Deteriorating conditions putting Eritrean refugees at grave risk in Tigray

This is a summary of what was said by UNHCR spokesperson Boris Cheshirkov – to whom quoted text may be attributed – at today's press briefing at the Palais des Nations in Geneva

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is deeply alarmed at the deteriorating conditions faced by Eritrean refugees in the camps in Tigray. After three weeks with no access due to the security situation, UNHCR staff managed to reach Mai Aini and Adi Harush refugee camps in the Tigray region of Ethiopia…

1.5 million children lack life-saving treatment for severe wasting in Eastern and Southern Africa, alerts UNICEF

Despite a positive trend in the last few years, funding shortfalls and limited access still put children at critical risk in the region

At least 1.5 million children are not receiving life-saving treatment for severe wasting in Eastern and Southern Africa, UNICEF warns today. The number represents almost half of the estimated 3.6 million children in urgent need, who are not being reached in time to save their lives or keep them from…

Ethiopia to immunize over 1.8 million girls against human papillomavirus

Vaccines were administered in schools and health facilities for two cohorts

A human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign that aims to immunize over 1.8 million 14-year-old girls in nine regions against HPV is underway. The campaign commenced on 10 January 2022 and will end on 22 January. Vaccines were administered in schools and health facilities for two cohorts. More than 866,000 14-year-old…

Coronavirus – South Africa: COVID-19 Statistics for Republic of South Africa (20 January 2022)

A total of 37,484 tests were conducted in the last 24hrs, with 3,962 new cases, representing a 10.6% positivity rate. A further 31 #COVID19 related deaths have been reported, bringing total fatalities to 93,846 to date.

Daily Noon Briefing Highlights: Ethiopia, Tonga

A measles vaccination campaign launched in the first week of January continues reaching more than 145,000 children to date, out of nearly 800,000 in need

Ethiopia The UN and its non-governmental organization partners are having to reduce, postpone or cancel critical distributions of assistance, including food, medicine, and nutrition interventions in Tigray. This is because the transport of humanitarian supplies into Tigray, via the Semera-Abala-Mekelle corridor, remains suspended since 14 December, 2021 due to ongoing…

Health Ministry to expand training institutions and referral hospitals

Referral hospitals serve regions and the ministry is introducing services that are not available and expanding infrastructure that is small

The Ministry of Health will aquire land across the country for expansion of national referral hospitals and health training facilities. The Minister of Health, Dr Jane Aceng who appeared before the Committee on Health to defend proposals in the 2022/2023 Budget Framework Paper, said that due to an increase in demand…

Coronavirus - Eritrea : Announcement from the Ministry of Health (20 January 2022)

The total number of confirmed cases in the country to date has increased to 9,160

Forty-five patients have been diagnosed positive for COVID-19 in tests carried out today at Quarantine Centers and Testing Stations in the Central, Southern, Northern Red Sea, and Gash Barka Regions. Out of these, thirty-four patients are from Testing Stations in Asmara, Central Region. Six patients are from Testing Stations in…

Coronavirus - Zambia: COVID-19 Statistics Daily Status Update (20 January 2022)

799 new cases out of 5,389 tests. National positivity is at 15% (Lsk and Central have single digit positivity today). Vaccinated Dose 1: 7,245 Fully Vaccinated: 14,855 Booster Vaccinated: 513 Covid-19 Deaths: 1 Covid-19 Associated Deaths: 1 Total Active Cases: 10,959 Total Currently Admitted: 150 Community Management: 10,809 New Admissions:…

Cases drop for first time as Africa’s fourth COVID-19 wave ebbs

Newly reported cases fell by 20% in the week to 16 January, while deaths dropped by 8%

Weekly COVID-19 cases in Africa have dropped significantly and deaths dipped for the first time since the peak of the fourth pandemic wave propelled by the Omicron variant. The decline nudges the continent past its shortest upsurge yet that lasted 56 days. Newly reported cases fell by 20% in the week…

Video News Release: WHO Africa COVID-19 online press briefing