Amina is one of the many women who have experienced conflict-related sexual violence during the devastating two-year conflict in northern Ethiopia. For more than three years, she kept silent about her experience. Amina says she feared being stigmatized by family, friends and community members. “The burden was immense, affecting my health and relationships. My partner left me once he realized what had happened. My outlook on men has changed,” Amina said.

A turning point came when she attended community conversation sessions facilitated by the Amhara Women’s Association. These sessions provided psychosocial support and provided a safe space for Amina to share her experience, and she began the healing process. Through these discussions, Amina learned about gender-based violence (GBV), its consequences and the available support services. With newfound courage, she confided in others about her ordeal.

The support of case workers and counsellors also proved invaluable.  Amina was able to access vital support, including counselling, HIV testing and cash assistance, paving the way for her journey to recovery.

The Amhara Women’s Association (AWA) has been instrumental in providing support and services to survivors of GBV, like Amina, in the region. Through collaborative efforts, AWA has expanded access to essential services, including case management, psychosocial support and referrals, empowering survivors to rebuild their lives and futures.

These efforts are made possible through the Response to Conflict-related Sexual Violence Project in the Tigray, Afar, Amhara and Benishangul Gumuz regions, with funding from the Candian government. Through this project, UNFPA supports GBV programming in partnership with the Amhara Women Association in Debark, Debrebirhan, Dessie, Kombolcha and Nefas Mewcha Woredas, where five Women and Girl-Friendly Spaces (WGFS), and two safe houses are operating. A comprehensive service integrated with MHPSS services is available for GBV survivors in all WGFS.

GBV prevention and risk-mitigation activities are also addressed through awareness raising, cash-based intervention, and the provision of dignity kits for the most vulnerable women and girls. The Association of Women Sanctuary and Development (AWSAD) provides safe shelters to survivors in the region, with referrals through the region’s Bureau of Women, Children and Social Affairs. 

Adanech Shiferaw, UNFPA GBViE analyst, says Amina’s story is just one example of the transformative power of GBV support in overcoming trauma and building resilience. “Amina’s journey highlights the pressing need to address GBV and provide support for survivors in communities across Ethiopia. By breaking the silence surrounding GBV and offering comprehensive services, the endeavors of the Amhara Women’s Association are instrumental in empowering women and girls to reclaim their lives and future.”

Amina says she sees progress every day, but she worries about the current situation in the region. “I have received continued psychological support. If I continue with this and with Allah’s will, I will return to my normal health. However, the ongoing conflict worries me and I am afraid women, including me, are at risk of more violence.” she said. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of UNFPA – East and Southern Africa.

With funding from Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD), Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) has signed a grant agreement with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), to support the latter’s relief aid for people fleeing the conflict in Sudan and seeking refuge or relocation in South Sudan.

The main areas of assistance include helping the Sudanese refugees and South Sudanese returnees to restore/maintain contact with their loved ones, as well as improving their access to essential health care services, clean drinking water, household items and food supplies.

“The signing of this agreement signifies the vital efforts made by ICRC, QFFD, and QRCS to support humanitarian action worldwide,” stated Basma Tabaja, Head of ICRC Delegation in Qatar.

Faisal Mohamed Al-Emadi, Acting Secretary-General of QRCS, stressed the importance of meeting the basic needs of people displaced from Sudan to South Sudan. “This agreement is part of QRCS’s continued humanitarian projects for vulnerable people in Sudan and many other countries, which were possible only with the contributions by our partners and donors, mainly QFFD,” he added.

Since the outbreak of violence in Sudan, April 2023, over 600,000 people have crossed the borders to South Sudan. ICRC has been working to respond to the urgent needs of both the refugees and returnees, by providing phone call services for separated families to get reconnected, as well as providing water purification materials and food and nonfood items (NFIs).

The joint venture with QRCS and QFFD builds on strategic discussions between ICRC and the Government of Qatar, which focus on strengthening collaboration in areas of mutual interest, in order to address the evolving humanitarian needs of conflict-affected communities.

“We are very grateful to Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) for its pivotal role in making this strategic partnership happen. Together with QFFD and QRCS, we will strive to intensify humanitarian support for the millions of people suffering from the consequences of conflict,” Ms. Tabaja concluded.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

The humanitarian situation in Ituri province in northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is becoming increasingly critical, with over 1.6 million people displaced in the province at the end of 2023. The international community must stop neglecting communities in Ituri and take urgent action to support them build the foundations for a peaceful future, urges the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC).

While the world’s attention is captured by the worsening situation in and around Goma in the North Kivu province, the conflict in neighbouring Ituri is being repeatedly overlooked by the international community. Increased inter-communal violence has accelerated a breakdown in the social cohesion between communities as repeated attacks have forced hundreds of thousands of people from their homes since February 2024

“We cannot afford to overlook the deteriorating conflict in Ituri. The lack of international attention beyond the crisis in North Kivu and the increasing breakdown in relations between local communities across Ituri demand immediate action. We need to be able to deliver more humanitarian aid while also promoting dialogue and reconciliation locally,” said Eric Batonon, NRC country director in DRC.

