Kampala – In the heart of Uganda’s capital, 35-year-old Joan Kaitesi navigates the city’s infamous traffic jams with calm determination. As a driver for the World Health Organization (WHO) Uganda country office, Joan’s professionalism shines through the daily chaos of blaring horns and impatient road users.

In a significant effort to enhance health emergency preparedness and response in Ethiopia and the surrounding region, the Ministry of Health and the Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI) have launched an advocacy initiative for the establishment of a Public Health Emergency Management (PHEM) Center of Excellence. This initiative was unveiled during a high-level panel discussion in Addis Ababa, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO).

Abuja ‒ The World Health Organization (WHO) and the TY Danjuma Foundation have formalized a US$ 2.26 million grant agreement to enhance health system resilience, improve maternal and child health, and revitalize primary health care in Nigeria’s underserved communities. The agreement was signed at a ceremony in United Nations House, Abuja, by Dr Walter Kazadi Mulombo, WHO Representative in Nigeria, and Lt. Gen. Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma (GCON, RTD), Founder and Emeritus Chairman of the TY Danjuma Foundation.

Kilamba Kiaxi, Luanda –In the heart of Kilamba Kiaxi municipality in Luanda, the Zape Mbundu Medical Center, led by Director Pedro Zavelela, is playing an important role in Angola’s fight against the ongoing cholera outbreak. Opened in 2001, the private clinic is now home to one of the first Oral Rehydration Points (ORPs) established in Luanda with support from the World Health Organization (WHO) and funding from the European Union through the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO).

Lilongwe-As Malawi celebrates its first anniversary after officially closing its reimported wild poliovirus (WPV1) outbreak, the country is taking strategic steps to sustain hard-won gains and strengthen its broader health system. On 24 April 2025, health leaders, partners, and stakeholders gathered for the National Polio Transition Planning meeting, an important milestone in ensuring that the infrastructure built to eradicate polio continues to serve Malawi’s communities for years to come.

From Polio Response to Long-Term Resilience

Ethiopia has endured multiple humanitarian situations recently, from conflict and displacement to disease outbreaks and climate shocks. These challenges have created a prolonged humanitarian situation, leaving over a million people displaced or in returnee status and straining access to essential health services.

Since late September 2024, the Afar region of Ethiopia—particularly Awash Fentale and Dulecha woredas in Zone 3—has experienced a significant increase in seismic activity. The situation reached a peak in December and intensified again in early 2025, with up to 14 earthquakes recorded in a single day, including a magnitude 5.8 tremor. The tremors, ranging from 4.4 to 6.0 on the Richter scale, have continued to shake communities across Afar and parts of Oromia, severely impacting lives, livelihoods, and essential services.

The Gambella region has successfully concluded a comprehensive Oral Cholera Vaccine (OCV) campaign, marking a critical milestone in the ongoing fight against the cholera outbreak that has impacted multiple districts.

Launched at the end of March, the campaign aimed to reach more than 990 communities, with strong coordination between federal and regional health authorities.

Freetown, Sierra Leone - Community engagement is visibly reshaping Sierra Leone’s response to mpox. Since the first confirmed case in January 2025, health workers and mobilisers have been moving steadily through affected areas, bridging information gaps, building trust, and helping people understand how to protect themselves and their families.