Metro

UN warns of ‘sharp increase’ in hunger in Ethiopia’s Tigray

Published

10 months ago

July 4, 2023

The United Nations has warned of a “sharp increase” in hunger in Ethiopia’s northern region of Tigray following years of conflicts, calling for an urgent need for more food aid.

In an update on the situation on Tuesday, UN said the number of people diagnosed with severe malnutrition in the war-ravaged Tigray region had increased sharply, with conditions set to worsen following a recent halt to food aid by the World Food Programme and the USAID.

The WFP and USAID had suspended food aid to Ethiopia in May following allegations of widespread theft and diversion of supplies from those in need of them.

The situation report released by the UN’s Humanitarian Agency, OCHA, noted that an estimated 8.8 million people in northern Ethiopia were in need of food assistance, in addition to millions of others in the country’s drought-hit south and southeastern regions.

“Compared to the same month last year, April 2022, severe acute malnutrition cases admissions increased in Tigray by 196 per cent,” the report said.

“Across the country, there id an increase of 15 per cent in severe acute malnutrition admissions between January and April this year, compared to the same period in 2022.

“In Tigray, there is a concern on worsening food insecurity among the vulnerable population groups, following the pause of food distributions due to reports of significant diversion of humanitarian food assistance.

“The temporary pause for food aid in Tigray is negatively impacting already high malnutrition rates,” the statement added.

It also said the figures could be partly attributable to better access to health facilities and data collection.

Related Topics:Ethiopia Famine Featured Hunger Tigray United Nations

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Metro

‘Rights must go with responsibilities,’ traditional leader cautions on use of social media

Published

14 hours ago

May 8, 2024

Akanimoh Etim

Mansa, Luapula Province: Annette Katema, the Head Woman of Chitumbi Village in Mansa District, voices concerns about the detrimental effects of irresponsible social media usage.

In a recent interview with Zambia Monitor, Katema argued that social media platforms were contributing to delinquency among the youth, particularly platforms like WhatsApp, TikTok, and Facebook.

“Children are being exposed to inappropriate content on WhatsApp, which is harmful to their upbringing. Social media platforms are fostering moral decay,” remarked Head Woman Chitumbi.

She stated that this trend undermined the cultural values that were essential for societal cohesion.

Katema expressed reservations about the prevalence of nudity and offensive language on social media, calling for stricter moderation.

She advocated for proactive measures to steer young people away from harmful online content, suggesting the revitalization of traditional recreational activities like playhouses and sports.

“Instead of solely relying on punitive measures, let’s invest in creating positive alternatives to counter the allure of social media,” Katema proposed.

She urged the youth to uphold traditional values alongside their digital rights, stating the importance of responsible behavior online.

“We should not lose respect in the name of digital rights because rights should go with responsibilities,” the traditional leader said.

This story is sponsored content from Zambia Monitor’s Project Aliyense.

Metro

President Tinubu finally returns to Nigeria amid speculations over his absence

Published

18 hours ago

May 8, 2024

Akanimoh Etim

After spending the last two weeks out of Nigeria, President Bola Tinubu has finally returned to the country.

Tinubu, who returned to Nigeria on Wednesday morning, had departed the country two weeks ago, on April 23, for The Netherlands for a three-day official visit, honouring an invitation from the Dutch Prime Minister, Mark Rutte.

While in the European country, Tinubu participated in the Nigerian-Dutch Business and Investment Forum, which brought together heads of conglomerates and organisations in both countries.

After his engagements in The Netherlands, Tinubu, according to his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, proceeded to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to attend a World Economic Forum Special Meeting on Global Collaboration, Growth and Energy for Development which held between April 28–29.

However, after the summit, the president did not return to the country as he was said to have proceeded to London for a private visit which gave room to speculations over his health.

The Nigerian Presidency did not also help matters as there was no official statement on the President’s engagements, nor were they willing to douse the tension created by his absence, leading to Nigerians raising posers with the hashtag #WhereisTinubu.

In a tweet on Tuesday evening, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, had revealed that Tinubu would be back in the country on Wednesday.

“President Bola Tinubu, along with his aides, will return to Nigeria tomorrow from Europe,” he had written.

The recent foreign trip was Tinubu’s 20th since assuming office on May 29, 2023, effectively logging 96 days abroad, which has made him one of Africa’s most globe-trotting leaders.

In his less than one year in office, President Tinubu has visited Paris, France (thrice); London, the United Kingdom (twice); Bissau, Guinea-Bissau (twice); Nairobi, Kenya; Porto Norvo, Benin Republic, New Delhi, India.

He has also taken a trip to Abu Dhabi and Dubai in the United Arab Emirates; New York, the United States of America; Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (twice); Berlin, Germany; Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; Dakar, Senegal; Doha, Qatar; and The Hague, The Netherlands.