VOA News

African Refugees Face Food Cuts Due to Inadequate Funds

The World Food Programme (WFP) warns that refugees from East and West Africa are at a high risk of severe food shortages due to lack of financial resources predicting Africa will face smaller food rations due to a surge in demand and insufficient funding.

1 in every 97 People are Asylum Seekers – UNHCR

United Nations officials record one person is displaced somewhere in the world every three seconds, adding one in every 97 people seek asylum, are internally displaced people or refugees. VOA delves deeper into UN revelations amid World Refugee Day commemorations

Zim Health Workers, Teachers Strike

Zimbabwean health workers and teachers went on strike on Monday after rejecting a 100% wage hike offer last week, pressing their demand for payment in U.S. dollars as the local currency slumps.

UNHCR: Food Crisis Will Raise Displacement Levels

A report by the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) shows that almost 89.3 million people were forcibly displaced worldwide as a result of persecution, conflict, abuse and violence at the end of 2021. Millions more have fled Ukraine or been displaced within its borders.

HIV Rises Among Women in Africa

At least 4,000 and 200,000 girls in Sub-Saharan Africa are infected every week with HIV/AIDS. UNAIDS Executive Director Winnie Byanyima has implored African countries to fund local programs that will reduce new HIV infections among girls and women.

Kenya Intensifies Refugee Integration Program

Efforts are underway in Kenya to better integrate refugees into society ahead of plans to close camps that house over 400,000 people mainly from Somalia, South Sudan, and Congo. International Rescue Committee officials state a range of integration efforts, among them micro loans to start businesses.

Africa Hotspot for Terrorism Deaths

The United Nations says global terrorism deaths are decreasing except for Africa. The world body adds that the combustible mix of poverty, marginalization, and poor governance could pave the way for a comeback for terrorism as pandemic movement restrictions ease.

WHO: More Than 1,000 Monkeypox Cases Reported

The World Health Organization warns of real risk of monkeypox outbreak outside the African countries with more than 1,000 cases confirmed. Twenty-nine countries have reported cases in the current outbreak, which began in May.

Could ECOWAS Reach an Agreement with Mali?

After the failure of ruling Mali Junta to conduct elections in February this year in accordance with an agreed deadline, it has been under stiff sanctions by the Economic Community of West African States ECOWAS.

UAE in Talks with South Africans on Extraditing Zuma Allies

The United Arab Emirates is considering handing over two brothers wanted by South African authorities for allegedly stealing billions of dollars from the state. The two brothers Rajesh Gupta and Atul Gupta also face charges of political corruption under former South African president Jacob Zuma.

Mali’s Military Junta Sets 2 year for Return to Democracy

Mali’s military junta will return to civilian rule in 2024 starting from March 2022, according to a transition timeline issued by the ruling junta following two coups that have been denounced by African nations and foreign powers.

Europe-Morocco Migration Begins After COVID Hiatus

Morocco expects to host the return of many of its nationals over the next two months as citizens living in Europe come back after COVID-19 halted one of the world’s largest cross-continental migrations.

C.A.R Refugees Return Home after Fleeing Violence in 2014

Thousands fled armed conflict in the Central African Republic to Cameroon in search of safety. Now some C.A.R refugees are returning home on a promise of peace by their homeland's government. For VOA, Moki Edwin Kindzeka reports.

A New App in Zimbabwe Helps Journalists in Anguish

With journalists increasingly coming under physical attack and other threats, a Zimbabwean media group has come up with a new mobile app for letting others know a reporter needs help. For VOA, Columbus Mavhunga reports.

Somalia Gets Drier, Hungrier

Somalia’s envoy for humanitarian affairs says close to half the country’s population has been affected by a record drought 

Big Bounties Posted on Two Kenyan Crime Suspects

The United States is offering bounties of up to $1 million each for the apprehension of two Kenyan nationals sought on charges of drug and wildlife trafficking. The wanted men, Badru Abdul Aziz Saleh and Abdi Hussein Ahmed, are also sought by Kenyan authorities. From Nairobi, Mohammed Yusuf for VOA.

Zimbabwe President Faces East

Texas School Slaughter Saddens Biden, Nation

Once again, school bells in the United States have been responded to by deadly gunfire, as an 18-year old shooter killed at least 19 children and two adults Tuesday in an attack at an elementary school in the southwestern U.S. state of Texas.

Somalia’s New Leader Outlines Vision of Peace, Stability

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud told VOA that his top priority will be restoring security in the country.

African Economy Booms With Tech Investments

Africa has seen over $5.2 billion in technology investments in 2021. Industry observers say that resulted from the growing financial technology sector, with majority of the investments accredited to Nigerian startups. VOA’s Timothy Obiezu has more on this report from Abuja, Nigeria.