Conflict in Central African Republic has left 2.3 million people needing aid and raised fears of a “gradual disintegration of the state”. Clár Ní Chonghaile met midwives attempting to save lives amid the chaos, teachers giving lessons on peace and reconciliation, and the head of the UN mission pledging to end troop abuses.
Elsewhere on the site
A slave in Scotland: ‘I fell into a trap – and I couldn’t get out’
‘It’s like Florence Nightingale’s time’: South Sudan’s public services collapse
How southern Africa is coping with worst global food crisis for 25 years
‘My grandsons’ fight to avenge their father’: child soldiers in Afghanistan
Divert 10% of EU funds to deal with refugee crisis, says Germany
‘I just got trapped’: Nepal tries to expand girls’ horizons beyond marriage
Opinion
The International Monetary Fund has failed to live up to its own hype on social protection, argue Alexander Kentikelenis, Thomas Stubbs and Lawrence King. Their research shows the IMF is more interested in enforcing fiscal austerity than supporting health and welfare programmes.
Sexual health deserves greater attention in times of crisis, says International Planned Parenthood Federation head Tewodros Melesse. He says there are devastating consequences of ignoring the issue, as 60% of preventable maternal deaths take place in fragile settings.
Kevin Watkins makes the case for a global fund for education in emergencies to ensure that the 30 million children who have lost their homes don’t also lose their education.
Multimedia
Why are so many children around the world out of school? In our latest podcast, Global development editor Lucy Lamble looks at why 75 million children can’t access adequate education. The impact conflict has on education is highlighted in this gallery showing schools reduced to rubble in Yemen, South Sudan and Syria.
‘When I have my period I’m not allowed to …’: girls in Nepal share their photo diaries to explore the taboos that still exist around menstruation.
Are you good in a crisis? Try your luck with our humanitarian aid quiz.
What you said
Which film do you think provides an accurate portrayal of humanitarianism? Gregory Barrow wrote:
Blood Diamond (2006) had a reasonably good stab at grappling with the issue of illegal diamond mining but tend to feel that The Constant Gardener got the balance right between drama and highlighting an interesting angle on humanitarianism.
Highlight from the blogosphere
The Overseas Development Institute shares thoughts from the world humanitarian summit – was it a political breakthrough or a fringe festival?
And finally …
Poverty matters will return in two weeks with another roundup of the latest news and comment. In the meantime, keep up to date on the Global development website. Follow @gdndevelopment and the team –@swajones, @LizFordGuardian, @clarnic and @CarlaOkai – on Twitter, and join Guardian Global development on Facebook.
