A recent report by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) reveals that one in four people globally still lack access to safely managed drinking water. The report, “Progress on Household Drinking Water and Sanitation 2000-2024: Special Focus on Inequalities,” highlights that approximately 2.1 billion people do not have essential water, sanitation, and hygiene services, exposing them to disease and social exclusion. The findings indicate that people living in low-income countries, fragile settings, and rural communities, along with children, ethnic minorities, and indigenous groups, face the greatest inequalities.
In other news, Ugandan military veteran General David Sejusa has criticized the government’s involvement in the potential deportation of Maryland man Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who is at the center of US President Donald Trump’s immigration policies. A US federal judge recently paused Garcia’s removal from the US, citing concerns over due process and his fear of persecution or torture in Uganda.
Meanwhile, African health ministers have adopted a regional strategy to fully integrate rehabilitation services into public health systems by 2035. More than 210 million Africans require rehabilitation, but around two out of three people who need rehabilitation do not have access to the required care. The strategy aims to prioritize rehabilitation as one of the essential health services.
In economic news, the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) has announced plans to introduce newly designed ZWG notes, effectively phasing out the old versions. The ZWG has faced significant challenges since its launch in April 2024, including a 43% devaluation in September 2024. The updated notes will have better quality and durability, according to RBZ Governor Dr. John Mushayavanhu.
In a significant cultural development, the skull of Malagasy King Toera, along with those of two other members of his court, has been formally returned to Madagascar after almost 130 years in France. The handover took place at a ceremony at France’s culture ministry in Paris, marking the first restitution under a new law designed to fast-track the return of human remains. Madagascar’s Culture Minister, Volamiranty Donna Mara, welcomed the return, saying it was a “significant gesture.” The return of the skulls is seen as an important step towards reconciliation and recognition of the country’s colonial past.
