Category: English

Source: APO

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That’s according to the UN World Food Programme (WFP), which announced on Tuesday that it is scaling up to deliver aid to more than 210,000 people displaced by the violence after a new offensive by armed group M23 reignited hostilities earlier this month. 

“This hunger crisis risks spiraling without urgent action,” said Cynthia Jones, WFP Country Director for the DRC.

She added that even the families who have provided shelter to those forced to flee are already living at emergency levels of food insecurity, “sharing their last food with displaced neighbors—pushing all of them closer to utter desperation.” 

Deprived of water and medicine  

Since the violence broke out in South Kivu, health facilities have been looted, medicines are unavailable and schools remain closed. Affected communities are deprived of safe water, medical care and livelihoods. Education has been severely disrupted, with more than 391,000 children out of school, according to WFP. 

As a result, many have also fled into neighbouring countries in search of food and shelter. Teams are supporting 71,000 new arrivals from DRC in Burundi, and 1,000 in Rwanda, with hot meals.  

Underfunding threatens aid 

WFP is trying to reach the most vulnerable displaced families and host communities in South Kivu with a survival package of cereals, pulses, vegetable oil, iodised salt and specialised nutrition to prevent malnutrition for young children and pregnant or breastfeeding women. 

While some food supplies are already pre-positioned in the conflict area, the agency says it is urgently seeking $67 million to continue assistance for three months for those forced to flee DRC and $350 million to keep operations running across all programmes in the country.  

“Without urgent support and additional funding, we cannot respond to a crisis that is teetering on the brink of a hunger catastrophe,” said Ms. Jones.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of UN News.

Source: APO

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In order to enforce professional language service delivery in ECOWAS, the Commission has adopted a Language Policy, an accompanying Manual of Operating Procedures and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) on the 20th of December 2025.

A six-day technical workshop held in Lagos from 15 – 20 December 2025 to review, align and validate these documents. This ensures coherent, consistent, and effective implementation of language services across ECOWAS Institutions including GIABA, WAHO, the Court and Parliament.

Culminating in a presentation of the Commission’s Roster of Freelance Language Professionals, the Commission has now formally adopted eligibility criteria for inclusion on its roster. Client departments can be assured of continued provision of the highest quality of services in the ECOWAS region.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

Source: APO

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Under the framework of the EU-funded Africa Trade Competitiveness and Market Access (ATCMA) programme, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), in partnership with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), held a regional media training in Abuja from 11 to 12 December 2025, aimed at strengthening journalists’ capacity to effectively report on Quality Infrastructure across West Africa.

The ATCMA ECOWAS programme is funded by the European Union (EU) in the amount of €50 million and is jointly implemented by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the International Trade Centre (ITC), with the overall objective to increase sustainable intra-African and EU-Africa trade by enhancing market access and export competitiveness for SMEs in selected value chains.

The two-day hybrid training brought together journalists and communication officers from ECOWAS Member States to deepen their understanding of standards, metrology, accreditation, and conformity assessment. Participants were equipped to translate these technical systems into accessible, people-centred narratives that reflect their tangible impact on citizens, enterprises, and regional integration.

Opening the training, the ECOWAS Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture, Dr. Kalilou Sylla, represented by Mr. Koissi Midaye, Principal Programme Officer, reaffirmed that quality is no longer optional, but a strategic necessity for accessing and sustaining presence in reference markets, strengthening regional value chains, and improving the quality of life of citizens across the Community. He underscored that Quality Infrastructure lies at the heart of economic transformation, public health, market confidence, and cross-border trade, in line with the aspirations of ECOWAS Vision 2050.

Representing the European Union, Mr. Massimo De Luca, Head of Cooperation at the European Union Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, highlighted the importance of harmonised quality rules in safeguarding consumers while enabling manufacturers, traders, and investors to operate confidently across borders. He emphasised that clear and predictable standards, particularly in sensitive sectors such as pharmaceuticals and food fortification, are essential to ensure safety, effectiveness, and trust, and are central to the EU’s Global Gateway strategy, which seeks to support catalytic, sustainable, and transformative investments in West Africa.

Mr. Bernard Bau, Project Manager of the ATCMA ECOWAS programme under the UNIDO, noted that the project presents a major opportunity for the region. “This is a great opportunity for the region, for consumers, manufacturers, producers, investors, and everybody to really make the most of this technical cooperation,” he said, reiterating the dire need for a strong quality culture in the ECOWAS region and emphasizing that the role of the media in this endeavour cannot be overemphasized.

