Currently, Africa faces one of the worst climate crises in recent memory. From the north to the Horn of Africa, you will find varied climate concerns. In Tanzania’s southern region, drought has wreaked havoc, shuttering people’s livelihoods and leaving scores of animals dead. This is a situation that has not been experienced in many decades. When you look at Kenya, the situation is even worse. Women and girls are bearing the brunt of the worst drought experienced in Kenya for 40 years.
These extreme weather patterns have made what was already a dire economic situation in Africa take a turn for the worse. The United Nations has attempted to intervene to some extent in order to mitigate the situation, but the hope for a more sustainable solution lies in concerted efforts by the industrialized nations, which are the major contributors to the climate crisis.
As has been stated and repeated over and over, Africa contributes the least to the destruction of the environment but pays the biggest price for the aftermath. What is currently happening in many parts of Africa is not solely due to domestic activities; it is a ripple effect of external factors.
When Africa demands the industrialized nations clean up the climate mess, it is their right. The developed countries’ pledge to take action or provide financial facilitation shouldn’t be construed as a sign of tokenism or aid given to Africa.
It is against this background that what transpired at COP27 is viewed as a betrayal to Africa. When leaders met in Glasgow for COP26, it was believed that the climate change conference would be the beginning of more stern measures and the implementation of key climate actions. However, all the world got were more pledges. The message from COP26 ushered in new hopes for a greener future and salvaging Africa’s damaged environment. What was left was implementing the pledges.
When COP27 was announced and Egypt, a country in northern Africa, was chosen as the host nation, Africans breathed a sigh of relief. Finally, the climate change discourse was going to be held on home soil. There were many rallying calls for Africa to take charge of the narrative and raise its case in Egypt. And up until the event, it was believed that Africa stood a chance to finally demand vivid actions.
However, by the end of the summit on November 18, all expectations had been dashed. All that was left was a feeling of betrayal. Yet again, the world is procrastinating, and Africa, more than any other country, is feeling the pinch.
Take charge
It has been suggested by some that Africa should stop overdependence on the developed world to solve the climate crisis. However, methods should be devised to hold the major contributors to the climate catastrophe accountable, as well as clear steps beyond regulatory measures to ensure we don’t fall back into the sinkhole.
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Tanzania Declares End of Marburg Virus Disease Outbreak
Tanzania today declared the end of Marburg virus disease outbreak after recording no new cases over 42 days since the death of the last confirmed case on 28 January 2025.
The outbreak, in which two confirmed and eight probable cases were recorded (all deceased), was the second the country has experienced. Both this outbreak, which was declared on 20 January 2025, and the one in 2023 occurred in the north-eastern Kagera region.
In response to the latest outbreak, Tanzania’s health authorities set up coordination and response systems, with support from World Health Organization (WHO) and partners, at the national and regional levels and reinforced control measures to swiftly detect cases, enhance clinical care, infection prevention as well as strengthen collaboration with communities to raise awareness and help curb further spread of the virus.
Growing expertise in public health emergency response in the African region has been crucial in mounting effective outbreak control measures. Drawing on experience from the response to the 2023 Marburg virus disease outbreak, WHO worked closely with Tanzanian health authorities to rapidly scale up key measures such as disease surveillance and trained more than 1000 frontline health workers in contact tracing, clinical care and public health risk communication. The Organization also delivered over five tonnes of essential medical supplies and equipment.
“The dedication of frontline health workers and the efforts of the national authorities and our partners have paid off,” said Dr Charles Sagoe-Moses, WHO Representative in Tanzania. “While the outbreak has been declared over, we remain vigilant to respond swiftly if any cases are detected and are supporting ongoing efforts to provide psychosocial care to families affected by the outbreak.”
Building on the momentum during the acute phase of the outbreak response, measures have been put in place to reinforce the capacity of local health facilities to respond to potential future outbreaks. WHO and partners are procuring additional laboratory supplies and other equipment for disease detection and surveillance and other critical services.
Marburg virus disease is highly virulent and causes haemorrhagic fever. It belongs to the same family as the virus that causes Ebola virus disease. Illness caused by Marburg virus begins abruptly. Patients present with high fever, severe headache and severe malaise. They may develop severe haemorrhagic symptoms within seven days.
In the African region, previous outbreaks and sporadic cases have been reported in Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, Kenya, Equatorial Guinea, Rwanda, South Africa and Uganda.
Source: allafrica.com
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