Category: APO-OPA

WASHINGTON, November 5, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Power Africa Coordinator Herscowitz will participate in a plenary session on Power Africa and Infrastructure Opportunities at the Discover Global Markets Business Forum Series on Sub-Sa…

DUBLIN, Ireland, November 4, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Government is to provide €2 million to aid agencies responding to the deepening crisis in South Sudan, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Charlie Flanagan, TD, and Minister of State for Development, Trade Promotion and North South Co-operation, Seán Sherlock, TD, have announced.

Widespread violence against civilians in South Sudan has forced almost two million people to flee their homes. Almost half a million of these have taken refuge in neighbouring countries, including Ethiopia, where President Michael D. Higgins, accompanied by Minister Sherlock, will visit refugee camps in Gambella today. Gambella provides shelter to many of the 180,000 South Sudanese who have fled to Ethiopia as a result of the conflict.

The funding, which will provide food, clean water, healthcare, shelter, education programmes for children and protection to vulnerable people, is being distributed as follows:

• €1 million to Médecins sans Frontières, GOAL, Plan Ireland and Concern to provide health care, clean water and sanitation and education for South Sudanee refugees in Gambella, Ethiopia.

• €1 million to Concern, Christian Aid and Trócaire for programmes in South Sudan to provide emergency nutrition, improve food security and assist people to develop livelihoods.

• This brings to over €8.5 million the funding provided by Ireland to the South Sudanese crisis in 2014.

Minister Charlie Flanagan said:

“With an estimated 3.8 million people in need of humanitarian assistance in South Sudan, I am gravely concerned at the impact that the violence is having on the civilian population. I am particularly alarmed by the high levels of sexual and gender based violence being perpetrated against women and girls and at the plight of refugees who have fled the country.

“Given the seriousness of the crisis and the urgent needs of innocent civilians, Ireland will provide a further €2 million to our NGO partners in South Sudan and Gambella, Ethiopia.”

Minister Sherlock, who is accompanying President Michael D. Higgins on his visit to refugee camps in Gambella today, said:

“The vast majority of South Sudanese refugees arriving in Ethiopia are women and children. Many are in very poor health having walked for weeks from a number of areas of South Sudan to reach shelter. This additional funding of €2million will ensure that effective aid is delivered in a concentrated manner to where it is most needed here.

This funding will assist Irish Aid’s key partners in their efforts to meet the urgent needs of extremely vulnerable refugees in Gambella, Ethiopia through the provision of food, clean water, healthcare, shelter, sanitation, hygiene and protection’.

MORONI, Comoros, November 4, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — An International Monetary Fund (IMF) staff team led by Mr. Harry Trines, Mission Chief for Comoros, visited Moroni during October 20−November 4 to conduct discussions for the 2014 Article IV consultation. The mission met with President Dhoinine Ikililou and held discussions with Vice President and Minister of Finance Mohamed Ali Soilihi, Minister of Planning Alféine Soifiat Tadjiddine, Governor of the Central Bank Abdou Mohamed Chanfiou, Councilor to the President and Permanent Secretary of the Economic and Financial Reform Agency Chei Oubeidi, and other government officials, representatives of the private sector, unions, and the donor community.

At the conclusion of the mission, Mr. Trines issued the following statement:

“While Comoros has made notable progress in recent years and macroeconomic policy making and economic performance have improved since the adoption of the new constitution in 2009, much remains to be done to consolidate and accelerate inclusive economic growth through continued focus on policies that emphasize macroeconomic stability and improvements in infrastructure, and that foster structural reforms that improve the competitiveness of the economy and strengthen the business environment.

“Real economic growth is estimated at 3.5 percent in 2013 and is expected to be 3-3.5 percent in 2014. Inflation was 3.5 percent at end-2013 but had eased to 0.7 percent by August 2014. Both exports and imports grew strongly in volume terms in 2013, the former from a very low base. While remittances also continued to increase, the current account deficit is estimated at above 10 percent in 2014 compared to 9.5 percent in 2013.

“Fiscal developments in 2013 were strongly affected by the spending of significant amounts of proceeds from the Economic Citizenship Program (ECP) that accrued in 2012. The overall balance (cash basis, net of debt relief) went from a surplus of 1.6 percent of GDP in 2012 to a deficit of 1.3 percent in 2013.

