Category: APO-OPA

GENEVA, Switzerland, July 11, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — IOM Somalia, in coordination with the Somali immigration department, has conducted its first family reunification from the south central region of the country.

The operation reunited a mother and her three children who had been living in Mogadishu for 12 years with their husband and father in Slovenia.

In the past, all family reunification and resettlement for Somalis living in the south central region used to involve a long and dangerous journey to the Kenyan border, Dadaab refugee camp and Nairobi.

IOM organized Nimca Abdi and her children’s “fit-to-travel” medical exams, travel documents, flight bookings, tickets and airport assistance in Mogadishu.

It also contacted her husband in Slovenia and provided pre-departure information on transit assistance and exit visa arrangements.

Mrs. Abdi and her family transited Istanbul, where IOM provided them with accommodation, meals and airport assistance. The following day they left for Slovenia, where IOM reunited the family.

To date, IOM has conducted some 300 family reunification and resettlements from other parts of Somalia, including Puntland and Somaliland.

GENEVA, Switzerland, July 11, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — IOM Somalia, in coordination with the Somali immigration department, has conducted its first family reunification from the south central region of the country.

The operation reunited a mother and her three children who had been living in Mogadishu for 12 years with their husband and father in Slovenia.

In the past, all family reunification and resettlement for Somalis living in the south central region used to involve a long and dangerous journey to the Kenyan border, Dadaab refugee camp and Nairobi.

IOM organized Nimca Abdi and her children’s “fit-to-travel” medical exams, travel documents, flight bookings, tickets and airport assistance in Mogadishu.

It also contacted her husband in Slovenia and provided pre-departure information on transit assistance and exit visa arrangements.

Mrs. Abdi and her family transited Istanbul, where IOM provided them with accommodation, meals and airport assistance. The following day they left for Slovenia, where IOM reunited the family.

To date, IOM has conducted some 300 family reunification and resettlements from other parts of Somalia, including Puntland and Somaliland.

GENEVA, Switzerland, July 11, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Epidemiology and surveillance

The World Health Organization (WHO) continues to monitor the evolution of the Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak in Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone. In Guinea, the current epidemic trend shows low activity of community viral transmission, with only 1 confirmed EVD case reported in the last 7 days. This trend is being closely monitored, particularly in communities that had resistance to recommended outbreak control measure. The epidemic trend in Liberia and Sierra Leone remains precarious with high numbers of new cases and deaths being reported. The current active foci of the EVD outbreak have been identified as Kailahun and Kenema in Sierra Leone and Lofa and Montserrado in Liberia. The respective Ministries of Health are working with WHO and its partners to step up containment measures.

Health sector response

As part of the effort to control this outbreak, Dr Keiji Fukuda, the Assistant Director General for WHO’s Health Security and Environment cluster and Dr Benido Impouma, the Sub-regional Coordinator for the outbreak response visited Sierra Leone and Guinea from 7–10 July 2014. The WHO’s delegation engaged and had dialogue with high-level political and Government authorities aimed to enhance national leadership and commitment. The delegation also held discussions with the national coordination structures for EVD outbreak response, including partners, in order to strengthen coordination, communication, and inter-sectoral collaboration.

A Sub-regional Outbreak Coordination Centre for the response is being established in Conakry, Guinea. The centre will act as a control and coordination platform to consolidate and harmonize the technical support to West African countries and to assist in resource mobilization.

The Sub-regional Centre will be responsible for ensuring effective use and deployment of limited and scarce, but highly critical resources based on prioritization and agreed objectives. The organization and coordination of key support functions and field operations will move closer to outbreak areas, or hot spots.

In addition, the Sub-regional Centre will:

• Ensure sufficient technical and operational support and resources to sustain response activities in the field, facilitate the coordination of GOARN partners and networks, prepare public communications materials and activities, engage in contingency planning, risk assessments, and scaling of operations as required, and secure an environment that enables effective and successful field operations.

• Define operational periods to achieve agreed objectives and ensure the planning, coordination, and optimum use of limited resources, as well as continuity of action and management.

• Direct human and material resources to communications and social mobilization, investigation of alerts and new outbreaks, case finding and contact tracing, surveillance and data management, patient treatment and care, logistics, stockpiling, and movement of personal protective equipment to key locations.

