Month: May 2026

WINDHOEK, Namibia, May 20, 2026 /3BL/ – Today, the Government of The Republic of Namibia, in partnership with a network of communal conservancies, and a global coalition including WWF and its Enduring Earth partners, announced the permanent conservation of up to 50 million acres through the launch of a historic initiative called Namibia for Life.

Namibia For Life is Africa’s first Project Finance for Permanence (PFP) initiative. It helps the country’s 87 communal conservancies sustain their conservation success and build on decades of revitalizing iconic wildlife populations by strengthening their natural resource management and self-governance and investing in sustainable rural livelihoods. Co-designed with communities, Namibia for Life can ultimately support up to 100 conservancies, ensuring future community support. Namibia for Life encompasses more than 20% of the country, an area larger than Nebraska, where more than 283,000 conservancy members rely on healthy wildlife and natural resources.

“I regard the PFP initiative as a significant milestone in advancing community-led conservation and sustainable development,” said Thomas Muronga, Chairperson of National Communal Conservancy and Community Forest Alliance (NCCFA). “It offers essential support to strengthen the capacity of our member conservancies and community forests, ensuring long-term environmental stewardship and socio-economic benefits. Through this partnership, we aim to enhance coordination, accountability, and impact for the benefit of present and future generations.”

Investing in Namibia’s legacy of conservancies means backing what works. Since the first conservancy formed in 1998, communities have used their traditional knowledge to bring wildlife populations back from the brink of extinction. There were only a few hundred black rhinos left in Namibia in 1990. Now, Namibia is home to the second largest black rhino population in the world. Namibia’s elephant population has quadrupled, and desert-dwelling lion numbers have increased sevenfold since 1995.

“Namibia’s rich biodiversity is a national asset that underpins our tourism economy, rural livelihoods, and our resilience to climate change,” said Namibia’s Prime Minister, the Right Honorable Elijah Ngurare. “Initiatives such as Namibia for Life demonstrate how strategic partnerships can translate conservation achievements into long-term socio-economic benefits for our people.”

Namibia for Life is possible because of the collaboration between Namibia’s Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT) , the Community Conservation Fund of Namibia (CCFN), the Namibian Association of Community Based Natural Resource Management Support Organisations (NACSO), WWF, and other key partners: Bezos Earth Fund, Carmen Busquets, Development Bank of Namibia (DBN), Enduring Earth, Global Environment Facility (GEF), Impact Tank Analysis Foundation, the Liz Claiborne & Art Ortenberg Foundation, Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies, National Communal Conservancy and Community Forest Alliance (NCCFA), The ProNamib Trust, Laurie and Jeffrey Ubben, and ZOMA LAB. WWF and our partners also recognize the many years of critical support from the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) of the Federal Republic of Germany through KfW for CCFN and the conservancy movement.

“Namibia for Life will secure long-term, sustainable financing to strengthen communal conservancies and the extension services that keep them effective in one of the world’s most important dryland biodiversity strongholds,” said Claude Gascon, Interim CEO and Director of Strategy and Operations at the GEF. “This is a great example of a whole-of-society approach to achieving the Kunming Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework’s goal of conserving 30% of land, waters, and seas by 2030.”

“After 30 years of commitment and support to the community-based natural resource management movement, the launch of Namibia for Life and the long-term funding it provides is a dream come true. This funding will maintain a lasting foundation from which to launch new opportunities for nature and people into the future. What a wonderful achievement. We are proud as WWF to be part of this partnership,” said Dr Juliane Zeidler, WWF Namibia Country Director.

Many of these communities were severely affected when tourism came to a standstill during the pandemic. To help them better weather future economic shifts, Namibia for Life will support the creation of additional sustainable businesses while strengthening tried-and-true local enterprises. This initiative achieves this by bolstering the connection between sustainable livelihoods and strong conservation outcomes through innovative mechanisms like the Socio-Economic Development Fund (SEDF).

Establishing and expanding nature-based businesses like tourist lodges, honey and craft value chains, wildlife-friendly products, and local services keeps income in communities and reduces pressure on natural resources.

“Namibia’s communal conservancies have proven that when local communities have the authority and resources to manage their wildlife, both wildlife and communities flourish,” said Nik Sekhran, Chief Conservation Officer at World Wildlife Fund. “Namibia for Life builds on this trusted model by securing permanent funding and policy support for up to 100 conservancies managing up to 20 million hectares. This is Africa’s first Project Finance for Permanence initiative, and it works precisely because it enables communities who are already conservation experts to scale what they do best: protecting wildlife while building sustainable enterprises that benefit their families and future generations.”

Namibia for Life employs the PFP approach, which secures the policies and funding for conservation success in a single agreement so that systems of conservation areas are well-managed, sustainably financed, and benefit the communities that rely on them. Today, Namibia for Life is launching as a $63-million initiative, which includes an endowment fund that will support sustainable finance mechanisms for communities in perpetuity. With additional investments from the Green Climate Fund (GCF)—through the Climate Resilient Enduring Earth (CREE) initiative—and other partners, the fund has the potential to increase to more than $75 million.

