Over the years, Uganda has successfully responded to public health emergencies including Ebola, COVID-19, measles, anthrax, and others. This has been partly attributed to strong leadership and early rapid execution of outbreak response strategies.

In a significant move to strengthen the country’s ability to combat infectious diseases, the World Health Organization (WHO) has launched the AVoHC-SURGE training for 100 emergency responders in Uganda. AVoHC is a reference to Africa CDC’s African Volunteer Health Corps initiative while SURGE is a reference to WHO’s initiative, on Strengthening and Utilizing Response Groups for Emergencies.

This intensive training, funded by the UK Government, kicked off on August 5, 2024, and will run until 24 September 2024. The program blends in-person and virtual learning, offering a comprehensive curriculum that includes public health emergency operations, humanitarian coordination, gender-based violence response, and rapid response team deployment.

AVoHC-SURGE, a collaboration between WHO and Africa CDC, is part of a broader initiative to enhance health security across Africa. The AvoHC-SURGE training is part of the SURGE component of the emergency preparedness and response flagships which include Promoting resilient systems for emergencies (PROSE), Transforming Africa surveillance system (TASS) and Strengthening&Utilizing Response Groups for Emergencies (SURGE). The flagships were launched by WHO Africa regional office in 2022 to address the continent’s urgent need for robust emergency preparedness and response in the African region. Subsequently, WHO and Africa CDC joined forces to collectively develop the AVoHC-SURGE roster.

Uganda now joins 20 other African nations that have initiated the AVoHC-SURGE training which equips responders to tackle crises within their own borders and across the African region. Participants, drawn from WHO member states, civil society, and volunteer organizations, will be at the forefront of national and regional emergency responses, backed by WHO and Africa CDC. The overall goal of the training is to build a resilient national health system capable of responding swiftly and effectively to public health emergencies.

“The globalized, interconnected world we live in amplifies the risks of infectious diseases and other emergencies. A trained and ready national workforce is our first line of defense,” said Dr. Daniel Kyabayinze, Uganda’s Director of Public Health, Ministry of Health.

This training not only fortifies Uganda’s existing emergency response infrastructure but also ensures a steady supply of skilled personnel at both national and sub-national levels. It reinforces the leadership of national governments and enhances the resilience of health systems, enabling them to respond swiftly and effectively to public health threats.

This is an opportunity for Uganda to strengthen existing structures to respond more efficiently and effectively to crises and public health emergencies, limit interruption of essential health services, minimize socio-economic disruptions and contribute to enhancing global health security,” said Dr. Christine Musanhu Chiedza, WHO Representative in Uganda, OIC.

The program is led by subject matter experts from WHO, Africa CDC, and WAHO. The experts have over 10 years of experiences in their area and domain of facilitation. “All facilitators have completed various courses and are certified,” said Mukeh Kenneth Fahnbulleh, the lead facilitator and trainer.

With over 100 major public health events occurring annually in the African region, the need for a ready and capable workforce has never been more pressing. Recent emergencies have highlighted the urgent need for a workforce within the WHO African region, that is ready, willing, and able to operate, in increasingly challenging environments. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of being prepared, and Uganda is taking proactive steps to ensure it can meet future challenges head-on.

Supported by WHO, Uganda is embracing a multidisciplinary One Health approach that promotes the well-being of people, animals, and the environment. This approach ensures that when crises strike, Uganda will have a highly trained workforce ready to respond and protect the health of its citizens and those in African region.

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

Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) has completed and inaugurated the Hamidiye Mosque Ornamentation Project in Johannesburg, South Africa. The project aims to strengthen the historical and cultural ties between Türkiye and the South African Muslim community.

The Hamidiye Mosque, built in the mid-19th century, holds historical significance as the site where Mahatma Gandhi launched the civil disobedience movement with the pass burning in 1908. In 1980, the mosque was designated as a cultural heritage site and was renovated by TİKA at the request of Jamiatul Ulama. As part of the project, the mosque’s main ceiling was adorned with the Surahs of Al-Fath and Al-Fatiha, while the women’s prayer space was decorated with traditional Turkish motifs. Sultan Abdulhamid II’s tughra was placed at the entrance of the mosque.

Deputy Minister of Social Development, Ganief Hendricks; Turkish Ambassador to South Africa, Ayşegül Kandaş; TİKA’s Coordinator in Pretoria, Abdulkadir Abukan; Jamiatul Ulama Secretary General and Hamidiye Mosque Imam, Ebrahim Bham; Muslim MPs, diplomats and representatives from NGOs attended the opening ceremony.

Speaking at the ceremony, Ambassador Kandaş highlighted the significance of collaborating with the South African Muslim community and underscored the value of TİKA’s projects in South Africa.

Hendricks expressed his gratitude to TİKA for the mosque’s ornamentation project and shared his family’s historical connection to the mosque. He noted that his great-grandfather was one of the founding members and had organized a fundraising meeting in front of the mosque during the Tripoli War to support the Ottoman Empire.

TİKA’s Coordinator in Pretoria Abukan stated that TİKA will continue its efforts to preserve shared heritage in South Africa and strengthen existing connections.

Mr. Bham, Secretary General of Jamiatul Ulama and Imam of Hamidiye Mosque, referred to the congratulatory and welcome letter presented by the mosque community to Ottoman Consul General Mehmet Remzi Bey. He emphasized that the mosque has been a symbol of shared heritage for Turkish and South African Muslims since its establishment.

