The World Health Organization has declared Egypt malaria-free, a major public health achievement. Concurrently, Cuba is facing power outages amidst Tropical Storm Oscar, Mozambique grapples with political violence after disputed elections, and South Sudan is battling severe flooding that has displaced hundreds of thousands, necessitating international aid.
In a significant achievement for public health, the World Health Organization (WHO) has certified Egypt as malaria-free, marking the culmination of a century-long battle against a disease that has afflicted the nation since ancient times. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom-Ghebreyesus acknowledged this milestone by stating, “Malaria is as old as Egyptian civilisation itself, but the disease that plagued pharaohs now belongs to its history and not its future. This certification of Egypt as malaria-free is truly historic, and a testament to the commitment of the people and Government of Egypt to rid themselves of this ancient scourge.” With a population surpassing 100 million, Egypt now joins the ranks of 44 countries and one territory globally that have attained this distinguished status and is one of only three nations in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean region to do so, following the United Arab Emirates and Morocco. Tedros expressed hope that Egypt’s success would serve as an inspiration for other nations in the region, emphasizing, “I congratulate Egypt on this achievement, which is an inspiration to other countries in the region and shows what’s possible with the right resources and right tools.” In another part of the world, the UN Country Team in Cuba is prepared to offer assistance following significant power outages that have left approximately ten million people without electricity as Tropical Storm Oscar bears down on the Caribbean. The UN reports that the Cuban power grid experienced failures, compounded by infrastructure issues and fuel shortages, which have been exacerbated by the ongoing US trade embargo. UN Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq noted, “The strong but slow-moving storm has generated significant rainfall in the eastern and central parts of Cuba over the past few days.” The UN is activating its Emergency Technical Team to support national counterparts. In Mozambique, the UN Secretary-General António Guterres has called for calm after the recent murders of two opposition figures amid political tensions surrounding the disputed presidential elections. Guterres has urged Mozambican authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into these killings and emphasized the necessity for all political leaders to refrain from violence and maintain calm as the official election results approach. Furthermore, the World Health Organization is collaborating with South Sudanese authorities to respond to severe flooding affecting nearly 890,000 individuals. The floods, exacerbated by climate change, have displaced over 226,000 people and submerged vital infrastructure, including health facilities. To combat escalating health concerns such as cholera and malaria amidst this humanitarian crisis, WHO has dispatched emergency health kits capable of treating over 870,000 people. These developments showcase both significant public health milestones and the urgent need for international support in response to crises affecting various countries.
The recent events underscore a blend of public health achievements and humanitarian crises across different nations. Egypt’s certification as malaria-free by the WHO represents a historic public health milestone, reflecting years of effort to eradicate the disease, particularly significant given Egypt’s large population. In contrast, Cuba is grappling with a tropical storm and power infrastructure challenges, while Mozambique faces political violence following contested elections. South Sudan is enduring severe flooding, escalating health crises, and a worsening humanitarian situation, necessitating international aid and intervention for recovery.
In summary, this report highlights Egypt’s successful eradication of malaria as a landmark public health achievement, symbolizing hope for other nations. Meanwhile, Cuba is confronting structural challenges exacerbated by weather conditions, and Mozambique is urged to maintain peace amidst political turmoil. Furthermore, South Sudan’s pressing health emergencies due to flooding reveal the ongoing need for global support and collaboration in humanitarian efforts. The actions and responses of international organizations such as the UN and WHO reflect a commitment to address these multifaceted challenges.
Original Source: news.un.org
