Category: APO-OPA

BRUSSELS, Kingdom of Belgium, November 7, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Council today extended the European Union military operation in the Central African Republic (EUFOR RCA) until 15 March 2015. This follows a request by the authorities of the Central African Republic (CAR) and a renewed mandate from the UN Security Council. The prolongation is intended to ensure an effective transition to the UN-led peace operation MINUSCA.

EUFOR RCA is part of the EU’s comprehensive approach to the many challenges of the Central African Republic. As a bridging operation facilitating the smooth build-up of MINUSCA, it contributes to helping ensure a secure environment in the Central African Republic. The operation successfully assumed responsibility for the security of M’Poko airport and the 3rd and 5th districts of Bangui. The operation will continue most of these activities in 3rd and 5th districts during the extended mandate, whereas the responsibility for M’Poko airport will be handed over to MINUSCA at the end of this year.

Since its establishment in February 2014, the operation has been led by Major General Philippe Pontiès and the Operational Headquarters is situated in Larissa, Greece. The common costs are estimated at €5.7 million for the period from 16 December 2014 until 15 March 2015.

The EU’s comprehensive approach to the Central African Republic includes action focused on security, humanitarian aid, stabilisation and development cooperation. Since 2013, the EU has committed more than €360 million of new funding to respond to the crisis in CAR.

JOHANNESBURG, South-Africa, November 7, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Anglo American (http://www.angloamerican.com) is investing R15-million in a new Chair, to be known as the Anglo American Endowed Chair in Occupational Hygiene at the Wits School of Public Health (http://www.wits.ac.za).

Logo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/anglo-american.png

Photo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/index.php?level=picture&id=1535 (Khanyisile Kweyama, executive director of Anglo American in South Africa)

The Chair will conduct research, and engage in other scholarly activities, with the aim of decreasing employee exposure to dust, noise and other health hazards in mining and other industries, thereby contributing to employee wellbeing.

“The Wits School of Public Health has long been the forerunner in the country in research and postgraduate studies in occupational health. We are very proud to have been granted the funds by Anglo American for this Chair and we are thankful that they are collaborating with us to strengthen our response to occupational hygiene, both in South Africa and Africa. The University’s responsiveness in this important field will advance our vision as a globally competitive and locally relevant university located in the economic and social hub of Africa,” said Professor Adam Habib, Wits Vice-Chancellor and Principal

Khanyisile Kweyama, executive director of Anglo American in South Africa said: “This investment reinforces Anglo American’s commitment to health and safety and to the wellbeing our people and communities, through partnerships with government, academia and other stakeholders.

“Our occupational health strategy and management approach are governed by a series of standards, guidelines and assurance processes aimed at preventing harm to our workforce. We are proud of our partnership with Wits University which leverages the institution’s leading research and teaching expertise across a wide spectrum of disciplines within the area of occupational health and hygiene. The partnership will further see a strengthening of the existing link between Anglo American and the university’s mining engineering degree,” concluded Kweyama.

Occupational hygiene is the discipline of anticipation, recognition, evaluation and control of health hazards in the workplace. Dr Andrew Swanepoel, Senior Lecturer and Master of Public Health Occupational Hygiene Coordinator in the Wits School of Public Health, explains: “Other examples of hazards that can be measured and controlled by occupational hygienists include airborne pollutants such as gasses, fumes, noise, vibration, temperature extremes, and biological hazards such as Legionella bacteria.

“State-of-the-art equipment and systems, combined with high-level research and expert practitioners are needed to identify, monitor and control exposure to harmful dust, and all other mining industry-related health hazards.”

The University is well placed to conduct world-class research in occupational hygiene. For more than three decades Wits academics from the School of Public Health, in partnership with the National Institute for Occupational Health (NIOH), have been conducting ground-breaking research on mining-related diseases.

“The new partnership with Anglo American is particularly important, as the University was founded on the School of Mining almost a century ago,” said Swanepoel. “Mining continues to play a central role in shaping the social, political, economic and health landscape of South Africa and Africa today, where mining activities are rapidly expanding.”

“Mining and occupational hygiene and health are inseparable and there is a severe shortage of occupational hygienists in South Africa and Africa. This, together with insufficient resources to support occupational hygiene, compromises the ability of the industry to protect and promote the health and wellbeing of employees,” said Swanepoel.

