News

Kenya values the cordial relations it enjoys with the Netherlands.

President William Ruto said this on Monday when held talks with Willem-Alexander, the King of the Netherlands.

The two leaders committed to strengthening ties between the two countries for the mutual prosperity of their citizens.

This includes enhancing trade in horticultural, livestock, tea, and coffee, fruits, vegetables, fish and tobacco.

President Ruto and King Alexander discussed the climate change challenge, Kenya's agenda for green growth and wildlife conservation.

The Netherlands will continue supporting Kenya in the development of Arid and semi-arid lands, rural domestic water supply and sanitation, health, infrastructure development and agricultural research.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of President of the Republic of Kenya.

Download logo

Ifrah is a 28-year-old widow and mother of five children who recently fled from her home in the Bulobarde town of Hiran region in Somalia due to the ongoing armed conflict and worsening drought that left her family on the brink of starvation. With no belongings to her name and only her five children to care for, Ifrah found herself seeking refuge at the Doomey camp for internally displaced persons in Beletweyn town.

Somalia has been in the grips of a protracted conflict and drought crisis that has left millions of people displaced and struggling to survive. Women and families have been hit particularly hard, often forced to migrate. Embarking on the grueling trek, with little water or food, often walking for days to reach camps in the hope of finding food and shelter.

Ifrah soon realized that life at the camp was also not easy. The lack of basic necessities such as food, water, and shelter, coupled with the shame and embarrassment of not having proper clothes and hygiene supplies, made her situation even worse. She struggled to maintain her dignity during her menstrual cycle, using old pieces of clothing she found on the ground to hide her shame.

Limited access to basic necessities such as food, water, and shelter further exposes families to disease and malnutrition. The challenges faced by these families, especially women, are endless, from finding safe and secure places to live, finding food and medical support, and struggling to maintain their dignity during menstruation. In the midst of such a crisis, UNFPA partner organizations are working tirelessly to provide aid and support to those most in need, especially women and girls.

When the one of the outreach teams identified Ifrah as a high-priority refugee needing immediate support, she was relieved to receive some pieces of clean clothes for herself and her two daughters, along with a dignity and hygiene kit containing essential supplies for her menstrual health. For Ifrah, these items meant more than just physical comfort and hygiene; they restored her dignity and gave her hope for a better future.

"When I arrived here, I had nothing and no money to buy any basic supplies for myself or children and only wash my clothes at night while I stayed naked as I have no clothes to change the dirty ones. The SBACO team helped me get some extra clothes and this very important kit to hide my shame," Ifrah said.

Two of Ifrah's children needed immediate medical attention – upon receiving support from the mobile outreach team, and free medication; they are now feeling better.

The relief that came from these basic interventions cannot be overstated for Ifrah and many other women like her, who struggle to provide for her family amidst the harsh conditions. Despite the challenges she has faced, Ifrah remains resilient and hopeful for the future, she attributes this hope to the support of organizations like the UNFPA and its partners. She felt that there is still a chance to rebuild her life and provide a better future for her children, if she could get similar support even in the future.

Ifrah's story is one of survival, dignity, and hope in the face of adversity, and it serves as a reminder of the significance of how even the most simplest of support can be the beginning of restoring hope and health, for those who need it the most.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of UNFPA Somalia.

Download logo

President Cyril Ramaphosa will, in his capacity as outgoing Chairperson of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, attend the SADC Extraordinary Organ Troika Summit Plus and Force Intervention Brigade Troop Contributing Countries taking place in Windhoek, Namibia, on Monday, 08 May 2023.

The Extraordinary Summit Plus is expected to receive an update on the security situation in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and consider a report of the SADC Field Assessment Mission to Eastern DRC on the deployment of the United Nations Stabilisation Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO) - Force Intervention Brigade (FIB).

The Summit will also discuss a SADC common position to guide the region's engagement at the envisaged Tripartite Summit on the coordination of interventions and multiple deployments in the Eastern DRC.

The Extraordinary Troika Summit Plus follows the January 2023 Extraordinary Organ Troika Summit held in Namibia which considered the security situation in the SADC region. 

The insecurity in the Eastern DRC has been receiving sharp focus of the SADC, the African Union, and other regional mechanisms. 

