Coronavirus - South Africa: Happy Women’s Day 2020

Current COVID-19 pandemic has amplified existing inequalities within our societies; women in South Africa and worldwide have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic

On 9 August 1956, over 20 000 South African women marched up to the Union Buildings in Pretoria to protest the apartheid government’s Pass Laws. Whilst in the immediate these women were protesting the unjust, oppressive, and humiliating Pass Laws which regulated the movement of black Africans- they were more…

Coronavirus - Egypt: U.S. donates ventilators to support Egypt's COVID-19 response, strengthen intensive care unit (ICU) capacity

These made-in-America ventilators are highly specialized, state-of-the-art, compact medical equipment designed to treat patients experiencing severe breathing difficulties caused by COVID-19

The United States Government, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), has provided the Government of Egypt with a donation of 250 ventilators for intensive care units.  The donation delivers on President Trump’s pledge to provide these critically needed supplies, and supports Egypt’s urgent response to the pandemic.…

Coronavirus: On International Day, UN chief spotlights indigenous peoples’ resilience in face of COVID-19 pandemic

Indigenous peoples’ traditional practices and knowledge also offer solutions that can be replicated elsewhere

Inclusion and participation of the world’s 476 million indigenous peoples must be ensured in the response to the COVID-19 pandemic and on the road ahead towards recovery, UN Secretary-General António Guterres has underscored. Marking the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, Mr. Guterres drew attention to the “devastating” impact of the pandemic on indigenous peoples around the world. "Throughout history,…

Coronavirus: African Union Member States reporting COVID-19 cases as of 9 August 2020, 6 pm EAT

African Union Member States (55) reporting COVID-19 cases (1,036,564), deaths (22,966), and recoveries (723,040) by region: Central (50,317 cases; 961 deaths; 37,550 recoveries): Burundi (408; 1; 315), Cameroon (17,586; 393; 16,060), CAR (4,641; 60; 1,721), Chad (942; 76; 839), Congo (3,664; 58; 1.605), DRC (9,454; 224; 8,324), Equatorial Guinea (4,821;…

Coronavirus - Liberia: U.S. Embassy Monrovia Update

On August 8, the National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL) published a COVID-19 testing requirement for travelers departing Liberia

Liberia has confirmed COVID-19 within its borders.  On August 8, the National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL) published a COVID-19 testing requirement for travelers departing Liberia. Exiting Liberia: Individuals departing Liberia by land, sea, or air must follow NPHIL procedures for COVID-19 testing at least 72 hours before the date of…

Coronavirus - Zimbabwe: Health Alert, New Lockdown Restrictions, and Commercial Flights

International commercial flight options currently exist in Zimbabwe

Update on Lockdown Restrictions and Availability of Commercial Flights On July 21, President Mnangagwa announced new restrictions under Zimbabwe’s lockdown regulations including: implementing a curfew from 6am to 6pm except for essential services. Given the new surge of reported cases of COVID -19 in Zimbabwe, the following types of businesses…

Coronavirus - Uganda: “I wish I could have some magic, I would just say let schools open right away" - Twelve-year-old Alex Abigail, Congolese refugee in Uganda

In March 2020, Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni ordered the closure of schools to stop the spread of COVID-19

Twelve-year-old Alex Abigail from the Democratic Republic of Congo wants to become a doctor. But with the schools still closed in Uganda, Abigail knows this will not happen unless she goes to school. “We want to be better people. Personally, I want to become a doctor. That is why it…

Coronavirus - Rwanda: Update COVID-19 (8 August 2020)

Cumulative number of confirmed cases two thousand one hundred and forty-eight (2348)

Update COVID-19  08 August 202008 August 2020 — Six (6) new COVID-19 cases were identified out of 4452 samples tested today. This brings the cumulative number of confirmed cases to two thousand, one hundred and forty-eight (2348). To date, one thousand and three hundred (1300) patients have recovered and been…

Coronavirus - Africa: Digital Birth Registrations

COVID-19 recovery plans offer opportunity to invest in modern but contextualized, Digital Birth Registration. This is a core engagement of the African Digital Transformation Strategy 2020-2030. There is urgency to move towards universal birth registration of all children.

Coronavirus - Zambia: COVID-19 Daily Status Update (9th August 2020)

182 new confirmed cases; 32 deaths; 267 recoveries New cases reported from: 119 Lusaka, 21 Kabwe, 15 Chipata, 10 Chavuma, 9 Kalumbila, 3 Kalulushi, 2 Ndola, 2 Chongwe, 1 Solwezi Death reported from: 31 Lusaka (28 BIDs, 3 Facility deaths), 1 Solwezi (BID) Recoveries reported from: 148 Lusaka, 59 Muchinga,…