Month: June 2022

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THE ULTIMATE, A ONE-OF-A-KIND COIN FROM THE ROYAL CANADIAN MINT, SURPASSES $1.2 MILLION AT HEFFEL AUCTION

OTTAWA, ON, June 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — The Royal Canadian Mint is delighted that The Ultimate, a one-of-a-kind one-kilo pure platinum coin, adorned with hundreds of pink diamonds from the famed Argyle mine, sold for $1,261,250.00 CAD (including Buyer’s Premium), after heated bids were exchanged during a live auction conducted by Heffel Fine Art Auction House (Heffel).  This price surpasses pre-sale estimates of $700,000 to $900,000 CAD.  This singular masterpiece of numismatic art was sold to an anonymous bidder on May 31, 2022, and set a new record for a coin offered at auction in Canada.  Heffel and the Mint will finalize the purchase transaction and formalities over the coming days.

Royal Canadian Mint (RCM) Logo (CNW Group/Royal Canadian Mint)

“The Ultimate is the highest expression of the innovation, skill and craftsmanship of the people who continue to make the Royal Canadian Mint a global leader in the art and science of coin manufacturing,” said Marie Lemay, President and CEO of the Royal Canadian Mint.

“It has been an incredible opportunity for Heffel to work with the Mint and help make history with the sale of The Ultimate,” said David Heffel, President of Heffel Fine Art Auction House. “This one-of-a-kind masterpiece is an artwork of the highest calibre and it has been an honour to place it in an outstanding collection. We look forward to following its historic journey for decades to come.”

The Ultimate is the crowning showpiece of the Mint’s newly launched Opulence Collection. It is also the Mint’s first-ever one-kilo 99.95% pure platinum coin.  Polished to proof perfection, The Ultimate features a reverse design by Canadian artist Derek Wicks that brings the beauty of the cherry blossom to life on a 101.6 mm canvas. A total of 462 Fancy Vivid and Fancy Intense pink diamonds (6.5 total carat weight) from the Argyle mine have been hand set into rose gold-plated, platinum cast jewellery pieces fashioned by Beverly Hills Jewellers.

About the Royal Canadian Mint

The Royal Canadian Mint is the Crown corporation responsible for the minting and distribution of Canada’s circulation coins. The Mint is one of the largest and most versatile mints in the world, offering a wide range of specialized, high quality coinage products and related services on an international scale. For more information on the Mint, its products and services, visit www.mint.ca.  Follow the Mint on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

About Heffel Fine Art Auction House

Since 1978, Heffel has connected passionate collectors across the world with outstanding works of art, with sales totaling three quarters of a billion dollars. With offices in Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, Ottawa and Calgary, Heffel has the most experienced team of fine art specialists in Canada and provides superior client service to both sellers and buyers internationally.

CONTACT: Royal Canadian Mint, Alex Reeves, Senior Manager, Public Affairs, 613-884-6370, reeves@mint.ca; Heffel Fine Art Auction House, Rebecca Rykiss, National Director, Brand and Communications, 416-961-6505 ext. 323, rebecca@heffel.com

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UN Global Compact launches Africa Business Leaders Coalition to advance climate action and sustainable growth across the continent

The Africa Business Leaders Coalition brings together CEOs from across the continent to advance Africa’s sustainable growth, prosperity and development

New York, U.S.A., May 31, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Convened by the UN Global Compact, Chief Executive Officers from across Africa today announced the launch of the Africa Business Leaders Coalition (ABLC).

The Coalition will provide a platform for African business leaders to have a unified private sector voice as they actively and meaningfully engage to work on the continent’s most pressing issues through an organized, forward-looking, principles-based approach.

The Africa Business Leaders Coalition is a CEO-led initiative emanating from the UN Global Compact Africa Strategy 2021–2023, and is committed to advancing sustainable growth, prosperity and development in Africa by bringing measurable impact to its most pressing issues. The ABLC will work closely with the UN Global Compact Hub in Abuja and 10 Global Compact Local Networks operating across Africa.

Ahead of COP27 to be held in Egypt in November 2022, the ABLC will focus its efforts on sustainable development and ambitious climate action by bringing the perspectives of dozens of leading African CEOs and Board Chairs into the global conversation. This will culminate in an ABLC Climate Statement in support of COP27, anchored in the goals of the Paris Agreement, the Sustainable Development Goals and the UN Global Compact Ten Principles. ABLC members will be invited to sign on and announce credible commitments and actions through this Climate Statement.

Welcoming the founding members of the Africa Business Leaders Coalition, UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed urged them to use their influence to drive change across the continent.  “This is  an opportunity to establish a holistic dialogue to reconcile the development needs of the continent with the need for ambitious climate action, jumpstart the renewable energy transition, and build resilience across the continent,” she said.

Launching the ABLC, Assistant Secretary-General and CEO of the UN Global Compact Sanda Ojiambo said: “Climate change presents a $3 trillion investment opportunity in Africa by 2030. But this potential will not be realized unless the private sector is involved. This Coalition has a critical role to play in ensuring the voice of Africa’s private sector is heard on the global stage to ensure the continent’s growth is not only sustainable but also green.”

The 11 founding members of ABLC include Herbert Wigwe, CEO, Access Bank, Nigeria; Brahim Benjelloun Touimi, Chairman, Bank of Africa, Morocco; Hichem Elloumi, Chairman and CEO, COFICAB; Strive Masiyiwa, Founder and Executive Chairman, Econet Wireless, Zimbabwe; James Mwangi, CEO and Managing Director, Equity Group, Kenya; Karim Bernoussi, CEO, Intelcia Group, Morocco; Phuthi​ Mahanyele-Dabengwa, CEO, Naspers, South Africa; Yasmine Mohamed Farid Khamis, CEO and Chairman, Oriental Weavers Carpets Co., Egypt; Peter Ndegwa, CEO, Safaricom, Kenya; Fleetwood Grobler, President and CEO, Sasol, South Africa; and Amir Barsoum, Founder and CEO, Vezeeta, Egypt.

Members of the ABLC commit to upholding the Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact and becoming a UN Global Compact participant within six months of joining.

During today’s  launch, the founding members shared their commitment to sustainability across the continent, focusing on potential company commitments, the sustainability efforts they are making across their communities, a move towards more innovative and robust methods of climate finance, and a call to action for the global community.

The virtual launch event was also attended by leaders from the United Nations, including Abdulla Shahid, President of the United Nations General Assembly; Collen Vixen Kelapile, President, United Nations Economic and Social Council; Amina Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General, United Nations; Cristina Duarte, Under Secretary-General and Special Adviser on Africa to the UN Secretary-General and Sanda Ojiambo, Assistant Secretary-General and CEO of the UN Global Compact. They  joined together today to launch the ABLC with Dr. Mahmoud Mohieldin, UN Climate Change High-level Climate Champion for Egypt.

Boston Consulting Group is providing strategy and implementation support to the UN Global Compact for the Africa Business Leaders Coalition.  Today’s inaugural  meeting was Chaired by Sanda Ojiambo with support from Patrick Dupoux, Managing Director, Senior Partner, and Head of Africa, BCG.

Today’s  launch will be followed by six regional roundtable meetings in Abidjan, Cairo, Casablanca, Johannesburg, Lagos and Nairobi in June and July to discuss, shape and mobilize principled and sustainable business in Africa.

About the United Nations Global Compact

As a special initiative of the UN Secretary-General, the United Nations Global Compact is a call to companies everywhere to align their operations and strategies with Ten Principles in the areas of human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption. Our ambition is to accelerate and scale the global collective impact of business by upholding the Ten Principles and delivering the Sustainable Development Goals through accountable companies and ecosystems that enable change. With more than 15,000 companies and 3,000 non-business signatories based in over 160 countries, and 69 Local Networks, the UN Global Compact is the world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative — one Global Compact uniting business for a better world.

For more information, follow @globalcompact on social media and visit our website at unglobalcompact.org and Africa Business Leaders Coalition | UN Global Compact

Media Contact

Alex Gee

gee@unglobalcompact.org 

Dan Thomas
United Nations Global Compact
(212) 907-1301
media@unglobalcompact.org
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Shanghai Electric Releases Corporate Social Responsibility 2022 Report

SHANGHAI, June 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — Shanghai Electric has announced the release of its annual Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Report 2022, highlighting the Company’s performance and achievements in Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) in the fiscal year 2021.