The outcomes of the Summit are expected to contribute to continental efforts aimed at finding a coordinated and lasting solution to the insecurity in the eastern DRC. South Africa is among  the Troop Contributing Countries to the FIB which is deployed under MONUSCO.

The Summit will be preceded by the meetings of the Senior Officials and Ministerial Committee of the Organ Troika Plus, respectively.

The President will be accompanied by Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor; Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Ms Thandi Modise; Minister in The Presidency responsible for State Security, Ms Khumbudzo Ntshavheni; and the Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ms Candith Mashego-Dlamini.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Presidency: Republic of South Africa.

Download logo

Mental health is a critical component of overall health and well-being, yet it is often overlooked and underfunded in many countries around the world, including Zimbabwe. The government of Zimbabwe recognizes the importance of addressing mental health issues. On 20 April 2023, the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC), in partnership with World Health Organization (WHO) hosted a dinner to disseminate the Mental Health Investment Case Report. The event brought together key stakeholders, including, UN Agencies, donors, and corporate organizations, to discuss the importance of investing in Zimbabwe's mental health services.

“Investing in mental health is not only essential for addressing economic challenges but also for promoting overall health and well-being. Mental health is closely linked to physical health and addressing mental health issues can lead to better outcomes for other health conditions” said WHO Zimbabwe Country Representative Professor Jean-Marie Dangou during his opening remarks. “For example, treating depression can improve outcomes for individuals with chronic conditions such as HIV, TB, diabetes and heart disease,” he added.

Speaking during the event, Mrs Danai Charambeni bravely shared her personal experience living with Bipolar Affective Disorder, a Mental Health condition. She highlighted how essential raising awareness about mental health is crucial for reducing stigma and promoting understanding. “Many people with mental health conditions face discrimination and social isolation, which can make it difficult for them to access the care and support they need. By raising awareness and promoting understanding, we can help to reduce stigma and ensure that people with mental health conditions receive the care and support they need to lead fulfilling lives,” she said.

Dr Debra Machando, WHO Zimbabwe Mental Health Technical Officer provided an overview of Zimbabwe's Special Initiative for Mental Health.  “Mental, neurological and substance use conditions pose a significant challenge in Zimbabwe, and conditions such as depression, anxiety, psychosis, bipolar disorder, epilepsy and alcohol use disorder are major causes of morbidity and mortality,” she said.

Mental Health conditions present a double challenge to Zimbabwe: human suffering and an emerging public health burden with significant social and economic losses. These challenges include a financial burden on the individual with the condition, their families, as well as the health system. Challenges also encompass lost workforce productivity due to premature death, missed days of work (absenteeism) and impaired job performance (presenteeism).

WHO AFRO Regional Advisor for Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Dr Florence Baingana provided an overview of Zimbabwe's Investment Case for Mental Health. “By investing in mental health now, Zimbabwe could gain economic benefits of US$ 175 million in the next 10 years and US$ 689 million in the next 20 years. The productivity gains that Zimbabwe could make from investing in mental health interventions exceeds the cost of the intervention packages,” she said. 

By acting now, Zimbabwe could reduce the burden of mental health conditions. The findings of the investment case demonstrate that investing in evidence-based, cost-effective mental health interventions would, from now until 2041, provide both health and economic benefits.

In her closing remarks, Dr Devora Kestel, WHO HQ Director for Mental Health and Substance Use praised Zimbabwe for the significant progress the country has made in strengthening mental health services. She emphasized on the importance of other UN agencies in supporting Zimbabwe efforts to address its mental health needs. “For instance FAO could play a significant role in controlling highly hazardous pesticides to help reduce the incidences of suicide in Zimbabwe,” she said.

The WHO's recent dinner to disseminate the Mental Health Investment Case Report is an important step in encouraging more investment in this area and promoting understanding of the importance of investing in mental health today to have a huge return in the next 10 to 20 years.

