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Urgent Action Essential to Protect Malaria Therapies Says WHO

12 January 2011 | Geneva – The world risks losing its most potent treatment for malaria unless steps are quickly taken to prevent the development and spread of drug resistant parasites, according to a new action plan released today by WHO and Roll Back Malaria partnership (RBM).

The Global plan for artemisinin resistance containment outlines the necessary actions to contain and prevent resistance to artemisinins, which are the critical component of artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs), the most potent weapon in treating falciparum malaria, the deadliest form of the disease. Resistance to artemisinins has already emerged in areas on the Cambodia-Thailand border. Although ACTs are currently more than 90% efficacious around the world, quick action is essential. If these treatments fail, many countries will have nothing to fall back on.

Stop the emergence of drug resistance at its source

“The usefulness of our most potent weapon in treating malaria is now under threat,” said Dr Margaret Chan, WHO Director-General. “The new plan takes advantage of an unprecedented opportunity in the history of malaria control: to stop the emergence of drug resistance at its source and prevent further international spread. The consequences of widespread artemisinin resistance compel us to seize this opportunity.”

The global plan aims to contain and prevent artemisinin resistance through a five-step action plan:

1. Stop the spread of resistant parasites

A fully funded and implemented malaria control agenda, as outlined in the Global malaria action plan, would address many of the needs for the containment and prevention of artemisinin resistance. However, additional funding will be needed to stop the spread of resistant parasites in areas where there is evidence of artemisinin resistance. The global plan estimates that it will cost an additional US$ 10–20 per person in areas of confirmed resistance (Cambodia-Thailand border) and US$ 8–10 per person in the at-risk areas of the Greater Mekong area.

2. Increase monitoring and surveillance for artemisinin resistance

WHO estimated in 2010 that only 31 of the 75 countries that should be conducting routine testing of the efficacy of ACTs actually did so. There is a risk of artemisinin resistance emerging silently in areas without ongoing surveillance.

3. Improve access to malaria diagnostic testing and rational treatment with ACTs

These therapies are frequently used to treat causes of fever other than malaria. Unnecessary use of ACTs can increase the risk of resistance. In order to reduce the number of patients who do not have malaria taking the therapies, WHO recommends diagnostic testing of all suspected malaria cases prior to treatment.

4. Invest in artemisinin resistance-related research

There is an urgent need to develop more rapid techniques for detecting resistant parasites, and to develop new classes of antimalarial medicines to eventually replace the ACTs.

5. Motivate action and mobilize resources

The success of the global plan will depend on a well-coordinated and adequately funded response from many stakeholders at global, regional and national levels.

”Effective containment of artemisinin resistance will significantly improve our capability to sustain current control achievements at country level,” said Professor Awa Coll-Seck, Executive Director of the Roll Back Malaria Partnership. ”We now have a coordinated plan to stop the spread of resistant parasites, but we need additional funding to fully implement it,” Coll-Seck reminded the international donor community.

WHO estimates that the number of malaria cases has fallen by more than 50% in 43 countries over the past decade. A recent modeling analysis of malaria prevention in 34 African countries estimates that more than 730 000 lives were saved between 2000 and 2010; nearly three quarters of them since 2006, when the use of both insecticide treated mosquito nets and ACTs became more widespread. The loss of ACTs as an effective treatment would likely result in a significant increase in malaria-related deaths.

Tremendous progress against malaria

“We have made tremendous progress over the past decade in the fight against malaria,” noted Dr Robert Newman, Director of the WHO Global Malaria Programme. “If we are to sustain these gains and achieve the health-related Millennium Development Goals, then it is essential that we work together to overcome the threat of artemisinin resistance.”

