Since Russia’s military offensive began in Ukraine on 24 February, it is estimated that more than 18 million people (41% of the population of Ukraine) have been impacted by the conflict.
Nearly one in four Ukrainians has been forced out of their homes, with nearly 6.5 million people being internally displaced, and more than 3.5 million people have fled the country.
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According to the Conversation, in early February 2022, the World Food Programme announced that 13 million people in the Horn of Africa were facing severe hunger as drought gripped the region.
Similar concerns have been raised for several countries in the West African Sahel this year.
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On Day 32 of the war in Ukraine, Pope Francis made another passionate appeal to political leaders “to understand that every day of war makes the situation worse for everyone.” He pleaded with them, “Enough! Stop the war! Silence the guns! Negotiate seriously for peace.”
He made the statement in front of thousands of people, some carrying Ukrainian and Polish flags, in St. Peter’s Square on Sunday, March 27, after reciting the Angelus with them.
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With the Adjusted Alert Level 1 restrictions eased, Cabinet has reminded all people in South Africa to remain vigilant as COVID-19 has not yet been defeated, and it has called on those aged 12 years and older to vaccinate.
Cabinet has reiterated that vaccination remains the best defence against the virus, and reduces the risk of serious illness, hospitalisation and death.
“Although infections and deaths currently remain low, we face a possible fifth wave in the coming weeks. The only defence we have is the scientific evidence showing the power of vaccines to save lives. Our country has already administered over 33 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccines,” Cabinet said.
Cabinet further welcomed the Code of Practice on the management of COVID-19 exposure in the workplace issued by the Department of Employment and Labour.
The Code of Practice was developed following public consultation with the National Economic Development and Labour Council and will take effect when the National State of Disaster is lifted.
The Code of Practice will guide employers and employees in conducting or updating a risk assessment plan to limit COVID-19 infections in the workplace. It lists measures such as vaccination, social distancing and personal hygiene to safeguard workspaces.
National State of Disaster
In line with the recent extension of the National State of Disaster to 15 April 2022, Cabinet has called for the consideration of health regulations to regulate non-pharmaceutical safety measures such as the wearing of masks, social distancing, limits for gatherings and vaccinations.
Cabinet said this will also allow it to set up emergency, rapid and effective response systems to mitigate the severity of COVID-19.
“The recent extension takes into consideration the need to continue augmenting the existing legislation and contingency arrangements undertaken by organs of State to address the impact of the disaster,” Cabinet said.
The South African government responded to the COVID-19 global pandemic by declaring the National State of Disaster in March 2020, in terms of the Disaster Management Act, 2002 (Act 57 of 2002).
This facilitated an integrated and coordinated response to save lives and livelihoods.
The country has been under the regulations of the National State of Disaster on COVID-19 since March 2020, when South Africa recorded its first cases of the virus.
The President has announced further interventions that are meant to get the country to embark on a new phase in the management of the COVID-19 pandemic.
He said government intends to lift the National State of Disaster as soon as public comment on the health regulations published by the Minister of health has been completed.
All South Africans are invited to make comments on the draft regulations before the 16th of April. – SAnews.gov.za
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According to Good Things Guy, Wednesday saw the first public meeting of the Devil’s Peak Vredehoek Outreach (DPV Outreach), a voluntary community association formed to help homeless people in the area.
About 30 people, including members of the organisation and homeless residents, met at the Service Dining Room in town. Devil’s Peak and Vredehoek are adjacent City Bowl suburbs between Philip Kgosana Drive and Upper Buitenkant Street.
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One month into the war that continues to cause death and destruction, Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk of Kyiv-Halyč describes his visit to a hospital in Ukraine’s besieged capital, and launches an appeal for the city of Mariupol, where, he says, it is difficult even to bury the dead.
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“You see the consequences of war which is forcing millions of people to leave their land,” said Rudelmar Bueno de Faria, ACT Alliance general secretary, noting the heightened risk for human trafficking and forced labor.
“We heard from ACT members and from church workers that the first wave of refugees were mainly people with healthy financial situations and good connections in Europe,” he said, while a second wave comprised people with fewer resources.
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The South African Investment Conference (SAIC) will highlight the country’s resilience, as well as showcase the many investment opportunities available as the country recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Outlining the programme for the fourth SAIC on Thursday, Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Ebrahim Patel, said delegates will also receive a report back on the progress of previous investment commitments.
The SAIC will profile the strengths and comparative advantages South Africa offers investors and trade partners in a period of growing African integration through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Patel said a number of pledges will be made by investors for new investments in the South African economy.
“Pledges will focus on sectors that have driven innovation, such as the production of vaccines and a shift in digital services. Pledges will see [us] plug the gap in South Africa’s energy supply through building and supplying new sources of energy.
“Commitments [will come] from film producers and fashion producers that drive the creative sector. Announcements [will come] from traditional, heavy manufacturing industries, ranging from steel and metal fabrications to those who build cars and those who grow and make food,” the Minister said.
In addition, the country is expecting investment pledges from firms operating in Special Economic Zones, the small business sector and pledges for significant sums of money from development funding institutions, and funding agencies globally and in South Africa.
Patel made these remarks at the Sandton Convention Centre during the opening of SAIC, which is part of government’s investment drive to attract R1.2 trillion over five years.
The SAIC attracts delegates from South Africa and across the world to discuss investment opportunities in the country. Since the first investment conference in 2018, South Africa has attracted R770 billion in commitments across a wide range of economic sectors.
A host of panel discussions on a range of areas, relevant to investors and policy makers, will take place at the conference, as well as plenary sessions on the great opportunities of integrating the African market, which can be unlocked through the African Continental Free Trade Area – a pivot to Africa-led growth.
The conference follows the 2022 State of the Nation Address, which sent a strong message that the country is open for business and that working in partnership with business, labour and civil society, the environment can be conducive for business to flourish and create jobs.
The conference complements the Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan that supports economic recovery towards growth and a rebound in employment through structural reforms and investment in infrastructure.
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Michele Potgieter, a South African citizen who now lives in Ukraine, has dedicated her life nowadays to providing support and prayers to the people in Ukraine.
Potgieter joins church leaders in her community and drives to the Eastern parts of Ukraine to provide food, blankets and humatarian assistance to the people in need.
“The Lord is so faithful and good. We just stand in awe of how He provides during war,” she writes on Facebook.
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In a letter to Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, president of the Russian Federation, and Volodymyr Oleksandrovytch Zelensky, president of Ukraine, World Council of Churches (WCC) acting general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca urged the leaders to listen to the cries of their own faithful people.
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