News, Newsletter

CID Weekly: Samoa's new Prime Minister, Fiji political and health crisis

Posted on 27 July 2021

Development & Humanitarian News

+ Vaccine roll out dashboard - last 7 days

The above graph shows the rolling 7-day average of COVID vaccine doses administered per 100 people for selected countries.

For more information go to Our World in Data. 
Also see the new article Tracking Global COVID-19 Vaccine Equity for more on the disparities in the global vaccine progress.
 
 
+ The Humanitarian Grand Bargain - Version 2.0

Five years after the Grand Bargain was launched, the Signatories met for a virtual Annual Meeting on the 15th & 16th July 2021 to acknowledge progress made and to ensure a commitment to the Grand Bargain 2.0. Five years after the World Humanitarian Summit initiated the first Grand Bargain in 2016, the humanitarian sector has concluded a much tighter and more focused dialogue to establish an updated framework for humanitarian reform.

The localisation agenda at the heart of the Grand Bargain 2.0 has also gained strong traction in the Asia-Pacific region. The direct focus on localisation and quality funding puts the onus on all to reform priorities more clearly and deliberately. The following are three reform initiatives that can help guide this:
  1. Stronger demand-driven models
  2. Addressing the burden of compliance on local actors
  3. Funding models
 
+ The Assassination and the Humanitarian Crisis in Haiti

Haiti’s volatile security situation is crippling aid operations in the Caribbean country, where the humanitarian needs of some 4.4 million people were increasing - even before President Jovenel Moïse’s assassination, It is estimated that in the capital alone, 241,000 people are thought to be in need of emergency assistance. 

Since the assassination, questions have lingered over who is running the country. After weeks of uncertainty, acting Prime Minister Claude Joseph stated that he would hand over power to Ariel Henry. Moïse, just days before his death, appointed Henry to replace Joseph. 

The assassination has only emphasised the weakening of Haiti's infrastructure, due to what some term the neglect of the international community. For many years Haiti has seen profound social and political breakdown, a deterioration of the economic and humanitarian situation and a generalized pattern of violence that has eroded the entire social and environmental fabric of the country.
 
+ A study of local humanitarian action during covid
 
‘Local’ humanitarian organisations based in areas of crisis are the first to respond to disasters, conflicts and displacement. During the Covid-19 pandemic, these actors stepped up again, delivering medical supplies, food and other relief for those directly affected by the virus and its many secondary economic and social impacts, as well as responding to other crises.

This report 'Local humanitarian action during Covid-19: findings from a diary study' aims to identify what changes towards a more local aid model were happening in the context of Covid-19 and, where change was not happening, why this was the case.

Recommendations to International NGOs include:
  • Be accountable to the commitments you have made on localisation by establishing transparent mechanisms.
  • Localise coordination through adapting it to context and existing structures.
  • Redefine your role and identify your added value in supporting existing local capacity, action and leadership in humanitarian response
  • Re-centre your objective on what is best for people affected by crises and not what is best for the survival of your organisation.
 
+ Australian Charities concerns over advocacy

Leading Australian charities have asked the United Nations to urgently intervene against plans by the Morrison government to shut down organisations engaging in advocacy.

In a letter to UN special rapporteurs released on Friday, a group of 12 charities have warned they could be de-registered for organising, promoting or having a presence at peaceful assemblies where minor offenses are committed or where they fail to meet restrictive rules. Under the proposed rules, the commissioner could de-register a charity per-emptively if they believe it lacks “internal control procedures” to demonstrate compliance with the new laws, or that it has not adequately documented relevant procedures.

A copy of the letter is available here.
 
+ The CID Weekly is Proudly Sponsored By
Direct Impact Group supports organisations to maximise their social impact, because changing the world isn't easy, and in dynamic times this work is more important than ever.
 

Members Activities & Updates

+ Come join the CID Team - we're hiring!

CID is looking for a new part time Office Manager, Events and Communication to join our small dynamic team in Wellington. This is a very diverse role, and no two days will be the same as you will be managing the operations of the CID office, organising events for the international development sector, providing support to all members of the team and much more!

Applications close 29th July.

Read more and apply here.

+ Global Giving Week & World Humanitarian Day (16th - 20th August)

*** Please let us know what you are up to, so we can promote during Global Giving Week! ***

Please contact us to let us know what activities, events of appeals you are running during that time, that you would like us to include in our Global Giving Week (and World Humanitarian Day) promotion.

During the week of 16th - 20th August, CID is planning to run a week-long campaign to promote the critical importance of public donor support and giving, as a driver and enabler of the effective and impactful support for vulnerable communities around the world.

Keep the evening of the 18th August free for an event around the results of the recent survey of the sector. Details to come.

This week also includes World Humanitarian Day (19th August) which will be a key part of our week. It will be an opportunity to honour and thank all those that continue to support and provide life-saving support and protection to communities in need.

+ 2021 CID Photography Contest & Exhibition

We are excited to be doing things a little bit differently for this years CID Photography competition. We have a new category, and will be providing an opportunity to have your photos (along with your organisation) exhibited to the public. 

