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The United Arab Emirates on Sunday sent an aid plane containing 7.7 metric tons of medical supplies and testing equipment to Union of the Comoros. This aid will assist approximately 7700 healthcare workers as they work to contain the spread of COVID-19.

Commenting on the aid delivery, His Excellency Saeed Mohammed Saeed Al Maqbali, UAE Ambassador to Union of the Comoros, said: “Bilateral relations between our two countries have witnessed remarkable progress in recent years in many areas, with the support of the leadership of the two countries. This comes based on the foundations of mutual understanding and coordination and within the framework of further cooperation to overcome existing challenges to generate future opportunities in service of common interests.”
His Excellency added: “The Union of the Comoros was one of the first countries to benefit from UAE medical aid to combat COVID-19. Last May, the UAE sent an aid plane carrying 5 metric tons of medical supplies to support 5,000 healthcare workers in the fight against COVID-19.”
To date, the UAE has responded to the COVID-19 crisis by providing over 1798 metric tons of aid to 135 countries, supporting more than 1.8 million medical professionals in the process.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Arab Emirates Ministry of Foreign Affairs &#038; International Cooperation.

Coronavirus – Comoros: UAE Sends Second Aid Flight to Union of the Comoros in Fight against COVID-19

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Water sources in Somalia are drying up at a rapid rate as a looming drought intensifies, leaving 70 percent of families across the country without access to safe drinking water. Thousands of children are now reliant on emergency water trucking and unprotected wells or are forced to leave their homes in search of water, according to a new assessment by Save the Children.

The assessment, which covered 632 households across eight regions in Somalia, shows reduced rainfall and severe water shortages are also killing livestock, causing crop failures and diminishing household incomes, leaving children with fewer meals per day and less nutritious food.
More than half the families surveyed did not have enough food to eat and 84 percent of respondents said they were resorting to harmful ways to cope with the crisis, such as depleting their livestock reserves to buy food and reducing the number of meals they have per day. The loss of livestock also means children have less access to milk and this further exposes them to the risk of malnutrition. 
Without immediate humanitarian assistance, the crisis is likely to peak in June with the number of children and adults in urgent need of support soaring to 5.9 million – an increase of 700,000 people compared to 2020, or a third of the population.
As the negative impacts of climate change intensify, the frequency and severity of extreme weather events in Somalia is increasing. In the past year alone, Somalia experienced severe floods, the most powerful cyclone to ever hit the country and now a looming drought. Communities are struggling to survive as they have no time to recover before the next crisis hits.
Shucayb, 12, says: “The drought has made it difficult for the community. We only have a little bit of water left and if that dries up, then the community will have to move to another place where there is water. I’d be sad if this happens because the school would close, and I’d have no choice but to go with my family.”
There has also been a devastating upsurge in locust invasions with swarms swiftly moving across the country destroying crops as they go and posing a huge threat to food security. Ninety-seven percent of families interviewed in the assessment said they had experienced at least one locust infestation. Conflict and the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic are also taking a huge toll and pushing families to breaking point.
Canab, 37, was forced to leave her home with her children when locust swarms and the drought decimated the pasture and left her livestock – her only source of food and income – with nothing to eat.  “The food shortage in our household has taken a toll on my children. My children have been vomiting and had diarrhoea for the past few days. Now they do not have a good appetite. I don’t have access to nutritious food like dates or oatmeal, hence why my children are malnourished and sick,” Canab said.
Mohamud Mohamed Hassan, Country Director for Save the Children in Somalia, said: 
“Children are bearing the brunt of a growing climate crisis in Somalia and if urgent action is not taken, an alarming number will face hunger, school closures due to water shortages, displacement and exploitation in the coming months.
“In the communities where we work, Save the Children is seeing wells drying up, families rationing their water, crops and pastures dying and people moving away from their communities in search of water and food for their livestock. In some locations, the price of water has skyrocketed. Those who cannot afford to pay for water are forced to use unsafe water sources, thereby putting children at risk of deadly diseases such as cholera.
“Without enough food and the right nutrition, children are becoming malnourished, which can lead to illness, infections, stunting and death. And children who are displaced may face violence, become separated from their families or be forced to work.
“The international community has been very generous in supporting people in Somalia. However, to reduce support now would be disastrous as the deadly combination of continuous climate shocks, COVID-19 and conflict are pushing children and their families to the limit and they need urgent support to help them survive.”
Save the Children is calling on donors to act quickly and provide immediate emergency funding to sustain and significantly scale up the humanitarian response in Somalia to save children’s lives.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Save the Children.

Severe Water Shortages in Somalia Leave 70% of Families Without Safe Drinking Water

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The World Health Organization (WHO) donated lifesaving medicines and laboratory supplies for testing COVID-19 and Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) to the government of Liberia through the Ministry of Health.