“Comoros faces many challenges. In the near term, the government must strive to find a better balance between the resources available and expenditures so that it can avoid the incurrence of arrears, particularly on wages and external debt, and make allocations to some important initiatives. Urgent action is also needed to improve the reliability of the energy supply, a key constraint to growth. For the medium term, the key challenges are to create fiscal space for infrastructure investment and social spending through greatly strengthened revenue mobilization, accelerate inclusive growth and employment generation, and reduce poverty, while also strengthening resilience against external shocks, including natural disasters.

“Implementation of the 2014 budget has been challenging, particularly after mid-year. Resources have been inadequate to meet the higher wage bill resulting from the increase in teacher salaries approved in March and previously unbudgeted expenditures, including on the administration of the elections. In the discussions, the mission urged the authorities to prioritize spending for the remainder of the year so that arrears on wages and salaries and external loans can be eliminated by year-end.

“The mission underscored that the main cause of the current difficulties, as well as the inability to undertake more public investment projects, lay in the low level of domestic revenues. Therefore, the most urgent task for the authorities is to strengthen domestic revenue mobilization. In this regard, the mission urged the authorities to focus their efforts on strengthening revenue administration, including through a freeze on new exemptions, better management of the large tax payers list, and improving general tax compliance. The mission also noted the importance of strengthening public financial management, particularly through the implementation of effective cash management and greater fiscal transparency. All transactions on behalf of the government, whether for revenue or spending, should be reflected in the budget. Better cash management should limit the incurrence of arrears, including on wages and salaries, while greater transparency should contribute to lessened distrust among stakeholders, including autonomous island governments.

“Regarding the 2015 budget, the mission emphasized the need to base spending plans on realistic expectations of resource availability. The results of increased efforts to strengthen revenue mobilization are bound to take time. With the scope for financing constrained, current spending, particularly on wages and salaries, the largest component of expenditure from domestic resources, needs to be carefully controlled in the near term.

“The mission noted that the authorities are in the process of developing a new strategy for sustainable development (SCADD) to replace the expiring poverty reduction strategy. The mission concurred with the main objectives of the strategy but pointed out that it needed to be based on realistic assumptions regarding available financing and should contain a strong component aimed at improving the attractiveness of the Comorian economy as an investment and tourist destination. The mission urged the authorities to add a strong private sector development component to the SCADD. Furthermore, already started reforms in the electricity sector with the help of the World Bank and the African Development Bank need to be pursued vigorously and deepened to alleviate the electricity shortages that are currently affecting the country and are a key impediment to economic growth.

“The mission noted that nonperforming loans in the banking system have increased and recovery is difficult. It encourages the Comorian authorities to implement structural reforms and correct weaknesses in the application of the law.

“Finally, the mission observed that Comoros’ economic data gathering was in urgent need of strengthening. The lack of high quality and timely economic data makes assessment of economic performance, as well as the formulation of economic projections, difficult. Despite the challenging budgetary environment, the mission urged the authorities to make adequate allocations to the new statistical agency to enable it to provide the data necessary for efficient policy making.

“The IMF continues to work closely with the authorities in providing policy advice and technical assistance and training in areas of its competence, including the development of an effective macroeconomic and budgetary framework and cash management. Additional technical assistance is also planned for tax policy, balance of payments and national accounts statistics, as well as banking supervision.

“The Executive Board of the IMF is expected to consider the staff report on the 2014 Article IV consultation in late January 2015. The mission wishes to thank the authorities for their warm hospitality and constructive cooperation.”

