The attack on the only maternity hospital in the town in Sudan’s western state of North Darfur is “shocking and appalling,” the head of the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Sunday, calling on warring parties to “protect mothers and children at all times and allow them safe access to healthcare” in the war-torn African country.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus noted that the Saudi Maternity Hospital was “the only one that has been providing maternal and child healthcare” in El Fasher.

The development comes after more than 14 months of fighting between rival militaries in Sudan.

Media reports pointed to “a Rapid Support Forces bombing” of the hospital in El Fasher, which is the capital of the Darfur region and home to hundreds of thousands of people displaced by the war.

Killed on the job

UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Sudan Clementine Nkweta-Salami released more details on the death of pharmacist Amna Ahmed Bakhit: “Killed on the job, prescribing and administering medicine to women, men and children in a place that should have been safe,” the top UN official in the country said in a post on X.

“From bullets or bombs, starvation or disease, each soul lost to this senseless war takes Sudan another inexorable step away from what we all want. Peace,” Ms. Nkweta-Salami added, calling for an end to the brutal fighting.

“Mothers and babies must be protected at all times and allowed safe access to healthcare. Healthcare workers must be able to work in safety”, WHO’s Tedros emphasized adding that despite the attack, the hospital continues to function thanks to the dedication of its staff working in dire conditions. 

Since 10 May, the city of El Fasher has been the scene of intense fighting between the former allies who went to war with each other 14 months ago.

Calls from the UN and the international community have grown in recent weeks to prevent Sudan from falling into a humanitarian catastrophe that could push millions into starvation, due to food shortages caused by fighting that has spread to 12 of the country’s 18 states.

WFP steps up aid

People in parts of Khartoum, Darfur and Kordofan states continue to be deprived of food and health assistance, and child malnutrition in Sudan is reaching emergency levels according to UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

Around nine million children are facing acute food insecurity.

The World Food Programme’s (WFP) food security analysis has identified 44 hunger hotspots in Sudan – mainly in areas of active fighting such as Khartoum, Kordofan, Darfur and Gezira – where 2.6 million people are at high risk of falling into the extreme phase five of the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC 5). 

Against this backdrop, the UN emergency food assistance agency is scaling up its operations to stave off famine. WFP is prioritising these areas and has provided food assistance to 22 of the hunger hotspots since January.

The UN agency says it has reached more than three million people and plans to reach an additional five million through general food assistance, nutrition, school meals and resilience activities throughout the year.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of UN News.

The ECOWAS Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ECREEE) is pleased to announce a landmark 5-day regional workshop on “Energy Efficiency Initiatives and Sustainable Energy Data Collection” from July 24 – 28, 2024, in Cotonou, Benin. This pivotal event is organized in collaboration with the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and the African Energy Commission (AFREC), Specialized Agency of African Union.

This workshop holds special significance as it coincides with the period that ECREEE will be observing its 14th anniversary, a milestone marking over a decade of dedicated service and impactful initiatives in promoting sustainable energy across the ECOWAS region, and the 49th anniversary of the ECOWAS Commission.

The workshop will bring together a diverse group of stakeholders, including representatives from ECOWAS member states, the ECOWAS Commission, the WAEMU Commission, the African Energy Commission and various technical and financial partners (GIZ, UNIDO, AfDB, UNDP, kfW). This convergence of experts and decision-makers underscores the collaborative spirit necessary for advancing energy efficiency and sustainable energy data management in the region.

The workshop aims to achieve several critical outcomes that will enhance energy efficiency and sustainable energy data initiatives within the ECOWAS region, from which we highlight:  (1)- Enhanced Member State Involvement: Foster greater involvement of ECOWAS member states in implementing energy efficiency programs and projects spearheaded by ECREEE and its partners, (2) Improved Monitoring Processes: Enhance the processes for monitoring the operationalization of member states’ sustainable energy action plans, (3) – Capacity Building: Strengthen the capabilities of National Energy Data Focal Points ECREEE and AFREC in the field of energy efficiency data management.

ECREEE has been playing a pivotal role in enhancing data collection for decision-making by developing robust mechanisms to gather and analyze energy data across the West African region. The Centre implements comprehensive data management systems and conducts extensive research to provide accurate and up-to-date information on energy production, consumption, and efficiency. This data-driven approach enables policymakers to make informed decisions, optimize energy resources, and design effective policies for sustainable development.

Additionally, the workshop will serve to ensure a synergy of actions between the Energy Efficiency initiatives implemented by ECREEE and its partners through the full involvement of ECOWAS Member States, to set up an efficient system for collecting data on Energy Efficiency in West Africa and to consolidate the Sustainable Energy data collection system to support ECOWAS Observatory for Renewable Energy  and Energy Efficiency (ECOWREX) and the preparation of Annual Reports on progress in RE and EE in the region as well as future initiatives.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) launched its Pilot Project on Alternative to Incarceration (ATI) in West Africa with Ghana as the pioneer Member State. The Project was launched in a five-day workshop from the 3rd to the 7th of June, 2024 in Accra, Ghana in partnership with Enhancing Africa’s Response to Transnational Organized Crime (ENACT Africa) and the Ghana Narcotics Control Commission (NCC) with multi-sectoral stakeholders in attendance.