During the opening ceremony, Islamic calligraphy artist Refik Çarıkçı introduced the project to the guests and demonstrated calligraphy techniques.

This project is viewed as a significant step in strengthening the ties between Türkiye and the South African Muslim community, preserving shared cultural heritage and advancing diplomatic relations.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA).

The U.S. government reaffirms its commitment to fight wildlife trafficking and corruption at the second Combating Wildlife Trafficking National Forum held in Antananarivo on August 13-14, 2024.

The forum was hosted by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and Transparency International – Madagascar Initiative (TI-MG) with support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Countering Corruption and Wildlife Trafficking (CCWT) activity. The event brought together the Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development, the Minister of Justice, Charge d’affaires for the U.S. Embassy to Madagascar and the Comoros, anti-corruption agencies, and other key stakeholders to discuss achievements and key issues such as the protection of environmental whistleblowers, best practices for utilizing wildlife trafficking data, and other sustainable approaches to fighting wildlife and natural resource trafficking and corruption in Madagascar.

Charge d’affaires of the U.S. Embassy to Madagascar, Stephanie Arnold, emphasized the importance of both domestic and international collaboration during her remarks at the forum. “Together, we can create a sustainable future for Madagascar’s natural resources,” she stated. “By combining our efforts, sharing our knowledge, and committing to continuous improvement, we will protect Madagascar’s unique wildlife and natural heritage for generations to come.”

The USAID CCWT activity, which is implemented by a consortium including WWF, TI-MG and Alliance Voahary Gasy, hosted the first national forum in March 2022. This initial forum introduced the activity and its objectives, the roles and responsibilities of stakeholders, and discussed challenges to fighting wildlife and natural resource trafficking and associated corruption.

Since 2022, the USAID CCWT activity has championed several initiatives that achieved significant results. CCWT’s impacts include strengthening Madagascar’s ability to combat illicit trafficking by training 350 Government of Madagascar officials in laws, procedures, and special investigation techniques for anti-corruption, international wildlife trafficking, illicit financial flows, and countering transnational organized crime.

Additionally, USAID CCWT trained 51 community volunteer informants in key regions where natural resource trafficking is prevalent, leading to the reporting and apprehension of tortoise traffickers in the south. The USAID CCWT activity will close in September of this year.

The U.S. government, through USAID, is investing $10 million in three current activities to address domestic and international wildlife trafficking, including the modernization of customs procedures, and strengthening environmental governance, law enforcement, and the judiciary through the USAID Mizana and CCWT activities.

Since 1984, the U.S. government has committed over $300 million in programs that combat wildlife and precious hardwood trafficking, strengthen natural resource governance, improve forest and marine management, and partner with the private sector to increase economic opportunities for local communities in Madagascar. This year is the 40th anniversary of USAID’s partnership with Madagascar, a significant milestone in our development journey.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of U.S. Embassy in Madagascar.

Foreign Minister Ali Sabry undertook an official visit to Egypt from 07-11 August 2024 at the invitation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates of Egypt Dr. Badr Abdelatty.

Foreign Minister Ali Sabry held productive discussions with his counterpart Dr. Badr Abdelatty and reviewed bilateral relations between Sri Lanka and Egypt.  Both sides noted the potential to expand the relations between the two countries by fostering closer links in the fields of trade, investment, tourism, education, culture, archaeology, maritime transport, renewable energy, and climate change. The two Ministers also discussed on regional and global issues of shared interest and on further strengthening cooperation in multilateral fora.

Upon completion of the bilateral talks, Foreign Minister Ali Sabry joined Egyptian Foreign Minister      Dr. Badr Abdelatty in the signing ceremony of the MoU between the Bandaranaike International Diplomatic Training Institute (BIDTI) and the Institute for Diplomatic Studies of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Egypt. The MoU aims to strengthen and consolidate cooperation in the fields of diplomatic training, capacity building, research and studies in diplomacy between the two countries.

Minister Sabry engaged in discussions with Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade Hassan El Khatib and the President of the General Authority of Free Zones and Investment (GAFI) on avenues to enhance cooperation in trade and investment between the two countries and took note of prospective sectors of mutual interest, the importance of exchange of trade delegations and early convening of trade consultations mechanism. During these interactions, the Egyptian side commended on Sri Lankan private sector investments in Egypt and asserted their fullest cooperation to boost Sri Lankan investments in Egypt and overcome any challenges they may face.

During the visit, Minister Ali Sabry met with His Eminence Dr. Shawky Ibrahim Allam, Grand Mufti of Egypt and exchanged views on matters related to religious cooperation, cultural links, combating extremism&radicalization, promoting peaceful coexistence and enhancing closer people-to-people ties between Sri Lanka and Egypt.

Foreign Minister Ali Sabry also participated in an event organized by the Cairo Chamber of Commerce in coordination with the Federation of Egyptian Chambers of Commerce on enhancing trade and economic cooperation between Sri Lanka and Egypt. The event entailed a constructive discussion on ways of unleashing untapped potential to expand trade and investment between the two countries, particularly in sectors of agriculture, apparel, IT, renewable energy and tourism. Foreign Minister Sabry made use of this opportunity to invite the Egyptian business community to explore enticing trade and investment opportunities available in Sri Lanka for the mutual growth and prosperity of the two countries.

The Minister also met with Ambassador Mohamed Al-Orabi, Chairman of the Egyptian Council for Foreign Affairs (ECFA) along with a group of its members and engaged in a discussion on developments in the region and possible cooperation with the ECFA.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Sri Lanka.