September 29, 2021

Sinocare présente ses produits pour la gestion du diabète et des maladies chroniques lors de la deuxième exposition économique et commerciale Chine-Afrique

CHANGSHA, Chine, 29 septembre 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Sinocare, le leader mondial du développement de tests médicaux, a présenté sa dernière gamme de produits lors de la deuxième exposition économique et commerciale Chine-Afrique (CAETE), qui s’est tenue du 26 au 29 septembre au centre international de congrès et d’expositions de Changsha. Sinocare a présenté, sur le stand qui lui était réservé, différents types de produits pour la gestion des maladies chroniques, notamment le glucomètre, le tensiomètre, le détecteur de lipides sanguins et le détecteur d’acide urique, et a également dévoilé son analyseur multifonction portable analyseur HbA1C portable et son détecteur par fluorescence de produits finis de glycation avancée.

CAETE est une plate-forme importante pour la Chine et les pays africains pour mener une coopération économique et commerciale, et des échanges et dialogues intéressants. Sous le thème « Nouveau départ, nouvelles opportunités, nouvelles réalisations », l’événement de cette année est axé sur les domaines des produits alimentaires et agricoles, des industries médicales et de santé, de la coopération en matière d’infrastructures et de chaînes industrielles, ainsi que de la coopération économique et commerciale approfondie. Sinocare a présenté un certain nombre de produits de pointe qui favoriseront davantage la coopération entre les secteurs médical et de la santé de la Chine et de l’Afrique, et permettront la construction d’une communauté médicale commune.

« Chez Sinocare, notre vision consiste à fournir des produits et des services de haute qualité aux personnes souffrant de diabète et d’autres maladies chroniques afin de les aider à améliorer leur qualité de vie. Nous avons hâte de travailler avec des professionnels de santé et des entreprises privées en Afrique pour fournir à davantage de personnes des solutions accessibles et abordables pour la gestion du diabète », a déclaré Louis Hu, directeur régional de Sinocare pour l’Afrique.

Lors de la CAETE, Sinocare a lancé ses produits phares pour quatre maladies chroniques : le Gold AQ PLUS et le Safe AQ Smart pour la glycémie, l’AES-U111 pour la pression artérielle ; iCARE2100 pour l’analyse multi-index ; et PCH50 pour l’analyse de l’HbA1C. Avec des caractéristiques et des avantages notables, les produits de Sinocare ont attiré l’attention d’innombrables participants qui se sont arrêtés sur le stand pour une consultation.

Gold AQ PLUS possède des propriétés électrochimiques supérieures et une résistance à la corrosion extrêmement importante avec une bandelette de test d’électrode en or pur à 99,99%. Le système est capable de détecter avec précision la température de l’échantillon de sang, le HCT et la température ambiante, et de corriger automatiquement les écarts de résultat. Son autre glucomètre phare exposé était le Safe AQ Smart, doté d’un système FAD-GDH pour des résultats exacts et précis, d’un système d’exploitation facile d’utilisation qui ne nécessite aucun codage et d’une éjection automatique des bandelettes de test.

Pour les patients présentant un taux de cholestérol élevé, le détecteur de lipides et de glycémie à double usage peut être utilisé pour la mesure quantitative du CT, du HDL, des TG et du GLU. Le détecteur a un débit rapide de glucose en 5s et de lipides en 100s, et prend en charge l’impression en ligne par USB et la transmission de données par Bluetooth. Par ailleurs, le système de surveillance de la glycémie et de l’acide urique à double fonction Safe AQ-UG peut être utilisé pour les personnes souffrant de diabète et d’hyperuricémie. Safe AQ UG respecte la norme ISO15197 2013 et est équipé d’une éjection automatique des bandelettes et d’un code intelligent pour les tests d’acide urique.

En outre, iCARE2100 est l’instrument multiplateforme innovant de Sinocare possédant plusieurs indicateurs pour réaliser des tests pratiques au chevet du patient. Alimenté par la technologie principale Liquid Phase iPOCT, iCARE 2100 prend en charge une haute précision et une détection instantanée. Sans utiliser d’autres consommables, les praticiens peuvent réduire les coûts des tests sans compromettre la qualité.

