Category: General

By Jabi Katy Chale, first published on Sustainable Fingers.

In April 2023, runoff from heavy rains carried away a form one student of Baptist High School Buea taking away his life.

Nathaniel Eyole Monjimbo and his school mates were playing football in the school vicinity, the ball went into the direction of the running water. In an attempt to retrieve the ball, he was carried away by the running water.

News of his death sent the populace of Buea in complete shock and agony, as they were yet to heal from the flash floods of 18 march 2023 in the Buea town environs. The flood took away two lives, leaving several others injured, homeless, frustrated and out of Business.

One year after these disasters, the memories and anguish are still fresh in the minds of Buea inhabitants.

‘Exactly one year since that flood happened, I tell you, I still feel extremely bad, especially for the families that lost their dear ones, not leaving out Zinabo Angeline, the lady who lost her child, the class six pupil. That woman, sh
e is still going through a lot of pain because that was her only girl child. It is still really fresh in my head because she is my neighbor, and it is really still painful. For another neighbor of mine, a toilet collapsed on him during the flood, some other persons in my neighborhood were stranded. Those occurrences of last year, I pray it never happens again in Buea and in Cameroon, we don’t want something like that anymore. Its rainy season approaching, we are begging that God should help us’. Said Shantal Ndowah, a journalist and inhabitant of Buea town.

‘Whenever I sit and remember that day, it seems as if it happened just yesterday, the pain I feel right now for losing a daughter can never finish. I only pray to God that what I faced last year 2023, it should not happen again, because the pain is too much’. Zinabo Angeline.

Just like Zinabo, Mola Ngwayey says the trauma from the disaster still haunts him even after a year. He sustained injuries as he was swept away by the flood alongside his house. ‘Wa
ter took me from Bonalyonga down to Bambutti, it was not easy inside the water, pulling me down, toasting me against stones and other debris. I had a serious injury on my leg until I had surgery’.

Nina Nwaseri, another victim of the flood takes us through memory lane and recounts the ordeal she and are family are still going through. ‘I was not home when it started but when I got home it was not pretty, everywhere was messy, we tried to save what we could at the time. We lost properties and even our small firewood business was taken away by the water, coupled with the trauma. At some point we had to rely on donations from government and other institutions. Sometimes you look for something in the house and then you remember, ahh! It was taken by the flood. That was the third time something like that happened to us, but the flood of 18th march was the first of that magnitude’.

Cameroon has over the years recorded several cases of floods and landslides. Some other recent cases include, The Mbankolo landslide i
n the nation’s capital Yaounde, which plagued the town on October 23, 2023. The disaster claimed 3 lives, destroying homes and properties of many.

The persistent flooding situation in Limbe throughout the months of June to September 2023, marked another sad record in the lives of Cameroonians. It directly affected more than 1600 persons. It would be hard to round up on disasters in Cameroon without mentioning the annual flooding situation in Douala, the Kumba landslide in September 2022 and the landslide at the Mutegene hill in Tiko sub-division in July 2022 which paused the activities of commuters for hours.

The United Nations has warned of many disasters to affect the world in the future, due to the global concerns of climate change. With the record Cameroon has already, there is a lingering fear on the fate of Cameroonians in months and years to come.

‘Over 90% of disasters which we are experiencing today are weather and water related. This is because, climate change is seriously affecting the hydrologi
cal circle. This means that, in the face of climate change, there is high risk that disasters will continuously be on the rise like never before. The case of Buea, where there was flash flood, we have never experienced something like that before’. Nkembeteck Henry Nkwa, climate change advocate.

With the rainy season gradually showing its full face this year, scientists caution Cameroonians on the possible adaptation and mitigation strategies.

‘At the individual level, when constructing houses, we should construct drainage systems as well, so as to collect runoff waters. And very importantly, we should orientate our children and do not let them go out during heavy rains. As a community, we can also organize community cleanups, to keep our communities and drainages clean, especially in places which are consistent risk zone areas’. Said, Cliford Chia, disaster risk management expert.

The government also has a key role to play to mitigate impact in case of any future occurrences. When the flood in Buea town oc
curred, scientists suggested the construction of houses on water ways to be one of the possible causes. This caused frenzy among Cameroonians who were bitter as to how state and municipal authorities permitted construction in these areas despite being more knowledgeable of the dangers. Same questions popped up during the Limbe floods and the Mbankolo landslide.

‘Municipal authorities should work on destroying houses built on water ways so as to protect lives. construct and rehabilitate more drainage ways, reinforce cleanup days’. Again, Cliford chia

Source: Cameroon News Agency

By Stephen TADAHA

The malaria epidemiological situation in Cameroon witnessed an improvement in 2023 as compared to 2022.

According to figures from the recent report from the Ministry of Public health on the malaria situation in Cameroon, 1 756 deaths were recorded in 2023 as compared to 2 481 deaths in 2022. Some 400, 000 less cases were recorded in 2023 with 2.9 million cases of malaria as compared to 2022 which recorded 3.3 million cases.

As Cameroon joined the international community to observe World malaria day on Thursday April 25 under the theme: ‘Accelerating the fight against malaria for a more equitable world it is important to note that despite these improvements, malaria still represents 7.3% of deaths reported in health facilities.

The disease remains the primary cause of consultations and hospitalisations in Cameroon, one of the 11 countries carrying 70% of the global malaria burden. Its impact is particularly felt among children aged under five and pregnant women.

To continue the fight aga
inst malaria, the government recently put in place the Universal Health Coverage which according to some health experts has greatly contributed to the eradication of the disease.

‘The UHC has made things easy for children below 5 and pregnant women. So they should simply go to health centers if they feel any signs and symptoms that include fever, joint pains ,fatigues,headache just to name a few, for their cases will be taken care of nearly free of charge.’ Declared Dr Belanquale Claude of the Bangang Medical center in the Bamboutos division.

The number of malaria-related deaths has however been dropping during the past decade and from 2019-2023, the death rate linked to malaria per 100 000 inhabitants exposed to the disease, dropped by 64%, passing from 17.7 to 6.3.

To intensify the fight against the disease in Cameroon, the country launched the world’s first malaria vaccine as part of its immunisation programme by importing 331,200 doses of an antimalarial vaccine recommended by the World Health Organiza
tion (WHO).

The WHO African Region shoulders the heaviest burden of the disease – accounting, in 2022, for 94% and 95% of malaria case and deaths. Rural populations in the African region living in situations of poverty and with less access to education are the most impacted. In view of the current trajectory, critical 2025 milestones of the WHO global malaria strategy for reductions in malaria cases and deaths will be missed.

Source: Cameroon News Agency

Addis Ababa: The Ethiopian delegation led by Finance Minister, Ahmed Shide held strategic discussions with US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Amb. Molly Phee, the Special Envoy for Horn of Africa, Amb. Michael Hammer and Under Secretary for US Treasury for International Affairs, Jay Shambaugh.

On the sidelines of the 2024 WB-IMF Spring Meetings, they discussed Ethiopia’s current economic and political situation and ongoing reforms aimed at improving the country’s macroeconomic framework, according to Ethiopia’s Embassy in Washington, D.C., USA.

The two sides also exchanged on the comprehensive support needed to address Ethiopia’s economic recovery as well as national cohesion and regional stability, including by mobilizing bilateral support through the IMF and WB.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

Addis Ababa: The Ethiopian Ambassador to Pakistan, Jemal Beker along with Coordinator to the Prime Minister on Climate Change and Environmental Coordination has launched the ‘Ethio-Pakistan Fraternity Under Green Legacy’ initiative at the University of Sialkot, Pakistan.

In its press release sent to ENA today, the embassy said that this Green Legacy Initiative will be instrumental for fostering fraternity between Ethiopia and Pakistan.

Ambassador Jemal and Coordinator to the Prime Minister Pakistan on Climate Change and Environmental Coordination Romina Khurshid Alam launched the initiative in presence of government officials, religious community, businessmen, academia students, civil society and media, according to the press release.