The new Chair will build on the Wits School of Public Health track record and strengthen occupational hygiene by increasing the number of masters and PhD graduates, as well as postdoctoral fellows. Cutting edge research will enhance the health and wellbeing of workers in various industries.

Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of Anglo American.

For further information, please contact:

Anglo American

Media

Hulisani Rasivhaga

Tel: +27 11 638 4401

hulisani.rasivhaga@angloamerican.com

Wits Business School

Media

Michelle Walbank

+27 11 646 9322

Notes to editors:

Anglo American (http://www.angloamerican.com) is a global and diversified mining business that provides the raw materials essential for economic development and modern life. Our people are at the heart of our business. It is our people who use the latest technologies to find new resources, plan and build our mines and who mine, process and move and market our products – from bulk commodities and base metals to precious metals and diamonds (through De Beers) – to our customers around the world. Our diversified portfolio of products spans the economic development cycle and, as a responsible miner, we are the custodians of precious resources. We work together with our key partners and stakeholders to unlock the long-term value that those resources represent for our shareholders, but also for the communities and countries in which we operate – creating sustainable value and making a real difference. Our mining operations, growth projects and exploration and marketing activities extend across southern Africa, South America, Australia, North America, Asia and Europe.

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ABOUT THE WITS SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH

The Wits School of Public Health (WSPH), Faculty of Health Sciences, is a multi-disciplinary school, committed to high quality teaching, research and service, while making significant contributions to health policy, nationally and internationally. It is one of the largest schools of public health in South Africa with an international reputation for its teaching programmes. The undergraduate and postgraduate teaching programmes embrace a range of public health disciplines including; community medicine, epidemiology and biostatistics, health policy and systems, occupational health, rural health, and social and behavioural change communication.

FORT COLLINS, Colorado, November 7, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Multiple African military, peacekeeping and First Responders deploy VSAT satellite terminals from 308 Systems as a pivotal technology in ensuring fast, effective responses during critical missions.

Communication always plays a vital role in the completion of missions throughout the African continent. Imagine the necessity of swift and accurate data transmission during military actions or disaster response within countries such as Angola, Chad, Nigeria, and South Africa.

Logo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/308.png

Photo 1: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/index.php?level=picture&id=1533 (TAC-PAK Mobile Command System)

Photo 2: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/index.php?level=picture&id=1534

Previously, African military and humanitarian personnel have found themselves trying to communicate in the midst of total terrestrial chaos and destruction using legacy radio systems and outdated command infrastructure. Given a recent flare-up of hostilities in many regions, military operations in Ethiopia, Ghana and Sudan recognized the need for more command resources in the remote, communications sterile locations – and deployed TAC-PAK/VSAT(Very Short Aperture Terminals) satcom mobile command systems.

These custom-configured “mobile command in a box” TAC-PAK/VSAT systems, manufactured by 308 Systems Inc in Fort Collins , Colorado (http://www.308systems.com), and supported in Africa by local partners, are follow-on to previously deployed systems. The new systems were custom-configured to meet specific mission field communication requirements, including linking field radios to cell phones and computers throughout the country. From the base operations in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, one General said “These systems are like gold out in the field.”

Military and peacekeeping mission completion is easier said than done due to the fluid and remote nature of each operation, and the presence of ravaged infrastructure. Swift, reliable and precise communication is critical, yet tough to attain in remote or devastated terrain. However, the recent deployment of TAC-PAK/VSAT technology from 308 Systems enabled the military forces in Ethiopia, Ghana and Sudan to communicate quickly and precisely.

With multiple form factors and VSAT data rates up to 6mbps, this TAC-PAK/VSAT flyaway kit combination provided spectacular deployment flexibility, operated anywhere with great efficiency, and is packaged in a rugged, small, and highly portable form factor easily loaded into a pickup truck or similar deploying vehicle. This effectively turned any local vehicle into a “Mobile Command Center”.

This extensive Mobile Command/VSAT lineup represents the latest state-of-the-art high bandwidth mobile command /communication solutions from 308 Systems. Additional products such as the SATPAK wireless relay systems(www.308systems.com), can be combined to ensure teams or organizations have reliable satcom and radio signal access from anywhere, including previously signal blocked areas such as mountain valleys, tunnels and urban canyon buildings.

Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of 308 Systems.