• Provide technical guidance and resources, communications support, decision-making, and reporting for all field teams in the subregion.

WHO does not recommend any travel or trade restrictions be applied to Guinea, Liberia, or Sierra Leone based on the current information available for this event.

Disease update

New cases and deaths attributable to Ebola virus disease (EVD) continue to be reported by the Ministries of Health in the three West African countries of Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone. Between 6 and 8 July 2014, 44 new cases of EVD, including 21 deaths, were reported from the three countries as follows: Guinea, 1 new case and 2 deaths; Liberia, 11 new cases with 4 deaths; and Sierra Leone 32 new cases and 15 deaths. These numbers include laboratory-confirmed, probable, and suspect cases and deaths of EVD.

As of 8 July 2014, the cumulative number of cases attributed to EVD in the three countries stands at 888, including 539 deaths. The distribution and classification of the cases are as follows: Guinea, 409 cases (296 confirmed, 96 probable, and 17 suspected) and 309 deaths (197 confirmed, 96 probable, and 16 suspected); Liberia, 142 cases (70 confirmed, 32 probable, and 40 suspected) and 88 deaths (44 confirmed, 28 probable, and 16 suspected); and Sierra Leone, 337 cases (298 confirmed, 34 probable, and 5 suspected) and 142 deaths (127 confirmed, 11 probable, and 4 suspected).

Confirmed, probable, and suspect cases and deaths from Ebola virus disease in Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, as of 8 July 2014

New 1 Confirmed Probable Suspect Totals (by Country)

Guinea

Cases 1 296 96 17 409

Deaths 2 197 96 16 309

Liberia

Cases 11 70 32 40 142

Deaths 4 44 28 16 88

Sierra Leone

Cases 32 298 34 5 337

Deaths 15 127 11 4 142

Totals

Cases 44 664 162 62 888

Deaths 21 368 135 36 539

1. New cases were reported between 6 and 8 July 2014.

The total number of cases is subject to change due to reclassification, retrospective investigation, consolidation of cases and laboratory data, and enhanced surveillance. Data reported in the Disease Outbreak News are based on best available information reported by Ministries of Health.

DAKAR, Sénégal, July 11, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General (SRSG) for West Africa, Mr. Said Djinnit, attended the 45th Ordinary Summit of the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government, held on 10th July in Accra.

In his address to the ECOWAS leaders, the Special Representative commended the tireless efforts deployed by ECOWAS to address the core socio-economic and governance challenges confronting West African countries, as well as regional peace and security issues.

SRSG Djinnit paid tribute to ECOWAS for its leadership and contribution in the process that led to the successful conclusion of the political transition in Guinea-Bissau, including the holding of peaceful and transparent elections with a widely accepted outcome. He assured that the United Nations will continue to work closely with the regional organization and other stakeholders, in assisting the government of Guinea-Bissau to consolidate these crucial democratic advances, and in mobilizing international efforts towards the implementation of the necessary reforms for long-term stability in the country.

The Special Representative also reaffirmed the continued commitment of the United Nations in all efforts and initiatives to bring lasting peace in Mali in line with the last UNSC Resolution 2164 that extended and expanded the mandate of MINUSMA. He welcomed ongoing efforts towards resuming inclusive dialogue in Algiers in line with the Ouagadougou Preliminary Agreement.

Mr. Djinnit commended ECOWAS commitment to addressing the scourge of transnational organized crime, including drug trafficking, piracy and criminality at sea, as well as growing terrorist activities.

Mr. Djinnit stressed the excellent cooperation between ECOWAS, the Mano River Union (MRU) and UN in the development and implementation of the Strategy for Cross-Border Security in the MRU. He commended the recent adoption by ECOWAS of its Integrated Maritime Strategy, in the context of ECOWAS, ECCAS, the Gulf of Guinea Commission and UN consultations to establish appropriate mechanisms for addressing piracy and criminality at sea. He also welcomed the organization’s willingness to coordinate with other initiatives for the Sahel.

The Special Representative for West Africa stressed the deep concern of UN regarding the growing threat posed by violent extremism and terrorism in the larger Sahel region as well as in North-Eastern Nigeria. “We urge the countries of the region to pool their resources and cooperate effectively in addressing this threat, with the support of the rest of the international community”, he declared.

