Infectious Agents and Cancer
http://www.infectagentscancer.com/content
[Accessed 17 May 2014]

Review
Human papillomavirus genotypes in cervical cancer and vaccination challenges in Zimbabwe
Nyasha Chin¿ombe, Natasha L Sebata, Vurayai Ruhanya and Hilda T Matarira
Abstract (provisional)
Cervical cancer is one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality in women in Zimbabwe. This is mainly due to the high prevalence of high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) genotypes in the population. So far, few studies have been done that showed the presence of high-risk genital HPV genotypes such as 16, 18, 31, 33, 52, 58 and 70 in Zimbabwean women with cervical cancer. The prevalence of HPV DNA in women with cervical cancer has been shown to range from 63% to 98%. The high-risk HPV 16, 18, 31, 33 and 58 were the most common genotypes in all the studies. The introduction of the new HPV vaccines, HPV2 and HPV4, which protect against HPV genotypes 16 and 18 into Zimbabwe is likely to go a long way in reducing deaths due to cervical cancer. However, there are few challenges to the introduction of the vaccines. The target population for HPV vaccination is at the moment not well-defined. The other challenge is that the current HPV vaccines confer only type-specific (HPV 16 and 18) immunity leaving a small proportion of Zimbabwean women unprotected against other high-risk HPV genotypes such as 31, 33 and 58. Future HPV vaccines such as the nanovalent vaccine will be more useful to Zimbabwe as they will protect women against more genotypes.

WHO International Health Regulations Emergency Committee declares polio as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern
5 May 2014
[Editor’s extract and bolded text]
The Emergency Committee convened by the WHO Director-General under the International Health Regulations (2005) [IHR (2005)] met by teleconference on Monday 28 April 2014 and Tuesday 29 April 2014. The following affected States Parties participated in the informational session of the meeting on Monday 28 April 2014: Afghanistan, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Israel, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia and the Syrian Arab Republic…
… After discussion and deliberation on the information provided, and in the context of the global polio eradication initiative, the Committee advised that the international spread of polio to date in 2014 constitutes an ‘extraordinary event’ and a public health risk to other States for which a coordinated international response is essential. The current situation stands in stark contrast to the near-cessation of international spread of wild poliovirus from January 2012 through the 2013 low transmission season for this disease (i.e. January to April). If unchecked, this situation could result in failure to eradicate globally one of the world’s most serious vaccine preventable diseases. It was the unanimous view of the Committee that the conditions for a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) have been met.
A series of recommendations were issued to curb further spread of the poliovirus for “States currently exporting wild poliovirus” (with Pakistan, Cameroon, and the Syrian Arab Republic named), and States infected with wild poliovirus but not currently exporting (with Afghanistan, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Iraq, Israel, Somalia and Nigeria named). Among the recommendations are aggressive new efforts for immunization and imposition of certain travel-related controls which involve polio immunization and requirements for documentation of immunization. The full statement is here.

Editorials on the declaration from major newspapers include:
:: The Guardian http://www.guardiannews.com/
Outbreaks of disease and war: polio’s history with conflict
The World Health Organization has declared polio as a Public Health Emergency of
International Concern; in the past Polio eradication brought warring nations together –
might it do so again now?
:: New York Times http://www.nytimes.com/
The Global Polio Threat, Back Again
By THE EDITORIAL BOARD
:: Washington Post http://www.washingtonpost.com/
What’s behind the WHO’s emergency declaration on the spread of wild polio
By Editorial Board, Published: May 8

Report: Progress on drinking water and sanitation – Joint Monitoring Programme update
WHO/UNICEF
May 2014 78 pages
ISBN: 978 92 4 150724 0
Overview
Even though progress towards the MDG target represents important gains in access for billions of people around the world, it has been uneven. Sharp geographic, sociocultural and economic inequalities in access persist and sometimes have increased. This report presents examples of unequal progress among marginalized and vulnerable groups.
Section 1 presents the status of and trends in access to improved drinking water sources and sanitation. Section 2 provides a snapshot of inequalities in access to improved drinking water sources and sanitation. Section 3 presents efforts to strengthen monitoring of access to safe drinking water and sanitation services under a post-2015 development agenda, as well as the challenges associated with these efforts.
Related links
:: Note for media: WHO highlights the need to further reduce gaps in access to improved drinking water and sanitation
:: Topic: Water supply and sanitation monitoring

