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Why is it dangerous to be a climate activist in Colombia?
What in the World
Oct 12, 2023

Colombia is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world. But it’s also the most dangerous to be an environment activist. A report from Global Witness, a non-governmental organisation, says Colombia has the highest number of murders of green activists anywhere in the world.

The BBC’s Maria Clara Montoya has spoken to two young climate defenders - why are they at risk and what is being done to protect them?

(09:20) Also, scientists in the US are analysing dust collected from the Bennu asteroid - one of the most dangerous rocks in the solar system. Our Science Editor, Rebecca Morelle, takes us through what experts have learnt so far.

Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenters: Hannah Gelbart with Maria Clara Montoya Producers: Emily Horler, William Lee Adams, and Benita Barden Editors: Simon Peeks and Verity Wilde

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Feb 5, 2025
USAID: Can the world live without it?

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is under fire. It is the world’s biggest donor and spends billions of dollars a year, funding programmes around the world, like fighting malaria in Bangladesh, clearing unexploded landmines in Cambodia and Laos and providing medical supplies in Sudan.

But President Trump says it is run by “radical lunatics” and he and billionaire Elon Musk, who’s got the job of trying to slash American government spending, want to shut it down. They have paused almost all international spending for 90 days and issued “stop work” orders to their staff. BBC journalist Nathalia Jimenez tells us what USAID does - and why the Trump administration wants to close it.

A large proportion of USAID funding goes towards healthcare and HIV medication in sub-Saharan Africa. Makuochi Okafor, the BBC’s Africa Health correspondent tells us what impact closing USAID could have in this region.

Anselm Gibbs, a BBC reporter based in Trinidad and Tobago, tells us about programmes USAID funds in the Caribbean. And Hilde Deman from Search for Common Ground, an international NGO that uses USAID funding in countries affected by violent conflict, talks about the impact to their work in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: William Lee Adams Producers: Benita Barden and Julia Ross-Roy Editor: Rosanna La Falce


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Why is it dangerous to be a climate activist in Colombia?

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