This is Shanghai Electric’s 13th CSR report as the Company continues to advance its pledge to improve its transparency around its ESG practices and strengthen its commitment to expediting the global energy transformation with its green strategy. The report features Shanghai Electric’s technological innovations that drive the development of its three key business sectors – energy equipment, industrial equipment, and integrated services – as well as outlines its significant progress in implementing its low-carbon strategy to address global climate-related issues. The report also includes a host of initiatives launched by Shanghai Electric to upskill employees and college graduates as part of its efforts to unlock their career potential and build a future-ready workforce for the energy sector.

“Global businesses continue to grapple with the negative impact imposed by the ongoing pandemic which has stalled progress in rejuvenating the world economy, hindered international cooperation, and blunted efforts to tackle climate change. In the face of a confluence of global challenges, Shanghai Electric has set its priorities on low-carbon technologies and digital transformation as we strive to become a leader and innovator in the new energy sector,” Shanghai Electric wrote in the report.

Empowering the Future with Technological Breakthroughs

To deliver innovative and reliable technology and climate change solutions across the energy ecosystem, Shanghai Electric has ramped up investment in its offshore wind business while strengthening its R&D capability to drive innovation for energy storage. With digitalization, automation, and sustainability serving as the growth engines for its business, Shanghai Electric has also built on its state-of-the-art technologies for industrial equipment to develop automation and systematic solutions for smart energy, intelligent manufacturing, and smart infrastructure. In terms of integrated services, the Company is accelerating its efforts to transform its business model to push the servitization of its products.

Incorporating ESG as a Core Section of Its Business Operation

To enhance its continued endeavor to optimize its ESG oversight and management, Shanghai Electric has formed a dedicated ESG committee tasked with setting up the Company’s general strategy with respect to ESG issues, assessing the risks of its business operation to the environment, as well as evaluating its ESG performance and progress.

Against the backdrop of China’s carbon neutrality and peak carbon goals, Shanghai Electric is responding to the transition to renewable energy with innovative business solutions and outfitting its products with energy-saving technology to help drive down carbon emissions. Shanghai Electric is also working with its partners to establish a green supply chain, holding the highest standards to ensure every stage of a product – from designing and manufacturing to operation and maintenance – is responsibly implemented.

The report also offers detailed information on Shanghai Electric’s measures to combat environmental issues, as well as data about its reduction in energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, water consumption, pollutants and waste emissions, in line with its ambition to become a holistically sustainable company in the coming decades.

Speeding Up Green Transformation to Enable a Sustainable Tomorrow

Shanghai Electric is accelerating the development and application of low-carbon technologies including hydrogen energy, energy storage, and carbon capture while leveraging its business advantages to promote the development and construction of new energy projects. Meanwhile, the Company is constantly improving the blueprint and roadmap for its renewable solutions and services to boost consumption capacity for new energy.

Shanghai Electric has bolstered the United Arab Emirates in its effort to help the country achieve green energy transition by building the Dubai Photovoltaic Energy Storage Station. Equipped with a 400KW photovoltaic system and a 1MWh-class battery energy storage system, the project replaces diesel generators used in Shanghai Electric’s offices in Dubai with renewable energy sources.

Empowering the Next Generation of Electrical Engineers with Upskilling Programs

Equity is an integral part of Shanghai Electric’s corporate culture, and the Company actively promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion by creating a working environment that is open and appreciative to all. Shanghai Electric creates a workspace where all employees can self-determine their own career pathways and offers channels and platforms for them to showcase and develop their professional skills. In 2021, Shanghai Electric was named one of “China’s Best Employers” by Forbes, ranking 15th on the list.

To enable employees to enjoy equal opportunities and fulfill their potential, Shanghai Electric has set up vocational education and training programs for workers. In a format tailored to the needs of employees across multiple business sectors, the in-house training program aims to satisfy people’s different interests and special requirements, facilitating their career growth. Shanghai Electric is also committed to youth development by partnering with universities and educational institutions to offer a series of offline training programs designed to foster the employability of university students.

Leading the Development of China’s Energy Sector

To create spaces with an aim to bring together industry leaders to exchange ideas, strengthen business partnerships and discuss opportunities and challenges facing China’s energy industry, Shanghai Electric hosted a series of forums, lectures and symposiums in 2021 that invited 72 industry experts and attracted over 700 domestic researchers. Those nationwide events saw companies debut 103 projects and ink 22 agreements. In addition, Shanghai Electric spent 3.4% of its total revenue on research and development in 2021, with expenditure on R&D for key technologies and equipment increasing year by year.

