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Author: Christine Muchira/Release

  • Guterres underlines support for China-Africa partnership

    Guterres underlines support for China-Africa partnership

    Joint efforts by China and Africa can spark new momentum for development on the continent, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said on Friday, at a high-level meeting in Beijing. 

    The UN chief underlined the global body’s support for this partnership in remarks to the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Summit.

    Leaders from some 50 African countries are expected to attend the Summit, which has been held every three years since 2000.

    Debt hampers development

    Guterres noted that they were gathering in China amid rising geopolitical tensions, raging conflicts and growing poverty and hunger.

    He pointed to current challenges, including the conflicts in Ukraine, Gaza and Sudan, as well as the worsening climate crisis, inequalities and threats to global and African efforts to achieve sustainable development.

    Meanwhile, many African countries are mired in debt and struggling to invest in sustainable development, he said.

    Reform outdated systems

    The UN Secretary-General recalled his proposals to reform “outdated, ineffective and unfair international financial architecture”, and to provide a stimulus plan for developing countries striving to make the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) a reality.

    Solutions include increasing the lending capacity of multilateral development banks and enabling them to massively scale up affordable financing for development.

    He stressed that the support of China and Africa for these initiatives is critical.

    Progress on shared goals

    “In this context, South-South cooperation is essential to build capacities and drive progress on shared development goals while in no way reducing the responsibilities of the Global North,” he said.

    Guterres described China’s partnership with the African continent as a pillar of South-South cooperation. The process refers to the exchange of technology and skills between countries of the Global South.

    “Your joint efforts, based on the United Nations Charter, can create a new momentum for African development,” he said.

    He recalled that China is already Africa’s longstanding and largest trading partner.

    “And we know that in Africa, as elsewhere, investments are game-changing when they respect national ownership and are financially sustainable, climate-sensitive and consistent with international human rights commitments.”

    Partnership for transition

    Furthermore, “China’s remarkable record of development – including on eradicating poverty – provides a wealth of experience and expertise”, he continued.

    “The China-Africa partnership can drive the renewable energy revolution. It can be a catalyst for key transitions on food systems and digital connectivity,” he said.

    “And as home to some of the world’s most dynamic economies, Africa can maximize the potential of China’s support in areas from trade to data management, finance and technology.”

    Meeting today’s challenges

    Guterres also used the speech to highlight the need to “correct some historic injustices”.

    For example, it was “outrageous” that the continent of Africa has no permanent seat on the UN Security Council, he said.

    In this regard, the Summit of the Future at UN Headquarters later this month “will be a pivotal opportunity for renewal and reform anchored in solidarity and justice”.

    The UN chief spoke of the proposed focus on the prevention of and joint approaches to new and emerging threats to global security, building on recent success in authorizing UN-assessed contributions for African Union-led peace operations.

    “We are pushing for reforms so that the international financial architecture and institutions correspond to the realities of today’s world and can respond to today’s challenges – particularly those faced by developing countries, namely in Africa. Your full engagement will be critical to finding sustainable solutions,” he said.

    Concluding his remarks, the Secretary-General underscored “the full engagement of the United Nations in support of a strong China-Africa partnership, towards our shared goal of peace, sustainable development and human rights on a healthy planet”.

  • WHO reports 71 pc rise in cholera deaths last year

    WHO reports 71 pc rise in cholera deaths last year

    The number of deaths caused by cholera is on the rise, according to global cholera statistics for 2023 published by the World Health Organization (WHO) on Wednesday.

    Over 4000 people died from the disease last year, a 71 pc increase compared to 2022. The number of reported cases also increased by 13 pc.

    Cholera is an acute intestinal infection spread through contaminated food and water. While it is preventable and easily treatable, communities with limited access to sanitation are most affected.

    Conflict, climate change, inadequate safe water and sanitation, poverty, underdevelopment, and population displacement due to emerging and re-emerging conflicts and disasters from natural hazards all contributed to the rise in cholera outbreaks last year.

    Shift in geographic distribution 

    The geographical distribution of cholera changed significantly from 2022 to 2023, with a 32 p  decrease in cases reported from the Middle East and Asia, and a 125 pc increase in Africa.

