Mass emigration is leaving huge gaps in Africa’s health sector
15/6/2023: According to the World Health Organization Africa has a ratio of 1.55 health workers — physicians, nurses, and midwives — per 1,000 people, barely a third of the recommended ratio needed to deliver essential health services. Some African countries are working to ban the emigration of health practitioners.
Source: Devex
The EU must not be complicit in the loss of lives at sea
16/6/2023: After the latest tragedy close to the Greek coast, human rights organizations have called for an end to rights violations at Europe’s borders. Some EU states have drastically reduced search and rescue capacity at sea, limiting prospects of prompt and effective assistance for migrants in distress.
Source: Human Rights Watch
Bonn climate talks avoid break down on adaptation goals
16/6/2023: Talks on global efforts to adjust to the effects of climate change were rescued at the very last minute during climate talks in Bonn, following bitter divisions between developing and developed countries. Progress was essential to prospects of agreement on adaptation goals at the forthcoming COP28 summit in Dubai.
Source: Climate Home News
Is India’s renewable energy push a threat to food security?
14/6/2023: India needs to double its electricity requirements by 2030 to fulfill its growing demand but targets for renewable energy may come at the cost of agricultural land being converted into solar farms. Consultation standards are poor and there are at least 12 ongoing conflicts between local communities and solar companies across eight states in India.
Source: Devex
Mali orders UN peacekeeping mission to leave
16/6/2023: Mali's foreign minister has accused the UN mission of failing to respond to security challenges. The peacekeeping mission was established in 2013 to stabilize the country amid a jihadi insurgency. UN experts have recently pointed to human rights violations exercised by the Malian military junta.
Source: DW
UN reports forced displacement of 110 million people in 2022
14/6/2023: According to the UN Refugee Agency's 2022 report, 35.3 million displaced individuals were categorized as refugees, having crossed international borders. A larger portion — 58% and representing 62.5 million people — were displaced within their own countries. The war in Ukraine caused the largest refugee outflow since World War II.
Source: DW
Calls grow to reform UN peacekeeping missions
12/6/2023: A ministerial meeting on UN Peacekeeping has addressed recent challenges, including reputational damage and mistrust, particularly in Africa. Member countries also pledged more women's participation and providing training that would benefit troops.
Source: DW
Nuclear diplomacy takes a hit amid Ukraine war
12/6/2023: The annual assessment of the state of arms and disarmament by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute finds that there are more usable nuclear warheads in military stockpiles in the world than last year. Communication and relations between the main nuclear powers is at its lowest point for decades.
Source: DW
Rich countries fail to honour $100 billion climate finance
5/6/2023: Rich polluting countries are now three years overdue on their promise to mobilize $100 billion a year in climate finance for low- and middle-income countries. Oxfam's latest report shows that while donors claim to have mobilized $83.3 billion in 2020, the real value of their spending was at most $24.5 billion.
Source: Oxfam International
Nigeria’s Happy City close to being swallowed by the sea
6/6/2023: A 0.5-meter rise in sea level could force 27-53 million Nigerians to relocate by the end of the century. Developed economies have agreed to set up a loss and damage fund but questions remain over its implementation. Meanwhile the city of Ayetoro is disappearing in rising ocean surges.
Source: African Arguments