Au-delà de la Chine, Sinocare est présent dans 42 pays d’Afrique, dont l’Algérie, l’Égypte, l’Éthiopie, l’Afrique du Sud et plus encore. L’ensemble de ses ventes à travers le continent ont atteint plus de 110 millions de yuans, les produits les plus populaires de Sinocare étant les systèmes de surveillance de la glycémie, les tensiomètres, les analyseurs de profil lipidique et les détecteurs de HbA1c. La croissance rapide de Sinocare en Afrique s’explique par ses systèmes indolores et faciles à utiliser qui conviennent à un grand nombre de personnes, ainsi que sa stabilité de prélèvement d’échantillons et de bandelette de test avec une technologie brevetée.

Sinocare continue de se développer activement en Afrique et prévoit de créer des usines de production en Algérie et en Égypte pour réaliser la production locale de bandelettes de test de glycémie. Cette initiative réduira considérablement les coûts et le temps de transport, et accélérera ses capacités à fournir aux populations africaines des produits pour la surveillance du diabète.

À propos de Sinocare :

Sinocare compte 19 ans d’expérience dans le secteur des lecteurs de glycémie depuis sa fondation en 2002. La société se consacre au développement, à la production et à la vente de la détection rapide des maladies chroniques grâce à l’utilisation de la technologie des biocapteurs. En 2016, après avoir acquis avec succès Nipro diagnostic Inc. (maintenant renommée Trividia Health Inc.) et PTS Diagnostics Inc., Sinocare est devenu le numéro 5 mondial des fabricants de glucomètres et l’une des principales sociétés au monde d’appareils de test au point de service.

Pour plus d’informations, veuillez consulter le site : www.sinocareintl.com

Facebook : Sinocare In’tl

Contact pour les médias : Echo Gao
Intl_mkt@sinocare.com

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1637313/Sinocare_Headquarters.jpg

September 29, 2021

Adagio Therapeutics Announces New Data Highlighting the Potential of ADG20 for Treatment and Prevention of COVID-19

ADG20 Continues to be Well Tolerated in Healthy Volunteers with Prolonged Half-Life and Serum Virus Neutralization Activity Observed out to Six Months in Ongoing Phase 1 Study

Data from Quantitative Systems Pharmacology/Whole-Body Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic Modeling Support Evaluation of 300 mg Intramuscular Dose of ADG20 Given as a Single Intramuscular Injection in Ongoing Phase 2/3 Studies

Data to be Presented During IDWeek 2021 and 19^th Annual Discovery on Target Conference

WALTHAM, Mass., Sept. 29, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Adagio Therapeutics, Inc., (Nasdaq: ADGI) a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of antibody-based solutions for infectious diseases with pandemic potential, today announced new data from the company’s COVID-19 antibody program. Updated, six-month data from its ongoing Phase 1 study of ADG20 in healthy participants and data validating the selection of the 300 mg intramuscular (IM) dose given as a single injection that is being evaluated in the company’s ongoing global Phase 2/3 treatment (STAMP) and prevention (EVADE) clinical trials will be presented during four poster sessions at the Infectious Disease Society of America’s IDWeek 2021, being held from Sept. 29 – Oct. 3, 2021. In addition, Adagio’s chief scientific officer, Laura Walker, Ph.D., will present a subset of the ADG20 Phase 1 data as well as background on the identification and optimization of this differentiated antibody clinical candidate in an oral presentation at the 19^th Annual Discovery on Target Conference on Sept. 30, 2021.

“The continued strength of the safety and pharmacokinetic data from our Phase 1 study is encouraging and further underscores the potential impact an antibody like ADG20 – which was designed to be potent, broadly neutralizing and delivered as a single IM injection – could have on people with or at risk of COVID-19,” said Lynn Connolly, M.D., Ph.D., chief medical officer of Adagio. “These Phase 1 data combined with our dose selection strategy, which relied on our innovative modeling approach, have allowed us to initiate and advance our pivotal trials of ADG20 in the treatment and prevention of COVID-19. We anticipate these data will support an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) application in the first quarter of 2022, which could enable us to bring an important treatment option to patients.”