    This is the first year that multiple countries have reported “community deaths”, which occur outside of health facilities.

    In five out of 13 reporting countries, over a third of cholera deaths occurred in the community, highlighting serious gaps in access to treatment and the need to strengthen this area of response.

    While Afghanistan reported the highest number of cases with 222,249, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Malawi, Mozambique and Haiti also continued to report significant outbreaks of over 30,000 cases per country.

    The global cholera crisis continues into 2024 with 22 countries currently reporting active outbreaks, although the number of cases reported so far in 2024 is lower compared to the same period last year according to preliminary data.

    One-dose strategy in effect

    Despite the low stockpile of oral cholera vaccines, a record 35 million doses were shipped last year, with the one-dose strategy in effect to reach and protect more people given limited supplies.

    While vaccination is an important tool, safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene remain the only long-term and sustainable solutions to ending cholera outbreaks and preventing future ones.

    WHO is responding with urgency to reduce deaths and contain outbreaks in countries around the world.

    The UN agency continues to support countries through strengthened public health surveillance, case management, and prevention measures alongside the provision of essential medical supplies.

  • WHO guidance takes aim at ‘antibiotic pollution’ from manufacturing labs

    WHO guidance takes aim at ‘antibiotic pollution’ from manufacturing labs

    The World Health Organization (WHO) on Tuesday issued its first-ever guidance aimed at curbing antibiotic pollution from manufacturing.

    The directive covers wastewater and solid waste management for manufacturing of antibiotics, and comes ahead of a High-Level Meeting on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) that will be held during the UN General Assembly later this month in New York.

    AMR occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites change over time and no longer respond to medicines. It is driven largely by the misuse and overuse of antimicrobials, even as many people worldwide do not have access to these essential medications.

    Antibiotic effectiveness undermined 

    WHO said the emergence and spread of AMR caused by antibiotic pollution could undermine the effectiveness of antibiotics globally, including the medicines produced at the manufacturing sites responsible for the pollution.

    Yet despite high antibiotic pollution levels being widely documented, the issue is largely unregulated and quality assurance criteria generally do not address environmental emissions.

    Additionally, consumers are not given sufficient information on how to dispose of unused antibiotics, for example, when the drugs have expired or when a course of antibiotics is finished but some is still leftover.

    Potential new threats

    “Pharmaceutical waste from antibiotic manufacturing can facilitate the emergence of new drug-resistant bacteria, which can spread globally and threaten our health,” said Dr. Yukiko Nakatani, WHO Assistant Director-General for AMR ad interim.

    “Controlling pollution from antibiotic production contributes to keeping these life-saving medicines effective for everyone,” she added.

    Globally, there is a lack of accessible information on the environmental damage caused by manufacturing of medicines, said WHO, which noted that several international bodies have called for the guidance, including health ministers from G7 leading economies as well as the UN Environment Programme (UNEP).

    Environmental action critical

    “The role of the environment in the development, transmission and spread of antimicrobial resistance needs careful consideration since evidence is mounting,” said Jacqueline Alvarez, Chief of Branch for the Industry and Economy Division at UNEP.

    “There is a widespread agreement that action on the environment must become more prominent as a solution. This includes pollution prevention and control from municipal systems, manufacturing sites, healthcare facilities and agri-food systems,” she added.

    About the guidance 

    The new guidance was developed in close collaboration with a diverse group of international experts, including representatives from academia, regulators, inspectors, international organizations, and other sectors.

    It provides human health-based targets to reduce the risk of emergence and spread of AMR, as well as targets to address risks for aquatic life caused by all antibiotics intended for human, animal or plant use.

    Furthermore, all steps from the manufacturing of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and formulation into finished products, including primary packaging, are covered.

    “The guidance provides an independent and impartial scientific basis for regulators, procurers, inspectors, and industry themselves to include robust antibiotic pollution control in their standards,” said Dr. Maria Neira, Director of WHO’s Department of Environment, Climate Change and Health.

    “Critically, the strong focus on transparency will equip buyers, investors and the general public to make decisions that account for manufacturers’ efforts to control antibiotic pollution.”

