EGYPT-LIBYA: Stranded At The Border – And Frustrated
IRIN reported on 7 April on the situation of refugees at the Libya/Egypt border, noting that UNICEF is working to improve water and sanitation as well as running a child vaccination campaign at the border. “We have a team here focusing on water, hygiene and sanitation,” spokesperson Toby Wicks said. “We are trying to make the day seem a little bit shorter for the people who are here.” Psychosocial support is also being offered to families, many of whom are Somali and Eritrean and who had refugee status in Libya. Agencies are also running educational and development sessions for children. “The objective of the activity is to let the children express their feelings, and also have some fun and learning time… in this difficult situation.” Health and hygiene kits are being distributed by UNICEF and International Medical Corps. With very few latrines at the site, UNFPA has also sent 2,000 “dignity bags” for males and females. Read: IRIN
ECUADOR: Health Sciences Faculty Leaders Meet With UNFPA
Los Andes reported on 7 April on meetings between UNFPA and authorities of the Faculty of Health Sciences. Read in Spanish: Los Andes
THE PHILIPPINES: Dutertes Won’t Obey Church On Reproductive Health Issue
The Philippine Inquirer reported on 7 April that Davao City Mayor Sara Dutertes announced plans for a fund to supply condoms – in defiance of the Catholic Church. She said the fund could be facilitated if the city council would give her legislative authority to “sign the memorandum of agreement for the grant of reproductive health materials.” The grant will be from UNFPA for the Millennium Development Goal and medium-term Philippine Development Plan. Last year, the city council approved the ordinance creating the Women Health Clinic. The legislation had been opposed by the Catholic Church, which accused the local government of promoting promiscuity among young adults. Read: The Philippine Inquirer
GAMBIA: Fawegam Holds Forum on Violence Against Women
The Daily Observer reported on 7 April that the Forum for African Women Educationist (FAWEGAM), with support from UNFPA, last Saturday sensitized religious leaders and communities in the North Bank Region (NBR) on the effects of all forms of discriminations against women and girls, at a forum held in Farafenni. The forum was geared towards sensitizing the communities and religious leaders to pool efforts in supporting the eradication of all forms of violence against women. Read: The Daily Observer
COTE D’IVOIRE: Women Struggle to Survive in Crowded Refugee Camps
Gender Links reported on 7 April on the situation of women in refugee camps, including a woman named Philomene Eholi. When a team from Liberia's Ministry of Health and UNFPA recently visited Buutuo (the historic area where Charles Taylor launched his rebellion in 1989), Eholi had just given birth to a baby girl, whom she named Annie. Amongst her 11 children she has a set of twins who played with their grandmother while Eholi spoke to the media. Through a translator, she said she is surviving in the Liberian border town only by the grace of God. Besides the UN donated ration, she has had to take up cassava farming to feed her hungry family. Her plight aroused the sympathy of the UNFPA Representative, Esperance Fundira, who was in Buutuo to donate medical items to refugees. Read: Gender Links