The initiative was launched as part of collaboration among the embassy of Ethiopia, Pakistan’s Ministry of Climate Change and the University of Sialkot, it was indicated.

More than 200 plants of different indigenous species were planted under the ‘Ethio-Pakistan Fraternity U
nder Green Legacy’ Initiative which was followed by a climate walk in the town which was participated by a large number of people.

Currently, Ethiopia has embarked on an ambitious campaign of planting billions of trees every year in an effort to achieve a greener and cleaner environment and tackle the adverse effects of the climate crisis.

As part of the ambitious Green Legacy Initiative to plant 50 billion trees in two phases, so far the country has planted more than 32.5 billion trees through the initiative launched by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in 2019

Addressing the launching ceremony, Ambassador Jemal Beker expressed gratitude for the Government of Pakistan for joining hands with the Ethiopian embassy for fostering brotherhood and fraternity between the two big nations.

‘Today we gather here not only to save the planet earth but also to connect the two big and historic nations, the heirs of civilizations and protectors of the rule-based world order while fighting together the global challenges such as
terrorism and climate change,’ the Ambassador remarked.

Ambassador Jemal recalled the recent flash flood that brought devastation to Pakistan’s shore which he had personally witnessed during his visit to tent cities in Sindh.

‘Climate change is an existential threat that will not spare any place or area on this planet earth if we did not come together to combat this challenge which is not a problem for only Pakistan or Ethiopia but the rest of the world,’ he said.

To this end, he said the embassy of Ethiopia launched the Green Legacy Initiative to contribute to the efforts of the Government of Pakistan towards a greener and cleaner future for the next generations.

He further stated that the Ethiopian embassy along with other stakeholders would do massive plantations throughout the week in other major cities including Lahore, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Sheikhupura and others.

‘Our efforts in this regard are completely aligned with the vision of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed who transformed Ethiopia under his Med
emer philosophy which strongly advocates for aligning all the resources to provide home grown solutions to the home grown problems,’ the ambassador stressed.

Jemal added Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed mobilized the whole nation under the Green Legacy initiative and so far, more than 32.5 billion seedlings planted across the country in the last five years which included the saplings of fruits like avocado, papaya, banana, oranges, olives and many others.

Likewise, coffee, animal feed and floral plants were also planted, taking us closer to our target of 50 billion seedlings until 2025.

In addition to that, more than 150,000 nurseries were set up in the country as well as over a million jobs.

Speaking on the occasion, Coordinator to the Prime Minister of Pakistan on Climate Change and Environmental Coordination Romina Khurshid said she was delighted to make a formal announcement regarding the collaboration between the embassy of Ethiopia in Islamabad and the Ministry of Climate Change of Pakistan.

She
said Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had accorded the approval to formalize the collaboration at bilateral level between the two countries and assured of his government’s strong commitment in this regard.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

Addis Ababa: The success of Ethiopian Airlines is not only on the passenger side but also in maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO), Fairfax Africa Fund Global Chairman Zemedeneh Negatu said.

In an exclusive interview with ENA, the chairman said Ethiopian Airlines has a very large MRO shop, which is one of the biggest in the world and the best in the world to maintain modern aircrafts.

It’s a very well-known organization for maintaining aircrafts, not only for itself but other airlines send their aircraft here, he added.

According to Zemedeneh, Ethiopian Airlines is the biggest airline in Africa and one of the largest in the world.

‘Its success is not only predicated on its ability to transport passengers from around the world, but also its ability to maintain these very sophisticated, very expensive aircrafts.’

Moreover, Bole International Airport is today the largest gateway for travel into and out of Africa.

‘On top of that, Ethiopian Airlines, which travels from Africa to other parts of the world a
nd into Africa, is bigger than Emirates, Turkish, and Lufthansa combined in Africa.’

One of the challenges a lot of African airlines face in addition to not being able to afford to acquire aircraft is not being able to find affordable and quality MRO services on the continent, the chairman said.