Zimbabwe conducted its first ever Investment Case for Mental Health in 2021 and 2022. First, it provides an assessment of the current mental health situation in the country, including challenges and opportunities for development of the mental health system. Secondly, it presents economic evidence of the attributable, avertable burden associated with a number of leading mental, neurological and substance use conditions. Intervention costs, health gains and economic benefits were estimated for clinical interventions for six leading mental health conditions (depression, anxiety, psychosis, bipolar disorder, epilepsy and alcohol use disorder) and two population-based interventions (a pesticide ban and a universal school-based socio-emotional learning intervention). The Report concludes with recommendations for how to operationalize the findings of the Investment Case.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Health Organzation (WHO) - Zimbabwe.

Kingdom of Eswatini becomes a new member state; A $1.5 million Institutional Support for Digital Payments and e-Commerce Policies for Cross-Border Trade Project (IDECT) project with AfDB among partnerships signed; 5 Heads of State graced the highly attended summit; 10 MoUs and membership agreements signed; Smart Africa Trust Alliance (SATA) (www.SmartAfrica.org) signed by 8 founding member states.

The 6^th edition of the Transform Africa Summit held in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe has come to an end. Notable among the things that transpired during the summit is new memberships in the Smart Africa Alliance namely The Kingdom of Eswatini which became the 37^th member state of the alliance which celebrated its 10^th anniversary this year. The Republics of Gambia and Botswana are also closing the process to join the Alliance. Private sector members including Irembo, Ascend Digital and Asmos Consulting Africa also formalized their memberships during the summit.

The highly expected summit has kept all its promises and has been graced by the presence of the presidents from the republics of Zimbabwe, Rwanda, Malawi, Zambia and his majesty, the king of Eswatini.

“This ongoing growth of Smart Africa is a testament of the tangible value that we consistently deliver,” stressed Smart Africa's Director General Mr. Lacina Koné

This year's summit gathered 5 Heads of State including a King, 44 ministers and attracted around 4000 delegates from 91 countries. Director General Mr. Lacina Koné observed that this is a testimony of Africa's political commitment at the highest level “in our actions for the digital transformation of our continent”

On his part, President of the Republic of Zimbabwe H.E. Emmerson Mnangagwa said the summit is held at a time when lessons from the covid-19 pandemic give impetus for Africa to develop its own capabilities.

The summit was characterized by signings of various agreements including a $1.5 million project by Smart Africa and the African Development Bank to streamline digital trade and e-commerce policies across 10 African countries, an agreement between Smart Africa and the African Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat to enhance collaboration in information, communication and technology to develop a Single Digital Market for Africa within the African Continental Free Trade Area and the signing of the Smart Africa Trust Alliance (SATA) by 8 founding Member States to connect all systems through a trust framework.

Other partnerships in the areas of connectivity, digital infrastructure, cybersecurity, entrepreneurship and capacity building among others were also signed notably with I4Policy foundation, Hitachi Systems Security, Zhejiang, Gaia-x European Association for data, Internet Society and Estonian Association of Information Technology & Telecommunications (ITL).

Last but not least is the ratification of the agreement establishing the Smart Africa Alliance by the Republic of Rwanda shortly prior to the summit, becoming the 5^th member state to ratify the agreement and officially bringing it into force following its adoption by the 11^th Smart Africa Board Meeting. This qualifies Smart Africa as an international organization as it celebrates its 10 years anniversary this year.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Smart Africa.

For more information, contact:
Yvan Guéhi
Head of Brand and Communications
Smart Africa Secretariat
E-mail: comms@smartafrica.org

Follow us on:
Twitter: https://apo-opa.info/3ImW7BG
Facebook: https://apo-opa.info/3zdbh73
Website: www.SmartAfrica.org

About Smart Africa:
Smart Africa is an alliance of 37 African countries, international organisations and global private sector players tasked with Africa's digital agenda. The alliance is empowered by a bold and innovative commitment by African Heads of State to accelerate sustainable socio-economic development on the continent and usher Africa into the knowledge economy through affordable access to broadband and the use of ICTs. With a vision to create a single digital market in Africa by 2030, the Smart Africa Alliance brings together Heads of State who seek to accelerate the digitalization of the continent and create a common market. Launched in 2013 by seven (7) African Heads of State, the Alliance now has 36 member countries, representing over 1.1 billion people and over 45 Private Sector members committed to the vision and the advancement of Africa.