UN migration agency issues $18.5 million appeal to prepare for mpox ‘surge’
The spread of mpox across the Horn, eastern and southern Africa has increased the risk of infection for migrants and other vulnerable people on the move, the UN migration agency (IOM) said on Wednesday.
Ahead of an “anticipated surge” in mpox cases, the International Organization for Migration is seeking $18.5 million to fund the humanitarian response.
This includes crucially important healthcare for migrants and other marginalized populations, said IOM’s Yvonne Ndege (N DAY GAY), Regional Spokesperson for East, Horn and Southern Africa:
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“Migrants and internally displaced persons and other highly mobile populations are unfortunately more prone to infection and being affected by mpox because of the mobile and transitory conditions they tend to find themselves living in…This appeal is designed to reduce the risk of exposure to the disease for these vulnerable groups by supporting infection prevention and control measures, particularly at the many porous borders across East, Horn and Southern Africa.”
The IOM officer explained that the funding would help to build the capacity of national health service workers and frontline responders. The investment will also enable high-risk areas to be identified and ensure effective monitoring of the disease, reducing its spread across borders.
Mpox has affected people in Africa for more than a decade, the UN agency said, adding that the Horn, eastern and southern Africa region hosts 12.2 million international migrants – nearly half of all migrants in Africa.
Gaza: Latest evacuation orders leave civilians dangerously close to frontline
New Israeli military evacuation orders in Gaza threaten already extremely vulnerable people in the enclave with further forced displacement, raising concerns that vital services could soon be cut off, UN humanitarians warned on Wednesday.
More than 10 months into the war in Gaza, sparked by Hamas-led terror attacks in Israel nearly all Gazans have been displaced at least once – and often multiple times – by repeated orders to evacuate and intense Israeli bombardment.
“Nowhere in the Gaza Strip is safe…It does feel like people are waiting for death,” said Louise Wateridge, spokesperson for the UN agency for Palestine refugees, in an online message on X.
She told UN News that “areas that were (in) the humanitarian zone are now the frontline”, with Gazans “never more than a few blocks away” from the fighting.
In its latest update on the emergency, the UN aid coordination office, OCHA, insisted that “relentless” hostilities and evacuation orders in Gaza continue to constrain relief operations.
OCHA reported that parts of Salah ad Din road – a crucial passage for humanitarian missions from south to north – have been slated for evacuation by the Israeli authorities for Deir al Balah.
“This has made it nearly impossible for aid workers to move along this key route,” it said, adding that Gaza’s coastal road “is not a viable alternative” anymore, as the beaches along this route are “crowded with makeshift shelters”.
As Paralympics loom, UNESCO supports push for inclusivity
One week from the Paralympics grand opening ceremony, the UN agency for culture, science and education – UNESCO – has called for an end to stigma against people with disabilities.
Some 15 per cent of the global population live with a handicap, said UNESCO, which works to leverage sport for better cooperation on inclusivity, cultural diversity, human rights and the promotion of peace.
The upcoming Paris Paralympics are the first to be held in France; before the Games begin the traditional torch relay will see the famous flame relay pass through 50 French cities, carried by some 1,000 torchbearers.
They will include UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay, joined by Andrew Parsons, head of the International Paralympic Committee, who will carry the torch on the sidelines of a high-level meeting on disability inclusion.
Music composed and produced by Joachim Harris. All rights reserved
Source of original article: United Nations (news.un.org). Photo credit: UN. The content of this article does not necessarily reflect the views or opinion of Global Diaspora News (www.globaldiasporanews.com).
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