In early 2023, global and regional climate and circulation models predicted the El Nino oceanographic phenomenon for the 2023-2024. Predictions pointed to a high probability of both below-normal precipitation and above-normal temperature. Southern Africa is already battling with the effects of the El Nino induced drought phenomenon and Zimbabwe has declared the 2023-2024 summer cropping season a national disaster following the El Nino-induced drought.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Government of Zimbabwe through Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development (MLAFWRD) have embarked on a process to review the Zimbabwe food security situation and outlook to respond to the El Nino induced drought.

The MLAFWRD and FAO held an urgent high-level meeting in Harare Co-chaired by the Permanent Secretary, Professor Obert Jiri and Dr. Patrice Talla, FAO Subregional Coordinator for Southern Africa and Representative to Zimbabwe. The objective was to collaboratively assess the current drought situation while exploring how FAO programmes can build resilience for the country and plan for interventions in consultation and with the support from the Agriculture Ministry.

Considering that 70 percent of the population is dependent on agriculture for food and income, urgent short and long-term interventions play a key role in averting severe food insecurity and damage to livelihoods.

“These engagements are important to strengthen collaboration between FAO and the Government of Zimbabwe in responding to the effects of the El Nino induced drought. We agreed on key action plans to respond and address the short and long-term effects of the El Nino,” said Professor Jiri affirming and upholding the collaborative partnership between the two entities.  

During the high-level meeting, both FAO and the MLAFWRD presented and reflected on the current status of the food security situation and outlook with the objective to identify synergies and areas of collaboration to assess and mitigate the risk of agricultural livelihoods degradation due to El Nino. Leveraging on FAO’s Strategic Framework 2022 – 2031 and its work in emergencies, the meeting came at an opportune time when FAO has already embarked on a regional assessment of the impacts of El Nino in Southern Africa and Zimbabwe’s assessment will be finalized in May 2024.

With the 2022 – 2026 Country Programming Framework (CPF) approaching its mid-term, FAO presented the current milestones in implementation of the CPF while also highlighting the challenges encountered including the funding gaps and resource mobilization efforts.

During the meeting, FAO also presented its work on global corporate and flagship initiatives including Hand in Hand Initiative (HiHi), Digital Villages Initiative (DVI) and the One Country One Priority Product (OCOP). HiHi is one of the initiatives which Zimbabwe can take advantage of in responding to El Nino. For the past two years, the HiHi in Zimbabwe has set precedence in terms of public, private and development financing for investment facilitation at national, regional and international fora. The OCOP is a country-led and country-driven initiative that focuses on Special Agricultural Products (SAPs) with Zimbabwe already focusing on the traditional soyabean value chain. The DVI seeks to transform rural economies for the better through digitalization.

“Today, we had the opportunity to elaborate more on FAO work to systematically plan and receive guidance from the Government of Zimbabwe through the Agriculture Ministry on how to harmonize and optimize delivery and impact in responding to the effects of El Nino,” said Dr. Patrice Talla underlining the critical importance of consultative and multisectoral involvement of key stakeholders in this process. 

The meeting agreed on intensifying promotion of crop diversification with the Government emphasizing that its now implementing policy decisions anchored on use and adoption of traditional grains which are resistant to many crop diseases and pests and can survive adverse climatic conditions such as this El Nino. FAO committed to support the Government in scaling up and linking irrigation and mechanization for small scale farmers with a strategic thrust on private sector inclusion.

The MLAFWRD and FAO agreed on an action plan for short and long-term interventions to address the challenges being encountered in the agriculture sector including through open data, early warning and anticipatory actions as well as traditional response action. The action plan will be spearheaded by a team of technical experts from FAO and the MLAFWRD.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

​On the occasion of handing over medical aid to Sudan, on Thursday (4/4) the Central Team consisting of Deputy III for Emergency Management of BNPB, Chairman of Commission VIII DPR-RI and Assistant Deputy of the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture accompanied by Ambassador Sunarko and the Minister of Health of Sudan visited the Port Hospital. Sudan Al Hawadis which is the largest hospital in the Red Sea State.

The visit was intended to directly observe the condition and situation of the community as well as hospital supporting infrastructure affected by the armed conflict in Sudan. Port Sudan Hospital is also a government-owned hospital that accommodates treatment of civilian victims of war and is a reference for civil society. However, the condition of the infrastructure supporting health services in hospitals has not been able to keep up with the intensity of incoming patients, especially the limited supply of medicines and medical equipment to treat patients in the Emergency Room.

On this occasion the delegation visited several patients and provided aid packages directly to the patient’s families. BNPB Deputy III for Emergency Management also expressed his condolences and deep sympathy to the Sudanese people affected by the conflict. He hopes that the medical assistance provided by the Indonesian Government can ease the burden on health services in Sudan and have a positive impact on the Sudanese people who are undergoing treatment and treatment.

