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UNHCR: 11,500 Nigerians forced to flee to Niger due to armed forced attacks

Armed banditry has been a primary security threat in Nigeria's northern and central regions, leading to deaths and kidnappings in recent months.

Armed banditry has been a primary security threat in Nigeria’s northern and central regions, leading to deaths and kidnappings in recent months…reports Asian Lite News

The office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said repeated attacks in northwest Nigeria forced over 11,500 Nigerians to flee across the border to neighbouring Niger in November, resulting in a humanitarian crisis.

In recent weeks armed groups, locally called “bandits”, have repeatedly attacked villages in northwest Nigeria. The violence comes against the backdrop of inter-communal clashes between farmers and herders as competition increases for dwindling resources, aggravated by the climate crisis, said a UNHCR statement reaching Xinhua on Friday.

Armed banditry has been a primary security threat in Nigeria’s northern and central regions, leading to deaths and kidnappings in recent months.

“We are deeply concerned by the surging violence in northwest Nigeria and call for concerted and massive support to address the growing humanitarian needs of the affected population, ranging from protection services to food, shelter kits, kitchen utensils, blankets, and other non-food items,” said the statement.

It said most of the November arrivals from Nigeria have taken shelter in rural communities in Niger’s Tahoua region, which was already hosting 3,500 Nigerian refugees since September, Xinhua news agency reported.

Women and children make up most of the recent arrivals and describe killings, kidnappings for ransom and the looting of their villages, UNHCR said.

The UN refugee agency is registering new arrivals, providing emergency help and identifying the most vulnerable in coordination with Nigerian authorities, said the statement.

ALSO READ: US top diplomat visits Nigeria, discusses areas of interest

“But the need for shelter, food, water, and healthcare is rising rapidly,” it said, calling for expanding support from the international community.

Armed banditry has been a primary security threat in Nigeria’s northern and central regions, leading to deaths and kidnappings in recent months.

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Africa News World

UN: Displacements in northern Ethiopia up relief needs

UN: Displacements in northern Ethiopia up relief needs

The conflict in northern Ethiopia is increasing relief needs as it drives more people from their homes, causing a loss of livelihoods and access to markets, food and essential services, UN Humanitarians said…reports Asian Lite News

More than 9.4 million people live in the area under siege, at least 400,000 of them believed to be facing famine-like conditions, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said on Friday. Violence in the Afar, Amhara and Tigray regions is triggering new displacements.

Although some humanitarian access — severely limited for weeks — is increasing in the area, it is still lacking, the office said, Xinhua news agency reported.

UN: Displacements in northern Ethiopia up relief needs

Between November 24 and 30, four convoys with 157 trucks carrying humanitarian supplies arrived in Mekelle, capital of Tigray, OCHA said. It is the first such delivery since October 18. Fuel, however, has not reached Tigray since August 2, with eight tankers waiting in the Semera, Afar, staging area for clearance.

The office said the UN Humanitarian Air Service resumed twice-weekly flights between Addis Ababa and Mekelle on November 24 following their October 22 suspension. It allows the UN and partners to rotate Tigray staff and transfer limited operational cash.

Partners in Tigray delivered life-saving assistance, despite significantly reduced capacity, OCHA said. During the past week, water-trucking in central Tigray provided water and sanitation assistance for more than 27,000 people. Health aid reached more than 23,000 people, and about 179,000 received food assistance.

ALSO READ: Sudan refuses to relinquish disputed Fashaga area with Ethiopia

In Amhara and Afar, partners are scaling up their response, including food, nutrition interventions and health services, the office said.

A 1.2 billion US dollar funding gap remains for humanitarian response across Ethiopia, including 335 million for the northern regions, OCHA said. Expected growing needs in the north and elsewhere in Ethiopia will increase 2022 humanitarian operation requirements.

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UN extends mandate for international forces fighting piracy off coast of Somalia

UN extends mandate for international forces fighting piracy off coast of Somalia

The UN Security Council has renewed for an additional three months its authorisation for states and regional organisations cooperating with Somalia to use all necessary means to fight piracy off the coast of the East African country…reports Asian Lite News

Unanimously adopting Resolution 2608, the council on Friday decided for a further period of three months from the date of the resolution, to renew the authorisations, as set out in Resolution 2554, granted to states and regional organisations cooperating with Somali authorities in the fight against piracy and armed robbery at sea off the coast of Somalia, for which advance notification has been provided by Somali authorities to the secretary-general.

UN extends mandate for international forces fighting piracy off coast of Somalia

The Security Council said that there were no successful piracy attacks off the coast of Somalia in the prior 12 months and noted that joint counter-piracy efforts have resulted in a steady decline in pirate attacks and hijackings since 2011, as well as no successful ship hijackings for ransom since March 2017, Xinhua news agency reported.

It also recognised the ongoing threat of resurgent piracy and armed robbery at sea, making reference to the letter of December 2, 2021 from the permanent representative of the permanent mission of Somalia to the UN requesting international assistance to counter piracy off its coast.

The council also called upon the Somali authorities to interdict, and upon interdiction to have mechanisms in place to safely return effects seized by pirates, investigate and prosecute pirates and to patrol the waters off the coast of Somalia to prevent and suppress acts of piracy and armed robbery at sea.

In addition, it encouraged the Federal Government of Somalia to accede to the UN Convention against Transnational Organised Crime and develop a corresponding legal architecture as part of its efforts to target money laundering and financial support structures on which piracy networks survive.

ALSO READ: Somalian security arrests 12 al-Shabab terrorists

The council decided that the arms embargo on Somalia imposed in Resolution 733, further elaborated upon in Resolution 1425 and modified by Resolution 2093 does not apply to supplies of weapons and military equipment or the provision of assistance destined for the sole use of member states, international, regional and subregional organizations undertaking measures most recently reaffirmed by Resolution 2607.

It also urged all states to share information with the International Criminal Police Organization for use in the global piracy database, through appropriate channels.

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Africa News COVID-19 World

Zambia confirms presence of Omicron variant

Zambia confirms presence of Omicron variant

Zambia has confirmed the presence of omicron Covid-19 variant in the southern African nation…reports Asian Lite News

Minister of Health Sylvia Masebo said the variant was detected in the country’s genomic sequencing laboratory in three people who tested positive in the last week, Xinhua news agency reported.

Zambia confirms presence of Omicron variant

She told reporters during a press briefing that the variant was detected in two male adults with a history of travelling out of the country and one female who initially presented with mild flu-like symptoms as an out-patient at one of the hospitals in Lusaka, the country’s capital but had no history of international travel.

The health minister urged people to strictly adhere to preventive health measures.

“The responsibility to contain the Covid-19 and prevent further transmission and related disease starts with the individual and requires concerted efforts by communities and institutions,” she said.

ALSO READ: Rise in Covid cases double as a result of Omicron in S. Africa

The omicron variant has been reported in many countries.

Zambia’s cumulative Covid-19 cases currently stand at 210,294 as of Friday.

Total deaths and recoveries stand at 3,667 and 206,454.

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Africa News COVID-19

Rise in Covid cases double as a result of Omicron in S. Africa

Rise in Covid cases double as a result of Omicron in S. Africa

Omicron, the new variant of Covid-19, is increasing hospitalisations among children under five years of age…reports Asian Lite News

South Africa has seen Covid cases double as a result of Omicron, touted as the most transmissible variant of the virus so far.

“It has also emerged that hospitalisation cases have increased for children under five in the fourth wave,” local media quoted Health Minister Joe Phaahla as saying.

Rise in Covid cases double as a result of Omicron in S. Africa

According to the country’s National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), there’s been a steep rise in cases over the last seven days.

“A new trend in this wave is the increase in hospitalisation of children under five,” Wassila Jassat, public health specialist at the NICD was quoted as saying.

The NICD also said that children under the age of two account for about 10 per cent of total hospital admissions in Tshwane, the Omicron epicentre in South Africa, the report said.

“Toddlers getting sick is a cause for concern. Children below the age of two make up 10 per cent of Omicron-related hospitalisation,” Jassat said.

More kids are being admitted than during the early stages of the country entering the current fourth wave of infections, although a similar trend occurred during the third wave when Delta was dominant, Jassat said.

She added that hospital admissions have been increasing nationally, adding that admission trends in Gauteng are higher than in the previous waves.

There are 1,351 patients in Gauteng hospitals. Nationally, the general bed occupancy is at 1.9 per cent and for ICU it is 4.2 per cent, Phaahla was quoted as saying.

“Indications are that the new Omicron variant is highly transmissible and most hospitalisations are as a result of unvaccinated people,” said Phaahla, even as he urged people to get vaccinated as the first line of protection from the virus.

ALSO READ: Africa’s Covid-19 cases surpass 8.65 mn

However, he sounded optimistic about fighting the Omicron wave.

“We can manage this fourth wave. We can manage Omicron. We can in the next period manage in a way where the government doesn’t have to invoke serious restrictions in the next few days,” he said.

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Africa News News World

Violence impacts over 7L children due to school closures in Cameroon

Violence impacts over 7L children due to school closures in Cameroon

Over 700,000 children have been impacted by school closures due to violence in the North-West and South-West regions of Cameroon, according to a recent analysis by the United Nations humanitarian arm, UNOCHA…reports Asian Lite News

Secretary General of the Norwegian Refugee Council, Jan Egeland, and the Director of Education Cannot Wait, Yasmine Sherif, on Thursday called for an end to attacks on education in Cameroon during their joint visit to the country this week.

“This is among the most complex humanitarian crises in the world today. Children and youth are having to flee their homes and schools, are threatened with violence and kidnapping, and are being forced into early childhood marriage and recruited into armed groups,” said Yasmine Sherif.

“We call for urgent support from donors to respond to this forgotten crisis. We call for the respect of human rights and adherence to the principles of international humanitarian law and the Safe Schools Declaration — and for partners to redouble efforts so all children and adolescents can get back to the safety, protection and hope that quality learning environments provide.”

Two out of three schools are closed in the North-West and South-West regions of Cameroon, according to UNOCHA.

On November 24, four children and one teacher were killed in an attack in Ekondo Titi in Cameroon’s South-West region.

A recent lockdown imposed by a non-state armed group, from September 15 to October 2, limited access to basic services, including health and education.

During the period, OCHA reported a series of attacks in the North-West. Eight students were kidnapped, and a girl’s fingers were chopped off after she tried to attend school.

Five public school principals were also kidnapped, including one who was killed.

During the lockdown, all schools and community learning spaces were closed, except for some schools in a few urban areas which operated at less than 60 per cent capacity.

About 200,000 people did not receive food due to the interruption of humanitarian activities.

The lockdown and insecurity have forced UN agencies and aid organisations — including the Norwegian Refugee Council — to temporarily suspend the delivery of lifesaving aid to people in need in both the North-West and South-West regions.

“Putting a schoolbag on your back should not make you a target. Yet children here risk their lives every day just showing up for school. Cameroon’s education mega-emergency needs international attention, not deadly silence by the outside world,” said Jan Egeland.

“Cameroon is one of the world’s most forgotten crises and has ranked in the top two of the Norwegian Refugee Council’s list of neglected displacement crises three years in a row. Until the international community steps up its support and diplomatic engagement, children will continue to bear the brunt of the violence.

Nine out of 10 regions of Cameroon continue to be impacted by one of three complex humanitarian crises: the crisis in the North-West and South-West, conflict in the Far North, and a refugee crisis involving people who have fled the Central African Republic.

Over one million children need urgent education support because of these combined crises.

To address these multiple emergencies, made even worse by COVID-19 and climate change impacts, Education Cannot Wait (ECW) — the United Nations global fund for education in emergencies and protracted crises — is working closely with UN agencies, the Norwegian Refugee Council and civil society education partners to build a multi-year resilience programme in Cameroon.

ALSO READ: Africa’s Covid-19 cases surpass 8.65 mn

ECW is contributing $25 million over three years and calls for other donors to fill the gap which is estimated at $50 million. When fully funded, the programme will provide approximately 250,000 children and adolescents with access to safe and protective learning environments in the most-affected areas.

The programme builds on the impact from ECW’s ongoing First Emergency Response in Cameroon.

Announced in May, the investment is designed to ensure refugee children fleeing from the Central African Republic receive access to quality, protective learning environments.

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COVID-19 World

Botswana achieves WHO Covid-19 vaccination target

Botswana achieves WHO Covid-19 vaccination target

Botswana has achieved the World Health Organisation (WHO) target of vaccinating 40 per cent of the entire population by December 2021, President Mokgweetsi Masisi said…reports Asian Lite News

Masisi made this announcement on Wednesday when addressing the nation about the southern African country’s latest response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Botswana achieves WHO Covid-19 vaccination target

He said that as of November 29, an estimated 1,053,361 people, or 75.7 per cent of the targeted Botswana citizens and residents aged over 18, have received at least one dose of the Covid-19 vaccine, while 950,973, or 68.4 per cent, have been fully vaccinated, Xinhua news agency reported.

The country’s population is around 2.35 million.

ALSO READ: WHO slams blanket travel bans

The vaccination rate also exceeds the 64 per cent target Botswana had set to achieve by the end of this year, Masisi added, noting that it is a remarkable achievement given the vaccine delivery challenges for the African continent.

So far, Botswana has reported 195,068 Covid cases and 2,418 deaths.

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Africa News COVID-19 World

Africa’s Covid-19 cases surpass 8.65 mn

The number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in Africa reached 8,651,549 as of Wednesday evening, the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) said on Thursday…reports Asian Lite News

The specialised healthcare agency of the African Union (AU) said the death toll across the continent stands at 223,352, and some 8,099,456 patients have recovered from the disease so far.

Africa’s Covid-19 cases surpass 8.65 mn

According to the Africa CDC, South Africa, Morocco, Tunisia and Ethiopia are among the countries with the most cases on the continent, Xinhua news agency reported.

ALSO READ: Travel bans on S. Africa will affect local economy recovery

In terms of the caseload, southern Africa is the most affected region, followed by the northern and eastern parts of the continent, while central Africa is the least affected region, Africa CDC said.

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Africa News News World

Sudan refuses to relinquish disputed Fashaga area with Ethiopia

Chairman of Sudan’s Transitional Sovereign Council, Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan has vowed not to relinquish the lands of Fashaga area on the border with Ethiopia…reports Asian Lite News

Al-Burhan visited the Baraka Noreen area at Fashaga town on the border with Ethiopia following an Ethiopian incursion into the area that resulted in the killing of six members of the Sudanese Army and injuring of 31 others.

Al-Burhan reiterated Sudan’s commitment to the good neighbourly ties with Ethiopia, explaining that Sudan has no enmity with Ethiopia, the statement said.

Sudan refuses to relinquish disputed Fashaga area with Ethiopia

He reiterated that Fashaga is a purely Sudanese land, vowing not to relinquish an inch of Sudan’s territories, Xinhua news agency reported.

He called on the citizens of Fashaga area to engage in their agricultural activities, stressing the armed forces’ determination to protect them against any threats and secure their farms.

On Saturday, the Sudanese Army said some of its units were attacked by the Ethiopian Army and cooperating militias, noting that the attack resulted in the killing of six Sudanese soldiers.

The border between Sudan and Ethiopia has been witnessing rising tensions and skirmishes between the two sides since September 2020.

On December 19, 2020, the Sudanese Army announced the deployment of strong reinforcements to the border area. Khartoum then announced retaking of what it terms as “the seized lands.”

ALSO READ: Sudan Army Chief: Issues decree forming transitional Sovereign Council

The border area of Fashaga between Sudan and Ethiopia, one of the five localities of Sudan’s Gadaref state, often witnesses deadly attacks by Ethiopian militias during the preparation for the agricultural season.

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Africa News COVID-19

Rwanda suspends flights to S. Africa over Omicron variant

Rwanda suspends flights to S. Africa over Omicron variant

Rwanda has temporarily suspended direct flights to and from southern African countries due to concerns over the new Covid-19 variant Omicron…reports Asian Lite News

The decision was made late on Sunday after an extraordinary cabinet meeting on Rwanda’s response to the Omicron variant chaired by President Paul Kagame, according to the communique, Xinhua news agency reported.

“While the variant has not been detected in Rwanda, its effects are potentially dangerous and therefore Rwandans and residents of Rwanda are required to exercise extra vigilance in the practice and enforcement of preventive measures,” the communique said.

Rwanda suspends flights to S. Africa over Omicron variant

A seven-day quarantine at own cost will be required for passengers travelling from, or those with a recent history of travelling to, the affected countries, it said.

All arriving passengers must quarantine for 24 hours at a designated hotel at their own cost, it added.

According to the communique, a Covid PCR test will be taken upon arrival at own cost, and an additional test, covered by the government of Rwanda, taken on day seven from the arrival date at a designated testing site.

People attending events or gatherings, including conferences, concerts, weddings and festivals or exhibitions, must be fully vaccinated and tested, the communique said.

ALSO READ: Morocco suspends regular int’l flights over Omicron variant

And gatherings should take place outdoors or in well ventilated spaces as much as possible, it added.

It urged Rwandans to get fully vaccinated, frequently tested and continue being vigilant in practicing Covid-19 preventive measures.

In October, Rwanda removed quarantine requirements for fully vaccinated travellers arriving in the country.