionweb.net/publication/documents-and-publications/understanding-extreme-heat-and-entry-points-action :Cat-N
The Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO, strengthens public safety through better preparedness with NEAMWave26 tsunami exercise
This exercise will take place from 3 to 24 March 2026, bringing together scientific institutions, national authorities and civil protection partners to strengthen early warning systems and emergency response capacities. Link: https://www.preventionweb.net/news/intergovernmental-oceanographic-commission-ioc-unesco-strengthens-public-safety-through-better :Cat-N
Organisations
Chile becomes the first country in the Americas to be verified by WHO for the elimination of leprosy
The World Health Organization (WHO), together with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), congratulates Chile for becoming the first country in the Americas – and the second globally – to be officially verified as having eliminated leprosy disease. Link: https://www.who.int/news/item/04-03-2026-chile-becomes-the-first-country-in-the-americas-to-be-verified-by-who-for-the-elimination-of-leprosy :Cat-O
Technology is changing what’s possible in community health. Here’s what that means for the world’s most at-risk.
There's a persistent myth in global health that cutting-edge technology is a luxury — something for well-resourced hospitals in wealthy countries, not for frontline health workers navigating remote villages with limited supplies and spotty connectivity. That myth is being dismantled, quickly. The po... Link: https://www.care.org/news-and-stories/technology-is-changing-whats-possible-in-community-health/ :Cat-O
Recommendations for influenza vaccine composition for the 2026-2027 northern hemisphere season
The World Health Organization (WHO) today announced recommendations for the viral composition of influenza (or “flu”) vaccines for the 2026-2027 northern hemisphere influenza season. The announcement was made following a 4-day consultation examining global influenza surveillance data. Link: https://www.who.int/news/item/27-02-2026-recommendations-for-influenza-vaccine-composition-for-the-2026-2027-northern-hemisphere-season :Cat-O
Denmark becomes first country in the European Union to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis
The World Health Organization (WHO) has certified Denmark for the elimination of mother-to-child transmission (EMTCT) of HIV and syphilis, recognizing the country's sustained commitment to ensuring every child is born free of these infections. Link: https://www.who.int/news/item/27-02-2026-denmark-becomes-first-country-in-the-european-union-to-eliminate-of-mother-to-child-transmission-of-hiv-and-syphilis :Cat-O
Laura Leyser appointed new MSF International Secretary General
MSF International has appointed former MSF Austria General Director Laura Leyser as the new Secretary General, effective 1 March 2026. Link: https://www.msf.org/laura-leyser-appointed-new-msf-international-secretary-general :Cat-O
The Women Redefining Humanitarian Leadership In 2026
The Women Redefining Humanitarian Leadership In 2026 Lynn Hector Thu, 02/19/2026 - 13:43 February 19, 2026 https://www.forbes.com/sites/marianneschnall/2026/02/19/the-women-redefining-hu… At a time when humanitarian crises around the world continue to worsen and grow in scale in alarming ways, rathe... Link: https://www.mercycorps.org/node/6881 :Cat-O
MSF establishes a new project in Southwest Ethiopia Region
We have begun a new project in Southwest Ethiopia Region, Ethiopia, to strengthen disease outbreak response. Link: https://www.msf.org/msf-establishes-new-project-southwest-ethiopia-region :Cat-O
Sudan: MSF launches an emergency response in El Obeid
MSF teams have started water and sanitation activities in the main displacement camp of El Obeid, the capital of North Kordofan state, Sudan. Link: https://www.msf.org/sudan-msf-launches-emergency-response-el-obeid :Cat-O
Indonesia: MSF responded to devastating flooding in Aceh
Cyclone Senyar caused devastating flooding in three Indonesian provinces, including Aceh. There, MSF teams worked to support the community in their emergency response. Link: https://www.msf.org/indonesia-msf-responded-devastating-flooding-aceh :Cat-O
MSF provides care to Malian refugees in Mauritania
Malian refugees arriving in Mauritania carry with them the burden of witnessing intense violence. MSF is providing urgent care to people through vaccinations, reproductive health support, and mental health support. Link: https://www.msf.org/msf-provides-care-malian-refugees-mauritania :Cat-O
The 10 most under-reported humanitarian crises of 2025
Every year, millions of people live in horrific crisis situations. CARE's 2025 Crisis Report reveals the world’s ten most underreported humanitarian crises. In these places, invisibility means fewer resources and dire consequences, especially for women and children. From Zimbabwe to Honduras, these ... Link: https://www.care.org/news-and-stories/the-10-most-under-reported-humanitarian-crises-of-2025/ :Cat-O
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