Metro

10 million East African children hit by malnutrition – IGAD

Published

2 years ago

October 9, 2022

The East African regional bloc, Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), has raised the alarm over the number of children in the region who have been hit by acute malnutrition.

IGAD which is a regional group made up of eight countries in the region – Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, Somalia, Djibouti, Eritrea, Sudan and South Sudan, said in a joint statement on Saturday that well over 10 million children in the region were at the risk of death.

“Over 10 million children are suffering from acute malnutrition across six of our member states,” IGAD Executive Secretary, Workneh Gebeyehu, said at a meeting in Nairobi which was attended by ministers from all IGAD member nations.

“Tremendously high rates of acute malnutrition continue to be recorded across the region, particularly in Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia and Uganda, and especially among displaced populations,” he said.

Gebeyehu said about “13 million people are currently internally displaced in East Africa while the region also has over five million refugees and asylum seekers, nearly all of whom are food insecure,” quoting IGAD data.

“More than 51 million people in seven IGAD states, or almost 20% of the bloc’s population, are estimated to be highly food insecure, including nearly 388,000 people who are at risk of dying of hunger.

“Hundreds of thousands of people are at risk of dying of hunger, while more than 10 million children are facing acute malnutrition due to droughts and spiraling food insecurity,” he said.

The East African region is facing its longest dry spell in 40 years and the fourth drought in a decade, with southern and south eastern Ethiopia, parts of Kenya, and nearly all of Somalia is witnessing the worst drought in 40 years.

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Metro

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

Published

17 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

2 days 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.