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Reaching 20 million+ people globally, the recently launched social media streaming service Palm TV (www.PalmTV.store) is capturing the attention of audiences with their ground-breaking, entertaining influencer podcasts and live tv shows.

The brainchild of successful African Marketing and Tech Media entrepreneur Patrick Palmi, Palm TV showcases leading African influencers connecting with their fans through trending content and an insider look into their lives.
Patrick is no stranger to the digital space. Prior to Palm TV, Patrick founded Multi-Awards Digital Agency Justpalm which he successfully grew from ground to a multi-million-rand agency with presence in five key markets namely South Africa, Kenya, DRC, Emirates, and India. His business acumen and creativity in the digital space has been recognised amongst the top innovators at various local and global awards including Mobile Marketing Smarties Awards (US, EMEA and South Africa), CEO Magazine Awards, Adfocus and being shortlisted at the most acclaimed Loeries awards.
Speaking about his inspiration behind the concept, Patrick said the free service available on www.PalmTV.store, and all social media platforms (@OfficialPalmTV) came off the decline in linear TV viewership where people are now massively moving towards on-demand video streaming services like Netflix, Showmax, Amazon prime video, Apple TV, etc.
“In 2018, I was on holiday in Dubai, and I needed to watch the football world cup finale, but I couldn&#39;t watch it on my phone. I searched on social media to see if there were any pages streaming the content live, but there was none (due to restrictions). This was when I was inspired to start a streaming service because I felt there&#39;s a ton of people on social media looking for great TV content!”
The very first streaming service that combines the true power of social media, influencer marketing and social commerce, Patrick said his vision was to empower small businesses (https://bit.ly/3cZgp43) across the continent to start getting onto a bigger influential online television platform, advertise and sell their products at a much more affordable price point than traditional TV.
Interestingly a unique selling point of the live stream is its shoppable capabilities which allows small businesses to list their products and viewers to purchase outfits, food and drinks that influential hosts and guests have during the show. In addition, Palm TV also streams live on all Social Media platforms (https://bit.ly/35Fccyu) simultaneously, on roadside digital billboards as well as on smart tv’s in public transport, taxi ranks, golf clubs, clinics, and hospitals concurrently to reach and engage with millions of people.
On a mission to influence the world and become the first African streaming service to be listed in a global stock market, Palm TV currently produces 10+ live interactive and engaging TV programmes per week with an incredible line up of media personalities and social media sensations.  The aim is to grow programming to a 24-hour live channel. 
“We believe that our streaming service is a central content place for African influencer TV content that can drive true social change and social commerce together globally. We aim to grow the number of influential figures on our platform (actors/ actresses, business moguls, politicians, young artists, sportsmen, etc) to have true conversations with our global community that changes the African narrative and unlock the true potential of our content.” 
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Speaking about their current leading content generators, Patrick said that they had formed a partnership with South Africa&#39;s most influential social media sensations such as Lasizwe, Capro, Nolo Phiri, Pong Pong who have joined the platform to produce a series of live content for viewers. Other media personalities include the likes of Vusi Thembekwayo, DJ Sbu, Enhle Mbali, Ayanda Thabethe, Ayanda Borotho and Zacharie Bababswe.
“Young and popular influencers such as Lasizwe and Carpo are coming up with incredible live, interactive and engaging podcast shows on our platform. A great deal of influencers and media personalities around Africa are also signing up to the platform. Those interested in signing up can visit our website (https://bit.ly/3gGCwOT) for more information.”
Looking to expand the service through strategic local partnerships across three key global markets namely the USA, Europe and Asia, Patrick said they were pleased to have also partnered with French company Caast.tv to bring the first live video shopping in Africa.
“Global e-commerce companies such as Alibaba have proven that live commerce is a new way that shoppers want to engage with and buy online. Caast.tv is confident that live commerce will bring more visibility, conversions and a better customer experience for brands and e-merchants in South Africa. They trust us to be their ideal partner to organise great live shows to make sure brands stand out and sell better through this channel.”
For more information visit Palm TV,  www.PalmTV.store and @OfficialPalmTV.
 Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Palm TV.

Exclusive new live video streaming service Palm TV breaks entertainment barriers with leading influencer and social media shows

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.
Within the framework of the Second Generation (2nd Phase) of the Alliance to Fight Avoidable Blindness (AFAB), the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) (www.ISDB.org) and the Islamic Solidarity Fund for Development (ISFD) have executed cataract surgery campaigns in the city of Djibouti and its surrounding rural localities.

The campaign, which was held during April and May 2021, was conducted in collaboration with the National Program for Control of Blindness-Djibouti and the “Institut Ophtalmologique Tropical de l’Afrique (IOTA)”-Mali.
Under these campaigns, financed by the Azerbaijan International Development Agency (AIDA), 11,709 patients were given vision screening and 1,032 cataract treatment surgeries were conducted in addition to providing post-surgical monitoring and visits to patients.
These campaigns are a part of a continued commitment to performing 100,000 surgeries in the next five years under the IsDB’s Regional Cooperation and Integration Department initiative.
The Djibouti city campaign was honored by the visit of H.E. Mohamed Warsama Dirieh Minister of Health and H.E. Moustapha Mohamed Mahamoud, the Minister of National Education and the Vocational Training.
H.E. Mr. Mohamed Warsama Dirieh Minister of Health stated: “I would like to thank the National Program for Control of Blindness, very sincerely, for the hard work that has been accomplished for the needy people. My sincere thanks to the Islamic Development Bank and the Azerbaijan International Development Agency (AIDA), without whom these campaigns would not have taken place. This action illustrates the close relationship between Djibouti Government and IsDB particularly in the health sector.”
IsDB President, Dr. Bandar Hajjar, indicated that “IsDB and ISFD plan to continue to provide free treatments to the poor and promote surgical technological advancement on patients suffering from visual impairment”.
Based on the success of the First Generation (1st Phase), the IsDB and the ISFD decided to introduce the Second Generation of the Alliance. This new program will broaden the outreach to other preventable eye diseases and focus more on capacity development while continuing reducing the prevalence of blindness due to cataract.
AFAB aims to benefit 13 member countries namely Burkina Faso, Chad, Comoros, Cote d&#39;Ivoire, Djibouti, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Mauritania, Mali, Mozambique, Niger, Somalia, and Togo.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Islamic Development Bank Group (IsDB Group).
About Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group: Rated AAA by the major rating agencies, the Islamic Development Bank is a multilateral development bank that has been working for over 45 years to improve the lives of the communities it serves by delivering impact at scale. The Bank brings together 57-Member Countries across four continents, touching the lives of 1 in 5 of the world population. Its mission is to equip people to drive their own economic and social progress at scale, putting the infrastructure in place enabling them to fulfil their potential. Headquartered in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, IsDB has regional hubs and centers of excellence in 11 of its Member Countries.  Over the years, the Bank has evolved from a single entity into a group comprising five entities: Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), the Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI) tasked with research and training, the Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment and Export Credit (ICIEC), the Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD), and the International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC).