  • East African countries to register veterinary ectoparasiticides under Mutual Recognition Procedures

    East African countries to register veterinary ectoparasiticides under Mutual Recognition Procedures

    Veterinary pharmaceutical companies can now register veterinary ectoparasiticides (pesticides) within the East African Community (EAC) under the Mutual Recognition Procedure (MRP).

    This follows decision number EAC/CM45/Decision30 of the 45th EAC Council of Ministers held in June 2024 that approved the EAC guidelines for registration and testing of veterinary ectoparasiticides, and directive number EAC/CM45/Directive68 that instructed the EAC Secretariat and urged EAC Partner States to implement the approved guidelines in line with article 108 (e) of EAC Treaty.

    This article calls for the EAC Partner States to adopt common mechanism to ensure safety, efficacy and potency of agricultural inputs including chemicals, drugs and vaccines.

    Until recently, obtaining approval to place veterinary medicines on the market required a marketing authorisation (licence) from the National Regulatory Authority in each country where the product is to be sold.

    This involved applying for a licence separately in each country.

    The EAC’s MRP submission pathway has improved accessibility to quality veterinary medicines in shorter timelines, resource sharing and the process has become more predictable within the region.

    The MRP system was first developed in 2014 and the first marketing authorization certificates were issued in 2018.

    Veterinary ectoparasiticides were not included in the initial scope of products for harmonisation – immunological and pharmaceutical veterinary products.

    In September 2019, the 13th EAC Sectoral Council on Agriculture and Food Security (SCAFS), the organ responsible for setting out priorities and implementing programmes in the agriculture sector, expanded the mandate and scope of MRP to include veterinary ectoparasiticides and medical devices.

    With support from GALVmed and other partners, the EAC Secretariat have now developed harmonised guidelines for registration of veterinary ectoparasiticides in the region.

    The guidelines and other technical documents were approved in June 2024, thereby allowing companies to submit these products for registration through the MRP.

    “Registering veterinary ectoparasiticides under the MRP is another milestone in creating a functioning and harmonised regulatory environment for veterinary medicines that will make much needed quality products available to livestock keepers sooner thereby improving animal health and livestock production.” Said Dr Lois Muraguri, GALVmed’s Senior Director, Enabling Environment & Partner Engagement.

    Since 2010, GALVmed and its partners, AU-PANVAC and HealthforAnimals, have been supporting the EAC to implement the MRP in the EAC Partner States.  The first product was submitted for registration in 2017.

    Since then, a total of 37 products have been submitted through MRP; seventeen (17) products have been evaluated and released to respective regulators for registration.

    Fahari Marwa, Principal Agricultural Economist at the EAC said “the MRP initiative has achieved significant progress, and we are looking forward to having veterinary pesticides products registered through this innovative MRP regional system. We will also be sharing knowledge and best practices across countries.”

  • Reprieve for agents tasked with revenue collection in Bill proposing waiver on delayed remittance 

    Reprieve for agents tasked with revenue collection in Bill proposing waiver on delayed remittance 

    Agents mandated by the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) to collect taxes on its behalf are set for a major reprieve in the proposed waiver plan on delayed remittances.

    The proposal contained in the Kenya Revenue Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2024 will also help traders and businesses avoid penalties on delayed payments.

    The Bill sponsored by Leader of Majority, Kimani Ichung’wa proposes to amend Section 15a of the Kenya Revenue Authority Act (Cap. 469) to give the Cabinet Secretary for National Treasury power to waive the penalty payable by an appointed agent who fails to transfer collected funds.

    The Bill was Read for the First Time on August 15, 2024, and was committed to the Committee on Finance and National Planning for consideration.

    The Clerk of the National Assembly has called for views on the Bill.

    The public has until September 9, 2024, to submit views about the Bill to the office of the Clerk.

  • Fourth Quick Reaction Force contigent to DRC flagged off

    Fourth Quick Reaction Force contigent to DRC flagged off

    The first batch of the fourth contingent of the Kenya Quick Reaction Force (KENQRF 4) destined for the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) was officially flagged off, marking the commencement of their peacekeeping mission.

    The ceremony, held at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), was presided over by Brigadier Stephen Kapkory, the Base Commander of Embakasi Air Base.