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, November 4, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Peace and Security Council of the African Union (AU), at its 464th meeting held in Addis Ababa, on 29 October 2014, adopted the following decision on the Ebola outbreak in West Africa:

Council,

1. Takes note of the briefings made by the AU Commissioner for Social Affairs on the Ebola situation in some countries in West Africa, the efforts of the affected countries and the support being provided by the AU, as well as by the Director of the United States of America Centre for Global Health based in Atlanta and the United Nations (UN) Special Envoy on Ebola. Council also takes note of the statements made by the representatives of Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Nigeria, Senegal and Sierra Leone, as well as by those of France, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Norway, the UN and the European Union (EU);

2. Recalls communiqué PSC/PR/COMM.(CDL) on the outbreak of Ebola, adopted at its 450th meeting held on 19 August 2014, as well as decision Ext/EX.CL/Dec.1(XVI) on the same subject, adopted by the 16th Extraordinary Session of the Executive Council held in Addis Ababa on 8 September 2014;

3. Reiterates its deep concern over the continued spread of the epidemic and its growing negative impact on the socio-economic fabric of the affected countries, in particular, and on peace and security, in general. Council also reiterates AU’s full solidarity with, and support to, the countries affected by this epidemic;

4. Notes with deep appreciation the efforts being deployed by the Commission in responding to the Ebola outbreak in West Africa, including the deployment of the AU Support Mission for the fight against the Ebola Outbreak in West Africa (ASEOWA), as well as the recent visit by the Chairperson of the Commission to the countries most affected by the epidemic. Council welcomes the calls for support, particularly through the provision of medical personnel and equipment, launched by the Chairperson of the Commission, to all AU Member States, and commends those that have positively responded and urges the others to expedite their responses;

5. Commends the countries of the region, under the auspices of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the other AU Member States, as well as the rest of the international community, for the steps they have already taken in responding to the Ebola outbreak. In this regard, Council calls on all AU Member States and other members of the international community, which have not yet done so, to also join the fight against Ebola and extend the necessary support to ASEOWA;

6. Reiterates the call by the Chairperson of the Commission to stop stigmatizing and isolating the countries affected by Ebola, as well as to avoid creating problems for these countries beyond what the epidemic is already doing. In this regard, Council calls on all AU Member States to immediately lift all travel bans and restrictions and to respect the principle of free movement, as well as to resume flights to those countries, consistent with decision Ext/EX.CL/Dec.1(XVI), and scientific advice by the World Health Organization and recommendations by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO);

7. Further reiterates the need for particular attention to continue to be paid to the impact of the epidemic on the post-conflict reconstruction and socio-economic development efforts in the countries affected;

8. Emphasizes the need for long-term solutions in order to effectively contain the spread of the epidemic and prevent its recurrence. In this regard, Council urges Member States to further strengthen their healthcare delivery systems;

9. Notes that the Ebola epidemic in West Africa is of an unprecedented scale and therefore, requires a united, coordinated and sustained approach in order to successfully contain and eradicate it;

10. Stresses the need for the convening, as soon as possible, of an international conference on Ebola under the aegis of the AU with a view to mobilizing additional support towards the fight against the epidemic and long-term mitigation of its effects. Council calls on the Commission to take the necessary steps to this end;

11. Council further stresses the urgent need to step up African efforts to fight against the epidemic; and, in this respect, requests the Chairperson of the Commission to appoint a Special Envoy for Ebola, who, in addition to providing political leadership of ASEOWA, will be responsible for political coordination with the affected countries and other actors on the ground, as well as for mobilization and follow-up of the required resources in the fight against the epidemic;

12. Reiterates the request of the 16th Extraordinary Session of the AU Executive Council for the Commission to take all the necessary steps for the rapid establishment of an African Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (ACDCP), pursuant to Assembly Decision AU/Dec.499(XXII) on the establishment of the Centre;

13. Decides to dedicate every month a meeting on the Ebola epidemic, on the basis of comprehensive reports to be submitted by the Commission, covering the evolution of the situation, the implementation of ASEOWA’s mandate, the status of contributions by AU Member States and the level of engagement of the larger international community;

14. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.

OTTAWA, Canada, November 4, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — In response to recent developments in Burkina Faso, the Honourable Christian Paradis, Minister of International Development and La Francophonie, today announced that Canada will immediately suspend development assistance funding provided directly to the Government of Burkina Faso and its institutions.

“Given the current climate, it is not possible to provide development assistance dollars directly to the Government of Burkina Faso and ensure they are spent effectively and as intended,” said Minister Paradis. “We stand with the people of Burkina Faso and urge those responsible to put the needs of the Burkina Faso people first. To this end, we are conducting an immediate assessment and review of all Canada’s development assistance programs currently operating in the country.”