About Islamic Solidarity Fund for Development (ISFD): The Islamic Solidarity Fund for Development (ISFD), the poverty reduction arm of the IsDB Group, is dedicated to reducing poverty in its member countries by promoting pro-poor growth, emphasizing human development, especially improvements in health care and education, and providing financial support to enhance the productive capacity and sustainable means of income for the poor, including financing employment opportunities, providing market outlets especially for the rural poor and improving basic rural and pre-urban infrastructure.

Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Launches Alliance to Fight Avoidable Blindness (AFAB) II in Djibouti

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The Ebola outbreak that emerged in Guinea in mid-February was declared over today. It was the first time the disease resurfaced in the country since the deadly outbreak in West Africa that ended in 2016.

Guinean health authorities declared the outbreak on 14 February 2021 after three cases were detected in Gouecke, a rural community in the southern N’zerekore prefecture, the same region where the 2014–2016 outbreak first emerged before spreading into neighbouring Liberia and Sierra Leone and beyond.
A total of 16 confirmed and seven probable cases were reported in Guinea’s latest outbreak in which 11 patients survived and 12 lives lost. Shortly after the infections were detected, national health authorities, with support from World Health Organization (WHO) and partners, mounted a swift response, tapping into the expertise gained in fighting recent outbreaks both in Guinea and in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
“I commend the affected communities, the government and people of Guinea, health workers, partners and everyone else whose dedicated efforts made it possible to contain this Ebola outbreak,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “Based on the lessons learned from the 2014–16 outbreak and through rapid, coordinated response efforts, community engagement, effective public health measures and the equitable use of vaccines, Guinea managed to control the outbreak and prevent its spread beyond its borders. Our work in Guinea continues, including supporting survivors to access post-illness care.”
WHO helped ship around 24 000 Ebola vaccine doses and supported the vaccination of nearly 11 000 people at high risk, including over 2800 frontline workers. More than 100 WHO experts were on the ground coordinating key aspects of the response such as infection prevention and control, disease surveillance, testing, vaccination and treatment using new drugs. Collaboration with communities was also enhanced to raise awareness about the virus and ensure their involvement and ownership of the efforts to curb the disease.
“Although this Ebola outbreak flared up in the same area as the West Africa one which killed 11 000 people, thanks to new innovations and lessons learned, Guinea managed to contain the virus in four months,” said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa. “We are getting faster, better and smarter at fighting Ebola. But while this outbreak is over, we must stay alert for a possible resurgence and ensure the expertise in Ebola expands to other health threats such as COVID-19.”
WHO continues to support Guinea in its efforts to remain vigilant, maintain surveillance and build capacity to respond quickly to a possible resurgence of the virus. An Ebola laboratory, treatment infrastructure, logistics capacity and infection prevention measures have been reinforced to better respond to the disease as well as other health emergencies.
While the latest Ebola outbreak was limited to Guinea, to prevent cross-border infections, WHO supported six of the country’s neighbours to ramp up preparedness measures, including stepping up surveillance and screening at border crossings and within high-risk communities, as well as enhancing coordination between governments and the respective health services.
Support to Ebola survivors is also crucial. Genome sequencing found that the virus behind Guinea’s just-ended outbreak was similar to that identified in the 2014–2016 outbreak. Though more studies are needed to fully understand how the two outbreaks may be linked, Guinean health authorities reactivated a surveillance programme for survivors to provide long-term monitoring and after-care support.
In support of the government’s efforts to curb the outbreak, WHO worked with other United Nations agencies and partners such as the African Development Bank, Alliance for International Medical Action, African Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations, European Union Delegation, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, Germany, Japan,  the International Organization for Migration, Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network, Team Europe, Terre des Hommes, United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund, United Nations Children’s Fund, United States Agency for International Development, World Bank and World Food Programme.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of WHO Regional Office for Africa.

Ebola outbreak in Guinea declared over

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France, Hong Kong, Ireland and Samoa remain in contention in the men’s repechage while Argentina, Hong Kong, France, Kazakhstan and Russia are undefeated in the women’s tournament.