Phase 1 Trial Update
Adagio is evaluating ADG20 in a Phase 1 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled single ascending-dose study to assess safety and tolerability, pharmacokinetics (PK), immunogenicity, and serum virus neutralizing activity of ADG20 ex vivo against SARS-CoV-2. Data from a six-month evaluation timepoint confirmed the extended half-life of ADG20, which approached 100 days based on data from the 300 mg IM dose that was given as a single injection. In addition, 50% serum virus neutralization titers at six months after a 300 mg IM dose of ADG20 were similar to observed peak titers with the mRNA-1273 vaccine and exceeded those achieved with the AZD1222 vaccine series. Importantly, ADG20 was well tolerated with no study drug-related adverse events (AEs), serious AEs, or injection-site or hypersensitivity reactions reported through a minimum of three months follow-up across all cohorts. Participants will continue to be followed through 12 months to assess safety and tolerability, PK, immunogenicity and serum virus neutralizing activity.

Phase 1 Poster Information: (633) Preliminary Results from a Phase 1 Single Ascending-Dose Study Assessing Safety, Serum Viral Neutralizing Antibody Titers (sVNA), and Pharmacokinetic (PK) Profile of ADG20: an Extended Half-Life Monoclonal Antibody Being Developed for the Treatment and Prevention of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)

Dose Selection Strategy
To support dose selection for Adagio’s global Phase 2/3 STAMP and EVADE clinical trials, the company modified an existing quantitative systems pharmacology whole-body physiologically-based pharmacokinetic (QSP/PBPK) model to better characterize the PK of extended half-life monoclonal antibodies in serum and key sites of viral replication in the respiratory tract. Adagio’s model adequately a priori predicted the observed ADG20 serum PK in non-human primates (NHPs) and humans. The model was further optimized based on data from Adagio’s Phase 1 clinical trial and then applied for dose selection for STAMP and EVADE.

For the STAMP treatment trial, data compiled to date suggest that the 300 mg IM regimen has a projected ability to rapidly achieve and maintain target concentrations at key tissue sites of viral replication, including the ability to attain near complete (> 90%) and durable (> 28-day) SARS-CoV-2 receptor occupancy across a range of baseline viral loads. Further, for the EVADE prevention trial, data compiled to date suggest the 300 mg IM regimen has a projected ability to rapidly exceed target serum concentrations in the majority of simulated patients and to maintain potentially effective concentrations for up to 12 months.

Dose Selection Poster Information

(1086) A Whole-Body Quantitative System Pharmacology Physiologically-Based Pharmacokinetic (QSP/PBPK) Model that a priori Predicts Intramuscular (IM) Pharmacokinetics of ADG20: an Extended Half-life Monoclonal Antibody Being Developed for the Treatment and Prevention of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)
(1089) Use of a Whole-Body Quantitative System Pharmacology Physiologically-Based Pharmacokinetic (QSP/PBPK) Model to Support Dose Selection of ADG20: an Extended Half-Life Monoclonal Antibody Being Developed for the Prevention of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)
(1088) A Whole-Body Quantitative System Pharmacology Physiologically-Based Pharmacokinetic (QSP/PBPK) Model to Support Dose Selection of ADG20: an Extended Half-Life Monoclonal Antibody Being Developed for the Treatment of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)

The STAMP and EVADE clinical trials are currently ongoing and enrolling patients globally. For more information, please visit clincialtrials.gov.

About ADG20
ADG20, a monoclonal antibody targeting the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 and related coronaviruses, is being developed for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19, the disease caused by SARS-CoV-2. ADG20 was designed and engineered to possess high potency and broad neutralization against SARS-CoV-2 and additional clade 1 sarbecoviruses, by targeting a highly conserved epitope in the receptor binding domain. ADG20 displays potent neutralizing activity against the original SARS-CoV-2 strain as well as all known variants of concern. ADG20 has the potential to impact viral replication and subsequent disease through multiple mechanisms of action, including direct blocking of viral entry into the host cell (neutralization) and elimination of infected host cells through Fc-mediated innate immune effector activity. ADG20 is administered by a single intramuscular injection, and was engineered to have a long half-life, with a goal of providing both rapid and durable protection. Adagio is advancing ADG20 through multiple clinical trials on a global basis.

About Adagio Therapeutics
Adagio (Nasdaq: ADGI) is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of antibody-based solutions for infectious diseases with pandemic potential. The company’s portfolio of antibodies has been optimized using Adimab’s industry-leading antibody engineering capabilities and is designed to provide patients and clinicians with a powerful combination of potency, breadth, durable protection (via half-life extension), manufacturability and affordability. Adagio’s portfolio of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies includes multiple, non-competing broadly neutralizing antibodies with distinct binding epitopes, led by ADG20. Adagio has secured manufacturing capacity for the production of ADG20 with third-party contract manufacturers to support the completion of clinical trials and initial commercial launch. For more information, please visit www.adagiotx.com.

Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “expects,” “intends,” “projects,” and “future” or similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include statements concerning, among other things, the timing, progress and results of our preclinical studies and clinical trials of ADG20, including the timing of our planned EUA application, initiation and completion of studies or trials and related preparatory work, the period during which the results of the trials will become available and our research and development programs; our ability to obtain and maintain regulatory approvals for, our product candidates; our ability to identify patients with the diseases treated by our product candidates and to enroll these patients in our clinical trials; our manufacturing capabilities and strategy; and our ability to successfully commercialize our product candidates. We may not actually achieve the plans, intentions or expectations disclosed in our forward-looking statements and you should not place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially from the results described in or implied by the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, those risks described under the heading “Risk Factors” in Adagio’s prospectus filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on August 6, 2021 and in Adagio’s future reports to be filed with the SEC, including Adagio’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2021. Such risks may be amplified by the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of this date, and Adagio undertakes no duty to update such information except as required under applicable law.

Contacts:
Media Contact:
Dan Budwick, 1AB
Dan@1abmedia.com

Investor Contact:
Monique Allaire, THRUST Strategic Communications
monique@thrustsc.com

September 29, 2021

Fresh Water fish for Healthier Lifestyle

The construction of small, medium and large dams and other structures for holding water have been going on in the Maekel region for many years now. Around 120 such structures have been made, and 33 dams are now serving as freshwater fish farms.

To raise the awareness of the society about the benefits of fish, the Ministry of Marine Resources has been working relentlessly to use dams as fish farms. For the last couple of years, it has been engaged in the breeding of freshwater fish in the dams at Maekel region, and, as a result, the communities that live around such dams have adopted the habit of eating fish.

The Ministry of Marine Resources did its periodic evaluation of the dams and the inbreeding of freshwater fish on the 7th of September. In his speech at the opening of the evaluation session, Mr. Essaw Tikue, Central region head of marine resources, underlined the role the dams are playing in the development of the nation by providing drinking water to people and farm animals and water for farms and by serving as freshwater fish farms.

The small scale freshwater fish farms are giving people in rural areas that are far from the sea an opportunity to have fish in their diet. The communities are sensitized about the nutritional benefits of fish and ways of cook it to encourage them to consume fish.

The practice of breeding freshwater fish has opened job opportunities to many who are given assistance by the authorities. They are given small boats and fishing tools to be able to fish from dams near their villages.

The distribution of freshwater fish was initiated in 1992 although it did not take off. By the year 2008, however, following the formation of the Ministry of Marine Resources’ branch at Maekel region, the inbreeding of the fish was restarted but did not have promising outcomes. After identifying the problem, it was decided to restart fish farms as a pilot project which is now giving encouraging results. If the result is sustained, the plan is to use the remaining dams in Maekel region as fish farms for the benefit of the people and nation.

As part of the pilot project, a total of 77 families divided into four groups are working as fishermen in the dams of Mai- Nefhi, Adi-Shaka, Hayelo and Tseazega. The families are given training on how to fish and how to use the tools of fishing. The groups have formed cooperatives and are working to harvest fish for themselves and their communities. Each group is subdivided into two — fishermen and fish breeders.

The subgroups of fishermen are run by men while women are in charge of breeders. Each group has been given fishing and breeding tools worth 12 thousand dollars and owns a boat, fishing nets, baskets and safety jackets.

Many communities in Eritrea, especially those that live on the highlands, are said to have limited knowledge about the benefits of fish and they hardly eat fish. Therefore, to raise people’s awareness about the benefits of fish both for consumption and for local and international markets, the Ministry of Marine Resources has been promoting the practice of using water dams as freshwater fish farms.

At the evaluation session held by the Ministry of Marine Resources it has been made clear that the construction of water dams the freshwater fish farming project will continue to encourage people to engage in breeding fish and fishing. Questions on how to have long-lasting dams and satisfactory growth of the freshwater fish were also raised at the session. The government is working to provide fish at affordable prices, and people should understand the importance of fish for a healthier lifestyle and for economic growth.

Source: Ministry of Information Eritrea

September 29, 2021

Training on information technology

The Central Region in cooperation with the department of Statistics and Cartographic System organized training to 60 of its members including 34 females on basic information technology.

Speaking at concluding event of the training, Mr. Tedros Tekle, head of the department of Statistics and Cartographic System, said that the objective of the training that included computer technology, computer network security and computer maintenance was to upgrade the capacity of the staff members and address minor problems that could occur due to system failure.

The representative of the trainees said that the training they received will have significant contribution in facilitating their daily activities.

Mr. Fesehaye Haile, Governor of the Central Region, on his part called on the trainees to upgrade their knowledge practically on the ground and play due part in the effort to provide timely and efficient administrative service,

Source: Ministry of Information Eritrea

September 29, 2021

Developing China and Benefiting the World

Celebrating the 72nd Anniversary of the Founding of the People’s Republic of China

China will celebrate the 72nd Anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic on October 1st, 2021.

After 72 years of continuous struggle, China has created two miracles: rapid economic development and long-term social stability. In 1949, China was poor and blank, with a per capita GDP of less than 70 U.S. dollars and an average life expectancy of 35 years. Today, China has become the world’s second largest economy, largest industrial manufacturing country, and largest goods trading country. China’s output of more than 220 industrial products ranks first in the world. The total number of scientific research personnel and patent applications for inventions of China also ranks first in the world. The Communist Party of China (CPC) has led the Chinese people to realize the First Centenary Goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects. All the rural population has been lifted out of poverty as defined by the existing standard. The world’s largest social security system has been built. Through the arduous efforts of people of all ethnic groups across the country, China has achieved economic growth and maintained social stability and development while fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the past 72 years, China has always been a builder of world peace, contributor to global development, defender of international order and provider of public goods. China is the largest contributor to peacekeeping operations among the permanent members of the UN Security Council. With contribution of more than 30 percent annually to world growth and as the largest trading partner and largest export market for more than 130 countries and regions in the world, China has become the main anchor and powerhouse in the world economy. Taking active steps to combat global climate change, China has fulfilled its international commitment to reduce carbon emissions by 2020 ahead of schedule. In addition, it has pledged to peak carbon emissions before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060. China has also announced it would step up support for other developing countries in developing green and low-carbon energy, and would not build new coal-fired power projects abroad. China is also making outstanding contributions to world public health security. Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 Pandemic, China has been providing timely assistance to the international community. By now, it has provided medical supplies to 150 countries and 13 international organizations, dispatched 37 medical expert teams to 34 countries, provided close to 1.2 billion doses of finished and bulk vaccines to over 100 countries and international organizations, and will step up efforts to provide a total of two billion doses to other countries in the course of this year. In addition to donating 100 million US dollars to COVAX, China will donate 100 million doses of vaccines to other developing countries in the course of this year. At the same time, taking an open and scientific attitude, China will continue to support and engage in global science-based origins tracing, and stands firmly opposed to political maneuvering in whatever form, to the so-called report compiled by the U.S. intelligence community and to U.S. slandering and attacking China on this issue.