Africa Progress Report 2014: Grain, Fish, Money – Financing Africa’s Green and Blue Revolutions
Africa Progress Panel
April 2014
[Chaired by Kofi Annan, the ten-member Africa Progress Panel advocates at the highest levels for equitable and sustainable development in Africa]
Overview
Africa is a rich continent. Some of those riches – especially oil, gas and minerals – have driven rapid economic growth over the past decade. The ultimate measure of progress, however, is the wellbeing of people – and Africa’s recent growth has not done nearly as much as it should to reduce poverty and hunger, or improve health and education.
To sustain growth that improves the lives of all Africans, the continent needs an economic transformation that taps into Africa’s other riches: its fertile land, its extensive fisheries and forests, and the energy and ingenuity of its people. The Africa Progress Report 2014 describes what such a transformation would look like, and how Africa can get there.
Agriculture must be at the heart that transformation. Most Africans, including the vast majority of Africa’s poor, continue to live and work in rural areas, principally as smallholder farmers. In the absence of a flourishing agricultural sector, the majority of Africans will be cut adrift from the rising tide of prosperity.
To achieve such a transformation, Africa will need to overcome three major obstacles: a lack of access to formal financial services, the weakness of the continent’s infrastructure and the lack of funds for public investment. The Africa Progress Report 2014 describes how African governments and their international partners can cooperate to remove those obstacles – and enable all Africans to benefit from their continent’s extraordinary wealth.

Survey Report: Public Health a Major Priority in African Nations
Improving Hospitals, Dealing with HIV/AIDS are Top Issues
Pew Research: Global Attitudes Project
May 1, 2014 10 pages
[This report examines public opinion in Africa on health priorities. It is based on 5,043 face-to-face interviews with adults 18 and older, between March 6, 2013 and April 12, 2013 in Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa and Uganda.]
Excerpt
Concerns about public health are widespread in sub-Saharan Africa, and there is considerable support in the region for making public health challenges a top national priority. In particular, people want their governments to improve the quality of hospitals and other health care facilities and deal with the problem of HIV/AIDS.
A Pew Research Center survey, conducted March 6, 2013 to April 12, 2013 in six African nations, also finds broad support for government efforts to address access to drinking water, access to prenatal care, hunger, infectious diseases, and child immunization.
A median of 76% across six countries surveyed say building and improving hospitals and other health care facilities should be one of the most important priorities for their national government. The percentage of the public who holds this view ranges from 85% in Ghana to 64% in Nigeria.
Similarly, a median of 76% believe preventing and treating HIV/AIDS should be one of government’s most important priorities, ranging from 81% in Ghana to 59% in Nigeria.
A median of at least 65% also say the other issues included on the poll — ranging from access to drinking water to increased child immunization — should be among the most important priorities. In fact, majorities hold this view about all seven issues in all six nations…
Complete Report: http://www.pewglobal.org/files/2014/04/Pew-Research-Center-Public-Health-in-Africa-Report-FINAL-MAY-1-2014.pdf

Preliminary Benefit-Cost Assessment for 11th Session OWG Goals
Copenhagen Consensus Center
2 May 2014 45 pages
Full pdf: http://www.copenhagenconsensus.com/sites/default/files/final_un_ccc_2015.pdf
Excerpt from Overview
In a world of limited resources, we can’t do everything, so which goals should we prioritize? The Copenhagen Consensus Center provides information on which targets will do the most social good (measured in dollars, but also incorporating e.g. welfare, health and environmental protection), relative to their costs. Some of the world’s top economists have assessed the targets from the 11th session Open Working Group document into one of five categories, based on economic evidence:
:: PHENOMENAL – Robust evidence for benefits more than 15 times higher than costs
:: GOOD – Robust evidence of benefits between 5 to 15 times higher than costs
:: FAIR – Robust evidence of benefits between 1 to 5 times higher than costs
:: POOR – The benefits are smaller than costs or target poorly specified (e.g. internally inconsistent, incentivizes wrong activity)
:: UNCERTAIN – There is not enough knowledge of the policy options that could reach the target OR the costs and benefits of the actions to reach the target are not well known
This document was put together over two weeks after the draft of the targets for consideration of the 11th session of the OWG were released on Friday 18 April 2014. Given the short turnaround, the assessments should be considered preliminary, and much nuance explaining the rationales has been omitted. Nevertheless, we hope that the assessments are informative and will help focus the Open Working Group on the targets that will yield the most social benefit relative to cost. The decision on choosing goals will rest on a number of factors, not just economics – but knowing the costs and benefits provides an important piece of information. The Copenhagen Consensus will present full, peer-reviewed economic evidence over the coming half year.