He added that African carriers used to send or send their aircraft to Europe or in some cases all the way to the United States to repair and maintain their aircraft at very expensive rates, whereas Ethiopian Airlines, certified by all the manufacturers, is right here in Africa.

Presently, however, Zemedeneh said that you see aircraft from many African countries, including Nigeria and Rwanda, among others.

The pan-Africanism that we talk about is being demonstrated clearly to the active support of Ethiopian Airlines for other African carriers, he noted.

‘I think it is a testament to what happens when you have investment, vision, determination and the capacity to deliver something that used to be considered stuff t
o be done in Europe, stuff to be done in America, is done in Africa right here in Ethiopia.’

The chairman pointed out that Ethiopian Airlines has been doing this for a very long time. The airline has been around for almost 75 years, but the maintenance shop has also been around for decades.

The airline has the expertise and is benefiting other African carriers as well, he stated.

Recognizing the necessity of effective MRO services for the smooth operation and success of an airline, Ethiopian Airlines operates a modern MRO facility at its hub in Addis Ababa, established in 1957, and developed over the years.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) leader, McHenry Venaani, has requested that President Nangolo Mbumba declare a State of Emergency on account of drought.

In an open letter to Mbumba seen by Nampa on Wednesday, Venaani said the declaration would help mobilise resources, accelerate assistance and draw international attention, all of which the country direly needs to tackle this looming disaster.

‘I impress upon you to heed the call of the Ministry of Agriculture, Water, and Forestry to declare drought a national emergency, as empowered by Chapter 4, Article 26 of the Constitution. Mr. president, the importance of this matter cannot be stated enough. The government ought to learn from historical disasters and devise strategies to better deal with calamities of this nature,’ read the letter.

He said the recent announcement by NamWater indicating that the three key dams in Windhoek are only filled to 18.7 per cent combined capacity serves as a dire warning, hinting at the perils that lie ahead, adding that the
relentless El Niño climatic phenomenon exacerbates this already precarious situation, causing severe rainfall shortages.

Venaani said the adverse effects of climate change have brought the nation to an alarming state, where the imminent threat of meteorological calamity overshadows daily existence, citing that the severe rainfall shortages indicate not merely a seasonal irregularity, but a dreadful specter of climate changes, a matter that deserves undivided attention and swift action.

‘Our farmers, the backbone of our economy, could bear the brunt of this impending disaster without timely and requisite assistance. We must remember, Mr. president, that the nature of our challenge is not merely environmental, it is human. The livelihoods at stake are the ones of our brothers and sisters, the very fabric of our society. Therefore, it is our moral duty to ensure their welfare, in the face of adversity,’ said Venaani.

He also called on the president to devise a crop subsidy for farmers that have cultivated mor
e than one hectare of land through insurance institutions such as NASRIA, as this particular category of farmers is usually left without any assistance.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

WINDHOEK: Minister of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, Pohamba Shifeta, on Thursday inaugurated Namibia’s first Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Plastic Recycling Plant aimed at reducing plastic waste.

The N.dollars 24 million plant, situated in Okahandja, is a joint endeavor between Namibia Polymer Recyclers and Coca-Cola Beverages Africa (CCBA) in Namibia.

PET is a clear, strong, and lightweight plastic that is widely used for packaging foods and beverages, especially convenience-sized soft drinks, juices and water.

In a statement issued to Nampa, Shifeta at the inauguration ceremony said the cutting-edge facility will enable Namibia

Polymer Recyclers to process up to 500 tons of PET material per month which is significantly reducing the need for virgin PET while diverting substantial waste from landfills and our precious environment.

‘ By doubling the capacity of our mechanical plastic waste recycling, we are not only addressing the pressing issue of plastic pollution but also unlocking economic opp
ortunities for our nation,’ he said.

Shifeta emphasised that his ministry remains committed to its mandate to create an enabling environment for doing business and to continue to initiate policy interventions and strategies to promote an environmentally friendly and conducive space for businesses to thrive.

He further noted that waste management practices such as composting, reusing, and reducing consumption can significantly lessen the environmental footprint and contribute to a more sustainable future.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency