Category: APO-OPA

DUBLIN, Ireland, March 28, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Eamon Gilmore TD, paid tribute to the late Kader Asmal at the unveiling of a plaque at the house in Foxrock, Dublin, where South Africa’s Bill of Rights was written more than 20 years ago.

The Tánaiste was joined yesterday by the Bill’s co-author, retired South African Justice Albie Sachs, who is visiting Ireland for a legal rights conference. The Tánaiste also welcomed Louise Asmal, the widow of Kader Asmal, to the unveiling:

“In this house in 1988 an essential element in South Africa’s peace process was created. South Africa’s Bill of Rights served as the bedrock of the subsequent Constitution of South Africa. Now, 20 years later, we see a free and democratic South Africa – a testament to the work of the late Kader Asmal and his wife, Louise, Justice Albie Sachs and, indeed, all those who struggled against the evil and inhuman apartheid system.”

Addressing Louise Asmal, he said: “You shared with Kader the ultimate vindication of that struggle in the first democratic election in South Africa, and in his appointment as a Minister in President Mandela’s first government.”

Representing South Africa was Mr Livingstone Vukile Mdlalo of the Embassy and two young South African students who are studying in Ireland under the Kader Asmal Fellowship Programme, which is funded by Irish Aid. The Tánaiste welcomed them to Ireland, saying:

“We here in Ireland are proud of Kader Asmal’s life and work for South Africa and indeed for his adopted country, Ireland. This fellowship programme is a fitting tribute to his memory. He valued education so much – and he was himself such a good teacher. These young African students coming here to study will help to strengthen the bonds which bind us so much to Africa, and to commemorate and celebrate the life of Kader Asmal and the principles which guided his work.”

JOHANNESBURG, South-Africa, March 28, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) will air a 24-minute documentary about a project that brings free health care to African families on Sunday, March 30, 2014 at 9 a.m. (SABC3) and 12.30 p.m. (SABC1) in South Africa. It will be rebroadcast in April on affiliate stations throughout Africa.

To view the trailer, click here: https://vimeo.com/84725512.

B-Roll package – Rotary Family Health Days: http://bit.ly/1iExmh1

Photo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/index.php?level=picture&id=919 (The documentary captures an emotional meeting between Bunch and Me Maria as the women reflect on how the disease has impacted their lives and families)

Photo Marion Bunch: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/index.php?level=picture&id=917 (Marion Bunch, an American woman who drew strength from personal tragedy after losing her son to AIDS to become a global advocate and the inspiration behind the creation of Rotary Family Health Days)

Photo Me Maria: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/index.php?level=picture&id=918 (Me Maria is raising her two grandsons after their parents died of AIDS)

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

The film, produced by Rotary International (http://www.rotary.org), documents the tremendous burden HIV/AIDS has had on African families and communities, and covers the journeys of two women: South African grandmother Me Maria, who is raising her two grandsons after their parents died of AIDS; and Marion Bunch, an American woman who drew strength from personal tragedy after losing her son to AIDS to become a global advocate and the inspiration behind the creation of Rotary Family Health Days. The project, now in its fourth year and supported by Rotary clubs throughout Africa, delivers free basic health care – including HIV/AIDS screening and other preventive services — to families in underserved communities.

The documentary captures an emotional meeting between Bunch and Me Maria as the women reflect on how the disease has impacted their lives and families and the steps they are taking to fight it.

“The tremendous burden on the families of those infected by HIV/AIDS – particularly for older people caring for their terminally ill children and raising their grandchildren, and for children orphaned by this disease is incalculable,” said Bunch. “This is a story of people coming together to help fight this global killer and other preventable diseases.”

The film will air ahead of Rotary Family Health Days 2014, which will take place in Uganda, Ghana, South Africa, Swaziland, Lesotho and Nigeria throughout the month of April. To view the trailer, click here: https://vimeo.com/84725512.

In addition to airing the documentary, SABC will broadcast messages and information across Africa on SABC television channels and radio stations in eleven languages to promote participation in Rotary Family Health Days in April 2014.

About Rotary Family Health Days 2014

Rotary Family Health Days – an innovative international campaign providing free health care to underserved families — launches its fourth edition in April 2014, aiming to reach 350,000 people in Uganda, Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, Swaziland and Lesotho. The program addresses Africa’s most pressing health challenges, including HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and reproductive health, as well as diabetes and hypertension. An important component is immunizing children against polio, measles and other vaccine-preventable diseases.

South Africa, Swaziland, Lesotho

April 2 – 4 160 sites

Ghana

April 10 – 12 30 sites

Uganda

April 10 – 12 120 sites

Nigeria

April 24 – 26 150 sites

Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of Rotary International.