Research: Boosting Resilience through Innovative Risk Governance
Preliminary version
OECD
05 May 2014 148 pages
ISBN : 9789264209114 (PDF) ; 9789264209107 (print) DOI :10.1787/9789264209114-en READ
From media release/content page
Report calls for fundamental shift in risk governance to boost resilience against large-scale disasters
Large-scale natural and human-induced disasters have generated over USD 1.5 trillion in economic damages over the last decade in OECD and BRIC countries. Single events have exceeded damages worth 20% of annual GDP. Resilience of OECD countries is particularly challenged during times of economic downturns, above all in countries that rely on state budgets for post-disaster loss financing.
A shift in risk governance is required as governance obstacles hamper the effectiveness of current risk reduction investments. The report urges governments to address widespread disincentives that persist for governmental and also non-governmental risk management actors, leading to an over-reliance on the government for post-disaster risk financing.
Abstract
This report examines what countries have achieved in terms of strengthening resilience through better risk management and identifies persisting challenges. It focuses on the importance of creating an institutional environment that engages all stakeholders and allows them to build resilience against future shocks. This report has contributed to the development of the OECD Recommendation on the Governance of Critical Risks

Media Release: Global Fund and Munich Re in Risk Management Partnership
Full text
09 May 2014 GENEVA – The Global Fund is further strengthening risk management in health programs that it supports worldwide, under an agreement signed with Munich Re, one of the world’s leading reinsurers. The partnership provides for the German company to contribute know-how in areas such as supply chain optimization, which can enhance program effectiveness when fighting the three diseases.

“This is a great new partnership,” said Mark Dybul, Executive Director of the Global Fund. “We are very encouraged that leading companies like Munich Re are engaging in the response to HIV, tuberculosis and malaria and that we can draw on their knowledge to improve the effectiveness of the programs that we support.”

Munich Re, a reinsurance company based in Munich, will contribute risk management and insurance expertise to help implementers of programs supported by the Global Fund to identify and effectively manage risks through appropriate solutions.

The initiative launched today will focus on identifying risks in the Global Fund’s supply chain linked to procurement initiatives that are already in place. Munich Re will also give advice and propose risk management solutions that can maximize effectiveness in program implementation. In addition, it will identify solutions to improve the lives of vulnerable populations.

The project will target countries with a potential for high impact according to Global Fund criteria: countries with limited infrastructure or reduced grant absorption capacity, and countries where introducing optimization and risk management solutions can make a difference to the effectiveness of grants awarded.

Private sector engagement plays a key role by providing additional financial resources and in-kind contributions to support national disease strategic plans in implementing countries. Private companies and foundations have to date contributed approximately 5 percent of the funding provided to the Global Fund.

Amref Health Africa [to 10 May 2014]

Amref Health Africa @AMREF_Worldwide May 5
Current rate of increase in no. of midwives in Africa will take 29yrs to reach WHO recommended no. of 2.28 per 1000 population in Africa

Amref Health Africa @AMREF_Worldwide May 4
@AMREF_Worldwide salutes #midwives as we celebrate #IDM2014. Txs 4 saving the lives of millions of #pregnant women & babies

Aravind Eye Care System [to 10 May 2014]

AravindEyeFdtn @AravindEye May 6
82% of #Aravind #cataract patients spend less than 5 hours in the hospital. #ARVO2014

BRAC [to 10 May 2014]

Seminar held on ‘Creating accessibility in transportation and road infrastructure for the disabled’
BRAC’s road safety programme held a seminar on ‘Creating accessibility in transportation and road infrastructure for the disabled’ on 6 May 2014, at BRAC Centre. It was a collaborative initiative between BRAC and BRTA. Consultant in traffic planning and researcher of Lund University Helena Svensson, PhD gave a presentation on the topic. She identified insufficient footpath and a lack of arrangement for disabled people to get into public transport as major problems…