“Namibia’s community conservancies show that nature can recover when communities have the power and resources to manage the lands they know best. Philanthropy can help turn that local leadership into lasting finance and Namibia for Life brings that promise to life, giving 30×30 — the global goal of protecting 30% of land and sea by 2030 — the staying power it will need long after the announcement,” said Dr. Cristián Samper, Managing Director and Leader for Nature Solutions of Bezos Earth Fund.

Namibia for Life is part of the growing community of locally designed and led PFP initiatives that are part of Enduring Earth, a bold collaboration between The Nature Conservancy, The Pew Charitable Trusts, World Wildlife Fund, and ZOMA LAB. Enduring Earth partners with governments, communities, Indigenous peoples, and funders to accelerate conservation and sustainable development, address biodiversity loss, secure durable financing, and enhance economic growth, using the PFP model. Namibia for Life marks the eighth PFP initiative under Enduring Earth, working with local leadership to durably finance and conserve a total of 572 million acres of lands and waters in Brazil, Canada, Colombia, and Mongolia since its launch in 2021, and securing more than US$1.8 billion in sustainable finance for nature and people.

Quotes from Additional Namibia for Life Partners

“As Chairperson of the Okongo Conservancy, I am very happy and excited about the Namibia for Life Project Finance for Permanence initiative. It will strengthen capacity, improve governance, and ensure our communities benefit more from conservation, while also supporting better monitoring of donor funds in our conservancies.” — Martha Nghidengwa, Chairperson of Okongo Conservancy

“This initiative strengthens national ownership of conservation financing while ensuring that communities remain at the heart of natural resource management. The Namibia for Life PFP is aligned with government priorities and reinforces our commitment to inclusive, community driven conservation.” — Honourable Indileni Daniel, Namibia’s Minister of Environment, Forestry and Tourism

“Since 2000, NACSO has proudly supported Namibia’s CBNRM program through a collaborative, multiparter model that delivers coordinated and cost-effective support to communities across the country. We are honored to support Namibia for Life as a bold and transformative milestone, securing permanent, sustainable financing and strengthening community led conservation for generations to come.” — Maxi Louis, Director of NACSO

“This is a decisive step in securing long-term funding to support communities managing wildlife and natural resources. With consistent extension services, it will help ensure communities remain well-governed and able to deliver both conservation and livelihood benefits. It also helps maintain Namibia’s position as a global leader in community-based conservation.” — Advocate Andrew Corbett, Board Chair of CCFN

“SEDF is an important step toward building stronger, more sustainable conservancy economies in Namibia. By combining enterprise support with access to appropriate finance, we are assisting community-based businesses to strengthen their operations, improve investment readiness, and create long-term livelihood opportunities linked to conservation.” — Elzine Mushambi, Founder of Impact Tank

“Namibia for Life demonstrates how nature conservation and benefits for local communities go hand in hand. We are delighted to expand our work with the ProNamib Nature Reserve and community programs in Hardap by supporting this outstanding initiative for the whole of Namibia.” — John Bernstein, Chairman of The ProNamib Trust

“When I visited Namibia in 2018, I understood why it is such an important country for the future of conservation. Its commitment to community-led preservation, wildlife protection, and sustainable development is truly inspiring. After seeing firsthand the impact WWF created through Bhutan for Life, I had no doubt they were the ideal partner for an initiative like Namibia for Life.” — Carmen Busquets, WWF National Council Member

“Namibia for Life marks a defining moment for community-led conservation as the first Project Finance for Permanence initiative in Africa and the eighth globally since Enduring Earth was established in 2020. Led by communal conservancies, this PFP channels long-term finance into local nature-based enterprises and contributes to a total of more than U.S.$1.8 billion now secured in durable funding through PFPs. By backing community-run lodges, honey and craft value chains, and other nature-based businesses, Namibia for Life keeps income local, eases pressure on natural resources, and advances global 2030 conservation goals.” — Zdenka Piskulich, Managing Director of Enduring Earth

 

About World Wildlife Fund

WWF is one of the world’s leading conservation organizations, working for 60 years in nearly 100 countries to help people and nature thrive. With the support of nearly a million members in the United States and more than 5 million members worldwide, WWF is dedicated to delivering science-based solutions to preserve the diversity and abundance of life on Earth, halt the degradation of the environment, and combat the climate crisis.

A truly healthy environment nurtures both human body and mind. The WELL Building Standard and the pilot WELL Community Standard help define connection to nature and place as fundamental to human well-being. Translating these principles into lived experience invites innovative approaches. When interpreted with greater thoughtfulness and cultural and ecological sensitivity, they can take on a far deeper meaning. The Japanese philosophy of Satoyama offers one such lens.

