Metro

Despite ceasefire deal, Sudanese hospitals ‘bombed out of service’ by fighters

Published

2 years ago

April 19, 2023

The Central Committee of Sudanese Doctors (CCSD) on Wednesday, said around 39 hospitals have been “bombed out of service” as the supremacy clashes between military forces loyal to junta leader, Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary forces led by his former deputy, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo continue.

In a statement on Facebook, the doctors’ union said out of the 59 hospitals in the capital, Khartoum, 39 have been put out of service, while only 20 hospitals were fully or partially operational, a development that has further worsened the deplorable humanitarian situation in the country since the war broke out on Saturday.

“Among the hospitals that have stopped working, there are nine hospitals that were bombed, and 16 hospitals that were subjected to forced evacuation,” the CCSD said.

“People have been unable to leave their homes since Saturday as the two sides engaged in gun battles and bombarded each other with artillery and airstrikes,” the union added.

Fighting has continued to rage in the country, especially in Khartoum, despite a ceasefire deal agreed on Tuesday evening between the two factions as they continue to blame each other for the escalation of the conflict.

The United Nations, in a situation report on Wednesday, said Khartoum hospitals shut due to the ongoing fighting

“Khartoum’s hospitals have been thrown into chaos by the explosion of violence between Sudan’s two top generals.

“More than 185 people have been killed and over 1,800 wounded since the fighting erupted.

“At the Ahmed Qassem Children Hospital, medical staff had to evacuate all cases except the ones in the intensive care unit and supplies are running low, with doctors, nurses, patients and their relatives trapped inside for days as the Sudanese capital turned into a war zone.

“There is a shortage in staff, medicine and oxygen. The hospital is witnessing a shortage in many things and even the doctors have left,” Dr. Mohamed al-Mostafa, a staff of the UN told journalists.

The World Health Organization (WHO) also told newsmen that many hospitals in Khartoum had reported shortages of blood, transfusion equipment, intravenous fluids, medical supplies and other life-saving commodities.

“There are some 20 hospitals in the capital and the neighboring city of Omdurman. Those that still managed to operate were understaffed and overwhelmed, running low on supplies and struggling with power or water cuts,” the WHO said.

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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.