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Blog: What's Zimbabwe really like? November 2009
Practical Action director Margaret Gardner provides daily updates on her trip to Zimbabwe, reporting on the issues that face poor people in the country today.
Sowing the seeds of recovery in Darfur November 2009
By building earth dams, Practical Action is turning thousands of acres of barren land in Darfur into lush, green farmland. A simple technology that helps families to escape a life of dependency on food aid.
Global Day of Climate Change Action October 2009
Practical Action South Asia joined 350 youths for a beach clean up in Colombo, Sri Lanka, followed by a march to raise awareness on the necessity to reduce CO2 emission in the atmosphere to below 350 parts per million to prevent the worst impacts of climate change.
Climate change diaries: Zimbabwe October 2009
Any changes to the climate exacerbate Zimbabwe’s problems with poverty. The people of Zimbabwe need a climate deal to be agreed in Copenhagen - a deal which can limit the effects of climate change we will experience, while providing support for Zimbabwe to implement its adaptation plans.
Royal Parks Half Marathon October 2009
Well done and a huge thank you to all 15 Practical Action runners who ran the 2009 Royal Parks Half Marathon for us. It's not too late to show your support for our runners and help them to meet their fundraising targets!
Royal Mail action October 2009
Further industrial action is planned at Royal Mail, but we are assured that all donations will reach us. You can also donate online or by phone if you prefer.
Fresh approaches to urban development October 2009
Over the next 12 weeks, Practical Action is engaging in some key debates on urban development with more than 1,000 practitioners and policy makers. Issues under discussion include participation, good governance, corruption, standards and technologies. This debate will provide the basis of global thinking and agreements in next year's World Urban Forum.
Drought in Kenya September 2009
In Kenya, the humanitarian consequences of drought are worsening as the impacts on food production, water and energy availability bite deeper.
Annual Report & Accounts September 2009
Practical Action's annual report and accounts for 2008-9 are available to download. They include a review of our international programmes against strategic objectives, the report of the independent auditors and a detailed financial statement.
The "Small is ..." Festival September 2009
A celebration and exploration of Small is Beautiful, and what it means today, in a weekend summer festival in the grounds of The Schumacher Centre for Technology and Development, Practical Action's Warwickshire headquarters.
Climate change and the implications for people and poverty September 2009
Two one-day courses running this October and December offer an opportunity to examine and debate why climate change is a key issue for international development. They are aimed at anyone interested in climate change, its impacts and the ways in which people are already adapting their lifestyles in the less developed world.
Fireless cookers August 2009
A simple but clever cooker that cooks food without fuel has the power to change a family's life - and can be made simply and cheaply using local resources.
Climate change diaries: Kenya August 2009
The damage caused by climate change is not a distant concern in Kenya – it is here now and will be the future. Maasai herdsmen are being displaced and losing their traditional livelihoods as global warming destroys their rangelands.
Flood early warning work in Nepal extended August 2009
Practical Action Nepal has started a new project with several local partners which widens the coverage of our flood protection work. The project will be working with over 80,000 people, establishing Early Warning Systems (EWS) and strengthening their ability to live with and adapt to floods.
Food security in Sudan August 2009
A 1.2 million Euro grant from the European Commission means we can extend our Food Security project to another 99,000 people who depend on agriculture to survive, and introduce sustainable technologies to people living in Kassala, East Sudan.
Videos from Sri Lanka July 2009
Our video site has recently been updated with films from Sri Lanka on post-tsunami reconstruction of fishing livelihoods, community road building and ecological sanitation.
Climate change diaries: Sudan June 2009
In the first of a series of monthly diary entries on climate change, a report on how global warming is affecting poor and vulnerable people in Sudan.
Alternative livelihoods for conflict-affected communities in Sri Lanka June 2009
Villages in eastern Sri Lanka have been badly affected by the ethnic conflict. Practical Action is working with marginalised communities in Batticalaoe district to provide alternative livelihood options for them and technological training to enable them to become self-sufficient. Read moreabout our work in NE Sri Lanka | Donate make a donation to our work»
Using traditional agriculture in Sri Lanka June 2009
Saline soil conditions had forced rice farmers in Sri Lanka to abandon their paddy land, but Practical Action's organic farming project has used traditional practices to help rehabilitate the soil.