Satoyama: A biophilic philosophy of coexistence with Nature
In Japanese, Satoyama (里山) refers to the semi-natural landscapes found between mountain foothills and flatlands, where natural elements such as rice paddies, forests and villages form a continuous, sustainable cycle linking people and land. More than a physical setting, it represents a philosophy of coexistence—one in which human activity and natural systems support one another in balance. Drawing inspiration from this timeless approach, the Ohara Sanso (大原山荘, literally “Ohara Mountain Villa”) seeks to deepen the spirit of Satoyama within a contemporary context.

Nestled in the Ohara region, an hour from Kyoto’s bustling city center—home to renowned temples in Japan such as Sanzen-in and Jakkō-in—the area has long been a place where culture and nature are deeply intertwined. Set within a small basin community of roughly 2,000 residents, the landscape reflects the traditional Satoyama harmony between people and the environment. Inspired by this sweeping natural setting, Toho Leo, a Japanese sustainable place-making collective, set to reimagine the site of roughly 10,000 kilometers in Ohara, encompassing a historic guest pavilion, a teahouse and an expansive landscape.

One critical challenge Ohara faces is the population aging and decline in Japan. The key to reimagining and revitalizing the Ohara area is to restore its lost foot traffic. The guest pavilion, once used as a reception villa for VIP guests, gradually fell into disuse, and Ohara’s vast, beautiful landscape became largely unknown to today’s visitors.

Driven by its mission to enrich lifestyles through nature- and culture-based real estate development and placemaking, Toho Leo recognized the overlooked potential of Ohara as an opportunity to help restore the human connection to nature within a rich and authentic cultural context.

Toho Leo believes that while wellness experiences are increasingly sought after by sophisticated visitors, many places face challenges to deliver meaningful experiences. Too often, nature and culture are presented superficially, lacking the depth and authenticity needed to create meaningful, lasting connections. Recognizing the strong potential of Ohara, Toho Leo seeks to reimagine the area as a truly distinctive wellness experience—one rooted not only in nature, but also in cultural memory and local identity.

Project Vision: Reimagining Wellness Through Satoyama
Ohara Sanso is being repurposed as a flagship venue showcasing Toho Leo’s Satoyama philosophy, offering an authentic Japanese Satoyama experience for the most sophisticated and discerning visitors. Through a diverse range of art and cultural events and sensory-rich wellness experiences, the project aims to rekindle and deepen the connection between people and the natural world.

To bring this vision to life, a carefully curated set of experiences is taking shape across the site. Visitors are invited to walk barefoot across a carpet of moss—renowned in Kyoto for its lush, velvety surface—which fosters a direct, bodily connection with nature. Mountain water is reintroduced into a rice paddy beside the teahouse, where guests can sit along the engawa (縁側—the traditional wooden veranda that mediates between interior and garden), enjoy tea and take in the changing light at sunset. Different genres of art and music experiences are woven into the landscape, creating unexpected harmonies and sparking moments of inspiration.

Equally important to realizing this vision is the process itself. Deeply rooted in the context of Ohara, every decision—whether concerning design, programming or operations—is made through close dialogue with local residents, ensuring that all interventions remain authentic while respecting local culture. The future of Ohara Sanso will have a meaningful impact on the community, and residents’ voices are heard, consensus is prioritized and the project is shaped with them—co-creating a shared vision for the future.

Beyond Connection: Toward a Reciprocal Relationship with Nature
Connection to nature is sometimes understood simply as access to greenery or scenic views. Yet wherever nature exists, there is also a relationship between people and their environment, and when time is added to this equation, that relationship becomes inseparable from local history and identity. The Satoyama philosophy encompasses all of these layers.

Today, as many rural areas in Japan face population decline and fading cultural continuity, the Ohara Sanso restoration explores the possibility of redefining our “connection to nature” as a reciprocal, place-based relationship that offers a potential model for regeneration, rather than extraction.

View original content here.

A truly healthy environment nurtures both human body and mind. The WELL Building Standard and the pilot WELL Community Standard help define connection to nature and place as fundamental to human well-being. Translating these principles into lived experience invites innovative approaches. When interpreted with greater thoughtfulness and cultural and ecological sensitivity, they can take on a far deeper meaning. The Japanese philosophy of Satoyama offers one such lens.

Satoyama: A biophilic philosophy of coexistence with Nature
In Japanese, Satoyama (里山) refers to the semi-natural landscapes found between mountain foothills and flatlands, where natural elements such as rice paddies, forests and villages form a continuous, sustainable cycle linking people and land. More than a physical setting, it represents a philosophy of coexistence—one in which human activity and natural systems support one another in balance. Drawing inspiration from this timeless approach, the Ohara Sanso (大原山荘, literally “Ohara Mountain Villa”) seeks to deepen the spirit of Satoyama within a contemporary context.

