Migrants and other marginalized and highly mobile populations including those uprooted from their homes by natural emergencies and conflict are far more prone to infection because of poor living conditions and the “significant barriers” many often encounter in seeking help, explained the International Organization for Migration.

“The spread of mpox across East, Horn and Southern Africa is a grave concern, especially for the vulnerable migrant, highly mobile populations and displaced communities often overlooked in such crises,” said Amy Pope, IOM Director General. “We must act swiftly to protect those at the highest risk and to mitigate the impact of this outbreak on the region.” 

Migration hub

Mpox has affected people in the African region for more than a decade, the UN agency said, noting that the Horn, eastern and southern Africa region hosts 12.2 million international migrants – nearly half of all migrants in Africa.

Highlighting data from the UN World Health Organization (WHO), the IOM noted that by 8 August, of the 12 African countries that reported an outbreak, six were from those regions. As of July, new cases emerged in previously unaffected Kenya, Burundi, Rwanda and Uganda, with cross-border infection cited as a factor in the spread of disease.

The IOM appeal for 13 countries – Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Eswatini, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, South Africa, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe – is intended to support infection-prevention, control and response measures, particularly at border crossings. It will help to fund awareness-raising activities among migrant and host communities, along with internally displaced persons.

“This preparedness and response plan aims to prepare for and respond to the anticipated surge in Mpox cases and mitigate the spread and the likely negative impacts of the virus spreading throughout the region,” the UN agency said.

Disease focus

IOM noted that the region’s role as an “origin, destination and transit hub” for migrants could hinder disease prevention, adding that plans were in place to continue building the capacity of national healthcare workers and frontline responders, while also enabling the identification of high-risk areas to ensure effective monitoring of the disease and reduce its spread from country to country.

“Vulnerable populations such as migrants and IDPs impacted by mpox, or at risk of being affected, must receive the necessary healthcare and protection, particularly in regions where access to such services is limited and have a high number of migrants and displaced populations,” IOM said in a statement.  

International health threat

The UN agency’s announcement comes one week since the UN World Health Organization (WHO) declared mpox a public health emergency of international concern, following the rapid spread of a new strain of the disease known as clade 1b from eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Clade 1b is mainly transmitted through sexual contact, although the WHO said on Tuesday that more research was needed into other potential modes of infection from the blisters that are associated with the disease, such as contaminated bedding.

Latest WHO data indicates more than 15,000 suspected cases in the DRC including 537 deaths so far. The global total of mpox cases is more than 100,000.

The disease is known to transmit from animals to humans and spread by close contact with infected individuals or animals through respiratory droplets, blood, body fluids, or lesions. Symptoms include fever, rash, headaches, sore throat, muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes, and backache.

Here’s our UN News explainer on the key facts you need to know about mpox.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of UN News.

​The Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia (KBRI) in Tripoli successfully held a celebration of the 79th Independence Day of the Republic of Indonesia on 17 August 2024. The event, which was held in the courtyard of the Indonesian Embassy in Tripoli, was attended by around 250 Indonesian citizens (WNI) in Libya, and Friends of Indonesia, Libyans graduating from various universities in Indonesia.

This celebration began with a solemn flag ceremony, led directly by Dr. Dede Achmad Rifai as Charge D’Affairs of the Indonesian Embassy in Tripoli. This ceremony was followed by a series of other activities, including several competitions which were participated enthusiastically by all participants.

As part of the celebration, the Indonesian Embassy in Tripoli also served various typical Indonesian dishes, such as meatballs, chicken noodles, dumplings, cilok, cireng and pancong cakes, which were specially prepared by Indonesian students in Kulliyah Dakwah Islamiyah, Tripoli to liven up the atmosphere. These dishes were not only enjoyed by Indonesian citizens, but were also introduced to the Friends of Indonesia present, introducing the deliciousness and richness of Indonesian culinary delights on the international stage.

The celebration of the 79th Independence Day of the Republic of Indonesia is not only a moment to remember the struggle of the nation’s heroes, but also an opportunity to strengthen ties and togetherness among Indonesian citizens in Libya. This event closed with a joint prayer for the safety and progress of the Indonesian nation, as well as the hope that Indonesia will continue to progress and be victorious in its journing in the future.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Tripoli, Libya.

On 20 August 2024, Mr. Thanabordee Joothong Chargé d’Affaires a.i. and officers of the Royal Thai Embassy in Cairo attended the ASEAN Flag Hoisting Ceremony on the occasion of ASEAN Day 2024 at the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Cairo. The Ambassador of Indonesia as the host of the event and the Ambassador of Singapore as the Chair of the ASEAN Committee in Cairo (ACC) made remarks about long-standing friendship and solidarity of ASEAN member countries as well as the important role of ACC for promoting better understanding and strengthen relations between ASEAN and Egypt.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Royal Thai Embassy, Cairo, Egypt.

A workshop to develop a regional Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) vision and roadmap for the Northern Mozambique Channel (NMC) integrated ocean management approach was recently organized and co-hosted in Dar-es Salaam, Tanzania by WWF in partnership with the African Union – InterAfrican Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) on 13th – 14th August 2024.

The workshop aimed to raise awareness about the use of regional MSP approach to enhance cooperation and build capacity among member countries for protecting aquatic biodiversity and environment. Additionally, the workshop sought to finalize a clear vision and roadmap for establishing a regional MSP in the NMC, ensuring alignment with existing frameworks and strategies.

Participants included representatives of the government of Tanzania, representatives from the northern Mozambique channel member states (Madagascar, Mozambique, Comoros and Tanzania); International NGOs, representatives from WWF; experts/consultants; invited partners as well as relevant members of staff of AU-IBAR.

Building on the decisions made during the 8th and 9th Conference of Parties at the Nairobi Convention through Decision CP8/6(b) and Decision CP9/7(b) on the Northern Mozambique Channel (NMC) integrated ocean management approach, the workshop emphasized the importance of trans-boundary protection and recognised the NMC as a model for integrated ocean management.  

Key outcomes of the workshop included the agreement on a common draft vision for the regional MSP of the NMC, which envisions “a sustainable future where healthy ecosystems support, and are supported by thriving local communities and a vibrant economy which optimizes the value of ocean resources within the NMC over the long-term without jeopardizing the use for future generations”

Additionally, the workshop produced practical recommendations from participating stakeholders for the development of a roadmap. These recommendations addressed the region’s challenges and opportunities, focusing on harmonized governance, streamlined MSP processes, integrated ocean management (IOM), poverty reduction through an inclusive sustainable blue economy (SBE), and capacity building.”

The workshop further held MSP readiness assessment for each NMC country, as well as reviewing of NMC scenarios.

The workshop achieved the following outcomes: 
1.    Draft regional MSP technical guidelines were presented to the stakeholders
2.    Draft regional MSP technical guidelines were reviewed by all stakeholders
3.    A clear vision and roadmap for establishing regional MSP in the NMC was developed
4.    Regional and national commitment on regional MSP processes was built among all stakeholders in the NMC. 

This activity was supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), which funds a 3-year project led by AU-IBAR titked “Conserving Aquatic Biodiversity in African Blue Economy. The project aims to enhance the policy environment, regulatory frameworks and institutional capacities of AU member states and regional economic communities to sustainably utilize and conserve aquatic biodiversity and ecosystems. 
 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The African Union – Interafrican Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR).