Dr. Fiona Braca, from the WHO regional office in Brazzaville, Congo, said eastern and southern Africa were particularly hard hit.
In the first four weeks of this year alone, 10 African countries reported more than 26,000 infections and 700 deaths, almost double the number reported during the same period last year. It has become.
Zambia and Zimbabwe are the worst-hit countries, but Mozambique, Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia and Nigeria also have “active outbreaks” and are at high risk of further spread, Dr. Blaka said.
Prevention and treatment possible
“Records will continue to be broken as long as people do not have access to clean water and sanitation. Cholera is preventable and treatable,” she explained. No one should die from it anymore. ”
Increased flooding due to climate change is contributing to the spread of cholera, a preventable waterborne disease. Increased cyclones and droughts have also reduced access to clean water, creating ideal conditions for cholera to thrive.
Despite a global shortage of oral cholera vaccines, WHO is supporting the vaccination drive in Zambia, where more than 1.7 million people have been vaccinated. A campaign is also underway in Zimbabwe, where 2.3 million people are expected to be protected.
WHO also deployed more than 100 medical professionals and emergency supplies to affected areas in Zambia and Zimbabwe.
More than 30 tonnes of emergency supplies, including cholera kits and hydration salts, have already been delivered to both countries, with more aid planned.
UN torture expert urges UK to halt extradition of Julian Assange to US
An independent expert on torture appointed by the United Nations Human Rights Council on Tuesday called on Britain to halt the possible extradition of Julian Assange to the United States.
Alice Edwards called on the British authorities to consider Assange's appeal based on serious concerns that he would be at risk of torture or other ill-treatment or punishment if extradited.
“Julian Assange has suffered from recurrent depression for many years. He has been assessed as a suicidal risk,” the Special Rapporteur said in a statement.
He faces numerous charges in the United States, including under the Espionage Act of 1917, for allegedly illegally publishing diplomatic cables and other cables and documents through WikiLeaks, an investigative site he co-founded. .
in prison for life
“If extradited, he could face long periods of isolation while awaiting trial or as a prisoner. If convicted, he could be sentenced to up to 175 years in prison,” Edwards said. said.
An independent expert questioned whether his extradition would be compatible with the UK's international human rights obligations, given the risks to his mental health from solitary confinement and the potential for a “disproportionate” sentence.
He added that “diplomatic guarantees of humane treatment by the US government are not sufficient guarantees to protect Mr. Assange from such risks” and urged the UK to carefully consider the extradition order. .
The final domestic appeal in the long-running legal battle over Assange's extradition is scheduled to be heard at London's High Court on February 20th and 21st.
Rapporteurs and other rights experts are independent from governments and organizations, do not receive a salary, and work in their own capacity.
Sudan: Food shortages likely to worsen as desert locust threat increases
The United Nations humanitarian group has warned of further food shortages in the coming months as Sudan enters a bad harvest season, a UN spokesperson told reporters on Tuesday.
“An estimated 18 million people are food insecure, which is 10 million more than last year,” said Stéphane Dujarric.
This comes after the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) warned in Geneva that desert locust damage in the country had worsened significantly since the middle of last year.
Existential threats to seed supply
FAO deputy representative in Sudan, Adam Yao, warned that the pest problem has reached “threatening levels” and that without sustained efforts to control the invasion, significant agricultural losses are inevitable. .
Locust outbreak in Somalia's Nugal region.
This is partly due to a lack of surveillance and control operations in central and western Sudan as a result of the ongoing war between government forces and rival RSF militias, which has pushed Sudan into crisis. .
Despite this, locust control workers supported by FAO have successfully surveyed more than 113,500 hectares and controlled approximately 23,000 hectares of already infested land.
Yao said FAO is working with the United Nations Humanitarian Coordination Office OCHA to ensure immediate access to the cotton mites and ensure that threatened seed collections can be moved to safer locations. Ta.
Since April last year, aid agencies have successfully delivered life-saving aid to seven million people in Sudan.