Researchers studied what happens when refugee camps lose funding. They watched Kakuma camp in Kenya during a major aid reduction. The camp houses more than 300,000 people from South Sudan, Somalia and Democratic Republic of Congo.
Aid groups cut assistance amounts during 2023. The reduction reached 20 percent of previous support levels. Most refugees depend on food aid for survival. The cuts created serious problems throughout the community.
Hunger increased after the funding reduction. People ate fewer meals each day. Many families reduced their food variety to save money. Average daily calories fell from already low levels.
Credit systems collapsed when aid decreased. Refugees normally use aid cards as loan guarantees with local...
Kenya's legal professionals have issued strong warnings about potential violence during upcoming demonstrations. The Law Society of Kenya expressed alarm over reports that political figures may arm young people to attack peaceful protesters. Faith Odhiambo leads the organization and spoke against these dangerous plans. Wednesday marks the anniversary of deadly protests against government tax policies from last year. Citizens plan to gather and remember those who died during those demonstrations.
Media outlets have exposed alleged schemes to create armed groups that would target demonstrators. Several politicians and their supporters face accusations of organizing these violent gangs. Odhiambo described these plots as extensive threats...
Russian pilots and technicians operate Zimbabwe's air ambulance helicopters because the country lacks trained workers. Health Minister Douglas Mombeshora explained this situation to lawmakers during a recent parliament session. The government purchased 32 Russian helicopters in May 2023 at $10 million each. Officials assigned 12 aircraft for medical emergencies and gave the remaining helicopters to police and military forces. The air ambulance program began operating in July 2024 after a full year of delays.
Three helicopters currently provide emergency medical transport across the country. Two aircraft serve patients in Harare and one operates from Bulawayo. Nine other medical helicopters remain on the ground without crews to fly...
Iran fired missiles at a United States military base located inside Qatar on Monday. The attack served as payback for American bombing raids against Iranian nuclear facilities over the weekend. Iranian forces launched 19 missiles at Al Udeid Air Base according to Qatari military officials. Qatar managed to stop all missiles except one from hitting their target. No American soldiers died during the missile strike.
President Donald Trump received advance warning about the planned Iranian attack. Trump dismissed the missile assault as very weak and said Iran had gotten everything out of their system. The president suggested both Iran and Israel could move toward peace after the violence. Iranian leaders said they fired exactly the same...
A car crash killed six people Sunday evening on a major highway near Mutare. The deadly accident happened when a Honda Fit driver tried to pass a slow tractor on the Harare-Mutare road. The small car crashed head-on with a large Sino Howo truck traveling toward them. All passengers inside the Honda Fit died immediately from the impact. The collision occurred around 7:30 in the evening at a dangerous curve where drivers cannot see oncoming traffic.
Commissioner Paul Nyathi from the Zimbabwe Republic Police described what caused the fatal wreck. The Honda Fit carried six people toward Mutare when the driver made the risky passing move. The truck driver could not avoid hitting the smaller vehicle after it moved into his lane. Emergency...
Colombian forces rescued 57 soldiers from mountain captivity during a bloodless military operation. Defense Minister Pedro Sánchez announced the successful mission called Operation Justice freed all troops without firing weapons. Local residents had held the soldiers prisoner since Saturday in the Cauca region. The area serves as a stronghold for EMC rebels who produce and traffic cocaine.
The crisis began when soldiers arrested a suspected EMC rebel member on Saturday. More than 100 people surrounded the troops as they prepared to transport the suspect by helicopter. A second military unit fell into captivity the next day when an even larger crowd seized them. Local residents refused to negotiate with mediators or humanitarian groups...
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja backed peaceful demonstrations planned for Wednesday. The protests will remember people who died during last year's rallies. Sakaja spoke from Paris where he attended a climate meeting with world leaders. He told protesters and police to respect laws and maintain order. The governor said young people have important voices that help shape the country.
Sakaja praised youth groups for their energy and civic awareness. He asked the National Police Service to act professionally during the events. The governor promised his administration prepared emergency services for the demonstrations. Citizens can call 1508 for help during any crisis in the city. Medical teams, ambulances and fire trucks stand ready to...
Kenya signed a major healthcare agreement with pharmaceutical giant Pfizer on Tuesday. Principal Secretary Ouma Oluga and Pfizer Global President Nick Lagunowich finalized the deal at a ceremony held at the capital city of Nairobi. The partnership falls under Pfizer's Accord for a Healthier World program. Officials say the agreement will help Kenya achieve Universal Health Coverage goals. The deal represents a significant step forward for the country's medical system.
The accord will cut prices for more than 140 important medicines. Patients can expect to pay up to 60 percent less for treatments that fight diabetes, cancer and infectious diseases. Public hospitals across Kenya will offer these reduced-price medications to patients. The...
Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga backed citizens' protest rights Tuesday but demanded peaceful demonstrations. The politician addressed youth groups planning nationwide marches for Wednesday. Odinga spoke from Mombasa about constitutional freedoms and legal boundaries. He warned demonstrators against violence and property damage. The statement marked his first public comments on the planned rallies.
Odinga cited Article 37 of Kenya's Constitution during his address. The law protects assembly and petition rights for all citizens. He stressed that constitutional protections do not permit lawbreaking or destruction. Protesters must inform authorities about gatherings for security purposes. Odinga urged demonstrators to stay organized...