Contact: Mark Lueker

Tel:+1970/282-7006

Email: mlueker@308systems.com

Website: www.308systems.com

About 308 Systems

308 Systems (http://www.308systems.com), supplies a broad range of flyaway kit command and communication systems utilizing VSAT backhaul. Their product lineup comes in a series of small man-portable and airline checkable packages. These systems are completely customizable to meet the deploying agency’s unique needs. Products address mobile networking and mobile command needs, logistics tracking, etc and have been successfully deployed at major disasters including Hurricane Katrina, and military operations such as Ghana military deployments.

From its headquarters in Fort Collins, Colorado, 308 SYSTEMS frequently partners with leading local command and control companies throughout the world. This partnership philosophy has established a legacy of innovation and leadership in developing advanced, integrated communication systems that satisfy the customized specifications of worldwide military, government and commercial clients. These technical capabilities are complemented by a focus upon technical excellence, quality products, and uncompromised integrity.

For additional information or to schedule an interview, please contact Mr. Mark Lueker, Director of Advanced Projects at 970/282-7006 or email mlueker@308systems.com.

NEW YORK, November 7, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon arrived in Djibouti on Tuesday, 28 October, on the second leg of a joint visit to the Horn of Africa region, with the President of the World Bank, Jim Yong Kim, as well as representatives of the African Union, European Union, African Development Bank, and the Islamic Development Bank.

Shortly after his arrival, the Secretary-General met with the President of the National Assembly, Idriss Arnaoud Ali and then with the Prime Minister of Djibouti, Abdoulkader Kamil Mohamed. With both officials, he discussed food security and development issues, as well as peace and security issues in the country and the wider Horn of Africa, including the situation of refugees and the issue of counter-terrorism.

After visiting the port of Doraleh, the Secretary-General met with the heads of the United Nations Country team in Djibouti over dinner and then attended the United Nations Day official reception. In his remarks, he said that the United Nations and Djibouti were working together for peace, development, human rights and progress against climate change. (See Press Release SG/SM/16289.)

The next morning, 29 October, the Secretary-General met with the President of Djibouti, Ismaël Omar Guelleh, and exchanged views on issues affecting the country and the wider Horn of Africa. They also discussed the United Nations readiness to support Djibouti in preparing for the elections in 2016.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, he said that the United Nations and international partners such as the African Union, the European Union, the African Development Bank and the Islamic Development Bank were visiting the region together as a way of demonstrating their solidarity with the people of the Horn of Africa and particularly Somalia.

The Secretary-General left Djibouti for Mogadishu, Somalia, in the morning of Wednesday, 29 October.

NEW YORK, November 7, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — United Nations Secretary‑General Ban Ki‑moon arrived in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Monday, 27 October. This was the first leg of a joint visit to the Horn of Africa region with the President of the World Bank, Jim Yong Kim, as well as with representatives of the African Union, the European Union, the African Development Bank, and the Islamic Development Bank.

The Secretary-General first met with the Foreign Minister of Ethiopia, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. They discussed the visit to the Horn of Africa, the fight against Ebola, the situation in South Sudan and in Somalia.

The joint delegation and African Union Commission Chairperson Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma then met with Ministers and representatives of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD). They exchanged views on opportunities and challenges facing the Horn of Africa region, notably food security, development, peace and security.

Later, the Secretary-General met with the Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Hailemariam Dessalegn. Prime Minister Dessalegn welcomed the United Nations-World Bank joint initiative to address food security and development in the Horn of Africa, with the Secretary‑General underscoring their relationship with peace and security issues of the region.

That evening, the Secretary-General held a joint press conference with the other members of the delegation. Noting he had already undertaken two joint trips with the President of the World Bank to the Sahel and to the Great lakes region, he said that this was a moment of opportunity for the Horn of Africa. He noted that peace and development in the Horn of Africa are mutually reinforcing and that regional cooperation, integration and dialogue are essential.

That evening, the Secretary‑General attended a reception hosted by the United Nations and the World Bank in Ethiopia.

