AGP Executive Report

Electricity for health systems: World Bank and AfDB’s Mission 300 says it has connected over 50 million people to electricity across 40 African countries, nearly doubling the pace since launch—framing power as a boost for healthcare, education, and jobs, with major gains reported in Tanzania (7.5m) and Ethiopia (4.6m). Ebola watch in the region: A new Ebola Bundibugyo virus disease outbreak in Central and East Africa has prompted travel advisories and stronger border screening in other countries, including warnings that the Central African Republic is among high-risk Ebola transmission areas. Deportations raise health and safety alarms for CAR: Reports say the U.S. has deported or is preparing to deport migrants—including Iranian women with court protections—to the Central African Republic, a country the U.S. warns against visiting due to unrest, crime, kidnapping, and health risks. Conflict and schooling pressures: A study highlights how conflict hits schooling hardest where children are directly targeted, a pattern that can worsen child wellbeing and health outcomes in places like CAR.

Ebola Preparedness: Health authorities in the region are tightening Ebola Bundibugyo response after WHO declared the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, with enhanced screening and possible quarantine for travelers arriving from affected areas and stricter border controls. U.S. Deportations to CAR: Reports say the U.S. has deported or is preparing to deport migrants—including Iranian women with court protections—back to the Central African Republic, despite a “do not travel” advisory citing unrest, crime, kidnapping, health risks, and terrorism. Electrification for Health: World Bank and AfDB’s Mission 300 says it has connected over 50 million people to electricity across 40 African countries, arguing faster power access supports healthcare, education, and safer service delivery. Conflict and Schooling: A new study highlights how conflict hits education hardest where armed groups directly target children, raising safety risks for families and undermining school attendance. Community Peacebuilding in CAR: A young CAR leader, displaced by the 2013 crisis, is now running peacebuilding and women’s leadership programs to help communities recover.

Ebola Preparedness: Health advisories and stricter border screening are being rolled out in response to the Ebola Bundibugyo outbreak in Central and East Africa, with enhanced checks for travelers arriving from affected areas and heightened caution urged for high-risk countries including the Central African Republic. Deportation Fallout: The U.S. is reportedly preparing deportation flights to the Central African Republic, including Iranian migrants and others who lawyers say had court protection in the U.S., raising serious health and safety concerns for people sent to a conflict-affected setting. Electricity for Health and Care: The World Bank and AfDB say Mission 300 has connected over 50 million people to electricity across 40 countries—progress that can support more reliable healthcare delivery, safer facilities, and better education and livelihoods. Conflict and Human Capital: A new policy-focused analysis highlights how chronic low-intensity conflict can trap countries like the Central African Republic at the bottom of human development and health outcomes, even when battle deaths are lower. Community Peacebuilding: A Central African Republic peacebuilding initiative led by a young woman displaced by the 2013 violence is supporting women’s leadership and local recovery efforts, with a focus on protecting vulnerable groups.

Ebola Preparedness: Health authorities in the region are tightening Ebola Bundibugyo response, with enhanced border screening and travel advisories naming the Central African Republic among high-risk areas, as WHO flags the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. Measles Alert: CAR’s northeast has recorded at least 56 measles-related deaths since late April, with most victims children in Ndjiffa, Vakaga—prompting calls for urgent action as the government has yet to respond officially. Deportations & Health Risks: The U.S. has deported or is preparing to deport migrants to CAR despite a “do not travel” warning, including Iranian women with court protections—raising serious concerns about safety, access to care, and due process for vulnerable people. Conflict & Child Safety: A study highlights how conflict harms schooling most when armed groups directly target children, pushing families to keep kids out of school due to safety fears. Health Workforce & Cancer Care: Merck Foundation and partners continue expanding cancer training and awareness across multiple African countries, including CAR, aiming to reduce late diagnosis and specialist shortages. Labour & Health Indirectly: Kuwait’s new domestic worker recruitment rules restrict hiring from many African countries including CAR, which could affect migration patterns and household health support systems.

