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Communities affected and uprooted by the ongoing conflict in Tigray continue to experience devastating levels of suffering. Humanitarian agencies urgently require increased resources in order to reach those desperate for relief.

According to the International Organization for Migration’s (IOM) Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM), over 1.7 million people have been displaced and hundreds of thousands are in dire need of assistance.
“We echo the Secretary General’s call to the international community: we must act now to save lives and avoid catastrophe,” said IOM’s Director General António Vitorino.
“IOM is committed to finding solutions to reach the most vulnerable first, but we require greater funding commitments from donors to prevent largescale suffering,” added Vitorino.
Increased access to affected areas has allowed humanitarians to reach some of those most in need, but hundreds of thousands are still in need of assistance.
Since the conflict broke out in November 2020, IOM has reached close to 500,000 internally displaced people (IDPs) in Tigray and neighbouring regions with water, basic hygiene supplies, shelter, mental health and psycho-social support, among other services.
IOM has deployed 78 staff members – the majority of whom are working in Tigray.
The Organization plays leadership roles in key humanitarian sectors in Tigray – shelter/non-food items (NFI) and camp coordination and camp management (CCCM) – and is working closely with humanitarian and government partners to coordinate services. IOM’s DTM also informs the overall response by tracking the rates of displacement and reporting on humanitarian needs.
“Hundreds of thousands of people are living in dire conditions,” said IOM Ethiopia Chief of Mission, Maureen Achieng, while visiting a primary school in Mekele which is currently hosting 2,000 displaced people.
Many of these people – among them children and the elderly – are sleeping out in the open, in overcrowded schools like this one, makeshift sites or the homes of local host community members. Nobody should have to live like this. We can and must do better.”
IOM has appealed for USD 111 million for its response but so far has only received USD 30 million. If the total appeal funds are received, IOM will be able to provide aid to at least 1 million people in immense need.
Read the full IOM Ethiopia Crisis Response Plan here.
 Distributed by APO Group on behalf of International Organization for Migration (IOM).

People Forced to Flee Conflict in Tigray Urgently Require Greater Assistance, International Solidarity

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UNESCO and the World Health Organization today launched the Global Standards for Health-promoting Schools, a resource package for schools to improve the health and well-being of 1.9 billion school-aged children and adolescents.  The closure of many schools around the world during the COVID-19 pandemic has caused severe disruptions to education.  An estimated 365 million primary school students have gone without school meals and significantly increased rates of stress, anxiety and other mental health issues have been observed.

“Schools play a vital role in the well-being of students, families and their communities, and the link between education and health has never been more evident,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General.  “These newly launched global standards are designed to create schools that nurture education and health, and that equip students with the knowledge and skills for their future health and well-being, employability and life prospects.”
Based on a set of eight global standards, the resource package aims to ensure all schools promote life skills, cognitive and socioemotional skills and healthy lifestyles for all learners.  These global standards will be piloted in Botswana, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya and Paraguay.  The initiative contributes to WHO&#39;s 13th General Program of Work target of ‘1 billion lives made healthier’ by 2023 and the global Education 2030 Agenda coordinated by UNESCO. 
“Education and health are interdependent basic human rights for all, at the core of any human right, and essential to social and economic development,” said UNESCO Director General, Audrey Azouley.  “A school that is not health-promoting is no longer justifiable and acceptable.  I call for all of us to affirm our commitment and role, to make every school a health-promoting school”.
The global standards provide a resource for education systems to help foster health and well-being through stronger governance.  UNESCO and WHO will work with governments to enable countries to adapt the package to their specific contexts.  The evidence is clear.  Comprehensive school health and nutrition programmes in schools have significant impacts among school-aged children.  For example:
·       School health and nutrition interventions for girls and boys in low-income areas where worms and anaemia are prevalent can lead to 2.5 years of additional schooling.
·       Malaria prevention interventions can result in a 62% reduction in absenteeism.
·       Nutritious school meals increase enrolment rates by 9% on average, and attendance by 8%; they can also reduce anaemia in adolescent girls by up to 20%.
·       Hand-washing promotion reduces absenteeism due to gastrointestinal and respiratory illnesses by 21% -61% in low-income countries.
·       Free screening and eyeglasses have led to a 5% higher probability of students passing standardized tests in reading and math.
·       Comprehensive sexuality education encourages the adoption of healthier behaviours, promotes sexual and reproductive health and rights, and improves sexual and reproductive health outcomes such as the reduction of HIV infection and adolescent pregnancy rates.
·       Improving water and sanitation (WASH) services and supplies in school, as well as knowledge on menstrual hygiene, equips girls to maintain their body hygiene and health with dignity, and may limit the number of school days missed during menstruation.

The Health Promoting Schools approach was first articulated by WHO, UNESCO and UNICEF in 1995 and adopted in over 90 countries and territories.  However, few countries have implemented it at scale, and even fewer have effectively adapted their education systems to include health promotion.  The new global standards will help countries to integrate health promotion into all schools and boost the health and well-being of their children.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Health Organization (WHO).

UNESCO and WHO urge countries to make every school a health-promoting school

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Sudd Petroleum Operating Company (SPOC) – the operator of the Block – will unpack its production resumption journey at the upcoming South Sudan Oil&#038;Power (SSOP) 2021 conference, organized by Energy Capital&#038;Power (www.EnergyCapitalPower.com), taking place at the Crown Hotel, Juba, on June 29-30; Block 5A is expected to reach a peak of 45,000 bpd by 2028; The resumption of operations marks a significant milestone for SPOC.

Production in South Sudan’s Block 5A – operated by Sudd Petroleum Operating Company (SPOC) – has resumed from the Tharjiath Central Processing Facility into the Tharjiath &#8211; WNPOC Heglic Control Centre pipeline after seven years of production shutdown due to civil war. SPOC will unpack its production resumption journey at the upcoming South Sudan Oil&#038;Power 2021 conference, organized by Energy Capital&#038;Power, taking place at the Crown Hotel, Juba, on June 29-30.
The Block will produce more than 8,000 barrels per day (bpd) by the end of 2021, 16,000 bpd by mid-2022; 30,000 bpd by 2025 – and is expected to reach a peak of 45,000 bpd in 2028 once four field development projects have been completed.
Block 5A is the final operating Block to resume production after the Greater Pioneer Operating Company, which operates the Unity Field in northern South Sudan; and Dar Petroleum Operating Company, which operates Blocks 3 and 7 in the Melut Basin.  SPOC&#39;s resumption of production is highly significant, as it is the last joint operating company to resume production after the civil war.
“The resumption to us as a government means economic security, not only to the government of South Sudan, but also to the communities in the oil producing region,” Minister of Petroleum Hon. Puot Kang Chol said at the official relaunch ceremony on Monday.
Meanwhile, SPOC, with the support from its partners, has also launched its Magnetic Tomography Method; a new pipeline inspection technology which is the first of its kind in South Sudan and has helped accelerate its 172km export pipeline integrity assessment work.
As part of its Corporate Social Responsibility program, SPOC commissioned its upgraded water treatment plant in Tharjiath that sources water directly from the Nile River located 16km away from the Tharjiath field, ensuring the security of water supply is sustained throughout the year and enabling SPOC to provide continuous clean and fresh water supply to over 20,000 community members surrounding its operations area.
The operator has also launched a Geocell System for pond reinstatement, which ensures a low bearing base, stabilizes eroded slopes, reinforces embankments and effectively protects liner.
“This production resumption would not be possible without the trust, belief and effort from the Ministry of Petroleum, the SPOC Partners &#8211; PETRONAS, ONGC and NILEPET, the resumption service providers as well as all SPOC employees. With the Water Treatment Plant upgrading and commissioning, SPOC has brought the river directly to our community. We truly believe that this small effort from SPOC, with the support of the Ministry of Petroleum and SPOC Partners – PETRONAS, ONGC and NILEPET; will make a big change to our surrounding community,” Gerry added.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital&#038;Power.

