Category: MIL-OSI

Source: APO

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• During the second round of the national polio vaccination campaign, held in June 2026, the system once again demonstrated its value.
• In the provinces covered by the campaign, thousands of vaccinators, supervisors, community mobilisers and support teams received their payments via MOMO, enabling them to keep their focus on protecting children.
• A key part of this process is the MOMO focal points, who are based at each health centre.
• Manansses Rosário, from the Luia Health Centre in the Chifunde District, carries out her duties as a MOMO using her Android mobile phone and with the support of the provincial Super Trainer.
• It is their responsibility to register staff on the digital platform, keep track of colleagues during the campaign and ensure that all the necessary information is correct for the processing of payments.

In a vaccination campaign, success does not depend solely on vaccines reaching communities on time. It also relies on thousands of health workers and volunteers who travel long distances to vaccinate children, engage families and ensure that no community is left behind. To ensure this work proceeds without delay, the World Health Organization (WHO) has been transforming the way these workers are paid by implementing the Mobile Money (MOMO) digital payment system.

Since 2024, WHO Mozambique has been leading the use of MOMO to pay workers involved in public health campaigns and other emergency interventions. To date, more than USD 14.4 million has been channeled through this solution to nearly 246 000 beneficiaries across the country, reinforcing Mozambique’s experience in digitizing payments in the health sector. By replacing cash payments with mobile money transfers, the solution has made payments faster, safer, more transparent and more inclusive, significantly reducing the logistical challenges associated with transporting and distributing cash during large-scale campaigns.

“This is my second polio vaccination campaign as a MOMO focal point, and it has been very straightforward to carry out this role. The platform is easy to use and, immediately after the training, I was able to register my colleagues and monitor their attendance without any difficulty,” explains Manansses Rosário, 30, a MOMO focal point in the district of Chifunde. For WHO, the digitalization of payments reflects an investment in strengthening health systems and the operational capacity of campaigns. “The digitisation of payments represents a significant step forward in the way we support health campaigns,” emphasises Gwinyayi Chikonzo, WHO Acting Operations Officer in Mozambique. “We are making processes more efficient, more transparent and more inclusive, whilst significantly strengthening accountability and ensuring a complete digital record of all transactions.”

This innovation also represents a significant benefit for partners investing in health through WHO. The use of electronic processes enhances the traceability of resources, improves monitoring mechanisms and strengthens transparency in the use of funds allocated to public health interventions. As Mozambique continues to expand the use of Mobile Money to different health activities, experience shows that digital innovation can go far beyond technology. In a country where distance, logistics and financial inclusion continue to pose challenges, Mobile Money is proving that digital solutions can bring resources closer to those who need them most and strengthen the health system’s response.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of WHO Regional Office for Africa.

Source: APO

Assistant Secretary of War Daniel Zimmerman and U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) Deputy Commander Lieutenant General John Brennan visited Ghana August 6-8 to reaffirm the strong partnership between the United States and Ghana.

This follows the delegation’s participation in the second Joint Angolan-American Defense Cooperation Committee (DEFCOM), held in Luanda, Angola, August 5-6.

During their visit to Ghana, Assistant Secretary Zimmerman and Lieutenant General Brennan met with senior Ghanaian officials to discuss U.S.-Ghana security cooperation and efforts to strengthen domestic, maritime, border, and regional security capabilities.  This visit follows those by the AFRICOM Commander and NAVAF-NAVEUR Commander earlier this year.

Assistant Secretary of War Daniel Zimmerman, on his first visit to Ghana, commented that “This visit reflects high-level U.S. interest in partnering with the Ghana Armed Forces to strengthen our partner’s capacity to protect national sovereignty and address regional security challenges.”

Rolf Olson, the U.S. Chargé d’Affaires a.i., noted “These visits are part of our robust security cooperation with Ghana, which includes co-hosting African land and maritime forces summits, participating in joint training exercises, and strengthening partner capacity through medical and educational exchanges.  Just this week, the U.S. Embassy was pleased to also welcome here delegations from the Naval Medical Research Unit and from the Africa Center for Strategic Studies to strengthen medical readiness and military education.”