Education in Conflict: UNESCO reports that in the Central African Republic, more than half of primary school-age children are out of school, with researchers warning that when armed groups target children directly (recruitment or sexual violence), parents pull kids from school for safety. Ebola Preparedness: With WHO declaring the Ebola Bundibugyo outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, multiple countries are tightening border screening and travel advisories; CAR is listed as high risk by Africa CDC, and enhanced checks are being reported at points of entry. Measles Surge: Local authorities say more than 50 measles-related deaths have occurred in CAR since April, mostly children, with cases reported in Vakaga’s Ndjiffa area. Deportations and Health Risks: U.S. deportation flights to CAR are reported to include asylum seekers and people with court protections, while the U.S. warns Americans not to travel due to unrest, crime, kidnapping, landmines, and health risks. Labour and Vulnerability: Kuwait’s new domestic worker recruitment rules ban CAR among prohibited source countries, potentially affecting health and welfare of migrants and families relying on remittances.

Conflict & Child Safety: A new study using UNESCO data warns that in the Central African Republic, conflict doesn’t just reduce schooling overall—it can push parents to keep children home when armed groups directly target minors, including through recruitment and sexual violence. Ebola Preparedness: With WHO declaring the Ebola Bundibugyo outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, health authorities across the region are tightening travel screening and border controls; CAR is flagged as high risk by Africa CDC, raising the stakes for early detection and referral. Measles Surge: Local reporting says more than 50 people linked to measles have died in CAR since April, with most victims children in Vakaga’s Ndjiffa area—an urgent reminder that routine immunization and outbreak response need support. Deportations & Health Risks: Multiple reports say the U.S. has deported migrants to CAR despite a “do not travel” advisory, including people with court protections—an alarming situation for vulnerable health and safety needs on arrival. Community Peacebuilding: A CAR woman refugee-turned-leader is using an NGO to support women and children and rebuild trust in conflict-affected communities, including through awareness campaigns and local leadership.

Ebola Preparedness & Border Screening: Health authorities in the region are tightening entry checks as the WHO flags the Ebola Bundibugyo outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, with enhanced screening and possible quarantine/21-day monitoring for travelers arriving from affected areas; CAR Health Risk Mentioned: CAR is repeatedly listed as a high-risk country for Ebola transmission by regional health bodies, alongside DRC, Uganda, and others, prompting calls for extreme caution and stronger surveillance; Measles Outbreak in CAR: More than 50 measles-related deaths have been reported in CAR since April, mostly among children in Vakaga’s Ndjiffa area, highlighting urgent need for vaccination and outbreak response; Deportations With Health Implications: Multiple reports say the U.S. has deported or plans to deport migrants to CAR despite a “do not travel” advisory citing unrest, crime, kidnapping, landmines, and health risks—raising concerns for vulnerable people’s safety and access to care; Community Peacebuilding & Women’s Leadership: A young CAR peacebuilder, Nina Mireille Yankinon, is using an NGO to support displaced communities and empower women and children through local awareness and leadership initiatives.

Ebola Preparedness: Health authorities across the region are tightening Ebola Bundibugyo response, with enhanced screening and stricter border controls highlighted in travel advisories and port-entry measures as the WHO labels the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. Measles Surge: Central African Republic officials report more than 50 measles-related deaths since April, with most cases among children in the northeast, underscoring urgent need for vaccination and outbreak response. Deportations to CAR: The U.S. has deported or is preparing to deport nearly two dozen migrants to the Central African Republic under third-country arrangements, including Iranian women with court protections—raising serious health and safety concerns given the country’s instability and the U.S. “do not travel” warning. Cancer Care Capacity: Merck Foundation and partners are expanding oncology training and cancer awareness efforts across multiple African countries, including the Central African Republic, aiming to reduce late diagnosis and specialist shortages. Water Safety Risk: A new global assessment flags unsafe drinking water as a major public health risk, with many African countries among the worst performers—relevant for CAR’s long-running water and sanitation challenges.