The hospital expressed its appreciation and thanks to the Indonesian Government for providing medical assistance to the people of Sudan. Essential medicines and medical consumables are assistance that the Sudanese people really need at this time. On this occasion the Minister of Health Dr. Haitham also expressed his gratitude for Indonesia’s commitment to maintaining world peace and showing solidarity with Sudan.

Indonesia’s assistance to Sudan is proof of the close bilateral relations between the two countries which have existed for more than 60 years. It is hoped that this assistance can ease the suffering of people affected by the conflict.​

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Khartoum, Sudan.

The Indonesian Government delegation led by the Deputy for Emergency Management at BNPB, Maj. Gen. Fajar Setyawan and the Indonesian Ambassador to Sudan, Ambassador Sunarko, handed over humanitarian aid from the Indonesian Government to the Sudanese Government which was received directly by the Sudanese Minister of Health, Dr. Haitham Mohamed Ibrahim is located at Port Sudan International Airport.

Humanitarian aid packages were carried using chartered Garuda Indonesia planes. The total value of assistance reached USD 1 million, consisting of 238 types of medicines weighing 12.44 tons to treat emergency conditions, medical oncology, medical chronics, as well as blood bank supplies and medical consumables.

This assistance is a form of close relations between Indonesia and Sudan as well as a solidarity commitment to help alleviate the conditions of the Sudanese people who are experiencing a health crisis due to the ongoing armed conflict.

In his remarks, Maj. Gen. Fajar Setyawan said that the Indonesian Government was trying to respond quickly to requests for humanitarian assistance from the Sudanese Government. Indonesia has always considered Sudan as a close friendly country, even though it is separated by a long distance. It is hoped that this assistance can help ease the burden on people who are undergoing treatment and need treatment and medication.

Minister of Health Haitham expressed his appreciation to Indonesia for the solidarity and assistance provided to help the Sudanese people who are affected by the war. The Minister of Health believes that this assistance will have a positive impact on the Sudanese people. Dr. Haitham also expressed his commitment to immediately distribute this aid to those in need.

This assistance is the second batch of Indonesia’s humanitarian assistance to Sudan. Previously in December 2023, Indonesia through the Indonesian Red Cross provided medical assistance worth IDR. 2 billion (USD 127,000) in the form of medical equipment and medicines weighing 10 tons.

This provision of assistance reflects the Indonesian Government’s commitment to supporting humanitarian issues in the international world, including health issues faced by friendly countries.​

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Khartoum, Sudan.

The Committee on Government Assurances and Implementation has questioned Mubende Regional Referral Hospital management for charging patients Shs150,000 for use of a CT Scan machine..

The members of the committee led by Luwero District Woman Representative, Hon. Brenda Nabukenya is following up on government assurances and promises in the health sector.

Specifically, the committee is looking into the Intergovernmental Fiscal Transfers (UGIFT) Loan Programme of Shs552.2 billion approved by Parliament to support the upgrading of the health centre IIs to IIIs in sub counties that did not have them.

During their visit to Mubende District on Thursday, 04 March 2024, the team established that five sub counties of Kayebe , Kitenga , Kiruuma , Nabingoola , and East and West Division of Mubende Municipality did not have health centre IIIs.

The MPs also visited Mubende Regional Referral Hospital were they discovered that the facility was charging for the use of CT Scan machine that was provided by Government.

AUDIO Kiiza

Hon. Acrobert Kiiza (Indep., Bughendera County) tasked the hospital officials to explain who gave the guidelines that Shs150,000 for use of CT Scan be charged on patients and yet is a government facility. He also sought to understand where the money that is collected or the excess is spent or sent to. He also asked the director to explain what they do with Ugandans who cannot afford the Shs150,000.

“During the delivery of the CT scan, did it come with guidelines? I would like the director to tell the committee whether the charge of Shs150,000 as cost sharing came with the guidelines, and was this the decision of the hospital board,” he asked.

Isingiro District Woman MP, Hon. Clare Mugumya said she was happy that the CT scan was provided by the facility but was shocked about the price which she said was too high.

 “The user fee is really so high; Shs150,000 is not affordable to most of the people in Mubende. I was wondering if there is anything you can do to reduce the cost, ” Mugumya said.

AUDIO Dr Batibwe

Dr Paul Batibwe, the Director of the hospital said that the cost sharing is meant to ensure that the machine does not get spoilt and keeps running.

He also told the committee that for those who cannot afford, the hospital gives a waiver.

The committee was also shocked to learn that the maternity section at Mubende Hospital still has mothers giving birth on the floor with at least 10 to 15 mothers sleeping on the floor.

The hospital has a bed capacity of only 49 clients of the required 80.

According to Sister Madelena Asedri, a midwife, the demand for beds is high with mothers flocking in from neighbouring districts to get services.

She added that the cases of mothers sleeping on the floor for lack of beds is a big challenge.

Dr Godfrey Malemeko, a gynaecologist at the facility said that the lack of a health centre IV and a district hospital makes it difficult to handle cases who come in without referrals as this leads to overcrowding and limited sundries to support the work of medics.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Parliament of the Republic of Uganda.