Category: Africa

Source: APO – Report:

Hajio is one of many experiencing the brunt of these cuts. She lived a relatively prosperous life – she had a home and her children went to school. But all her cattle died because of the drought, and she had to flee her home area for help. 

She hurried to the town of Burhakaba in southwest Somalia because she had heard support would be available there. Yet upon arrival, she received only some clothes and tomatoes from one of the country’s poorest communities living nearby. 

​​“She received nothing from the international community,” stressed UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) spokesperson James Elder, briefing journalists in Geneva on Friday. 

Malnourished children 

Due to unprecedented cuts in humanitarian aid, over 200 health and nutrition facilities have already closed in Somalia – and according to the most severe predictions, the number could jump to 618.   

The consequences have been immediate and very serious. Compared to last year, Somalia has seen a 32 per cent increase in children admitted to stabilisation centres with severe acute malnutrition and complications. 

This is not because more children are getting sick, but because they can no longer access preventive and community-based nutrition services previously available to them. 

“Fewer facilities mean longer journeys for mums and their babies; longer journeys mean later treatment; later treatment means more severe illness and a greater risk of preventable death,” warned Mr. Elder. 

Nearly one million children under five, adolescent girls and women risk losing access to nutrition services in the country. 

Bad timing 

These funding cuts come as Somalia’s humanitarian needs are spiking dramatically. 

This year, nearly 1.9 million children are projected to be affected by malnutrition, including almost half a million with the deadly “severe acute” form.

The country has been plunged into civil war for decades at a time, leading to mass displacement and extreme food insecurity for millions. 

The ongoing US-Iran war is also complicating matters by raising the costs of fuel and fertiliser, and the worsening climate crisis is threatening to further disrupt food provisions. 

The country is currently navigating severe droughts in the north, while also preparing to undergo extreme flooding caused by the stronger-than-ever El Niño weather pattern (Read our El Niño explainer here).

“It is a brutal contradiction: the resources to protect vulnerable children are being cut at precisely the moment when the pressures pushing Somalia’s children into crisis are intensifying,” Mr. Elder underscored.

Preventable crisis 

The UN has been an active partner in Somalia, distributing cholera vaccinations to over a million people, supporting education programmes for over 100,000 young students, and rehabilitating children recruited into armed groups – often by force. 

“We have the programmes. We have the partners. What is missing is the funding,” underscored Mr. Elder. 

Between 2021 and 2025, UNICEF supported more than 2.25 million children with severe acute malnutrition, with a cure rate of 97.6 per cent in 2025. 

But the agency is unlikely to keep up these results under these new constraints. 

“Years of generous donor investment in children’s futures is being undone far faster than they were built,” warned Mr. Elder. 

“Protecting children is not a discretionary expense. Preventing suffering is not an inefficiency. And dismantling effective aid at the moment of greatest need is not a saving: it is a decision to pay more later, in money, in security, in lost development and, for some children – in lives.”

– on behalf of UN News.

Source: APO

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His Excellency President Salva Kiir Mayardit has urged the National Elections Commission (NEC) to step up preparations for South Sudan’s December 22 general elections, stressing the need for a credible, free and fair electoral process.

President Kiir made the call on Friday after receiving a report from NEC Chairperson Prof. Abednego Akok Kachuol on the commission’s activities and assessment missions conducted across the country’s ten states and three administrative areas.

Prof. Akok said voter registration is expected to begin soon, ahead of the December 22 polls, and called on all eligible South Sudanese to register and take part in the electoral process.

The Head of the electoral agency said the voter registration will mark a critical step toward the long-awaited elections, with the exercise expected to provide citizens with the opportunity to secure their participation in determining the country’s political future.

The President challenged the electoral body to ensure that all necessary preparations are in place to conduct elections that meet the expectations of the people of South Sudan.

Officials say that with the polls approaching, attention is now turning to the NEC’s readiness, voter participation, and the ability of the electoral process to inspire public confidence.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Government of the Republic of South Sudan.

Source: APO

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The Western Cape Government, through the Provincial Disaster Management Centre (PDMC) and its key partners, has strengthened Bergrivier Municipality’s Hazmat response capacity through the handover of specialised firefighting equipment valued at R250,000.

The handover forms part of the Municipal Fire Service Capacity Building Grant, which strengthens municipal fire and rescue services through equipment, training and operational support.

The equipment includes 40 Level A responder suits, providing maximum protection against dangerous vapours and liquids, as well as other specialised response equipment.