The great achievements were achieved by the Chinese people under the leadership of the CPC, which surely will unite and lead the Chinese people to realize the Second Centenary Goal and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. This is because:

First, the CPC always serves the people wholeheartedly. Putting the people first and firmly relying on the people, the CPC has united and lead the people to achieve great achievements one after another.

Second, the CPC works tirelessly to realize its ideals. By insisting on proceeding from reality in everything and leading the people to explore and move forward with unrelenting courage, the CPC has pioneered a path of socialism that is distinctively Chinese, which has refuted the myth that modernization can be achieved only by following the capitalist model.

Third, the CPC is of robust leadership and strong governance ability. Centralized leadership by the CPC serves the best interests of the Chinese people, suits China’s national conditions, and conforms to Chinese history and traditional culture. The CPC has won widespread support from the people.

Fourth, the CPC has always maintained its vigor and vitality by self-reform, self-purification and self-innovation. The CPC takes resolute measures against all phenomena that may undermine its integrity and progressive nature, exercises effective self-supervision, practices strict self-discipline in every respect, strengthens checks and scrutiny over the exercise of power. The CPC has allowed no safe haven, left no ground unturned, and shown no tolerance in fighting corruption, preventing or punishing any action that creates barriers between the Party and the people or infringes on their interests.

Fifth, the CPC contributes to world peace and development. The CPC is a political party that seeks happiness for the people and progress for humanity. Taking a clear-cut stance against hegemony and power politics, it adheres to the path of peaceful development, firmly upholds the international system with the United Nations at the core, promotes democracy in international relations, presses for a new model of international relations based on mutual respect, fairness, justice and win-win cooperation, and promotes the building of a global community of shared future. At the General Debate of the 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, President Xi Jinping noted that, right now, COVID-19 is still raging in the world, and profound changes are taking place in human society. The world has entered a period of new turbulence and transformation. It falls on each and every responsible statesman to answer the questions of our times and make a historical choice with confidence, courage and a sense of mission. He also stressed that mankind must beat COVID-19 and win this decisive fight crucial to the future of humanity, must revitalize the economy and pursue more robust, greener and more balanced global development, must strengthen solidarity and promote mutual respect and win-win cooperation in conducting international relations, must improve global governance and practice true multilateralism.

China and Eritrea enjoy profound traditional friendship. Our two countries have always respected and treated each other equally, supported each other on issues concerning each other’s core interests and major concerns, and jointly safeguarded the common interests of our two countries and international fairness and justice. China cherishes the traditional friendship with Eritrea, admires the development progress achieved by the Eritrean people, understands Eritrea’s difficulties, respects Eritrea’s policy of independence and self-reliance, supports Eritrea’s efforts to safeguard national sovereignty and efforts made for social and economic development, and opposes sanctions or threat of sanctions against Eritrea. China is willing to continuously deepen and expand bilateral friendly cooperation in various fields for the benefit of our two peoples. Chinese and Eritrean peoples were, are and will always be good friends, partners and brothers helping and supporting each other.

Source: Ministry of Information Eritrea

September 29, 2021

Fear of Bandits Keeps Students in Nigeria’s Kaduna State Away From School

Nigerian authorities have reopened schools in northern Kaduna state after closing them for two months due to insecurity. The region has suffered a string of armed kidnappings and the U.N. Children’s Fund, UNICEF, says about one million Nigerian children are “afraid to return to school.”

Nigerian educator Naomi Ibrahim opened Kewta Primary School in Kaduna state seven years ago, after an attack by Boko Haram militants forced her to flee her hometown in Borno state.