    KENQRF 4 will join the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), which is focused on stabilizing the eastern regions of the DRC where armed groups continue to cause instability.

    This deployment comes at a crucial time, as MONUSCO intensifies its efforts in the protection of civilians, Security Sector Reform, and the Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration of combatants.

    In his address, Brigadier Kapkory emphasized the troops’ preparedness, professional training, and clear understanding of their mandate, expressing confidence in their readiness and capability for the mission.

    “I am confident in your level of training and professionalism. Be good ambassadors of the Republic of Kenya by maintaining a high sense of professionalism and discipline in all your undertakings and uphold the exemplary performance registered by your predecessors,” he stated.

    KENQRF 4 will be engaged in operations against armed groups, protecting civilians, supporting humanitarian efforts, and aiding in the disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration of former combatants, a task that the previous contingents have successfully performed.

    During the event, Lieutenant Colonel Simon Seda, Commander of KENQRF 4, also expressed his confidence in his troops’ readiness and their ability to make a significant impact in the DRC.

    “Our men and women are prepared for the task ahead. They have undergone rigorous training and are equipped with the necessary skills to execute this mission effectively. We are committed to contributing to the restoration of peace and stability in the DRC,” he said.

    In a separate event, Brigadier Kapkory welcomed home the first batch of KENQRF 3 troops returning from the DRC.

    Speaking at the event, he praised the returning troops for their stellar efforts in stabilizing the eastern part of the DRC. He also commended their professionalism in executing their mandate and upholding the highest standards of discipline in accordance with the UN code of conduct, which enabled them to achieve their objectives in their area of operation.

    Kenya has a long and distinguished history in United Nations peacekeeping, underscoring its commitment to regional and global peace and security.

    Since gaining independence in 1963, Kenya has been actively involved in various peacekeeping missions under the auspices of the United Nations, earning a reputation for professionalism and effective execution.

  • Aid teams cite huge challenges in tackling new Sudan cholera outbreak

    Aid teams cite huge challenges in tackling new Sudan cholera outbreak

    Protecting war-weary people in Sudan from a second deadly cholera outbreak is proving a huge challenge for aid teams after more than 16 months of heavy fighting, combined with flooding and ongoing access obstacles, they reported on Friday.

    “The needs are huge in Sudan; we are talking about people dying of hunger, we have conflict, we have protection issues, we have displacements on a daily basis; the needs are just huge,” compounded by several weeks of heavy rainfall, said Kristine Hambrouck, UNHCR Representative in Sudan.

    Famine ‘ongoing’

    In addition to cholera, famine is still “ongoing” in Zamzam camp near El Fasher town, according to the UN World Health Organization (WHO). It said that 658 cases have been reported since the latest outbreak was declared on 12 August, with 28 deaths. The last outbreak of cholera in May saw more than 11,300 cases and at least 300 deaths.

    Underscoring the dire humanitarian situation across Sudan, WHO also warned that at least 12 of Sudan’s 18 states now face three or more disease outbreaks of cholera in addition to malaria, measles and/or dengue.

    Yet despite the urgent need for lifesaving healthcare interventions, the UN health agency said that resources and local capacity to detect and respond to outbreaks remain limited, particularly in hard-to-reach areas such as the Darfurs and Kordofan states.

    Kassala, Gedaref, Jazirah at risk

    Meanwhile, the UN refugee agency’s Ms. Hambrouck warned that cholera is spreading in areas hosting internally displaced people uprooted by the violence and those from other countries, in particular Kassala, Gedaref and Jazirah states.

    “We have seen quite large numbers of cholera cases in Kassala; Kassala is an important area for us, it hosts a large number of refugees, but also internally displaced. So far, we have 119 cholera cases in three refugee sites in Kassala and five refugees have passed away regretfully of the disease.”

    The UNHCR official highlighted the difficulty of trying to address this latest emergency in Sudan, where fighting between rival militaries erupted in April 2023 over a proposed transition to civilian rule, following a military coup in 2021 and the 2019 ousting of long-time President Omar Al-Bashir.

