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UN and Africa: focus on Malawi, South Sudan and Kenya

UN and Africa: focus on Malawi, South Sudan and Kenya

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Over 6.5 million people in Malawi in need of emergency food aid 

The largest ever emergency food relief operation in Malawi’s history has kicked off this week, according to the World Food Programme (WFP). More than 6.5 million people are facing hunger because of a drought caused by the El Niño weather phenomenon. The food crisis in the southern African country is also due to the impact of severe flooding and prolonged dry spells in 2015. WFP’s Senior Communications Officer, Gerald Bourke, spoke to Jocelyne Sambira about the extent of the problem.

Civilians seeking refuge in the UN compound in the city of Wau, South Sudan. UN Photo

Thousands of children vaccinated against measles in South Sudan

A campaign to vaccinate around 13,000 “particularly vulnerable” children in the Wau area of South Sudan is well underway, according to the UN Children’s Fund, UNICEF. The immunization drive is focussing on five Protection of Civilian sites in Wau, which are being run by the UN Mission in the country, UNMISS. UNICEF is concerned there could be a major measles outbreak due to cramped living conditions at the sites. Fighting in the area displaced 70,000 at the end of last month. UNICEF’s Tim Irwin told Sani Martin why the emergency vaccination campaign was so necessary.

Ahmad Alhendawi. Photo: UN Radio

Young people still struggling to be heard by governments and private sector

With half of the world’s population under 25 years old, it is crucial that young people have a say in global trade and development issues. That message comes from the UN Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth. Ahmad Alhendawi was in Nairobi, Kenya, where he participated in the first-ever youth forum held alongside the latest conference of the UN’s trade and development body, UNCTAD. He spoke to Assumpta Massoi about key concerns for young people, particularly those in Africa.

Presenter: Dianne Penn

Production Assistant: Ana Carmo

Duration: 10’00″

Audio Duration
10'
Photo Credit
WFP/Gregory Barrow