During a discussion with environmental law enforcement agency officials in Khartoum and Juba, Sudan, recently, the head of the department dealing with national cooperation on forestry raised an important question about balancing environmental protective objectives and human needs. The official pointed out that in Sudan about 70 percent of the... [view entry]

Nairobi/Kenya, 20 November 2008  - U.S. President-elect Barack Obama’s latest speech on climate change has been welcomed as “very meaningful” by Achim Steiner, the Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). In a video message to an international conference on climate change hosted by California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger... [view entry]

After hundreds of millions of dollars and years of work, the first malaria vaccine is ready to test. Sixteen thousand children are set to be vaccinated in Burkina Faso, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, and Tanzania — African countries where malaria is a serious problem. Preliminary tests have shown that... [view entry]

Photo: Julius Mwelu/IRIN The Dandora municipal waste site in Nairobi continues to pose environmental and health risks NAIROBI, 11 November 2008 (IRIN) - The Dandora municipal waste site east of Nairobi continues to pose environmental and health risks even after a study recommended its closure, said specialists. “The dumpsite is... [view entry]

Maji na Usafi Voices! newsletter had an incisive chat with Mrs. Catherine Mwango, executive director, Kenya Water and Health Organization (KWAHO). We bring you the rich excerpts of the far-reaching achievements of one of the founder members of KEWASNET. Q. What is KWAHO’s establishment and mandate? KWAHO is a national... [view entry]

Today is 6th November officially recognised by the United Nations each year as the International for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict. On 5 November 2001, the General Assembly declared 6 November of each year as the International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the... [view entry]

Photo: Melvin Chibole/ActionAid Hundreds of people have been injured in an operation aimed at restoring calm in the mainly pastoralist northeastern region of Mandera ISIOLO, 31 October 2008 (IRIN) - Hundreds of people have been injured in an operation aimed at restoring calm in the northeastern region of Mandera after... [view entry]

Five years after the introduction of free primary education (FPE) in Kenya, the enrolment of girls in schools continues to lag behind in Garissa, in Kenya’s North Eastern region. Most communities living in the North Eastern region are nomadic and semi-nomadic, and depend on livestock for their livelihood. “The nomadic... [view entry]

Photo: Global Fund The country has lost out on US$130 million for HIV programmes NAIROBI, 29 October 2008 (PlusNews) - Kenya will have to find new sources of funding to keep more than 200,000 people on antiretroviral (ARV) treatment after the country’s latest bid for support from the Global Fund... [view entry]

Photo: Keishamaza Rukikaire/IRIN Sexual violence against bar hostesses is widespread and accepted NAIROBI, 29 October 2008 (PlusNews) - A man in a bar gets progressively more drunk and disorderly, his speech growing more slurred and his sexual advances to a waitress becoming more aggressive as he tries to get her... [view entry]