The Global plan for artemisinin resistance containment was developed by the WHO Global Malaria Programme through consultation with over 100 malaria experts from across the Roll Back Malaria Partnership. Funding was provided by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

For more information, please contact:

Samantha Bolton
Communications Officer
Global Malaria Programme
Mobile: +41 79 239 2366
E-mail: samanthabolton@gmail.com

Simone Colairo
Administrative assistant
Global Malaria Programme
Telephone: +41 22 791 2533
E-mail: colairos@who.int

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South Sudan food Security Improves

Prospects for future food security in southern Sudan depend highly on how the post-referendum period evolves.

12 January 2011, Rome/Juba – The number of people in need of food assistance in southern Sudan has decreased markedly – though prospects for food security largely depend on the post-referendum period and the number of people returning to the South, a United Nations report said today.

An assessment by the UN Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) and World Food Programme (WFP) warned that recent gains in food security, especially in states bordering on northern Sudan, such as Upper Nile and Unity, could be reversed by increasing food prices and any escalation of localized conflict.

“The overall food security situation improved markedly in 2010 compared to the previous year largely because of the favourable rains,” said WFP Regional Director for Sudan Amer Daoudi. “That is absolutely no reason for complacency now. More than a million people will still need food assistance and the situation could swiftly deteriorate at this critical time.”

Crop growing conditions were generally good in 2010, the report said. Rainfall started on time in most locations and rainfall levels were normal to above normal and generally well distributed. Despite some localised dry spells and floods, 2010 cereal crop production is estimated at 695 000 tons, nearly 30 percent higher than 2009. This estimate leaves an overall cereal deficit in 2011 of about 291 000 tonnes to be covered by commercial imports and food assistance.

“However, with a forecast of about 400 000 people returning to vote the estimated deficit may increase up to 340 000 tonnes, said FAO economist Mario Zappacosta. “Returnees are expected to further increase the pressure on local food market supplies.”

The report said that in the best-case scenario of a peaceful referendum process in the South, the number of people receiving emergency food assistance would rise gradually this year and was expected to peak at 1.4 million during the start of the lean season from March until August.

Prospects for future food security depended highly on how the referendum that started from 9 January and the post-referendum periods evolve, according to the report.

“Recent gains could easily be reversed due to the following risk factors: increasing food prices due to reduced trade flows and increased demand from returnees, a potential escalation of localized conflicts in the border areas, and potential increases of ethnic and inter-tribal tensions,” FAO/WFP said.

In the event of reduced trade, increased demand, high food prices and increased insecurity in the post-referendum period, the number of people receiving emergency food assistance out of the 2011 projected total population of 9.16 million in southern Sudan could reach 2.7 million at the start of the annual lean or hunger season when the previous harvest runs out.

The FAO/WFP mission estimated that 890 000 people were currently severely food insecure in the South and 2.4 million were moderately food insecure.

It said with uncertainties over the referendum the supply of grains from northern Sudan and to a lesser extent from Uganda and Kenya was expected to decline substantially. Grain stocks were declining in some border areas, leading to increased prices, which would also come under pressure from large numbers of returnees. So far, more than 120,000 people have returned since October and up to 250,000 are expected to have arrived by early February.

(FAO)

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Ivory Coast: Five Die in Political Clashes

Clashes in Ivory Coast’s commercial capital on Tuesday killed at least five people during the political impasse about who will lead the country.

Witnesses say violence broke out in the city of Abidjan between security forces loyal to incumbent president Laurent Gbagbo and supporters of Alassane Ouattara, the internationally recognized winner of a presidential poll in November.

The clashes took place in a pro-Ouattara neighborhood called Abobo, where a militant youth group that backs the incumbent president had planned to meet on Tuesday.

Mr. Gbagbo, who continues to control the military, refuses to give up power despite intense international pressure to do so.

Mr. Ouattara remains holed up in an Abidjan hotel protected by U.N. peacekeepers.

Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga is expected to return to Ivory Coast this week in an effort to mediate an end to the impasse. Mr. Odinga serves as the African Union’s mediator in the country.

Separately, the U.N. refugee agency says 25,000 Ivorians have fled to Liberia because they fear the political crisis will lead to widespread violence.