The number of violent attacks in Ituri have increased steadily over the past six months, with almost 200 attacks taking place since the start of the year. Local populations have been strongly affected, as they are unable to work their lands out of fear of attacks or reprisals and cannot provide for their families. The intense violence is driving communities into small areas that are considered stable for the moment. Here, both displaced people and their hosting communities are forced to compete for already limited food, jobs and land while international support remains insufficient.

Georgette is an internally displaced woman who fled her village of Lonalo-LOTSIKPA since 2019 and is now in the Plaine Savo camp. Her 5 years in the camp look like hell for her.

“I feel like I’m in prison here, it’s not a place I like. I’d like to go home. It’s hard to get food. There’s not much assistance. Access to water is also a problem. I’m tired of this life, especially when I see my children who can no longer go to school,” she said.

The cross-cutting impact of the crisis in Ituri is being felt at all levels and is resulting in a dangerous and vicious cycle as aid stays scarce and tensions grow. Disputes over land and resources are increasingly difficult to manage for local communities, as traditional conflict-resolution mechanisms are inadequate faced with this rapid deterioration. Lack of funding for social cohesion means that disputes over land, water points and livelihoods will continue to undermine the future of Ituri for years.

Children often go to school with little to no food to sustain them, and in overcrowded and poorly maintained classrooms, which has a negative impact on learning outcomes as well as psychosocial wellbeing. While schools should stand for safe environments of learning and socialisation, NRC research shows that almost one out of four parents in Ituri fear for their children’s safety when they’re in school. Education is a critical component to building long-term peaceful solutions.   

Addressing the crisis in the province requires a comprehensive response that is supported by sufficient resources and responds to immediate needs while also building durable solutions for those affected.

“We must help communities rebuild trust and relations to avoid even more conflict in the future. Improving the humanitarian crisis will require building peaceful solutions from the ground up. This can be achieved by enhancing support for conflict transformation and social cohesion initiatives in Ituri” said Eric Batonon.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Norwegian Refugee Council.

Independent energy company Vaalco Energy has joined the African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energy conference as a platinum sponsor, showcasing the company’s vision for driving exploration and production in Africa.

With plans to double crude oil production to over 50,000 barrels per day by 2027, Vaalco Energy has producing assets offshore Gabon and Equatorial Guinea and onshore Egypt. AEW 2024: Invest in African Energy – taking place November 4-8 – is poised to facilitate this strategy while providing insight into the company’s ongoing projects and planned developments for tapping into Africa’s hydrocarbons resource base.

AEW: Invest in African Energy is the platform of choice for project operators, financiers, technology providers and government, and has emerged as the official place to sign deals in African energy. Visit www.AECWeek.com for more information about this exciting event.

Vaalco Energy revealed its plans in July last year to extend its contract of Borr Drilling’s – an international jack-up drilling contractor – Norve rig for further operations in Gabon’s offshore. Meanwhile, the company received the green light to push ahead with its $30 million Venus project offshore Equatorial Guinea after nabbing a final development approval from the country’s government in March 2023.

Following Vaalco Energy’s merger with Egypt-focused oil and gas exploration and development company TransGlobe Energy Corporation, the company is well-positioned to drive frontier exploration in one of Africa’s most sought-after petroleum regions. Vaalco Energy’s interests in Egypt are spread across two regions: the Eastern Desert, where the company participates in the West Gharib, West Bakr and Northwest Gharib merged concessions, and the Western Desert.

Meanwhile, in Gabon, the company operates primarily in the offshore Etame Marin block. Since its inception, the block has produced more than 120 million barrels of crude oil, while its remaining reserves currently stand at an estimated 113 million barrels. The block was first spud by Vaalco Energy in 2022 and served the company’s strategy to increase crude production at the Etame field through two well workovers while extending the life of the field through the discovery of more hydrocarbons.

Vaalco Energy has played an instrumental role in expanding West and North Africa’s upstream market, leading ambitious exploration campaigns that have positioned the region as a highly attractive play. The company has also become a partner of choice for many resource-rich nations, driving investment and opportunities on the back of oil and gas investment and development.

“By taking a chance in frontier markets and adhering to their commitment towards driving investment in African hydrocarbon industry, Vaalco Energy has become one of the most prominent exploration players on the continent,” states NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber. “Their participation as a platinum sponsor at this year’s event will not only inspire other independents to participate in African oil, but showcase the success of companies who look at Africa’s frontier basins and see opportunity.”

AEW 2024: Invest in African Energy takes place under a mandate to make energy poverty history by 2030 and promotes investment across the entire African energy value chain. The conference offers a diverse lineup of panel discussions, presentations, investor briefings and project profiles, all of which aim to connect capital and technology with African projects. Visit www.AECWeek.com to secure your place at the largest energy event to take place on the continent.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.