South Sudan’s Block 5A Recommences Oil Production

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Cyber criminals come in many different flavours, but the majority of them are in it for one thing: financial pay-off. They want the money that comes with offering their tools or services, selling stolen data, extortion like ransomware or plain fraud. And they all have one thing in common – your organisation is on their radar. Which is why, says Anna Collard, SVP Content Strategy and Evangelist at KnowBe4 Africa (www.KnowBe4.com) it is critical to understand how cyber criminals operate, the tools they use and the approaches they take to embed robust security within the organisation.

“With ransomware going rampant and victim organisations paying up to millions of U.S. dollars to the extortionists, this problem is just going to get worse. The U.S. government recently announced that ransomware is a national cybersecurity challenge and that there will be serious implications for anyone attacking the United States or their critical infrastructure.
This may lead more criminals to shift their attention towards the emerging economies like Africa, where we do not have the government’s support or capacities to stop and prosecute cyber criminals, making it a safer place to operate,” says Collard.  
Social engineering or people hacking is a popular way to distribute ransomware – predominately by tricking people into falling for their phishing scams.
“Another technique to be aware of is password spraying,” she explains. “This is when the bad actor selects a common password, like the organisation’s name, followed by the year, and tries it against every user in the organisation. They scrape names of employees from LinkedIn and then using this information, try the possible password against the list of names. Then it keeps on cycling until it hits a winning entry. This is a solid case for ensuring that every single employee uses proper passwords or a password manager and multi-factor authentication where possible.  
“This level of attack really underscores how important it is to undertake consistent employee training and security skills development,” says Collard. “No matter how secure your perimeter, no matter how much money is spent on high-end security systems, one poor password can open the doors to the threat actors.”
Multi-factor authentication and robust training are not just invaluable for employees in the office, they are even more critical today as people work from home and multiple locations – particularly as employees migrate to coffee shops for power and Wi-Fi during load-shedding. Public Wi-Fi is wide open and home networks with poor passwords or out of date software are open doors.
“It is also really important to make sure that employees use a VPN, although that is also not a guaranteed protection” says Collard as a recent report by the Orange Cyber Defense (https://bit.ly/2UmjTqQ) team explained.  “With home routers being vulnerable due to people not configuring them correctly or updating them, it might be worthwhile sending pre-configured routers and firewalls to employees’ homes, especially for those who access highly confidential information.”
Another challenge for the organisation is keeping up with vulnerabilities and patch management, which is a complicated task in bigger environments.
“Leading hackers and experts like Kevin Mitnick are drawing lines under the importance of putting people’s understanding of these threats at the forefront,” says Collard. “Make sure that passwords are secure, that they are not stored in diaries or on open platforms like Slack or Google Hangouts, that they understand how to identify social engineering attacks and keep security hygiene at the forefront of all communication. People need to know what is out there, and that they have the skills to play an important role in protecting themselves and the organisation.”
Today, the threat actors are organised and well paid. They benefit immensely from their pursuit of vulnerabilities, simple mistakes and human error. Organisations have to sit on the sharp end of the security stick with robust monitoring and detection systems, clear policies, consistent training and security boundaries.
 Distributed by APO Group on behalf of KnowBe4.

Inside the mind of a cyber criminal

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“I met women and children who were holding on for dear life, they’d walked for hours to get to our food distribution points. These were the ones who were healthy enough to make it,” said Beasley from a nutrition centre in the region.

“There have been back-to-back droughts in Madagascar which have pushed communities right to the very edge of starvation. Families are suffering and people are already dying from severe hunger. This is not because of war or conflict, this is because of climate change. This is an area of the world that has contributed nothing to climate change, but now, they’re the ones paying the highest price.’’
Southern Madagascar is experiencing its worst drought in four decades with more than 1.14 million people food insecure. Of those, an estimated 14,000 people are already in catastrophic conditions (IPC Phase 5) and this will double to 28,000 by October.
The gravity of the situation has forced thousands of people to leave their homes in search of food while those remaining have resorted to extreme coping measures for survival, like foraging for wild food. Due to the remote location of the communities and weak road infrastructure, few people have been able to access the area.
The Global Acute Malnutrition (GAM) in children under five in Madagascar has almost doubled over the last four months, reaching an alarming 16.5 percent. Amongst the worst affected is the district of Ambovombe where GAM rates of 27 percent indicate a life-threatening scenario for many children.
“This is enough to bring even the most hardened humanitarian to tears,” said Beasley. “Families have been living on raw red cactus fruits, wild leaves and locusts for months now. We can’t turn our backs on the people living here while the drought threatens thousands of innocent lives. Now is the time to stand up, act and keep supporting the Malagasy government to hold back the tide of climate change and save lives.’’
WFP has been working closely with the Malagasy government and other partners since late last year to address severe hunger. However, as the crisis deepens those efforts must be intensified. Last week Beasley met with the Prime Minister and senior officials to identify immediate and long-term solutions to this crisis.
WFP needs US$78.6 million dollars to provide lifesaving food in the next lean season in order to stop a preventable tragedy from unfolding before our eyes.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Food Programme (WFP).

The invisible crisis: WFP Chief appeals for the world not to look away as families starve in Madagascar

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The World Health Organization Country Representative (WR) Dr Walter Kazadi Mulombo has commended His Excellency, Governor Ezenwo Nyesom Wike on signing the Contributory Health Protection Programme Bill into law.

A statement issued by Special Assistant to the Governor on Media Kelvin Ebiri, indicated that, the Governor, who signed the bill into law at the Government House, Port Harcourt, on 21 June 2021, said with the law, residents and people of the state who want health insurance could now participate in the scheme.
He urged civil servants in the state to leverage on the Contributory Health Protection Programme to boost their health status, adding that the Public Procurement (amendment) Law, as passed by the State House of Assembly, would enable the state government to fulfil its obligations to the people of Rivers State.
It could be recalled that Dr Mulombo visited Governor Wike in Port Harcourt on 26 April 2021. In his prayers to the governor during the meeting,  the WR tabled three major requests: The signing of the Rivers State Contributory Health Protection (RIVCHPP) Programme Bill into law; Strengthen continuity of quality essential health services; Provision of 5 genexpert machines to ensure adequate diagnosis of TB in all the LGAs and recruitment of health work force in the state to  boost provision of health care in the state.
While still at the Government House, the WR secured the Governor’s commitment to immediately sign the Rivers State Contributory Health Protection (RIVCHPP) Programme Bill into law to offer financial protection to the people to access health services thereby improving Universal Health Coverage. The signing of the Bill into law is the culmination of the Governor’s promise to expedite action on the requests made by the Dr Mulombo.
The arduous journey towards enactment of the Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme Law started with the setting up of a Technical Committee in June 2016 by the State Ministry of Health and a Memorandum to State Executive Council in September 2016. Between 2017 and June 2021, it has taken the effective collaboration of the State Health Financing Unit and Technical Working Group, State Executive Council, State Judiciary, State House of Assembly, and key development partners including the USAID and WHO to make it a reality. 
“With the enactment of Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme Law No. 3 of 2020, the WHO will continue to provide technical support to Government, to ensure that millions of people in Rivers State who currently pay out-of-pocket for health services will subsequently become covered and have access to quality health services, where and when they need them, without suffering financial hardship”, Dr Mulombo said.
 Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Health Organization (WHO) &#8211; Nigeria.

