Metro

UN warns of extreme hunger in Africa’s Sahel region, says 18 million currently affected

Published

2 years ago

May 21, 2022

The Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), an arm of the United Nations, has warned of extreme hunger in the Sahel region of Africa in the next three months.

The UN agency added that already, an estimate of about 18 million people are currently facing severe food insecurity across the arid Sahel belt that stretches across Africa immediately south of the Sahara.

A report issued by Martin Griffiths, the head of OCHA on Friday, noted that “millions of refugees and displaced people in Africa’s Sahel region face severe hunger as food rations are being cut by up to half in some areas because of a funding shortfall.”

Griffiths said that the hunger crisis in the region is the worst since 2014 and is the result of several factors ranging from the war in Ukraine to climate change and regional conflicts.

18M people in the #Sahel face severe hunger over the next three months.

This @UNCERF allocation will help ramp up the humanitarian operations in these four countries, but it’s no substitute for the more substantial donor contributions we need to maintain our response. https://t.co/a00O4Zn4J4

— Martin Griffiths (@UNReliefChief) May 20, 2022

“A combination of violence, insecurity, deep poverty and record-high food prices is exacerbating malnutrition and driving millions to the fringes of survival.

“The recent spike in food prices driven by the conflict between Russia and Ukraine is threatening to turn a food security crisis into a humanitarian disaster,” he said.

“The situation has reached alarming levels in Burkina Faso, Mauritius, Chad, Mali and Niger, where nearly 1.7 million people will experience emergency levels of food insecurity during the lean season between June and August,” the report said.

Lean season in the #Sahel is approaching. Millions of people are being driven to the fringes of survival.

In Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali and Niger, the situation has reached alarming levels.

There is no time to lose. We must act now to save lives. pic.twitter.com/CdEaQQUdKM

— Martin Griffiths (@UNReliefChief) May 19, 2022

Related Topics:Featured Hunger Sahel United Nations

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Metro

World Bank pledges $3b to support Zambia’s development goals

Published

14 hours ago

November 14, 2024

Isaac Dachen

The World Bank Group has pledged to avail Zambia with approximately $3 billion to support the country’s development goals under the new Country Partnership Framework (CPF) for 2025-2029, with nearly half of the funds already disbursed.

World Bank Country Manager, Achim Fock, who made this known at the CPF launch at the Mulungushi Conference Centre in Lusaka on Wednesday, outlined the global lender’s focus areas, which included enhancing jobs, human capital, and climate resilience.

Fock highlighted that $200 million had been approved to strengthen Zambia’s social protection programs, including the Refugee and Host Community Project.

He also expressed optimism for upcoming approvals, including the Climate and Economic Resilience Financing and the Zambia-Tanzania Interconnector.

Zambia’s Finance and National Planning Minister, Situmbeko Musokotwane, who also spoke at the event, noted that 2.3 million Zambian households have so far benefited from social protection interventions such as the Cash for Work Programme, emphasizing the government’s commitment to safeguarding lives amid crises like the recent drought.

Musokotwane further reiterated the government’s commitment to protecting lives during times of crises such as the recent drought.

“More than two thirds of the Zambian population was affected by the drought. It was the government’s view that the first priority was to save lives,” Musokotwane stated.

Metro

Chinese mining giant CNMC set for $1.6 billion investment in Zambia

Published

1 day ago

November 13, 2024

Isaac Dachen

A Chinese mining giant, China Nonferrous Metal Mining Company (CNMC), has announced the investment of over $1.6 billion in Zambia, following successful discussions with President Hakainde Hichilema at the State House on Tuesday.

CNMC Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Wen Gang, who held the discussions with Hichilema along with the Chinese Ambassador to Zambia, Han Jing, confirmed the company’s commitment to furthering Zambia’s economic development.

“We are actively investing in critical sectors of Zambia’s economy,” Gang said after the meeting.

He noted that CNMC was currently pumping water from Shaft 28 at Luanshya Copper Mine, where 29.9 million cubic liters have been cleared as part of intensified dewatering efforts, adding that the company plans to inject an additional $200 million to develop a greenfield mine on the Copperbelt.

President Hichilema who welcomed CNMC’s commitment, highlighted the potential economic impact of the firm’s investment which will include job opportunities for Zambians.

“This $1.6billion investment, alongside advanced technology and expansion, will extend operations and create more jobs and opportunities for Zambians, especially in mining contracting and supply,” the President said.

He also expressed gratitude to Chinese President Xi Jinping and the Chinese government for their shared commitment to fostering growth and cooperation between the two countries.