The supplies included Praziquantel tablets to treat nearly 1 million people through community mass drug administration, and assorted laboratory reagents and supplies for testing 10,000 suspected COVID-19 samples and 100 suspected EVD samples.
WHO Representative for Liberia, Dr. Peter Clement officially handed over of the medicines and supplies to the Honourable Minister of Health.
In his handover message, Dr. Clement said, the donation was WHO’s contribution to fight schistosomiasis, combat COVID-19 and mitigate the threats of EVD. He urged the Ministry to increase community testing against COVID-19, strengthen preparedness against EVD and ensure affected communities are appropriately treated against Schistosomiasis.
This donation is in addition to other items handed over to the Ministry of Health for testing and treatment of COVID-19.
The Honourable Minister of Health, Dr. Wilhelmina Jallah said that the supplies will help in the prompt diagnosis of COVID-19 cases and boost the mass drug distribution of Praziquantel in Schistosomiasis hotspot counties in Liberia.
“We are very happy to receive these medicines and assorted EVD and COVID-19 supplies because we can diagnose cases of COVID-19 faster and continue our community testing through the enhanced surveillance plan. We also say thanks to WHO for providing Praziquantel to prevent our citizens from Schistosomiasis”, said Dr. Wilhelmina Jallah.
Schistosomiasis is a disease of poverty that leads to chronic ill-health. Infection is acquired when people come into contact with fresh water infested with the larval forms (cercariae) of parasitic blood flukes, known as Schistosomes. The disease affects almost 240 million people worldwide, and more than 700 million people live in endemic areas. The infection is prevalent in tropical and sub-tropical areas, in poor communities without potable water and adequate sanitation.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of WHO Regional Office for Africa.

Coronavirus – Liberia: WHO Donates Essential Medicines and laboratory supplies for COVID-19 and EVD Testings to the Government of Liberia

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International partners* welcome the arrival of participants for the summit of the Federal Government of Somalia and Federal Member State leaders, to be held in the protected area of Mogadishu’s Aden Adde International Airport, and announced to begin on 22 March 2021. We urge them to convene quickly and to show leadership by building on the Baidoa Technical Committee proposals of 16 February 2021 to implement the 17 September 2020 electoral model and proceed to elections without delay.

We also encourage consultation with other stakeholders such as political actors, civil society organizations, and key legislators to listen to their views and ensure broad support for the electoral process.
We see no viable alternative to implementation of the 17 September electoral model on a rapid timeline to conduct peaceful, inclusive, free, fair, and credible elections.  International partners will not support a partial or parallel electoral process or any initiatives leading to extension of prior mandates. 
We appeal to Somalia’s leaders to seize this opportunity for a peaceful political settlement leading to elections and to make the necessary compromises in the interest of the Somali nation and its people.
International partners continue their efforts to bring the Somali stakeholders together.  We reiterate our commitment to support implementation of the electoral process once details are agreed.
* African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Djibouti, Egypt, Ethiopia, European Union (EU), Finland, France, Germany, Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), Ireland, Italy, League of Arab States (LAS), Netherlands, Norway, Qatar, Sudan, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Uganda, United Kingdom, United States, and the United Nations.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM).

International Partners Call for Somali Leaders to Reach Agreement

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“For us to be more resilient, we should let idle youth work at farms to produce more food,” suggested Victoria Yatoma, Executive Director of the Nile Sisters Development Organization.

Ms. Yatoma made her recommendation at a workshop preceding the Annual Learning Forum, which is a joint programme launched under the umbrella of the Partnership for Recovery and Resilience in South Sudan.
Two gatherings in the Western Equatoria State towns of Yambio and Nzara, supported by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan, brought together representatives of youth, women, religious group, traditional leaders, business communities and state actors to discuss ways forward on how to boost recovery and resilience in the wake of civil war, COVID-19 and other stressful factors.
“We want to ensure that the voices of local communities are well articulated to understand how their businesses and service deliveries are affected by adverse circumstances. That way we can list challenges and needs, come up with realistic recommendations and put them forward at the Annual Learning Forum,” said Russom Habtegabriel ,a representative of the partnership for Recovery and Resilience and Head of the World Food Programme in the state.
During the two-day-long discussions, participants identified economic shocks, sexual and gender-based violence, security and health concerns, wildfires, food insecurity and a lack of access to resources to respond to crises as significant stressors and drivers of conflict in their communities.
“We call for trainings on best agronomic practices, like the most suitable ways to grow crops, control pests, harvest and store the produce. More feeder roods would also contribute significantly to development,” said youth representative Victor Jacob.
A special court to deal with the all too frequent cases of gender-based violence was also recommended.
“We must prioritize raising awareness on violence against women and the terrible effects it has on communities. We ask our partners to review and improve our ways of responding to these issues,” said Edward Mumbasa, Paramount Chief in Yambio.
The slow implementation of the Revitalized Peace Agreement signed in September 2018 was another source of concern.
“It must be fully implemented to allow everyone to move about freely, without fear of armed groups,” said Justin David, another forum participant.
The Partnership for Recovery and Resilience was established in 2018. It is composed of UN entities and local non-governmental organizations and has, so far, resulted in numerous projects with a positive impact.
“We continue to register good, tangible progress at the livelihood level, despite the ongoing pandemic. Different projects and trainings are creating markets for small-scale farmers and their products,” noted Russom Habtegabriel.
 Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). Media files

