In the dusty outskirts of Nyamlel in Aweil West County, Northern Bahr el Gazal State, a grandmother’s desperate plea for her granddaughter’s life echoed through the corridors of a stabilization center. Akon Ayom, a 30-month-old girl, lay motionless, her body swollen from malnutrition, her spirit fading with each passing day.

Akon’s grandmother, a 70-year-old woman, had traveled through unforgiving terrain, seeking relief and healing for her precious granddaughter. From Chaleek to Warapei and then to Gokmachar, her journey was one of despair until, finally, she found herself at the doors of the Nyamlel Primary Health Care Center.

Upon arrival, hope seemed a distant dream. Akon’s condition was dire – her body was ravaged by the dual onslaught of malnutrition and measles. But within the walls of the stabilization center, a hope flickered to life, embodied by the dedicated team of healthcare workers at the facility managed by ALIGHT, an implementing partner providing treatment services.

“Thank you for saving my granddaughter’s life. We went to several health facilities, but it was not until we arrived at the Nyamlell Stabilization Center that we found the help we needed. Akon was unable to stand or walk, but your intervention dramatically improved her condition, and she can now walk on her own”, said Akuol Deng Tong, Akon’s grandmother.

Malnutrition is a major health issue for children under five in South Sudan. The country is facing several public health crises, including disease outbreaks, floods, conflict, and food insecurity, contributing to a high level of acute malnutrition (16.0%), exceeding the WHO emergency threshold (15%). The main drivers are high food insecurity, diseases, poor hygiene, inadequate maternal and childcare, and environmental sanitation services. Severe acute wasting increases the risk of death by nine times, and 10-20% of children with this condition will develop life-threatening medical complications.

Akon was suffering from severe acute malnutrition (SAM) in a struggling community. The World Health Organization (WHO) stepped in to provide comprehensive support.

“Thanks to the US Agency for Humanitarian Assistance, through the Integrated Health Response to Communities Impacted by Protracted Crisis and Acute Food Insecurity in South Sudan project, WHO is enhancing life-saving services for children battling severe acute malnutrition with medical complications in South Sudan’s stabilization centers by providing life-saving severe acute malnutrition medical kits, capacity building, monitoring, and supportive supervision for healthcare workers” said Dr Humphrey Karamagi, WHO Representative for South Sudan. Together with the implementing partners, we are ensuring every child facing severe acute malnutrition with medical complications receives life-saving care, paving the way for a healthier, brighter tomorrow.

The Stabilization Centre (SC) in Nyamlell PHCC has greatly helped the community. It provides services for children with severe acute malnutrition, especially for returnees coming from Sudan who are settling in Wetwill. The Stabilization Center quickly manages cases referred from Nyamlel PHCC and Wetwill, saving the lives of many children. Mothers or caregivers of admitted children receive daily health education and counseling on specific topics. They are stimulated with toys and TV play toys for psychosocial support and positive behavior change.

Akon’s journey from the brink of death to the warmth of recovery was nothing short of miraculous. Managed by the skilled nurses trained by WHO, she received lifesaving treatments and care. The provision of essential medical kits, therapeutic feeds, and food ration from UNICEF and the World Food Programme (WFP) ensured that no stone was left unturned in her path to healing.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Health Organization (WHO) – South Sudan.

In a recent workshop held in Ethiopia, key stakeholders convened to develop the country’s Multi-Sectoral National Action Plan for Health Security (NAPHS) 2024-2028 with the support of the Pandemic Fund. This initiative, spearheaded by the Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI) and supported by the World Health Organization (WHO) and other partners, marks a significant step towards enhancing the nation’s capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to public health emergencies.

NAPHS, a country-owned, multi-year planning process, embraces the One Health approach, emphasizing the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health. By adopting a whole-of-government approach, the plan aims to address all threats to health security, aligning with international health regulations (IHR) standards.

During the workshop, Dr. Mesay Hailu, Director General of EPHI, underscored the importance of building capacity for international health regulation across sectors to ensure national health security. He reaffirmed EPHI’s commitment to providing leadership and support for the effective implementation of the strategy plan through stakeholder collaboration.

Dr. Feyissa Regassa, the International Health Regulation National Focal Point, provided insights into the development of NAPHS, highlighting the progress made and expressing gratitude to partners and sectors for their contributions. Dr. Woubishet Zewde from the Ministry of Agriculture emphasized the need for collaboration among sectors, partners, and stakeholders to ensure the plan’s success.

WHO, along with other organizations, has been instrumental in providing technical and financial support for the implementation of IHR in Ethiopia, including support from the pandemic fund. Dr. Fekadu Adugna, WHO Country Preparedness&IHR (CPI) Officer, reiterated the organization’s dedication to assisting the government in improving the health security of the country.

With 80 participants from government sectors, agencies, and partners, the workshop facilitated robust discussions and collaborations. The final drafts of the strategic (2024-2028) and one-year operational (2024/25) NAPHS, supported by the pandemic fund, are set to be officially launched.

Ethiopia’s Multi-Sectoral National Action Plan for Health Security, with the added support of the Pandemic Fund, exemplifies a concerted effort to strengthen health systems and mitigate the impact of public health emergencies. By prioritizing collaboration and alignment with national priorities, Ethiopia is poised to enhance its resilience and response capabilities in the face of health threats.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Health Organization (WHO) – Ethiopia.

According to the second edition of the Benin Economic Update Report, achieving sustainable and resilient economic growth in the coming decades will depend on efforts to adapt and finance climate investments.  

Titled Adapting to climate change for sustainable, resilient economic growth, the first part of the report analyzes recent economic developments and presents the country’s medium-term outlook. It projects that annual growth will stabilize at an average of 6.2% between 2024 and 2026 (3.5% on average per capita), driven by investment and the expansion of the Glo-Djigbe industrial zone (GDIZ). The end of the gasoline subsidy in Nigeria in May 2023, supply chain bottlenecks following the closure of the border with Niger, and growing demand pressures have led to an increase in inflation to 2.8% in 2023, below the regional average of 3.7% in 2023.   

Fiscal consolidation efforts were successful in 2023, owing to the adoption of innovative tax measures and spending restraint. As a result, the budget deficit was reduced to 4.1% of GDP, the lowest level since 2019, and down from 5.5% in 2022. This improvement was due to an increase in total revenues, which rose by 0.7 percentage point to 15.0% of GDP, while public spending fell by 0.6 percentage point to 19.2% of GDP. Fiscal consolidation is expected to continue in the medium term, with the budget deficit projected to decline further to 2.7% of GDP by 2026.  

“Thanks to fiscal consolidation measures, Benin has been able to withstand external shocks while maintaining an appreciable economic growth trajectory.  The medium-term revenue mobilization strategy will reinforce the government’s domestic revenue mobilization program and make Benin’s economy more resilient”, said Felix Oppong, World Bank senior economist and co-author of the report. 

The second part of the report looks at the vulnerabilities of the Benin economy to climate change. In line with the projections of the Country Climate and Development Report (CCDR), the study documents that, in the absence of additional adaptation efforts, climate change could lead to increasing economic losses, with average annual GDP losses of up to 19% by 2050. By prioritizing adaptation and resilience, significant strides could be made in poverty reduction, potentially lifting almost half a million people above the poverty in contrast to a scenario where no policy action is taken.  

The report calls for greater action in the agricultural sector, including the adaptation of farming practices, the restoration, and protection of forests, and investment in water resources.   

“Decisive action in the agricultural sector is essential, given its importance to Benin’s economy. We need to continue diversifying agriculture in the direction of climate adaptation, promote agroforestry systems, and restore around 300,000 ha of degraded forests,” added Manuela Ravina Da Silva, World Bank environmental specialist and co-author of the report.  

It is also essential to address vulnerabilities in the health system, particularly those exacerbated by climate change, to strengthen the resilience of health and education services and safeguard human capital. Building resilience against urban flooding and investing in resilient transport and digital infrastructure will keep people and markets connected. Finally, Benin should prioritize partnerships with the private sector and the financing of climate investments, as the long-term benefits outweigh the costs. 

“Financing climate investments cannot rely solely on the state and its public partners; the contribution of private capital is essential. The private sector should seize the opportunities offered by climate adaptation measures to position itself as one of the engines of green growth”, said Nestor Coffi, World Bank country manager for Benin.

Download the Benin Economic Update in French 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The World Bank Group.