Contacts:

Rotary: Stéphanie Tobler, +41 44 387 714 16, stephanie.tobler@rotary.org

Rotary (Johannesburg): Sue Paget, 083-456-3923 spaget@rffa.org

SABC: Leo Manne, leo@sabc1.co.za

About Rotary

Rotary (http://www.rotary.org) brings together a global network of volunteer leaders dedicated to tackling the world’s most pressing humanitarian challenges. Rotary connects 1.2 million members of more than 34,000 Rotary clubs in over 200 countries and geographical areas. Their work improves lives at both the local and international levels, from helping families in need in their own communities to working toward a polio-free world. For more information, visit http://www.rotary.org.

Note to journalists:

Video and still images on upcoming Rotary Family Health Days will be available on the Rotary Media Center: https://www.rotary.org/en/news-features/media-center.

VATICAN, Holy See, March 28, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The vitality of the Church in Madagascar despite the difficult circumstances in which this country finds itself and the commitment of the dioceses to human development were some of the central issues in the message Pope Francis addressed to the bishops of the Episcopal Conference of Madagascar at the end of their five-yearly “ad limina” visit.

The Pope thanks the prelates for their “courageous and tenacious work of evangelisation” and acknowledged the serious socio-economic problems encountered in Madagascar, mentioning at the same time that the bishops have urged all of society to contribute to building a new future”. He encouraged them to take their rightful place in the “task of reconstruction, with respect for the rights and duties of each person”. He writes, “It is important to maintain constructive relationships with the authorities of your country. You must search for unity, justice and peace to better serve your people, refusing any involvement in political disputes at the expense of the common good”.

“In this context, I wish to acknowledge the invaluable commitment of your dioceses in social work”, he continues. “Indeed, there is an intimate connection between evangelisation and human development. … I encourage you to persevere in your attention to the poor and materially and spiritually supporting those who devote themselves to them, especially religious congregations, whom I thank with all my heart for their dedication and for their authentic witness to Christ’s love for all men. I also invite you to call out without fear to all Malagasy society, and especially its leaders, with regard to the issue of poverty, which is largely due to corruption and lack of attention to the common good”.

Education is field in which the Church is very active in Madagascar. Therefore, the Pope asks the prelates to do everything in their power to “ensure that the greatest number of children, including those from the poorest families, have access to education, since as a result of economic difficulties many parents no longer have the economic means”. He also urges them to guarantee a Christian presence in public schools, so that Christians occupied in the field of education may “contribute to forming the Gospel and human values in the young generations that will be the leaders of the society to come”.

He goes on to mention that in their message for the end of the Year of Faith the bishops complained of the loss of the true “fihavanana”, a way of life typical of Malgasy culture, which promotes harmony and solidarity, and in relation to this he affirms that “the values that the Creator has instilled in your culture must continue to be transmitted, illuminated from within by the message of the Gospel. The dignity of the human person and the culture of peace, dialogue and reconciliation will find their place in society, leading to a better future”.

The Pope praises the implementation in dioceses throughout Madagascar of “an ambitious and very dynamic programme of formation for life and love”, and emphasises that the family “needs to be protected and defended so that it so that it may offer society the service expected of it, that of providing men and women capable of building a social fabric of peace and harmony”. With regard to challenges in the field of interreligious dialogue, he repeats that it is “urgent to develop, and also at times to initiate, a lucid and constructive dialogue in order to maintain peace between communities and to promote the common good”. He urges the prelates “never to doubt the strength of the Gospel, nor its ability to convert hearts to the resurrected Christ”, reiterating that for this to happen, “it is necessary that Christians bear daily witness to the faith they proclaim”, and for this witness to be credible, “life must be consistent with faith”.

“This invitation”, he continues, “is directed mainly at the clergy and consecrated persons. The priesthood, like consecrated life, is not a means of social climbing, but rather a service to God and to man”. Likewise, he remarks that chastity and obedience are essential virtues for priests and concludes, “The same applies with respect to temporal goods and prudence in their management. Offering a poor example in this area is particularly disastrous because of the scandal it causes, especially before a population that lives in poverty”.

BERLIN, Germany, March 28, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — To contribute to the success of today’s (28 March) force generation conference in Brussels for the European Union military bridging operation in the Central African Republic (EUFOR C…

BRUSSELS, Kingdom of Belgium, March 28, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The fourth EU-Africa summit will take place in Brussels on 2-3 April under the theme “Investing in People, Prosperity and Peace”. Building on the spirit of their 2007 Joint

Strategy, Africa and the European Union will discuss as equal partners how to deepen cooperation under these three areas.

Africa and the EU are jointly committed to foster human capital through education and training, to create additional incentives for investment, and to find ways of stimulating growth that will create jobs in particular for young people. They work closely together for peace and security, which are prerequisites for prosperity and growth. .

The European Union will be represented by President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy and President of the European Commission José Manuel Barroso. The summit will bring together the Heads of State and Government of the European Union and the African continent, together with the leaders of the EU and African Union institutions.

A range of high-ranking international observers will also be associated.

“Both Africa and the European Union will come together to address the challenges that each of our continent faces and the ones that face the world as a whole. The theme we have chosen addresses the everyday concerns of our citizens– their safety and security, their job prospects, and their future as families and individuals. I am looking forward to a summit that will further reinforce our partnership and contribute to improve the quality of hope of our population “, said President Van Rompuy. President Barroso ahead of the meeting said: “Fulfilling the vision set out in the Joint

Africa-EU Strategy, the summit will deepen our partnership of equals and seize further cooperation opportunities by expanding political, economic, investment and trade ties.

This includes the pursuit of durable and sustainable economic growth generating jobs for all our citizens”.

STASBOURG, France, March 28, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — European Parliament will host a summit with the members of the Pan-African Parliament on 31 March and 1 April in room JAN 6Q2. Martin Schulz, President of the European Parliament, and Bethel Nnaemeka Amadi, President of the Pan-African Parliament, will officially open the summit on Monday at 10:30.

The summit will assess the perspectives of the Joint Africa-EU Strategy (JAES) with experts and prepare a declaration for the 4th EU-Africa summit held in Brussels on 2-3 April 2014.

Venue

European Parliament, József Antall Building, Room 6Q2

31 March 2014 (10:30) – 1 April (12:30)

GENEVA, Switzerland, March 28, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — IOM has completed a three-month project to build capacity and mentor 35 community-based organizations in Tripoli in the field of psychosocial support.

The project, funded by the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), was implemented in partnership with Libya’s Ministry of Culture and Civil Society.

Activities included a mapping and analysis of civil society organizations (CSOs) associated with psychosocial support; the selection of the right organizations, who received a total of eighteen training sessions; and on the job mentoring to ensure that the tools acquired through the training were appropriately applied.

Training topics covered psychosocial support, community conflict mediation, individual and group counselling, capabilities and human development, community-based recreational and social activities, program identity and project cycle planning.

The program aimed to create sustainable linkages between the organizations to help them to work together towards harmony and peace, and meet the many pressing needs in mental health care that continue to plague Libyan society three years on from the revolution.

British Ambassador to Libya Michael Aron noted the need for projects of this type and emphasized the need for ongoing momentum.

“Over 90 participants took part in this demanding program and we were delighted by their enthusiastic desire to support Libyan families in overcoming the psychological burdens that they have carried for so long,” said IOM Libya psychosocial program manager Marcio Gagliato.

Since the revolution and the ensuing conflict, volunteerism has expanded and the number of civil society organizations in Libya has expanded. Many participants are ordinary people committed to breaking the cycle of violence and rebuilding a social fabric destroyed by conflict and decades of suppression of free expression.

The project built on two years of related work carried out by IOM through three community-based centers in Tripoli, Benghazi and Misurata.

To learn more about IOM Libya CSO Capacity Building, please go to http://www.psychosocial-csos.ly/webstep/

GENEVA, Switzerland, March 28, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — With the situation in the Central African Republic (CAR) in a downward spiral, IOM is today appealing for USD 56.5 million to bring life-saving assistance to the country and region.

The scope of IOM’s appeal has been broadened from CAR to Chad and Cameroon, which are carrying a heavy burden of an influx of migrants and returnees fleeing this terrible conflict.

In addition, IOM wants to reinforce transition and recovery efforts, which are beginning to show promise. IOM’s engagement with affected communities tells a story of hope amid the chaos.

“Security is deteriorating,” says IOM CAR Chief of Mission Giuseppe Loprete. “Attacks against the Muslim population in Bangui and outside are continuing and road movements are not safe for anyone, including aid workers. Muslim colleagues are particularly at risk, due to the numerous check points set by anti-Balaka armed groups.”

Analysis

“The CAR is facing a humanitarian, social, and economic crisis which is affecting the region at large. The outbreak of fighting between ex-Seleka and anti-Balaka forces in the beginning of September 2013 in the CAR and the continued violence has resulted in widespread displacement within and beyond the country’s borders. The security situation remains volatile and unpredictable countrywide. As of 19 March 2014, there were approximately 601,000 IDPs in the CAR, with 177,000 IDPs displaced in Bangui. Hundreds of thousands have also fled the country to return to their countries of origin, or have become refugees.”

IOM’s support of the mixed religious neighbourhood in the 3rd Arrondissement includes a successful street cleaning project. The scheme has supported 100 local youths from both sides of the divide to work side by side to clear away over 100 truckloads of garbage.

Such activities give ravaged communities renewed hope of working together for a better future. The project is so successful that surrounding neighbourhoods have asked for the project to be replicated.

In the midst of a dangerous information vacuum, where rumours quickly lead to cycles of violence, IOM’s community facilitators are constantly engaged in a two-way communication exchange with the affected population. They give a voice to the voiceless and pass messages of hope.

Next week IOM will extend its operations to Boda, which has suffered from inter-sectorial violence. There will be a distribution of core relief items to both communities and meetings with community leaders.

IOM’s “Intentions Survey” reveals that a majority of the population of CAR are people of good will, who want to return home, but fear extremism.

To date, IOM has supported the evacuation and return to their home country of over 100,000 stranded and vulnerable migrants, including close to 10,000 assisted with direct international transport assistance. Returns have been organized from both CAR and neighbouring Cameroon, mainly to Chad.

For more information, please visit: http://carresponse.iom.int/

GENEVA, Switzerland, March 28, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — “Every day, the plight of the Central African people gets worse. Their suffering is compounded by repeated acts of violence against civilians, pillaging, killings and sexual violence,” said Peter Maurer, president of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), following a three-day visit to the country. “With poverty widespread and State institutions crippled by years of instability and crisis, the country’s existing dependence on humanitarian aid will only grow unless efforts are stepped up to restore security.”

In the course of his visit, Mr Maurer met the president of the Central African Republic, government officials and civil society representatives, as well as the president of the Central African Red Cross Society – the ICRC’s main partner in the country. The ICRC president was able to see for himself the situation in the capital Bangui and in Kaga Bandoro and in Ndélé in the north of the country. In Ndélé, tributes were paid to the ICRC staff member killed there on 8 March.

Displaced people and local residents are living in extremely difficult conditions, at the mercy of indiscriminate attacks against men and women of all ages, including very young children. Since December 2013 the violence has been at an unprecedented level, with fighting particularly intense in certain parts of Bangui and in the west of the country. Thousands of people have been wounded or killed, and hundreds of thousands have fled their homes to seek refuge elsewhere in the country or in neighbouring countries, leaving everything behind and enduring extreme hardship. They are completely dependent on humanitarian aid. In M’Poko, where the biggest settlement of displaced people has sprung up near Bangui airport, water is supplied by the ICRC, while other humanitarian organizations provide food and medical care.

The lack of security is hampering efforts to protect people and improve their living conditions. “Everyone in the country is affected by the conflict in one way or another,” said Mr Maurer. “They are entitled to live with dignity and without fear for their lives. The relief efforts and the security of humanitarian workers are themselves being jeopardized by the poor security conditions.”

At Bangui Community Hospital, where three ICRC surgical teams are working round the clock and supporting local medical personnel, around 70% of those receiving emergency care are victims of shootings or stabbings. Unless they are helped to reach the hospital, in particular by the Central African Red Cross or the ICRC, they also have to risk their lives to seek medical care. The wounded must therefore be granted swift and unimpeded access to health care; they are entitled to protection and treatment. Health-care workers and facilities must also be spared and respected.

In other parts of the country, such as the town of Kaga Bandoro, the ICRC supports the region’s referral hospital. Further north, in Ndélé, ICRC staff are almost entirely responsible for keeping the water supply running.

“But more aid is needed,” said Mr Maurer. “That’s why we intend to increase our efforts, particularly in the area of health care, and to expand the geographical scope of our activities.”

The role of humanitarian organizations is also to restore people’s hope and dignity. “Together with volunteers from the Central African Red Cross, we are tailoring our work to the specific needs of people here,” said Mr Maurer. “But without security and functioning State services, humanitarian aid can only achieve so much.”

For video footage from 26 and 27 March about the current situation in the Central African Republic, go to our video newsroom: http://www.icrcvideonewsroom.org/content/index.asp

Facts and figures about the ICRC’s work in the Central African Republic: http://www.icrc.org/eng/where-we-work/africa/central-african-republic/2013-09-25-central-african-republic-facts-and-figures.htm

NEW YORK, March 28, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Three prominent personalities in the field of climate action congratulated Cape Town for winning this year’s Earth Hour City Challenge.

The Earth Hour City Challenge is a year-long competi…