Hazmat incidents require specialised equipment, trained personnel and a coordinated response, making this investment important for municipal preparedness and firefighter safety.

Officials and stakeholders highlighted the importance of continued funding, co-funding and training to maintain response capacity and safety standards.

The grant also supports skills development, with firefighters trained to Firefighter Level Two and AR operations.

The engagement also included the handover of a specialised trailer, adding to the municipality’s operational capacity.

Stakeholders acknowledged municipal leadership, technical services personnel, firefighters and first responders, while emphasising that effective fire and disaster management requires training, preparedness, community involvement and strong partnerships.

The municipality will continue to pursue co-funding and grant opportunities, alongside ongoing training, equipment maintenance and community engagement on fire safety and disaster preparedness.

The handover demonstrates the value of collaboration between provincial and local government in strengthening emergency services and ensuring that firefighters have the tools and training they need to respond safely and effectively when communities need them most.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Western Cape Government: Office of the Premier.

Source: APO

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President of the Republic, His Excellency Salva Kiir Mayardit, has directed the authorities of Warrap and Western Bahr el Ghazal states to intensify joint efforts to resolve tensions between communities along the border of the two states.

The President issued the directive following a briefing on ongoing peace and conflict-resolution initiatives involving Gogrial East County in Warrap State and Jur River County in Western Bahr el Ghazal State.

The briefing was presented by Warrap State Governor Bol Wek Agoth and Western Bahr el Ghazal State Governor Sheriff Daniel Sheriff, who outlined the security situation and measures being undertaken by the two state governments and security authorities to contain tensions in the affected areas.

The dispute is centered on an area known as Manyang, which is claimed by communities from both Gogrial East and Jur River.

Governor Bol Wek said coordinated interventions by the two states had contributed to reducing tensions while emphasizing the need for sustained cooperation to address the underlying issues and secure a durable resolution.

The two state governments are seeking support to convene an inclusive peace and reconciliation conference, bringing together community leaders, traditional authorities, elders, intellectuals, women, youth, and other relevant stakeholders from both sides.

The proposed dialogue is intended to address the immediate security concerns while creating space for the communities to resolve longstanding grievances and strengthen peaceful coexistence.

Governor Wek underscored the longstanding social, economic, and historical ties between the communities, noting that these shared connections provide a strong foundation for reconciliation and peaceful settlement of the dispute.

The two governors also called on media organizations and social media users to contribute positively to the peace process by promoting responsible communication and messages that encourage dialogue, restraint, and unity, rather than inflaming tensions between communities.

H.E. President Kiir’s directive reinforces the role of the state authorities in working collectively with communities and national institutions to prevent further escalation and advance a locally owned peace process.

The initiative comes as South Sudan prepares for the 2026 general elections, further underscoring the importance of maintaining peace, stability, and community cooperation across the country to support a peaceful and credible electoral process.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Government of the Republic of South Sudan.

Source: APO

Freight operators in the Western Cape are being invited to take advantage of a fully funded Road Transport Management System (RTMS) digital toolkit pilot designed to help businesses improve safety, compliance and the way they manage their operations. 

Western Cape Minister of Mobility, Isaac Sileku, made the call during a visit to Moosa’s Group in Milnerton yesterday (20 August), one of the first companies to participate in the pilot.

The RTMS digital toolkit was developed by the Western Cape Mobility Department to make RTMS more accessible, particularly for small and medium-sized freight operators who may find the preparation process time-consuming or difficult to navigate. Instead of operators having to find different resources themselves, the toolkit brings together guidance, templates, self-assessment tools, training resources and improvement-planning support in one place. It helps operators understand where they are, identify areas that need improvement and strengthen areas such as vehicle maintenance, driver management, safety, record-keeping, fleet management and compliance.

The toolkit does not replace RTMS certification. It is a practical support tool to help operators prepare for RTMS and improve their businesses over time.

Moosa’s Group is currently testing the toolkit in its day-to-day operations, giving the Department an opportunity to see how it works in a real freight business and what improvements may be needed.

During his visit, Minister Sileku saw the toolkit being used and engaged with the company about its experience. “Freight plays a critical role in our economy. Companies like Moosa’s Group work every day to keep food, fuel and goods moving across our province. What is important about this pilot is that we are offering operators practical support to improve the way they manage safety and their operations.”

Moosa’s Group welcomed the opportunity to test the toolkit in its day-to-day operations.

