Year: 2022

DJIBOUTI— At least 29 million people in eastern Africa are currently facing high levels of food insecurity due to prolonged drought as rains are projected to fail for a fourth consecutive season in the region, the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development has warned.

Analysis by IGAD’s Climate Prediction and Applications Centre (ICPAC) shows that the first month of the March to May (MAM) 2022 season was dry, projecting that the entire period will generally be dry, with high temperatures and less than normal rainfall.

The prolonged drought, added to conflicts in the region and in eastern Europe, and the impact of Covid-19, has led to acute levels of food insecurity across the entire IGAD region, the bloc said in a statement.

“Already, 15.5 to 16 million of our sisters and brothers are in need of immediate food assistance, due to the drought. This is 6 to 6.5 million in Ethiopia, 3.5 million in Kenya and 6 million in Somalia,” said Dr Workneh Gebeyehu, IGAD’s Executive Secretary.

Dr Guleid Artan, ICPAC’s director, said, “the severe shortages in water and pasture are leading to smaller food production, significant losses in livestock and wildlife, and a rise in resource-based conflict in the region.”

“On the outlook, our early warning systems and indicators show the situation worsening in the coming months.”

ICPAC also projects that another 8 million people in South Sudan might be pushed to acute food insecurity due to prolonged flooding and insecurity in the region.

IGAD has appealed to international partners and donors to help the governments in the region, all of which have already declared drought a national disaster, to deal with the developing crisis and improve food security in the region.

“The governments are doing enough within their means, but not enough to avert the disaster and save those facing starvation. That’s why we are appealed to our international partners to step in,” Dr Artan said.

Alessandra Casazza, Manager of UNDP Resilience Hub for Africa, asked developed countries to honour their commitment during last year’s COP-26 to donate $100 billion to developing countries to deal with such climate emergencies as drought.

“Climate shocks keep coming back. We must invest in adaptation to build long term resilience across the region,” she said.

Source: NAM NEWS NETWORK

NEW YORK— Global COVID-19 cases topped 500 million on Tuesday, according to the Center for Systems Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins University.

The global case count amounted to 500,074,490, with 6,183,035 deaths worldwide showed the data.

The United States reported 80,456,912 cases and 986,019 deaths, both the highest counts around the world, accounting for more than 16 percent of the global cases and more than 16 percent of the global deaths.

India recorded the world’s second largest caseload of 43,036,928, followed by Brazil with 30,161,909 cases as well as the world’s second largest death toll of 661,576.

Countries with more than 15 million cases also include France, Germany, Britain, Russia, South Korea and Italy, according to the university’s tally.

The global caseload reached the grim milestone of 100 million on Jan. 26, 2021, rose to 200 million on Aug. 4, exceeded 300 million on Jan. 6, 2022, and surpassed 400 million on Feb. 8, 2022.

Source: NAM NEWS NETWORK

The Ministry of Energy hosted a meeting with Italy’s Imagro Group CEO, Massimo Pollio.

The parties discussed the possibility of implementing joint projects in Uzbekistan.

According to the Ministry of Energy, Imagro Group CEO noted that all spheres of the country’s economy are developing thanks to the vector of development of Uzbekistan. Economic relations between Uzbekistan and Italy are being strengthened. Italian companies and financial institutions are showing interest in cooperation and project implementation.

The parties considered the possibility of participation of the Italian company in generation projects based on renewable energy sources. Information was provided about upcoming projects.

The sides expressed interest in further elaboration of the discussed issues.

Source: Press Service of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan

As of January 1, 2022, the number of theaters operating in Uzbekistan was 50, the State Statistics Committee reports.

The number of theaters increased by one compared to the same period last year. There are 24 drama theatres, 11 puppet theatres, 10 musical theatres, 4 theaters for young spectators, and 1 opera and ballet theater in the country.

In 2000 there were 40, in 2010 – 42, in 2020 – 49 theaters.

Source: Press Service of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan