Articles You May Have Missed - 2 February to 8 February 2025

 

Backtracking on climate commitments, US sanctions the ICC, landmines in Syria present obstacle to refugee return, time for the UN to move?,  critique of UN and NGO reporting of sexual misconduct, and the freeze in US foreign aid follows a wild week in Washington.

Climate

Walking back the pledges - The Trump administration has rescinded $4 billion in U.S. pledges to the Green Climate Fund, a U.N. initiative aiding over 100 countries in climate adaptation. The U.S. had pledged $6 billion under Obama and Biden but delivered only $2 billion. The decision, following Trump’s broader rollback of climate finance, threatens the fund’s future goals, limiting support for developing nations’ climate efforts. (Politico,"Trump rescinds $4B US pledge for UN climate fund")

Billionaires too? The Bezos Earth Fund has stopped funding the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), a key climate certification body, raising concerns that U.S. billionaires are aligning with Trump’s anti-climate stance. The decision follows major banks withdrawing from net-zero pledges and Trump’s rollback of climate policies. Experts warn it signals declining corporate and financial support for climate action amid increasing political pressure. (The Guardian, "Bezos fund end support for climate group amid fears billionaires bowing down to Trump")

DRC

M23 and RDF take control of Goma -  Article shared by Niloufar Pourzand.  The M23 rebel group, backed by the Rwandan Defense Forces, has taken control of Goma, marking a major turning point in the long-running Congolese conflict. Unlike past rebellions in 2008 and 2012, Rwanda faces little international pressure, as Western powers prioritize economic and military partnerships over holding Kigali accountable. Meanwhile, the Congolese government’s failure to address past peace agreements and its military’s corruption and disorganization have worsened the crisis. With no immediate intervention, M23’s occupation of Goma could last for months or even years, further destabilizing the region. (PassBlue, "Understanding the M23 and RDF Attack")

ICC

Prosecuting the court -  President Donald Trump has imposed sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC), calling its actions against the U.S. and Israel “illegitimate and baseless.” The order follows ICC arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant over alleged war crimes in Gaza. The sanctions could block ICC officials' entry into the U.S. and freeze their assets. While Israel and the U.S. reject ICC jurisdiction, key U.S. allies support the court.The move coincided with Netanyahu’s Washington visit, where Trump controversially proposed relocating Gaza’s Palestinian population (Washington Post, "Trump signs order imposing sanction on International Criminal Court")

Syria

Ready for returnees?  Landmine-related deaths in Syria have reached crisis levels, with over 400 civilians killed or injured since December 2024. As displaced Syrians return home, many risk deadly explosions. (ReliefWeb, "Syria landmine crisis spirals as refugees return home")

UN

 

Time to move the UN?  -  Israel's long-standing immunity from international law, compounded by the US's support, has pushed the current global system to its limits. It critiques the United Nations for failing to prevent conflicts and calls for a new international legal order that better reflects the needs of the Global South, especially in light of issues like Palestine, climate change, and imperialism. The author proposes relocating the UN out of the US, abolishing power structures like the UN Security Council, and empowering the General Assembly and International Court of Justice“We need to start laying down the foundation of a new international legal system that finds virtue in justice rather than power.” (Al Jazeera, "Is it time to move the UN out of the West?")

Before its demise, USAID critiqued the UN -  A USAID watchdog memo criticized U.N. agencies and NGOs for lack of cooperation in investigations and limited vetting of partners for terrorism and corruption. The memo highlighted delays in reporting misconduct, resistance to sharing investigative information, and gaps in vetting aid recipients. It also flagged issues such as aid diversion, sexual misconduct, and the rehiring of problematic employees within U.N. agencies. The findings came just before Trump’s administration paused USAID funding, aligning aid with its "America First" policy. (DEVEX, "USAID IG warned of oversight failures")

UNFPA

Immediate impact -  The Trump administration’s foreign aid freeze has severely impacted the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), which has historically lost U.S. funding under Republican presidents. Unlike the previous administration, which allowed already allocated funds to be spent, this time, the freeze is immediate, jeopardizing critical programs. Over $160 million in potential cuts threaten healthcare for millions, including maternal care in Afghanistan, emergency aid in Gaza, and gender-based violence services in Ukraine. UN agencies face legal and logistical challenges, with small NGOs struggling to survive the funding halt. The move reflects broader efforts to restructure USAID and U.S. involvement in international aid. (DEVEX, "UNFPA thought they were prepared for the worst")

USA

Shut down of US humanitarian aid - The Trump administration’s ban on U.S.-funded humanitarian aid remains in effect despite claims of exemptions. Aid groups in Sudan and beyond are struggling to keep lifesaving operations running as funds are frozen, forcing staff layoffs and program shutdowns. Confusion over waiver requests and lack of communication from U.S. agencies have exacerbated the crisis. The aid freeze is impacting global health programs, emergency medical care, and refugee assistance, with potential long-term consequences for U.S. humanitarian policy and international relations. (ProPublica, "Trump Ban on Lifesaving Humanitarian Aid Still in Place, Despite Administration Claims")

Humanitarian chaos -  The abrupt U.S. aid freeze under President Trump has thrown global humanitarian efforts into chaos, forcing many local NGOs to suspend essential programs overnight while grappling with vague waivers and conflicting instructions. The freeze disrupts aid in crisis zones like Syria, Somalia, Ukraine, and Myanmar, exposing the aid system’s heavy reliance on U.S. funding. While some groups cautiously resume work under exemptions, others remain in limbo, highlighting the urgent need for more sustainable and diversified funding sources. Article shared by Niloufar Pourzand (The New Humanitarian, "Trump stop-work orders hit local aid and frontline communities")

Mapping the impact - A confidential U.N. survey reveals that the U.S. suspension of foreign aid under the Trump administration is having a "severe" or "moderate" impact on nearly 20 U.N. agencies, including the World Food Programme, UNICEF, and WHO. The aid freeze is disrupting programs on human rights, food security, migration control, ceasefire support, and counter-extremism efforts, particularly in the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America. Critical U.N. operations in Palestine, Lebanon, Yemen, Ethiopia, Kenya, Ukraine, and Bangladesh face significant setbacks, while the funding vacuum may allow other global powers to expand influence. The freeze threatens economic recovery, humanitarian relief, and governance stability across multiple regions. (DEVEX, "UN sketches global map of mayhem from US aid freeze"

Imperialism redux? -  Donald Trump’s threats to take over Greenland and the Panama Canal have sparked global concern, raising fears of imperial ambitions reminiscent of past centuries. Experts warn such actions would violate international law and alienate U.S. allies, isolating the country. The UN, EU, and other organizations may condemn the move but lack enforcement power against a superpower like the U.S. Critics argue that Trump's approach undermines global stability, while some U.S. officials, like Marco Rubio, justify intervention in the Panama Canal due to Chinese influence. The situation highlights growing geopolitical tensions and uncertainty about future U.S. foreign policy. Article shared by Kul Gautam (IPS, "UN vs. US over Greenland and the Panama Canal")

WHO

Can WHO thrive without the US? - The WHO faces a challenge after the U.S. withdrawal, as the country contributed a significant portion of its funding. However, Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus urges constructive dialogue while emphasizing that the organization must not depend too heavily on any single donor. The WHO remains crucial in coordinating global health efforts, from combating infectious diseases to setting health standards. While the U.S. played a key role in funding outbreak response and humanitarian aid, other nations and philanthropic sources can help fill the gap. Long-term structural reforms are debated, but immediate financial support is necessary to maintain WHO’s mission. (Nature, "
How the World Health Organization can thrive without the United States")