“Canada will suspend direct funding to the Government of Burkina Faso until we are satisfied that a legitimate and accountable civil authority has been re-established. We encourage all parties to quickly set out a timetable for a full return to democratically-elected authorities in line with the Constitution of Burkina Faso,” added Minister Paradis.

In 2014 Burkina Faso was confirmed as a country of focus for the Government of Canada’s international development efforts.

The strategic direction of Canada’s program in Burkina Faso is to help the country secure a future for children and youth, and stimulate sustainable economic growth.

Quick Facts

• There is a long tradition of strong partnerships between Canadian and Burkina Faso civil society organizations. With Canada’ support more than 20 Canadian organizations are delivering development projects in areas as diverse as agriculture, entrepreneurship, women’s rights, technical professional training and health.

• Canada’s support to the microfinance sector in Burkina Faso has contributed to a strengthened business environment, while also promoting the creation of financial centres for entrepreneurs, including those operating in the agriculture sector.

• Since 2006, Canada has been supporting Burkina Faso’s education sector. As a result of the Canada’s contribution, the number of classrooms at the primary level have increased by 36%, from 38,269 classrooms in 2009 to 52,008 in 2014.The enrolment rate increased by 9% overall, with a significant gain for girls (increasing from 71.2% in 2009 to 84.2% in 2014), and the primary school completion rate rose from 45.9% in 2009 to 59.5% in 2013. Management of the education system, access to education, especially among girls, and the quality of instruction are all improving.

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, November 4, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Peace and Security Council of the African Union (AU), at its 464th meeting held on 29 October 2014, was briefed by the President of the International Committee of the Red…

DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania, November 4, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Tanzania Women of Achievement has today launched the 2015 Tanzania Women of Achievement Awards (TWAA) (www.twa.or.tz) scheduled to take place on the 7th of March 2015 where now on its 4 season provide a wonderful opportunity to recognize and applaud women who are helping to reshape Tanzania for the better.

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

Tanzania Women of Achievement President Ms. Irene Kiwia said “TWAA aim to celebrate the women’s achievements and beneficial impact on societies around them. We want to showcase those women who have made a real difference in key area of focus across Tanzania. The judging criteria will therefore take into account the entrant’s journey overcoming adversity, inspiring others, making a difference to their community, social impact and national reach.”

Ms. Kiwia further said that “This time around we will merge the awards ceremony with the TWAA mentorship program that will take place 6 weeks prior to the awards culmination, where young emerging women leaders aged between 18 -27 years from all regions in the country will be identified, and paired with a successful woman in business, public and private sector for six weeks of formal mentorship and training. Upon completion of the program the mentees are expected to spearhead change in their regions and mentor other young girls.”

TWAA Chairwoman Mrs. Sadaka Gandi said ““While women empowerment is an area of increased focus globally, these awards will also highlight the innovation and initiative from women in varied contexts. We believe that the entrants will be role models for everyone from young girls in Tanzania rural to business women and policy-makers in the country and beyond,”

“Over the next three months, we’ll be asking you to nominate the special women who deserve to be recognized – from an exceptional business entrepreneur or extraordinary teacher to someone who’s changed their community for the better.” Concluded Mrs. Gandi.

The Categories for this year’s awards are Arts and Culture, Business Entrepreneur, Information and Communication, Sports, Professional, Education, Health, Social Welfare, Science and Technology, Public Sector, Young Achiever, Agriculture, Lifetime Achievement and the overall Woman of the Year.

Nominations, which can come from an individual or an organization, must be received via www.twa.or.tz, or info@twa.or.tz, by January 30th 2015. The only restriction is that entrants must be either a national or resident of Tanzania. A shortlist of 3 outstanding women per category will be announced prior to the final awards on the international women’s day next year in March.

The TWAA judging committee comprises of Mrs. Mary Rusimbi – Activist and Founder of Tanzania Gender Networking Program, Judge Joaquine De Mell, Dr. Marcelina Chijoriga – Former Dean University of Dar es Salaam Business School, Innocent Mungy- Communication Director Tanzania Communication Regulatory Authority, Sadaka Gandi – Counselor Psychologist and Social worker, Irene Kiwia – Founder and Managing Director Frontline Porter Novelli.