On the situation in Nigeria, the Special Representative stated that the primary and immediate concern of the United Nations is the plight of children including in particular those that are being held in captivity by the terrorist Boko Haram group, as well as the fate of the civilian population in the North East, where human rights and humanitarian conditions are alarming. In this regard, he announced that pursuant to Security Council Agenda on Children in Situations of Armed Conflict and the recent report of the Secretary-General, the United Nations will enhance its monitoring and investigation capacity regarding violence against children in Nigeria.

As many countries in West Africa are preparing to hold elections in 2015, Mr. Djinnit firmly reaffirmed UN commitment to assist ECOWAS, the African Union and other key organizations to assist in creating propitious conditions for peaceful, free and fair election processes.

“I wish to reiterate that the UN will remain by the side of ECOWAS, its Governments and people as they struggle towards a more peaceful and prosperous future”, he concluded.

GENEVA, Switzerland, July 11, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The FIFA Emergency Committee has decided today, 10 July 2014, to appoint a Normalisation Committee in accordance with article 7 par. 2 of the FIFA Statutes and to authorise the FI…

LAGOS, Nigeria, July 11, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ —

• Latest addition to global line-up of iconic city monuments lit by Philips

Royal Philips (AEX: PHIA, NYSE: PHG) (http://www.philips.com/africaroadshow), the global leader in lighting, unveiled a stunning lighting makeover of the well-renowned Nigerian National Arts Theater in Lagos (http://www.nationaltheatreng.org), one of the most iconic buildings in the city, as part of its fifth consecutive pan-African Cairo to Cape Town roadshow (http://www.philips.com/africaroadshow). Philips has installed its latest range of RGB (red, green, blue) LED luminaires around the National Theater complex, emphasizing the beauty of the structure and cutting energy consumption by up to 80% as compared to the existing conventional lighting.

Photo 1: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/index.php?level=picture&id=1225 (The visual lighting concept will provide the building with an imposing look in the Lagos skyline)

Photo 2: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/index.php?level=picture&id=1224 (The Nigerian National Arts Theatre)

Logo Philips: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/philips-1.jpg

Philips’ concept is focused on highlighting the significance of this iconic building as an architectural masterpiece and as a source of national pride to Nigeria, and in so doing assist with the buildings energy saving performance. The new Philips lighting will transform the theater façade, while illuminating the distinctive, memorable and eye-catching mass and structure. The visual lighting concept will provide the building with an imposing look in the Lagos skyline.

LED lighting solutions improve energy performance in public spaces

“The spectacular lighting of Nigerian National Arts Theatre demonstrates the incredible advances that are being made in the efficiency and beauty of LED illumination”, says Abdallah Hussein, CEO, Philips West Africa. “LED lighting innovations provide completely new opportunities to policy makers and governments to enhance city beautification and at the same time contribute to energy saving. We are extremely proud to see how Philips’ lighting solutions are contributing to improving the attractiveness of this stunning architectural marvel while reducing energy consumption in Nigeria”.

The National Arts Theater is a cultural landmark located at Iganmu, in the heart of Lagos. It is the primary center for the performing arts in Nigeria and, as such, is considered a monument and a celebrated icon within Lagos. Covering an area of about 23,000 square meters and standing well over 31 meters tall, the multipurpose National Theatre was established for the preservation, presentation and promotion of Arts and Culture in Nigeria. It is a sophisticated building which acts as a rallying point for both Nigerian and international artistes wishing to share experience with their Nigerian counterparts.

The National Arts Theater is already a popular attraction in the city, with thousands of visitors annually. The spectacular Philips LED lighting is likely to further improve the tourism value of the monument.

Philips has used a total of 48 LED luminaires, combining red, blue and green in each single luminaire, which provides an endless spectrum of colors to highlight the features of this architectural masterpiece. There are also 30 LED white light projectors, which highlight the pillars of the theater.

The advantages of the LED lighting installed at National Arts Theater, Lagos include:

⁻ The installed capacity of the lighting system is just 3.3 kW, compared to almost 14.5 kW of the older installation, reducing energy consumption by up to 80%.

– Dynamic lighting that makes it possible to adjust the atmosphere of the site (change of intensity and color).

