Africa Archives - Page 4 of 5

UN chief ‘deeply saddened’ at deaths from South Africa gas tanker explosion

·January 3, 2023·1 min read

The blast in Boksburg severely damaged the roof of the emergency department at the Tambo Memorial hospital there, killing and injuring dozens while also reportedly destroying houses and cars. Initial reports estimated around 27 deaths, but that figure had risen to 34 by the past weekend, according to regional health...

Horn of Africa faces most severe drought in more than two generations – UNICEF

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·December 24, 2022·2 min read

Around 20.2 million children are under threat of severe hunger, thirst and disease – compared to 10 million in July – as climate change, conflict, global inflation and grain shortages devastate the region. “While collective and accelerated efforts have mitigated some of the worst impact of what had been feared,...

UN agencies warn again of record hunger next year in West and Central Africa

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·December 9, 2022·3 min read

More than 35 million people, including 6.7 million children, are currently unable to meet their basic food and nutrition needs, according to latest analysis from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and the World Food Programme (WFP). Numbers could rise unless urgent and long-lasting solutions...

In Africa, UN chief sees continent full of ‘hope and potential’

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·December 2, 2022·3 min read

“When I see Africa, I see hope and potential”, he told journalists at a press stakeout in Addis Ababa. “I see countries working together, including here at the AU, to foster peace and development.” Focusing on the huge untapped potential of African youth, he said their “limitless energy” and “new...

WHO unveils new strategy to tackle antimalarial drug resistance in Africa |

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·November 21, 2022·2 min read

Sub-Saharan Africa accounts for a disproportionately high share of the global malaria burden, with around 96 per cent of all cases and deaths in 2020. As a result of drug resistance, medicines to treat the life-threatening disease become ineffective. Worrying signs Malaria is caused by parasites that are transmitted...

‘Join forces’ for peaceful, prosperous continent, urges UN chief on Africa Industrialization Day |

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·November 20, 2022·2 min read

In his message commemorating the Day, Secretary-General António Guterres warned that countries across Africa are facing “a perfect storm”. He cited armed conflicts; rising food and energy insecurity; “skyrocketing” inflation and debt; shrinking fiscal space; and mounting climate catastrophes. Yet despite these challenges, the top UN official reminded that Africa includes some...

Horn of Africa: UNFPA launches $113 million appeal for drought-impacted women and girls |

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·November 17, 2022·2 min read

The funding will be used to scale-up life-saving reproductive health and protection services, including establishment of mobile and static clinics in locations such as displacement sites. Overall, more than 36 million people across Ethiopia, Somalia and Kenya require humanitarian assistance because of the drought. Safeguarding critical services Conflict, locust infestations...

Humanitarians call for greater support to prevent famine in Horn of Africa |

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·November 8, 2022·2 min read

Humanitarians must urgently prepare to continue their life-saving work in Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia, as the drought – the longest and most severe in recent history – is set to run well into the coming year. Even though nearly 21 million people are highly food insecure – with some areas...

Millions face flooding threat across west and central Africa |

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·October 31, 2022·1 min read

The alert comes amid the worst floods in a decade, which have swept across Nigeria, Chad, Niger, Burkina Faso, Mali and Cameroon. UNHCR spokesperson Olga Sarrado said that hundreds of people had died in Nigeria, where floodwaters in the northeast swept through sites for internally displaced people and host communities...

From the Field: Outreach across the Horn of Africa |

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·August 8, 2022·1 min read

Accompanying Somalia’s newly-appointed drought envoy on his first field visit, the United Nations’ top humanitarian official for the Horn of Africa country warned on Tuesday of the devastating outlook for millions of affected Somalis, amidst heightened risks of famine....

Horn of Africa faces most ‘catastrophic’ food insecurity in decades, warns WHO |

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·August 2, 2022·2 min read

More than 37 million people are facing acute hunger, with approximately seven million children under the age of five acutely malnourished in the region. While finding food and safe water is the absolute priority, WHO said that ensuring a strong health emergency response is needed to avert preventable disease...

South Africa ‘on the precipice of explosive xenophobic violence’, UN experts warn |

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·July 15, 2022·3 min read

In a statement released on Friday, the rights experts cited “Operation Dudula” as an example of hate speech. Originally a social media campaign, Operation Dudula has become an umbrella for the mobilization of violent protests, vigilante violence, arson targeting migrant-owned homes and businesses, and even the murder of foreign nationals....