The UN refugee agency (UNHCR) warned on Tuesday that the mpox outbreak could have devastating effects on refugees and displaced families in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and other affected African countries if urgent support is not forthcoming.

According to UNHCR, 42 suspected mpox cases have been detected in the South Kivu Province of the DRC – the war-ravaged central African country which is the epicentre of the outbreak.

There have been other suspected and confirmed cases among refugee populations in the Republic of the Congo and Rwanda.

Caseload grows

On 14 August, the chief of the World Health Organization (WHO) declared that the rise in mpox cases constitutes a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC), with most cases so far being detected in the DRC.

Recent reports from WHO indicate that there are currently more than 18,000 suspected mpox cases and 615 confirmed deaths there and over 220 recorded cases of the new mpox strain Clade 1b in neighbouring countries.

UNHCR noted that there are also suspected cases in “conflict-impacted provinces” which host DRC´s 7.3 million internally displaced people.

“In these areas, the virus threatens to exacerbate an already impossible situation for a population devastated by decades of conflict, forced displacement, appalling human rights abuses and a lack of international assistance,” UNHCR said.

‘No space to isolate’

The refugee agency said members in displaced communities fleeing violence have a “tremendous challenge” implementing mpox prevention measures due to being in overcrowded shelters and having limited access to essential services and humanitarian assistance.

“Displaced families living in crowded schools, churches and tents in farmers’ fields have no space to isolate when they develop symptoms of the disease,” UNHCR said.

Further, displaced community members in unstable zones of the eastern DRC experience difficulty accessing laboratories for mpox testing.

Agencies respond

WHO, UNHCR, and their partners, in coordination with national health authorities, have strengthened health system preparedness and response measures in refugee camps, including reinforcing handwashing stations in public spaces and transit centres.

Where cases have been confirmed or suspected, initiatives are underway on a national level to increase awareness and offer correct information in the languages spoken by displaced groups.

However, the extent of the outbreak has resulted in a shortage of community health workers who can meet the rising demand, UNHCR says.

The refugee agency stresses the importance of fully including refugees and displaced people in national preparedness and response efforts for this public health emergency, from monitoring to medical care.

“International solidarity is urgently needed to expand health services, isolation centres, humanitarian shelters, access to water and soap for those forced to flee,” UNHCR said. “In conflict zones, peace is also desperately needed, to ensure a sustainable response to stop the spread of the disease.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of UN News.

As a result of the worsening crisis in Sudan, an increasing number of refugees are fleeing to Libya. Some 97,000 individuals have now sought refuge in the country since the beginning of the conflict.

Alkufra, a key entry point to Libya for Sudanese refugees, is now overwhelmed, receiving around 350 new arrivals from Sudan each day. Recent flooding in the region has also impacted critical local infrastructure, with some refugees forced to take temporary shelter in schools.

Many refugees are living in makeshift tents in farms on the outskirts of Alkufra. Lacking adequate water and sanitation facilities, and safe shelters, they are exposed to extreme weather and health hazards. 

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, fears that without adequate support, women, children, and others with specific needs will be exposed to heightened risks of violence. Precarious living conditions are exposing women and children to higher protection risks, while children face increased threats of malnutrition, disease, and loss of education.

To respond to the crisis, UNHCR and partners have scaled up emergency aid operations in the east of Libya. This scale-up has been made possible with the cooperation of Libyan authorities, who have facilitated access to affected areas, allowing UNHCR and partners to deliver critical aid to those in need.

Since the onset of the conflict, UNHCR has reached over 8,000 refugees in Alkufra with essential aid, including blankets, mattresses, tarpaulins, and personal care supplies. UNHCR has also equipped Alkufra General Hospital with vital medical supplies such as medicine, hospital beds, wheelchairs, electrocardiographs, and critical prenatal care tools. 

“Women and children continue to pay the highest price in this crisis,” said Aseer Al Madaien, UNHCR Chief of Mission in Libya. “As we continue to witness a relentless flow of refugees, fleeing from unimaginable circumstances, we call on the international community to stand by Sudanese refugees who have been generously hosted by countries in the region and to support the response”.

UNHCR’s response is part of a broader strategy to integrate protection through coordinated UN actions and other measures that are underway to assist local authorities in responding to the immense needs.

Under the 2024 Regional Refugee Response Plan for Sudan, UNHCR, together with UN agencies and NGOs, aim to assist 195,000 Sudanese refugees and Libyan host communities.  US$48 million is urgently needed to provide life-saving assistance including food, healthcare, clean water and temporary shelter.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

Indonesian Ambassador Sunarko on Tuesday (27/8) received a visit from Mr. Osama Ahmed Fadlalla Salim, Director of El-Shahba Drugs Company which is engaged in the supply and sale of medicines and medical equipment in Port Sudan.

In the meeting, the Indonesian Ambassador conveyed information regarding the implementation of the largest trade promotion in Indonesia, namely Trade Expo Indonesia (TEI) which will be held on October 9-12 in Jakarta.

Mr. Osama expressed his readiness to participate in the trade mission to attend TEI 2024 which is coordinated by the Indonesian Embassy.

Mr. Osama will also use the business visit to Indonesia to explore and follow up on opportunities for cooperation with Indonesian export partners, especially for the market for medicines, medical equipment and various herbal products from Indonesia for the Sudanese market.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Khartoum, Sudan.

In Eastern Equatoria, Torit State Prison stands as a symbol of history as well as fresh challenges.

Established in 1946, the prison was designed to accommodate 150 inmates but currently 372 people are detained, including women and juveniles.

Beyond the high walls, the prison grapples with dilapidated infrastructure, severe overcrowding, food shortages, limited vocational training opportunities, and pressing sewage management issues.

A year ago, the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) launched a program to enhance the health and nutrition of inmates at Torit State Prison, including lactating mothers.

“We tackled food shortages in the prison by training staff and prisoners in gardening. This empowered them to cultivate food on the prison grounds, providing a sustainable source in case of delayed supplies,” explains Hillary Sengabo, UNMISS Correction Advisor.

This initiative involves establishing thriving vegetable gardens around the prison perimeter, allowing prisoners to access nutritious food such as amaranthus, okra, bean leaves, tomatoes, and pumpkins.

“We have been growing green vegetables such as “tiger,” bean leaves, pumpkin leaves, and “nyet”; this helps us supplement the limited food provided to us. It is also beneficial for us as we can acquire skills that will assist us in reintegrating into our communities after serving our sentences,” shared Atango Jane, a female inmate.

Significant improvements have been made to the prison administration, living conditions, and food security.

“This transformative plan is not only boosting the well-being of the convicts but also nurturing hope and positivity within the prison community,” says Major General Marko Langa, the Director of Torit State Prison.

Such activities are expected to be implemented in other detention facilities throughout the state to create sustainability, improve nutrition, and reduce potential stigma, aiming to empower inmates to achieve self-sufficiency.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).