A call for action to end malnutrition
Civil Society Alliance for Scaling Up Nutrition, Bangladesh (CSA for SUN) celebrated a “Global Day of Action” on nutrition with 18 other countries on 4 May 2014 at Spectra Convention Centre. Inaugurated in 2012 by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, SUN is a unique movement founded on the principle that all people have a right to food and good nutrition. BRAC is facilitating Secretariat responsibility to achieve the objectives of SUN Movement.
The purpose of the Global Day of Action is to display the strong public support behind the nutrition issues of Bangladesh, and reflect this internationally. Art and quiz competitions were held in 14 districts across 7 divisions of Bangladesh in April. An art exhibition with the winning artwork from all 14 districts was displayed in the event.
“We must not allow under-nutrition to prevail and only with coordinated efforts we will be able to overcome malnutrition” said the chief guest of the event, State Minister for Ministry of Women and Children’s Affairs Meher Afroz Chumki, MP. Representative of World Food Programme Christa Rader and member of SUN Civil Society Network, Dr. Sultana Khanum attended the event as special guests. Dr. Michael Foley, Director, Save the Children & Executive Member of CSA for SUN, Dr. Rukshana Haider, Chair, CSA for SUN, Bangladesh, Kaosar Afsana, Director, BRAC & Member Secretary, CSA for SUN were also present.
Within the SUN Movement, national leaders are prioritizing efforts to address malnutrition. With a shared understanding that many factors impact nutrition, each of us has a unique contribution to make. Together we are capable of achieving what none of us can do alone.

BRAC @BRACworld • May 6
Tomorrow night BRAC UK will be tweeting from ‘The Bangladesh Success Story: state and civil society partnering for lasting change’ #joinus

BRAC@BRACworld • May 6
Thanks to @amplifierstrat & @WrenBren for this excellent article on BRAC’s ultra-poor prog – http://bit.ly/QbVmh9

BRAC @BRACworld • May 4
In pursuit to develop English & ICT skills of 77k girls of #Bangladesh – http://bit.ly/1iTbniZ @BritishCouncil #gender #ICT4D #globaldev

Casa Alianza [to 10 May 2014]
Covenant House [to 10 May 2014]

Broadway Stars Join with Jon Bon Jovi in Philadelphia to Support Our Kids
More than 450 guests joined with Covenant House President Kevin Ryan and some of Broadway’s most talented stars to honor Jon Bon Jovi, Craig Spencer and our Covenant House kids.

Covenant House @CovenantHouse 6h
The Honduran military police savagely beat our national director of Casa Alianza (@CovenantHouse) #FreeGuadalupe https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10203722096115560&set=a.1090714550738.2016329.1312714968&type=1&theater …

Covenant House @CovenantHouse May 7
We love you Jon Bon Jovi! “@CovHousePrez: Thank you Jon & @JBJSoulFound for celebrating with us in Philadelphia. pic.twitter.com/HJHIeVruJp”

Casa Alianza UK @CasaAlianzaUK • May 5
A year after genocide trial, is this justice? #Guatemala http://edition.cnn.com/2014/05/03/world/americas/guatemala-genocide-trial-anniversary/ … via @CNN #humanrights @LaAlianzaGT

Casa Alianza UK @CasaAlianzaUK • May 4
Raped Guatemalan girls need much more than pity: http://www.iamnotthebabysitter.com/casa-alianza-guatemala/ … via the Director of @LaAlianzaGT #Guatemala #humanrights #noalatrata

ECPAT [to 10 May 2014]

Regional Consultation against the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children in Latin America
Posted on 05/08/2014, 12:30
The ECPAT Latin America Regional Consultation against the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children wrapped up today in Panama City. The three-day Consultation brought together ECPAT groups from the region, together with leading child-rights experts to discuss the regional strategy to end the commercial sexual exploitation of children in Latin America. The Consultation kicked off Monday morning with opening remarks from Bernt Aasen, UNICEF Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean.