In his welcome remarks, the ECOWAS Resident Representative in Ghana, Ambassador Baba Gana Wakil, extended a warm welcome to all stakeholders on behalf of the ECOWAS President, expressing gratitude to partners and staff of the ECOWAS Drug Division. He emphasized the global persistence of substance abuse and the inadequacy of punitive measures in addressing it, supported by relevant statistics. Ambassador Wakil noted a shift towards Alternative to Incarceration due to these challenges. He highlighted ECOWAS Commission’s contributions to Drug Demand Reduction in the region and its commitment to supporting treatment and rehabilitation for Persons Who Use Drugs (PWUDs) in Member States, signaling a move away from solely punitive approaches.

Welcome remarks were also made by the Director, International Consortium for Alternatives to Incarceration (ICATI), Michele Worobiec, who joined online from the USA and Dr. Christian Ani of ENACT Africa. They expressed their organisations’ enthusiasm towards partnering with the ECOWAS to implement ATI strategies in the ECOWAS region and foster Drug Demand Reduction.

Delivering the opening address, the Director General of the Ghana Narcotics Control Commission, Mr. Kenneth Adu-Amanfoh emphasized the gravity of substance use disorders’ societal impact and the inadequacy of traditional incarceration methods in addressing addiction. He highlighted Ghana’s progressive steps towards prioritizing health and human rights in drug policy, including the enactment of the Narcotics Control Commission Act 2020 and the establishment of a Substance Use Disorder Rehabilitation Fund. While Expressing gratitude to collaborating organizations and individuals, he underscored Ghana’s leadership in drug reform within the region. Despite acknowledging challenges, Mr. Adu-Amanfoh expressed optimism about the workshop’s potential to lay the groundwork for the pilot project’s success, marking the event’s official opening and underscoring the collaborative effort needed to make a positive impact on those affected by substance use disorders.

The ATI Pilot Project in West Africa aims to promote a coordinated response to drug offenders by providing drug treatment as an alternative to incarceration for individuals struggling with substance use disorders. The Project seeks to train relevant stakeholders on alternatives to incarceration for People Who Use Drugs (PWUDs) and initiate a specialized court docket program, known as the “Recovery Court”. It shifts focus from incarceration to treatment and recovery for PWUDs.

This event marks a significant step in ECOWAS’s ongoing efforts to combat drug abuse, demonstrating the region’s commitment to public health and safety through collaborative and strategic measures. The discussions and outcomes from this workshop are anticipated to significantly influence future actions, leading to more effective management of drug abuse and its associated challenges across the region.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

Tanzania can significantly boost its livestock sector’s economic contribution with a bold and comprehensive plan that emphasizes climate-smart strategies and innovations. A new report published by the World Bank shows that while the country boasts a large livestock population, climate-related risks and insufficient investments from the public and private sectors have hindered sectoral growth and international competitiveness.

The newly released 21st Tanzania Economic Update, titled, ‘Harnessing the Opportunity for a Climate-Smart and Competitive Livestock Sector in Tanzania,’ recommends backing such a robust plan with at least $546 million in public investments over the next five years. This annual investment of approximately $109 million represents a fivefold increase over previous budgets and a 50 percent increase from the 2023/24 budget.

“The demand for livestock products has risen over the years as a result of urbanization, income growth, and changing lifestyles and diets. This has led to increased consumption which presents an important opportunity and risks for the sector,” said Nathan Belete, World Country Director. “There is a real opportunity to capitalize on the growing internal market while simultaneously exploring avenues for export expansion for sectoral growth and international competitiveness in a sustainable and climate-smart manner.”

Tanzania has one of the fastest growing livestock populations in Africa and the world. It is estimated that the country currently possesses 36.6 million heads of cattle, making it the second largest cattle population in Africa after Ethiopia. This represents 1.4 percent of the global cattle population and 11 percent of the African total. Tanzania also has a substantial population of sheep, goats, chickens, and pigs, ranking it among the top ten on the continent in terms of overall livestock size. The sector provides income-generating opportunities throughout the value chain, employing 33 percent of the population, or 4.6 million households. Despite this, the country’s exports remain below their potential, highlighting challenges in fully capitalizing on the sector’s economic potential to generate jobs and contribute to poverty reduction.

According to the report authors, Tanzania’s pasture-based livestock sector faces serious challenges due to climate change, including erratic rainfall and higher temperatures. Endemic livestock diseases further constrain the sector, impacting animal health, productivity, and market access. Structural and institutional challenges that intersect with climate risks hamper productivity and competitiveness, while the disproportionately low public funding for the sector hinders investment in essential research, extension services, and infrastructure.

Furthermore, the livestock sector, both globally and in Tanzania, is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions, particularly methane, which greatly contributes to climate change. Despite this impact, funding for methane reduction efforts is minimal, and the sector’s emissions present challenges to achieving climate change mitigation goals while ensuring food security.

“Despite the various challenges, the sector has strong growth potential and plays an important role for Tanzanian livelihoods,” said Ernest Ruzindaza, World Bank Senior Agricultural Economist, and co-author of the report. “The country’s strategic location with sea access and borders with seven countries makes it well suited to meet regional and global demand for livestock products. Its diverse indigenous livestock breeds cater to various consumer preferences domestically and internationally and support the export of livestock genetics and biotechnology products.”

The Update authors advocate for additional public investment, incorporating climate-smart interventions to reduce methane emissions by 13% and increase protein production by 29% over six years. The authors also recommend pursuing a series of policies and investments targeting productivity, trade and value addition, climate adaptation and mitigation, as well as sector governance with these resources.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The World Bank Group.