France set the pace in both the men’s and women’s Olympic Repechage tournament on a pulsating second day of action at Stade Louis II in Monaco.
Both squads won all of their matches on day two to book their place in Sunday’s play-offs and maintain their hopes of qualifying for Tokyo 2020.
Hong Kong, Ireland and Samoa will join France in the men’s play-offs, while Argentina, Hong Kong, Kazakhstan and Russia also have 100 per cent records in the women’s pool stage.
VIEW ALL OF DAY TWO’S MEN’S RESULTS HERE >> (https://bit.ly/3q7FTSi)
France’s men began their Pool B campaign in impressive fashion as they beat Jamaica 40-0 on Saturday morning.
The Crocs managed to restrict their opponents to two first-half tries, scored by Remi Siega and Antoine Zeghdar, but France cut loose in the second period and added further scores through Jean-Pascal Barraque, Jonathan Laugel, Sacha Valleau and Terry Bouhraoua.
Siega (twice), Zeghdar, Barraque and Laugel were on the scoresheet again when France faced Chile later on day two, while Pierre Mignot added a brace to help put the gloss on a 43-7 victory.
“We started well and that’s very important in rugby sevens,” France’s Marvin O’Connor said. “We’re really happy to be here and we’re enjoying every moment.”
France will play Hong Kong on Sunday, with the winner topping Pool B. Salom Yui Kam Shing scored two tries as the Asian team opened their repechage campaign with a 31-5 defeat of Jamaica.
Hong Kong then trailed Chile by eight points with a little more than two minutes of their second match remaining. But late tries from Shing, Russell Webb and Alex McQueen secured a 26-15 victory.
Chile and Jamaica played the final men’s match on day two, and the South Americans ran in five tries to emerge victorious 31-5.
In Pool A, Ireland suffered a setback during their opening match against Zimbabwe as they lost captain Billy Dardis to injury. But, a Terry Kennedy hat-trick ensured they started the repechage with a 31-10 win.
Kennedy added two more tries as Mexico were beaten 31-0 and another three as Tonga went down 43-0. Jordan Conroy also notched a hat-trick against the Pacific Islanders.
Samoa top the pool overnight, though, and should provide a stern test for the Irish on Sunday. 
A youthful Manu Samoa Sevens squad opened with a 69-5 win against Mexico, secured regional bragging rights as they ran in seven tries to beat Tonga 47-5 and rounded their day off with a 33-7 defeat of Zimbabwe.
Tonga ended day two on a high, meanwhile, as Malakai Fekitoa’s first try for the country of his birth helped them to a 21-12 win against Mexico.
VIEW ALL OF DAY TWO’S WOMEN’S RESULTS HERE >> (https://bit.ly/3zFWl0a)
Russia had an enjoyable day in the Monaco sunshine, winning their two Pool A matches at Stade Louis II by an aggregate score of 87-0.
Samoa were the Russians’ first opponents and Baizat Khamidova scored three tries as the Pacific Islanders were beaten 32-0. Elena Zdrokova then grabbed a hat-trick of her own as Mexico were defeated 55-0.
Argentina stand between Russia and a perfect pool campaign, and the South Americans also won both of their matches on day two, beating Mexico 36-0 and Samoa 15-12.
Tunisia lead the way in Pool B at the end of day two, thanks to their impressive 46-5 defeat of Papua New Guinea, in which the African side ran in eight tries.
Kazakhstan beat Tunisia later in the day, however, as Vlada Odnoletok crossed the whitewash twice in the second half to secure a 12-0 win for Anna Yakovleva’s side.
Jamaica’s withdrawal meant that Kazakhstan had to wait until 17:00 local time for their first match, but the Asia nation will top the pool if they beat Papua New Guinea on Sunday morning.
France brought an end to the day’s action and Séraphine Okembe treated fans to a four-try performance in her side’s 47-0 victory against Colombia, which ensured Les Bleues top Pool C overnight.
David Courteix’s side, who narrowly missed out on automatic Olympic qualification via the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series (www.World.rugby/sevens-series), started their repechage campaign in fine style against Madagascar. Lina Guerin scored three of France’s seven tries as they beat the African side 49-0.
France will play Hong Kong on Sunday, and Iain Monaghan’s side also boast a 100 per cent record going into the match.
Hong Kong began their Pool C campaign with a 31-10 win over Colombia — which featured a Chong Ka Yan hat-trick — but they found things tougher against Madagascar, recovering from 12-0 down to win 19-12.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Rugby.
Media Contact: Rugby@APO-opa.com

France, Ireland, Russia and Samoa lead the way on day two of Olympic Repechage tournament

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We look ahead to day three of the Olympic Repechage tournament in Monaco, on which three teams will book their ticket for next month’s Olympic Games.

Two women’s teams and one men’s side will book their tickets for Tokyo 2020 as the Olympic Repechage tournament draws to a conclusion in Monaco on Sunday.
Four men’s teams remain in contention for a place at next month’s Olympic Games, while all 11 competing nations could yet reach the women’s qualifier semi-finals following an enthralling day two (https://bit.ly/3qal0ps) at Stade Louis II. 
VIEW ALL OF DAY TWO’S MEN’S RESULTS HERE >> (https://bit.ly/3q7FTSi)
VIEW ALL OF DAY TWO’S WOMEN’S RESULTS HERE >> (https://bit.ly/3zFWl0a)
Day three will get underway at 10:41 local time (+2 GMT), when Mexico take on Samoa in the women’s repechage tournament.
Both sides have yet to win a match, but as the two third-place teams who finish the pool stage with the best records will advance to the qualifier semi-finals, victory for either would be enough to see them through.
Their Pool A rivals Russia and Argentina, who are both unbeaten, meet next on Sunday morning and the winner will top the group and ensure they avoid playing a pool winner.
Due to Jamaica’s withdrawal only one match remains to be played in Pool B of the women’s repechage, with Papua New Guinea taking on Kazakhstan at 11:47 local time.
Kazakhstan would top the pool with victory, while a PNG win would leave all three teams level on four points at the end of the pool stage.
Colombia and Madagascar are scheduled to take the Stade Louis II pitch after that match, and like Mexico and Samoa, both need the points to be in with a chance of making the qualifier semi-finals.
The final match of the women’s repechage pool stage kicks off at 12:31 local time and features another two unbeaten teams, as France and Hong Kong compete to top Pool C.
Victory in that match would give the winner a more favourable qualifier semi-final, which will take place from 14:55 local time.
The winners of those ties will advance to the qualifier finals — the first of which kicks off just over three hours later, at 18:07 local time (GMT +2) — with the two victorious teams confirming their place at next month’s Olympic Games. 
READ A RECAP OF DAY TWO’S ACTION HERE >> (https://bit.ly/3qal0ps)
Day three of the men’s repechage gets underway at 13:08 local time (GMT +2) on Sunday, with the first of three outstanding pool matches.
Pool A rivals Tonga and Zimbabwe, neither of whom can reach the qualifier semi-finals, meet in the first men’s match of the day looking to secure a second repechage victory.
The following match should have fans on the edge of their seats, as HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series (www.World.rugby/sevens-series) core teams Samoa and Ireland compete to top Pool A.
Samoa currently lead the standings on points difference, but have lost their last two meetings with Ireland — including at the previous Olympic Repechage tournament five years ago.
Whatever the result of their match this time around, the two teams will find out the identity of their qualifier semi-final opponents when France take on Hong Kong at 13:58 local time.
France have never lost to Hong Kong at this level, winning six of the teams’ seven meetings — the other ended in a 21-21 draw at the HSBC Hong Kong Sevens in 2018.
The first men’s qualifier semi-final will kick off at 16:23 local time, with the winners progressing to the qualifier final, which is scheduled to start at 19:07 local time (GMT +2).
The victor of that match, the last tie of the Olympic Repechage tournament, will book the final ticket to Tokyo 2020.
 Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Rugby.
Media Contact: Rugby@APO-opa.com

Tokyo 2020 qualification up for grabs on final day of Olympic Repechage tournament

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he World Health Organization (WHO) on 16th June 2021 delivered a huge consignment of Infection Prevention Control (IPC) supplies and laboratory diagnostic kits to the Ministry of Health in Monrovia to strengthen the response to COVID-19 and improve preparedness to EVD. The supplies donated included diagnostic kits for COVID-19 and supplies for IPC in health facilities.