Greening Darfur June 2009
Conflict and drought has led to serious degradation of the natural environment in Darfur. Practical Action is working on projects to regenerate vegetation cover and support sustainable social, human, environmental and economic processes for poor rural communities in North Darfur.
Bringing life to the land May 2009
Using simple technology, such as foot-driven treadle pumps, Practical Action is helping "low caste" families in Nepal move from malnutrition to self-sufficiency. Watch video »
Dangers of Darfur May 2009
Our local staff in Darfur are helping to reduce poverty in one of the planet's most arid and dangerous environments. A report from Practical Action's project manager in Darfur.
Improved toilets can save lives May 2009
In the slums of Zimbabwe, Sudan and Nepal, Practical Action is working with some of the world’s poorest people to install effective toilets, to reduce disease and transform lives for poor communities.
Hunger & climate change April 2009
A Practical Action conference in London this month explored the new policies and technologies for agriculture that will be needed to cope with climate change. Presentations and audio recordings are available online.
Biodiverse agriculture for a changing climate April 2009
A new paper from Practical Action explores biodiverse agriculture as a realistic and proven alternative to industrial methods of production. Practised by millions of small-scale food producers and organic growers, it can limit and adjust to climate change while replenishing natural resources.
Practical Action Publishing catalogue April 2009
Practical Action Publishing's 2009 catalogue, Books for Development, is now available. It lists all our current titles, which can be bought direct from our online shop.
Zurich HelpPoint for Kids April 2009
Proceeds from Zurich HelpPoint's virtual charity event benefit Practical Action, so join in today - every player counts.
Improved sanitation in Kenyan slums March 2009
Find out how TV stars Ant & Dec got on when they visited a Practical Action water and sanitation project in Kibera, Kenya. Watch video
Practical Action Education Officer wins D&T Association Award March 2009
The Design and Technology Association has honoured Practical Action's D&T Education Officer, Ian Capewell, by giving him the Teacher Training Design and Technology Award.
Sudan: our work continues March 2009
Practical Action is not facing any particular new limits on our long term development work in Darfur and the rest of Sudan. Our staff are all local Sudanese people who continue to work with these communities in most desperate need.
Making power flow February 2009
In remote and mountainous areas, simple micro-hydro technology can bring life to homes, hospitals, schools and entire communities.
Energy poverty: the hidden energy crisis February 2009
Energy access for the poor must be a priority if the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) are to be met. A new paper looks at barriers to energy access and the sustainable solutions that could overcome them.
Energy poverty and renewable energy technologies in South Asia February 2009
Practical Action South Asia has published two new research studies on Renewable Energy Technologies and Energy Poverty, ahead of a three-day workshop on the hidden energy crisis in South Asia.
Preserving lives in the Blue Nile January 2009
As refugees return home after the civil war in Sudan, simple technologies like zeer pot refrigerators can bring fresh hope to hungry families.
Practical Action on video January 2009
New videos on our video site profile Practical Action projects including flood warning systems in Nepal, waste management in Sri Lanka, forest resources in Peru and climate change adaptation in South Asia.
National seminar on plug flow type biogas systems January 2009
Plug flow type biogas systems is an answer to the challenge of disposing organic waste including garbage & animal dung in an environmental friendly manner. Practical Action South Asia is organising a national seminar on the technology in Sri Lanka.
Fighting disease and poverty in Zimbabwe January 2009
As cholera devastates lives across the country, Practical Action is committed to bringing fresh, clean water to poor communities across Zimbabwe.
Toilets without water - Radio 4 Appeal January 2009
Long-term Practical Action supporter Adam Hart Davis asks what life is like for youngsters in Kenya, forced to share pit latrines with more than 100 people every day.
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