The visit underscored the United States’ continued commitment to supporting Ghana’s security priorities and reinforced the broader U.S.-Africa partnership in advancing shared goals of stability, prosperity, and security across the region.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of U.S. Embassy in Ghana.

Source: APO

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When Dooshima, who lives in the Daudu Internally Displaced Persons camp in Benue State, joined a community dialogue on preventing sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment, she heard something new.

“For the first time, I understood that this should not be accepted, and that there are safe ways to report and get help,” she said. “Now I know my rights and how to support others.”

Her experience reflects a wider reality. Many people in displacement settings do not know where to seek help or who to trust. In Nigeria, this remains a concern as ongoing displacement continues to place women, girls and other vulnerable groups at higher risk of exploitation and abuse.

This initiative comes at a critical moment, as Nigeria strengthens its response to gender-based violence and related protection risks. It aligns with the National Gender in Health Policy 2025 and broader humanitarian efforts supporting internally displaced people. It also reflects national priorities on preventing gender-based violence and ensuring accountability to affected populations, meaning people can safely raise concerns, be heard and access the health care they need.

Strengthening protection systems

To address these gaps, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, together with the Benue State Government, worked with WHO to strengthen protection systems in displacement camps. Funding support was provided by the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

The programme trained 18 civil society representatives on the prevention of and response to sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment. Health workers from referral facilities were also trained to provide victim centred care that is safe, confidential and respectful.

The work goes beyond training. It focuses on building systems that connect people to services and ensure concerns are acted on.

“The health system is often one of the first places victims in need of health care go,” said Dr Inigbehe Oyinloye, PRSEAH Technical Officer. “When health workers are prepared, victims are more likely to receive the care they need.”

These efforts contribute to WHO’s mandate to strengthen health systems, promote safe health services and ensure accountability in humanitarian settings.

From training to community action

After the training, participants returned to their communities and shared what they learned. They worked with camp leaders, women’s groups and youth representatives to reach more people.

Across five camps, more than 20,000 displaced persons were reached, including about 12,000 women and girls and 5,000 men and boys. Adolescents took part in discussions on personal safety, rights and how to seek help. People living with disabilities were also engaged through adapted sessions.

These activities led to clear changes.

Awareness of reporting channels and GBV service utilization increased from 39% to 57%, as survivors were linked to health, protection and psychosocial services through established systems.

Community members also began raising concerns more openly. Over 2,000 concerns and complaints were documented in 2024 through safe reporting mechanisms. This information was used to improve services and outreach.

In response, reporting information was displayed in visible areas, and 60 trained community focal persons now serve as trusted links between residents and support services.

Voices from the community

For many women and girls, access to information has brought confidence.

“We were afraid to speak before,” said Rachel, a resident of Mega camp. “Now we know where to go and what to do. And we tell others.”

Young people are also playing a role.

“I tell my friends what I learned,” said 16 year old Mary from International Market camp. “We know we have people we can talk to.”

Community leaders say attitudes are changing.

“People used to think this should be kept quiet,” said Joshua Labe, a civil society representative. “Now they ask questions and seek help. That is a big shift.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of WHO Regional Office for Africa.

Source: APO

The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), with funding from the Government of Japan and in cooperation with Egypt’s Ministry of Local Development and Environment, provided specialized laboratory equipment to the General Organization for Export and Import Control (GOEIC), strengthening national capacity to test alternatives to single-use plastic products and verify their compliance with relevant technical requirements. 

The event took place at GOEIC’s laboratories at Cairo International Airport under the project “Supporting the Promotion of Circular Economy Practices on the Single-Use Plastic Value Chain in Egypt.” The initiative supports Egypt’s transition toward more sustainable production and consumption patterns by combining policy and institutional support, awareness raising, technical assistance to enterprises and the promotion of circular economy practices across the plastics value chain. 

