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Twishime Ntibenda, a barber from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), found a way to balance working at his barbershop in a displaced persons’ camp and attending school after fleeing his home village due to an armed attack. Despite difficult living conditions in displaced camps, young people like Twishime are finding ways to survive and pursue their dreams. His survival method was to focus on a passion he developed as a teenager: haircutting.
Climate change, conflict, political instability, disease and economic shocks are driving humanitarian needs in the Southern and Eastern Africa region. At least 74 million people in the region need humanitarian assistance - that's the highest number of people in need in the world. This number is expected to increase by the end of the year due to climate change and conflict. Displacement and food crises, a high incidence of cholera and a growing number of violent sexual assaults are among the most serious challenges facing this area of the African continent.
The run-up to Senegal’s recent presidential election was marked by violence and political tensions. However, the March 24 vote passed smoothly, with millions of Senegalese showing up at the polls. No major incidents were reported, and a peaceful transition of power took place, highlighting Senegal’s stable democracy. Women's Watch Platform "Ëtu Jamm" (Peace Space), supported by the During the election, Ëtu Jamm deployed women observers, who monitored the vote in real-time at polling stations in Dakar and in the regions.
The work of statisticians is crucial to address food insecurity and improve food productivity. Young African women are working to bridge the data gap in their countries and improve the agricultural landscape. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations () programme helps young statisticians to learn how statistical theory applies to real-life agricultural production and yield. FAO offers scholarships to applicants in African countries to pursue a one-year master's programme in Agricultural Statistics. The programme covers data collection and analysis, sustainable practices, and leveraging technology.
The South Sudanese refugee population, with over 65% children, is the largest refugee situation in Africa. They live in precarious conditions, worsened by drought and food insecurity. This protracted situation is Africa's largest refugee crisis. Despite efforts toward peace, South Sudan still faces violence, food insecurity, and flooding. To help alleviate the situation, the UN Refugee Agency () will launch the South Sudan Regional Refugee Response Plan on Thursday, March 28. The humanitarian initiative will address the needs of 2.2 million refugees in 2024.
Cash assistance to empower displaced people in DRC
Decades of armed conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo have forced some 5.5 million people to flee their villages, leaving them in dire need of assistance to survive. Since the humanitarian operations were scaled up in North Kivu, South Kivu and Ituri Provinces last June, the distribution of cash assistance has significantly increased. In July 2023, the distributed cash to more than 800,000 vulnerable individuals in these three provinces, an eightfold increase within just one month. Learn about the stories of three beneficiaries of this programme: Yalala, Akela, and Nyangoma, and how they invested the money provided by the UN.
A year ago, a little-known virus emerged, and in a matter of weeks the world would be jolted by an unprecedented pandemic. COVID-19 has upturned every aspect of life, and the struggle is still on to bring the virus under control. In the African region, WHO has worked with governments to tackle the pandemic, which turned 2020 into an extremely challenging year. Even so, the region reached remarkable milestones: two Ebola outbreaks have been halted, Africa is free of wild polio and more is being done to safeguard health systems. We feature of 2020.
Africa under water: heightened ‘mega’ crises
Matshidiso Moeti is the first female Regional Director for Africa for the World Health Organisation. Now she’s the face of the COVID-19 fight in Africa, but she says facing the pandemic is easier than where she started her career as a doctor - fighting the HIV/AIDS epidemic in sub-Saharan Africa in the 1990s. In this third episode of season 3 of Awake at Night with host Melissa Fleming, she says, we’re willing to talk about inequalities and tackle stigma about disease.
The Africa Human Capital Plan sets out clear targets and commitments to boost Africa's potential through its human capital.
Of the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s almost 600 fighters from around the world, 11 are African. They include the current middleweight and welterweight champions.