The following day, Tuesday, 28 October, the Secretary‑General attended a joint meeting with African Union Commission Chairperson Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma and World Bank President Jim Yong Kim on the fight against Ebola. Speaking to reporters afterwards, he said that they had discussed how their organizations could help the international community’s efforts to address the Ebola outbreak. He noted the deployment of the African Union Support to the Ebola Outbreak in West Africa mission and encouraged it to coordinate closely with the United Nations Mission for Ebola Emergency Response (UNMEER). He also appealed to countries not to impose travel restrictions or close their borders, but rather to deploy the essential human resources that will help to contain the outbreak.

Before leaving Addis Ababa, the Secretary‑General attended the inauguration ceremony of the new office facility at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA). He said that the opening of the new office facility was a milestone for the United Nations and for its already close partnership with Ethiopia and with people across Africa. (See Press Release SG/SM/16287.)

The Secretary‑General left Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, for Djibouti, in the early afternoon of 28 October.

NEW YORK, November 7, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — United Nations Secretary‑General Ban Ki‑moon arrived in Mogadishu, Somalia, on Wednesday, 29 October. This was the third leg of a joint visit to the Horn of Africa region, with the President of the World Bank, Jim Yong Kim, as well as representatives of the African Union, European Union, African Development Bank, and the Islamic Development Bank.

Upon arrival, the Secretary-General met with the President of Somalia, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, the Prime Minister of Somalia, Abdiwali Sheikh Ahmed, and the Speaker of the Federal Parliament of Somalia, Mohamed Sheikh Osman Jawari. They discussed the progress being made in the transitional arrangements as well as issues of peace, security, and development in Somalia. The Secretary‑General stressed the vital importance of a united political leadership in Somalia. The Secretary‑General and the President of Somalia also signed the United Nations Integrated Strategic Framework.

The Secretary‑General, the President and Prime Minister of Somalia, the Presidents of the World Bank and the Islamic Development Bank then held a joint press conference. The Secretary‑General noted that this was his second visit to Somalia and that he could see and feel how the country had made remarkable progress since his last visit in 2011. He added that Somalia was finally turning the corner and that now was the time to intensify efforts in a united, consistent and coordinated manner.

The Secretary‑General then met with representatives of women and youth before leaving Somalia for Kenya in the afternoon of Wednesday, 29 October.

HARARE, Zimbabwe, November 7, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — On October 29, 2014, the Management of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) completed the third review under the Staff-Monitored Program (SMP) 1 with Zimbabwe and approved a successor SMP covering the period October 2014 – December 2015.

The SMP that expired in June 2014 provided an important anchor for Zimbabwe’s macroeconomic policies under difficult political and economic circumstances. The authorities’ renewed commitment to the policies under the program was key to meeting all the quantitative targets and structural benchmarks for the third review.

Zimbabwe’s economy is at a crossroads. The economic situation remains difficult. The post-hyperinflation rebound has ended. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth decelerated from 10½ percent in 2012 to 4½ percent in 2013, due to adverse weather conditions, weak demand for key exports, and election-year uncertainty. The outlook in 2014 is for continued low growth of 3 percent. Annual inflation dipped below zero recently, but stood at 0.1 percent in September 2014. The external position is precarious, with low international reserves, a large current account deficit, an overvalued real exchange rate, and growing external arrears. Credit and deposit growth have slowed down sharply, liquidity conditions are tight, and the banking system remains weak. Fiscal pressures arose in early 2014 due to higher-than-budgeted wage increases and revenue shortfalls as the economy weakened. However, the implementation of a package of revenue and expenditure measures enabled the authorities to comfortably meet their fiscal targets for the first half of 2014.

Sustaining higher growth and poverty reduction will require comprehensive reforms over the medium term. The successor SMP aims at laying the foundations for such reforms. The main objective of the new program is to strengthen the country’s external position, as a prerequisite for arrears clearance, resumption of debt service, and restored access to external financing. To that end, the authorities will strive to consolidate the fiscal position, eliminating the primary budget deficit by end-2015. They will also aim to accumulate international reserves and seek to mobilize international support for resolving the country’s external debt situation. The authorities intend to restore confidence in the financial sector, as well as improve public debt and financial management. Finally, the authorities plan to make progress in a number of key structural reform areas in order to enhance the business climate, boost productivity and competitiveness, and build confidence. Successful implementation of these reforms will demonstrate that the country can implement the policies that could justify a Fund-financed program.

Key risks to the new program stem from global commodity price shocks, domestic policy slippages, gaps in policy implementation capacity, and lagging progress in resolving external arrears. While Zimbabwe faces these risks with practically no buffers, the successor SMP aims to rebuild these buffers and strengthen the country’s resilience to shocks.