Ebola Preparedness: Trinidad and Tobago tightened border screening and travel guidance amid the Ebola Bundibugyo outbreak, advising against travel to the DRC, Uganda, and South Sudan and urging extreme caution for several high-risk countries including the Central African Republic. Measles Alert: CAR authorities reported more than 50 measles-related deaths since April, with most cases in the northeast village of Ndjiffa (Vakaga), and victims largely children. U.S. Deportations to CAR: Immigration lawyers say the U.S. deported or plans to deport nearly two dozen migrants to the Central African Republic under third-country deals, including Iranian women with court protections—while the U.S. State Department warns Americans not to travel to CAR due to unrest, crime, kidnapping, health risks, and terrorism. Cancer Capacity Building: The Merck Foundation highlighted ongoing oncology training and cancer awareness efforts across multiple African countries, including the Central African Republic, aiming to expand specialist capacity and improve early care access. Water & Health Risk: A new global drinking-water quality assessment flags unsafe water as a major public health risk, with many African countries among the lowest-ranked—an issue closely tied to preventable disease burdens.

Ebola Preparedness: Health authorities across the region are tightening Ebola Bundibugyo response, with new travel advisories and stronger border screening. CAR Health Risk Messaging: Trinidad and Tobago’s health ministry urged people to avoid travel to Ebola-affected countries and flagged the Central African Republic as high risk, warning that arrivals may face enhanced screening and monitoring. Ebola Response Scale-Up: UNICEF is rapidly shipping emergency supplies to the Democratic Republic of Congo to support frontline care, including protective gear, medicines, and WASH materials. Measles Surge in CAR: More than 50 measles-related deaths have been reported in the Central African Republic since April, with most victims children in the northeast. U.S. Deportations to CAR: Multiple reports say the U.S. has deported or is preparing to deport migrants, including Iranian women, to the Central African Republic despite a “do not travel” advisory—raising serious health and safety concerns for vulnerable people. Cancer Capacity Building: Merck Foundation and partners continue expanding cancer care training and scholarships across several African countries, including the Central African Republic. Water Safety: A new global assessment highlights unsafe drinking water as a major public health risk, with many African countries among the worst affected.

Ebola Watch: Health advisories and border screening are ramping up across the region as the WHO flags the Ebola Bundibugyo outbreak as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, with multiple countries warning against travel to Ebola-affected areas and listing the Central African Republic among higher-risk destinations. Measles Surge in CAR: In the northeast, local authorities report more than 50 measles-related deaths since April, with most victims children in Vakaga’s Ndjiffa area—highlighting urgent need for vaccination and outbreak response. CAR Deportation Deal Raises Health Risks: The U.S. has deported migrants to the Central African Republic under third-country arrangements while the State Department warns Americans “do not travel” due to unrest, crime, kidnapping, landmines, health, and terrorism—raising concerns about medical access and safety for vulnerable arrivals. Regional Health Capacity Moves: UNICEF says it has dispatched over 100 metric tons of Ebola supplies to the DRC, including PPE, medicines, and WASH materials, as the outbreak response accelerates.

Ebola Preparedness: Health authorities across the region are tightening Ebola Bundibugyo precautions, with travel advisories and stronger border screening and monitoring protocols highlighted in multiple reports, including enhanced entry checks and possible quarantine for arrivals from affected and high-risk countries. Measles Outbreak in CAR: Central African Republic officials report more than 50 measles-related deaths since April, with most victims children in the Ndjiffa area of Vakaga prefecture—raising urgent alarm for vaccination and outbreak response. U.S.-CAR Deportations: The U.S. has deported roughly 20 migrants to the Central African Republic, and lawyers warn some deportees had U.S. court protection—while the State Department reiterates a “do not travel for any reason” warning for CAR due to violence, crime, kidnapping, and health risks. Human Capital in Conflict Zones: A policy-focused piece notes that chronic low-intensity conflict can trap countries like CAR at the bottom of human capital outcomes, even when battle deaths are lower. Cancer Care Support: Merck Foundation and partners continue expanding oncology training and cancer awareness efforts that include scholarships and capacity-building in Central African Republic.