The ceremony brought together Manal Awad, Minister of Local Development and Environment;  Khaled Hashem, Minister of Industry; and Mohamed Farid Saleh, Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade. The Government of Japan was represented by Yasuhiro Tsukamoto, Minister and Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of Japan in Egypt, while UNIDO was represented by Gihan Attia, Deputy UNIDO Representative in Egypt. The ceremony was hosted by Essam El-Naggar, Chairman of GOEIC, with the participation of the Waste Management Regulatory Authority and other national partners and development stakeholders. 

The new equipment represents an important step in translating Egypt’s policy and technical requirements for sustainable alternatives into effective testing and conformity-assessment capacity. It will enable GOEIC laboratories to carry out technical tests on plastic materials, single-use plastic products and their alternatives and assess their conformity with applicable Egyptian standards. 

Essam El-Naggar, Chairman of GOEIC, highlighted the practical value of the new capacity: “The new equipment represents a significant addition to GOEIC’s laboratory system, helping improve the efficiency and accuracy of inspection, testing and conformity-assessment services and enabling us to provide more advanced technical services to producers, exporters and importers.” 

GOEIC also highlighted that developing its laboratory capacities can reduce testing times, improve the quality of services provided to businesses and help companies verify product conformity before export, thereby supporting confidence in Egyptian products in international markets. 

For Egypt, the investment also supports a wider national effort to address plastic pollution while creating the technical and institutional conditions necessary for more sustainable industrial production.

Manal Awad, Minister of Local Development and Environment, said. “This step reflects a successful model of partnership between the Government of Egypt, UNIDO and the Government of Japan, based on a shared vision that environmental protection and sustainable industrial development are complementary goals.”

The project also strengthens the link between Egypt’s quality infrastructure and industrial competitiveness. Khaled Hashem, Minister of Industry, stressed that enhanced testing and conformity-assessment capabilities can help Egyptian manufacturers meet technical requirements in global markets and expand the production of environmentally sustainable alternatives. 

Mohamed Farid Saleh, Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade, likewise highlighted laboratory development as a key pillar of Egypt’s foreign-trade system, noting that more efficient inspection, testing and conformity assessment contribute to product quality, market compliance and the ability of Egyptian companies to expand internationally. 

The initiative forms part of a longstanding partnership between Egypt, Japan and UNIDO on circular economy approaches to plastics. The project was launched following cooperation linked to the 2019 G20 Osaka Summit and Japan’s broader efforts under the Osaka Blue Ocean Vision to address marine plastic pollution. UNIDO and Japan formally announced the Egypt initiative in 2021, with a focus on promoting greener production and consumption patterns, supporting SMEs and strengthening the enabling policy environment. 

Speaking at the handover, Yasuhiro Tsukamoto, Minister and Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of Japan in Egypt, emphasized that government action alone would not be sufficient: “The transition to a circular economy requires not only government leadership, but also the active participation of the private sector and manufacturers.” 

Gihan Attia, Deputy UNIDO Representative in Egypt, said, “Developing quality infrastructure and technical capacities is essential to supporting Egypt’s transition towards a circular economy. Equipping national laboratories with specialized capabilities is an important part of strengthening cooperation between government, industry and development partners.” 

Through these complementary interventions, the project seeks not only to strengthen the technical capacity to assess sustainable alternatives, but also to help create the institutional and industrial conditions needed for circular economy practices to be adopted and sustained.

By strengthening the link between standards, testing capacity and industrial application, the new laboratory capabilities provide another practical building block for Egypt’s transition towards more resource-efficient production, competitive industry and a circular economy. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).

Source: APO

Mr. Mehari Tekie, director of Embeyto Elementary School in Gala-Nefhi sub-zone, reported that basic maintenance had been carried out on the school’s buildings and infrastructure through community contributions.

Noting that addressing the challenges facing schools should not be left to the Government alone, the residents expressed their readiness to contribute sustainably to resolving any shortcomings the school may face.

Commending the initiative taken by the residents of Embeyto, Mr. Mehari Yohannes, administrator of Gala-Nefhi sub-zone, and Mr. Daniel Solomon, head of the education office in the sub-zone, called on other villages to undertake similar initiatives.