Nestled in the Ohara region, an hour from Kyoto’s bustling city center—home to renowned temples in Japan such as Sanzen-in and Jakkō-in—the area has long been a place where culture and nature are deeply intertwined. Set within a small basin community of roughly 2,000 residents, the landscape reflects the traditional Satoyama harmony between people and the environment. Inspired by this sweeping natural setting, Toho Leo, a Japanese sustainable place-making collective, set to reimagine the site of roughly 10,000 kilometers in Ohara, encompassing a historic guest pavilion, a teahouse and an expansive landscape.

One critical challenge Ohara faces is the population aging and decline in Japan. The key to reimagining and revitalizing the Ohara area is to restore its lost foot traffic. The guest pavilion, once used as a reception villa for VIP guests, gradually fell into disuse, and Ohara’s vast, beautiful landscape became largely unknown to today’s visitors.

Driven by its mission to enrich lifestyles through nature- and culture-based real estate development and placemaking, Toho Leo recognized the overlooked potential of Ohara as an opportunity to help restore the human connection to nature within a rich and authentic cultural context.

Toho Leo believes that while wellness experiences are increasingly sought after by sophisticated visitors, many places face challenges to deliver meaningful experiences. Too often, nature and culture are presented superficially, lacking the depth and authenticity needed to create meaningful, lasting connections. Recognizing the strong potential of Ohara, Toho Leo seeks to reimagine the area as a truly distinctive wellness experience—one rooted not only in nature, but also in cultural memory and local identity.

Project Vision: Reimagining Wellness Through Satoyama
Ohara Sanso is being repurposed as a flagship venue showcasing Toho Leo’s Satoyama philosophy, offering an authentic Japanese Satoyama experience for the most sophisticated and discerning visitors. Through a diverse range of art and cultural events and sensory-rich wellness experiences, the project aims to rekindle and deepen the connection between people and the natural world.

To bring this vision to life, a carefully curated set of experiences is taking shape across the site. Visitors are invited to walk barefoot across a carpet of moss—renowned in Kyoto for its lush, velvety surface—which fosters a direct, bodily connection with nature. Mountain water is reintroduced into a rice paddy beside the teahouse, where guests can sit along the engawa (縁側—the traditional wooden veranda that mediates between interior and garden), enjoy tea and take in the changing light at sunset. Different genres of art and music experiences are woven into the landscape, creating unexpected harmonies and sparking moments of inspiration.

Equally important to realizing this vision is the process itself. Deeply rooted in the context of Ohara, every decision—whether concerning design, programming or operations—is made through close dialogue with local residents, ensuring that all interventions remain authentic while respecting local culture. The future of Ohara Sanso will have a meaningful impact on the community, and residents’ voices are heard, consensus is prioritized and the project is shaped with them—co-creating a shared vision for the future.

Beyond Connection: Toward a Reciprocal Relationship with Nature
Connection to nature is sometimes understood simply as access to greenery or scenic views. Yet wherever nature exists, there is also a relationship between people and their environment, and when time is added to this equation, that relationship becomes inseparable from local history and identity. The Satoyama philosophy encompasses all of these layers.

Today, as many rural areas in Japan face population decline and fading cultural continuity, the Ohara Sanso restoration explores the possibility of redefining our “connection to nature” as a reciprocal, place-based relationship that offers a potential model for regeneration, rather than extraction.

View original content here.

BETHESDA, Md., May 20, 2026 /3BL/ – Tandem Global announces the release of a new white paper, Microhabitats in Managed Landscapes: Designing Pollinator, Forest, and Wetland Habitats on a Micro-Scale, available for download today. This white paper is sponsored by Ontario Power Generation.

The world is urbanizing at an unprecedented pace. Today, more than half of the global population lives in cities, and by 2050, nearly 70 percent of people are expected to reside in dense urban environments. As development continues to replace natural landscapes with gray infrastructure, ecological connectivity is increasingly fragmented, placing growing pressure on biodiversity, ecosystem resilience, and human well-being.

This white paper examines how companies are integrating microhabitats into urban and industrial landscapes. Through case studies focusing on microforests, pollinator habitats, and wetland habitats, it highlights how small-scale restoration projects can produce measurable ecological and social benefits, demonstrating that even modest interventions, when thoughtfully designed and implemented, can significantly support biodiversity.

Featured case studies include:

• WM, Harlem River Yard Transfer Station: New York, U.S.A.
• Fishbeck, Fishbeck Grand Rapids: Michigan, U.S.A.
• ITC Holdings, ITC Transmission Line Right-of-Way at Tomlinson Arboretum: Michigan, U.S.A.
• Navajo Refining Company, Navajo Nature Trail: New Mexico, U.S.A.
• Toyota, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, West Virginia Inc.: West Virginia, U.S.A
• W.R. Grace, Baton Rouge Wildlife Habitat Enhancement Program by W.R. Grace, Albemarle & Ethyl: Louisiana, U.S.A.

Sponsored by Ontario Power Generation, this white paper features a foreword from Tracy Leung, Vice President of Environment Health and Safety, highlighting how OPG is implementing microhabitat initiatives across its operations through native pollinator gardens, wetland restoration, invasive species management, wildlife habitat enhancement, and community partnerships that support biodiversity and ecological resilience.