    “This is just one (challenge), one on top of all the other ones that we somehow have to reprioritize and make sure that investments are being made,” she said, emphasizing that in refugee camps and displacement sites, “people live on top of each other” and are “hugely overcrowded with the movements of Sudanese (and) also refugees from Khartoum, from Wad Madani, from the Darfurs” to Kassala.

    “All these areas have become hugely overcrowded, the water systems that were in place do not have the capacity to respond, it really needs massive investments,” she insisted.

    Vaccine success

    An initial vaccination campaign has successfully protected more than 50,000 people from cholera, with hundreds of thousands more doses on the way.

    “The vaccination campaign already started and we used the 51,000 doses that were already in the country,” said Dr Shible Sahbani, WHO Representative in Sudan. Speaking from Port Sudan, he confirmed that the inoculation campaign concluded in Kassala state on Thursday.

    “We were aiming to reach the 97 per cent of the target population,” he said, adding that the UN health agency has also secured the approval to procure an additional 455,000 doses of cholera vaccine “good news in the middle of this horrible crisis”.

    Elsewhere, aid access problems have continued to interrupt the humanitarian response. “We are still facing some obstacles and some challenges, either because there is a miscommunication between the decision-makers and those who are on the field, or because there are other issues. Of course, this is in addition to other challenges due to floods and the quality of the roads,” Dr Sahbani said.

    Echoing that message, the UN aid coordination office, OCHA, said that the 15 trucks that crossed into Sudan from Chad via the Adre crossing earlier this week were “a step in the right direction”.

    But transport conditions remain difficult because of the rainy season said spokesperson Jens Laerke, who underscored the importance of ensuring that aid trucks can continue to cross there “and secure a steady flow of food, nutrition, water, sanitation, hygiene and medical emergency supplies for people in more than a dozen areas at risk of famine”.

    Seeds of hope

    Vital farming supplies including seeds are among the supplies being transported into Darfur, the OCHA spokesperson noted. “This is an important point, because they need to plant before the rainy season ends. Boosting food production in Sudan is one of the most effective ways to address the overwhelming hunger crisis, which is only worsening after more than 16 months of conflict.”

    Since the start of the conflict in Sudan, more than 10.3 million people have been driven from their homes inside Sudan or in neighbouring countries, according to UNHCR.

    It emphasized that the humanitarian situation and funding levels for the lifesaving aid response were “already precarious” before the latest cholera outbreak, and that funds are urgently needed to support an expansion of cholera treatment centres and other health facilities, additional health staff and increased stocks of intravenous fluid and medicines.

    Response plan frustrated

    Elsewhere, aid access problems have continued to interrupt the humanitarian response. “We are still facing some obstacles and some challenges, either because there is a miscommunication between the decision-makers and those who are on the field, or because there are other issues. Of course, this is in addition to other challenges due to floods and the quality of the roads,” Dr Sahbani said.

    Echoing that message, the UN aid coordination office, OCHA, said that the 15 trucks that crossed into Sudan from Chad via the Adre crossing earlier this week were “a step in the right direction”.

    But transport conditions remain difficult because of the rainy season said spokesperson Jens Laerke, who underscored the importance of ensuring that aid trucks can continue to cross there “and secure a steady flow of food, nutrition, water, sanitation, hygiene and medical emergency supplies for people in more than a dozen areas at risk of famine”.

    Seeds of hope
    Vital farming supplies including seeds are among the supplies being transported into Darfur, the OCHA spokesperson noted. “This is an important point, because they need to plant before the rainy season ends. Boosting food production in Sudan is one of the most effective ways to address the overwhelming hunger crisis, which is only worsening after more than 16 months of conflict.”

    Since the start of the conflict in Sudan, more than 10.3 million people have been driven from their homes inside Sudan or in neighbouring countries, according to UNHCR.

    It emphasized that the humanitarian situation and funding levels for the lifesaving aid response were “already precarious” before the latest cholera outbreak, and that funds are urgently needed to support an expansion of cholera treatment centres and other health facilities, additional health staff and increased stocks of intravenous fluid and medicines.

    Response plan frustrated
    Of the $1.5 billion required by UNHCR and other partners for the Regional Refugee Response Plan to provide assistance in countries bordering Sudan, just 22 per cent has been received. The inter-agency response inside Sudan is only 37 per cent funded.

