In brief [Archives:2007/1099/Local News]

– New campaign to combat malaria

Oct. 29 ) Yemen launched a 25-day campaign last Saturday to combat malaria in Hajjah, Hodeidah and Sa'ada governorates within the framework of an Arab and international strategy to make the Arabian Peninsula free of malaria by 2015.

Majid Al-Junaid, undersecretary at the Public Health and Population Ministry, says the campaign will target approximately 134,000 households in 17 districts of the three governorates.

According to World Health Organization reports, approximately 12.6 million Yemenis, or 60 percent of the population, are at risk for malaria. Annually, Yemen witnesses more than 700,000 malaria cases and 15,000 deaths due to the disease.

– Yemen to observe Gulf women parliamentarians

Oct. 30 ) A women's parliamentary delegation headed by Member of Parliament Oras Sultan Naji left for the Emirati capital of Abu Dhabi to attend meetings of women parliamentarians and leaders of Gulf Cooperation Council states, which kicked off this past Tuesday.

The Yemeni delegation is observing the two-day meeting, which deals with difficulties women face in accessing decision-making positions and women's role in societal development, in addition to the activities of female Gulf parliamentarians.

ADEN

– U.N. officer praises Yemeni assistance to Somali refugees

Oct. 30 ) Miraba Wanji, international protection officer at the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, on Monday praised the humanitarian role played by Yemeni coast guards in the Gulf of Aden in helping Somali refugees and other daily activities performed in both Yemeni and international waters. The U.N. officer noted humanitarian assistance provided to Somali refugees in Yemen, particularly rescuing such refugees from drowning.

AMRAN

– ADRA to support sustainable development

Oct. 30 ) In a move to support public participation in sustainable development, Amran Governor Noman Duwaid met Monday with Nagi Khalil, director of the Adventist Development and Relief Agency. ADRA will support the project, funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development, to improve the capabilities of local communities.

The relief organization suggested some activities in the governorate, such as organizing training programs and dialogue sessions.

HAJJAH

– UNFPA programs discussed

Oct. 30 ) Hajjah Governor Farid Mujawar on Monday discussed with Hans Obdein, representative of the United Nations Population Fund, possibilities for implementing a development program targeting Haradh and Al-Mahabisha districts from 2007 to 2011. The program focuses on developing solutions to reproductive health and population problems and their relationship to development.

SANA'A

– Yemeni and Italian academics and researchers meet

Oct. 30 ) Several Yemeni and Italian academics and researchers concluded the first scientific meeting between Sana'a University and the University of Rome “La Sapienza.” Participants discussed specific papers associated with ties between the two universities and how to enhance academic cooperation between them, as well as the possibility of teaching Italian at Yemeni universities and schools.

TAIZ

– Qatar to support establishing anti-tumor center

Oct. 30 ) Taiz Governor Sadiq Abu Ras on Monday discussed with Ahmed Al-Mazroui Qatari, manager of the projects department at the Gulf Federation for Cancer Control, support for establishing a specialized center to combat tumors, which will operate temporarily from Al-Sa'eed Hospital until its building is constructed. The center will seek to cure cancer patients chemically, surgically and proactively.
——
[archive-e:1099-v:15-y:2007-d:2007-11-01-p:ln]