Signing Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme Bill into law – WHO Representative commends Governor for honouring pledge

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Although Cholera is a preventable disease, it remains a significant public health problem globally. Each year, there are 1.3 to 4.0 million cases of cholera, and 21 000 to 143 000 deaths worldwide. Zambia has experienced cholera outbreaks since 1977 and the country’s last major outbreak lasted from October 2017 to June 2018 with a total of 5,935 reported cases and 114 deaths. The risk factors mainly include inadequate access to clean and safe water, poor sanitation facilities, poor solid waste management and consumption of contaminated food.

In 2019 the Zambian government committed itself to an ambitious target of eliminating cholera by the year 2025 ahead of the Global Taskforce on Cholera Control’s 2017 global strategy which aims to reduce cholera deaths by 90% and to eliminate cholera in as many as 20 countries by 2030. This agenda is supported at the highest level of leadership with unprecedented political will in implementation of the country’s Multisectoral Cholera Elimination Plan. The multisectoral plan lays emphasis on ensuring adequate safe water and sanitation coverage in the cholera hotspots including conducting oral cholera vaccination campaigns. Cholera “hotspots” are specific and relatively small areas where the cholera burden is most concentrated and they play a central role in the spread of the disease to other regions or areas. Approximately 3.5 million people live in cholera hotspots in Zambia. Targeting cholera hotspots as a priority has helped focus cholera control programmes on the most vulnerable populations.
Since January 2021, the Ministry of Health has worked in collaboration with other line ministries with support from the World Health Organization and other partners to conduct cholera vaccination in Chiengi, Kabwe, Kapiri-Mposhi, Kitwe, Lusaka, Mazabuka, Monze, Mpulungu, Nchelenge, Ndola, Nsama, Shibuyunji and Sinazongwe districts. These hotspots were selected based on geographical and contextual factors such as the recurrence of outbreaks within the last 10 years, poor WASH services, existence of transit points, presence of slums, areas prone to flooding, fishing camps, and influx of refugees.
The launch of the first round of the cholera vaccination in the rural district of Ngabwe on 4 June 2021 put a spotlight on the OCV campaign in the country. It also highlighted the importance of the use of Oral Cholera Vaccines in conjunction with improvements in water and sanitation to control cholera outbreaks and for prevention in areas known to be high risk for cholera. The Zambia National Public Health Institute director, Professor Victor Mukonka, was present in Ngabwe district to launch the campaign which was targeting the population of approximately 21,000 people. Professor Mukonka stated that the Ministry of Health was moving away from curative to preventive interventions and that the implementation of the OCV campaign was important in preventing cholera. He urged the district to focus on engaging community leadership who were critical agents in mobilizing communities to appreciate and accept the vaccine.
The World Health Organisation has supported the country in conducting the situation analysis, mapping of the hotspots and has worked with the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunizations (GAVI) and the Global Task Force on Cholera Control (GTFCC) to ensure that the country receives the life-saving vaccines. It has also advocated for a multisectoral approach in implementation of high impact interventions particularly improving access to water and sanitation facilities. The WHO Representative, Dr. Nathan Bakyaita was also present in Ngabwe district and stated that WHO remained committed to working with other UN agencies to support the implementation of the country’s multi-sectoral plan on the elimination of cholera.
 The OCV campaign has been conducted despite the on-going COVID-19 pandemic. The government has committed itself to continuing the provision of other essential health services in order to safeguard the gains made in health and to promote the health of the population. A phased approach for the 11 identified hot spots across the country has been used. Since January 2021 a total of 5 hot spot districts have been covered with the two rounds of the OCV while one district has conducted the first round. There is a strong commitment to ensure 85% of the Zambian population living in the hotspots are vaccinated with the cholera vaccine.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Health Organization (WHO) &#8211; Zambia.

WHO Supports the cholera vaccination campaign in Zambia’s hot spot districts as the country accelerates its efforts to eliminate the deadly disease

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As entries continue to pour in for the first Rugby Africa (www.RugbyAfrique.com) Media and Photography Awards (https://bit.ly/2QsBoEu), the jury panel welcomes Rugby World Cup-winning Springbok legend Tendai ‘Beast’ Mtawarira.

As South Africa’s third-most capped Springbok, the 35-year-old will be among a panel of not only current and past rugby male and female players, but also stand in the presence of high-ranking senior executives of companies active in Africa, as well as rugby male and female referees.

African journalists and photographers are still able to submit their entries into the competition which runs until July 17, 2021. The winners will be announced on August 18, 2021, where two front-runners will have the opportunity to walk away with USD1,500 in prize money.

Interested entrants can visit the following sites:
 	Media Award: http://bit.ly/Rugbymen 	Photography Award: http://bit.ly/Rugbypen 
Being on the jury panel, Tendai will have the opportunity of reviewing photos and content pieces from all corners of Africa, allowing him to explore the level of how the game is played, appreciated, and celebrated in other parts of the continent.

As the administrative body for rugby union within the continent of Africa under the authority of World Rugby, Rugby Africa continues to showcase the game and raise the standard of entertainment. With the Media and Photography Awards, Rugby Africa is putting a very deliberate focus on the heroines and heroes, outside the field of play, working tirelessly to promote rugby in every corner of Africa, a sport that continues to change and bridge lives.

General Manager at Rugby Africa, Coralie van Den Berg said: “As Rugby Africa we are thankful to Tendai for affording his time and support to judge rugby in Africa from a different perspective. Tendai is a role model for a lot of Africans, whether they are rugby fans or not, and his presence is a heart-warming accolade to the 39 member countries of Rugby Africa.”
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Rugby Africa.Media Contact: Rugby@APO-opa.com

Tendai ‘Beast’ Mtawarira lined up to judge the Rugby Africa Media and Photography Awards

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The Facebook Journalism Project has partnered with Reuters to launch a free online training programme for Journalists, called the Reuters Digital Journalism Course (https://bit.ly/3qlA8R1).

The Project works with publishers around the world to strengthen the connection between journalists and the communities they serve. Its training, programs, and partnerships work by: investing in organizations that fund quality journalism; training newsrooms globally; and partnering with publishers and nonprofits to combat misinformation, promote news literacy, and improve journalism. 
Reuters developed the free online course curriculum after its Digital News Report found more people were using social media to access news. It focuses on digital news gathering, verification and reporting, and publishing on social media. It also covers wellness and resilience training while reporting.
According to Facebook, the course is aimed at both seasoned journalists and industry newcomers. Upon completing the course, participants will receive a certificate.
“At Facebook, we’re grateful to journalists across Africa who are working hard to keep their communities informed about the issues that matter,” Jocelyne Muhutu-Remy, Strategic Media Partnerships Manager, Sub-Saharan Africa said. “The Facebook Journalism Project will assist our region&#39;s journalists in developing strong fundamental knowledge as they navigate the rapidly changing digital news landscape.” Muhutu-Remy added.
This Digital Journalism Course aims to support journalists across English speaking countries in Sub-Saharan Africa to build a strong foundation in digital reporting and editing. 
“With news media firmly in the digital age, being able to use digital platforms safely and effectively is essential,” Reuters Executive Editor Gina Chua said in a statement.
“The Reuters Digital Journalism Course offers best practices from Reuters journalists around the world to provide the foundation for sound journalism, whether you’re a budding journalist or a seasoned one looking for a refresher.”
To sign up for the course, you must create an account on the Reuters Digital Journalism course website. The course is also available to journalists from other parts of the world.
 Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Facebook.
Media contact: Idea Engineers PR agency for Facebook Africa facebook@ideaengineers.co.za

Facebook Partners with Reuters to launch free online course for journalists

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Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (“ETI”), the Lomé based parent company of the Ecobank Group (www.Ecobank.com), was hosted today by the London Stock Exchange for a market opening virtual ceremony to celebrate the successful listing of the Tier 2 Sustainability Notes on the London Stock Exchange (LSE) main market. This represents the first ever Tier 2 Sustainability Notes by a financial institution in Sub-Saharan Africa.