Past supporters include Baileys, Delloite, NBC, Home Shopping Center, TCRA, Songas, TheAmerican People, DTP, UN Development Partners Gender Group, UNFPA, UNESCO, UN Women,TBL, Multichoice, Africa Life Assurance, Barrick, Twiga Cement, Vodacom, Farm Equip CompanyRBP, Clouds FM, Thinline, Costech, Kairuki Hospital, ZARA Tours, Serena Hotel, Tigo, African Lynx Investment, EATV and EA radio and Frontline Porter Novelli.

Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of the 2015 Tanzania Women of Achievement Awards (TWAA).

For more information please contact:

Hellen Kiwia

Tanzania Women of Achievement

+255658870112/+255658870116

Email: hellen@frontline.co.tz

ABOUT TANZANIA WOMEN OF ACHIEVEMENT (TWA)

TWA (www.twa.or.tz) is a non-governmental, voluntary and independent women empowerment umbrella established in 2009. The main goal of TWA is to consolidate women’s roles and capabilities in the Tanzanian community through enhancing their social, political, economic and cultural participation. TWA conducts awareness campaigns, trainings, seminars, conferences and workshops that foster an exchange of information and mentorship to Tanzanian women and young girls to ensure that human rights, gender equity, economic engagement and socio-political participation are promoted.

Our mission is to improve lives, expand opportunities, and help women across Tanzania flourish who will in turn help societies and the country flourish. We work with innovative leaders, individuals, communities, NGO’s, the government, private sector and outside donors to build effective institutions and advance path breaking transformations. We are committed to Tanzania’s continued development till every woman becomes the change.

NEW ORLEANS, USA, November 4, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Presented today at the 63rd annual meeting of the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (ASMTH), results of a multi-centre clinical trial in Africa, launched in 2008, to test the efficacy and tolerability of ASMQ fixed-dose combination (FDC) in children under 5 years of age with uncomplicated falciparum malaria showed that ASMQ FDC is as safe and efficacious as Artemether-Lumefantrine (AL) FDC – Africa’s most widely adopted treatment.

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

The Phase IV, open-label, randomized, controlled, non-inferiority clinical trial included 945 children under 5 years of age, who were followed for 63 days. ASMQ FDC was administered once a day during three days. The study was conducted in three African countries: Burkina Faso, Kenya, and Tanzania.

Topline efficacy results, based on WHO efficacy analysis parameters (polymerase chain reaction (PCR) corrected):

– Efficacy of ASMQ is non inferior to AL

o Day 28: ASMQ = 97.5% / AM-LM = 94.6 %

o Day 42: ASMQ = 93.6% / AM-LM = 92.1%

o Day 63 : ASMQ = 90.9% / AM-LM = 89.7%

– No concerns of tolerability were demonstrated with ASMQ or with AL

o Very limited cases of vomiting, particularly early vomiting, led to treatment discontinuation in both treatments

o No unexpected adverse effects events were noted

Data in Africa on the combination (AS+MQ non fixed-dose) had previously demonstrated high efficacy, acceptable safety, and tolerability. Obtaining further clinical data on the combination of Artesunate with Mefloquine in children in Africa was recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) and its Prequalification Programme. ASMQ FDC is one of several recommended ACTs that aim to delay the emergence of resistance to the individual drug components of the combination treatment. The treatment regimen is easier to administer by the fact that the two drugs are combined into one tablet that only requires once-a-day administration over three days (as compared to twice-a-day over three days for AL).

‘The ASMQ fixed-dose combination has proven its importance among tools recommended by the WHO and can now be available to African children suffering from uncomplicated falciparum malaria’, said Dr Bernard Pécoul, Executive Director of DNDi (http://www.dndi.org). ‘Considering that a child dies every 30 seconds from malaria, we hope that governments in affected African countries will now take up this additional treatment option to ensure their populations have access to several ACTs.’

ASMQ FDC was originally developed by DNDi and the Brazilian government-owned pharmaceutical company Farmanguinhos/Fiocruz and was registered in Brazil in 2008. A South-South technology transfer between Farmanguinhos and Cipla, India, was achieved in 2010 to facilitate the implementation of ASMQ FDC worldwide and was pre-qualified by the WHO Prequalification Programme in 2012. ASMQ FDC is currently registered in Brazil, India, Myanmar, Malaysia, Vietnam, Tanzania, and Niger, and pending registration in 17 countries in Africa and Asia.

Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of the Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi).

Press Contacts:

Ilan Moss, DNDi Communications Manager, DNDi North America (on-site at ASTMH)

Mobile: +1-646-266-5216 / E-mail: imoss@dndi.org

Violaine Dallenbach, DNDi Press and Communications Manager (Europe)

Mobile: +41 79 424 14 74 / E-mail: vdallenbach@dndi.org

Renee Olende, DNDi Communications Manager, DNDi Africa

Mobile: +254 705 639 909 / E-mail: rolende@dndi.org

Betina Moura, DNDi Communications Manager, DNDi Latin America

Mobile: +55 21 98122 2798 / E-mail: bmoura@dndi.org

Study Funding & Partners

Funding for this study was provided to DNDi by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), Switzerland; European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnerships (EDCTP); French Development Agency (AFD), France; Department for International Development (DFID), United Kingdom; Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs (DGIS), The Netherlands; Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders); and the Fondation ARPE, Switzerland.

Partners in the study include: staff at study sites; study monitors; Data Safety Monitoring Committee (DSMC) ; Cardinal Systems, Paris, France; Epicentre, Mbarara, Uganda; CHUV, Lausanne, Switzerland; and Farmanguinhos, Brazil. Clinical investigators of the study were from the following partner institutions: Centre National de Recherche et de Formation sur le Paludisme, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso; Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Kisumu, Kenya; National Institute for Medical Research, Korogwe, United Republic of Tanzania; Ifakara Health Institute, Bagamayo, United Republic of Tanzania; National Institute for Medical Research, Kilosa, United Republic of Tanzania; Centre for Clinical Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Nairobi, Kenya; and Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative, Geneva, Switzerland.

About Malaria

Since the year 2000, remarkable progress has been made in the fight against malaria, with a 42% reduction in deaths globally. The WHO estimates that in 2012 there were 207 million of cases of malaria, and that 627,000 deaths were attributable to the disease, mostly in Africa (90%). Children continue to be the worst affected, accounting for 77% of all deaths, with an estimated 462,000 deaths in African children under the age of five in 2012. Most deaths were due to Plasmodium falciparum, however P. vivax is increasingly recognized as a cause of severe malaria and death.

About ASMQ FDC

– Simple prescription which is easy to use, based on once-daily administration

– Dosage selection of the tablets allows for a simple and adapted regimen for children and adults

– Adapted packaging

– High compliance

– WHO Prequalification in September 2012 (Cipla)

– Registered in Brazil in 2008, India in 2011, Malaysia and Myanmar in 2012, Tanzania in 2013, Vietnam and Niger in 2014

– Currently filed for registration in 17 additional countries in Africa and Asia

About DNDi

The Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi) (http://www.dndi.org) is a not-for-profit research and development (R&D) organization working to deliver new treatments for the most neglected diseases, in particular sleeping sickness (human African trypanosomiasis), Chagas disease, leishmaniasis, filaria, and paediatric HIV/AIDS. Since its inception in 2003, DNDi has delivered six new treatments: two fixed-dose antimalarials (ASAQ and ASMQ); nifurtimox-eflornithine combination therapy (NECT) for late-stage sleeping sickness; sodium stibogluconate and paromomycin (SSG&PM) combination therapy for visceral leishmaniasis in Africa; a set of combination therapies for visceral leishmaniasis in Asia; and a paediatric dosage form of benznidazole for Chagas disease. DNDi was founded by Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors without Borders (MSF), Indian Council of Medical Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Brazil’s Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Ministry of Health of Malaysia, and Institut Pasteur in France, with the UNICEF/UNDP/World Bank/WHO Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR) as a permanent observer.

EL FASHER (DARFUR), Sudan, November 4, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The African Union-United Nations Acting Joint Special Representative (JSR) and Joint Chief Mediator a.i. for Darfur, Mr. Abiodun Bashua, today held a meeting with the Dep…

GENEVA, Switzerland, November 4, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — IOM and UNDP are today launching a programme in the Moroccan capital, Rabat, on mainstreaming migration into the country’s national development strategies.
Over 4.5 million Mor…