For the past year, the Asia Pacific region witnessed its vulnerability to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, conflict and fragility, and the climate emergency. The global pandemic has exacerbated systemic inequalities in the region, which calls for an urgent effort to scale up development finance. Yet, the aid system falls short as resource flows stagnate, and as donor economic, political and military interests determine the disbursement of these much-needed funds.   Against this background, The

This article is part of Reality of Aid – Asia Pacific’s COVID-19 Response Series, “Resisting Repression; Recovering Together”, which aims to document the struggles, best practices, and lessons learned, as well as share recommendations of RoA-AP members as they responded to the pandemic at the national or regional level. Read more stories here.   By Nyi Nyi Aung, Local Resource Centre (LRC) Just as it began planning to restore its normal state of affairs, Myanmar was unexpectedly

Date: 9 July 2021 Time: 7:30 – 9:00 AM New York | 7:30 – 9:00 PM Manila Platform: Zoom The Covid-19 pandemic is an unprecedented global health crisis with impacts on economies and sustainable development of countries, especially in the Global South. Climate change is also making its impact felt, and its effects are becoming more catastrophic every year. Climate-induced resource shortages and widespread poverty are also fueling the escalation of conflict and fragility in

Statement of the Reality of Aid Network on the ongoing crises in the DRC The Reality of Aid Network expresses concern over the ongoing humanitarian crises in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in light of the recent Mount Nyiragongo eruption, compounding the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ebola outbreak, ongoing conflict and intercommunal violence, and chronic poverty and inequality. The first half of 2021 has not afforded the people of the DRC any sense of relief

By Tala Batangan, Reality of Aid – Asia Pacific The revival of the “Pivot to Asia” strategy by the Biden administration signals the resurgence of the United States’ influence on the Asia Pacific region and its readiness to face the Chinese “threat”, with plans for an intensified military and economic presence to forward US interests. The Pivot to Asia strategy was originally conceptualized by the Obama administration, specifically by then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. The

The past weeks have seen the escalation of conflict and violence between Palestinian and Israeli forces. Human Rights Watch has labeled the atrocities a crime against humanity of apartheid and persecution, with Palestinians facing institutional discrimination from the Israeli government and armed forces [1]. Palestinians have been subjected to constant attacks, leading to the loss of lives among protesters and civilians alike.    Tensions between Palestine and Israel have come to a head with the