This Tier 2 issuance is the first to have a Basel III-compliant 10NC5 structure outside of South Africa in 144A/RegS format and is now listed on the main market of the London Stock Exchange. The bond, which matures in June 2031, has a call option in June 2026 and was issued with a coupon of 8.75% with interest payable semi-annually in arrears.
An equivalent amount of the net proceeds from the notes will be used by ETI to finance or re-finance, new or existing eligible assets as described in ETI&#39;s Sustainable Finance Framework, available at https://bit.ly/3j4xrlb on which DNV issued a Second Party Opinion.
Investor interest for this Sophomore Eurobond issue was global, including United Kingdom, United States, Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Africa, achieving a 3.6x oversubscribed orderbook, of over US$1.3 billion at its peak.
Ade Ayeyemi, Group Chief Executive Officer of ETI, stated: “The strong global interest in our issuance reflects investors’ confidence in Ecobank’s strategy and our commitment to sustainable financing. We thank the LSE for hosting ETI today and look forward to value creation for all our stakeholders. ”.
The Joint Lead Managers&#038;Bookrunners in the transaction were Citi, Mashreq, Renaissance Capital and Standard Chartered Bank.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ecobank.
Media Contact: Adenike Laoye Group Head, Corporate Communications/ Chief of Staff to the Group Chief Executive Officer Email: groupcorporatecomms@ecobank.com Tel: +228 22 21 03 03
About Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (‘ETI’ or ‘The Group’): Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (‘ETI’) is the parent company of the Ecobank Group, the leading independent pan-African banking group. The Ecobank Group employs over 14,000 people and serves about 29 million customers in the consumer, commercial and corporate banking sectors across 33 African countries. The Group has a banking license in France and representative offices in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; Johannesburg, South Africa; Beijing, China; London, the UK and Dubai, the United Arab Emirates. The Group offers a full suite of banking products, services and solutions including bank and deposit accounts, loans, cash management, advisory, trade, securities, wealth and asset management. ETI is listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchanges in Lagos, the Ghana Stock Exchange in Accra, and the Bourse Régionale des Valeurs Mobilières in Abidjan. For further information please visit www.Ecobank.com

Ecobank Transnational Incorporated formally opens the market at the London Stock Exchange after successfully listing its US$350 million Sustainability Bond on the LSE

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The Ministry of Petroleum (MoP) of the Republic of South Sudan, is honored to announce the launch of the country’s first Oil Licensing Round. The MoP has identified new exploration blocks with potential hydrocarbons and has compiled crucial data to provide to interested investors, operators and counterparties. According to the new analysis commissioned by the Ministry, approximately 90% of South Sudan’s oil and gas reserves remain unexplored, providing unprecedented opportunities to international investors.

The Oil Licensing Round aims to attract interest from a diverse group of foreign investors to a region that is already home to oil and gas majors from China and Malaysia. The country is hoping to welcome back experienced partners and operators following significant progress in returning to peace and stability. With the new data, analysis, and government mechanisms, the Ministry seeks to attract high-quality investors and partners.
This bidding round is for a number of selected blocks, which will be facilitated and evaluated based on set criteria by the MoP.
The available blocks are shown on the map and range between 4,000 and 25,000km2, with most comprising between 15,000 and 20,000 km2.
Oil&#038;Gas Exploration in South Sudan
Currently there are three consortiums operating producing blocks in South Sudan, with another four oil exploration companies having acquired production sharing contracts.
 	Producing Blocks: 
 	Block 3 and 7 – DAR Petroleum Operating Company: China National Petroleum Corporation, Petronas, Nile Petroleum Corporation (8% equity) 	Block 1, 2&#038;4 – Greater Pioneer Operating Company: China National Petroleum Corporation, Petronas, Nile Petroleum Corporation (5% equity) 	Block 5A – Sudd Petroleum Operating Company: Petronas, Nile Petroleum Corporation (8% equity) 
 	Awarded Exploration Blocks: 
 	Block B3 – Oranto Petroleum, Nile Petroleum Corporation (10% equity)  	Block 5B &#8211; Ascom, Nile Petroleum Corporation (10% equity)  	Block B2- Strategic Fuel Fund, Nile Petroleum Corporation (10% equity) 
 	Free Blocks: 
 	Blocks: A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6 	Blocks: B1, B4 	Blocks: C1, C2 	Blocks: D1, D2 	Blocks: E1, E2 
 	First Licensing Round: 
 	Blocks A2, A5, B1, B4, D2 
Potential investors are now able to request all relevant information from the Ministry of Petroleum until August 23rd 2021, by expressing their interest and providing contact details online at www.southsudanlicensinground.com
They can also contact directly: For information about data access and purchase: Pawel Ulatowski Director, ZDS southsudan@zebradata.com
For information about geoscience: Dr. Omar B. Abu-elbashar MD, Petro-Tec petrotec@hotmail.com petrotec@petrotec-int.com
Once the expression of interest process is concluded, the Ministry of Petroleum will host a virtual series of data presentations, followed by an international roadshow.
After years of instability and conflict, lasting peace is finally gaining a foothold in the country following the establishment of the Transitional Government of National Unity (TGNU) in February 2020, and the follow-up agreement over governance of the country’s states. South Sudan is now firmly back on a positive developmental path and is expected to continue as one of Africa’s fastest-growing countries in the foreseeable future.
 Distributed by APO Group on behalf of South Sudan Ministry of Petroleum.
Media Contact: AZ Media PR Claudia Padayachy +27 84 884 4317 claudia@azmediacommunications.com

Ministry of Petroleum launches first oil licensing round

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Emerson (NYSE: EMR) announced the publication of its 2020 Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Report (www.Emerson.com/en-us/esg), highlighting how the company develops and delivers technologies, software and services to enable greater sustainability, efficiency and safety for essential industries while supporting communities worldwide.

As Emerson helps drive progress across industries, the company is advancing its diversity, equity and inclusion. Within the new report, Emerson shared its goal to double representation of women globally and U.S. minorities at the leadership level by 2030. This goal underscores Emerson’s commitment to empowering a diverse global workforce.

“Building on our ESG focus has truly brought out the best in our employees – and our company,” said Lal Karsanbhai, president and chief executive officer of Emerson. “We are building momentum in vital areas like sustainability and inclusion, and we are actively cultivating a workforce that reflects the world around us.

“Our employees are energized to live out our Purpose, driving innovation that makes the world healthier, safer, smarter and more sustainable. Accelerating our progress in this space is one of my top priorities, and we look forward to continuing these efforts alongside our customers and our communities in the future.”

The 2020 ESG Report reinforces the company’s focus on empowering more sustainable operations and addressing complex challenges facing modern life in commercial, industrial and residential markets. Highlights of the report include:

Environmental In 2020, Emerson took measurable steps to further enhance the company’s approach to environmental sustainability and in defining its role in making the world more sustainable. The company reported a 10% decrease in CO2 emissions, an 11% decrease in global electricity usage and a 9% decrease in global water consumption over the past year. Emerson also articulated its “Greening Of, By and With” framework to build on sustainability momentum.

“We have made progress not only in tangible sustainability initiatives, but in driving engagement and excitement across the organization,” said Mike Train, who was recently named Emerson’s chief sustainability officer. “From the way we approach customer challenges to the unified Purpose that connects us as a global organization, sustainability is truly top of mind for our teams and in our approach to innovation.”

