Small things can save lives: Coping with COVID-19 in resource-scarce hospitals
“COVID-19 has exacerbated the global shortage of health workers, already estimated to be over seven million before the pandemic.”
News & Analysis: Lesotho
Domestic violence ‘pandemic’ is costing countries billions
Analysis and Opinion Lesotho Al Jazeera Article/Blog post by John Schellhase“‘Countries could save billions of dollars a year by tackling the disgusting pandemic of domestic violence,’ said Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland. She made the remarks following the release of a study that found the scourge costs Lesotho 5.5 percent of its annual economic output.”
Southern Africa: Why risk financing is critically important during COVID-19 recovery
Analysis and Opinion Botswana / Lesotho / Malawi / Mozambique / Namibia / South Africa / Zambia / Zimbabwe World Bank Article/Blog post by John Schellhase“We don’t know how long the COVID-19 pandemic will last, but the prospect of finding an effective vaccine is likely. In contrast, the risk of climatic shocks remains. Many countries in the Southern Africa region have taken the first steps in increasing their financial preparedness to respond to shocks.”
The promise of digitising cash transfers in sub-Saharan Africa during COVID-19 and beyond
Analysis and Opinion Angola / Benin / Botswana / Burkina Faso / Burundi / Cameroon / Chad / Cote d'Ivoire / Eritrea / Ethiopia / Gabon / Gambia / Ghana / Guinea / Guinea-Bissau / Kenya / Lesotho / Liberia / Madagascar / Malawi / Mali / Mauritania / Mauritius / Mozambique / Namibia / Niger / Nigeria / Rwanda Africa Portal by Gaby“This year, the coronavirus pandemic has forced governments to grapple with difficult questions regarding lockdowns, contact tracing and the provision of emergency financial assistance to citizens now without work. In developing countries, these hardships are magnified with the World Bank estimating that remittances – money transfers sent from foreign workers to their home countries – to low and middle-income countries (LMICs) are projected to fall by 19.7 percent (from $554 billion in 2019 to $445 billion in 2020). Considering the significant role that remittances play in alleviating poverty and improving nutrition, many governments have turned to mobile cash transfers for vulnerable citizens to use while minimising COVID-19 exposure.”
IMF Executive Board Approves US$49.1 million in Emergency Support to Lesotho to Address the COVID-19 Pandemic
Global Response Lesotho IMF Press release by John Schellhase“The IMF approved US$49.1 million emergency support under the Rapid Credit Facility and the Rapid Financing Instrument to help Lesotho meet urgent balance of payments needs stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Are African nations putting policing over public health?
Analysis and Opinion Botswana / Central African Republic / Ethiopia / Kenya / Lesotho / Nigeria / Somalia / South Africa / South Sudan / Uganda Lowy Institute Article/Blog post by John Schellhase“The shortage of medical expertise, equipment and facilities stands in stark contrast to the powers of law enforcement and security that have been exercised under the pretext of combatting the pandemic. This has laid the groundwork for a rise in police brutality, overreach, harassment, intimidation, corruption and violence.”
Lesotho becomes last African country to record coronavirus case
Latest Developments Lesotho Al Jazeera Article/Blog post by John Schellhase“The southern African country of Lesotho has recorded its first coronavirus case, its health ministry has said, becoming the last nation on the continent to confirm an infection.”
Navigating speculation and contagion conspiracies in Africa
Analysis and Opinion Lesotho / Nigeria / South Africa From Poverty to Power Article/Blog post by John Schellhase“Conspiracy theories and misinformation tend to create deep divisions. They also distract from the real issues that need to be tackled. What does help is focusing on providing information that will guide behavioural change to keep safe and prevent contagion.”
Global solidarity collapses over access to coronavirus testing kits and vaccines, says Africa CDC director
Latest Developments Lesotho / Niger / Nigeria / South Africa African Business Magazine Article/Blog post by John Schellhase“Rather than a lack of funds or political will, Africa’s shortfall is triggered by richer nations outcompeting the developing world for critical equipment, says John Nkengasong, director of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).”
Living with the virus
Analysis and Opinion Cameroon / Central African Republic / Chad / Comoros / Cote d'Ivoire / DRC / Eritrea / Guinea-Bissau / Kenya / Lesotho / Mali / Namibia / Nigeria / Rwanda / Sao Tome and Principe / Seychelles / Sierra Leone / South Africa / South Sudan / Sudan / Tanzania / Uganda New African Magazine Article/Blog post by John Schellhase“But cautious optimism should be the watchword – some experts claim that the disease is secretly coiling its way through African societies and that when it raises itself to its full dreadful height, a nightmare could ensue.”
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