Safety

AI Accuses Nigerian Military of Detaining, Abusing Boko Haram Escapees
Armed Forces, Child Abuse, Human Rights, News, Nigeria, Safety, Security

AI Accuses Nigerian Military of Detaining, Abusing Boko Haram Escapees

Amnesty International has reported that dozens of women and young girls who escaped captivity by Boko Haram extremists have faced unlawful detention and abuse within Nigerian military facilities. The report, released on Monday, highlights ongoing human rights violations in the country’s northeast. The Amnesty International report is based on 126 interviews, mostly with survivors, conducted over the 14 years since Boko Haram launched its insurgency. It documents the harrowing experiences of women and girls who were detained, often along with their children, for extended periods due to their real or perceived associations with the extremist group. The report echoes longstanding concerns about the Nigerian military's human rights record, which has faced accusations of extrajudicial kil...
Armed Men Attack Villages in Northcentral Nigeria, Killing Up to 40 Villagers
Nigeria, Safety, Security, Terrorism

Armed Men Attack Villages in Northcentral Nigeria, Killing Up to 40 Villagers

Remote Villages in Plateau’s Wase District Targeted in Deadly Late-Night Raid Plateau State, Nigeria — Armed men launched a brutal attack on remote villages in northcentral Nigeria's Plateau State, resulting in the deaths of at least a dozen villagers during a late-night raid, authorities reported on Tuesday. The assailants struck the Zurak community in Wase district, causing widespread panic and forcing many residents to flee into nearby bushes. The incident marks another tragic episode in the region's long-standing conflict, which has seen hundreds killed over the years. The violence is primarily attributed to the ongoing struggle for control over water and land between nomadic herders and rural farmers. While government officials confirmed twelve casualties to The Associat...
ADB Commits $2 Billion to Clean Cooking Access in Africa
Africa, African Development, Environment, Finance, Infrastructure, News, Safety

ADB Commits $2 Billion to Clean Cooking Access in Africa

The African Development Bank (AfDB) has pledged a monumental $2 billion over the next decade towards enhancing access to clean cooking solutions in Africa. This commitment was announced during a landmark summit on Clean Cooking in Africa held in Paris, where the Bank's President, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, emphasized the critical importance of safe cooking alternatives beyond just culinary needs, highlighting the profound impact on dignity. The significance of this commitment lies in its potential to save the lives of approximately 600,000 individuals annually, predominantly women and children. The AfDB plans to allocate 20% of its energy project financing towards promoting safe cooking alternatives, aiming to address the prevalent use of charcoal, wood, and biomass for cooking in Africa. ...
Nairobi Building Collapses Due to Heavy Rains
Environment, Kenya, Safety

Nairobi Building Collapses Due to Heavy Rains

In a devastating incident amidst heavy rains and flooding in Nairobi, a building collapsed in the Mathare neighborhood, injuring several individuals. The structure, situated perilously close to a river, was among those marked for evacuation and demolition due to safety concerns prompted by the inclement weather. Rescue efforts were swiftly initiated, leading to the rescue of at least four individuals from the debris. Unfortunately, three of them sustained critical injuries, while one person suffered minor injuries. The Kenya Red Cross has expressed concerns that additional individuals may be trapped under the rubble. The collapse occurred while the building was undergoing demolition, as confirmed by the Red Cross. See Also: Kenya: Government and WHO Spearhead Emergency Response ...
Death Toll Rises to 33 in George Building Collapse Tragedy, 19 Still Missing
News, Safety, South Africa

Death Toll Rises to 33 in George Building Collapse Tragedy, 19 Still Missing

A week after the devastating building collapse in George, South Africa, the death toll has climbed to 33, with 19 individuals still unaccounted for, marking a somber escalation in the aftermath of the tragedy. Despite tireless rescue efforts, which have mobilized a vast array of resources, including cranes, heavy machinery, and sniffer dogs, no new survivors have been located. The grim reality is further underscored by the identification of only six victims thus far, highlighting the immense challenges faced by rescue teams amid the rubble. See Also: Building Collapse Leaves 23 Dead as Week-Long Rescue Efforts Continue Focused efforts are now concentrated on scouring the building's lower levels, as well as the first and second floors, in the hope of locating any remaining survivo...
Building Collapse Leaves 23 Dead as Week-Long Rescue Efforts Continue
News, Safety, South Africa