The company continues to address environmental, social and governance issues in partnership with stakeholders across its supply chain while maintaining high standards of corporate governance. In 2020, Emerson enhanced its focus to engage suppliers along their paths to reducing waste, controlling emissions and making the world more sustainable by establishing an environmental sustainability council with key suppliers.

Social Emerson undertook several key initiatives to accelerate its diversity, equity and inclusion efforts this year. In addition to setting goals for diverse representation among leadership, Emerson hosted “Courageous Conversations,” a series of regional dialogues on topics related to advancing equity; launched Diverse Slates, a recruitment initiative to build a diverse talent pipeline; and launched two new employee resource groups: Somos, for Latin American and Hispanic employees, and the Asian&#038;Pacific Islander Alliance.

In addition, Emerson continued its legacy on giving back to communities. In 2020, Emerson contributed $24.5 million to more than 1,300 charities, nonprofit organizations and educational institutions across the United States. The company also committed $3 million in support of STEM education programs over the past year, which included delivering thousands of STEM activity kits to elementary and middle school aged children and to organizations that work with under-served youth to promote hands-on experiences in the remote learning environment.

Governance Emerson has a longstanding dedication to high tenets of corporate governance. In 2021, Emerson shifted to an independent chair structure, electing independent director James Turley as chair of Emerson’s board of directors. In addition, the company recently added Chief Compliance Officer Lisa Flavin to its Office of the Chief Executive, reinforcing its commitment to ethical behavior and high standards among all employees.

“Our 2020 ESG Report highlights the many ways we are putting our Purpose into action as we strive to be a strong corporate citizen both within the critical industries we serve and the communities where we live and work,” said Akberet Boykin Farr, vice president of diversity and social responsibility for Emerson. “We look forward to the many ways we will continue to deliver against our goals to help make the world more sustainable and inclusive in 2021 and beyond.”
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Emerson.
For more information, please contact: Danielle Aychouh Marketing Manager – MEA Emerson Automation Solutions T. +971 4 811 8303 E. Danielle.Aychouh@Emerson.com
Orient Planet Group (OPG) Tel: +971 4 4562888 Email: media@orientplanet.com Website: www.OrientPlanet.com
About Emerson: Emerson (NYSE: EMR), headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri (USA), is a global technology and engineering company providing innovative solutions for customers in industrial, commercial and residential markets. Our Emerson Automation Solutions business helps process, hybrid and discrete manufacturers maximize production, protect personnel and the environment while optimizing their energy and operating costs. Our Emerson Commercial&#038;Residential Solutions business helps ensure human comfort and health, protect food quality and safety, advance energy efficiency and create sustainable infrastructure. For more information visit www.Emerson.com.

Emerson Publishes Environmental, Social and Governance Report

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AMEA Power (www.AMEAPower.com), a subsidiary of UAE-based Al Nowais Investments (ANI), today announced the official commissioning of its 50MW solar photovoltaic (PV) plant in Blitta, Togo, marking the country’s first utility-scale renewable energy project developed by an Independent Power Producer (IPP), and one of the largest solar PV IPP plants in West Africa.

Officially named Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed, after His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, the PV plant has been delivered in record time, with just 18 months between the signing of the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) and commencement of commercial operations.  
Built by AMEA Togo Solar, a subsidiary of AMEA Power, the plant, located 267km from Togo’s capital, Lomé, has a planned production of nearly 90,255 MWh of power per year. This will supply power to approximately 158,333 Togolese households per year, with 9% of energy generation feeding into the local Blitta distribution network, enough to meet demand in the area.
The power plant will be operated for 25 years by AMEA Togo Solar, saving more than 1 million tonnes of CO2 emissions over the course of its life. The plant is instrumental in supporting Togo’s ambitious US$8 billion 2018 – 2022 National Development Plan (NDP), which aims to achieve universal access to electricity by 2030 and to increase the share of renewables in the energy mix to 50%.
Hussain Al Nowais, Chairman of AMEA Power, commented: “We are delighted to launch the Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed PV plant and extend our congratulations to all those involved. Togo was an obvious choice for AMEA Power’s first operational power plant in Africa, with it being an important trade hub in West Africa, along with the government’s progressive regulatory framework for renewable energy projects, which was key in ensuring the completion of the project in a fast, efficient, and responsible manner. This is an incredibly exciting time for AMEA Power, and we are on track to becoming one of the fastest-growing renewable energy IPPs, with several additional projects set to achieve financial close in 2021.”
His Excellency Faure Gnassingbé, President of Togo, and AMEA Power’s Chairman, Hussain Al Nowais, attended an inauguration ceremony today [22nd June 2021] at the power plant site. Other high-profile attendees included the Prime Minister of Togo, Victoire Tomegah Dogbé; Minister Delegate to the President of the Republic, in charge of Energy and Mines in Togo, Mila Aziable; Director of Compagnie Energie Electrique du Togo (CEET), Laré Santiégou; Senior Advisor to the President of Togo, Shegun Adjadi Bakari; President of the West African Development Bank, Serge Ekué; and the Deputy Director General of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD), Khalifa Al Qubaisi.
Mila Aziable, Minister Delegate to the President of the Republic, in charge of Energy and Mines in Togo, commented: “The development of the Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed PV plant is an excellent example of a successful Public-Private Partnership in Africa, with AMEA Power utilising Togo’s committed implementation unit and favourable investment climate to pre-fund a large-scale renewable energy project on balance sheet. We are delighted to have worked with a team of such highly-skilled professionals with demonstrated know-how in the energy sector.”
The project was supported with concessional loans from the West African Development Bank (BOAD) and the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD). It was pre-funded on balance sheet, and then refinanced, a unique model for a large-scale IPP project in Africa. This is indicative of the level of project certainty created by the NDP’s regulatory framework, which provided AMEA Power with the necessary level of assurance and comfort to embark on the project’s execution well in advance of the financing being arranged.
Community impact
The construction of the power plant helped to create local employment opportunities, with 80% of plant workers hailing directly from Togo.
AMEA Power also invested directly in community initiatives in Blitta, which positively impacted more than 100,000 people, by constructing (and providing equipment for) one new clinic and three new school buildings; renovating four schools; providing school supplies for 1,400 students; and installing a water pump at a local primary school. AMEA Power will provide electrification via solar power to the schools and clinic.
Moreover, AMEA Power’s internship programme brought 36 engineering students from various technical institutions in Togo to the Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed PV plant, preparing them for employment by giving them the opportunity to apply their theoretical knowledge and develop their practical skills in renewable energies.
In response to COVID-19, AMEA Power distributed essential food and hygiene products to 8,500 families in nine countries across Africa, including 1,100 families in Togo. AMEA Power also distributed food and hygiene products to a further 8,000 families during Ramadan this year, which reached 1,100 families in Togo.
 Distributed by APO Group on behalf of AMEA Power.
For further information, please contact: Sara Viglione at Gong Communications E-Mail: sarav@gongcommunications.com Mob: +44 7794 988752
About AMEA Power: Headquartered in Dubai, AMEA Power acquires, develops, owns and operates clean power generation assets in Africa, the Middle East and Asia. The company has built a strong pipeline across technologies and at different stages of development in emerging markets. AMEA Power is led by a highly experienced international team with a proven track record in the power sector.
For more information, please visit: www.AMEAPower.com

AMEA Power launches 50MW Solar Power Plant in Togo – the country’s first utility-scale renewable energy project developed by an Independent Power Producer

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.
Merck foundation (www.Merck-Foundation.com) “More than a Mother” Ambassadors, African First Ladies of Angola, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, Guinea Conakry, Liberia, Malawi, Mozambique, and Namibia actively participated in the 8th edition of Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary which was co-chaired by Zambia First Lady, H.E. ESTHER LUNGU and Merck Foundation CEO, Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej.
Download more images here: https://bit.ly/3xFZawD.

Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KgaA, conducted the 8th Edition of “Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary” 2021, through an online video conference.
The conference was inaugurated by the President of the Republic of Zambia, H.E. Dr. EDGAR CHAGWA LUNGU and Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp Chairman of both of Executive Board of E.Merck KG and Merck Foundation Board of Trustees.
During the Luminary, Merck Foundation CEO&#038;President of Merck Foundation More Than a Mother, Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej emphasized, “ “I am very proud to have 20 African First Ladies partnered with Merck Foundation and become Ambassadors of our unique and historic campaign “Merck Foundation more than a Mother” to empower infertile women, eliminate the stigma around infertility and empower girls and women in education, in their countries. During the Luminary, the Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative Committee (MFFLI) was also conducted to discuss, follow up and monitor the ongoing programs that also include healthcare capacity building. We have so far provided scholarships in various medical specialties to 1100 Doctors from 42 countries.”

The keynote address at the 8th edition of Merck Africa Asia Luminary was delivered by H.E. Mrs. ESTHER LUNGU, The First Lady of Zambia along with:
 	H.E. Mrs. ANA DIAS LOURENÇO, The First Lady Of Angola 	H.E. Mrs. NEO JANE MASISI, The First Lady Of Botswana 	H.E. Madam SIKA KABORE, The First Lady Of Burkina Faso 	H.E. Madam ANGELINE NDAYISHIMIYE, The First Lady Of Burundi 	H.E. Madam BRIGITTE TOUADERA, The First Lady Of Central African Republic 	H.E. Madam DENISE NYAKERU TSHISEKEDI, The First Lady Of The Democratic Republic Of The Congo 	H.E. Mrs. REBECCA AKUFO-ADDO, The First Lady Of Ghana 	H.E. Madam DJÈNÈ CONDÉ, The First Lady Of Guinea Conakry 	H.E. Mrs. CLAR MARIE WEAH, The First Lady Of Liberia 	H.E. Mrs. MONICA CHAKWERA, The First Lady Of Malawi 	H.E. Mrs. ISAURA FERRÃO NYUSI, The First Lady Of Mozambique and 	H.E. Mrs. MONICA GEINGOS, The First Lady Of Namibia 
During her welcome speech, H.E. Mrs. ESTHER LUNGU, The First Lady of Zambia&#038;Ambassador of Merck Foundation More Than A Mother stated, “I am delighted to host this prestigious conference. I am very proud of our partnership with Merck Foundation through which we have been able to achieve many outcomes in the country for the social and economic welfare of our people. Through my ambassadorship of Merck Foundation More than a Mother, we have been able to launch many initiatives to sensitize our communities about the sensitive issue of infertility and the stigma attached to it, and also emphasize on the importance of girls’ education. Moreover, we are reshaping the healthcare landscape of Zambia, as together we have enrolled and provided training to more than 90 young doctors from all provinces with specialty training in the fields of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiology, Endocrinology, Respiratory, Acute medicines, Sexual and Reproductive Medicines, Fertility and Embryology. We are scaling up to more doctors and more critical specialties such as; Paediatric, Internal Medicines, and gastroenterology.”
Link to her speech: https://bit.ly/2TOJzMC.

H.E. Mrs. ANA DIAS LOURENÇO, The First Lady of Angola emphasized, “I am happy to virtually meet and join my sisters, First Ladies of Africa, as a Guest of Honour for the 8th edition of Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary. we are working with Merck Foundation to shape the “Educating Linda” Program which aims to empower girls through education and eliminate child marriage and early pregnancy, this cause is very close to my heart and I consider it one of my main objectives as I strongly believe that Education is one of the most critical areas of women empowerment”.
Link to her speech: https://bit.ly/3qjsypP.

H.E. Mrs. NEO JANE MASISI, The First Lady of Botswana&#038;Ambassador of Merck Foundation More Than A Mother said ”We started our partnership with Merck Foundation in 2018 and since then we have achieved very important milestones and we made a concrete impact in building quality and equitable healthcare capacity, advocation to break the stigma of infertility, and stopping Gender-Based Violence. Together we provided scholarships to more than 39 local Doctors in Botswana in different critical specialties which improve women&#39;s health and advanced reproductive care in addition to advancing healthcare in many critical fields such as: Oncology, Endocrinology, Diabetes, Cardiovascular, Respiratory, Incentive Care and more”.
Link to her speech: https://bit.ly/3j9eSw2.

H.E. Madam SIKA KABORE, The First Lady of Burkina Faso&#038;Ambassador of Merck Foundation More Than A Mother stated “I am also very proud to be appointed the Ambassador of Merck Foundation More Than a Mother, to empower infertile women through access to information, education, change of mindset, and economic empowerment and empower our girls through education. I am looking forward to starting our important long-term partnership with Merck Foundation and we are ready to capitalize on these valuable programs by scaling them up nationwide to contribute to the social and economic development of Burkina Faso”.
Link to her speech: https://bit.ly/3xAOS0G.

H.E. Madam ANGELINE NDAYISHIMIYE, The First Lady of Burundi&#038;Ambassador of Merck Foundation More Than A Mother said “I am very proud of our partnership with Merck Foundation. Through our long-term partnership with Merck Foundation, 33 doctors have benefitted from the scholarships that Merck Foundation is providing in Oncology, Fertility specialty, embryology and reproductive and sexual medicines and Diabetes management. We will continue to work closely with Merck Foundation to create a culture shift with the aim to support girl education and empower women through access to education, health and change of mindset through media training and media awards, children storybooks, songs and films&#038;fashion awards, and other innovative initiatives.”
Link to her speech: https://bit.ly/3zOQ1na.

H.E. Madam BRIGITTE TOUADERA, The First Lady of Central African Republic&#038;Ambassador of Merck Foundation More Than A Mother emphasized “We started our partnership with Merck Foundation in 2016, to advance the healthcare sector and empower infertile women in my country. Together, we initiated an important project “Empowering Berna” where we established small businesses for infertile women and train them to run their businesses so they can have income and become independent. Their lives have transformed since then. We are planning to provide school fees for 20 girls every year.  Moreover, so far we have enrolled 13 local doctors in specialty training of oncology and diabetes and I will continue working closely with our ministry of health to identify the right candidates who will join the oncology, diabetes and fertility training and fellowship”.
Link to her speech: https://bit.ly/3xLCjjp.

H.E. Madam DENISE NYAKERU TSHISEKEDI, The First Lady of the Democratic Republic of The Congo &#038; Ambassador of Merck Foundation More Than A Mother said, “I am extremely happy to be a part of this platform. I am happy with the impact we have had in a very short time. We have enrolled more than 40 doctors in various specialties. 7 have been enrolled for fertility and embryology training, 1 for oncology and more than 32 doctors, representing each province in DRC, have been enrolled for diabetes specialty training. After completing the training, these doctors will transform the Diabetes care in my country”.
Link to her speech: https://bit.ly/3gJpOPB.

H.E. Mrs. REBECCA AKUFO-ADDO, The First Lady of Ghana &#038; Ambassador of Merck Foundation More Than A Mother emphasized, “I have been working closely with Merck Foundation to empower infertile women as the attitude of the people towards these women is not progressive or informed. I am honoured to be the Ambassador of Merck More than a Mother, through this campaign I intend to help the women of my country. Moreover, we have been able to provide more than 60 doctors with scholarships for specialty training in the fields of Cancer, Diabetes, cardiology, endocrinology, respiratory, acute medicines, sexual and reproductive medicines, Fertility and embryology. All these fields are very critical to our country.  This will certainly contribute to our battle against coronavirus and other diseases”.
Link to her speech: https://bit.ly/3xI02Ry.