“The toolkit gives us a practical way to strengthen our vehicle checks, driver management, maintenance and record-keeping, while helping us identify areas where we can improve. We believe this kind of partnership between government and industry is important if we are to build a freight sector that is safer, more professional, compliant and sustainable. We also hope that what we learn through the pilot will benefit other operators and contribute to safer roads across the province and beyond,” said Nazier Veldsman of Moosa’s Group.

The experience of Moosa’s Group will help the Department understand what works well and where the toolkit can be improved before it is made more widely available.

The Department is ready to onboard up to 10 companies as part of the fully funded pilot. For participating operators, this means access to the toolkit at no cost during the pilot, as well as support from the Department to help them get started and use the resources.

The pilot is not an audit or enforcement exercise. It is an opportunity for operators to work directly with the Department, understand their current systems, identify areas for improvement and provide feedback on a tool being developed with the needs of the freight industry in mind.

Minister Sileku encouraged operators to make use of the opportunity. “We know that running a transport business comes with many demands. This initiative is about making it easier for operators to access the tools and information they need to improve their businesses. We encourage freight operators to come forward, test the toolkit and help us make it work even better for the industry.”

Freight and transport operators interested in improving their safety, compliance readiness, record-keeping, fleet management and operational processes can find more information and register their interest at: https://freight.westerncape.gov.za/rtms-information

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Western Cape Government: Office of the Premier.

Source: APO

Kenya is strengthening strategic partnerships to accelerate progress towards Universal Health Coverage, with maternal and newborn health remaining a priority in ongoing health-sector reforms.

Health Cabinet Secretary Hon. Aden Duale met Jhpiego President and Chief Executive Officer Dr Allyson Bear and her delegation to discuss expanded collaboration in advancing the Government’s Every Woman, Every Newborn, Everywhere agenda.

The Cabinet Secretary called for a coordinated approach that aligns Government and development-partner interventions with national priorities. He reaffirmed the One Plan, One Budget and One Accountability principle, emphasising that partner resources should target areas of greatest need and avoid duplication.

The discussions identified maternal haemorrhage, healthcare-worker skills and access to appropriate technologies as priority areas requiring accelerated action. Jhpiego’s reproductive, maternal and newborn health programmes will be aligned with the EWENE agenda, with initial focus on the 18 priority counties identified by the Government.

The Ministry welcomed Jhpiego’s planned support for newborn care in five counties. The Government will guide the selection of counties and health facilities requiring the greatest support. Maternal and newborn interventions will also be linked with ongoing HIV and family-planning programmes to strengthen continuity of care from pregnancy through childbirth and beyond.

Health-workforce development will form a key part of the collaboration. Healthcare workers will receive mentorship, virtual learning and targeted capacity-building within Kenya’s national mentorship guidelines to strengthen the delivery of quality maternal and newborn services.

The partnership will also support the use of digital health to improve decision-making. The Ministry is developing a health-sector command centre dashboard to consolidate critical indicators, monitor performance, identify gaps and support timely action across maternal and newborn health, HIV, tuberculosis and other priority programmes.

Jhpiego has supported Kenya’s health sector for 48 years through programmes covering family planning, reproductive health, malaria, HIV, and maternal and newborn health. Its current portfolio comprises 13 projects, with approximately KSh5.2 billion invested across 22 counties and more than 1,800 health facilities over the past two years.

The engagement also considered how commitments from the Global Maternal Health Conference can be translated into practical interventions. As Kenya pursues sustainable approaches to healthcare financing and service delivery, technical partnerships will remain important in strengthening national implementation capacity.

Hon. Duale affirmed that partnerships bringing expertise, innovation and resources must complement Government efforts, strengthen national systems and deliver measurable improvements for Kenyans.

The Ministry of Health and Jhpiego reaffirmed their commitment to closing persistent gaps in maternal and newborn care and giving every woman and every newborn a better chance to survive and thrive.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Health, Kenya.

Source: APO

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Emergency Relief Coordinator Fletcher has allocated $3 million from CERF for Ebola readiness efforts in the Central African Republic.

The risk of the outbreak spreading has increased following the confirmation of Ebola cases in provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo that border the Central African Republic. Mr. Fletcher says the funds will strengthen surveillance, isolation capacity, community engagement, and access to water.

The Central African Republic already faces a humanitarian crisis driven by conflict, floods, disease outbreaks and regional instability, leaving an estimated 2.3 million people – over a third of the population – in need of vital assistance.

This year’s $264 million humanitarian appeal for the country is just over 42 per cent funded, with $112 million received to date.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).