About Tandem Global

Tandem Global (formerly Wildlife Habitat Council and World Environment Center), provides the know-how and the network to move business and the environment forward, together. Across sectors and at all levels of its member organizations, Tandem Global works to facilitate long-term and lasting impact on all aspects of our natural world. It connects leading thinking with practical solutions that positively impact climate, nature, and water. From field operations to boardrooms and beyond, corporate leaders turn to Tandem Global for impact strategies and resilient solutions that can support a better future. Tandem Global is headquartered in Bethesda, MD, USA, with locations across the U.S., in Latin America and Munich, Germany. For more information visit tandemglobal.org.

BETHESDA, Md., May 20, 2026 /3BL/ – Tandem Global announces the release of a new white paper, Microhabitats in Managed Landscapes: Designing Pollinator, Forest, and Wetland Habitats on a Micro-Scale, available for download today. This white paper is sponsored by Ontario Power Generation.

The world is urbanizing at an unprecedented pace. Today, more than half of the global population lives in cities, and by 2050, nearly 70 percent of people are expected to reside in dense urban environments. As development continues to replace natural landscapes with gray infrastructure, ecological connectivity is increasingly fragmented, placing growing pressure on biodiversity, ecosystem resilience, and human well-being.

This white paper examines how companies are integrating microhabitats into urban and industrial landscapes. Through case studies focusing on microforests, pollinator habitats, and wetland habitats, it highlights how small-scale restoration projects can produce measurable ecological and social benefits, demonstrating that even modest interventions, when thoughtfully designed and implemented, can significantly support biodiversity.

Featured case studies include:

• WM, Harlem River Yard Transfer Station: New York, U.S.A.
• Fishbeck, Fishbeck Grand Rapids: Michigan, U.S.A.
• ITC Holdings, ITC Transmission Line Right-of-Way at Tomlinson Arboretum: Michigan, U.S.A.
• Navajo Refining Company, Navajo Nature Trail: New Mexico, U.S.A.
• Toyota, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, West Virginia Inc.: West Virginia, U.S.A
• W.R. Grace, Baton Rouge Wildlife Habitat Enhancement Program by W.R. Grace, Albemarle & Ethyl: Louisiana, U.S.A.

Sponsored by Ontario Power Generation, this white paper features a foreword from Tracy Leung, Vice President of Environment Health and Safety, highlighting how OPG is implementing microhabitat initiatives across its operations through native pollinator gardens, wetland restoration, invasive species management, wildlife habitat enhancement, and community partnerships that support biodiversity and ecological resilience.

About Tandem Global

Tandem Global (formerly Wildlife Habitat Council and World Environment Center), provides the know-how and the network to move business and the environment forward, together. Across sectors and at all levels of its member organizations, Tandem Global works to facilitate long-term and lasting impact on all aspects of our natural world. It connects leading thinking with practical solutions that positively impact climate, nature, and water. From field operations to boardrooms and beyond, corporate leaders turn to Tandem Global for impact strategies and resilient solutions that can support a better future. Tandem Global is headquartered in Bethesda, MD, USA, with locations across the U.S., in Latin America and Munich, Germany. For more information visit tandemglobal.org.

Contact media@actionagainsthunger.org for inquiries. 

 

MOGADISHU and NEW YORK, May 20, 2026 /3BL/ – Action Against Hunger is warning that the latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) analysis reveals rapidly worsening food insecurity and nutrition conditions in the country, including a credible risk of famine in Burhakaba District in Bay Region. The organization has witnessed a significant rise in admissions of severely malnourished children to its stabilization centers across Somalia and is calling for an urgent scale-up of humanitarian assistance to prevent further deterioration and save lives.

According to the updated IPC projection for April–June 2026, approximately 6 million people — nearly one in three of the population analyzed — are facing Crisis levels of hunger or worse (IPC Phase 3 or above). Nearly 1.9 million people are in Emergency conditions (IPC Phase 4), almost doubling in severity from the first quarter of 2025. The report also projects that 1.88 million children under five will suffer acute malnutrition in 2026, including nearly 493,000 children expected to suffer Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM), the deadliest form of hunger.

The report identifies the Bay Agropastoral Livelihood Zone as the area with the most alarming deterioration of food security. Within this zone, Burhakaba District has reached extremely critical levels of acute malnutrition (IPC Phase 5), with a Global Acute Malnutrition (GAM) rate of 37.1 percent. Failing Gu rains, soaring food prices, and limited humanitarian food security assistance could worsen the crisis at a time when at least one out of three children in Burhakaba are already expected to be acutely malnourished.

Action Against Hunger’s program data confirms the growing malnutrition crisis, recording an average 35% increase in SAM admissions across its stabilization centers between January to March of 2025 and January to March of 2026 (from 1,796 to 2,420 cases). The increases have been particularly severe in the Bayhaw stabilization center (serving the wider Bay region), with a 54% increase, and in the Wajid stabilization center (serving the Bakool region), with a 58% increase in admissions in the same timeframe.