ECPAT International ‏@ECPAT May 8
ECPAT and the @INHOPE_PR Foundation cooperate in the fight against child sex abuse material. http://bit.ly/1o9swwM

Retweeted by ECPAT International
Ecpat Belgium @ecpatbelgium May 2
Empowering children to become responsible digital citizens is primary for @ecpat #makeitsafe project http://bit.ly/1k8Itww @CommissionerHR

Handicap International [to 10 May 2014]

Handicap Int’l-US @HI_UnitedStates • May 8
HI Physical Therapist Iris saved Dante from a life of permanent disbility: http://bit.ly/RuAWAY #TyphoonHaiyan #Philippines

Handicap Intl UK ‏@HI_UK May 8
Typhoon Haiyan 6 months on: Find out about our emergency response to ensure the most vulnerable are not forgotten http://bit.ly/1cQRdJY

Handicap Int’l-US @HI_UnitedStates • May 6
We’ve restored 17 basketball courts damaged by Typhoon Haiyan in the #Philippines so kids can play ball in safety. http://bit.ly/RkpYyb

Handicap Int’l-US @HI_UnitedStates • May 5
We employ people with disabilities in the #Philippines to restore community spaces damaged by Typhoon Haiyan.

Handicap Int’l-US ‏@HI_UnitedStates
HI Co-Founder Jean-Baptiste Richardier was in #Nepal to celebrate the opening of our new office in Kathmandu. pic.twitter.com/zzIUDFwl7y

Handicap Intl UK @HI_UK May 2
We’ve added powerful videos of our work in Syria, Rwanda and Lebanon over the last few weeks – Check out our channel http://bit.ly/HIUK-YouTube

Retweeted by Handicap Intl UK
HelpAge ‏@helpage May 2
Download now: Second issue of the Age & Disability Monitor looking at our joint work on #Syria crisis with @HI_UK http://bit.ly/PXaQ8N

Heifer International [to 10 May 2014]

Heifer International @Heifer • May 8
.@HeiferCEO shares how to #BringBackOurGirls in his latest blog post: http://hefr.in/Rvl5lA

Heifer International @Heifer • May 6
Heifer works to close the ‘digital divide’ in Peru by empowering women w/ technology to sell their goods. http://www.heifer.org/join-the-conversation/blog/2013/July/ict-peruvian-artisans-connect-internet.html … #FairMoms

Heifer International @Heifer • May 6
Heifer works with partners like @GreenMtnCoffee to ensure farmers have a sustainable livelihood. http://www.heifer.org/join-the-conversation/blog/2014/May/coffee-farmers-models-of-sustainability.html … #FairMoms

HelpAge International [to 10 May 2014]
6 May 2014

HELPAGE INTERNATIONAL HELPS UP TO 140,000 PEOPLE IN SIX MONTHS SINCE TYPHOON HAIYAN
Excerpt
Funds raised by donors across the world have assisted HelpAge International to reach more than 140,000 people in the six months since Typhoon Haiyan hit on 7 November 2013. (8.40pm GMT on 7 November 2013, 4.40am 8 November 2013 local time).
Aid has so far included:
:: Emergency food for almost 8,000 households in hard-to-reach communities
:: Cash grants for almost 16,000 households
:: Emergency shelter kits for 4,000 households
:: Rice and fertilizer for about 4,000 older farmers and fertilizer for about 3,500
:: Health check-ups and medical examinations with free access to one month’s supply of appropriate medicines for more than 1,600 people in 36 remote communities in Leyte
:: Psychosocial support for almost 1,700 people in partnership with Mercy Malaysia.
“Many older people have still not fully rebuilt homes and livelihoods destroyed by the typhoon and it is essential that poor and vulnerable older people are included in ongoing recovery programmes,” said Ian Clarke, HelpAge International’s Emergency Programme Manager in the Philippines.
“Helping people get their lives and livelihoods back on track is going to take a long time and a lot of resources. The recovery process is only just beginning,” he added…

Retweeted by HelpAgeUSA
AARP Foundation @AARPCares May 9
In Haiti we, @helpage formed OPAs, older people assns, that focus on care for elderly, which didn’t exist before.

HelpAgeUSA @HelpAge_USA May 9
Our CEO is @ #lifeat50 event in Boston today 2 discuss our work in #Haiti, w the support of @AARP members @AARPEvents http://bit.ly/1kSGKwN

HelpAge @helpage • May 8
Vote today for a better world. Have your say at the United Nations #globalvote http://thndr.it/1nVn9lD

HelpAge @helpage • May 7
Encouraging report from our team at #OWG11 and inclusion of language on #ageing and older people in #SDGs: http://bit.ly/1kLm9ur #post2015

HelpAge @helpage • May 6
Our CEO, @tobyhporter on next steps we’re taking at #SDGs meeting in #NYC to ensure #ageing included http://bit.ly/1rYtUjc #post2015 #OWG11