Along with the three categories from the previous year, we have a new section to celebrate the work of our own colleagues, volunteers and friends here in New Zealand. Organisations will be able to enter under four categories:

  1. Development (amateur photographers)
  2. Humanitarian Aid & Emergency Response/ DRR (amateur photographers)
  3. Staff & Volunteers (can include Aotearoa-based staff) (amateur)
  4. Professional photographers/ Humanitarian & Development - for photographers based in NZ (non-prize category)
More information will be available on the '2021 Conference' tab on the CID Website soon. We would like to receive entries for the photo competition by Mon, 6th September this year to allow us time to exhibit them to the public.
 
The 2021 CID Photography competition is sponsored by Fisher Print Ltd. 

+ Do you want to facilitate a session at the 2021 CID Conference?
 

The 2021 CID Conference will bring together New Zealand and Pacific international development sectors after a tumultuous year to reflect, and to regroup on a new blueprint for aid and development.

If your organisation is interested in facilitating a session at the CID Annual Conference on 26th October 2021, we would love to hear from you! This opportunity is a chance to present and share collective challenges with representatives from across the sector. Please fill in this form with an outline of your proposed session idea.

Fill in the Expressions of Interest form here. Due 31st August.

If you would like to share your organisation's jobs, events, or recent activities, please send an email to office@cid.org.nz with an outline of the activity so it can be added to the next edition of the CID Weekly. 
 

Pacific News in Brief 

+ Fiame Naomi Mata'afa confirmed as Samoa's first female PM 

Yesterday, the former prime minister of Samoa, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, has conceded defeat in elections held in April,  A move that would bring to an end months of political instability. Tuilaepa said he has asked Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa to give him and his government seven days to move out of office.

Fiame Naomi Mata'afa was confirmed by Samoa’s court of appeal to be the country’s first female prime minister, ending the 22-year reign of the former leader. She was previously the country’s deputy prime minister and last year defected from the Human Rights Protection party (HRPP), which had ruled Samoa for 39 years, to join the FAST party, which was founded in June 2020. The story of Fiame Naomi Mata'afa's extraordinary political journey can be viewed online.

Her confirmation brings Samoa forward full circle from the legacy of her father  Fiame Mata'afa Faumuina Mulinu'u II who was the very first Prime Minister of Samoa, and her mother Masiofo La'ulu Fetauimalemau Mata'afa, an esteemed Member of Parliament in Samoa. 

+ West Papuans challenge new special autonomy law 

The Papuan People's Assembly have filed a constitutional challenge against the Indonesian government's new Special Autonomy Law. Passed this month the new version of the controversial legislation, first granted to Papua in 2001 in response to growing demands for independence, was drafted without consultation and input from West Papuan customary representatives and civil society organisations.

The Papuan People's Assembly's  human rights advisor Wensislaus Fatubun talks here about the new legislation.

+ Fiji health crisis, and now a political crisis

Fiji is already dealing with the COVID-19 outbreak, and now there are concerns over the political situation.

Nine prominent opposition politicians – including two former prime ministers – have been arrested in Fiji for voicing concerns about a contentious land bill. The government has introduced a bill to amend legislation concerning the governing of native land, an amendment the opposition have said will remove power from landowners. There is rising tension and Acting Police Commissioner Rusiate Tudravu has confirmed an investigation into the cause of an explosion on Saturday.

Useful Links, Webinars & Podcasts
 
+ Engaging New Zealanders in Development: a best-practice workshop

When: 9:30am - 3pm, 4 August 2021 (5:30pm photo exhibition launch)
Where: Grand Hall, Parliament 

Register here

CID has teamed up with MFAT and Crown Research Institute (and proposed CID member) Plant and Food Research to offer this opportunity – free. Share best practice and engage with others on how to successfully connect with New Zealanders.

Please register above for up to 3 people from your organisation to attend the workshop. It’s free! Lunch and afternoon tea will be served.

Plant and Food Research’s photo exhibition:
Workshop attendees are also invited to attend a 5.30pm Parliamentary launch of Plant and Food Research’s photo exhibition - From This Land - hosted by Foreign Affairs Minister Hon Nanaia Mahuta. 
 
+ CID Talk: Pacific Human Rights Data

The Human Rights Measurement Initiative (HRMI) has recently released its 2021 Rights Tracker scores, measuring countries' human rights performance. The 2021 scores, available at RightsTracker.org, show that many Pacific countries are leading the world in human rights performance. There remain challenges in making sure all groups of people are able to thrive, and there are some countries that need to make significant human rights progress.

In this CID Talk, HRMI team members Anne-Marie Brook, Roi Burnett, and Thalia Kehoe Rowden will join us to discuss scores for Pacific countries, and upcoming further research on issues important to Pacific communities.

When: tomorrow 12:00 - 1:00pm NZDT, 28 July 2021
Register here
 
+ Pacific Risks and Response 

Australia Pacific Security College (PSC) will host a panel event and webinar with Australia’s Minister for International Development and the Pacific, Hon. Zed Seselja and Dame Annette King, New Zealand’s High Commissioner to Australia.

It is an opportunity to hear senior officials answer questions around how they are helping Pacific nations build resilience as they face multiple challenges.

When: Thu, 29 July 2021 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM NZST
Free registration
 
 
+  Reach out to us on:
  • Planning to do something for World Humanitarian Day or Global Giving Day?
  • Want to feed into what MFAT has planned in Humanitarian and Partnerships programmes for the next four years? 
  • Do you have a newsletter we can promote our conference in?
  • Do you supply medical equipment overseas and want more connections, especially in the Pacific? We also have a growing number of members who work across the Pacific that we can connect you with.
Contact us here.
 
+  Events