Peacekeeping mission supports building of resilient communities in Western Equatoria State

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New sustainability roadmap defines ambitious sustainability targets; group decides on &#8220;Science Based Targets&#8221; and aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in line with the Paris Climate Agreement; to this end, the Group will invest EUR 7 billion in climate-neutral logistics by 2030; by 2030, 80,000 e-vehicles shall be deployed for last-mile deliveries, resulting in 60% electrification of the fleet; management Board compensation to be linked to new sustainability roadmap; CEO Frank Appel: &#8220;We are turning our yellow Group into a green company and making an important contribution to our planet and society.&#8221;

The world&#39;s leading logistics company Deutsche Post DHL Group (www.DPDHL.com) is increasing the pace of its planned decarbonization of the company. To this end, the Group is investing a total of EUR 7 billion (Opex and Capex) over the next ten years in measures to reduce its CO2 emissions. The funds will flow in particular into alternative aviation fuels, the expansion of the zero-emission e-vehicle fleet and climate-neutral buildings. Along the way towards its zero emissions target by 2050, which has already been in force for 4 years, the company is committing to new, ambitious interim targets. For example, Deutsche Post DHL Group commits as part of the acclaimed Science Based Target initiative (SBTi) to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 in line with the Paris Climate Agreement. The climate targets are part of Deutsche Post DHL Group&#39;s new sustainability roadmap, in which the company sets out its ESG goals for the next years. In addition to its commitment to the environment, the Group also defines clear targets and measures in the areas of social responsibility and governance.
The Board of Management and Supervisory Board of Deutsche Post DHL Group will propose to shareholders at the next Annual General Meeting that the remuneration system for the Board of Management will be aligned even more closely with sustainable business development. In the future, the achievement of ESG targets will be taken into account when calculating the remuneration of the Board of Management – a clear signal that the commitment to sustainable business is a top priority at Deutsche Post DHL Group.
&#8220;As the world&#39;s largest logistics company, it is our responsibility to lead the way and guide the logistics industry into a sustainable future. We are turning our yellow Group into a green company and making an important contribution to our planet and society,&#8221; says Frank Appel, CEO of Deutsche Post DHL Group. &#8220;I am convinced that by focusing even more on our ESG goals, we will remain the first choice for customers, employees and investors – and thus lay the foundation for long-term economic success.&#8221;
A commitment to sustainability is an integral part of Deutsche Post DHL Group&#39;s corporate culture. Since 2008, the Group has had ambitious sustainability targets, for example with regard to CO2 efficiency. In 2017, the Group became the first logistics company in the world to set a target of reducing its greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050. To this end, the company offers numerous innovative solutions to make supply chains more sustainable and help its customers achieve their environmental goals. With &#8220;Strategy 2025&#8221; introduced in 2019, sustainability has become a fundamental component of the corporate strategy.
Frank Appel: &#8220;Covid-19 has once again reinforced the major megatrends of our time: globalization, digitalization, e-commerce and sustainability – the four drivers of our &#39;Strategy 2025&#39;. Of these topics, sustainability is the most pressing challenge. With our sustainability roadmap, we are stepping up our efforts and explicitly promoting the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations.&#8221;
Environment: billions invested in alternative fuels, e-mobility and climate-neutral buildings
In the fight against climate change, Deutsche Post DHL Group is committed to ambitious CO2 reduction targets as part of the Science Based Target Initiative. The Group assumes that its emissions would be around 46 million tons in 2030 without the measures of the new sustainability roadmap. In 2020, emissions were 33 million tons. Today, the company is committed to reducing these annual Group CO2 emissions to below 29 million tons by 2030, despite the expected continued strong growth in global logistics activities.
To achieve this, Deutsche Post DHL Group will invest around EUR 7 billion (Opex and Capex) in climate-neutral logistics solutions by 2030. The expenditures arising from this up to 2023 have already been taken into account in the guidance up to 2023 communicated on March 9. For short distances and the last mile, the Group is continuing to drive forward the electrification of its vehicle fleet. By 2030, 60 percent of global delivery vehicles for the last mile are to be electrically powered, hence more than 80,000 e-vehicles will be on the road. In 2020, the figure was 18 percent.
On longer routes, especially in air transport, electric drives are not an alternative for the foreseeable future. That is why Deutsche Post DHL Group is pushing for the development and use of fuels produced from renewable energies: By 2030, at least 30 percent of fuel requirements in aviation and line haul are to be covered by sustainable fuels. In addition, the Group is investing in environment friendly properties (office space, mail and parcel centers, and logistics warehouses): All new buildings will be climate-neutral.
Frank Appel: &#8220;Sustainable, clean fuel alternatives are elementary for climate-neutral logistics in a globalized world. In air transport in particular, these could help reduce CO2 emissions. That&#39;s why we will engage even more intensively in initiatives and strengthen cross-industry exchange to develop a global strategy and standards here. One thing is certain: Only by joining forces – across countries and sectors – will we achieve truly sustainable progress in all areas.&#8221;
Social responsibility: Promoting diversity and keeping employee satisfaction at a high level
Based on the corporate values &#8220;Respect &#038; Results&#8221;, Deutsche Post DHL Group will also further promote inclusion and equal opportunities within the organization. The proportion of female executives in management is supposed to increase from 23.2 percent today to at least 30 percent by 2025. &#8220;Our motivated diverse workforce is the key to excellent service quality and high customer satisfaction. Satisfied customers are the basis for economic success. This is another reason why we are convinced that it is worth actively promoting equal opportunities&#8221;, says Thomas Ogilvie, Chief Human Resources Officer and Labor Director at Deutsche Post DHL Group.
In addition, the Group has set itself the goal of maintaining the approval rating in the &#8220;employee engagement&#8221; category in the annual global employee survey at a consistently high level of above 80.
Deutsche Post DHL Group also intends to further expand its social contribution to society in the coming years. The Group commits to invest 1 percent of its net profits annually in its social impact programs and initiatives. The GoTrade program, launched in the fall of 2020, focuses on giving small and medium-sized enterprises from developing countries access to global markets and thus enabling cross-border trade. The GoHelp disaster response program provides emergency logistical assistance quickly and free of charge in the event of a disaster. The Group also continues to expand the GoTeach program, which improves the employability of young people living in socially disadvantaged circumstances due to poverty, loss of loved ones or fleeing from disaster, by preparing them with the necessary skills to successfully transition to the world of work.