H.E. Madam DJÈNÈ CONDÉ, The First Lady of Guinea Conakry&#038;Ambassador of Merck Foundation More Than A Mother explained, “I am delighted to share the magnificent outcomes of my long-term partnership with Merck Foundation. Together we have been able to empower infertile women through access to information, education, health, and change of mindset and establishing small businesses for them through the “Empowering Berna” program. Also, we have enrolled 18 local doctors into Merck Foundation Scholarship of different specialties; Oncology, Diabetes and Fertility&#038;Embryology to be the first in the country in these fields. I feel proud to say that we are making history with Merck Foundation in our country at many levels”.
Link to her speech: https://bit.ly/3xIpIgC.

H.E. Mrs. CLAR MARIE WEAH, The First Lady of Liberia&#038;Ambassador of Merck Foundation More Than A Mother said, “On behalf of people of Liberia, I welcome the long-term partnership with Merck Foundation to build health care capacity, the importance of which we realized more during this uncertain time. We are fortunate to have the programs of Merck Foundation in our country, which strongly focus on building our healthcare capacity and train our healthcare providers at all levels, more than 35 Liberian Doctors have benefited from scholarships of specialty training, of one-year diploma and two-year master degree in many critical and underserved specialties such as: Diabetes, Cardiovascular Preventive, Sexual and Reproductive Medicines, Endocrinology, Respiratory Medicines and Acute Medicines, Oncology and Fertility Specialists&#038;Embryology Training and in the future in Paediatric, Internal Medicine, Advanced Surgery, Orthopedic, Psychiatry, Pain Management and Opthalmology. This is history in the making”.
Link to her speech: https://bit.ly/3d2gS5B.

H.E. Mrs. MONICA CHAKWERA, The First Lady of Malawi&#038;Ambassador of Merck Foundation More Than A Mother expressed, “I am extremely happy of my partnership with Merck Foundation. Together, we have so far provides more than 16 local doctors with the scholarship of online one-year diploma and two year master degree in many needed medical specialties such as Diabetes, Cardiovascular, Endocrinology, Sexual and Reproductive Medicines, Respiratory Medicines and Acute Medicines, they are currently undergoing their studies. And we are working with Ministry of Health to select the next batches for more specialities. Also, I am particularly very excited about our joint initiative “Educating Linda” where we are sponsoring the education of 20 best performing girls in their secondary schools till they graduate. I believe that Education is Power, and educating girls is empowering them to make their own decision and be independent”.
Link to her speech: https://bit.ly/3vMDygS.

H.E. Mrs. ISAURA FERRÃO NYUSI, The First Lady of Mozambique&#038;Ambassador of Merck Foundation More Than A Mother emphasized, “Together with Merck Foundation, I am fully committed to will work closely to introduce innovative ideas that will engage different sectors to create a culture shift with the aim to break the stigma of infertility and make a great impact in a short time. Currently, we have 14 doctors from each provenance who enrolled in the Diabetes Master Course for the first time in Portuguese, through Merck Foundation Diabetes Blue Points Program. We will soon enroll doctors for training in other specialties too”.
Link to her speech: https://bit.ly/3gIsoFw.

H.E. Mrs. MONICA GEINGOS, The First Lady of Namibia&#038;Ambassador of Merck Foundation More Than A Mother said “I am very happy to share the impact of our partnership with Merck Foundation, More than 37 local young Namibian doctors will be provided with one-year online diploma from South Wales University, in the fields of Diabetes, Cardiology, Endocrinology, Respiratory Medicines, Acute Medicines and Sexual and Reproductive Medicines. We will establish our first local platform of specialists and experts in those fields which is very important to improve access to quality and equitable healthcare to Coronavirus Patients and risk groups too. For Namibia, 2.4 M population, we will soon have more than 11 skilled and trained doctors to assist couples living with infertility or need any sexual&#038;reproductive help, this will be a significant contribution that I am proud of as an Ambassador of Merck Foundation More Than a Mother. We are also worth closely with Merck Foundation to raise awareness about breaking Infertility stigma and encourage couples to support each other’s during the journey of making happy family ”.
Link to her speech: https://bit.ly/3cXo3Mr.
 Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Merck Foundation.
About ‘Merck Foundation More Than a Mother’ campaign: “Merck Foundation More Than a Mother” is a strong movement that aims to empower infertile women through access to information, education and change of mind-sets. This powerful campaign supports governments in defining policies to enhance access to regulated, safe, effective and equitable fertility care solutions. It defines interventions to break the stigma around infertile women and raises awareness about infertility prevention, management and male infertility. In partnership with African First Ladies, Ministries of Health, Information, Education&#038;Gender, academia, policymakers, International fertility societies, media and art, the initiative also provides training for fertility specialists and embryologists to build and advance fertility care capacity in Africa and developing countries.

With “Merck Foundation More Than a Mother”, we have initiated a cultural shift to de-stigmatize infertility at all levels: By improving awareness, training local experts in the fields of fertility care and media, building advocacy in cooperation with African First Ladies and women leaders and by supporting childless women in starting their own small businesses. It’s all about giving every woman the respect and the help she deserves to live a fulfilling life, with or without a child.

The Ambassadors of “Merck Foundation More Than a Mother” are:

H.E. NEO JANE MASISI, 			The First Lady Of Botswana
H.E. FATOUMATTA BAH-BARROW, The First Lady Of The Gambia
H.E. MONICA GEINGOS, The First Lady Of Namibia
H.E. SIKA KABORE, The First Lady Of Burkina Faso
H.E. REBECCA AKUFO-ADDO, The First Lady Of Ghana

H.E. AISHA BUHARI, The First Lady Of Nigeria
H.E. ANGELINE NDAYISHIMIYE,
The First Lady Of Burundi
H.E. CONDÉ DJENE, The First Lady Of Guinea Conakry
H.E FATIMA MAADA BIO, The First Lady Of Sierra Leone
H.E. BRIGITTE TOUADERA, The First Lady Of Central African Republic
H.E. CLAR WEAH, The First Lady Of Liberia
H.E. ESTHER LUNGU, The First Lady Of Zambia
H.E. ANTOINETTE SASSOU-NGUESSO, The First Lady Of Congo Brazzaville
H.E. MONICA CHAKWERA, The First Lady Of Malawi
H.E. AUXILLIA MNANGAGWA, The First Lady Of Zimbabwe
H.E. DENISE NYAKERU TSHISEKEDI, THE First Lady Of Democratic Republic Of Congo
H.E. ISAURA FERRÃO NYUSI, The First Lady Of Mozambique
The Former First Lady Of Burundi, H.E DENISE NKURUNZIZA, The Former First Lady Of Chad, H.E. HINDA DÉBY ITNO, The Former First Lady Of Malawi, H.E. PROFESSOR GERTRUDE MUTHARIKA And The Former First Lady Of Niger, H.E AÏSSATA ISSOUFOU MAHAMADOU Have Worked Successfully With Merck Foundation As Merck Foundation More Than A Mother Ambassadors To Break The Stigma Of Infertility And Empower Infertile Women In Their Countries.