Recent data emanating from the national Incident Management System (IMS) shows continuous increase in the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Liberia, especially in Montserrado County which host the nation’s capital city.
“The current wave of COVID-19 pandemic is challenging to the already stretched health system in Liberia. However, I am optimistic that our collective efforts and support during this pandemic to improve testing and strengthen IPC measures will prevent further spread of COVID-19”, says Dr. Peter Clement, WHO Representative in Liberia. Dr. Clement thanked the government of Liberia, especially the Minister of Health Dr. Wilhelmina Jallah for her leadership role in the prevention, containment and mitigation measures for COVID-19.
Receiving the supplies, the Honorable Minister of Health, Dr. Wilhelmina Jallah thanked WHO and all partners fighting together to prevent the spread of COVID-19.  “I want to thank you Dr. Clement for your patience, I know the journey becomes frustrating sometimes, but WHO continues to provide us the needed guidance and support”, Dr. Wilhelmina Jallah, Minister of Health.
WHO is supporting the Ministry of Health with required technical and financial support to control the COVID-19 pandemic while ensuring uninterrupted access to other essential health services.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of WHO Regional Office for Africa.

WHO Demonstrates Commitment in supporting COVID-19 Response and Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) Preparedness in Liberia

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Canada remains deeply concerned by the ongoing conflict in the Tigray region of Ethiopia and the resulting humanitarian crisis that continues to worsen.

Today, the Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the Honourable Karina Gould, Minister of International Development, announced that Canada is providing an additional $7 million in humanitarian funding to the World Food Programme, the Ethiopia Humanitarian Fund, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and the International Committee of the Red Cross to support humanitarian operations in Ethiopia.
Current assessments by the UN and local authorities indicate that 5.2 million people in Tigray (90% of the population) now require humanitarian assistance. This funding will help address critical food needs arising from the conflict. The new contribution by Canada will also provide other life-saving assistance, such as health care, support for victims of sexual violence, emergency shelters and basic household goods, water and sanitation, and protection. It will also support the coordination of the humanitarian response in the region. 
Quotes
“Canada continues to call for an immediate ceasefire by all parties to the conflict in Tigray. As the humanitarian situation worsens in the region, Canada is continuing to work with its partners to meet the immediate, critical needs of the millions of civilians affected by this crisis.”
&#8211; Marc Garneau, Minister of Foreign Affairs
“Every day that that goes by, the situation is getting worse for the millions of people affected by the conflict in Tigray. They require urgent assistance, as their lives have been put at risk and their livelihoods disrupted by the crisis. Canada’s support will help provide some much-needed relief.”
&#8211; Karina Gould, Minister of International Development
Quick facts
 	The outbreak of the conflict between the Government of Ethiopia and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front on November 3, 2020, has led to a rapidly deteriorating humanitarian situation that affects both Ethiopia and neighbouring Sudan. 	Two lost growing seasons have led to catastrophic levels of food insecurity, with the region facing a credible and increasing risk of famine. 	As a result of the conflict, health infrastructure in the region has suffered significant damage and destruction. Humanitarian and medical workers, their means of transport and medical facilities continue to be attacked. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Government of Canada.

Canada announces new assistance for those affected by conflict in Ethiopia’s Tigray region

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Discussions were focused on measures to support the ongoing response to COVID-19, efforts to strengthen the nascent economic recovery, the need for reforms to foster inclusive and sustainable private sector-led growth; The Togolese authorities have expressed their interest in support under the Extended Credit Facility; Discussions are expected to continue with a view to finalizing the understandings on a new ECF arrangement.

An International Monetary Fund (IMF) team led by Mr. Jaroslaw Wieczorek, Mission Chief for Togo, held virtual meetings with the Togolese authorities from June 1–18, 2021 to discuss recent economic developments.
At the end of the visit, Mr. Wieczorek issued the following statement:
IMF staff discussions with the authorities were focused on measures to support the ongoing response to COVID-19, efforts to strengthen the nascent economic recovery, the need for reforms that can be leveraged to foster inclusive and sustainable private sector-led growth, and improve development outcomes over the medium term. It is in this regard that the Togolese authorities have expressed their interest in support under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF).
During the discussions, good progress was made on key assumptions underpinning the macroeconomic framework with the aim of ensuring resources for planned vaccinations and other COVID-19 related needs as well as continued medium-term macroeconomic stability with fiscal space for social and development spending.
The Togolese authorities confirmed their commitment to reforms based on the 2020–25 Roadmap and the National Development Plan.
Discussions are expected to continue in the near future with a view to finalizing the understandings on a new ECF arrangement.
“IMF staff team express their gratitude to the Togolese authorities for the open and productive discussions.&#8221;
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of International Monetary Fund (IMF).

IMF Staff Concludes Virtual Visit to Togo

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The Council today decided to extend the mandate of the European Integrated Border Management Assistance Mission in Libya (EUBAM Libya) for a further two years until 30 June 2023.

In its renewed mandate, the mission is tasked with assisting the relevant Libyan authorities in the building of state security structures in Libya, in particular in the areas of border management, law enforcement and criminal justice, with a view to contributing to efforts to disrupt organised criminal networks involved notably in smuggling migrants, human trafficking and terrorism in Libya and the Central Mediterranean region. The mission also coordinates and implements projects with international partners in the fields of its engagement.
In the context of a recent strategic review of the mission the Council today also decided to extend the mission&#39;s mandate to support UN-led efforts for peace in Libya as part of the Berlin Process, within the scope of the mission&#39;s core areas of engagement.
EUBAM Libya was launched on 22 May 2013 and is headed by Ms Natalina Cea (Italy).
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Council of the European Union.

European Integrated Border Management Assistance Mission in Libya (EUBAM Libya): Council extends mandate for a further two years

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On June 21, a majority of Ethiopian voters will be invited to participate in elections. Some constituencies will vote at a later stage, in part due to security and logistical challenges. The European Union (EU) takes note of this important step and recalls the fundamental democratic right of all Ethiopian citizens to be able to vote, everywhere in the country.