Corporate governance: Highest standards in every corner of the world
Deutsche Post DHL Group also sets itself even stricter rules with regard to good corporate governance. For example, the Code of Conduct for Suppliers has been updated. The rules and standards described in it have been aligned even more closely with sustainability criteria. In addition, a new policy statement on human rights has been introduced.&#8221; As a market leader, we are a role model for responsible and ethical business practices and fair behavior. ESG is an integral part of Strategy 2025 and all relevant KPIs are therefore being integrated into the management of the Group and its regular reporting &#8220;, says Melanie Kreis, Chief Financial Officer of Deutsche Post DHL Group.
In the future, the achievement of ESG targets is to be taken into account when calculating the remuneration of the Board of Management. This will be proposed to the Annual General Meeting on May 6, 2021.
 Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Deutsche Post DHL.
Press Contact: Deutsche Post DHL Group Media Relations Hannah Braselmann/Christina Neuffer  Tel.: +49 228 182-9944 E-Mail: pressestelle@dpdhl.com On the Internet: dpdhl.de/presse Follow us: twitter.com/DeutschePostDHL
About Deutsche Post DHL Group: Deutsche Post DHL Group is the world’s leading logistics company. The Group connects people and markets and is an enabler of global trade. It aspires to be the first choice for customers, employees and investors worldwide. The Group contributes to the world through responsible business practice, corporate citizenship and environmental activities. By the year 2050, Deutsche Post DHL Group aims to achieve zero emissions logistics.
Deutsche Post DHL Group is home to two strong brands: Deutsche Post is Europe’s leading postal service. DHL offers a comprehensive range of international express, freight transport, and supply chain management services as well as e-commerce logistics solutions. Deutsche Post DHL Group employs approximately 570,000 people in over 220 countries and territories worldwide. The Group generated revenues of more than 66 billion Euros in 2020.
The logistics company for the world.

Accelerated Roadmap to decarbonization: Deutsche Post DHL Group decides on Science Based Targets and invests EUR 7 billion in climate-neutral logistics until 2030

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Active cases: 219 New cases: 39 New tests: 454 Total confirmed: 5,255 Recovered: 4,875 (+115) Deaths: 161 (+1)
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Health, The Gambia. Media files

Coronavirus – Gambia: COVID-19 update (21 March 2021)

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New cases: 21 Cumulative confirmed cases: 33,237 Active cases: 3,371 Total recovered: 28,636 (528 new) Recovery rate: 86.2% Currently admitted in treatment units: 36 (5 new) New discharges from treatment units: 6 Total tests conducted: 212,845 (374 new) Positivity rate: 5.6% Total deaths: 1,096 (3 new) Total vaccinated to date: 24,550 (643 new)
 Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Health and Population, Republic of Malawi. Media files

Coronavirus – Malawi: COVID-19 update (21 March 2021)

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Daily: Laboratory test: 6,562 Severe cases: 605 New recovered: 1,179 New deaths: 12 New cases: 1,724

Total: Laboratory test: 2,279,472 Active cases: 37,252 Total recovered: 147,452 Total deaths: 2,659 Total cases: 187,365
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Health, Ethiopia. Media files

Coronavirus – Ethiopia: COVID-19 update (21 March 2021)

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86 new cases of COVID19 in Nigeria;

FCT-33 Lagos-28 Ondo-11 Kano-7 Akwa Ibom-3 Rivers-3 Kaduna-1

161,737 confirmed 147,899 discharged 2,030 deaths
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). Media files

Coronavirus – Nigeria: COVID-19 update (21 March 2021)

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747 people have tested positive, out of a sample size of 5,145. 