Ebola Preparedness: CAR’s Health Ministry has activated precautionary Ebola measures, including tighter border screening and travel advisories tied to the Bundibugyo outbreak in Central and East Africa, with enhanced checks for arrivals and stronger public guidance to reduce importation risk. Measles Surge: More than 50 measles-related deaths have been reported in CAR since April, mainly in the northeast Vakaga area (including Ndjiffa), with most victims children—raising urgent alarm over routine immunization and outbreak response. Health & Humanitarian Access: UNICEF is scaling up Ebola supplies in the region, shipping over 100 metric tons of items (PPE, medicines, and WASH materials) to support frontline care and safer health services in the DRC and neighboring areas. Training for Cancer Care: Merck Foundation is expanding cancer capacity across Africa, including scholarships and oncology training that list CAR among the countries receiving support. Public Health in Conflict Settings: A new analysis highlights how chronic low-intensity conflict can trap countries like CAR low on human capital outcomes, underscoring the need for sustained health and social investments even when battle deaths are lower.

Ebola Border Alert: Trinidad and Tobago’s Health Ministry has activated precautionary Ebola measures, including enhanced screening for arrivals/transit from the DRC, Uganda, and South Sudan, plus possible quarantine/active monitoring, as the WHO flags the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. CAR in the Risk List: The same advisory also urges “very high caution” for travel to several African countries identified by Africa CDC, explicitly including the Central African Republic. Measles Surge: In CAR’s Vakaga prefecture, local authorities report more than 50 measles-related deaths since April, with most victims children in and around Ndjiffa. Cancer Care Support: The Merck Foundation says it’s expanding cancer training and awareness efforts across Africa, including scholarships and capacity-building that list CAR among beneficiary countries. Water Safety Lens: A new global assessment highlights unsafe drinking water as a major public health risk, with many African nations among the worst affected.

Ebola Border Alert: CAR is named among high-risk Ebola destinations as Trinidad and Tobago tightens entry screening, with enhanced checks and possible 21-day monitoring for arrivals/transits from the DRC, Uganda, and South Sudan after WHO declared the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. Measles Surge: Central African Republic authorities report more than 50 measles-related deaths since April, with most victims children in Vakaga’s Ndjiffa area, highlighting urgent need for vaccination and outbreak response. Cancer Care Training: Merck Foundation and African First Ladies continue expanding cancer capacity across CAR and other countries through scholarships and oncology training, aiming to reduce late diagnosis and specialist shortages. Water Safety Watch: A new global drinking-water quality assessment flags unsafe water as a major public health risk, with many African countries among the lowest-ranked—relevant for CAR’s prevention priorities. Labour Policy Spillover: Kuwait’s new domestic worker recruitment rules ban hiring from CAR and many other African countries, a reminder that health and welfare risks can also shift through migration policy.

Ebola Preparedness: WHO declared the DRC/Uganda Ebola outbreak a PHEIC, and Africa CDC/Nigeria CDC flagged CAR as high risk—prompting stronger regional vigilance and travel screening. Border Screening Upgrade: Saint Lucia reactivated enhanced, risk-based travel history checks at ports of entry using APIS, and updated its national Ebola response plan with training for health workers. CAR Measles Alert: More than 50 measles-related deaths have been reported in CAR since April, mainly in Ndjiffa (Vakaga), with most victims children—underscoring urgent outbreak response needs. Cancer Care Capacity: Merck Foundation says it’s expanding oncology training scholarships across multiple African countries including CAR, aiming to reduce late diagnosis and specialist shortages. Maternal Health in Conflict: A report highlights how displacement and weak services in CAR drive extreme maternal risk, with women facing far higher pregnancy and childbirth death rates than in the U.S. Health Security Context: Kuwait’s new domestic worker recruitment rules ban CAR-linked recruitment in a broad list, reflecting how health and risk policies can affect mobility and labor flows.