Africa faces diabetes crisis, study finds
JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA — Researchers warn that type 2 diabetes could affect millions more people in the coming decades after a study published this month revealed the disease is rising far faster among people in sub-Saharan Africa than previously thought….
Sudan war: Children facing ‘unimaginable suffering’, warns UNICEF chief
“This is not just a crisis, it is a poly-crisis affecting every sector, from health and nutrition to water, education and protection,” Catherine Russell, UNICEF Executive Director, told ambassadors in the Security Council. Since war erupted between the former allies-turned-rivals,…
WHO injects fresh support into DR Congo vaccination drive
The initiative aims to curb the spread of preventable diseases such as polio, measles and yellow fever which remain a persistent threat in hard-to-reach areas. Speedy response WHO delivered 79 outboard motors, two speedboats, 14 motorcycles and other essential equipment…
Women, girls bear brunt of cyberbullying against persons with disabilities
Recalling the mantra “nothing about us, without us”, which was coined by the disability rights movement, UN rights chief Volker Türk insisted that the international community was failing to uphold a fundamental tenet of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights with…
Cholera killed nearly 100 in Sudan over 2 weeks, aid group says
CAIRO — Nearly 100 people died of cholera in two weeks since the waterborne disease outbreak began in Sudan’s White Nile State, an international aid group said. Doctors Without Borders — also known as Medecins Sans Frontieres, or MSF —…
Scores killed in ‘abhorrent attack’ on UN helicopter in South Sudan
More than two dozen members of the South Sudanese military, including an injured General, were also reportedly killed when the UN mission (UNMISS) helicopter came under fire in Nasir, Upper Nile State. According to news reports, the helicopter later landed…
Millions in Central Sahel and Nigeria face food cuts amid WFP funding crisis
The crisis is being exacerbated by the expected early arrival of the lean season – the period between harvests when hunger peaks. Chronic hunger is being driven by conflict, displacement, economic instability and severe climate shocks, WFP said, with devastating…
DR Congo crisis leaves mothers with newborns fleeing to Burundi
“Over 63,000 people now have crossed into the country, Burundi, fleeing atrocities, deadly conflict in parts of eastern DR Congo,” said Faith Kasina, UNHCR Regional Spokesperson for East and Horn of Africa and Great Lakes. Amid the largest influx of…
Sudan: Access to stricken Zamzam camp ‘is nearly impossible’
“I am deeply worried about reports of destruction of homes and livelihoods in North Darfur,” said Clementine Nkweta-Salami, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Sudan. “Civilians continue to pay the price. Access to Zamzam camp is nearly impossible, just when…
UN report reveals brutal attacks targeting Muslims, refugees in Central African Republic
Investigations by the UN human rights office (OHCHR) and the UN peacekeeping mission in the country, MINUSCA, found evidence of summary executions, sexual violence and torture. Other violations included cruel and degrading treatment, forced labour, and looting of homes and…