HelpAge @helpage • May 6
Typhoon #Haiyan, 6 months on: Rebecca Rita explains how we helped her rebuild her house & harvest enough rice http://youtu.be/pOo3Ie0RgDE

International Rescue Committee [to 10 May 2014]

Women fleeing Nigeria cite fear of abduction, reports IRC
09 May 2014 – MEDIA RELEASE–
Women fleeing Nigeria cite fear of abduction, reports IRC
80% of refugees pouring across the Niger border are women & girls
Excerpt
May 9, 2014 – Fears over the risk of abduction have contributed to a sharp increase in women and girls fleeing northeastern Nigeria into Niger, where the International Rescue Committee is responding to the crisis. This is in addition to the general fear of violence following an increase in attacks on villages on the border.
As many as a 1,000 refugees a week, 80 per cent female, are pouring over the border into the Diffa region of Niger from Nigeria’s Borno state, where 284 school girls were abducted by Boko Haram militants in April.
“With the number of armed attacks on villages along the border increasing each week, families are deciding to send their wives and daughters across the border as a preventive measure to reduce the risk of abduction and other violence,” says Matias Meier, IRC country director in Niger. “The stories the refugees tell us are terrible. At times refugees have had to literally run over corpses of people who have been shot or have drowned as they attempted to cross Lake Chad.”
“With so many female-headed families struggling to survive in Niger, there is a worry that if more humanitarian aid does not arrive soon, some mothers will be forced into prostitution out of desperation to feed their children,” says Meier. Alongside other forms of support, the IRC is providing female refugees who have experienced violence with medical treatment, counseling and legal support…

Humanitarian impact bonds: Pipe dream or possibility?
Posted by Radha Rajkotia on May 9th, 2014
Last month, DFID launched the United Kingdom’s first development impact bond (DIB) intended to reduce Rhodesian sleeping sickness in Uganda. The launch of the DIB represents a number of exciting features of how development can be approached. more »

The equity smell test: Is USAID going to the right places?
Posted by Emmanuel d’Harcourt on May 8th, 2014
USAID has contributed more than $7 billion to global health programs. But U.S. citizens, global health professionals and, most of all, people living in countries receiving aid from the U.S. government have a right to ask: Is this money spent as well as it could be, and does it go to people who need it the most? more »

#BringBackOurGirls: Responding to the clarion call
Posted by Heidi Lehmann on May 7th, 2014
The #BringBackOurGirls hashtag on Twitter has focused attention on the girls in Nigeria, their families are gaining traction and other countries are offering support. Heidi Lehmann’s question is: Will this galvanize action to address the systemic injustice girls face in accessing education? more »

South Sudan: Dilemmas in dealing with the peacekeepers
Posted by Melanie Teff on May 5th, 2014
Relationships between UN peacekeeping missions and humanitarian agencies are rarely totally harmonious, since they are present for different reasons and those reasons sometimes clash. And humanitarian agencies often fear being associated with the political and military elements of peacekeeping missions, in case this association affects the perception of their impartiality. But in some humanitarian crises they are forced to deal with each other more than in others. Here in South Sudan, the way this crisis has developed has forced humanitarians and peacekeepers into closer proximity than usual. more »

Intl Rescue Comm IRC @theIRC • 7h
(2/2) by respecting agrmnt,food can be distributed,people can move to safety, & plant- the steps required to avert famine later. #SouthSudan

Intl Rescue Comm IRC @theIRC • 7h
All parties in #SouthSudan must respect May 9 agreement: http://bit.ly/1l3su3m (1/2)

Intl Rescue Comm IRC @theIRC • 7h
#SouthSudan: IPC report forecasts that 4 million will suffer crisis or emergency level food insecurity in June-Aug: http://bit.ly/1l3su3m

Intl Rescue Comm IRC @theIRC • May 9
Polio should be eradicated, but still exists in #Somalia – 193 cases in past year #SomaliaAlert http://bit.ly/1m35G7B

Intl Rescue Comm IRC @theIRC • May 8
VIDEO: Typhoon #Haiyan #Philippines was 6 months ago today. See how the IRC & partners have been helping communities http://bit.ly/1hAmk9K

IRCT [to 10 May 2014]

New report highlights widespread torture in Ukraine
08-05-2014
Excerpt
Treatment of detainees in prisons across Ukraine is so severe in some cases “that it could be considered as amounting to torture”, claims a new European torture report.
The report from the Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT), the anti-torture committee of the Council of Europe, collected allegations of torture from prisoners, methods of which include beatings, electric shocks, burning using cigarettes, and asphyxiation using plastic bags.
The allegations were made by adult men, women, and even juveniles in some instances.
The majority of the torture and ill-treatment was committed by Internal Affairs officials, a trend which has been “an issue of grave concern for the CPT since the Committee’s first visit to Ukraine 15 years ago,” the report states…
…The IRCT echoes the calls of the CPT upon the Ukrainian authorities “to take decisive and energetic action to stamp out” the practices of unaccounted detention, ill-treatment and torture.
Full report from CPT here.

