Metro

500 Somali children die of drought-induced malnutrition – UNICEF

Published

2 years ago

July 7, 2022

The United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF), on Thursday, confirmed the death of 500 Somali children who died as a result of malnutrition induced by a record-breaking drought that has ravaged the country since the beginning of the year.

Spokesman of the Agency in Somalia, Victor Chinyama, who spoke to the Voice of America, VOA, said the effects of the drought were more on children with as much as 400,000 being at risk of severe acute malnourishment.

Chinyama added that without urgent emergency support, more of the children will be in danger of dying.

“And so far, we have recorded about 500 deaths of children that have been admitted for severe acute malnutrition and this is only a tip of the iceberg because we know that there are many more children whose deaths are never recorded.

“These children are dying in their homes, they are dying on the way as they travel in search of help. Help is desperately needed at this point,” Chinyama said.

Chinyama also said UNICEF Somalia had made an appeal for $112 million in emergency funds for this year but only received about half of the sum which is not enough to provide the basic needs of the starving children.

Somalia and most countries in the Horn of Africa have been experiencing the worst drought in over 40 years and while the UN and other donor agencies around the world grapple with sending limited aid to the region, there are fears that the Horn faces a fifth straight decade of severe drought due to another failed rainy season.

Related Topics:Deaths Drought Featured Somalia UNICEF

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Metro

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

Published

6 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.