(VOA)

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Sudan: George Clooney In Southern Sudan To Monitor Referendum For Independence (update 12.50 Est)

Southern Sudanese vote for independence this week
Southern Sudanese vote for independence this week
Nyarko Benso, TalkAfrique

Hollywood actor George Clooney is in Sudan to show his support for and keep an eye on the independence referendum that is underway in Southern Sudan. The people of Southern Sudan are going to the ballot this week to decide on secession or otherwise remain part of the United Sudan.

Speaking about his mission in Sudan over the weekend, Mr. Clooney said

“I am excited to see a country vote for its freedom for the first time. I’ve never been around to see one of those before and I’m very honored that I’m able to be a witness of this kind of independence,”

The Hollywood Star has been a fervent activist for human rights in Sudan. He is currently collaborating with Google and other agencies of the United Nations to monitor the situation in Sudan and prevent possible pandemonium that may result from the vote this week. Their endeavor is referred the ‘Genocide Paparazzi’ in some quarters while Mr. Clooney is officially dubbed the ‘Messenger of Peace’ for the United Nations.

Some 3.9 million Southern Sudanese have registered to vote in the referendum, which is part of the 2005 peace agreement that ended a 22-year north-south civil war in which around two million people were killed.

Voting commenced over the weekend. Isolated violence has been reported in some places but overall, the process seems to be moving as envisioned.

Update: There has been clashes in Sudan’s disputed oil-rich Abyei region.  At least 30 people have been killed  including police, reports say

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You Cannot Do That in Public

The Islamist group al-Shabab has barred men and women from shaking hands in public in Jowhar district of Somalia.

In addition, men and women who are not related are barred from walking together or chatting in public.

Under the law, offenders will be subjected to public flogging as required by Sharia law.

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Unusual Place to Hunt For Treasure

Traffic lights have become attractive targets for thieves in Johannesburg
Traffic lights have become attractive targets for thieves in Johannesburg

Some 400 high-tech South African traffic lights are out of action after thieves in Johannesburg stole the mobile phone Sim cards they contain.

The thieves ran up bills amounting to thousands of dollars by using the stolen cards to make calls.

Johannesburg Road Agency (JRA) said it is investigating the possibility of an “inside job” after only the Sim card-fitted traffic lights were targeted.

The cards were fitted to notify JRA when the traffic lights were faulty.

The vandalism began with a few lights in November and we repaired them. Over December the thieves struck again, this time hitting hundreds more, including the ones they repaird.

Repairing the faulty traffic lights will cost JRA about 9m rand ($1.3m; £870,000).

JRA has since blocked all the stolen Sim cards so that they cannot be used to make further calls – but this was not before the thieves had run up huge bills.

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Unusual luggage: Weed (Cannabis) in Adebayor’s Paintings

Cannabis with a street value of £2,850 was found concealed within a painting of Adebayor
Koti Amudu

Drug smugglers tried to hide cannabis worth almost £3,000 in a painting of footballer Emmanuel Adebayor.

The wooden framed picture from Togo was seized as it passed through a postal sorting office in Coventry.

The painting of Manchester City’s former Arsenal star was addressed to a property in Tottenham.

The UK Border Agency revealed details of the find and others to highlight the ploys of drug traffickers.

Sniffer dogs

Officials have also intercepted stashes of drugs hidden in bottles of Baileys, woven baskets, packets of peanuts and yams that had been opened and glued back together.

Brodie Clark, head of Border Force, said the concealed drugs were all found during searches at ports, airports and postal sorting depots last year.

He said: “Criminals are prepared to invest large sums of money to come up with ever better concealment methods because they know the potential profits from the awful trade in harmful drugs are considerable.

“However, the smugglers are no match for the skill of our officers and the state-of-the-art technology at their disposal.”

Unusual luggage

Other parcels included glass ornaments in which air pockets had been stuffed with cocaine and a Belfast-bound birthday card holding cocaine worth £40,000.

Border staff use a range of methods and specialist equipment to detect drugs being smuggled into Britain.

