NEWS in brief
Global Highlights efficient , cost-effective recycling systems in the region . According to The Guardian , they collect around 9,000 tons of garbage per day , which amounts to nearly twothirds of the trash thrown away by Cairo ’ s inhabitants . On top of that , Laila Iskander , Egypt ’ s Minister of State for Environment Affairs , estimates the mini city boasts a recycling capacity of nearly 100 percent .
Despite the Zabaleen ’ s efforts , their quarter of Cairo is often viewed as nothing more than its nickname . “ The place is perceived as dirty , marginalized and segregated ,” street artist eL Seed wrote on his Facebook page this week . “ In my new project ‘ Perception ,’ I am questioning the level of judgment and misconception society can unconsciously have upon a community based on their differences .”
Source : usaidwaterckm
The Netherlands pledges € 28m to UNDP for 2016
New York — The Dutch Government has pledged its 2016 core contribution to the United Nations Development Programme ( UNDP ), providing € 28 million to help UNDP fulfill its coordination role for the UN system . The multiyear contribution by the Dutch Government enables predictable and flexible funding to help UNDP deliver on its strategic plan through 2017 .
As one of UNDP ’ s top 15 donor countries , the Netherlands is a key UNDP partner in the fields of the rule of law , food security , water , and reproductive health and rights . UNDP and the Netherlands align on these development priorities , as well as on mainstreaming the cross-cutting issues of gender equality , the environment , and climate change .
Core resources allow UNDP to help countries deliver on the internationally agreed Sustainable Development Goals . Through UNDP ’ s global reach the core budget helps support the poorest and most vulnerable countries around the world .
2016 is a pivotal year for international development . UN Member States have agreed on several critical global issues , including the adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals , as well as the Paris climate change agreement .
UNDP offers 50 years of experience in sustainable development and remains the partner of choice for governments and other actors across the globe to eradicate poverty and reduce inequalities and exclusion .
‘ Trash banking ’ takes off around the world By Cole Rosengren
Dive Brief :
• The Mutiara Trash Bank in Makassar , Indonesia is seen as a leading example of the expanding “ trash banking ” system . The country has 2,800 trash banks in 129 cities which serve 175,000 people .
• Residents bring in recyclables that are weighed for value . In exchange they can withdraw or deposit money from bank accounts . Some banks allow residents to pay directly for rice , phone cards or electricity bills . The Makassar government commits to buying the waste at fixed prices and then sells it to waste merchants who ship it to Java .
• Makassar produces 800 tons of waste per day , much of which ends up in a large landfill . Waste pickers , who are often women and children , work to retrieve valuable materials from the growing pile . According to Indonesia ’ s Ministry of Environment and Forestry , 70 % of the country ’ s waste goes to landfills .
Dive Insight :
By U . S . standards , most people in the trash banking program don ’ t make significant amounts of money . Many bank customers are women who work part-time to help support their families . One woman named Sitinah , who runs a small convenience store , used money she made at the trash bank to buy a wok so she could start a homecatering business .
“ Before I never seemed to have any money ,” she said . “ Now I can dip into these savings when I need to .”
Countries such as Ghana , South Africa , India , Colombia and Brazil also have similar systems . Indonesia ’ s network is the largest .
A recent report by the organization Women in Informal Employment : Globalizing and Organizing found government involvement makes a big difference in the
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