Mr. Mesfun Woldeselasie, head of administration and finance at the Ministry of Education branch in the Central Region, said that the program will make a significant contribution to improving the teaching-learning process and called for the initiative to be strengthened.

At the event, certificates of recognition were presented to those who contributed to the renovation process.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Information, Eritrea.

Source: APO

Commendable water and soil conservation activities are being carried out in Golij sub-zone through the students’ summer work program.

Eng. Berhane Tsegay, an agricultural expert in Golij sub-zone, said that the 800 students participating in the program have so far renovated about 8 thousand meters of terraces, constructed 10 hectares of terraces, prepared over 2 thousand holes for planting tree seedlings, and cultivated a number of trees.

Noting that the summer work program has made a significant contribution to building their capacity and nurturing a strong work ethic, the students expressed their readiness to rehabilitate land damaged by erosion.

In related news, a seminar focusing on enhancing awareness and participation in the nation-building process was conducted for members of the students’ summer work program in Barentu sub-zone.

At the seminar, briefings were provided on the role of youth in combating climate change, the significance of water and soil conservation in boosting agricultural production, and the importance of strengthening women’s participation in education and development programs.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Information, Eritrea.

Source: APO

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As the Ebola outbreak continues to spread, misinformation remains a significant challenge, hindering prevention efforts and reducing trust in health interventions. To help address this, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) is scaling up community engagement across Ituri province, training local leaders and community volunteers to raise awareness, counter misinformation through trusted local networks, support the early detection of cases, and gather community concerns and feedback.

“Many people still do not accept that the disease exists, because they are frightened by the name Ebola,” said Akenedli Gbadi Edith, community leader in Rwankole, Bunia. “When people hear the word Ebola, they immediately think of death. No one wants to accept death, and this contributes to resistance. However, resistance is gradually decreasing, as we continue raising awareness. I will help people understand that this disease is real. Anyone who develops signs or symptoms should go immediately to a health facility.”

“Communities are the first line of defense against Ebola,” said Lenet Kajogi, overseeing the IRC’s risk communication and community engagement activities in Bunia.“When people have accurate information and trusted local leaders to turn to, they are better equipped to protect themselves, identify potential symptoms and seek care early. Community engagement is not just about sharing messages. It is about listening to people’s concerns, responding to rumors and building trust.”

As the Ebola outbreak continues to affect multiple provinces across the DRC, with more than 4,200 reported cases and nearly 2,000 deaths, these engagement activities are targeting representatives from religious institutions, schools, youth networks, women’s groups and the transport sector. The scale and speed of the outbreak, which has surpassed the total number of cases recorded during the 2018-2020 outbreak in less than three months, underscore the importance of strengthening public awareness, building trust and supporting community-led prevention efforts as part of the overall response.

Building on 30 years’ experience in providing health support and community engagement activities in the DRC, the IRC is training community leaders in prevention and response measures across 15 health areas in Bunia, Rwampara and Nyankunde as well as six additional sessions in Goma. Following the trainings, community volunteers conduct door-to-door awareness sessions and small community discussions, while also collecting feedback and monitoring misinformation circulating within communities.

The IRC is supporting preparedness and response efforts in high-risk areas, strengthening infection prevention and control, surveillance, community engagement, and support for frontline health workers to help contain the outbreak and prevent further spread. Additional funding would enable the IRC to continue providing essential health, clean water and sanitation, community engagement, and protection services. It would also allow the IRC to expand its work into Beni and Butembo, two high-need areas in North Kivu where access to humanitarian assistance remains limited.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of International Rescue Committee (IRC) .

Source: APO

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This significant initiative aligns with human capital development priorities and the implementation of the Community’s Vision 2050. The meeting brings together Directors of ECOWAS National Offices, representatives from the Directorate of Administration and General Services, the Directorate of Budget and Treasury, the Directorate of External Relations, Coordinators of the four (04) PARI Program Consortiums, and DESC staff.