Aware of the importance of these elections for the political transition in Ethiopia, the EU has supported the electoral process and the work of the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia (NEBE). The EU commends the efforts deployed by NEBE personnel around the country, and welcomes the public commitment of the Ethiopian government to hold democratic and peaceful elections. Yet, the EU regrets the impossibility of sending an election observation mission.
Ethiopia remains in a complex domestic situation. Concerned with ongoing violence  across the country, human rights violations and political tensions, harassment of media workers and detained opposition members, the EU calls upon the government and local and regional authorities to ensure a transparent and safe process, to guarantee the free and equal participation of all political parties and candidates who are running, to facilitate the participation of all citizens, to ensure freedom of the press and of expression as well as the safety of journalists, other media workers and election observers and to provide full logistical and administrative support to NEBE. The EU also calls on all actors to refrain from spreading hate speech and from calling for acts of violence.
The elections could be an important step in Ethiopia’s democratic process. The EU also recalls the importance to engage in and foster a comprehensive, inclusive and transparent national dialogue with the participation of women and youth and all relevant stakeholders, including civil society organisations, political parties and regional authorities, in order to strengthen democracy and to support conflicts resolution as well as reconciliation. The EU will stand by Ethiopia in the implementation of democratic reforms as well as reconciliation efforts that would emerge from an inclusive and transparent dialogue.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Council of the European Union.

Ethiopia: Declaration by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union

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“Acts such as rape, sexual slavery and forced marriage are crimes under South Sudanese laws and are inconsistent with teachings and principles of Christian faiths,” reads the statement. “Parties to the conflict in South Sudan made commitments to protect civilians, especially to prohibit their respective forces to commit, command or condone acts of sexual violence.”

The statement also emphasizes that there is no shame in being a victim of sexual violence. “Families, communities and institutions must acknowledge the suffering endured by all survivors of conflict-related sexual violence instead of viewing them with suspicion or judgment,” reads the text. “Stigma related to sexual violence exacerbates and protracts the harm of the violence with at times lethal consequences.”
In South Sudan, the statement notes, survivors of sexual violence often face rejection, isolation and abandonment from their spouses, families and communities. “Some contract HIV because of the shame of reporting rape in time to receive the post-exposure prophylaxis,” reads the statement.
“Everyone must uphold the sacredness of human life, the inherent dignity of every human being as well as their physical and mental integrity as reflected in the teachings and values of the Christian faith,” concludes the message.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Council of Churches (WCC).

South Sudan Council of Churches invites all to observe International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict

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Significant funding shortfalls across East and Southern Africa as well as the Middle East have forced ration cuts upon some of the world’s most vulnerable people who rely on WFP food to survive. In East Africa alone, almost three-quarters of refugees have had their rations cut by up to 50 percent. In Southern Africa, refugees in Tanzania who depend entirely on WFP assistance have had their rations cut by almost one-third.  Significant funding shortages for the Syria Regional Refugee Response mean 242,000 refugees in Jordan may be cut off from assistance at the end of August unless more funding is received.

“What we may be seeing is the impact of COVID-19 on donor government funding and this is negatively impacting our ability to respond and support some of the world’s most vulnerable people,” said Margot van der Velden, WFP Director of Emergencies. “The lives of the most marginalized people in the world are on the line and we are urging donors not to turn their backs on refugees when they need it most.”
To avoid any cuts in food assistance – either through reduced rations or excluding people from assistance altogether –sufficient funding is needed at least one month ahead of the expected break in the flow of food to the refugee-hosting countries.
The increasing funding gaps intersect with rising food prices and fewer opportunities for refugees to supplement their food assistance as informal economies shrink due to COVID-19 lockdowns.
Meanwhile, the number of people in desperate need is on the rise globally as conflict, disasters and economic meltdowns are driving up levels of hunger. WFP and other humanitarian agencies face brutal choices. In Rwanda, WFP has rolled out targeted food assistance prioritizing those most in need. Despite this, funding is so short that even the most vulnerable still aren’t receiving full rations, which come in the form of cash assistance.
“During COVID-19 lockdown, we couldn’t leave the camp and we couldn’t earn anything as all casual work outside the camp stopped,” said Ange, a refugee from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) living in Rwanda. “The situation got worse when our food ration was reduced. My family started facing a serious food shortage.”
Some of the most underfunded WFP operations are also ones with significant refugee populations requiring support. For example, in Uganda WFP supports more than 1.2 million refugees which is 65 percent of the country operations. A country funding shortfall of more than 80 percent has had significant impacts on refugees who rely on WFP assistance.  
As a new WFP report indicates a surge in people teetering on the brink of famine – which has risen from 34 million projected at the beginning of the year to 41 million projected as of June &#8211; it’s vital that the world steps forward to support the most vulnerable.

WFP refugee operations impacted by funding shortages:
Chad: New refugee influxes from Sudan and the Central African Republic (CAR) mean WFP may be forced to implement ration cuts and suspend/prioritize activities that will affect vulnerable groups depending on WFP&#39;s support, particularly malnourished children.
Cameroon:  WFP may be required to reduce the food rations for the most vulnerable beneficiaries, including 70,000 Nigerian and 100,000 CAR refugees.
Democratic Republic of Congo: In 2021, WFP has supported about 148,000 camp-based refugees in DRC, including the recent influx of about 92,000 refugees from CAR. Since May 2020, WFP DRC has been applying an average of 25% ration cuts to its refugee assistance programme.
East Africa: Funding shortfalls have forced ration cuts for over 3 million refugees of up to 60%. Rations were cut by 50% in South Sudan, 40% in Uganda and Kenya, 23% in Djibouti, 16% in Ethiopia and 8% in Rwanda.
Malawi: Under its refugee response, WFP Malawi rolled out cash-based transfers and kick-started livelihood support activities to enhance self-reliance for refugees. However, funding shortfalls have led to a 25% ration cut since July 2020.
Republic of Congo: WFP provides assistance to more than 20,000 refugees from CAR. Significant shortfalls have meant that food distribution cycles have been irregular.
Syria Refugee Regional: In the five countries where WFP supports Syrian refugees, USD 408 million is required for the next six months.
 	In Jordan, at least 21,000 refugees will no longer receive WFP’s food assistance starting 1 July. If no additional funding materializes, WFP will have to cut off an additional 242,000 refugees at the end of August. Around 220,000 extremely vulnerable refugees in camps and communities will continue to receive WFP support through September. 	In Egypt, WFP – through joint targeting with UNHCR – is looking at prioritizing assistance to 110,000 people, reducing the number of beneficiaries by 20,000. 
Tanzania: The WFP refugee operation faced significant funding shortfalls leading to ration cuts of up to 32 percent of the minimum calorie requirement since December 2020. Photos available here.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Food Programme (WFP).

