Heavy rainfall has been affecting northern Nigeria, causing floods that have resulted in hundreds of lives lost and significant damage to homes and farmlands, impacting more than half a million people. The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is preparing an emergency response to provide immediate relief to the most affected households across the north-eastern states of Adamawa and Borno. 

Across the country, over 515,794 people have been impacted by the devastating floods, with 205,338 displaced, 170 lives lost, and significant damage to 76,667 houses and over 106,089 hectares of farmlands. As heavy rains continue to affect communities across the country. The devastating floods of 2022 stand out as a grim reminder of the havoc caused by heavy climate induced rains, with over 1.4 million individuals displaced. 

In Borno State, the IRC is preparing to provide immediate relief through multipurpose cash assistance to 600 of the most affected households to enable affected families to meet their immediate needs, including shelter, food, and other essentials, as they recover from the disaster. 

As the rainy season peaks, the IRC will monitor the situation closely and adapt its response to meet the evolving needs of populations in flood-affected locations across Nigeria, including Sokoto, Yobe and Zamfara where the IRC operates. In Adamawa State, the IRC has triggered its anticipatory action program with the provision of cash assistance to communities along the Benue River to mitigate the impact of the release of water from the Lagdo Dam. 

In addition to cash assistance, the IRC is addressing the urgent need for improved sanitation and access to clean water, as the flooding has led to a significant increase in waterborne diseases such as diarrhea and malaria. The conditions are ripe for the spread of other communicable diseases like cholera. 

Babatunde Ojei, IRC Nigeria Country Director, said: 

“The frequent occurrence of this flooding is unprecedented; it now happens annually, and the impact on communities is severe. We are deeply concerned about the long-term impact of this disaster on vulnerable populations, particularly in high-risk areas where continued rains are expected to worsen the situation.

The IRC is committed to providing life-saving assistance to those affected, but we cannot do it alone. We will continue to work closely with local authorities, partners, and community leaders to implement effective interventions that mitigate the risks posed by ongoing flooding and its aftermath.

We call on the international community, donors, and humanitarian organizations to urgently mobilize resources to prevent further loss of life and to help communities rebuild.”

The IRC has been working in Nigeria since 2012, providing life saving support to communities in Nigeria affected by climate-related disasters, armed conflict and other poverty related issues. The IRC runs eight field offices in northeast Nigeria and a country office in Abuja, the capital. The IRC works to help people recover and rebuild their lives by providing health, nutrition, water, sanitation and hygiene, and education services.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of International Rescue Committee (IRC) .

Placed under the authority of the President of the Commission, represented by his Director of Cabinet, Mr Abdou KOLLEY, the 2024 Retreat of Resident and Permanent Representatives was held from 26 to 29 August 2024, in Assinie, with the theme: ‘ECOWAS, 50 years at the service of West African integration, what perspective in a world of profound change?

Following the 65th Ordinary Session of Heads of State and Government, the Resident and Permanent Representatives met to support the development of ECOWAS’ regional integration policy. The aim of the meeting was to propose strategies and mechanisms to strengthen regional integration and the realisation of the ECOWAS of the peoples, and to share best practices to increase the visibility of ECOWAS actions in Member States.

In addition, the meeting aimed to take stock of the past fifty years and to discuss activities with a high community impact.

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

Acting President Shipokosa Paulus Mashatile has extended heartfelt congratulations to several South African sportsmen and women for their exceptional achievements over the past weekend.

Their victories have ushered the nation into the spring season, filled with hope and a renewed sense of national pride.

“Sports have a unique ability to bring South Africans together and uplift the nation’s spirits, even amidst our challenges,” said Acting President Mashatile.

“The incredible performances by our athletes this past weekend serves as a testament to their dedication, hard work, and the indomitable spirit of our people.”

The  weekend’s achievements highlights include: Mpumelelo Mhlongo who secured a gold medal in his 100m event, while Bayanda Walaza made history in Peru, becoming the fastest young man on earth with the remarkable times of 10.19 seconds in the 100m sprint and 20.52 seconds in the 200m sprint.

Also in Peru, Hannah Van Niekerk won a silver medal in Kima 400 m hurdles in the World U20 tournament.

