Day: August 7, 2024

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, August 7, 2024/ — An oral cholera vaccination (OCV) campaign was launched to protect at-risk populations in cholera-affected woredas (districts) across eight regions: Afar, Amhara, Oromia, Central Ethiopia, South Ethiopia, Sidma and Somali. Covering 89 woredas, including Internally Displaced People (IDPs) and refugee camps (Sudan), the campaign achieved 98.4% coverage, vaccinating over 10,196,575 people.

“With the leadership of the EPHI and collaboration of partners, the campaign was conducted successfully despite challenges posed by conflict and other emergencies,” said Dr. Patrick Abok, WHO Ethiopia Emergency Preparedness and Response Lead. “Both the public and the vaccinators displayed commendable commitment to the campaign’s success,” he added.

Two years after the cholera outbreak began in August 2022, the country has continued to battle the disease, with a recent increase in the number of cases. The re-emergence of the outbreak in the Amhara region, particularly in areas affected by armed conflict and new displacements, poses a dual burden.

Under the leadership of the Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI), multi-sectoral stakeholders have implemented response measures to interrupt transmission. These measures include house-to-house disinfection, water testing and treatment, and latrine construction. Risk communication and community engagement efforts were also undertaken to promote healthy behaviours and eliminate risky practices like open defecation. Active case search and case management were continuing.

Despite these efforts, lack of funding is severely impeding the response, including for the STOP CHOLERA NOW! campaign launched by the EPHI. It is critical that ongoing multi-sectoral interventions be combined with extensive investments in safe water supply and sanitation systems to combat the outbreak effectively.

WHO surveillance teams worked with government public health emergency management (PHEM) teams to identify the outbreak and launch a timely response in August 2022.WHO was part of the rapid response teams (RRT), and the Ethiopian National African Volunteer Health Corps initiative Strengthening & Utilizing Response Groups for Emergencies (AVoHC-SURGE) was deployed to respond to the outbreak. WHO teams provided technical support in coordination, water sanitation and hygiene, risk communication, case management, vaccination campaigns, and medical supplies, including the construction of cholera treatment facilities in the affected regions. WHO also supported capacity building and training in response intervention.

The teams trained vaccinators according to WHO OCV guidelines and provided supportive supervision to ensure quality campaign implementation. WHO also facilitated the country’s vaccine request to the International Coordination Group on Vaccine Provision (ICG) through the GAVI Vaccine Alliance and provided logistical support for the campaign.

In line with the Global Roadmap to Eliminate Cholera by 2030 and as part of the national cholera elimination strategy, OCV campaigns are conducted in affected and surrounding woredas following cholera outbreaks. This helps stop disease transmission while intersectoral response teams work to improve water safety and educate the public on good sanitary and hygiene practices.

Cholera is an acute diarrheal infection caused by consuming food or water contaminated with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. It results in severe acute watery diarrhoea and severe dehydration. Symptoms can appear between 12 hours and 5 days after consumption of contaminated food or water. Cholera affects both children and adults and can be fatal within hours if untreated, but early detection and fluid replacement with oral rehydration solutions or intravenous fluids can save lives.

In addition to Cholera, the worrying expansion of measles outbreaks is causing increased vulnerability due to delayed emergency vaccination campaigns caused by a shortage of vaccines.

WHO and health cluster members collaborated with the EPHI and regional health bureaus in the OCV campaign. Ethiopia utilized one-third of the global stockpile for the OCV campaign, underscoring the urgency and magnitude of the situation. The country urges continued support from international partners to address ongoing funding shortages and key transmission drivers like overcrowding and inadequate water treatment chemicals.