710 are Kenyans &#038; 37 are foreigners. 396 are males and 351 are females. The youngest is a 7-month-old &#038; oldest 101. Total confirmed positive cases are now 120,910. Cumulative tests are now 1,414,865.
Nairobi has 524 cases, Nakuru 51, Kiambu 44, Kajiado 24, Kitui 19, Makueni 18, Machakos 15, Mombasa 14, Garissa 12, Meru 6, Busia 5, Nyandarua 5, Kilifi 3, Nyeri 3, Uasin Gishu 2, Homa Bay 1 and Murang’a 1.
889 patients are currently admitted in various health facilities countrywide. 2,545 patients are on Home Based Isolation and Care. 121 patients are in the ICU, 32 of whom are on ventilatory support &#038; 86 on supplemental oxygen. 
3 patients are on observation.
Another 59 patients are separately on supplementary oxygen with 41 of them in the general wards. 18 patients are in the High Dependency Unit (HDU).
114 patients have recovered from the disease, 74 from the Home Based and Isolation Care and 40 from various health facilities. Total recoveries now stand at 89,622.
17 deaths have been reported in the last 24 hours. 7 have occurred in the last 48 hours while 10 are late death reports from facility record audits that have occurred on diverse dates. This now pushes our cumulative fatalities to 2,011. Our sincere condolences to families and friends of those who have lost their loved ones.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Health, Kenya.

Coronavirus – Kenya: COVID-19 update (21 March 2021)

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As of 21st March 2021, we report 176 new cases out of 4,764 tests (4% positivity), 148 recoveries and 1 death from Eastern province.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Zambia National Public Health Institute (ZNPHI). Media files

Coronavirus – Zambia: COVID-19 update (21 March 2021)

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Minister of Health Lizzie Nkosi&#39;s COVID-19 update on 21 March 2021:

New cases: 3 Total cases: 17,286 Active cases: 574 New recoveries: 23 Total recoveries: 16,044
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Health, Government of the Kingdom of Eswatini.

Coronavirus – Eswatini: COVID-19 update (21 March 2021)

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Total cases: 20,828 (+67) Recovered: 19,180 (+17) | 92% Active cases: 1,358 In critical condition: 4 Tests: 1,086,928 (+2,831) Test positivity rate: 2.4% Vaccinated: 334,538 (+1,183) Deaths: 290 (+3) | 1.4%
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Health, Republic of Rwanda. Media files

Coronavirus – Rwanda: COVID-19 update (21 March 2021)

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Canon Europe (www.Canon-Europe.com) announces the launch of Redline Challenge (http://bit.ly/3cdybRn) a brand new competition for amateur photographers to push their craft, challenge their creativity and test their technical know-how. Hosted by vlogger and photographer, Kai Wong, an inspiring line-up of Canon Ambassadors will share pro insights, tips, and tricks to help master each Redline Challenge brief.

Internationally renowned photographer and multiple Red Bull Illume Winner, Lorenz Holder, today joins Kai to announce the first theme – Light in the Dark – designed to be the ultimate test of talent. Amateur photographers can put their skills into action and explore the possibilities of shooting in low-light and the relationship between light and shadow, contrast and colour in this first ever Redline Challenge.

Entrants will be in with a chance of winning over €14,000 worth of Canon kit to help advance their creative ability and an incredible money-can’t-buy photography mentoring session with Lorenz. Known for his fresh and dramatic style and exceptional ability to capture the unexpected even in the most challenging of settings, Lorenz is brilliantly placed to act as judge and mentor.

Speaking about the Redline Challenge, Canon Ambassador Lorenz Holder said: “When Canon asked me to be involved as a mentor for the Light in the Dark challenge, I jumped at the chance as I know how exciting these competitions are for photographers to test their skills and gain industry recognition. Light in the Dark is a great theme to kick off Canon’s Redline Challenge because it’s one that speaks to so many photographers – whatever genre they shoot.

“It’s possible to create lots of interesting light effects, even if you don’t have access to a studio flash or Speedlite – you just need to get creative! Whatever your subject and however you choose to interpret Light in the Dark I urge all entrants to push themselves outside of their creative comfort zone and not to be afraid of trying new styles and techniques.”

Entrants have from 00:01 GMT on 22nd March 2021 until 23:59 on 31st May 2021 to submit their images, which can be taken on any device, and the competition is free to enter. The competition will see a total of three rounds of judging by an independent panel of experts and Canon will announce on its website the judges’ shortlist of 10 finalists in June. The final winner will be announced by the 27th June and will walk away with the following Canon kit:

 	Canon EOS R5 &#8211; Canon’s latest professional mirrorless camera which offers uncompromised performance 	3x RF lenses built for Canon’s revolutionary EOS R System offering optical excellence: 	 		Canon RF 15-35mm F2.8L IS USM 		Canon RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM 		Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM 	 	 	Canon image PROGRAF PRO-1000 – a 17-inch large format printer packed with advanced technology resulting in stunning quality prints 	Speedlite EL-1 – an advanced Speedlite flash that delivers reliability and high-speed performance 
Amine Djouahra, Sales and Marketing Director at Canon Central and North Africa said: “We created the Redline Challenge to encourage amateur photographers to push their creative boundaries and provide an opportunity for them to gain recognition from respected industry experts. Now more than ever we know the importance of supporting and celebrating creatives. We also understand the importance of having not only the right tools to push creative boundaries but the know-how, which is why many of our Ambassadors will be sharing their own technical tips and techniques throughout the duration of this first challenge – even how to capture low-light scenes using ambient light in the home.