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GAC MOTOR Launches All New GS8 Across the Middle East Region – The High-Quality SUV

GUANGZHOU, China, June 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — The Smart and High-tech Full-size SUV model—All New GS8, an upgraded 7-seater, saw its Middle Eastern debut in Bahrain on May 26. Fans of GAC MOTOR in the Middle East can finally meet one of the most brand successful cars. Saudi Arabia will follow closely behind and welcome the All New GS8 on June 6.

A New Level of Excellence 

The All New GS8 underwent comprehensive upgrades compared to the previous generation to bring prestige to premium buyers.

The model’s signature four-bulb metric headlights come perfectly together with a powerful V-shaped chrome grille arranged in a symmetrical layout for an aggressive and bold stance.

Inside, a smart interactive cabin fits 8-way adjustable seats wrapped in finely crafted leather for the ultimate luxury experience.

The model is equipped with the GAC MOTOR’s latest cutting-edge technology, including a wide array of driving assistance capabilities and an AVDC Shadow Driver system to guarantee the most suitable driving mode in any road conditions.

Expanding Brand Influence with Cross-Industry Collaborations

The Middle East region has developed into one of the key markets for GAC MOTOR in recent years. The brand prepared a series of festive initiatives for Ramadan, the market’s most important shopping season, to join the locals in celebration.

In March, GAC MOTOR began a partnership with MBC and Citruss TV, two of the Middle East’s most significant media networks. The partnership brought considerable exposure to GAC MOTOR’s car raffle campaign.

Also catching the eye of locals were attractive deals, zero-deposit options, and cash discounts offered by GAC MOTOR during the Ramadan sales period.

Expanding Network Fuels Success in the Middle East

After years of being established in the Middle East, GAC MOTOR is now enjoying success in the market. Demand for signature models, including the All New GS4, remains high in the region.

The All New GS8 will be launched in late June in the upgraded flagship store in Kuwait. And GAC MOTOR will open a new showroom in ABU DHABI in July.

In addition to the All New GS8, Middle Eastern customers can look forward to more quality cars from GAC MOTOR in 2022. With healthy market development, strong products, and a robust service network GAC MOTOR will continue to achieve outstanding performance in the Middle East.

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‫ تقرير زيورخ عن “المستهلك في الشرق الأوسط”: التخطيط المالي أساسي لإدارة تطور المخاطر الصحية

– النسخة السابعة من تقرير زيورخ حول “المزايا المدفوعة للعملاء” الذي يستند إلى مطالبات قُدمت للشركة لتغطية التأمين على الحياة على مدى ثلاث سنوات، تقدم رؤى فريدة حول المخاطر الصحية المتطورة في الشرق الأوسط

– التقرير يشير إلى أن مرض السرطان لدى النساء والنوبات القلبية والسكتات الدماغية لدى الرجال يعدوا من الأسباب الرئيسية لمطالبات تغطية الأمراض الخطيرة وتعويضات التأمين على الحياة

– كوفيد-19 يعتبر ثاني أكبر سبب لمطالبات التأمين على الحياة بعد النوبة القلبية والسكتة الدماغية

– 52٪ من إجمالي المزايا المدفوعة للعملاء كانت مطالبات لتغطية التأمين على الحياة، بينما 47٪ منها كانت مطالبات للتعويض عن نفقات المعيشة ونُسبت إلى أمراض خطيرة

– على مدى السنوات الثلاث الماضية، دفعت شركة زيورخ للعملاء مطالبات قدرها 144 مليون دولار  

دبي، الإمارات العربية المتحدة31  مايو 2022/PRNewswire/ — أصدرت شركة زيورخ إنترناشيونال لايف ليمتد، وهي جزء من مجموعة زيورخ للتأمين السويسرية، النسخة السابعة من تقرير “المزايا المدفوعة للعملاء في الشرق الأوسط” الذي يستند إلى المطالبات الرسمية التي قدمت للشركة لتغطية المعيشة والتأمين على الحياة في الفترة الممتدة من يناير 2019 إلى ديسمبر 2021، ويهدف إلى زيادة الوعي حول ضرورة التأمين على الحياة والحماية من الأمراض الخطيرة لضمان المزيد من الاستقرار والأمان المالي.

