The Lancet: Universal health care in 21st century Americas Editorial Board “Despite considerable progress, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) estimates that 30% of the population of the Americas still do not have access to the health care they need because of multifaceted barriers. … The Commission [on Universal Health…

Devex: Cash transfers debate in Colombia complicates Venezuela response “Humanitarian cash transfers are becoming more accepted within the humanitarian response community as both a more efficient and dignified way to meet basic needs including food and shelter for migrants and refugees. But opting for cash transfers over an in-kind donation…

Thomson Reuters Foundation: Thousands feared at risk after Mexico reforms HIV+ regime “Thousands of Mexicans living with HIV or at risk of infection could be left without life-saving services after the government changed the way it funds treatment, according to public health experts and LGBT+ rights advocates. Reforms announced last…

New York Times: After Years of Denial, Venezuela’s President Allows Aid to Enter “After denying for years that Venezuelans were suffering a humanitarian crisis, the government allowed the Red Cross to send in 24 tons of medical equipment on Tuesday, marking the beginning of a large-scale relief campaign intended to…

Agence France-Presse: Lima Group urges U.N. to ‘take action’ over Venezuela crisis “The Lima Group made up of mostly Latin American countries called on the United Nations on Monday to ‘take action’ to prevent an escalation of Venezuela’s humanitarian crisis. The group of 14 countries, which also includes Canada, exhorted…

The Guardian: Red Cross aid to Venezuela to triple as Maduro stance softens “The International Committee of the Red Cross is to triple aid to Venezuela, a day after the crisis-riven country’s leader approved the delivery of humanitarian assistance. The organization announced the increase in the face of mounting calls…

Associated Press: IMF, WB ready to respond to Venezuelan humanitarian crisis “The International Monetary Fund and the World Bank said Thursday they are ready to respond to the humanitarian crisis in Venezuela if their participation is requested. … Neither the World Bank nor the IMF has taken a position in…

Devex: Venezuela ‘most worsened’ country in 2019 fragile states index “Venezuela is tied [with Brazil] for the ‘most worsened’ country in the 2019 fragile states index after it has been ‘beset by enormous turmoil’ and finds itself with two people claiming to be the country’s leader. Venezuela declined for the…

PBS NewsHour: In Mozambique, Yemen and Venezuela crises, access for aid is hard to come by “Mozambique’s official death toll from a deadly cyclone in March has topped 1,000. In the storm’s aftermath, survivors face lack of power, food, and supplies, plus deadly outbreaks of diseases like cholera and malaria.…

Associated Press: Pence says U.S. wants Maduro out and ‘all options’ on table “U.S. Vice President Mike Pence told the Security Council on Wednesday the Trump administration is determined to remove President Nicolás Maduro from power in Venezuela, preferably through diplomatic and economic pressure, but ‘all options are on the…