– A longer lifespan of the installation: around 100,000 hours compared to 20,000 hours with conventional lighting(1).

– A reduction in maintenance costs: LED luminaires require less maintenance (there is no need for lamp replacement).

Philips strengthens Nigeria’s ambition to improve energy efficiency

Nigeria has set a clear growth and development agenda in its Vision 20:2020 (http://bit.ly/1xZPPeO). It seeks to become one of the 20 largest economies in the world, raise living standards, expand access to electricity to 75 per cent of the population and decouple growth from dependence on petroleum. Philips’ innovative LED lighting solutions tie in greatly with Nigeria’s ambition to improve energy performance in public spaces.

“We’re delighted with the project Philips has completed at the National Theater of Arts here in Lagos,” states Mr. Mallam Kabir Yusuf, General Manager and CEO of the National Theater. “To think that such an iconic building in the Lagos skyline now has a state-of-the-art digital lighting technology for the façade is just wonderful. Now the world class and environmentally friendly look of the building ascetically from outside at night will complement the top class contribution of performers and artists inside the building, as well as the breathtaking renovations that have recently taken place in and around the big edifice.”

The fifth pan-African Cairo to Cape Town roadshow

Lagos is the fifth stop on Philips’ annual flagship Cairo to Cape Town roadshow (from 14 April to 3 September 2014) which focuses on key challenges facing Africa today – the need for energy-efficient lighting and the revitalization of African healthcare infrastructure. Philips has committed to lighting up and illuminating iconic monuments in every city visited during the roadshow with the latest LED technology. As the number one LED lighting company in the world, Philips will now provide a stunning lighting makeover of historic, well-recognized monuments in African cities.

The Roadshow will make its way across seven countries and ten cities in Africa. The next stop will be in Accra, Ghana on 15th July 2014.

Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of Royal Philips.

(1) Subject to: L50 at 25 degrees.

For more information please follow the Cairo to Cape Town Roadshow on: http://www.philips.com/africaroadshow

Infographic: http://www.philipsafricaroadshow.com/2014-roadshow/infographic/

For further information, please contact:

Radhika Choksey

Philips Group Communications – Africa

Tel: +31 62525 9000

E-mail: radhika.choksey@philips.com

About Royal Philips

Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA) (http://www.philips.com) is a diversified health and well-being company, focused on improving people’s lives through meaningful innovation in the areas of Healthcare, Consumer Lifestyle and Lighting. Headquartered in the Netherlands, Philips posted 2013 sales of EUR 23.3 billion and employs approximately 112,000 employees with sales and services in more than 100 countries. The company is a leader in cardiac care, acute care and home healthcare, energy efficient lighting solutions and new lighting applications, as well as male shaving and grooming and oral healthcare. News from Philips is located at http://www.philips.com/newscenter.

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, July 10, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Following the presentation of its Interim Report to the Assembly of Heads of States and Government, the mandate of the African Union Commission of Inquiry on South Sudan (AUCISS) was extended for 3 months (July –September 2014) by the decision of the 23rd Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the AU held in Malabo from 26 to 27 June 2014.

The Commission’s request for extension of time was justified by the need to conduct more extensive consultations with different sectors of South Sudanese Society in all the 10 states as well as the Diaspora and to finalize investigations.

The AUCISS was established by the Peace and Security Council as a response to the crisis in South Sudan. It is tasked with investigating violations of human rights and humanitarian law committed during the crisis and making recommendations relating to healing, reconciliation, accountability, and institutional reforms.

In the first three months of its mandate period, the Commission conducted consultations with South Sudanese in South Sudan and neighbouring countries. These included President Salva Kiir and Dr Riek Machar as well as some members of civil society and intellectuals.

The Commission’s Interim Report, which conceptualizes its mandate and details the Commission’s approach to the four mandate areas as well as key activities undertaken in the first three months, can be accessed at:

http://summits.au.int/en/23rdsummit/documents/interim-report-african-union-commission-inquiry-south-sudan-ciss

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, July 10, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union (AU), Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, today appointed Lieutenant General (Rtd.) Jackson Kiprono Tuwei, a Kenyan national, as t…

LONDON, United-Kingdom, July 10, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — South Sudanese refugees continue to arrive in Gambella, Ethiopia, fleeing their homes because of the violence, and walking for days seeking safe shelter and food. By the end of June between 600-800 refugees were arriving at Burubiey transit camp each day, an increase from the 100-300 daily arrivals in previous weeks. Currently over 140,000 South Sudanese refugees are in Gambella since the outbreak of the current conflict in December 2013.

Gambella’s main refugee camps remain crowded. Plans are underway to expand the new refugee camps of Kule 1 and 2, which have registered 51,476 and 37,287 refugees respectively. The old Leitchuor camp holds an additional 47,469 refugees.

Although proper tents were distributed to refugees in Kule 1, Kule 2 and Lietchuor camps, many people in Kule 1 and Lietchuor camps still only have pieces of plastic sheeting to protect against the rain.

New arrivals first stay in transit camps. The Burubiey transit camp, overwhelmed in May by an estimated 20,000 people fleeing the fighting in Nasir, was emptied mid-June. Refugees who were living under very difficult conditions were transferred to the permanent camps of Kule 1 and Kule 2. Because of the flooded roads, boats were used to transport the refugees. However, the camp is full again with the recent influx of refugees waiting to be transferred to the permanent settlements. More than 7,700 refugees are staying at Akobo and Pagak transit camps.

Clean water is a critical priority for the crowded camps to drink, wash and cook. MSF runs a water treatment plant that produces an average of 1 million litres a day of safe water for refugees. With a daily target of 15 litres per person, people in Pagak camp receive the full amount, while those in Kule camp receive 14 litres, in Lietchuor camp, 10 litres, and Kule 1 camp, 8 litres. Sanitation and hygiene are also a priority. MSF has built two-thirds of the 1,200 latrines intended for the camps, and nearly all hand washing points, but so far 30 of the total 500 showers.

In this context, malnutrition is a serious problem. Testimonies by refugees underline food and safe shelter as an important motivation for coming to Gambella. “In May, South Sudanese fled because of the fighting,” says Dr. Natalie Roberts, MSF medical coordinator in Gambella. “Now they say they have left their country because of food deprivation.”

New arrivals to Kule 1 and Kule 2 camps are already malnourished. Food distribution in the camps is fragile, forcing many women, for instance, to walk nine kilometers from Kule 1 camp into town to grind their grain.

Malnutrition rates overall remained high in mid-June: 20% for global malnutrition and 6% for severe malnutrition. It is an improvement over the previous weeks but still above the emergency threshold of 5% of children suffering from severe malnutrition.

Children are the most vulnerable to illness, contracting respiratory infections, diarrohea, and now malaria because the rainy season has started. Since the end of the measles epidemic in Gambella in May, those who are diagnosed with the disease now are mainly South Sudanese who just arrived. Cholera is another risk because of the epidemic in South Sudan. MSF expects to launch a vaccination campaign, with the approval of the Ministry of Health, the Administration for Refugee and Returnee Affairs (ARRA) and UNHCR, for a target population of 130,000 people, including refugees and residents.

MSF conducted 35,361 medical consultations in Lietchuor camp and in Itang, since early March, and 2,523 medical consultations in Kule 1 and Kule 2 camps over one week in mid-June. During the same period, MSF treated 812 malaria cases in Lietchuor, Itang, Burubiey, Kule 1 and Kule 2 camps, and these numbers are likely to increase. And MSF provided care to 1,060 children admitted in the two intensive therapeutic nutritional centres between March and July.

Finally, MSF managed to decrease the mortality rate at our two hospitals in Lietchuor camp (100 beds) and in Itang (130 beds) near Kule camp, respectively to 11% and 7% late June. But the situation may deteriorate with the rainy season and the surge of related epidemics.

MSF is currently delivering medical care to South Sudanese refugees in Pagak transit camp, Burubiey transit camp and the three refugee camps of Lietchuor, Kule1 and Kule2 as well as in Itang. Furthermore MSF continues to deliver water and sanitation services to Pagak, Kule 1, Kule 2, and Burubiey camps in Gambella, Ethiopia.

BRUSSELS, Kingdom of Belgium, July 10, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Council today imposed sanctions against individuals obstructing the South Sudanese peace process and responsible for atrocities, as part of wider EU efforts to stop v…