By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK (IDN) – A climate justice movement of over 100 major organizations in Africa and abroad has joined hands to press the African Development Bank (AfDB) to drop its support of an “exceptionally high-risk project” that threatens the livelihoods of millions of people in East Africa. In a […]
COVID-19: UN Joins Kenya in $267.5 million Flash Appeal
By Devendra Kamarajan NAIROBI (IDN) – The Government of Kenya, the United Nations and humanitarian partners have launched a Flash Appeal requesting $267.5 million to respond to the most immediate and critical needs of 10.1 million people. Cabinet Secretary for National Treasury and Planning, Ukur Yatani Kanacho, said: “When times are challenging you get to […]
Kenyans Under Brute Attack Amidst COVID-19 Curfew
By Saida Ali Saida Ali is an intersectional feminist and an international policy analyst. She is an Atlantic Fellow for Social and Economic Equity. She tweets at @SaidaAaliyah NAIROBI (IDN) – On March 27, in response to the threat of COVID-19, Kenya instituted a nationwide dusk-to-dawn curfew. That night, a man was beaten by police […]
COVID-19: Exponential Rise in Africa of Concern to WHO
By Devendra Kamarajan BRAZZAVILLE (IDN) – With more than 6,000 COVID-19 cases reported in Africa, the World Health Organization (WHO) has expressed concern about the virus threatening fragile health systems on the continent. Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa, said: “Case numbers are increasing exponentially in the African region” – not only between […]
Military Intervention Alone Will Fail to Resolve the Sahel Crisis
Viewpoint by Jan Egeland and Jean-François Riffaud Jan Egeland is Secretary General of the Norwegian Refugee Council. Jean-François Riffaud is Chief Executive Officer of Action Against Hunger-France. OSLO (IDN) — President Emmanuel Macron invited the five G5 West African leaders to the French city of Pau in January 2020 to shore up support for international […]
Ugandan Singer Bobi Wine Sings of Handwashing and More in New Pop Song
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK (IDN) – Ugandan pop star and opposition leader Bobi Wine, who describes himself “a singer, an activist and a member of parliament” is known for his “must plays” – and his latest tune “Corona Virus Alert!,” is definitely one of them. The lyrics remind listeners to wash […]
African Ministers Expect ‘Break the Glass Moment’ Without Major Debt Relief
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK (IDN) – Multilateral lenders and investors are being asked to pony up a modest stimulus package that would halt the spread of the coronavirus in Africa and keep economies from crashing under the weight of debt-servicing costs. African finance ministers, at a virtual conference on March 23, […]
Vietnam Readies 90,000 Doctors for Combating Coronavirus
By Le Nga and Le Phuong, VNExoress International HANOI (IDN) – Vietnam has readied as many as 90,000 doctors and 125,000 nurses as also turned many facilities into zones for quarantining and treating COVID-19 patients. On March 18, 90,000 doctors and 125,000 nurses nationwide had been positioned to be deployed in case Vietnam sees a […]
COVID-19: The Indian State of Kerala is a Beacon to the World
By Vijay Prashad and Subin Dennis * This article is taken from Countercurrents which published it on March 27. The article was produced by Globetrotter, a project of the Independent Media Institute. KOLKATA (IDN) – K.K. Shailaja is the health minister in the Left Democratic Front government in Kerala, the state in the southwest of […]
COVID-19: Artificial Intelligence to Back Up Data-Driven Response in Africa
By Reinhard Jacobsen BRUSSELS (IDN) – The epicentre of the devastating COVID-19 pandemic has moved from China to Europe and the United States. But it has not spared Africa. “It will victimise particularly communities living in poverty who have no protection and no access to health care,” says Prof. Dr. Mirjam van Reisen who chairs […]