Technical sessions led by Prof. Dr. Adalberto Vieira, UNIDO International Expert in Quality Infrastructure, provided participants with practical insights into how metrology, standardisation, and conformity assessment underpin consumer protection, fair trade, and industrial credibility.

A key feature of the training was a series of practical exercises and pitching sessions, during which participants applied the knowledge acquired to assess real-world scenarios. These exercises reinforced the role of the media not only in reporting events, but also in interrogating systems, clarifying responsibilities, and shaping informed public debate around quality, competitiveness, and accountability.

Throughout the engagement, emphasis was placed on the media as a critical bridge between technical institutions and society, ensuring that Quality Infrastructure is understood not as an abstract framework, but as a public good that directly affects livelihoods, safety, and economic opportunity.

The training was moderated by Mr. Saikou Suwareh Jabai, UNIDO Consultant, and convened in close coordination with the ECOWAS Communication Directorate, reflecting the Community’s commitment to strategic communication as a driver of regional integration and development.

This media engagement forms part of ECOWAS’ broader efforts to strengthen regional integration, enhance economic competitiveness, and advance the aspirations of Vision 2050. By reinforcing informed, responsible, and people-centred media coverage, ECOWAS and its partners aim to ensure that Quality Infrastructure becomes a shared culture that supports sustainable development and inclusive growth across West Africa.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

Source: APO

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Fatouma Bourguiba University Hospital, located in the city of Monastir, is a major healthcare center nationwide with its Pediatric Surgery Department performing surgical interventions on approximately 4,000 children annually.

Serving not only patients from Monastir but also pediatric patients from different regions of Tunisia, the hospital previously faced a serious risk due to the absence of a pediatric recovery room where children could be safely monitored after surgery.

In response to this need, a pediatric recovery room meeting international standards was established within the framework of a request submitted by the hospital. The newly established unit has been equipped with pediatric ventilators, multi-parameter monitors, infusion pumps, child-specific resuscitation beds, and the necessary anesthesia equipment.

Through this project, which is expected to directly benefit at least 1,000 children annually, it is aimed to enhance the safety of critically ill pediatric patients and minimize the risks of complications and mortality. The project also includes training programs for healthcare personnel on post-operative pediatric monitoring and emergency intervention protocols, thereby strengthening human resource capacity.

Through this project that directly touches the lives of pediatric patients, TİKA continues to strengthen Tunisia’s healthcare infrastructure.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA).

Source: APO

Merck Foundation (www.Merck-Foundation.com), the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA, Germany, in partnership with African and Asian First Ladies, released a new children’s storybook and its animation film adaptation titled “Ray of Hope” to raise awareness about cancer, with a special focus on early detection, prevention and access to quality cancer care specially in childhood cancer. The storybook and animation film were launched by Merck Foundation Chairman and CEO, together with First Ladies of Burundi, Central Africa, The Gambia, Liberia, Nigeria, São Tomé & Príncipe and Senegal, who are also the Ambassadors of “Merck Foundation More Than a Mother”, during the Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative (MFFLI) Committee Meeting. The MFFLI Committee Meeting was organized as part of the 12^th Edition of the Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary, which took place in The Gambia.

Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej (Ret.), CEO of Merck Foundation expressed, “I am very proud to release today our new children’s storybook and animation film on cancer awareness, in partnership with my dear sisters, African First Ladies.

While Childhood cancer is one of the most difficult journeys, not only for young patients but also for their families and communities. Yet, with early detection and timely treatment, there is a good chance of recovery and the possibility of a long and healthier future as majority of Pediatric cancer are treatable. Therefore, I made sure that providing scholarships of cancer care for African healthcare providers is a main part of our strategy. Not only this but also to focus on Pediatric oncology training as much as we can.”  

“Our storybook, “Ray of Hope” highlights this objective via sharing the journey of a young girl named Hope, who faces cancer with courage, resilience, and, above all, hope. The story also raises awareness about the importance of having access to a well-trained cancer care team to recognize early warning signs which you will know about when you read this storybook. These signs should never be ignored, as early detection saves lives,” she added.