Wilson Varghese, Head of Operations, Zurich

 ويشير التقرير إلى أن السرطان يأتي في طليعة الأمراض الخطيرة التي تم تغطيتها من قبل الشركة، بنسبة(48٪)،خلال السنوات الثلاث الماضية، بينما جاءت النوبات القلبية والسكتات الدماغية في المرتبة الثانية  بنسبة(35٪)، وفيروس كوفيد-19 في المرتبة الثالثة (24٪).

ووفق التقرير، شكل الرجال نسبة 66 ٪ والنساء 34 ٪ من المطالبات لتغطية أمراض خطيرة، واستحوذ الرجال على الحصة الأكبر (78٪) من المطالبات لتغطية التأمين على الحياة والنساء 22٪. وكان السرطان السبب الرئيسي لكل من مطالبات تغطية الأمراض الخطيرة (84٪) والتأمين على الحياة (41٪) بين النساء، بينما كانت النوبات القلبية والسكتات الدماغية المصدر الرئيسي لكل من المطالبات لتغطية الأمراض الخطيرة (62٪) ومطالبات التأمين على الحياة (41%) بين الرجال.

وفي إطار تعليقه على نتائج التقرير، قال ويلسون فارغيز رئيس العمليات في زيورخ: “إن قاعدة عملائنا ليست سوى عينة نموذجية تمثل المجتمع المتنوع في الإمارات. وتعكس النتائج المستخلصة من التقرير تطور وتغير المخاطر الصحية التي نواجهها خصوصًا بعد الجائحة، لذا من الضروري أن يعمد الأشخاص المستقلين ماليًا إلى حماية أنفسهم وأحبائهم وتحصين ذاتهم ماليًا، واتخاذ إجراءات استباقية بشأن صحتهم. ويعتبر أسلوب الحياة النشط والنظام الغذائي الصحي والفحوصات الطبية المنتظمة ضرورية لتحديد عوامل الخطر والحد منها والتمتع بنوعية حياة أفضل”.

ونظرًا للتنوع القائم بين المطالبين من ناحية العمر والجنس ونمط الحياة يؤكد التقرير ضرورة تقييم احتياجات التأمين على المستوى الفردي، لكي يتمتع جميع أفراد العائلة بالتغطية التأمينية الفريدة وحلول الحماية التي تتجاوز التأمين الطبي الموحد.

وتابع فارغيز: “تتمثل رؤيتنا في تمكين المجتمع ليكون جاهزًا للحياة. وقد حرصت شركة زيورخ على دفع نحو 98% من المطالبات على الحياة وذلك انطلاقًا من التزامها بدعم العملاء الذين هم بأمس الحاجة إليها”.

ووفق التقرير، بلغ متوسط عمر المطالبين بتغطية الأمراض الخطيرة 49 عامًا وبلغ عمر أصغر مطالب أربع سنوات وعمر أصغر مطالب بالغ 29 عامًا، وبلغ متوسط عمر المطالبين بتعويضات التأمين على الحياة 54 عامًا وعمر أصغر مطالب 28 عامًا.

وفي السنوات الثلاث الماضية بلغت قيمة أعلى مطالبة تم تقديمها لتغطية مرض خطير مليون دولار، وأعلى مطالبة فردية لتعويضات التأمين على الحياة 5.93 مليون دولار. ودفعت الشركة 144 مليون دولار من المطالبات في الفترة الممتدة من يناير 2019 إلى ديسمبر 2021، وشكلت المطالبات المتعلقة بتغطية الأمراض الخطيرة نحو 47% منها، والمطالبات المتعلقة بتغطية تعويضات التأمين على الحياة 52% منها، والمطالبات لتغطية الإعاقة الدائمة والشاملة 1% منها.

لمحة عن مجموعة زيورخ

مجموعة زيورخ للتأمين (زيورخ) هي شركة تأمين رائدة متعددة المجالات تخدم أكثر من 55 مليون عميل ما بين أفراد وشركات صغيرة ومتوسطة وكبيرة، وتقدّم باقة واسعة من منتجات وخدمات التأمين على الممتلكات والتأمين على الحياة في أكثر من 210 دول وإقليم. وتتطلع الشركة التي تأسست منذ أكثر من 150 عامًا إلى إحداث نقلة نوعية في قطاع التأمين. وإلى جانب توفير خدمات التأمين على الحياة، تسعى زيورخ جاهدة إلى تقديم خدمات وقائية تعزز الرفاهية والقدرة على التكيف مع التغيرات المناخية.

تسعى زيورخ إلى بلوغ هدفها المتمثل في خلق مستقبل أكثر إشراقًا للجميع، ولتكون واحدة من أكثر الشركات المسؤولة وتأثيرًا في العالم لذا تهدف للوصول إلى صفر انبعاثات كربونية مع حلول العام 2050، وقد صنفت كواحدة من أكثر شركات التأمين استدامة في العالم، وفق تقييم استدامة الشركات العالمية من ستاندر آند بورز.  توظّف المجموعة التي تتخذ من زيورخ، سويسرا مقرًا رئيسيًا لها 56,000 شخص تقريباً. الشركة القابضة، Zurich Insurance Group Ltd (ZURN) ، مدرجة في البورصة SIX السويسرية وتتمتّع ببرنامج إيصال الإيداع الأمريكي من المستوى الأول (ZURVY) ، ويتم تداولها بشكل مباشر في أسواق التداول OTCQX. مزيدٌ من المعلومات عن زيورخ مُتاحة على https://www.zurich.com/en

لمحة عن زيورخ إنترناشيونال لايف ليمتد

زيورخ إنترناشيونال لايف ليمتد جزءٌ من مجموعة زيورخ للتأمين تمّ تأسيسها في جزيرة مان وتم ترخيصها من قبل هيئة الخدمات المالية في جزيرة مان. تمتلك الشركة فروعاً قائمة ومسجلة في دولة الإمارات العربية المتحدة ومرخص لها من قبل مصرف الإمارات العربية المتّحدة المركزي، وفي البحرين ومرخّص لها من قبل مصرف البحرين المركزي، وفي مركز قطر للمال ومرخص لها من قبل هيئة تنظيم مركز قطر للمال. الشركة مسجّلة في دولة الإمارات العربية المتحدة (رقم التسجيل 63) بموجب القانون الاتحادي لدولة الإمارات العربية المتحدة رقم 6 لعام 2007، وتخضع أنشطتها في الإمارات العربية المتحدة لهذا القانون. مزيد من المعلومات عن زيورخ إنترناشيونال لايف ليمتد مُتاحة عبر الرابط التالي https://www.zurich.ae /

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Somalia: ‘Dire and grim’ drought, impacting more than 7 million

“The situation is extremely dire and grim: 7.1 million people are going to be affected by this drought situation before the end of this year,” said the Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia, Adam Abdelmoula.

1.4 million children ‘facing acute malnutrition’

He said that around 1.4 million children were facing “acute malnutrition this year, and 330,000 are likely to become severely malnourished”.

As of May, according to a recent report from UN humanitarian coordination office, OCHA, some 6.1 million Somalis have been affected by the drought emergency.

Of that number, 771,400 have been displaced from their homes in search of water, food and pasture; mostly women and children. The outlook has worsened due to the prospects of a fifth consecutive failed rainy season.

Mr. Abdelmoula was speaking at the ‘ADC’ camp for internally displaced people (IDP) in the Baidoa district of Somalia’s South West State. He was accompanying Somalia’s Special Envoy for Drought Response, Abdirahman Abdishakur, who was appointed by the Somali president in late May, on his visit to an IDP camp.

Not enough rain

OCHA has stated that during April to mid-May this year, light to moderate rain was recorded in parts of southern, central and north-western Somalia, and there were localized storms and flash flooding in some areas.

But the amount of rain was below average, poorly distributed, and insufficient to alleviate the current drought conditions.

As a result of the poor rains, Somalia is facing a fourth consecutive failed rainy season and a heightened risk of localized famine in six areas – including in South West State – particularly if food prices continue to rise and humanitarian assistance is not sustained to reach the most vulnerable people.

Additionally, the next rainy season is projected to be below average, meaning the drought emergency will worsen. As the country faces the risk of famine in those six areas, humanitarian entities are transitioning the thrust of their activities from drought response to famine prevention, re-orienting responses to target the most vulnerable populations and developing a famine prevention plan.

Baidoa among hardest hit

South West State’s Baidoa district is one of the areas of Somalia that has been hit hardest by the current drought.

Since the beginning of the year, 230,000 people have been displaced into South West State.

Its Bay region has the highest number of people experiencing acute food insecurity; this is in addition to high rates of malnutrition, particularly in Baidoa IDP camps. Since March, cases of acute watery diarhhea have been rising, with a cumulative total 2,279 cases, including 11 deaths, reported since January this year.

