JuƩa Urpilainen, European Commissioner for InternaƟonal Partnerships, has announced an additional €20 million funding towards the fight against Mpox outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). This additional funding contributes to the DRC’s Mpox response and supports preparedness against epidemics as part of the EU’s objecƟve to support the strengthening of health systems in Africa. Commissioner Urpilainen discussed the new announcement and coordination needed to tackle Mpox outbreaks with Director-General of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and PrevenƟon (Africa CDC), Dr. Jean Kaseya. This is a critical contribution toward the implementation of the joint Africa CDC-WHO Mpox Continental Preparation and Response Plan.

The additional funding for the DRC complements the 215,000 doses of mpox vaccines donated by HERA to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) to address the current crisis across the African continent as well as the 365,000 doses of mpox vaccine donated by Team Europe.

“We are committed to tackle health crises and increase resilience together with the African partners. This is a joint mission to improve global health security. The additional funding of €20 million comes on to previous support and vaccine donations by the EU and its Member States.”- Jutta Urpilainen, EU Commissioner for International Partnerships.

At its 101^st meeting held on 5 October 2024, the Board of Directors of African Trade & Investment Development Insurance – ATIDI (commonly known as the African Trade Insurance Agency), announced the election of Professor Kelly Mua Kingsly as the new Chair of the Board. He is deputized by Ms. Christina Westholm- Schröder.

The election of the new Board leadership follows the appointment of new Board Members by ATIDI’s Annual General Meeting in line with ATIDI’s continued commitment to strong corporate governance. 

The new Board, which includes ATIDI’s first Independent Director, will play a critical role in steering the organization’s strategic direction and governance, further enhancing the organization’s efforts to foster sustainable growth across the continent.

Professor Kelly is the Director of Finance Operations at the Ministry of Finance’s Directorate General of Treasury in Cameroon. In this capacity, he has been instrumental in designing and implementing strategies for monitoring public revenue and expenditure, preparing comprehensive financial reviews and spearheading public finance reforms.

The U.S. Government through its United States Agency for International Development (USAID) officially launched a new, five-year Disaster Risk Management (DRM) project October 15 at Arba Minch University. 

The $49 million strategic initiative aims to build Ethiopia’s capacity to anticipate, respond to, and manage natural and human-made disasters, ensuring that communities are well-prepared and able to withstand the impacts of crises. USAID’s DRM project aims to build Ethiopia’s resilience by strengthening disaster risk management planning, enhancing coordination across sectors, improving resource mobilization, and reducing the impacts of crises. In addition, the program emphasizes gender inclusion in emergencies, boosts private sector engagement, and empowers local organizations to take an active role in disaster management.

Ethiopia faces increasing risks from droughts, floods, and other shocks, with climate change exacerbating these challenges. To address these vulnerabilities, USAID’s DRM project focuses on building resilience and strengthening coordination among local, regional, and national stakeholders. 

Nearly two million children may die of malnutrition because a product used to treat the condition is in short supply, the United Nations Children’s Fund said on Monday. Four countries — Mali, Nigeria, Niger and Chad — have exhausted their supplies of the peanut-based, high-nutrient product, called ready-to-use therapeutic food, or are on the brink of doing so. Another eight nations, including South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda, could run out by mid-2025…Severe acute malnutrition, or wasting, can result from poor nutrition during gestation and in infancy, limited access to safe drinking water, and relentless attacks by multiple infections. (The New York Times)