Refugees worldwide face rising hunger due to funding gaps amidst Covid-19

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During a visit to Ghana, Minister of State Anne-Marie Trevelyan co-chaired a ministerial roundtable with Minister of Environment Dr Kwaku Afriyie on climate adaption and resilience and Ghana’s roadmap to COP26.

The UK International Champion on Adaptation and Resilience for the COP26 Presidency and Minister of State (Minister for Energy, Clean Growth and Climate Change), the Rt Hon Anne-Marie Trevelyan MP, has just completed a three-day working visit to Ghana. During her trip she visited UK-funded projects promoting climate action and interacted with key businesses and parts of government working to build Ghana’s resilience to climate change.
The visit comes ahead of the UK hosting the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of Parties (COP26) in November, leveraging on the UK’s presidency to accelerate climate action, including a particular focus on adaptation and resilience in the most vulnerable parts of the world.
Speaking after the visit, Minister Anne-Marie Trevelyan, the UK’s International Champion for Adaptation and Resilience for COP26, said: Ghana feels the impacts of climate change first hand, but has shown inspiring ambition and commitment to tackling climate change. It’s been incredible to see practical and effective on-the-ground action to adapt and build resilience to climate impacts, and to hear from Ministers, businesses and civil society about the challenges and opportunities.
The UK welcomes Ghana to the Adaptation Action Coalition and looks forward to the publication of the Adaptation Communication. I am excited to continue our collaboration to drive global action ahead of COP26.
While in Ghana, Minister Trevelyan met with the Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation Hon Dr Kwaku Afriyie, where she recognised the achievements of Ghana in the fight against climate change citing the collaborative efforts between the UK and Ghana. At the end of the meeting, Ghana committed to play its role in green recovery by working alongside the UK, Egypt, Malawi and Colombia, as an Adaptation Action Coalition (AAC) Steering Committee member and also produce on Adaptation Communication (AdComm).
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Kingdom Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

UK and Ghana reaffirm partnership on climate adaptation and resilience ahead of COP26

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UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is today urging world leaders to step up their efforts to foster peace, stability and cooperation in order to halt and begin reversing nearly a decade-long trend of surging displacement driven by violence and persecution.

Despite the pandemic, the number of people fleeing wars, violence, persecution and human rights violations in 2020 rose to nearly 82.4 million people, according to UNHCR’s latest annual Global Trends report released today in Geneva. This is a further four per cent increase on top of the already record-high 79.5 million at the end of 2019.
The report shows that by the end of 2020 there were 20.7 million refugees under UNHCR mandate, 5.7 million Palestine refugees and 3.9 million Venezuelans displaced abroad. Another 48 million people were internally displaced (IDPs) within their own countries. A further 4.1 million were asylum-seekers. These numbers indicate that despite the pandemic and calls for a global ceasefire, conflict continued to chase people from their homes.
“Behind each number is a person forced from their home and a story of displacement, dispossession and suffering. They merit our attention and support not just with humanitarian aid, but in finding solutions to their plight.”
“While the 1951 Refugee Convention and the Global Compact on Refugees provide the legal framework and tools to respond to displacement, we need much greater political will to address conflicts and persecution that force people to flee in the first place,” said the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi.
Girls and boys under the age of 18 account for 42 per cent of all forcibly displaced people. They are particularly vulnerable, especially when crises continue for years. New UNHCR estimates show that almost one million children were born as refugees between 2018 and 2020. Many of them may remain refugees for years to come.
“The tragedy of so many children being born into exile should be reason enough to make far greater efforts to prevent and end conflict and violence,” said Grandi.
The report also notes that at the peak of the pandemic in 2020, over 160 countries had closed their borders, with 99 States making no exception for people seeking protection. Yet with improved measures &#8211; such as medical screenings at borders, health certification or temporary quarantine upon arrival, simplified registration procedures and remote interviewing, more and more countries found ways to ensure access to asylum while trying to stem the spread of the pandemic.
While people continued to flee across borders, millions more were displaced within their own countries. Driven mostly by crises in Ethiopia, Sudan, Sahel countries, Mozambique, Yemen, Afghanistan and Colombia the number of internally displaced people rose by more than 2.3 million.
Over the course of 2020, some 3.2 million IDPs and just 251,000 refugees returned to their homes –a 40 and 21 per cent drop, respectively, compared to 2019. Another 33,800 refugees were naturalized by their countries of asylum. Refugee resettlement registered a drastic plunge &#8211; just 34,400 refugees were resettled last year, the lowest level in 20 years – a consequence of reduced number of resettlement places and Covid-19.
“Solutions require global leaders and those with influence to put aside their differences, end an egoistic approach to politics, and instead focus on preventing and solving conflict and ensuring respect for human rights,” said Grandi.
UNHCR 2020 Global Trends Report – key data:
 	82.4 million people forcibly displaced globally (79.5 million in 2019) – a 4 per cent increase 	 		26.4 million refugees (26.0 million in 2019) including: 		 			20.7 million refugees under UNHCR’s mandate (20.4 million in 2019) 			5.7 million Palestine refugees under UNRWA’s mandate (5.6 million in 2019) 		 		 		48.0 million internally displaced people (45.7 million in 2019) 		4.1 million asylum-seekers (4.1 million in 2019) 		3.9 million Venezuelans displaced abroad (3.6 million in 2019) 	 	 	2020 is the ninth year of uninterrupted rise in forced displacement worldwide. Today, one per cent of humanity is displaced and there are twice as many forcibly displaced people than in 2011 when the total was just under 40 million. 	More than two thirds of all people who fled abroad came from just five countries: Syria (6.7 million), Venezuela (4.0 million), Afghanistan (2.6 million), South Sudan (2.2 million) and Myanmar (1.1 million). 	Vast majority of world’s refugees – nearly nine in 10 refugees (86 per cent) – are hosted by countries neighbouring crises areas and low- and middle-income countries. The Least Developed Countries provided asylum to 27 per cent of the total. 	For the seventh year in a row, Turkey hosted the largest refugee population worldwide (3.7 million refugees), followed by Colombia (1.7 million, including Venezuelans displaced abroad), Pakistan (1.4 million), Uganda (1.4 million) and Germany (1.2 million). 	Pending asylum applications globally remained at 2019 levels (4.1 million), but States and UNHCR collectively registered some 1.3 million individual asylum applications, one million fewer than in 2019 (43 per cent less). Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

UNHCR: World leaders must act to reverse the trend of soaring displacement

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The visit came as the Government of Egypt embarks on an ambitious newly-endorsed accelerated National Action Plan for the Egyptian Family Development. Ambassador Petersen’s discussed the program with different ministers, since it is a multi-sector program, with women empowerment at its heart.