Building Collapse Leaves 23 Dead as Week-Long Rescue Efforts Continue

Search and rescue teams persist in their endeavors at the site of the tragic incident, a full week after disaster struck in the city of George, located in South Africa's Western Cape province. Municipal authorities revealed on Monday that the death toll has tragically risen to 23. An ongoing investigation seeks to uncover the root cause of the collapse, with the country's public works minister slated to visit the accident site on Monday, as reported by local media outlets. Amidst the somber atmosphere, a ray of hope emerged on Saturday when a man was miraculously rescued from underneath the rubble, a staggering 116 hours after the initial accident occurred. See Also: South Africa: Over 26 Rescued as Rescue Mission Continues The ill-fated building, approved for construction las...
Dozens Killed in Brutal Attacks in Zamfara and Plateau States
Fulani Herdsmen, Nigeria, Safety, Security, Terrorism

Dozens Killed in Brutal Attacks in Zamfara and Plateau States

Bandits have wreaked havoc in Zamfara and Plateau States, leaving a trail of death and destruction in their wake. At least 30 farmers, including a respected Islamic cleric, were brutally killed in Zamfara, while in Plateau, two herders and over 200 cattle fell victim to the bloodshed. Confirming the attacks in Zamfara, Police Spokesman ASP Yazid Abu Abubakar acknowledged the grim reality but withheld further details pending investigation. "The attacks occurred in two local government areas of the state," Abubakar stated, urging for patience as authorities gather information. Sources close to the incidents revealed that the atrocities unfolded on Thursday, striking fear into the hearts of Zamfara residents. Maradun and Tsafe local government areas bore the brunt of the violence, with...
Building Collapse in South Africa Claims Triggers Investigation
News, Safety, South Africa

Building Collapse in South Africa Claims Triggers Investigation

George, South Africa – A horrific building collapse in George, South Africa, has left seven people dead and nearly 40 construction workers missing. The tragedy has prompted a massive rescue operation, national mourning, and urgent investigations to determine the cause of the disaster. "We've recovered 36 people, of which, unfortunately, seven are deceased," said Leon van Wyk, the Executive Mayor of George, during a press briefing. "There are still 39 that are unaccounted for, buried somewhere in the rubble behind us. So, the rescue part is still continuing with the operation, but at the same time, what the teams are now doing are preparing for recovery." South African President Cyril Ramaphosa offered his deepest condolences to the families impacted by the building collapse and pled...
Kenya: Government and WHO Spearhead Emergency Response
Kenya, News, Safety

Kenya: Government and WHO Spearhead Emergency Response

The ongoing long rainy season in Kenya, which typically spans from March to May, has unleashed unexpected and devastating downpours, leading to widespread flooding since mid-April. The impact has been severe, with over 286,000 people affected, 47,000 households displaced, and a tragic toll of 238 reported deaths across 37 of the country's 47 counties. Dr. Pius Mutuku, a medical epidemiologist in the Ministry of Health, revealed the dire consequences of the flooding, stating that 14 health facilities have shuttered, and a crucial water treatment plant has been compromised, leaving approximately 3,000 people without access to safe drinking water. Additionally, 44 cases of cholera have been confirmed in Tana River County, one of the hardest-hit areas by the floods. To address the escal...
Desperate Search Continues in South Africa After Building Collapse
Environment, Infrastructure, News, Safety, Security, South Africa

Desperate Search Continues in South Africa After Building Collapse

Death toll rises to 7 11 trapped workers rescued. In George, South Africa, a frantic rescue effort persists into the night as over 30 individuals remain trapped beneath the wreckage of a collapsed apartment building. The construction site, bustling with 75 workers, suffered a catastrophic collapse on Monday afternoon, claiming at least 7 lives. Colin Deiner, leading the provincial Western Cape disaster management services, conveyed the intensity of the rescue operation, expecting it to extend for at least three days. "We are going to give it the absolute maximum time to see how many people we can rescue," Deiner emphasized during a press briefing, highlighting the immense challenges faced by rescue teams maneuvering heavy machinery near trapped individuals. Earlier assessmen...