SOURCE
World Health Organization (WHO) – Ethiopia

The United States Announces $424 Million in Additional Assistance for the Democratic Republic of the Congo

This includes $414 million in humanitarian assistance to support people experiencing persistent humanitarian needs resulting from conflict and displacement

KINSHASA, Democratic Republic of the Congo, August 7, 2024/ — Today, the United States, through USAID, announced nearly $424 million in humanitarian and health assistance to address the ongoing catastrophe in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). This includes $414 million in humanitarian assistance to support people experiencing persistent humanitarian needs resulting from conflict and displacement.  This announcement, made in Kinshasa by the U.S. Ambassador to the DRC Lucy Tamlyn and U.S. Representative to the United Nations Agencies for Food and Agriculture Jeffrey Prescott, also includes an additional $10 million in health assistance to respond to the current mpox outbreak in the DRC and in other affected countries in the region. USAID is also donating 50,000 mpox vaccines to the DRC, which is the country most impacted by this outbreak. With the additional humanitarian assistance announced today, including funding from the bipartisan National Security Supplemental, USAID’s UN and NGO partners will continue to provide urgent food assistance, health care, nutrition support, shelter materials, and water, sanitation, and hygiene services to crisis-affected communities. Partners will also continue providing critical child protection services and gender-based violence prevention and response activities for the most vulnerable who bear the brunt of the ongoing crisis. Today’s announcement includes more than $170 million in Commodity Credit Corporation funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture that USAID is using to purchase, ship, and distribute surplus agricultural commodities from American farmers to provide life-saving food assistance in the DRC. The additional health assistance will be invested across a range of critical public health interventions in response to the mpox outbreak in the region. The United States is the largest provider of humanitarian assistance to the DRC and the largest bilateral donor to DRC’s health sector. This fiscal year, the U.S. provided more than $256 million in health assistance through bilateral programs including the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), the President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI), and the Global Health Security program, which enabled more than seven million people to receive lifesaving treatment for diseases including TB, HIV, and malaria. The U.S. government continues to support humanitarian partners to deliver lifesaving assistance to communities in dire need. Today’s announcement brings the total U.S. humanitarian assistance in the DRC to more than $838 million in Fiscal Year 2024. We continue to stand by refugees and the Congolese people and we encourage other donors to join us in our critical efforts to save lives and alleviate suffering caused by this ongoing crisis.   SOURCE U.S. Embassy in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Unrest in the UK: Understanding the Root Causes and Key Players

Lagos, Nigeria – As the United Kingdom grapples with ongoing riots and protests, Pr Times Africa delves into the complexities of the situation, shedding light on the tensions fueling the unrest. The recent riots have left many wondering what’s behind the chaos. This release aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the issues at play.

Root Causes of the Unrest:

– Escalating tensions over immigration and asylum seekers: The UK’s stance on immigration has long been contentious, with debates around border control, economic burden, and social integration intensifying.

– Economic inequality and the cost of living crisis: Rising costs, stagnant wages, and growing disparities have created a perfect storm of frustration, driving citizens to demand change.

– Policing and racial justice concerns: Tensions between law enforcement and marginalized communities have reached a boiling point, with calls for reform and accountability growing louder.

– Far-right and extremist groups fueling unrest: The rise of far-right and nationalist groups has significantly contributed to the chaos, exploiting existing tensions and sowing discord and violence.

Key Players Involved:

– Far-right and nationalist groups (e.g., Britain First and the English Defence League): These organizations have spearheaded anti-immigrant and anti-asylum seeker protests, often using violent tactics.

– Anti-immigrant and anti-asylum seeker protesters: While not all protesters are affiliated with far-right groups, many share similar concerns and frustrations.

– Local community members frustrated with government policies: Everyday citizens, feeling neglected and disenfranchised, are taking to the streets to demand change.

Conclusion:

The situation in the UK is complex, with multiple factors contributing to the unrest. Pr Times Africa urges a nuanced understanding of the issues, recognizing the need for addressing social and economic concerns to prevent further unrest. By examining the root causes and key players involved, we can work towards a more informed and empathetic dialogue.

Contact:
Pr Times Africa Media.