“The Light in the Dark challenge is all about capturing the relationship between light and shadow, and contrast and colour, it’s a tricky thing to do – but done correctly the results will be exceptional. I’m really excited to see the shortlisted entries.”

Images submitted to the Light in the Dark Redline Challenge will be judged on the following criteria:
 	Reflect the challenge – Light in the Dark, this means capturing the ever-intriguing relationship between light and shadow, contrast and colour 	Creativity – Is your entry fresh and original? 	Impact – What emotions or reactions are evoked from the submission. Is the submission amusing, emotional and/or thought provoking? 	Technical prowess – Has the image been captured in a way that demonstrates an understanding of the abilities of the camera and the subject? 	Size – Image size should be 150DPI, 2000 px along the longest side 	Other – Participants must not upload images which have been previously published or won an award or prize. 
Follow #RedlineChallenge on social platforms and enter Canon’s Redline Challenge by visiting: http://bit.ly/3920os6
 Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Canon Central and North Africa (CCNA).
Notes to Editor: Terms and Conditions (for full T&#038;Cs and details please see Canon’s website http://bit.ly/3920os6) • Promotion Period: Enter between 00:01 GMT on 22nd March 2021 and 23:59 on 31st May 2021 inclusive. • Incomplete, invalid or inappropriate entries, or entries received after the closing date on the 31st May 2021 at GMT 23:59 will not be eligible for publication or any prize.  • All entrants (“Participants”) must be amateur photographers, who are Kenya ,Uganda ,Rwanda ,Tanzania , Ethiopia , Nigeria, Ghana, Egypt , Morocco , Algeria , Tunisia , Ivory Coast , Senegal , Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) residents aged 18 or over and hold a valid passport. • Professional photographers or those earning more than 20% of their annual income from photography and employees of Canon Group, their families, agents, and other parties directly involved with this competition and the sponsorship are not eligible to enter.  • No purchase is necessary. It is free to enter this competition and images do not have to be taken on a Canon device. • A maximum of 20 entries are permitted per person during the Promotion Period, but any Participant may only win once. Each new entry must be of a new image; the same image cannot be entered more than once.  • By submitting an entry, each Participant hereby grants to Canon Group a non-revocable, worldwide, royalty-free and free of charge, sublicensable licence to publish, republish, display and use their image for all purposes connected with this competition, including but not limited to display on Canon Group websites, Canon Group social media accounts and/or channels, any other websites of Canon Group or its agents/contractors, and in marketing materials (including at exhibitions) relating to this competition for up to one year after the competition ends.
Media enquiries, please contact: Canon Central and North Africa Mai Youssef e. Mai.youssef@canon-me.com
APO Group &#8211; PR Agency Rania El Rafie e. Rania.elrafie@apo-opa.com
About Canon Central and North Africa: Canon Central and North Africa (CCNA) (www.Canon-CNA.com) is a division within Canon Middle East FZ LLC (CME), a subsidiary of Canon Europe. The formation of CCNA in 2015 was a strategic step that aimed to enhance Canon’s business within the Africa region &#8211; by strengthening Canon’s in-country presence and focus. CCNA also demonstrates Canon’s commitment to operating closer to its customers and meeting their demands in the rapidly evolving African market.
Canon has been represented in the African continent for more than 15 years through distributors and partners that have successfully built a solid customer base in the region. CCNA ensures the provision of high quality, technologically advanced products that meet the requirements of Africa’s rapidly evolving marketplace. With over 100 employees, CCNA manages sales and marketing activities across 44 countries in Africa.
Canon’s corporate philosophy is Kyosei – ‘living and working together for the common good’. CCNA pursues sustainable business growth, focusing on reducing its own environmental impact and supporting customers to reduce theirs using Canon’s products, solutions and services. At Canon, we are pioneers, constantly redefining the world of imaging for the greater good. Through our technology and our spirit of innovation, we push the bounds of what is possible – helping us to see our world in ways we never have before. We help bring creativity to life, one image at a time. Because when we can see our world, we can transform it for the better.
For more information: Canon-CNA.com  
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Canon opens first ever Redline Challenge to amateur photographers with kit prize worth over €14k

Content provided by APO Group. CNBC Africa provides content from APO Group as a service to its readers and does not edit the articles it publishes. CNBC Africa is not responsible for the content provided by APO Group.

One year on from the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, APO Group (www.APO-opa.com), the leading Pan-African communications consultancy and press release distribution service, continues to work on many fronts in the battle against the virus.