The main objective of this meeting is to enhance the understanding and support of National Offices regarding DESC’s mandate and priorities, ensuring adequate funding for its programmes in future Commission budget cycles, with the following specific objectives:

Present the organizational architecture of DESC and its portfolio of flagship programmes to the ECOWAS National Offices; Demonstrate, using performance indicators and concrete data, the socio-economic impact of DESC programmes and their alignment with Vision 2050;

Gather feedback and procedural requirements from National Offices to improve the quality of future submissions; Present the Young Professionals management platform, the EMIS programme, Science Division initiatives including the PARI consortia (ROSEWOOD, COVI-RAM, PHYMEPALU, and DIABETOX), the regional school selection framework, Culture Division programmes, and the 2027–2030 forecast budget.

This initiative reflects ECOWAS’s ongoing commitment to institutional convergence and advocacy, highlighting the vital contribution of education, science, and culture to peace, social cohesion, and regional integration, while securing predictable funding for inclusive socio-economic development across Member States.

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

Source: APO

In the face of persistent sexual and gender-based violence in Ituri, the MONUSCO Police (UNPOL), in collaboration with the Congolese National Police (PNC), is stepping up prevention efforts among communities. On Friday, August 7, 2026, an awareness-raising session brought together 34 students from the University of Bunia, including 11 young women, with the aim of strengthening their knowledge of their rights and the mechanisms available for reporting sexual violence.

For the organizers, information remains an essential tool for prevention. By encouraging victims and witnesses to report abuse, awareness-raising activities help combat impunity and protect the most vulnerable.

Breaking the silence

In higher education institutions as well as schools, sexual violence remains a major concern. Yet the issue often remains difficult to address because of fear, stigma, or power dynamics that discourage victims from reporting abuse.

During discussions with the students, the facilitators placed particular emphasis on sexual harassment practices linked to obtaining academic favors, commonly referred to as “sexually transmitted grades.” According to them, this reality primarily affects young women and undermines their personal development, academic integrity, and future professional prospects.

“There are many people in positions of authority who take advantage of the naivety of some female students to obtain sexual favors. They exchange grades for sexual relations,” said Grâce Balume, Deputy Commissioner of the Congolese National Police in charge of preventing sexual violence.

Participants in the awareness session were also informed about reporting procedures and the support available to victims, with the aim of encouraging them to break their silence.

The family: the first line of defense

For several students attending the meeting, the fight against sexual violence must extend beyond the university setting. Sarah Avuti, a law student at the University of Bunia, believes prevention should begin within families themselves.

“It is something I have seen and come to understand: gender-based violence starts at home. So, in addition to raising awareness among us students, I think it would also be better to raise awareness among parents,” she explained.

Despite Ebola, awareness-raising efforts continue

Beyond universities, specialized UNPOL and PNC teams regularly continue awareness campaigns in neighborhoods, markets, and other public spaces in Bunia.

These activities are carried out in particular by MONUSCO Police’s Specialized Police Team on Gender (SPT/Gender) and by the PNC’s Child Protection and Prevention of Sexual Violence Unit (EPEPVES). However, the current context, marked by the Ebola virus disease outbreak in Ituri, poses an additional challenge for those involved in prevention efforts.

“Before the Ebola outbreak, we organized many awareness sessions for parents, children, teachers, and students on the dangers of sexual and gender-based violence. The message we sent to parents was: take responsibility, send your children to school, and avoid letting them roam around all day, so they do not become easy targets for sexual predators. Since Ebola, awareness-raising activities have decreased somewhat. However, we met with the mayors of the Shari, Nyakasanza, and Mbunya municipalities to plan new activities in smaller formats adapted to the current context,” explained a member of MONUSCO Police’s SPT/Gender in Bunia.

A collective commitment is needed

For prevention actors, breaking the silence and encouraging the reporting of abuse remain essential in the fight against this phenomenon. It is a struggle that concerns every sphere of society: schools, universities, workplaces, markets, and families alike.

Through these initiatives, the PNC and UNPOL reaffirm their commitment to preventing sexual and gender-based violence and strengthening the protection of communities in Ituri.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Mission de l’Organisation des Nations unies en République démocratique du Congo (MONUSCO).