“What we are witnessing in Burhakaba and across the Bay region is not a future warning — it is a present emergency,” said Mohamed Abdi Haji, Acting Country Director of Action Against Hunger in Somalia. “A GAM rate of 37 percent means that in some communities, malnutrition is the norm, not the exception. Our teams are already on the ground; we currently support five of the six functional health facilities in Burhakaba district, and we are seeing the consequences of this crisis firsthand in our stabilization centers, where admissions of the most severe malnutrition cases have surged by more than half in some locations.”

Food insecurity in Somalia is being driven by a convergence of failed and delayed rains, escalating food prices exacerbated by conflict in the Middle East, internal conflict and insecurity, and displacement. Across the country, deteriorating climatic conditions continue to devastate livelihoods. The April–June Gu rainy season has performed significantly below expectations, extending drought impacts after failed rains during the 2025 Deyr season and a harsh 2026 Jilaal dry season. Livestock losses, failed crop production, shrinking incomes, and soaring fuel and food prices linked to regional instability are pushing families deeper into crisis.

Action Against Hunger is calling on the international community to mobilize support and prevent further deterioration of the food insecurity crisis in Somalia.

“Somalia has stood on the edge of famine before and pulled back — but only because the world responded in time,” said Haji. “That window is open now, and it will not remain open indefinitely.”

***

Action Against Hunger leads the global movement to end hunger. We innovate solutions, advocate for change, and reach 26.5 million people every year with proven hunger prevention and treatment programs. As a nonprofit that works across over 55 countries, our 8,500+ dedicated staff members partner with communities to address the root causes of hunger, including climate change, conflict, inequity, and emergencies. We strive to create a world free from hunger, for everyone, for good.

Contact media@actionagainsthunger.org for inquiries. 

 

MOGADISHU and NEW YORK, May 20, 2026 /3BL/ – Action Against Hunger is warning that the latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) analysis reveals rapidly worsening food insecurity and nutrition conditions in the country, including a credible risk of famine in Burhakaba District in Bay Region. The organization has witnessed a significant rise in admissions of severely malnourished children to its stabilization centers across Somalia and is calling for an urgent scale-up of humanitarian assistance to prevent further deterioration and save lives.

According to the updated IPC projection for April–June 2026, approximately 6 million people — nearly one in three of the population analyzed — are facing Crisis levels of hunger or worse (IPC Phase 3 or above). Nearly 1.9 million people are in Emergency conditions (IPC Phase 4), almost doubling in severity from the first quarter of 2025. The report also projects that 1.88 million children under five will suffer acute malnutrition in 2026, including nearly 493,000 children expected to suffer Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM), the deadliest form of hunger.

The report identifies the Bay Agropastoral Livelihood Zone as the area with the most alarming deterioration of food security. Within this zone, Burhakaba District has reached extremely critical levels of acute malnutrition (IPC Phase 5), with a Global Acute Malnutrition (GAM) rate of 37.1 percent. Failing Gu rains, soaring food prices, and limited humanitarian food security assistance could worsen the crisis at a time when at least one out of three children in Burhakaba are already expected to be acutely malnourished.

Action Against Hunger’s program data confirms the growing malnutrition crisis, recording an average 35% increase in SAM admissions across its stabilization centers between January to March of 2025 and January to March of 2026 (from 1,796 to 2,420 cases). The increases have been particularly severe in the Bayhaw stabilization center (serving the wider Bay region), with a 54% increase, and in the Wajid stabilization center (serving the Bakool region), with a 58% increase in admissions in the same timeframe.

“What we are witnessing in Burhakaba and across the Bay region is not a future warning — it is a present emergency,” said Mohamed Abdi Haji, Acting Country Director of Action Against Hunger in Somalia. “A GAM rate of 37 percent means that in some communities, malnutrition is the norm, not the exception. Our teams are already on the ground; we currently support five of the six functional health facilities in Burhakaba district, and we are seeing the consequences of this crisis firsthand in our stabilization centers, where admissions of the most severe malnutrition cases have surged by more than half in some locations.”

Food insecurity in Somalia is being driven by a convergence of failed and delayed rains, escalating food prices exacerbated by conflict in the Middle East, internal conflict and insecurity, and displacement. Across the country, deteriorating climatic conditions continue to devastate livelihoods. The April–June Gu rainy season has performed significantly below expectations, extending drought impacts after failed rains during the 2025 Deyr season and a harsh 2026 Jilaal dry season. Livestock losses, failed crop production, shrinking incomes, and soaring fuel and food prices linked to regional instability are pushing families deeper into crisis.

Action Against Hunger is calling on the international community to mobilize support and prevent further deterioration of the food insecurity crisis in Somalia.

“Somalia has stood on the edge of famine before and pulled back — but only because the world responded in time,” said Haji. “That window is open now, and it will not remain open indefinitely.”

