Day: August 31, 2022

Welcoming progress in Africa to prevent conflict, make and keep peace and foster development, the Security Council today called for intensified efforts, support and a more coordinated approach among all relevant partners — including the continent’s countries, the African Union and subregional organizations — particularly through enhanced efforts to improve capacity-building in addressing those challenges.

In a presidential statement (to be issued as document S/PRST/2022/6) presented by Zhang Jun of China, Council President for August, the 15-nation organ recognized the need to step up capacity-building support to African countries in a comprehensive, inclusive, adaptive and targeted manner, with measures tailored to the specific conditions of each country and region.

By the text, it emphasized the importance of respecting the ownership and leadership of African countries in that regard, and supporting their capacity to improve the rule of law, strengthen national institutions, build governance, and promote and protect human rights, among other objectives.

The Council also reaffirmed its commitment to the full, equal and meaningful participation of women and the inclusion of youth in the prevention and resolution of conflicts, and in all stages of peace, security, development and decision-making processes. Best practices must be shared, and financial support provided on promoting inclusive and effective disarmament, demobilization and reintegration processes, including those related to the release and reintegration of children formerly associated with armed forces or armed groups, and reforming the security sector in post-conflict environments for the consolidation of peace, stability, and common security.

By the text’s terms, the Council reiterated its support to the African Union’s “Silencing the Guns in Africa” initiative and encouraged support of capacity building and training in that regard. The Council also reiterated its support for the work of the Peacebuilding Commission, acknowledged the importance of strong coordination, coherence and cooperation with the Commission and commended its continued engagement with the countries and regions in Africa.

In addition, the Council, while underlining the need for effective implementation of its sanctions measures as a tool for achieving peace and stability in Africa, expressed its readiness to review, adjust and terminate, when appropriate, its sanctions regimes, taking into account the evolution of the situation on the ground and the need to minimize unintended adverse humanitarian effects.

Following the Council’s adoption of the presidential statement, Zhang Jun (China), Council President for August, speaking in his national capacity, thanked Gabon, Ghana and Kenya for their active participation throughout the consultation process, noting that their valuable input from the perspective of African countries made the presidential statement more responsive to the needs of Africa.

The meeting began at 10:18 a.m. and ended at 10:23 a.m.

Source: United Nations

The Horn of Africa and Yemen is one of the busiest and riskiest migration corridors in the world travelled by hundreds of thousands of migrants, the majority of whom travel in an irregular manner, often relying on smugglers to facilitate movement along the Eastern Route. This regional report provides monthly updates on the complex migratory dynamics through Djibouti, Somalia, Yemen and Ethiopia based on diverse data sources and consultations with key informants in the four countries. Moreover, it provides information on the main protection concerns for migrants along the journey, information on the spill over effects of the conflict in Northern Ethiopia observed at the border between Ethiopia, Kenya and Sudan, a specific focus on children and information on the returns from Saudi Arabia to Ethiopia, Somalia and Yemen.

Source: International Organization for Migration

A World Health Organization-UNICEF global study of health care facilities finds half lack basic hygiene services, putting around 3.85 billion people at risk of infection and death.

The study is based on data from 40 countries representing 35% of the world’s population. It presents an alarming picture of health facilities that lack water and soap for handwashing, have dirty toilets, and are unable to manage health care waste.

It says the lack of safe water, sanitation, and basic hygiene services, known as WASH, in health care facilities can lead to many preventable deaths. Rick Johnston is WHO lead WHO-UNICEF Joint Monitoring Program for WASH. He says sepsis, a major cause of mortality globally, could be prevented by improving WASH services in health care.

“It causes about 11 million avoidable deaths each year. And we know that in health care settings, sepsis mortality is linked to poor quality of care, including inadequate WASH… Still today, 670,000 neo-natal deaths occur due to sepsis. So, there is a huge burden that could be improved right there,” he said.

Data show the situation tends to be better in hospitals than in smaller health care facilities. The WHO reports the 46 least developed countries lag most behind in hygiene services, with only 32% of health care facilities providing WASH services.

Johnston says sub-Saharan Africa is the geographic region with the lowest coverage of basic services, about a third lower than globally.

“I mentioned hand hygiene services at 51% globally. It is only 38% in sub-Saharan Africa… Water services 78% globally, only 52% in sub-Saharan Africa… In sub-Saharan Africa, only 13% of health care facilities met the requirement for a basic health care service. So, lots of work to be done in sub-Saharan Africa,” he said.

The WHO estimates the cost of achieving universal basic WASH services in the 46 least developed countries at less than $10 billion between now and 2030. While that sounds like a lot, WHO officials say it comes to just under $1 per person per year. Officials say that is a fraction of what currently is being spent on health care services in those countries.

Source: Voice of America