APO News from Africa:
Measles vaccination campaign launched in Mogadishu:
The World Health Organization with the Federal Government of Somalia and UNICEF launched a preventative measles vaccination campaign yesterday targeting 125 000 children aged 6 to 59 months from communities of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Banadir and Afgoye.
The campaign was launched by the Deputy Mayor of Mogadishu, Director-General for Federal Ministry of Health and other government officials, in attendance with officials from WHO and UNICEF at the Banadir region meeting hall.
Measles is endemic in Somalia; however the number of cases is higher in 2017 than in previous years. Since the beginning of the year, Somalia has recorded 7694 suspected cases of measles, of which 1989 cases (26%) were reported from Banadir region. The high number of measles cases can be attributed to the pre-famine conditions and drought-driven displacement of populations from rural to urban areas across the country.
Severe drought has resulted in the loss of crops, livestock and access to clean water, basic environmental infrastructure and food insecurity. An estimated 680 000 people have been displaced due to drought since November 2016, moving from rural lands to urban shelters where overcrowding and scant resources have made populations vulnerable to diseases including measles. Internally displaced children, especially those under 5 years of age, are more vulnerable to measles due to the stress of malnutrition.
The measles vaccination campaign is being implemented in Danyile, Dharkenley, Hodan, Kaxda and the Afgoye corridor, and will provide children with a dose of vaccine as well as Vitamin A and medication for intestinal worm infection to further improve the health of the children.
WHO’s support of the campaign includes technical support for microplanning, training, data management, and monitoring and evaluation of campaign activities. The campaign will run from May 21 to 25, finishing right before the start of Ramadan.
Measles is a highly contagious respiratory infection that causes high fever and rash; it spreads easily in densely populated areas. It commonly affects children who have not been vaccinated. Children who are malnourished are at greater risk of severe measles. Complications of measles include severe and prolonged diarrhoea, pneumonia, blindness, encephalitis and death. Measles can be prevented through immunization by vaccine.
Distributed by APO on behalf of World Health Organization (WHO).
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Source: APO – Africa-Newsroom: latest news releases related to Africa
Committee to Conduct Public Hearings in Khayelitsha on 2017 Appropriation Bill:
Date: Wednesday, 24 May 2017
Time: 09h00-16h00
Place: OR Tambo Indoor Centre, Corner of Mew Way and Lansdowne Road, Khayelitsha.
Distributed by APO on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.
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Source: APO – Africa-Newsroom: latest news releases related to Africa
Regional forum on sustainable development ends in Addis Ababa:
The 2017 Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development (ARFSD) ended in Addis Ababa Friday with participants adopting an outcome document to take to the 2017 High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF), which will be convened in New York in July under the auspices of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).
The outcome document speaks to Africa’s desire to stimulate sustainable growth on the continent, create employment and eradicate poverty in all its forms and dimensions, among others.
In her closing remarks, Economic Commission for Africa’s (ECA) Special Initiatives Division Director, Fatima Denton, said; “The very rich deliberations and exchange of experiences that have taken place over the last few days are testament of the dedication that each and every representative here has put into the process as well as a reaffirmation of the type of future we all want for Africa.”
“I am delighted that together we have been able to agree on Africa’s collective input to the 2017 High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development as these recommendations have a tremendous opportunity to help African countries achieve their sustainable goals,” she added.
Ms. Denton said today’s commitments were not only to meet the needs of today, but achieving them while sustainably transforming Africa’s growing economy and population.
“The sustainable development goals are well within our reach, but we need to ensure they will be translated into policy and frameworks, therefore we must rally around these issues and also at international level to bring traction of Africa’s priorities,” she said, adding the outcome document spoke for itself, making a strong stance towards ensuring inclusive and sustainable growth and prosperity for all on the continent.
“It is now upon us all to be masters of our own destiny and reinforce this with bold measures, action as well as courage to take it forward,” said Ms. Denton.
The ARFSD, which was held under the theme; “Ensuring inclusive and sustainable growth and prosperity for all” tracks progress in the implementation of the 17 SDGs that are at the core of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development as the global fight to eradicate poverty and promote prosperity continues.
In Africa, the SDGs are being implemented concurrently and in an integrated manner with the First 10-year Implementation Plan of Agenda 2063, Africa’s 50-year strategic framework for socio-economic transformation which seeks to accelerate the implementation of past and existing continental initiatives for growth and sustainable development.
The theme of the third session of the regional forum was premised on a number of considerations and trends relating to poverty eradication in Africa. Key among these being the realization that economic growth in Africa has been inadequate to eradicate poverty.
In addition, the growth generated so far has largely been unequal.
Eradicating poverty and promoting prosperity in Africa therefore hinge on fostering inclusive and sustainable growth, participants at the high-level forum agreed in their outcome document.
Attainment of gender equality and women’s empowerment and consideration of youth in development planning and implementation are critical dimensions of inclusion in the region, they added.
The forum undertook in-depth review of the implementation of the cluster of Sustainable Development Goals for the 2017 HLPF under the sub-themes of eradicating all forms of poverty in Africa; ending hunger and achieving food security in Africa; ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all; promoting gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls; building resilient infrastructure and promoting inclusive and sustainable industrialization and innovation; and conservation and sustainable use of the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.
The ECA, the African Union Commission (AUC), the African Development Bank (AfDB), and other United Nation agencies organized the 2017 ARFSD in preparation for the 2017 HLPF which provides political leadership, guidance and recommendations for sustainable development to Member States, including follow-ups and reviewing progress in the implementation of sustainable development commitments.
Distributed by APO on behalf of United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA).
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Source: APO – Africa-Newsroom: latest news releases related to Africa
