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Environment in Africa

  • Over 145,000 affected by floods in Somalia

    SOMALIA, 2015/12/08 At least 145,200 people have been affected by flash floods since the onset of rainy season in October in Somalia, the UN humanitarian agency said. The UN office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said in its new statement received Monday that there has been a further reduction in rainfall in most areas of Juba and Shabelle basins inside Somalia inclunding the Ethiopian highlands compared to the previous week. However, a few areas in Middle and Lower Shabelle regions received moderate rains. "While the situation in a lot of areas has returned to normal, an estimated 145,200 people have been affected by floods since the onset of the rainy season in October," OCHA said.

  • COP21 Roundtable Ethiopia, Guyana & Pakistan turn climate change concerns into action

    PAKISTAN, 2015/12/02

  • World Bank Launches $16 Billion Africa Climate Business Plan To Tackle Climate Challenges

    AFRICA, 2015/11/25 The World Bank Group on Tuesday launched a new plan that calls for $16 billion in funding to help African people and countries adapt to climate change and build up the continent’s resilience to climate shocks. Titled Accelerating Climate-Resilient and Low-Carbon Development, the Africa Climate Business Plan will be presented at COP21, the global climate talks in Paris, on November 30. It lays out measures to boost the resilience of the continent’s assets – its people, land, water, and cities – as well as other moves including boosting renewable energy and strengthening early warning systems. “Sub-Saharan Africa is highly vulnerable to climate shocks, and our research shows that could have far-ranging impact — on everything from child stunting and malaria to food price increases and droughts,” said World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim. “This plan identifies concrete steps that African governments can take to ensure that their countries will not lose hard-won gains in economic growth and poverty reduction, and they can offer some protection from climate change.”

  • Working Together For Migratory Birds And People Across Africa And Eurasia

    BOTSWANA, 2015/11/17 One lesson that has been well and truly learned in nature conservation is that for policies to be really effective nations have to collaborate to address common problems. Within the UN system it is as well recognized that this applies to the different Programmes, Conventions and Agreements set up over the years. That each of these bodies has a distinct niche and a clear role does not justify a bunker mentality. By synergizing, cooperating and collaborating they can find common cause with natural allies and seek compromises with those whose agendas do not necessarily match their own. AEWA, the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds, is a prime example of an organization that embodies this approach.

  • Uganda working to promote gorilla tourism

    UGANDA, 2015/11/08 Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Maria Mutagamba, has signed a regional agreement to promote gorilla conservation in Uganda, Rwanda, and DR Congo. The three nations share the only remaining people of mountain gorillas estimated at 880 globally. The regional agreement will as well help to promote research and tourism inclunding sharing of revenue where gorillas cross from one country to an extra. “We are happy that the three nations have concluded a treaty that advances conservation of the highly-endangered species,” Mutagamba said before signing the Virunga Trans boundary Collaboration treaty in the ministry boardroom at Rwenzori Courts in Kampala. The agreement was signed by the respective ministers of tourism and conservation in DR Congo and Rwanda on September 22.

  • Uganda zoo receives world award for biodiversity

    UGANDA, 2015/11/08 Uganda Wildlife Education Centre (UWEC) Executive Director James Musinguzi said the center has been awarded the World Association of Zoos and Aquaria (Waza) Award. This recognition comes next excelling in using biodiversity-related educational materials supporting the United Nations Decade for Biodiversity, 2011–2020. The decade for biodiversity aims at making people aware of the values of biodiversity and the steps they can take to conserve and use it sustainably. UWEC, formerly and popularly known as Entebbe Zoo, has been awarded the Waza Award by the Waza body which combines all zoos and aquariums in the world. The award was given to Entebbe Zoo at the recently concluded Waza Annual General Conference and conference in the United Arab Emirates.

  • Kenya turns to technology to curb illegal logging

    KENYA, 2015/10/28 Kenya on Friday launched a mobile application to monitor forests in order to curb illegal logging. Kenya Forest Service (KFS) Director Emilio Mugo said the smart phone application will enable users to statement illegal activities in the forest. "We expect the app to compliment the efforts of law enforcement officers to conserve Kenya's forests," Mugo said during the 20-year celebrations of the Kenya Forest Working Group (KFWG). The mobile system is a joint initiative of the KFWG and the University of Nairobi.

  • Zimbabwe seizes 173 kg smuggled ivory at capital airport

    ZIMBABWE, 2015/10/28 Zimbabwe's wildlife agency said Monday that 173 kilograms of ivory valued at 43,000 U.S. dollars was seized at the Harare International Airport at the weekend. Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority spokesperson Caroline Washaya-Moyo said in a statement three locals and one Malian national were arrested in connection with the smuggling. She said the ivory was destined for Singapore. "We are happy that our system was able to detect the smuggled goods," she said.

  • A rare desert elephant in northern Mali's Gourma region

    MALI, 2015/10/21 About a fifth of Mali's rare desert elephants have been killed this year as ivory poachers exploit a security vacuum in the country's north, the United Nations has said, warning of a growing threat from Islamist militants roaming the region. At least 57 elephants died between January and June part the West African country's only herd of around 300 animals, the UN peacekeeping mission MINUSMA said in a statement. "[The poached elephants] represent about 20 % of the remaining (Malian) people and were killed in areas where insecurity is present," MINUSMA said, adding that forest rangers were frequently targeted by jihadists bands.

  • The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

    WORLD, 2015/09/29 The United Nations adopted on Friday an ambitious new set of world goals to end poverty, hunger, advance equality and protect the environment over the next 15 years. The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are the result of three years of brainstorming and negotiations part the U.N.'s 193 member states and are designed to help shape government policies and programmes in coming years. WHAT ARE THE SDGs AND HOW WILL THEY BE MEASURED? The SDGs are a set of 17 goals and 169 targets aimed at resolving world social, economic and environmental problems.
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