Assistant to the Administrator (AtA) and Feed the Future Deputy Coordinator for Development Dina Esposito will attend the Africa Fertilizer and Soil Health Summitin Nairobi, Kenya. While there, she will deliver remarks on U.S. efforts to strengthen food security and meet with foreign officials, other donor government leaders, and implementing partners to discuss the United States’ support in helping African countries adapt to the accelerating impacts of climate change on food security. She will also emphasize the vital role that smallholder farmers play in producing food.

AtA Esposito will underscore the critical role of African leadership in strengthening global food security and highlight the United States’ Feed the Future efforts to address global hunger, including through improving soil health.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

Shells hit a displacement camp in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) today, prompting aid workers to temporarily evacuate and resulting in up to 40 reported deaths and many others injured, with children among the casualties, Save the Children said.  

Save the Children, along with a local NGO partner, was present at the Lushagala camp this morning for the distribution of hygiene kits when a shell exploded approximately 30 metres ahead of their vehicle. The shell detonated near a bustling market within the overcrowded displacement camp outside of Goma.  

Community reports suggest about 40 people have been killed with many others injured, although Save the Children has not been able to independently verify this number. All of Save the Children’s staff and its local partner are accounted for.  

Greg Ramm, Country Director for Save the Children in the DRC said: 

“The reports from the camp are horrifying. Dozens of civilians have been injured, some have lost limbs.  Most of those injured are women and children.  Some of our staff and partner staff were briefly trapped inside the camp before quickly getting out to safety. However, thousands of children and families living in the camps do not have the same privilege of being able to leave for somewhere safer. A tent does not offer much protection from shelling.  

“What happened today is another grim reminder that the DRC continues to be one of the most dangerous places to be a child, and children and the most vulnerable are bearing the brunt of this crisis.  

“Protection of civilians, especially children and families living in displacement camps, must be priortised and support must be scaled up. More needs to be done, now, to reduce the use of these devastating weapons, especially so close to where children and their families are sheltering for safety. Save the Children is calling for all parties to the conflict to end the use of explosive weapons in the proximity of populated areas and ensure aid workers have immediate, sustained and unimpeded passage of humanitarian relief to reach those who need it most.” 

Save the Children started working in the DRC in 1994 to meet humanitarian needs linked to the arrival of refugees and the displacement of populations due to armed conflict in eastern provinces. Save the Children has scaled up its humanitarian response to support existing care systems, training local leaders and communities to prevent and respond to exploitation and abuse, and ensuring access to healthcare through mobile clinics. It is also helping children access basic education by building classrooms, training teachers, and distributing learning materials. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Save the Children.

“ECOWAS and Algeria have agreed to hold regular discussions on the political and security situation in West Africa and the Sahel, as well as the plight of irregular migrants”. This was the commitment made by H.E. Dr Omar Alieu Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, and H.E. Ahmed ATTAF, Algerian Minister of Foreign Affairs and the National Community Abroad, at their meeting in Algiers on April 23-26, 2024.

Following an invitation from the Algerian authorities and an audience with Minister ATTAF, Dr Omar Alieu Touray expressed his satisfaction at the willingness and commitment of the Algerian authorities to contribute to resolving the problems and challenges facing the West African region and the Sahel.

The meeting enabled the two parties to share views and analyses on political and security developments in the region, and to examine ways of strengthening their coordination in the face of the common challenges facing the countries and peoples of the region.

At the end of their discussions, ECOWAS and Algeria have agreed (i) to have regular engagements and coordination of efforts aimed at finding a solution to the political and security crises in the region; and (ii) to maintain fraternal relations and commitments by all parties.

Algeria also expressed its willingness to discuss with ECOWAS proposals aimed at finding a solution for the safe and humane repatriation of irregular immigrants on its territory to their countries of origin.

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

Kenya Lionesses Fifteens Coach Paul Murunga has named the 28 woman Lionesses squad to this year’s Rugby Africa Women’s Cup taking place in Antananarivo, Madagascar from May 4-12.

Natasha Emali captains the side that has thirteen changes from the side that did duty at the World Rugby WXV 3 competition in Dubai, UAE last October. These are changes necessitated by the Lionesses participation at the final round of the World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series set for 18-19 May in Krakow, Poland.

The experienced Linet Moraa returns to the Lionesses alongside Hesla Khisa and Diana Awino while Jane Chanya, Sheila Wesa, Mitchelle Atieno, Mitchelle Alivitsa, Refa Ochando, Hellen Achieng, Elizabeth Wekesa, Nolin Khaleyi,Carol Nyamwamu and Hellen Anyango are all handed maiden call ups.

Murunga said, ““Our structures are much better than last year…remember last year we were playing at that level for the first time. Then we went and competed at the WXV 3 in Dubai for the first time as well. We haven’t played much this year but I think in terms of mental strength we are in a much better position to play against South Africa and do well.”

Murunga further expressed hope that those selected will be able to fill in capably for others who are currently in camp with the national 7s side ahead of next month’s Challenger Series in Poland.

“The squad has trained for around two months and the good thing is most of the girls have been playing in the Kenya Cup. Unfortunately, we couldn’t get most of the backline players who are training with the national 7s side and are supposed to travel to Poland. We have managed to find other girls who will help us make the numbers and among them are seven rookies who will be travelling with us,” the coach said.

This year’s Rugby Africa Women’s Cup will be played on a round robin basis and features defending champions South Africa, Kenya, hosts Madagascar and Cameroon.

Lionesses Squad | Rugby Africa Women’s Cup 2024 | May 4-12 | Antanaravivo, Madagascar Natasha Emali (Captain), Rose Otieno (Vice Captain), Knight Otwoma,Jane Chanya, Maureen Chebet, Faith Livoi, Enid Ouma, Diana Kemunto, Naomi Jelagat, Winnie Owino, Ann Ochieng, Terry Ayesa, Esther Juma, Lewin Amazimbi, Diana Awino, Diana Omoso, Mitchelle Atieno,Sheila Wesa, Hesla Khisa, Mitchelle Akinyi, Mitchelle Alivitsa, Refa Ochando, Hellen Achieng, Elizabeth Wekesa, Nolin Khaleyi, Linet Moraa ,Carol Nyamwamu ,Hellen Anyango

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Kenya Rugby Union (KRU).