Developmental Insights Edition 28
Developmental Insights will be changing from next week!
Firstly, thank you to everyone that has read, shared, reposted, commented and subscribed to this newsletter over the past year. What started as a small biweekly space to share stories from the world of international development has now grown into a community of more than 200 subscribers. With today being ‘World Day of Social Justice’, this number represents those of you that care about global development, justice and understanding what is happening worldwide.
I would like to share that from next week, Developmental Insights will move to a weekly format. Each week, I will alternate between sharing five stories (as is today’s edition) and a deep dive, a longer piece exploring a single issue or story that is relevant to the field today. This new format will enable me to discuss different issues in greater depth and will also consider your comments and queries. If anyone has anything that they would like me to look into during these deep-dives, please comment below or send it to developmentalsinsights@gmail.com.
Thanks so much!
Without further ado, in this edition, I will be discussing:
The World Bank’s support for essential services in Gabon.
Displacement of locals during the fighting in the DRC
A 137 year wait for living standards to double for lower income families in the UK
The EU’s allocation of funds towards the crisis in Myanmar and neighbouring countries
A rise in political violence against MPs.
The World Bank supports Gabon’s water supply, sanitation and electricity services
The World Bank has announced that it will financially support Gabon in improving the coverage and quality of essential public services including water supply, sanitation and electricity. Part of a broader partnership with the Gabonese government, the funding is designed to address the longstanding infrastructure gaps that have resulted in limited access for households and businesses. The initiative forms a part of the World Bank’s commitment to strengthening service delivery and supporting sustainable development outcomes across the country.
A key area of this funding is to support and boost resilience and economic opportunities by ensuring that there is reliable access to clean water and energy. These interventions themselves usually include upgrades of water treatment facilities, expansion of electricity grids, and investments in sanitation systems that reduce health risks while fostering a more enabling environment for private sector activity and job creation.
The harrowing journeys to escape fighting in the DRC
Due to escalating conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) involving armed groups such as M23, families have been forced to flee across the border with Burundi. The advance of rebel forces has forced thousands from their homes in the eastern provinces, leaving them exhausted, fearful and in search of safety wherever they can find it.
Once they are across the border, they then encounter overcrowded camps with limited resources leading to even more distress. The article continues stating that there is a human cost to ongoing violence with transit exposing people to disease and further deprivation and humanitarian agencies struggle to meet these basic needs.
Lower income families face a 137 year wait for living standards to double
The UK think tank, Resolution Foundation, has found how lower income families in the UK face an extremely slow pace of improvement in living standards with estimates suggesting that it could take around 137 years for their living standards to double at current rates of income growth. This moderate pace comes from two decades of weak pay growth and limited increases to disposable incomes, leaving poorer households economically stuck while broader social and political unease deepens.
The report highlights how economic stagnation for lower income groups is fuelling frustration and may lead to political ramifications. It also points to a broader trend of uneven progress in the UK, where wages and living standards have lagged far behind historical norms of growth for working families.
The EU allocates 63 million Euros in response to the crisis in Myanmar and its impact on neighbouring countries
The European Commission has approved 63 million Euros in humanitarian aid to respond to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Myanmar, which is now entering its fifth year. The funding will aim to support people directly affected by conflict within Myanmar through emergency assistance such as food, nutrition support, healthcare, clean water and sanitation.
A large portion of the funds has also been allocated to assist the Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, particularly those living in overcrowded camps in Cox’s Bazaar. Additional support packages have been allocated to support refugees in other countries such as India, Malaysia and Thailand.
Political violence against MPs is rising worldwide
A new report released by the Inter- Parliamentary Union (IPU) has found how a majority of parliamentarians worldwide are facing death threats and abuse from voters. It found that 71% of the lawmakers that were surveyed experienced violence or intimidation from the public - whether it was offline, online or both. The most common forms of intimidation were insults and degrading language, spread of false and misleading information and direct threats.
The report also found how online violence usually increases around national or local elections, high profile legislative debates, and polarising political or cultural issues. Unsurprisingly, there was also a gender gap which was found - 76% of female MPs report exposure to violence while 68% of male MPs reported it. For women, they were disproportionately impacted by gendered and sexualised online violence.
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As mentioned in previous editions, I am always open to any feedback or suggestions. You can send anything to developmentalinsights@gmail.com or, simply add a comment below!
I look forward to connecting with you further in future editions!
Best,
Harkiran