NIAMEY, Niger, May 11, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — A meningitis epidemic which has stretched across several regions of Niger has killed 352 people so far, with a total of 5,273 cases recorded by the health authorities since January [1]. The capital of Niamey has been particularly badly hit by the epidemic, with close to 1,200 admissions in the last week alone. Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF), in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, is stepping up its efforts with almost 430 beds to provide free medical care for patients. Hundreds of emergency admissions each day in Niamey “The…
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EL FASHER (DARFUR), Sudan, May 11, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The African Union – United Nations Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) expresses serious concern over the recent escalation of tensions between the Rezeigat and the Ma’alia tribes in East Darfur. UNAMID encourages the leaders and members of both tribes to exercise maximum restraint, engage in meaningful dialogue to resolve their dispute and refrain from all acts that would lead to violence and displacement. The Mission welcomes the deployment of additional troops by the Government of Sudan to create a buffer zone between the two tribes, as well as its ongoing…
VATICAN, Holy See, May 11, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Defence of the particular nature of the Christian family, and care in the formation of priests and consecrated persons in a country where religious communities and co-existence with other religions present no problems, were the key themes of the discourse Pope Francis handed to the bishops of the Episcopal Conference of Togo, whom he received in audience this morning at the end of their “ad Limina” visit.In the text, and in view of the upcoming Synod of Bishops, the Pope underlines the need for the positive aspects of African families…
GENEVA, Switzerland, May 11, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The United Nations Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and consequences, Rashida Manjoo, today announced the cancelation of her planned official visit to South Africa for lack of confirmation of dates by the Government for the information-gathering mission. “It is unfortunate that I will miss the opportunity to engage with all stakeholders dealing with violence against women in the country,” the human rights expert said. Ms. Manjoo has been trying to secure a visit to South Africa since 2012. The Special Rapporteur was originally scheduled to visit the country…
WASHINGTON, May 11, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Today, the Republic of Liberia reached the important milestone of 42 days without reporting a new Ebola case, and we are pleased the World Health Organization was able to declare the end of the country’s current outbreak. We congratulate the people of Liberia on reaching this important marker, and once again pledge our commitment to ending the Ebola outbreak in West Africa and helping to rebuild Liberia and other affected nations. As President Obama said when Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf visited the White House last month, “We’re proud to partner with…
MONROVIA, Liberia, May 8, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — A week-long campaign to vaccinate more than 600,000 children against polio and measles kicks off today in Liberia, led by the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, and supported by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the World Health Organization (WHO).The massive campaign had been scheduled for last year, but was suspended due to the Ebola outbreak.“The interruption of Liberia’s vaccination program has created an alarming immunity gap and a larger pool of susceptible children,” said Dr, Walter T. Gwenigale, Minister of Health, republic…
GENEVA, Switzerland, May 8, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — IOM has begun providing assistance to over 800 vulnerable Yemeni nationals stranded in Egypt as a result of the protracted conflict in Yemen.IOM caseworkers distributed financial assistance for food and housing to vulnerable families and individuals, and referred those in need of medical assistance to IOM’s Medical Health Unit.The Embassy of Yemen in Egypt approached IOM after receiving calls for help from several thousand Yemeni nationals. IOM Egypt Country Programme Coordinator Amr Taha and UN Resident Coordinator Anita Nirody subsequently met with Yemeni Ambassador to Egypt Mohammed Alhaisami to discuss their…
GENEVA, Switzerland, May 8, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — IOM has concluded a ten-month life skills training for 206 displaced young people in Baidoa, South Central Somalia. The project, which was implemented in collaboration with the Rural Education and Agriculture Development Organization (READO), started on 1 July 2014 and was funded by the Common Humanitarian Fund.Participants, who included young women and men, were selected from internally displaced families and the host community, and were trained in carpentry, masonry, business entrepreneurship, tie-and-dye, tailoring and traditional weaving skills.A graduation ceremony which marked the end of the training was attended by Ministers from…
DAKAR, Sénégal, May 8, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — An International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission led by Ali Mansoor visited Senegal from April 24 to May 7, 2015 to conduct discussions with the Senegalese authorities on their economic program, which may be supported by a new three-year IMF arrangement under the Policy Support Instrument (PSI)1. Subject to IMF management approval, the staff-level agreement is expected to be submitted to the IMF Executive Board for its consideration in June 2015. Members of the mission met with H.E. President Macky Sall, Prime Minister Mohammed Dionne and senior government officials, including those in…
PRETORIA, South-Africa, May 8, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Power Africa at the African Utility WeekWhen: May 12 – 14, 2015Where: Cape Town International Convention Centre, Cape Town, South AfricaBackground: The United States Government is serving as the Country Partner for the 2015 African Utility Week from May 12-14, 2015 in Cape Town, South Africa. U.S. Government officials will engage in meetings and presentations with representatives from African governments, the public sector and private sector companies. These officials will highlight the work of Power Africa, a U.S. Government initiative designed to add 30,000 Megawatts of new and cleaner power generation…