Read ‘Ray of Hope’ storybook here: https://apo-opa.co/3YFto2a

Watch ‘Ray of Hope’ animation film here: https://apo-opa.co/4pTEQDz

Cancer is now a major public health problem in sub-Saharan Africa, with the disease among the three leading causes of premature death.

Dr. Rasha Kelej further shared, “It is important to note that nearly two-thirds of cancer cases can be treated if diagnosed early, and as many as one-third can be prevented by reducing risk factors such as exposure to radiation, certain infections, lifestyle-related causes, and more. The story raises awareness about the importance of early detection and having access to a well-trained cancer care team to recognize early warning signs. “

As a part of their Cancer Access Program, Merck Foundation provided 239 scholarships for healthcare providers from 35 countries as per the following;

Merck Foundation is establishing Multidisciplinary Oncology Care teams in many African countries by providing scholarships of One year clinical training in most of oncology sub- specialties such as; Medical Oncology, Surgical Oncology, Pediatrics Oncology, Gynecology Oncology, Breast Oncology, Haemato-Oncology, Orthopedic Oncology, Palliative Care, Pathology Oncology, Radiation Oncology, Research in Oncology, Surgical Oncology, Genital Urinary oncology, Advanced Cytopathology Training, Interventional Radiology, Radiation Technician, Laboratory Technician, Oncology Nursing.

Moreover, Merck Foundation provides one year and two year Post Graduate Diploma and Master Degree of Cancer and Clinical Oncology, Medical Oncology and Pain Management from reputed Universities in UK like University of South Wales, University of Buckingham, Queen Mary University of London, and Cardiff University.

“We are proud to be making history in Africa by training the first Oncologists and building the first cancer care teams in several nations, ensuring that patients receive the care they deserve.” Dr. Kelej added.

Merck Foundation has over all provided more than 2500 scholarships for doctors from 52 countries in 44 critical and underserved medical specialties.

“The storybook and animation film are currently available on our social media and website and will be distributed soon in our partner countries. I believe that education through storytelling and animation is a powerful tool to build a more informed, empathetic, and healthier generation,” added Dr. Kelej.

The storybooks will have a special message from Merck Foundation CEO, Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, and African and Asian First Ladies for their respective countries. Each storybook will be available in three languages English, French and Portuguese. The copies of these books will be distributed to young readers.

Merck Foundation together with Agrican and Asian first Ladies has previously launched several storybooks and their adapted animation films addressing various health and social issues like ‘More Than a Mother’ to break infertility stigma; ‘Jackline’s Rescue’ to focus on the importance of Girls’ Education and highlight the immoral practices of society including child marriage and the dowry system; ‘Educating Linda’ & ‘Ride into The Future’ to emphasize on the importance of empowering girls through education; ‘Not Who You Are’ to teach boys to love and respect their future wives and eliminate domestic violence and ‘Sugar Free Jude’ for Diabetes Awareness, ‘Mark’s Pressure’ for Hypertension Awareness.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Merck Foundation.

Contact:
Mehak Handa
Community Awareness Program Manager 
Phone: +91 9310087613/ +91 9319606669
Email: mehak.handa@external.merckgroup.com

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About Merck Foundation:
The Merck Foundation, established in 2017, is the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, aims to improve the health and wellbeing of people and advance their lives through science and technology. Our efforts are primarily focused on improving access to quality & equitable healthcare solutions in underserved communities, building healthcare & scientific research capacity, empowering girls in education and empowering people in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) with a special focus on women and youth. All Merck Foundation press releases are distributed by e-mail at the same time they become available on the Merck Foundation Website. Please visit www.Merck-Foundation.com to read more. Follow the social media of Merck Foundation: Facebook (https://apo-opa.co/4qiZiNL), X (https://apo-opa.co/4pcT8xH), Instagram (https://apo-opa.co/3Y9BBvr), YouTube (https://apo-opa.co/4saeJtz), Threads (https://apo-opa.co/49g41t0) and Flickr (https://apo-opa.co/44HSLE7).

The Merck Foundation is dedicated to improving social and health outcomes for communities in need. While it collaborates with various partners, including governments to achieve its humanitarian goals, the foundation remains strictly neutral in political matters. It does not engage in or support any political activities, elections, or regimes, focusing solely on its mission to elevate humanity and enhance well-being while maintaining a strict non-political stance in all of its endeavors.