***

Action Against Hunger leads the global movement to end hunger. We innovate solutions, advocate for change, and reach 26.5 million people every year with proven hunger prevention and treatment programs. As a nonprofit that works across over 55 countries, our 8,500+ dedicated staff members partner with communities to address the root causes of hunger, including climate change, conflict, inequity, and emergencies. We strive to create a world free from hunger, for everyone, for good.

Originally published on CVS Health Company Newsroom

WOONSOCKET, R.I., May 20, 2026 /3BL/ – As chronic conditions tied to metabolic health continue to rise across the United States, MinuteClinic®, the medical clinic inside select CVS Pharmacy® (NYSE: CVS) locations, is highlighting its clinically supervised weight-loss program to support earlier intervention and more accessible preventive care.

Available in 49 states and the District of Columbia, the MinuteClinic weight-loss program offers seven-day-a-week access, including evenings and weekends, with both in-person and virtual care. As of 2026, the program has demonstrated strong outcomes:

• 85% of patients lost weight within their first three months
• About two-thirds of patients lost more than 5% of their weight within five or more months of treatment
• 95% of patients were seen for their first visit within one week of scheduling²

Chronic and mental health conditions account for nearly 90% of the nation’s $4.9 trillion in annual health care spending, underscoring the growing monetary impact to patients living with conditions such as obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Obesity alone contributes nearly $173 billion in annual medical costs, while more than two in five U.S. adults have prediabetes — most of whom are unaware of their condition — highlighting a significant gap in early detection and intervention. This challenge is made even more complex by the fact that patients often face delays in accessing care, with wait times for a primary care appointment averaging more than 20 days in some markets.

The MinuteClinic weight-loss program delivers personalized, clinically supervised care designed to support chronic disease prevention and long-term health. Board-certified nurse practitioners and physician associates assess diet, physical activity, behavioral factors and underlying health conditions before recommending individualized treatment plans. When clinically appropriate, providers may prescribe FDA-approved weight-loss medications, including GLP-1 therapies, alongside ongoing nutrition counseling and lifestyle coaching¹.

With about 74% of U.S. adults meeting criteria for being overweight or obese, related metabolic risk factors such as insulin resistance, hypertension and elevated cholesterol often go undiagnosed or undertreated until later stages of disease. By offering convenient, community-based access to trusted care, MinuteClinic aims to support earlier clinical engagement and long-term management of these conditions.

“Improving metabolic health requires more than a single prescription; it requires ongoing clinical support, behavior change and access to care,” said David Fairchild, MD, Chief Medical Officer, Retail Health, CVS Health. “By meeting patients where they are, we can help address risk factors earlier which ultimately supports long-term health outcomes and overall health care expenditures.”

MinuteClinic can also serve as a primary care provider to eligible patients 18 and older. Launched in 2024 and continuing to expand across the U.S., MinuteClinic Primary Care enables providers to identify and manage related chronic conditions such as type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol and hypertension during the course of treatment. MinuteClinic Primary Care is now available at more than 60% of MinuteClinic locations in the U.S., helping to address multiple care needs in a single, accessible setting.

Services are covered by most insurance plans, with additional flexible payment options available.

To learn more, visit Minuteclinic.com.

¹ MinuteClinic does not prescribe GLP-1s in Massachusetts or Missouri. Insurance coverage for GLP-1s varies by insurer, and we encourage patients to contact their insurance company to confirm costs.
² Data as of 1/1/2026; engagement metrics and clinical outcomes reflect only that of patients who had more than two weight loss visits since 7/1/2024.

About CVS Health
CVS Health is a leading health solutions company simplifying health care one person, one family and one community at a time. As of March 31, 2026, the Company had approximately 9,000 retail pharmacy locations, more than 1,000 walk-in and primary care medical clinics and a leading pharmacy benefits manager with approximately 88 million plan members. The Company also serves an estimated more than 37 million people through a broad range of health insurance products and related services. The Company’s integrated model uses personalized, technology driven services to connect people to simply better health, increasing access to quality care, delivering better outcomes, and lowering overall costs.

Media Contact
Shannon Dillon, CVS Health
Shannon.Dillon@CVSHealth.com
346.291.713

Originally published on CVS Health Company Newsroom

WOONSOCKET, R.I., May 20, 2026 /3BL/ – As chronic conditions tied to metabolic health continue to rise across the United States, MinuteClinic®, the medical clinic inside select CVS Pharmacy® (NYSE: CVS) locations, is highlighting its clinically supervised weight-loss program to support earlier intervention and more accessible preventive care.