IRCT @IRCT May 9
Elena Calix from our Brussels office discusses legislation available to prevent #torture in the U.S. http://wp.me/p1FGNE-zP

MSF/Médecins Sans Frontières [to 10 May 2014]

Central African Republic: MSF Reduces Medical Activities Following Massacre
May 05, 2014
Excerpt
BANGUI, CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC—Following the brutal killing of more than one dozen civilians and three of its humanitarian workers in a hospital in the Central African Republic (CAR) last month, the international medical humanitarian organization Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) today announced a one-week reduction of its activities in the country.
MSF is reducing its activities in CAR and in neighboring countries where it is supporting Central African refugees. The organization is also evaluating the working environment for its staff and the broader potential impact on its medical activities of the armed robbery and resulting massacre at the main hospital in the northern town of Boguila, in Ouham Prefecture on April 26, in which 16 people, including the three MSF workers, were killed.
“We urge the transitional government in CAR and all armed groups involved in the conflict to immediately and publicly condemn this horrific attack,” said Arjan Hehenkamp, general director of MSF. “We demand that all armed groups take responsibility for the population living in areas under their control, publicly commit to reining in their troops, and respect civilians and humanitarian workers.”…

MSF International @MSF • May 9
RT @MSF_uk “Every day you can see things changing in Guiuan” MSF & the Philippines 6 months on pic.twitter.com/FmcPrYH0tA http://bit.ly/1jDXwlh

MSF International @MSF • May 8
Six months after the #typhoonhaiyan #MSF is still working in the #Philippines Read the update: http://bit.ly/1jDXwlh

MSF International @MSF • May 8
#SolomonIslands: #MSF provides care to flash #flood victims. Read the article: http://bit.ly/1fY7NK8

MSF International @MSF • May 7
#MSF #CARcrisis Dr Florien Oudenaarden looks back at a time of extreme violence, displacement and change. Testimony: http://bit.ly/1g7qZzq

MSF International @MSF • May 6
#Guinea: “Don’t leave them alone” Read the op-ed by Luis Encinas, MSF’s emergency coordinator in Macenta #ebola http://bit.ly/1imTrgF

Operation Smile [to 10 May 2014]
Upcoming Mission Schedule
May 9 – 19 | Mekelle, Ethiopia
May 12 – 16 | Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
May 14 – 18 | El Bagre, Colombia
May 15 – 21 | Liangshan, China
May 15 – 21 | Huangshi, China
May 17 – 24 | David, Panama
May 23 – 31 | Lima, Peru

Operation Smile @operationsmile • May 6
May is Better Hearing & Speech Month! Find out why Speech Therapy is so important for children with cleft. #BHSM http://www.operationsmile.org/blog/2013/the-importance-of-speech.html …

Operation Smile next
May 15-19, 2014
:: Operation Smile/ Covidien Inaugural Cleft Centers & Global Standards Summit
May 15 – 18 (14-19 with travel)
Operation Smile centers around the world are an integral platform for the delivery of surgical care. Operation Smile’s medical professionals will come together to discuss the best practices related to cleft center operations, programs and policies.
In addition, attendees will review and update the organization’s Global Standards of Care in order to ensure that the highest level of care is provided at every Operation Smile Center.
:: Resident’s Leadership Conference
May 17-18 (16-20 with travel)
Operation Smile’s annual conference for medical residents is sponsored by the Regan Fellowship and the Stryker Fellowship programs. The Conference aims to increase the residents’ understanding of Operation Smile’s programs and safe surgical care delivery.
:: MediCon
May 17-19 (16-20 with travel)
Operation Smile is proud to present MediCon, a new conference that will bring together future medical leaders from around the world to collaborate, learn and contribute to the growth of our global medical enterprises.