In team sports, the National Rugby Team, the Springboks (Boks) defeated New Zealands All Blacks 31-27, while Stellenbosch FC and Orlando Pirates proceeded to the Final of the MTN 8 Cup. 

These remarkable results demonstrate the athletes’ prowess, showcasing the strength and talent of South African athletes on both local and international stages.

“The triumphs of Mhlongo, Walaza, and our esteemed sports teams are not just victories for them but for every South African who finds joy, pride, and unity in our nation’s sporting successes,” Acting President Mashatile added.

 “We celebrate these achievements and look forward to many more moments of national pride and joy.”

Acting President Mashatile concluded by emphasizing the power of sports in fostering unity and hope, urging all South Africans to continue supporting and celebrating their athletes as they represent the country on various platforms worldwide.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Presidency of the Republic of South Africa.

Algerian authorities have maintained their repression of civic space by continuing their brutal crackdown on human rights including the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association in the run up to the country’s presidential elections scheduled to be held on 7 September, said Amnesty International today.

Over the past two years authorities have also introduced a series of alarming legal amendments as well as new legislation that has dealt a heavy blow to human rights, most notably amendments made to the penal code in April 2024.

“In recent years Algeria has experienced a steady erosion of human rights through the authorities’ dissolution of political parties, civil society organizations and independent media outlets, alongside a spike in arbitrary arrests and prosecutions using trumped-up terrorism charges. Alarmingly, this reality has remained bleak in the run up to the elections,” said Amjad Yamin, Deputy Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa.

“Algerian authorities have cemented their clampdown on civic space with the adoption of a series of deeply flawed amendments to the penal code and new pieces of legislation that have wide repercussions for the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association. This only further illustrates the authorities’ commitment to maintaining a zero-tolerance approach towards dissenting opinions.

“The authorities must end their ongoing repressive crackdown, immediately release those arrested solely for peacefully exercising their human rights and ensure people’s rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association in the country are protected.”

Over the past month the authorities have continued to harass and intimidate political opposition activists. On 6 August a member of the suspended political party the Democratic and Social Movement (MDS), political activist Yacine Mekireche, was arbitrarily arrested in relation to his social media posts on Facebook. At least 60 political activists, most of them from the political party the Rally for Culture and Democracy (RCD) were arrested on 20 August as they attempted to commemorate the first congress of the National Liberation Front (FLN) of August 1956 (the Soummam congress).

Algerian authorities have also continued to restrict the space for the exercise of the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and association by civil society activists and other people through arbitrary arrests and interrogations. On 29 June police disrupted a book signing event at a bookstore in the city of Bejaia, ordering the closure of the shop and arresting all those attending for participating in an unauthorized gathering.

On two consecutive occasions authorities on 29 February and 9 March 2024 also prevented the Algerian NGO, SOS Disappeared, from holding two separate human rights events on the organization’s premises. In both instances large numbers of police surrounded the association’s offices blocking access to it and turning away people due to attend.

Algerian authorities have persisted in using bogus terrorism charges to silence peaceful dissent, including calls for political change. Authorities have unjustly held activist and poet Mohamed Tadjadit in pre-trial detention since January 2024 under such charges.

Algerian authorities further introduced multiple legal amendments to the penal code in April 2024 as well as a set of legislation related to media activity in August and December 2023 and amendments on legislation related to money laundering and the financing of terrorism in February 2023, in a clear setback for the right to freedom of expression.

Authorities have continued to clamp down on journalists through arbitrary detention and prosecutions, arbitrary restrictions on their right to freedom of movement and unfounded sanctions imposed on media outlets.

The recent arrests and restrictions on the right to freedom of movement faced by journalists Merzoug Touati, Mustapha Bendjama and Farid Alilat illustrate the lack of space for independent media activity, while social media users and civil society activists like Rabeh Kadri continue to be prosecuted simply for their online activity, including for comments expressing opposition to a second term for President Abdelmadjid Tebboune.

The Algerian authorities’ ongoing infringement of the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association and media freedom has contributed to a climate of fear and censorship in the country.

According to the UN Human Rights Committee, the full enjoyment of the right to take part in the conduct of public affairs requires the open sharing of information and ideas about public and political issues as well as the respect for the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Amnesty International.