“I am here to mobilize, as much as possible, resources, and coordinate the effort of humanitarian assistance. Baidoa is where people who are most affected have arrived recently – close to half of them who are displaced by drought are here in Baidoa,” said Mr. Abdishakur at the ‘ADC’ camp. “We call on the international community to double their efforts and support Somali people in this difficult time.”

Mr. Abdelmoula, who also serves as UN Deputy Special Representative for Somalia and UN Resident Coordinator, noted that the world body and its partners can only do so much without more resources.

Limited funds, rising needs

The funding for this year’s Humanitarian Response Plan for Somalia, which seeks about $1.5 billion to assist 5.5 million of the most vulnerable Somalis, remains low at 15.7 per cent as of 20 May.

“With the limited resources that we have, we have only been able, between the months of January and April, to reach 2.4 million out of all those in need of humanitarian assistance,” the Humanitarian Coordinator said.

The Special Envoy and the Humanitarian Coordinator intend to carry out more joint field visits in the near future.

Source: United Nations

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Monkeypox transmission may have gone undetected ‘for some time’

With most reported cases having been among sexual encounters between men, those communities are working to inform their members of risks and preventative action that can be taken.

“But all of us must work hard to fight stigma, which is not just wrong, it could also prevent infected individuals from seeking care, making it harder to stop transmission,” warned the WHO chief, urging affected countries to widen their surveillance to the broader community.

Anyone risks infection if they have close physical contact with someone who has Monkeypox.

Tedros noted that as the situation is evolving, WHO expects more cases to be found.

“It’s important to remember that generally, Monkeypox symptoms resolve on their own, but can be severe in some cases,” he added.

WHO continues to receive updates on the status of ongoing Monkeypox outbreaks in African countries where the disease is endemic.

The top WHO official outlined his priorities to provide accurate information to those most at-risk; prevent further spread among those at high risk; protect frontline health workers; and advance “our understanding” of the disease.

Meanwhile, as reported COVID-19 cases and deaths continue to decline globally, Tedros cautioned that this may be the result of reduced testing throughout many countries.

But in several regions in the Americas, cases, and deaths are surging, while there are increasing fatalities in the Western Pacific region and Africa.

“Once again, the pandemic is not over. We continue to call on all countries to maintain testing and sequencing services, to give us a clearer picture of where the virus is spreading, and how it’s changing,” said the WHO chief.

“We call on all countries to vaccinate all health workers, older people and other at-risk groups”.

Care in Ukraine

With the war in Ukraine taking a heavy toll on the country’s health system, WHO has increased its presence in the country and in States hosting displaced people – as the number of healthcare attacks continues to rise.

“As of yesterday, WHO has verified 269 attacks on health in Ukraine, killing 76 people and injuring 59,” Tedros said.

“Healthcare must never be a target,” he added, calling again on Russia to end the war.

Rippling effect of war

Russia’s invasion has disrupted global food supplies and exacerbated the risk of famine around the world, he said.

As the Horn of Africa suffers one of its worst droughts in recent history, the rising risk of famine and malnutrition is severely affecting an estimated 15 to 20 million people in Kenya, Somalia, and Ethiopia, as well as affecting populations in Djibouti, Eritrea, Uganda, South Sudan and Sudan.

The WHO chief said there were tens of thousands of families forced to leave home in search of food, water and pasture, which is leading to mass displacement and a lack of safe drinking water, hygiene and sanitation – further heightening health risks.

“This is especially worrying in an already under-immunized population with little access to health services,” pointed out the WHO chief.

At the same time, more than six million people remain under siege by Ethiopian and Eritrean forces in Tigray.

As the region is sealed, not enough food is being delivered and basic services remain unavailable.

“WHO is doing its best to help, but the only solution to this inhumane situation – as in Ukraine – is peace,” he underscored.

WHO business

Turning to the first in-person World Health Assembly since the COVID-19 pandemic began – which ended on Saturday – Tedros drew attention to the adopted “landmark resolution to increase assessed contributions” to a target of 50 per cent of WHO’s base budget by the end of the decade, up from today’s 16 per cent.

“This change will give WHO the flexibility and predictability to plan for long-term programming in countries, and to attract and retain the people we need to deliver those programmes,” he said.

Other Assembly decisions strengthens WHO’s preparedness and response to health emergencies.

Source: United Nations