Sniffer dogs are trained to identify certain drugs and cash while x-ray machines can reveal unusual luggage or parcels.

A low-dose radiation body-scanner can be used to detect whether mules have swallowed or stashed packets of drugs and officials also act on tip-offs.

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Obama to increase engagement with Africa in 2011

President Obama in Ghana
President Obama in Ghana

HONOLULU (AP) — President Barack Obama is quietly but strategically stepping up his outreach to Africa, using this year to increase his engagement with a continent that is personally meaningful to him and important to U.S. interests.

Expectations in Africa spiked after the election of an American president with a Kenyan father. But midway through his term, Obama’s agenda for Africa has taken a backseat to other foreign policy goals, such as winding down the Iraq war, fighting the Taliban in Afghanistan and resetting relations with Russia.

Obama aides believe those issues are now on more solid footing, allowing the president to expand his international agenda. He will focus in Africa on good governance and supporting nations with strong democratic institutions.

Obama delivered that message on his only trip to Africa since taking office, an overnight stop in Ghana in 2009, where he was mobbed by cheering crowds. In a blunt speech before the Ghanaian parliament, Obama said democracy is the key to Africa’s long-term development.

“That is the ingredient which has been missing in far too many places, for far too long,” Obama said. “That is the change that can unlock Africa’s potential. And that is a responsibility that can only be met by Africans.”

The White House says Obama will travel to Africa again and the political calendar means the trip will almost certainly happen this year, before Obama has to spend more time on his re-election bid. No decision has been made on which countries Obama will visit, but deputy national security adviser Ben Rhodes said stops will reflect positive democratic models.

The administration is monitoring more than 30 elections expected across Africa this year, including critical contests in Nigeria and Zimbabwe.

“The U.S. is watching and we’re weighing in,” Rhodes said.

John Campbell, a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations and a former U.S. ambassador to Nigeria, said the different elections give the Obama administration the opportunity to establish clear policies.

The administration “should be less willing to cut slack when those elections are less than free, fair and credible,” Campbell said.

The White House can send that message right now as it deals with the disputed election in Ivory Coast and an upcoming independence referendum in Sudan, which could split Africa’s largest country in two.

Rhodes said the president has invested significant “diplomatic capital” on Sudan, mentioning the referendum in nearly all of his conversations with the presidents of Russia and China, two countries which could wield influence over that Sudan’s government.

When Obama stopped in at a White House meeting last month of his national security advisers and United Nations ambassadors, the first topic he broached was Sudan, not Iran or North Korea. And as lawmakers on Capitol Hill neared the December vote on a new nuclear treaty with Russia, Obama called southern Sudan leader Salva Kiir by telephone to offer support for the referendum.

White House officials believe the postelection standoff in Ivory Coast could be the model for Obama’s stepped-up engagement in Africa.

The president tried to call incumbent President Laurent Gbagbo twice last month, from Air Force One as Obama returned from Afghanistan and then a week later. Neither call reached Gbagbo; administration officials believe the Ivorian leader sought to avoid contact. So Obama wrote Gbagbo a letter, offering him an international role if he stopped clinging to power and stepped down.

But Obama also made clear that the longer Gbagbo holds on, and the more complicit he becomes in violence across the country, the more limited his options become, said a senior administration official. The official insisted on anonymity to speak about administration strategy.

Rhodes said the White House understands that U.S. involvement in African politics can be viewed as meddling. But he said Obama can speak to African leaders with a unique level of candor, reflecting his personal connection to Africa and that his father and other family members have been affected by the corruption that plagues many countries there.

Officials also see increased political stability in Africa as good for long-term U.S. interests — a way to stem the growth of terrorism in east Africa and counterbalance China’s growing presence on the continent.

The U.S. was caught off guard during the 2009 climate summit in Copenhagen when several African countries voted with China and not the U.S., the administration official said. The official said the administration must persuade African nations that their interests are better served by aligning with the U.S.

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