She says the aim is to help children affected by conflict get a basic education, but waves of violence and mass kidnappings are threatening her work and keeping students away.

“Some are from Borno, some Adamawa, Gombe and other places like that. We’re just praying, it is God that is keeping us safe,” said Naomi Ibrahim, an educator and school owner.

Ibrahim says only 50 of about 120 students appeared for the new term, which began last week. She blames insecurity in the region for the low attendance.

Kaduna is one of the states worst hit by mass school kidnappings that began in northern Nigeria late last year. Since December, the government reports more than 1,000 school children have been seized from schools in the region.

The kidnappings are usually carried out by bandits – local criminal gangs demanding ransom from the victims’ families. Other states affected include Niger, Zamfara, and Katsina.

To address the problem, Kaduna state authorities closed schools in July but reopened them this month, saying the situation had improved.

Community leader Abu Mohammed agrees.

“There’s an upgrade really in terms of security attention from the government. Why? Because the government has made a clarion call for all the security apparatus and they have all gathered here in Kaduna, they have gone into the forests to see where their (bandits’) stations are,” he said.

But Aishatu Musa says the fear that bandits could kidnap her children from school has not gone away.

“I’m scared about what is happening now, that’s why I don’t want them to go to school yet.,” she said.

Two weeks ago, UNICEF estimated one million Nigerian children could miss out on education due to security concerns.

The agency estimates Nigeria has the greatest number of out-of-school children in the world, about 13.2 million. UNICEF Nigeria’s education manager, Rudra Sahoo, says the actual figure could be even higher.

“In the months of May, June and July, there were regular attacks particularly in the north central and northwest region, and as precautionary measure, 11,000 schools closed during that time,” said Sahoo. “The schools are opening now but the apprehension on the minds of the parents is there.”

For now, schools like Kewta Primary school will carry on with classes, despite uncertainty about whether it is safe to do so.

Source: Voice of America

September 29, 2021

IRC: 2.1 million Kenyans Face Hunger Due to Drought

The International Rescue Committee says more than two million Kenyans are facing hunger due to poor rainfall. Kenya’s president, Uhuru Kenyatta, declared a national disaster this month because of drought.

Thirty-six-year-old Suleiman Ahmed Osman lost 50% of his livestock to drought in the past six months. He says more are dying now due to worsening drought.

“When we lost this number of animals there is no other source of income,” he said. “To source our daily meal because we used to get milk and meat, sometimes selling the animals to get other food, sugar and other things. Now that the animals are very emaciated, nobody can buy them, no milk because the drought has affected them to the extent that no milk can come from the animal.”

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) says Kenya received insufficient rainfall during the October to December 2020 and March to May 2021 rainy seasons, leading to the current drought situation.

The IFRC report said that arid and semi-arid areas received less than 50% of the average rainfall in June. The three counties in northeastern Kenya received less than 25% of average rainfall.

Abdullahi Musa has been buying animal feed and water for four months now for his more than 100 cattle in Garissa, along the Kenya and Somalia border.

“There are two sets of livestock herders,” he said. “There are those who the drought in Kenya has affected them there are those who crossed to Somalia to get pasture but came back due to lack of water. I am among the people who are not so affected. I have lost some animals but most of them are alive. But 90% of animal herders have lost their livestock. They got nothing.”

The International Rescue Committee says 2.1 million people in Kenya are now food insecure.

The head of the organization in Kenya, Mohamed El Montassir Hussein, says he is concerned about the growing humanitarian situation in some 20 out of 47 counties.

“Our concern overall is the protracted drought situation and protracted aspect of drought in Kenya that’s been over the years coming again and again and also concern is extended to the growing humanitarian needs as people move out of their homes searching for places closer to water sources,” he said.

The IRC says climate change is the main driver of the region’s recurring drought and locust outbreaks.

Kenya’s National Drought Management Authority predicts the food insecurity situation will persist until the end of the year.

The drought management authority says people’s fortunes may change if the affected areas get rain in the next three months.

Source: Voice of America