In March 2020, at a time of great uncertainty for Africa, APO Group Founder and Chairman, Nicolas Pompigne-Mognard, and his team quickly realized that the company’s PR tools and media network could help in delivering potentially life-saving information to people all over the continent.

APO Group launched its Coronavirus Initiative for Africa (http://bit.ly/3f1SC5m) at the beginning of April, donating resources and expertise to support African governments, institutions and official organizations in the fight against COVID-19. 

A major part of the initiative was to offer pro bono access to APO Group’s press release distribution service for governments and health organizations operating across Africa. To date, more than 11,000 COVID-19-related press releases have been distributed – giving public organizations greater reach and allowing them to connect with people via credible, secure media channels as they deliver critical information relating to the pandemic.

It has been a truly Pan-African approach with countries all over the continent benefitting from the initiative. Since March 2020, APO Group has distributed, free of charge:

 	722 press releases for the South African government 	192 for the Gabonese Ministry of Health 	127 for the Angolan Ministry of Health 	230 for the Ugandan Ministry of Health 	190 for the Zimbabwean Ministry of Health 	236 for the Egyptian Ministry of Health 	602 for the Kenyan Ministry of Health 	507 for the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) 

During the last year, APO Group also established three hugely impactful relationships with global organizations at the heart of the COVID-19 response: The World Health Organization (WHO), the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), and UNESCO.

A pro bono partnership was arranged with the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Africa. In this unique collaboration, APO Group worked with WHO Africa on a number of initiatives, including the coordination of a series of high-profile online press conferences (http://bit.ly/3tJBDJi), held every two weeks, where senior health officials were able to connect with media and public audiences all over the world.

APO Group established a similar pro bono agreement with the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) (https://bit.ly/3lyghvo), boosting the visibility of their media briefings, and providing Africans with vital information about the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

APO Group also made a significant contribution to the WHO ‘Safe Hands Challenge’ (http://bit.ly/3vMgEY0), by introducing several famous faces and prominent people to the cause, including supermodel and philanthropist, Naomi Campbell (https://bit.ly/311H4Hc), President of the Basketball Africa League, Amadou Gallo Fall (https://bit.ly/3vO992Y), and the CEO of Euronews, Michael Peters (https://bit.ly/3s4r0QN).

In June 2020, APO Group joined the UNESCO Global Education Coalition for COVID-19 Response (http://bit.ly/3c8WtMg), an international coalition of organizations donating resources and logistical support to help the more than 1.2 billion children around the world affected by school and university closures during the pandemic. Other organizations in the Coalition include Facebook, IBM, Google and Microsoft.

For both WHO Africa and UNESCO, APO Group’s most important contribution was in opening up their network of multinational clients and partners to facilitate new collaborations and potential support in the fight against the pandemic.

“We knew that many of our multinational clients and partners wanted to get involved in the crucial work being done by WHO and UNESCO,” said APO Group Founder and Chairman, Nicolas Pompigne-Mognard (www.Pompigne-Mognard.com). “So, we started making introductions and coordinating meetings. These are some of the biggest companies operating in Africa, and the meetings enabled WHO and UNESCO to discuss financial, technical and logistical initiatives with senior executives across a broad range of industries. In these unprecedented circumstances, it was extremely encouraging to see so many prominent organizations pulling together to help Africa navigate a way through this crisis.”

Some of the connections made by Nicolas and the APO Group team to WHO Africa and UNESCO include:

 	Canon 	Orange 	Logitech 	DHL 	Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise 	National Basketball Association (NBA) 	Trace TV 	Airtel 	MTN 

APO Group also introduced UNESCO to new potential media partners, including Euronews, Channel TV (Nigeria) and LUSA News Agency (Portugal).

In another initiative, APO Group partnered with Opera (http://bit.ly/3c6xVTO), a leading African mobile browser and news platform, to fight disinformation and boost the prominence of truthful news related to the spread of COVID-19 across Africa. All APO Group content has been integrated into the Opera News platform used by 200 million users worldwide.

“These initiatives, among many others, demonstrate the importance of good communication and collaboration in times of crisis,” said Nicolas Pompigne-Mognard. “We are in the privileged position of being able to keep people connected and updated with practical, credible information that they know they can trust. Most of all, I am extremely proud of the hard work done by my colleagues throughout this difficult year. The entire APO Group staff mobilized immediately, realizing the important role we had to play. We contributed to the fight against the virus in the best way we could, and I’m delighted we were able to make a difference.”
 Distributed by APO Group on behalf of APO Group.
Media contact: marie@apo-opa.com   About APO Group: Founded in 2007, APO Group (www.APO-opa.com) is the leading pan-African communications and business consultancy. We assist private and public organisations in sharpening their reputation and increasing their brand equity in target countries across Africa. Our role as a trusted partner is to leverage the power of media and build bespoke strategies that enable organisations to produce a real, measurable impact in Africa and beyond. The trust and recognition granted to APO Group by global and multinational companies, governments, and NGOs inspires us to continuously enhance our value proposition within Africa to better cater to our clients’ needs. Among our prestigious clients: Facebook, Dangote Group, Nestle, GE, NBA, Canon, DHL, Marriott Group, Ecobank, Siemens, Standard Chartered, Orange, Jack Ma Foundation, African Development Bank, World Health Organization, Islamic Development Bank, Liquid Telecom, Rotary International, Kaspersky, Greenpeace…
Headquarters: Lausanne, Switzerland | Offices in Senegal, Dubai and Hong Kong
For further information, please visit our website: www.APO-opa.com
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APO Group reflects on COVID-19 response