Available in 49 states and the District of Columbia, the MinuteClinic weight-loss program offers seven-day-a-week access, including evenings and weekends, with both in-person and virtual care. As of 2026, the program has demonstrated strong outcomes:

• 85% of patients lost weight within their first three months
• About two-thirds of patients lost more than 5% of their weight within five or more months of treatment
• 95% of patients were seen for their first visit within one week of scheduling²

Chronic and mental health conditions account for nearly 90% of the nation’s $4.9 trillion in annual health care spending, underscoring the growing monetary impact to patients living with conditions such as obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Obesity alone contributes nearly $173 billion in annual medical costs, while more than two in five U.S. adults have prediabetes — most of whom are unaware of their condition — highlighting a significant gap in early detection and intervention. This challenge is made even more complex by the fact that patients often face delays in accessing care, with wait times for a primary care appointment averaging more than 20 days in some markets.

The MinuteClinic weight-loss program delivers personalized, clinically supervised care designed to support chronic disease prevention and long-term health. Board-certified nurse practitioners and physician associates assess diet, physical activity, behavioral factors and underlying health conditions before recommending individualized treatment plans. When clinically appropriate, providers may prescribe FDA-approved weight-loss medications, including GLP-1 therapies, alongside ongoing nutrition counseling and lifestyle coaching¹.

With about 74% of U.S. adults meeting criteria for being overweight or obese, related metabolic risk factors such as insulin resistance, hypertension and elevated cholesterol often go undiagnosed or undertreated until later stages of disease. By offering convenient, community-based access to trusted care, MinuteClinic aims to support earlier clinical engagement and long-term management of these conditions.

“Improving metabolic health requires more than a single prescription; it requires ongoing clinical support, behavior change and access to care,” said David Fairchild, MD, Chief Medical Officer, Retail Health, CVS Health. “By meeting patients where they are, we can help address risk factors earlier which ultimately supports long-term health outcomes and overall health care expenditures.”

MinuteClinic can also serve as a primary care provider to eligible patients 18 and older. Launched in 2024 and continuing to expand across the U.S., MinuteClinic Primary Care enables providers to identify and manage related chronic conditions such as type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol and hypertension during the course of treatment. MinuteClinic Primary Care is now available at more than 60% of MinuteClinic locations in the U.S., helping to address multiple care needs in a single, accessible setting.

Services are covered by most insurance plans, with additional flexible payment options available.

To learn more, visit Minuteclinic.com.

¹ MinuteClinic does not prescribe GLP-1s in Massachusetts or Missouri. Insurance coverage for GLP-1s varies by insurer, and we encourage patients to contact their insurance company to confirm costs.
² Data as of 1/1/2026; engagement metrics and clinical outcomes reflect only that of patients who had more than two weight loss visits since 7/1/2024.

About CVS Health
CVS Health is a leading health solutions company simplifying health care one person, one family and one community at a time. As of March 31, 2026, the Company had approximately 9,000 retail pharmacy locations, more than 1,000 walk-in and primary care medical clinics and a leading pharmacy benefits manager with approximately 88 million plan members. The Company also serves an estimated more than 37 million people through a broad range of health insurance products and related services. The Company’s integrated model uses personalized, technology driven services to connect people to simply better health, increasing access to quality care, delivering better outcomes, and lowering overall costs.

Media Contact
Shannon Dillon, CVS Health
Shannon.Dillon@CVSHealth.com
346.291.713

ROCKY HILL, Conn., May 20, 2026 /3BL/ – Henkel, a leading manufacturer of well-known consumer and industrial brands, such as all® free clear laundry detergent, Dial® soap, Schwarzkopf® hair care, and Loctite®, Technomelt® and Bonderite® adhesives, sealants, and functional coatings, has been awarded a place on the Forbes list of America’s Best Employers for New Grads 2026. This award is presented in collaboration with Statista, the world-leading statistics portal and industry ranking provider.

America’s Best Employers for New Grads 2026 were identified in an independent survey of over 100,000 U.S. young professionals (employees who have less than 10 years of work experience). The ranking is determined by two types of evaluations: personal (those given by employees themselves) and public (those given by friends and family members of employees, or members of the public who work in the same industry).

This prestigious accolade highlights Henkel’s dedication to fostering a workplace and investing in programs where recent graduates can thrive, grow, and make a meaningful impact from day one. For example, the Henkel Rotational Program is a two-year program for Henkel Adhesives Technologies, designed to provide early-in-career employees with the ability to explore different businesses and divisions. Associates engage in customized learning, collaborate with diverse teams, and receive support from a mentor while gaining experience and expanding their networks to craft impactful careers. 

“We are incredibly proud to be named among America’s best employers for young talent,” said Michaela Tomaskova, Head of Talent Acquisition, North America. “This recognition is a reflection of our culture — one that values learning, mentorship, belonging, and bold ideas. New graduates bring fresh perspectives, and we’re committed to creating an environment where they can grow both professionally and personally, and help shape the future.“

Henkel’s efforts to empower employees to learn, grow, and lead have led to progress, particularly in increasing early career retention and creating a fair and inclusive work environment where all employees feel heard, valued, and supported. This recognition further establishes Henkel as an organization that is committed to pioneering pathways for future generations of leaders and innovators.

Erica Cooper
Corporate Communications Canada/USA
475-232-4973
erica.cooper@henkel.com