Merck Foundation launched new innovative initiatives to sensitize local communities about infertility prevention, male infertility with the aim to break the stigma of infertility and empowering infertile women as part of Merck Foundation More than a Mother COMMUNITY AWARENESS CAMPAIGN, such as:
 	‘Merck Foundation More than a Mother’ Africa Media Recognition Awards and Health Media Training 

 	‘Merck Foundation More than a Mother’ Fashion Awards 
 	‘Merck Foundation More than a Mother’ Film Awards 
 	‘Merck Foundation More than a Mother’ Song Awards 
 	Local songs with local artists to address the cultural perception of infertility and how to change it 
 	Children storybook, localized for each country 
Join the conversation on our social media platforms below and let your voice be heard: Download the App: https://bit.ly/3v7pf5Z Facebook: https://bit.ly/32YFKpv Twitter: https://bit.ly/2TeOQNj YouTube: https://bit.ly/3gKF26M Instagram: https://bit.ly/3g6OYr3 Flickr: https://bit.ly/2Tay0Pu Website: www.Merck-Foundation.com

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&#038;equitable healthcare solutions in underserved communities, building healthcare and scientific research capacity 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. To know more, reach out to our social media: https://bit.ly/3d045R4; https://bit.ly/32YFKpv, https://bit.ly/2TeOQNj, https://bit.ly/3g6OYr3, https://bit.ly/3gKF26M and https://bit.ly/2Tay0Pu.

Merck Foundation calls for action together with 13 African First Ladies and 27 Ministers to Build Healthcare Capacity, Break the Infertility Stigma and Support Girl Education at their annual conference

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The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) today warned that famine – already present in four countries – could become a reality for millions of people around the world, without urgent funding to stave off a catastrophe, and without access to families cut-off by conflict.

“I am heartbroken at what we’re facing in 2021. We now have four countries where famine-like conditions are present,” said WFP’s Executive Director David Beasley addressing WFP’s Executive Board on 21 June.

“Meanwhile 41 million people are literally knocking on famine’s door. If you look at the numbers, it’s just tragic – these are real people with real names. I am extremely concerned,” he warned.

Recent assessments show that tragically, 584,000 are already experiencing famine-like conditions (IPC phase 5/Catastrophe) in Ethiopia, Madagascar, South Sudan and Yemen. Nigeria and Burkina Faso are also of particular concern because they have in recent months had pockets of people in IPC phase 5.

“In Somalia in 2011, 260,000 people died of hunger – and by the time the famine was actually declared – half of that number had already died. We can’t debate the numbers to death when people need our help now,” Beasley warned.

Recent WFP analyses show that 41 million people are teetering on the very edge of famine (IPC phase 4/Emergency) in 43 countries, and the slightest shock will push them over the precipice. This number has risen from 27 million in 2019.

Conflict, climate change and economic shocks have been driving the rises in hunger, but pressures on food security are being compounded by soaring prices for basic foods this year. Global maize prices have soared almost 90% year-on-year, while wheat prices are up almost 30% over the same period.

In many countries, currency depreciation is adding to these pressures and driving prices even higher. This in turn is stoking food insecurity in countries such as Lebanon, Nigeria, Sudan, Venezuela and Zimbabwe.

This year, WFP is undertaking the biggest operation in its history &#8211; targeting 139 million people this year. With sufficient funding and access, WFP has the expertise to provide all those who risk famine in 2021 with life-saving food and nutritional assistance.

“I want to emphasize just how bad it is out there. Today, 41 million people are literally knocking on famine’s door. The price tag to reach them is about US$6 billion. We need funding and we need it now,” Beasley warned.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Food Programme (WFP).

World Food Programme (WFP) says 41 million people now at imminent risk of famine without urgent funding and immediate humanitarian access

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The Commander of U.S. Africa Command, U.S. Army Gen. Stephen Townsend, visited Morocco to attend the closing ceremony of Exercise African Lion 21 and to meet with several African defense leaders June 17-19.

“African Lion is our largest and most important exercise in Africa,” said Townsend. “The exercise helps us build readiness as well as build and strengthen partnerships to best operate in a complex, multi-domain environment.”
Townsend visited several exercise locations, where he met with troops who took part in the exercise.
“We did not allow a COVID environment to change our focus and long-term commitment to our partners,” said Townsend. “We remain focused on maintaining strong relationships with our allies and partners. We worked extremely hard to make this year&#39;s training a reality and no doubt we all benefited from it tremendously.”
Townsend met with senior Moroccan military leaders, including the Inspector General of the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces, Abdelfattah Louarak.
“The 17th iteration of Exercise African Lion 2021 has just wrapped up, and it has been a great success at all levels, by having fulfilled all its objectives,” said Louarak. “I am confident that this exercise will succeed in promoting the values of peace and solidarity among the nations, and is an essential milestone in the path towards peace and solidarity in the region and in Africa.”
Townsend thanked his Moroccan colleagues, particularly the Southern Zone Commander Lt. Gen. Belkhir El Farouk for outstanding efforts by the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces in planning and executing African Lion 2021, as well as opportunities to deepen the U.S.-Morocco security partnership.
Townsend also met with Senegal’s Chief of Army Staff, Brig. Gen. Fulgence Ndour. During their discussion, he thanked Ndour for Senegal’s role as a security leader in West Africa, and for hosting or participating in multiple U.S. Africa Command exercises, including Exercises Flintlock and Obangame Express.
On the margins of the exercise, Townsend met with defense leaders from other nations, including Libyan Government of National Unity representatives and the Chief of Staff of the Libyan Army, Gen. Mohamad al-Haddad. During their meeting, Townsend and Haddad discussed the need for foreign forces to withdraw from Libya immediately. Townsend and Haddad also discussed ongoing efforts to unify Libyan military institutions, and opportunities for greater military cooperation with the United States.
During the visit, Townsend also met with other U.S. military leaders who were on the ground for African Lion 21, including Gen. Daniel Hokanson, Chief of the U.S. National Guard Bureau. A number of National Guard troops from Utah, Wyoming, and D.C. took part in the exercise.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United States Africa Command.

AFRICOM’s Gen. Townsend meets African leaders at exercise African Lion

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.
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) welcomes a contribution of €5.7 million (US$6.68 million) for 2021 from Germany to provide life-saving food assistance to thousands of people in South Sudan. It comes at a critical time when funding is scarce, and the country faces alarmingly high rates of food insecurity due to conflict, floods and rising poverty.

Ten years after gaining independence, South Sudan is experiencing its worst humanitarian crisis with 7.2 million people–60 percent of the population–facing acute food insecurity and 1.4 million children under five years of age and half a million pregnant and breastfeeding women expected to suffer from acute malnutrition.
Germany’s contribution will provide food and nutrition assistance to over 150,000 vulnerable people in the most food insecure areas. In 2020, WFP gave food and nutrition assistance to more than five million people across the country. This contribution is part of Germany’s flexible East Africa funding.
“We are grateful to Germany and its people for supporting South Sudan at this critical time when multiple crises and conflict mean more and more people cannot support themselves and their families,” said Matthew Hollingworth, WFP Representative and Country Director in South Sudan. “WFP relies on predictable funding from donors to support vulnerable families who need food assistance to survive.”
“Germany hopes that the additional funding will contribute mitigating the suffering of vulnerable people on the brink of starvation, at a time when more South Sudanese than ever before are in need of humanitarian assistance,” added Janika Walter, Chargeé d’Affaires and Head of Cooperation of the German Embassy in South Sudan. “We commend WFP for its continuous efforts to operate in such a challenging environment to improve the lives of South Sudanese families.”
The Government of the Federal Republic of Germany is a long-standing partner of WFP and has supported WFP’s work in South Sudan since independence in 2011.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Food Programme (WFP).

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World Food Programme (WFP) says 41 million people now at imminent risk of famine without urgent funding and immediate humanitarian access

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Germany supports World Food Programme’s (WFP) life-saving food assistance to vulnerable families in South Sudan

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