Source: Save the Children |

Nigeria: Urgent funds needed to manage diphtheria outbreak, with more than 7,200 cases and 453 deaths

Currently only 42% of children under 15 in Nigeria are fully protected from diphtheria, and in this most recent outbreak, 80% of the confirmed cases have been found to be people who are unvaccinated

A staggering 7,202 cases of diphtheria, a highly contagious bacterial infection that can be fatal without treatment, were confirmed in Nigeria last week, with cases skyrocketing in recent months and children severely affected, said Save the Children. There have been 453 deaths confirmed since the outbreak started in May 2022, with most cases recorded in the…

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Source: Merck Foundation |

Merck Foundation and African First Ladies marks World Heart Day 2023 by providing 750 scholarships of Preventative Cardiovascular, Diabetes, Endocrinology and Obesity and Weight Management for doctors from 50 countries

Merck Foundation in total provided more than 1690 scholarships to doctors from over 50 countries in 42 critical and underserved medical specialties

Merck Foundation (http://www.Merck-Foundation.com) in partnership with African First Ladies and Ministries of Health provided more than 750 scholarships of one-year Post-Graduate Diploma and two-year master’s degree in Preventative Cardiovascular Medicine, Diabetes, Endocrinology and Obesity and Weight Management to doctors from 50 countries in Africa, Asia and beyond; These scholarships are…

Source: UN News |

Libya floods: ‘Tragedy is not over’ warns United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)

UNICEF stated that many more children are affected due to lack of essential services, such as health, schooling and safe water supply

More than 16,000 children are displaced in eastern Libya following Africa’s deadliest storm in recorded history the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) warned on Thursday, highlighting the urgent need for psychosocial care.  UNICEF stated that many more children are affected due to lack of essential services, such as health, schooling and safe…

Source: United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) |

South Sudan: The United Nations (UN) Family and Partners Pool in Efforts to Release Six Child Soldiers

With its history of protracted civil war, child protection is a priority for the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) and an integral part of its mandate to protect civilians in this young nation

Recruitment of children by armed forces is one of the six grave violations of child rights and international humanitarian law. With its history of protracted civil war, child protection is a priority for the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) and an integral part of its mandate to protect…

Source: United Nations Human Rights Treaty Bodies |

United Nations (UN) Child Rights Committee publishes findings on Albania, Andorra, Dominican Republic, Kyrgyzstan, Liechtenstein and Togo

The findings contain the Committee's main concerns and recommendations on implementing the Child Rights Convention as well as positive aspects

The UN Child Rights Committee (CRC) today issued its findings on Albania, Andorra, Dominican Republic, Kyrgyzstan, Liechtenstein and Togo, after reviewing the six States parties during its latest session. The findings contain the Committee's main concerns and recommendations on implementing the Child Rights Convention as well as positive aspects. Key highlights include: Albania The…

Source: UNICEF Nigeria |

Nigeria: Mentor mothers' dedication to preventing mother-to-child Human Immunodeficiency Viruses (HIV) transmission in Kaduna State

Liatu dedicates her life to assisting HIV-positive mothers in surviving and giving birth to HIV-negative children

Laitu Elkana, a 46-year-old mother of four, has devoted her life to helping HIV-positive women not only survive but also give birth to children who are HIV-negative. As a mentor mother at Gwamna Awan Medical Hospital Kakuri in Kaduna State, Laitu is part of a group responsible for motivating pregnant…

Source: International Rescue Committee (IRC) |

Challenges to aid delivery in Niger continue as communities bear the impact of severe flooding and rising food prices, warns International Rescue Committee (IRC)

In less than three months, all eight regions of the country have been affected, displacing over 140,000 people, and resulting in more than 40 deaths

All 8 regions of the country are affected by flooding, with over 140,000 people displaced from their homes by the devastating floods that swept away their fields, and more than 40 deaths (from July to mid-September 2023); Over 2 million children require humanitarian assistance in 2023; 1.5 million children under…

Source: International Rescue Committee (IRC) |

International Rescue Committee (IRC) warns Congressional Budget Failure would be Catastrophic for Millions Worldwide

Millions of families would lose access to vital humanitarian services in health, protection, and livelihood rebuilding

As U.S. legislators race to reach an agreement on the government's FY24 fiscal year budget, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) is warning that proposed cuts to humanitarian aid would have a catastrophic effect on global security, including food insecurity, child survival and the response to the climate crisis. The IRC…

Source: U.S. Embassy in Tanzania |

United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Lishe Endelevu Celebrates Completion of $25 Million Nutrition Project in Tanzania

Through collaborations with local governments and partnerships with over 300 private entities, diverse and nutritious food became more accessible

The U.S. and the United Republic of Tanzania proudly mark the successful conclusion of the Lishe Endelevu project, a hallmark in the journey towards better nutrition across Tanzania. Spanning five years, this initiative from the U.S. government, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has brought notable advancements to…

Source: UNICEF Nigeria |

The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) Nigeria Raises Alarm Over Unprecedented Diphtheria Outbreak, Urges Urgent Vaccination

UNICEF is providing urgent support to the Nigerian government in its efforts to combat the outbreak

In the midst of the most severe diphtheria outbreak in recent global history, UNICEF Nigeria is sounding the alarm about the urgent need for widespread vaccination. The outbreak has so far resulted in over 11,500 suspected cases, more than 7,000 confirmed cases, and claimed the lives of 453 people, mostly…