Strong macroeconomic policies and debt relief, in the context of a comprehensive arrears clearance strategy supported by development partners, will be essential to address Zimbabwe’s developmental needs. A successful implementation of the SMP would be an important stepping stone toward Zimbabwe’s normalizing relations with the international community. IMF staff welcomes the authorities’ decision to start discussions with multilateral creditors to address Zimbabwe’s outstanding arrears, and exploring the possibility of debt rescheduling.

IMF staff will remain engaged with the authorities to monitor progress in the implementation of their economic program, and will continue providing targeted technical assistance in order to support Zimbabwe’s capacity-building efforts and its adjustment and reform program.

1 An SMP is an informal agreement between country authorities and Fund staff to monitor the implementation of the authorities’ economic program. SMPs do not entail financial assistance or endorsement by the IMF Executive Board.

VATICAN, Holy See, November 6, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — “I offer a joyful welcome to you who have come from the ‘warm heart of Africa’, as you make your pilgrimage to Rome, ‘the warm heart of the Church’”; thus Pope Francis greets the bishops of the Episcopal Conference of Malawi in the written discourse he handed to them this morning as he received them in audience at the end of their five-yearly “ad Limina” visit. He also notes that the effectiveness of their pastoral and administrative efforts is the fruit of your faith as well as of the unity and fraternal spirit that characterise their episcopal conference.

The Holy Father also expresses his appreciation for “the admirable spirit of the Malawian people, who, though faced with many serious obstacles in terms of development, economic progress and standards of living, remain strong in their commitment to family life”, as it is in this institution, which teaches “love, sacrifice, commitment and fidelity”, that the Church and society in Malawi will find the resources necessary to renew and build up a culture of solidarity. “You yourselves know well the challenges and the value of family life, and, as fathers and shepherds, you are called to nurture, protect and strengthen it in the context of the “family of faith”, which is the Church. … There is scarcely a greater commitment that the Church can make to the future of Malawi – and indeed, to her own development – than that of a thorough and joyful apostolate to families. … Thus, by doing everything you can to support, educate and evangelise families, especially those in situations of material hardship, breakdown, violence or infidelity, you will bring inestimable benefit to the Church and all of Malawian society”.

Among the results of this apostolate, it is hoped that there will be “an increase in young men and women who are willing and able to dedicate themselves to the service of others in the priesthood and religious life”, based on “the strong foundations laid by generations of faithful missionaries” and fortified by the evangelising work of local men and women. The Bishop of Rome exhorted the local prelates to be close to their priests and seminarians, loving them “as a father should” and furthering their efforts to guarantee a complete spiritual as well as intellectual and pastoral formation.

The “tragedy” of the limited life expectancy and extreme poverty experienced by the majority of the people of Malawi is another of the Pope’s concerns. “My thoughts go to those suffering from HIV/AIDS, and particularly to the orphaned children and parents left without love and support as a result of this illness”, he writes, encouraging the bishops to be close to those in distress, to the sick, and especially to the children. “I ask you, particularly, to offer my gratitude to the many men and women who present Christ’s tenderness and love in Catholic healthcare institutions. The service which the Church offers to the sick, through pastoral care, prayer, clinics and hospices, must always find its source and model in Christ, who loved us and gave himself up for us. Indeed, how else could we be followers of the Lord if we did not personally engage in ministry to the sick, the poor, the dying and the destitute? Our faith in Christ, born of having recognised our own need for Him, He Who has come to heal our wounds, to enrich us, to give us life, to nourish us, is the basis of our concern for the integral development of society’s most neglected members”.

NEW YORK, November 6, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The new Permanent Representative of Comoros to the United Nations, Soilihi Mohamed Soilihi, presented his credentials to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today.

Prior to his appointment, he was Director General of the Office of Radio and Television of the Comoros, since 2010. From 2009 to 2010, he was Political Counselor of the Minister of Foreign Affairs. He also served as Chief of Staff of the Minister of Finance, from 2007 to 2009. A Special Delegate to Moroni City Hall from 2006 to 2007, he also held the position of Secretary General of the Government of the Island of Ngazidja from 2004 to 2006.