Content provided by APO Group. CNBC Africa provides content from APO Group as a service to its readers and does not edit the articles it publishes. CNBC Africa is not responsible for the content provided by APO Group.

Pritzen took the win ahead of Willie Smit (Burgos-BH), with a well-timed attack in the final stretch of the 178km race. It was an impressive all-round team performance, with Nicholas Dlamini claiming the bronze medal for Team Qhubeka ASSOS (www.TeamQhubeka.com).

Pritzen&#39;s road race title comes after he already claimed the u23 time trial title on Friday. With the elite and U23 categories being combined for the road race, today&#39;s victory meant the 21-year-old from Benoni will proudly be able to show off the national jersey in all UCI events this year, as he joins Team Qhubeka in Europe for the remainder of the season.
Marc Pritzen- Rider
“It was a really awesome day today, we had quite a bit of wind, which played a big factor. The race didn’t go as planned, but we are very happy with how it panned out, with me claiming the win and Nicholas Dlamini also finishing on the podium. It was an unreal feeling crossing the finishing line today, and I would just like to thank Team Qhubeka ASSOS for all the support.”
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Team Qhubeka ASSOS.
Media Contact: Jean Smyth (Head of Communications) Email: jean@ryder.co.za Mobile: +27 63 4701 1710 or +31 625 739 033
About Team Qhubeka ASSOS: Team Qhubeka ASSOS (www.TeamQhubeka.com) is a purpose-led, high-performance team, fighting to win on the world&#39;s biggest stage, to inspire hope and create opportunity. Founded in 2007, Team Qhubeka ASSOS (formerly NTT Pro Cycling) became the first-ever African cycling team to gain a UCI WorldTour license, in 2016.
We achieved our first major win in 2013 when Gerald Ciolek won Milan-San Remo, one of the five Monuments of cycling. We have competed in six Tour de France’s and notched up 7 stage wins, with Mark Cavendish wearing the coveted Yellow Jersey at the 2016 Tour de France.
We are a multicultural, diverse team with bases in South Africa, the Netherlands and Italy. There are 19 nationalities represented across our World Tour and continental feeder team rosters. Our focus on developing African cycling has resulted in more than 55 riders from the African continent be given the opportunity to race on the world stage, since the team&#39;s inception.
We race to help people to move forward with bicycles through our relationship with Qhubeka Charity. Through our work with Qhubeka, we have contributed to the distribution of over 30 000 bicycles in communities in South Africa.
About Qhubeka: Qhubeka (www.Qhubeka.org) is a charity that moves people forward with bicycles. People earn bicycles through our programmes, improving their access to schools, clinics and jobs.
A bicycle is a tool that helps people to travel faster and further, and to carry more. In the face of extreme and persistent poverty, bicycles can change lives by helping to address socioeconomic challenges at the most basic level – helping people to get where they need to go. 
All images attached to the press release can be used with the respective image credit in combination to this release.
Media files

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Canon opens first ever Redline Challenge to amateur photographers with kit prize worth over €14k

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Marc Pritzen crowned the South African Road Race Champion

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APO

Coronavirus – Comoros: UAE Sends Second Aid Flight to Union of the Comoros in Fight against COVID-19

Severe Water Shortages in Somalia Leave 70% of Families Without Safe Drinking Water

Coronavirus – Liberia: WHO Donates Essential Medicines and laboratory supplies for COVID-19 and EVD Testings to the Government of Liberia

International Partners Call for Somali Leaders to Reach Agreement

Peacekeeping mission supports building of resilient communities in Western Equatoria State

Accelerated Roadmap to decarbonization: Deutsche Post DHL Group decides on Science Based Targets and invests EUR 7 billion in climate-neutral logistics until 2030

Coronavirus – Gambia: COVID-19 update (21 March 2021)

Coronavirus – Malawi: COVID-19 update (21 March 2021)

Coronavirus – Ethiopia: COVID-19 update (21 March 2021)

Coronavirus – Nigeria: COVID-19 update (21 March 2021)

Coronavirus – Kenya: COVID-19 update (21 March 2021)

Coronavirus – Zambia: COVID-19 update (21 March 2021)

Coronavirus – Eswatini: COVID-19 update (21 March 2021)

Coronavirus – Rwanda: COVID-19 update (21 March 2021)

Canon opens first ever Redline Challenge to amateur photographers with kit prize worth over €14k

APO Group reflects on COVID-19 response

Marc Pritzen crowned the South African Road Race Champion

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