    “I think the funding levels are extremely challenging and do not allow us to address all the needs, both in Sudan, as well as across the border. So, this really, it really requires an international effort to make sure that we can stabilize at least this cholera situation,” said Ms. Hambrouck.

    Of the $1.5 billion required by UNHCR and other partners for the Regional Refugee Response Plan to provide assistance in countries bordering Sudan, just 22 per cent has been received. The inter-agency response inside Sudan is only 37 per cent funded.

    “I think the funding levels are extremely challenging and do not allow us to address all the needs, both in Sudan, as well as across the border. So, this really, it really requires an international effort to make sure that we can stabilize at least this cholera situation,” said Ms. Hambrouck.

  • WHO seeks $135 million to defeat mpox

    WHO seeks $135 million to defeat mpox

    The current mpox outbreak “can be controlled and can be stopped”, the head of the World Health Organization (WHO) emphasized on Friday, announcing an action plan that calls for $135 million over the next six months.  

    “Responding to this complex outbreak requires a comprehensive and coordinated international response,” WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told Member States, as cases spread beyond Africa to Europe and Asia.

    The briefing was held just over a week after he declared that mpox was a public health emergency of international concern.

    New mpox virus strain

    Tedros said the global outbreak first emerged in 2022, with more than 100,000 confirmed cases reported since then. While the virus continues to circulate at low levels, Africa has seen an unprecedented increase and expansion.

    Transmission is mainly centred in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), where there have been more than 16,000 suspected cases, including 575 deaths, this year alone.

    The surge is being driven by two separate outbreaks of two strains of the mpox virus, or clades, and in different parts of the country.

    Rapid spread

    The rapid spread of a new offshoot, clade 1b, was the main reason behind his decision to declare mpox a global public health emergency on 14 August.

    “In the past month, cases of clade 1b have been reported in four countries neighbouring DRC, which had not reported mpox before: Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda. This week, cases have also been reported in Thailand and Sweden,” he said.

    We can stop mpox

    In response, WHO and partners have developed a plan to stop outbreaks of human-to-human transmission of mpox through coordinated efforts at the global, regional, and national levels.

    “Let me be clear: this new mpox outbreak can be controlled and can be stopped,” Tedros insisted.

    “Doing so requires concerted action between international agencies and national and local partners, civil society, researchers and manufacturers, and you, our Member States.”

    He stressed that response must be anchored in equity, global solidarity, community empowerment, human rights, and coordination across sectors.

    Strategic response plan

    The Global Mpox Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan (SRSP) focuses on implementing comprehensive surveillance and response strategies, as well as advancing research and equitable access to medical countermeasures.

    “Our initial estimates are that the SPRP requires approximately $135 million over the next six months for the acute phase of the outbreak. That amount will likely increase as we update the plan in light of growing needs,” Tedros said.

    He added that a dedicated WHO funding appeal will be released early next week.

    Leadership, preparedness and coordination

    The SPRP also calls for minimizing zoonotic transmission and empowering communities to actively participate in outbreak prevention and control.

    At the global-level, emphasis is on strategic leadership, timely evidence-based guidance, and access to medical countermeasures for the most at-risk groups in affected countries.

    In this regard, WHO is working with a range of international, regional, national and local partners and networks to enhance coordination across the key areas of preparedness, readiness and response.

    WHO regional offices have also established Incident Management Support Teams (IMSTs) to lead preparedness and response activities, while staffing is being scaled up in affected countries.

    Preventing transmission, saving lives

    Additionally, the Regional Office for Africa, in collaboration with the African Centres for Disease Control (CDC), will jointly spearhead the coordination of mpox response efforts, given that needs on the continents are greatest.

    Meanwhile, health authorities at the national and sub-national level will adapt strategies to current epidemiological trends.

    Tedros noted that WHO has so far released roughly $1.5 million from a contingency fund for emergencies, with more allocations expected in the coming days, “until funding from donors for the response comes in.”

    He said the agency “will coordinate the global response, working closely with each of the affected countries, to prevent transmission, treat those infected, and save lives.”