Mr. Soilihi worked in education, including at the Skills Assessment Center in Mayotte, France from 2002 to 2004, where he was in charge of evaluation-orientation. Between 1998 and 2002, he was a trainer in intercultural approaches to social institutions and organizations in the Provence Alpes-Côtes d’Azur region, France.

He also held various positions in media, primarily as a correspondent for Radio France International from 1990 to 1996. Concurrently, he served as Director General of Radio Comores from 1992 to 1993 and Press Attaché at the Office of the President of the Republic of the Comoros from 1991 to 1992.

Mr. Soilihi studied Political Science — Communication and Development at the University of Aix-Marseilles, as well as Political Science and International Affairs at the Institut d’Etudes Politiques, University of Aix-Marseilles.

Born in Moroni, Comoros on 1 January 1964, he is married and has three children.

VATICAN, Holy See, November 6, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — ”Os doy la bienvenida a vosotros que desde ”el cálido corazón de África” llegáis a Roma ”el cálido corazón de la Iglesia” saluda el Papa a los obispos de la Conferencia Episcopal de Malawi en el discurso que les ha entregado esta mañana al final de su quinquenal visita ad Limina. Francisco anota también que la eficacia de sus esfuerzos pastorales y administrativos es fruto de la fe, así como de la unidad y el espíritu fraternal que caracterizan esa conferencia episcopal.

El Santo Padre expresa su aprecio ”por el admirable espíritu de la gente de Malawi, que, aunque se enfrenta con muchos obstáculos graves en términos de desarrollo, progreso económico y nivel de vida, permanece firme en su compromiso con la vida familiar” porque en esa institución -que enseña a las personas el amor, el sacrificio,y la fidelidad – es donde la Iglesia y la sociedad en Malawi encontrarán los recursos necesarios para renovar y construir una cultura de solidaridad. ”Vosotros sabéis muy bien -escribe- los desafíos y el valor de la vida familiar, y, como padres y pastores, estáis llamados a nutrirla, protegerla y fortalecerla en el contexto de la “familia de la fe”, que es la Iglesia…Se podría decir que la aportación más grande que la Iglesia puede dar al futuro de Malawi y, además a su propio desarrollo, es un apostolado de la familia completo y alegre.. Por lo tanto, si hacéis todo lo posible para apoyar, educar y evangelizar a las familias, especialmente aquellas en situación de dificultades materiales, ruptura, violencia o infidelidad, los beneficios para la Iglesia y la sociedad de Malawi serán inestimables”..

Entre los resultados de ese apostolado cabe esperar el aumento de vocaciones al sacerdocio y la vida religiosa para que la Iglesia en ese país, asentada sobre las sólidas bases establecidas por generaciones de misioneros, siga creciendo gracias a la evangelización de los hombres y mujeres nacidos en Malawi. De ahí que el Obispo de Roma exhorte a los prelados locales a estar siempre cerca de sus seminaristas y sacerdotes, amándoles como ”padres” y preocupándose al mismo tiempo de garantizarles una formación completa sea espiritual que intelectual y pastoral.

La tragedia de la limitada esperanza de vida y de la extremada pobreza de gran parte de la población de Malawi es otra de las preocupaciones del Papa.”Pienso en los que sufren de VIH / SIDA, y en particular en los niños huérfanos y en los padres que se quedan sin amor ni apoyo como consecuencia de esta enfermedad”, señala el Pontífice, invitando al mismo tiempo a los obispos a que sigan estando cerca de los que sufren, de los enfermos, y especialmente de los niños. ”Os pido en particular que hagáis presente mi gratitud a los muchos hombres y mujeres que ofrecen la ternura y el amor de Cristo en las instituciones sanitarias católicas. El servicio que la Iglesia ofrece a los enfermos, a través de la pastoral, la oración, las clínicas y los centros de acogida, siempre debe tener su fuente y su modelo en Cristo, que nos amó y se entregó por nosotros. ¿Cómo podemos ser seguidores del Señor si no nos involucramos personalmente en el ministerio a los enfermos, los pobres, los moribundos y los indigentes? De nuestra fe en Cristo, nacida del reconocimiento de nuestra necesidad de quien vino a sanar nuestras heridas, para enriquecernos, para darnos vida, para alimentarnos, brota la preocupación por el desarrollo integral de los más abandonados de la sociedad”.