Policy Updates

On February 1, 2025, the UK government has announced GBP22 million (US$26 million) in additional humanitarian assistance for Myanmar in 2024-2025 to support nearly one million vulnerable people.

This funding will provide essential healthcare, nutrition assistance, and treatment for diseases such as tuberculosis and malaria. The support will also strengthen climate resilience by improving food security, water management, and disaster preparedness, helping communities withstand extreme weather events.

On December 15, 2024, the UK announced a GBP50 million (US$64 million) package of international assistance to help the most vulnerable Syrians, including refugees across the region.

Following the fall of Bashar Al-Assad’s regime, UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy announced that new emergency assistance will be delivered through the UN and NGO agencies to help the most vulnerable Syrians, in Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan.

The UK joined talks in Aqaba yesterday, hosted by Jordan and attended by ministers and representatives of the Arab Contact Group, Bahrain, Qatar, Turkey, the UAE, the EU, the UK, France, Germany, and the US, where participants expressed commitment the best interests of the Syrian people, the region, and the world.

On December 12, 2024, USAID announced an additional US$29 million in support for Somalia to support resilience and food security in Somalia, where 7 million people require assistance due to natural disasters, disease, insecurity, and poverty.

The funding is part of two 5-year programs aiming to assist 880,000 vulnerable households in South Central Somalia. USAID is partnering with World Vision and Save the Children to provide services including health, WASH, and nutrition, while also strengthening households' ability to cope with future challenges."

On December 9, 2024, Canada announced over CAD88 million (US$62 million) in funding over the next three years to the UN CERF, ahead of the high-level pledging event.

The funding aims to address the unprecedented global humanitarian needs, with an estimated 300 million people worldwide requiring emergency food, water, medical, sanitation, and protection services.

On November 29, 2024, Canadian Minister of International Development Ahmed Hussen announced that Canada will provide CAD50 million (US$36 million) in further humanitarian assistance to address the urgent needs of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank.

The funding will support the UN, Red Cross, and experienced NGO partners to deliver emergency medical assistance, food, water, protection services, and other life-saving assistance.

Canada has allocated a total of CAD215 million (US$154 million) in ODA to the current crisis in Gaza, including this pledge.

On November 23, 2024, South Korean 2^nd Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Insun Kang reaffirmed the country's commitment to global food security by contributing an additional US$6 million to the WFP’s Grain from Ukraine program.

The program aims to provide Ukrainian grain to countries vulnerable to famine and drought, such as Somalia and Yemen. South Korea contributed US$3 million to the program in 2023.

Kang highlighted the South Korean government’s willingness to cooperate with Ukraine by strengthening humanitarian assistance with the Ukraine Peace and Solidarity Initiative, a comprehensive package of assistance announced by South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol during his visit to Ukraine in July, 2023.

On November 22, 2024, the Norwegian government proposed a NOK1.5 billion (US$137 million) increase to the international development budget for the Nansen Program, focused on supporting Ukraine.

This adjustment was intended to ensure that the country meets its target of allocating 1% of GNI to ODA in 2024. According to Norweigan Minister of International Development Anne Beathe Tvinnereim, Ukraine remains the largest recipient of Norwegian ODA, with the funds primarily aimed at bolstering critical energy security and preparing for the winter season.

Additionally, lower refugee-related costs in Norway have made NOK930 million (US$85 million) available for other global development initiatives. Of these funds, NOK176 million (US$16 million) is allocated to the Middle East.

Increased funding is earmarked for sectors such as health and education, each receiving NOK100 million (US$9 million). Additional priorities include renewable energy, food security, and development efforts in Afghanistan, Sudan, Myanmar, Haiti, and Colombia.

On November 21, 2024, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed the UK as a founding member of the Brazil-led Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty and announced a GBP70 million (US$90 million) package to tackle global food insecurity and poverty.

The UK is a founding member of the Brazil-led group, which has attracted over 80 countries so far, each making important commitments to accelerate action on global food insecurity. Members will share expertise to deliver interventions that work at scale and come together to unlock the crucial finance needed to eradicate hunger and extreme poverty.

The UK will sit on the Alliance’s steering group, the Board of Champions, and invest GBP70 million (US$90 million) over the next 18 months to enable food-insecure households to withstand shocks, drive green growth in the agriculture sector, and improve social protection for those in need.

The announcement included up to GBP50 million (US$64 million) for the new Resilience and Adaptation Fund, which will harness climate finance to ensure that food-insecure households in countries like Ethiopia, Chad, and Bangladesh can withstand shocks and extreme weather.

On November 19, 2024, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau concluded his participation at the G20 Leaders Summit where he announced over CAD68 million (US$49 million) in new investments to address organized crime and drug smuggling, as well as support climate action and protection for women and girls.

Funding included:

• Nearly CAD24 million (US$17 million) to stop drug and human trafficking into Canada, increase collaboration with international security organizations, and enhance the capacities of airports in Latin America and the Caribbean to prevent the shipment of illicit drugs;
• Over CAD25 million (US$18 million) to help restore global biodiversity, support measures to alleviate malnutrition, work with farmers in climate-stressed regions, and enhance food security; and
• Over CAD19 million (US$14 million) to support women and girls in Latin America by preventing discrimination and GBV and encouraging women’s participation in conservation, land and water resource management, and improved health services for at-risk women, including Indigenous women.

Trudeau also secured Canada’s participation in two key global partnerships - the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty and the Global Clean Power Alliance. Throughout the summit, Trudeau also participated in various G20 working sessions to advance progress on global peace and security, focusing on Ukraine and the Middle East.

On November 11, 2024, JICA announced a new climate strategy for agricultural and rural development cooperation to address the pressing need for climate resilience and sustainable practices, particularly in developing nations facing heightened climate risks.

Emphasizing human security, this strategy aligns with Japan’s commitments under the Paris Agreement and integrates both adaptation and mitigation measures across JICA’s agricultural and rural projects to enhance food security, bolster livelihoods, and strengthen resilience against climate impacts.

The strategy identifies six core actions:

• Developing climate impact assessment tools;
• Proposing customized adaptation approaches;
• Reviewing current projects for climate impacts;
• Incorporating resilience in new projects;
• Promoting mitigation techniques; and
• Advancing knowledge-sharing efforts.

Key focal areas include:

• Enhancing water resource efficiency;
• Promoting sustainable farming; and
• Supporting innovations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, especially in regions heavily affected by climate change.

Through this framework, JICA aims to create more sustainable agriculture systems by 2030. The strategy fosters cross-sector collaboration, data-informed assessments, and practical climate solutions to build resilient rural economies. Japan is also committed to sharing insights and findings internationally, thus contributing to global efforts toward climate-smart agriculture and rural development.