United Nations Assistant Secretary-General and United Nations Population Fund Deputy Executive Director, Management, Ambassador Ib Petersen conducted a visit to Egypt on June 13-17, to understand the population program in Egypt and discuss how UNFPA can further support the Government of Egypt to achieve its 2030 agenda.
Ambassador Petersen held meetings with the Minister of Health and Population Dr. Hala Zayed, Minister of Planning and Economic Development Dr. Hala El-Said, Minister of Social Solidarity Dr. Nevine El-Kabbage, Minister of International Cooperation Ms. Rania Al-Mashat and Minister of Youth and Sports Dr. Ashraf Sobhy.
He also met the President of the National Council for Women Dr. Maya Morsy, as he participated in a meeting with the National Committee for the Eradication of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), headed by the National Council for Women and the National Council for Childhood and Motherhood, in light of the UNFPA’s joint efforts with the Government of Egypt to eradicate FGM and child marriage. Ambassador Petersen also paid a visit to the anti-violence against women coordination unit established by UNFPA in the National Council for Women.
A reception was also held in his honor as well as to announce actress Amina Khalil as UNFPA Egypt Honorary Ambassador. The event brought together Minister of International Cooperation Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, General Ismail El Far, Director of the Central Administration for Training and Projects, on behalf of Dr. Ashraf Sobhy, the Minister of Youth and Sports, President of the National Council for Women Dr. Maya Morsy, along with several ambassadors and eminent leaders from civil society, private sector and the media.
Another highlight of Ambassador Petersen’s program was a conversation with His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria, and Patriarch of the See of St Mark and Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Ahmed El-Tayeb.
Working with faith-based organizations is essential for UNFPA since religious leaders and community leaders play important roles in people’s lives and wellbeing.
Ambassador Petersen’s visit came at an opportune moment as the Government of Egypt embarks on an ambitious newly-endorsed accelerated National Action Plan for the Egyptian Family Development lead by the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development. Petersen discussed the program with different ministers, since it is a multi-sector program, with women empowerment at its heart.
He discussed ways UNFPA can best support Egypt in implementing this action plan and was interested in seeing special attention given to young people and adolescent girls in other programs like the presidential initiative Hayah Karima among others.
“All the ministers I’ve met are extremely committed to the government’s priorities when it comes to population and gender equality,” Ambassador Petersen said, “we have a lot of opportunity to use that space now.”
Ambassador Ib Petersen also paid a visit a community center operated by CARE International, a longtime partner of UNFPA in the fight against harmful practices, where he attended different activities organized by YPEER, UNFPA’s youth leadership network.
“It always a highlight to meet young people on the ground, who showed us how they are working with communities,” he said, “It is great to see people who are young and engaged.”
The United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres appointed Ambassador Petersen of Denmark as Assistant Secretary-General to serve as the Deputy Executive Director, Management of UNFPA in June 2020.
Ambassador Petersen recently served as Director for the Department of Migration, Conflict and Stabilization of the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and has over 30 years of experience within the spheres of bilateral and multilateral affairs and development.
Prior to his position as Department Director, Ambassador Petersen served as the Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Denmark to the United Nations from 2013-2019, during which he held several important duties.
Currently in its 10th program cycle (2018-2022), UNFPA’s programs of intervention are aligned with national development priorities outlined in the National Action Plan on Egyptian Family Development, as well as Egypt’s Vision 2030 and the National Population Strategy.
Interventions aim at enhancing reproductive health and family planning services, raising awareness through innovative methods with communities and young people, as well as addressing social norms around family size and violence against women and girls.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations In Egypt.

UNFPA Deputy Executive Director Ib Petersen concludes first official visit to Egypt

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We recap the action from the opening match of the World Rugby (www.World.rugby) Sevens Repechage and look ahead to Saturday&#39;s matches at Stade Louis II.

