Africa 

1.5 million children lack treatment for severe wasting in Eastern and Southern Africa

The number represents almost half of the estimated 3.6 million children in urgent need, who are not being reached in time to save their lives or keep them from permanent development damage. For UNICEF’s Regional Director for Eastern and Southern Africa, Mohamed M. Fall, “nothing is more devastating than seeing children suffering from severe wasting when we know it could… Read More
Africa 

West Africa: Extreme poverty rises nearly 3 per cent due to COVID-19

The proportion of people living on less than $1.90 a day jumped from 2.3 per cent last year to 2.9 per cent in 2021, while the debt burden of countries increased amid slow economic recovery, shrinking fiscal space and weak resource mobilization.  More than 25 million across the region are struggling to meet their basic food needs.  Gains annihilated  The… Read More
Africa 

UN chief lauds ‘demonstrable effort to make peace’ in Ethiopia

According to a statement released by his Spokesperson, António Guterres spoke on the phone with the former Nigerian president, Olusegun Obasanjo, to exchange views on the conflictthat has affected millions of people across the country and the rest of the region,since fighting began in Tigray, in November 2020.  During the conversation, Mr. Obasanjo briefed the Secretary-General about his latest visit to the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, and the capital of the regional state of Tigray, Mekelle. The High Representative told Mr.… Read More
Africa 

Concrete action essential to fulfill Darfur promise: ICC Prosecutor

Delivering the ICC’s 34th report on Darfur to the Council, he emphasized the critical need for cooperation and concrete action, both by the authorities in Khartoum and the international community.  Mr. Khan travelled to the Sudanese capital last August, just two months after taking up his appointment, where he met with Darfur survivors, civil society and the government.  We must… Read More
Africa 

FAO launches $138 million plan to avert hunger crisis in Horn of Africa

A third consecutive year of poor rains is posing a major threat to food security in countries already facing natural resource limitations and conflict, the COVID-19 pandemic, and locust invasions during 2020-21.  FAO fears that a large-scale hunger crisis could break out if food-producing rural communities do not receive adequate assistance timed to the needs of the upcoming agricultural seasons. … Read More
Africa 

Decade of Sahel conflict leaves 2.5 million people displaced

Speaking to journalists in Geneva, the agency’s spokesperson, Boris Cheshirkov, informed that internal displacement has increased tenfold since 2013, going from 217,000 to a staggering 2.1 million by late last year. The number of refugees in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger now stands at 410,000, and the majority comes from Mali, where major civil conflict erupted in 2012, leading to a failed coup… Read More
Africa 

Tigray: Aid operations ‘about to grind to a halt’, warns WFP

Escalating clashes in Tigray have meant that no WFP aid convoys have been able to reach the regional capital, Mekelle, since 14 December. Warehouses are bare More worrying still, stocks of nutritionally fortified food to treat malnourished women and children have now been exhausted and the last of WFP’s cereals, pulses and oil, will be distributed this week. “Because of… Read More
Africa 

Sudan: 15 attacks on health facilities and workers in two months

According to WHO’s Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, Dr. Ahmed Al-Mandhari, the Organization is following the escalating crisis “with great concern”.  So far, 11 incidents have been confirmedin the capital, Khartoum, and other cities.  “Most of these attackswere committed against healthcare workers in the form of physical assault, obstruction, violent searches, and related psychological threats and intimidation”, said Dr. Al-Mandhari. A Protester holding the Sudanese flag, in Khartoum, Sudan., by Salah Naser At least twoof the confirmed incidents… Read More
Africa 

Mali: Security Council warned of ‘endless cycle of instability’

Instead, the UN top envoy explained, “insecurity has expanded, the humanitarian situation has deteriorated, more children are of out of school and the country has been affected by an endless cycle of instability.”   In fact, more than 1.8 million people are expected to need food assistance in 2022 compared to 1.3 million in 2021, the highest level of food insecurity recorded since 2014.  … Read More
Africa 

Tunisia: UN rights office calls for release of former justice minister

Mr. Bhiri, a parliamentarian with the Ennahdha party, was taken outside his home on 31 December by men in civilian clothes.  No explanation was given or warrant for his arrest was provided.  The moderate Islamist Ennahdha movement has the largest number of seats in Tunisia’s parliament, according to media reports.  No formal charges  Mr. Bhiri, 63, was shuttled to different… Read More
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