Help our local partners realise their vision of hope for their communities
9 October 2015
News From HART
Today we are celebrating our wonderful partner in Uganda! In the coming year, HART’s partner in Patongo, PAORINHER, will continue to:
- Fight against the spread of HIV and improve access to treatment and support.
- Work to remove the stigma of those living with the disease and promote reintegration of previously ostracised families.
- Provide primary school education to girls and boys, increasing access to education in the wider community.
- Support vulnerable families to produce their own food, ensuring that HIV infected children receive the nutrition they need.
Burma
- The EU Myanmar Trade Development Programme (TDP) was launched this week. The program is aimed to improve Burma’s economy and help the country to re-enter the global market.
- A Muslim coalition group has filed a lawsuit against the Burmese president Thein Sein in the New York federal court, for the ‘genocide’ of the Muslim Rohingya minority. The court has issued summons for President Thein Sein and several Burmese ministers to respond to allegations of human rights violations committed against the stateless Rohingya Muslim minority.
- The NLD party has reported that there may be hundreds of fake names on the ballot lists, and urges for lists to be checked.
- Persons who fled Burma in 1962 and settled in India are claiming the compensation promised them by the government for facilitation of resettlement.
- Ma Domènica from the Regional Development Network on Election Knowledge reports that awareness of the upcoming elections is lacking in Karenni State, especially among women.
- Major parties in Arakan state have signed a moral code to assist a peaceful and fair election process.
- Thousands of soldiers in the Burmese army have been promoted for their hard work on the path to democracy.
- Concerns have been raised that the upcoming elections may worsen the situation of the Rohingya in Arakan state, as a hardline Buddhist party is gaining increasing support.
India
- India accounted for the largest number of poor people in any country in 2012, but its poverty rate was lowest among countries having large number of poor population, a latest World Bank report has said.
- Indian PM calls for religious harmony after mob killing incident that sparked fears that Hindu zealots are targeting Muslim minorities; government officials had thus far failed to condemn the incident.
Nigeria
- A series of explosions in and around the capital Abuja killed at least 18 and injures 41. One struck near a police station, another at a market, another at a bus stop. Boko Haram later claimed responsibility for the bombings via twitter, with photos of those alleged to have carried out the blasts. They signed the tweet ISWAP – Islamic State in West Africa Province – Boko Haram’s new name for itself since it pledged allegiance to ISIS earlier this year.
- The President of Nigeria’s Union of Teachers (NUT) this week claimed that over 600 teachers have been killed by Boko Haram, 308 of those in Borno state.
- Three separate explosions took place at dawn on Wednesday, including two blasts in and around a mosque in Damaturu, Yobe State. Sources say anywhere between 14 and 40 are confirmed dead.
- In a new 17-minute video published by Boko Haram, the group said their leader Abubakar Shekau was still alive and accused the Nigerian army of lying about chasing them out of territories or confiscating weapons. “The fact is that forces of the infidels have now resorted to propaganda because they have failed to subdue us in any way.”(Source).
Sudan
- Sudan and South Korea have signed an agreement for increased development assistance between the two countries in helping combating poverty.
- Ban Ki-Moon, the UN Secretary-General, has pushed for Al Bashir to open direct talks with the rebels in Darfur and in South Kordofan and Blue Nile regions.
South Sudan
- President Kiir issued a presidential decree expanding the current 10 federal states to 28. The decree is to come into effect within the next 30 days. It has received criticism from inside South Sudan and the international community.
- Fighting has resumed in South Sudan, violating the peace deal signed last month, with 52 soldiers and rebels killed in Unity State.
- According to rebels, aerial bombardments have been carried out by the South Sudanese government in the Western Equatorial state on civilians.
- The UN has confirmed mortar shelling in the Upper Nile state. However could not determine who was shelling the region.
Timor-Leste
- Timor-Leste’s Prime Minister is on an official visit to Cuba. The two heads of state spoke about excellent bilateral relations and common willingness to cooperate over health.
- UNICEF begin an immunization campaign to ensure vaccination for children.
Uganda
- On this day in 1962, Uganda achieved its independence after nearly 70 years of British rule.
- Coalition for Civil Society Organisations has launched a manifesto for health, demanding that all political parties prioritise the health needs and rights of Ugandan citizens.