Zimbabwe recorded an impressive 21-0 victory against Mexico as the World Rugby Sevens Repechage (https://bit.ly/3gOFxvH) got underway at Stade Louis II.
Nine men’s teams and 11 women’s teams are in Monaco to compete for the three remaining places at Tokyo 2020, and Zimbabwe got off to the perfect start with three tries in their men&#39;s Pool A opener.
Following a cagey opening four minutes, Zimbabwe’s Godfrey Magaramombe strode onto a pass from Ryan Musumhi and through a gap in the Mexican defence to score the first try of the match.
Both sides had a player sent to the sin-bin shortly before half-time, and Zimbabwe coped best with the disruption as they kept Mexico pinned inside their own half at the start of the second period.
With around two-and-a-half minutes remaining Magaramombe turned provider as he gave a scoring pass to Sam Phiri on the right wing. And, there was still time for Munopa Muneta to put some gloss on the win with a third try late on.
“To be back on the field in a place like this is amazing,” Zimbabwe captain Boyd Rouse said afterwards. “Playing these teams is the best and we’re all fighting for the last place [at Tokyo 2020].”
VIEW ALL MEN’S FIXTURES HERE >> (https://bit.ly/3q7FTSi)
Saturday’s men’s action will kick-off at 09:28 local time (GMT+2) when Samoa (https://bit.ly/35Bw8Ch), who were runners-up at the Rio 2016 repechage, get their Pool A campaign underway against Mexico (https://bit.ly/2ScpRdl).
Samoa’s second match of the day, at 12:34 local time, will be an all Pacific Island affair as they take on a Tonga (https://bit.ly/3iXsoTx) side captained by Rugby World Cup winner Malakai Fekitoa.
Fekitoa, who will line up alongside his brother Saia and uncle Alaska Taufu in Monaco, is one of three players who need to play 50 per cent of Tonga’s matches in order to become eligible for the country at 15s.
Tonga’s next match is against World Series core team Ireland (https://bit.ly/3gOFJep) at 15:24 local time, while their third and final match on Saturday is against Mexico at 18:01 local time.
France (https://bit.ly/2SKx7gK), the only men’s team in action in Monaco who appeared at Rio 2016, will start their Pool B campaign with a match against Jamaica (https://bit.ly/3iT2Gj5) at 10:12 local time.
The Crocs have never played a HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series (www.World.rugby/sevens-series) tournament and so face a stern test against a team who are not only a core team, but finished sixth in the truncated 2020 season.
Jamaica’s next assignment is against Hong Kong (https://bit.ly/3qhF4GE) at 12:56 local time, after which France will play Chile (https://bit.ly/3cR7l0Y), who finished joint-seventh when they appeared at the Rio 2016 repechage.
Chile will then play Hong Kong at 15:46 local time before Edmundo Olfos’ side round off Saturday’s action with their encounter with Jamaica at 18:23 local time.
VIEW ALL WOMEN’S FIXTURES HERE >> (https://bit.ly/3zFWl0a)
Argentina (https://bit.ly/35Dy1OM) and Mexico will get the women’s repechage underway on Saturday morning when they take the field at Stade Louis II for their Pool A encounter at 10:58 local time (GMT +2).
The Argentines came sixth at the Rio 2016 repechage in Dublin while their opponents finished joint 15th, so both will be hoping for a fast start in Monaco.
Pool A rivals Russia (https://bit.ly/2UjXuKU), who were beaten finalists in Dublin five years ago, and Samoa will follow that match. Argentina will then play Samoa at 16:16 local time, with Mexico taking on Russia 22 minutes later.
Jamaica will not take their place in Pool B after withdrawing from the tournament on Friday due to travel complications encountered by the delegation. In accordance with tournament rules, their scheduled pool matches against Kazakhstan (https://bit.ly/2UjdVan), Papua New Guinea (https://bit.ly/3gC7aZM) and Tunisia (https://bit.ly/3vKdjHz) will be treated as byes.
Papua New Guinea and Tunisia will face each other in the first Pool B match at 14:08 local time. Kazakhstan won all three of their pool matches in the repechage five years ago, and they will hope to keep that run going when they play Tunisia at 17:00 local time.
Vlada Odnoletok, the youngest player in the Kazakh squad at 19, scored a hat-trick of tries against Tunisia at the Youth Olympic Games 2018. Four of the Tunisian squad from that tournament have been selected for the repechage by coach Abbes Kherfani.
Meanwhile, tournament favourites France will kick-off their Pool C campaign at 14:52 local time when they take on Madagascar (https://bit.ly/3q7Gkfo), who finished 13th at the last repechage in Dublin.
By then Colombia (https://bit.ly/3cTlmLN), who like France qualified for Rio 2016, will have opened their campaign against Hong Kong and the South Americans will provide the opposition for Les Bleues in the final match of the day at 19:33 local time (GMT +2).
Camille Grassineau, who scored the first ever Olympic sevens try just 14 seconds into the opening match of the Games five years ago, has been included in David Courteix’s squad and will hope to be smiling come Saturday night.
 Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Rugby.
Contact de presse :  Rugby@APO-opa.com

Zimbabwe enjoy winning start to Olympic Repechage in Monaco

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In March 2020, Africa had its back to the wall, helpless in the face of the magnitude of a virus that appeared in Asia and quickly spread to the entire planet. Only two African countries were then able to test for the novel coronavirus: Senegal, with its Pasteur Institute, and South Africa, the most industrialized country on the continent.

But Africa is recovering. Countries have begun to develop testing laboratories. Strongly supported by the African Development Bank (www.AfDB.org), they have achieved a logistical and scientific feat. As soon as the pandemic began, the Bank provided $2 million in emergency assistance to help the World Health Organization strengthen its capacity to support African countries. Since March last year, the Bank has been helping countries cope with the health emergency and the socio-economic consequences of the pandemic, notably through its Covid-19 Response Facility of up to $10 billion.
As early as the summer of 2020, countries rehabilitated their unsuitable laboratories, or built them, in cases where they had none. By the end of the autumn, almost all African countries were able to test their populations. Some of them even had fairly efficient laboratories to tackle the genetic sequencing of the virus.
After a few months, African countries, which had very few diagnostic devices, set up two, ten or more laboratories, depending on their geographical and demographic characteristics. South Africa, Egypt, Morocco and Algeria quickly distinguished themselves on the number of daily tests, thanks to the growing number of laboratories made operational.
The African Development Bank’s Atsuko Toda said these developments gave the continent a major victory against the outbreak. “The challenge for African countries was to control contamination but also to relax restrictive measures to allow economies to reopen because the long-term extension of containment measures risked creating an economic and social crash,” said Toda, Acting Vice President for Agriculture, Human and Social Development.
Detecting the virus, a race against time won hands down
Early detection has been instrumental in limiting the spread of the virus and has helped countries trace, isolate and treat confirmed cases.
When the first case of contamination was announced on 11 March 2020, Côte d&#39;Ivoire had no laboratory for detecting the coronavirus; it now has about 10.
In Burkina Faso, which initially transported its samples to Dakar, the number of screening laboratories has increased from 7 to 18, thanks to the support of development partners, including the African Development Bank. Test results are now obtained in 48 hours.
The Nigerian Centre for Disease Control has set up testing centres across Africa&#39;s most populous country to detect individual cases.
In Kenya, machines initially intended to test for HIV, tuberculosis or avian influenza, were redirected to detect Covid-19, before the arrival of new machines acquired by the government.
According to statistics compiled in March 2021 by the African Development Bank&#39;s Regional Development, Integration and Business Delivery Complex (RDVP), the number of analytical laboratories in Malawi has increased tenfold from 14 to 164 and 2.5 in Ethiopia to 66; in the Central African Republic, five new screening laboratories have been established.
The results have been enormous. South Africa increased the number of daily screenings by seven times from 5,000 to 35,000, Ethiopia (3,000 to 12,400) and Burkina Faso (268 to 1,160).
Nouridine Kane Dia, representative of the African Development Bank in Niger, recently praised the Bank&#39;s support to this fragile Sahel country because, “the Bank&#39;s support has helped to strengthen Niger&#39;s capacities to respond more effectively to future pandemics and public health shocks.”
In total, according to the Bank&#39;s RDVP, the support of the Bank and other partners has increased the daily testing capacity of African countries from 13,200 at the beginning of the epidemic to 105,000; 100,000 health workers have been trained and 314 intensive care units are now available for Covid-19 patients, compared to an average of 50 at the beginning of the disease.
“It&#39;s a race against time, won hands down. Now we have to win the war against the coronavirus,” said Toda. “We started almost from scratch. When we look at the progress made in a few months, we realise that we have come a long way.”
 Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).
Media Contact: Romaric Ollo Hien Communication and External relations Department African development Bank Email : o.hien@afdb.org

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Zimbabwe enjoy winning start to Olympic Repechage in Monaco

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